Chapter 64: The Value of Silver (Requesting First Subscription)

“Thank you, True Immortal!”

“True Immortal, you have bestowed upon us a debt of gratitude beyond measure!”

The group of merchants were even more astonished and moved than the Shu Village traders—they had known nothing beforehand, had no preparation, and upon suddenly regaining what they had lost, nearly wept with relief.

In these times, trading is not easy; whether heading to Jiangnan or the capital, a single journey takes far more than a few days round-trip. Add to that the dangers on the road, the inevitable exposure to wind and rain, and it is a grueling task—merchants hold low status, and only the most diligent, hardworking, and fearless can endure it. Hence, most caravans consist of villagers or kin, to better support one another.

Earning money is hard; regaining what was lost, they could only check and recheck it, slowly restoring the illusion to reality.

“Where does the True Immortal cultivate?”

“Yishan, Fuqiu Pavilion.”

“Yishan?”

“Somewhat remote, unknown to the world.”

“May I ask, True Immortal, what manner of spirits were these thieves? All we heard from those who saw them in town was that they were little people, no taller than a person’s knee!”

“They are a clan of rat spirits.”

“Rat spirits?”

“They’re not particularly powerful—just a few meager supernatural tricks, enough to induce sleep. But if one’s blood qi is strong and willpower firm, one can resist sleep and fear them not; they’re not hard to deal with.”

“May I ask, True Immortal, have you eradicated them?”

“I don’t know if they’ve been eradicated, nor whether these spirits in the city are only those from last night.” Lin Jue sighed inwardly and shook his head—it was purely out of necessity to recover the money.

“If you’re robbed again, come to Fuqiu Pavilion on Yishan to find us,” said Seventh Senior Brother, thinking aloud. “Our pavilion has a method to deal with them.”

“We’ve noted it! We’ve noted it!”

The merchants exchanged glances; an elder took several pieces of silver and handed them to Seventh Senior Brother.

“We’ve heard the roads to Yishan are remote. True Immortal, you must accept this—consider it incense money for your pavilion and payment for your spirit-slaying. If fortune favors us, we shall surely visit Yishan in person to thank you next time.”

Seventh Senior Brother accepted it.

The Shu Village merchants, seeing this, also pulled out silver and tried to offer it.

Seventh Senior Brother turned and looked at Lin Jue, then refused, smiling only that it was neighborly help.

Lin Jue paused, then stepped forward, took out his own savings—about twenty taels—and kept five, handing over the remaining fifteen.

“Just now, I heard Uncle Shu say there was a great flood this summer nearby—I wonder if our village was flooded. Even if not, my eldest uncle’s illness has just improved, and he needs money.” Lin Jue said, “Here, ten taels are the travel expenses given to me by someone I helped deliver a letter; the rest are the reward from the county magistrate for slaying the demon monkey. Please take them back and give them to Auntie.”

“This? Your family’s affairs, we’ll help with. Don’t you need money yourself out here?” Uncle Shu hesitated, not taking it.

“I’ve joined the Yishan Daoist Pavilion—I now cultivate in the mountains, with food and lodging provided. I have little need for money.” Lin Jue said earnestly. “Please tell my uncle and auntie I’ve settled down safely and am doing well—don’t worry for me. If I have time, I’ll return to visit them.”

“Alright…”

The middle-aged man finally took the money, carefully stowing it away.

He thought to himself: Lin Jue’s help and the reward money should both be delivered to his uncle and auntie.

Both sides bowed solemnly and parted ways.

Seventh Senior Brother weighed the silver pieces in his hand—about six or seven taels. The merchants were thorough, giving nearly a tenth as reward.

“Don’t overthink it—we got the money back. The people of this city have grown shrewd; they all use iron boxes now, unlikely to be stolen again.”

“As for the demon humans or spirits behind the rat spirits, report it to Master when we return—he’ll decide what to do.”

Seventh Senior Brother split two silver pieces and handed them to Lin Jue and the Youngest Sister:

“These are our extra earnings. Buy whatever you want—don’t hold back. For the pavilion, money is always enough; if you have leftovers, just return them.”

“Huh?”

“What ‘huh’? Fourth Senior Brother told me to buy him some ink—I’ll go get it now. We split up. If we walk together, we’ll waste too much time; we won’t make it back to the mountain before dark. Don’t worry—Yixian is a big city. No spirits dare cause trouble in broad daylight.”

The two looked down—the silver was already in their hands.

Irregular shards, yet heavy.

Seventh Senior Brother turned and walked away.

“Let’s go.”

Lin Jue told the Youngest Sister, then set off.

The first shop they saw was a butcher’s.

Lin Jue wanted to buy some leaf fat to render lard; he glanced at the fox at his feet and said, “You were the hero last night—let’s get you a pound of lean meat first.”

The fox turned its head to look at him, then turned to look at the meat stall.

The street was already crowded; people found it strange to see a fox following a Daoist, and all turned their gazes toward them.

“What would you like to buy, Younger Sister?”

While waiting for the butcher to cut the meat, Lin Jue asked the Youngest Sister again.

“I don’t need anything.”

She answered without hesitation.

Her expression was as resolute as if she were entering meditation.

Lin Jue saw she was frugal by nature—perhaps from upbringing, perhaps from poverty. He said nothing, only turned his gaze elsewhere.

There was a wonton shop.

After the meat was cut, the leaf fat was placed in a bamboo basket; the lean meat was sliced by the shopkeeper and wrapped in lotus leaves. Lin Jue led the fox and the Youngest Sister straight to the wonton shop, ordered two bowls, and placed the wrapped lean meat on the ground—letting the fox indulge in meat for once.

The wontons arrived quickly.

The broth, simmered from bones, had a jade-like hue, seasoned only with salt and a few scallion sprigs—yet already delicious. The wontons held little meat, just flavor—but far tastier than the pavilion’s meals.

The Youngest Sister ate heartily.

Lin Jue ate while thinking.

Last night he bought sesame oil, soy sauce, vinegar, and spices; today he bought leaf fat. This morning he must buy rice and flour early—the mountains make shopping difficult, and this place is famous for preserved meats and hams, easy to store and carry; he should buy some. If he finds yellow wine, get a jug; if there’s sugar, even better.

It seemed the pavilion’s salt was running low.

He could also buy a good jug of wine for Third Senior Brother.

As he thought this, he suddenly heard a cry from across the street:

“Ice cream! Ice cream from the capital! Buy now—after a few days, you won’t get any! Jade melts on the plate, snow dissolves at the lips!”

Lin Jue instantly stretched his neck, looking up.

It looked vaguely familiar.

“Younger Sister.”

“Hmm? What is it, Senior Brother?”

“Want another bowl?”

“No more, no more.”

“Another bowl of wontons!”

Lin Jue called out to the wonton shopkeeper.

Before the Youngest Sister could refuse the extra wonton, her brother asked: “Have you ever eaten ice cream?”

“Huh? Wh-what’s ice cream?”

The Youngest Sister was momentarily confused and flustered.

“There.” Lin Jue nodded toward the front. “It’s a luxury from the capital.”

The Youngest Sister immediately grew wary.

“It must be expensive!”

Lin Jue smiled warmly at her: “Then you’ve never had it, right?”

The girl looked at him seriously:

“Senior Brother, I won’t eat it~”

“You won’t find it anywhere else.”

“I’ll eat wontons!”

“Didn’t you hear the cry? If you don’t eat now, it’ll be gone in a few days—last year’s ice has all melted!”

“I won’t…”

Moments later—

Two bowls of expensive, rare ice cream appeared on their table—a cold dessert made of milk, eggs, sugar, starch, and ice, thick like paste, fragrant with sweetness and dairy, piled into a small mountain on the dish. Thanks to the region’s thriving trade and its status as a provincial capital, it was possible here—otherwise, one would have to go to the capital to taste it.

Lin Jue picked up a bamboo sliver and took a bite.

It wasn’t just familiar to look at.

It tasted familiar too.

Lin Jue’s expression softened with memory.

The Youngest Sister copied him, scooping up a bite.

The early autumn still held summer’s heat, but the ice cream melted instantly on her tongue—icy, smooth, sweet, and fragrant, just as the vendor had cried:

Thick yet refreshing, just set yet about to drift;

Jade melts on the plate, snow dissolves at the lips.

The girl had never tasted such a flavor—she was stunned, enchanted, and unconsciously closed her eyes.

When she opened them, her senior brother’s face was full of smiles.

“Delicious, right?”

“Delicious!”

“Never had it before, right?”

“Never! Senior Brother, have you eaten it before?”

"Me?"

Lin Jue paused, tempted to lie, but the hesitation left him with nothing but a sigh: "I haven't eaten this in a long time..."

He lowered his head and took another bite, filled with memories.

The memories gave it a new flavor.

As Seventh Senior Brother said, the monastery could sustain itself; whether rich or poor, it had enough. At this moment, this small amount of silver was likely its greatest value.

After breakfast, they made purchases and met outside the city.

Seventh Senior Brother carried a faint scent of perfume.

Except for the little fox, whose sense of smell was sharp and mind simple, sniffing him repeatedly, neither Lin Jue nor the other spoke nor noticed anything amiss.

The three young Daoists, in the morning light, led their donkey away from the main road, heading deeper into the secluded mountains.