Chapter 80: Returning to the Capital

Because of the sudden appearance of the Green Ox demon, Hua Changxi couldn't be bothered to hide her identity as a cultivator in front of Niu and Pucao. To make better time, she didn't take the official road, instead leading the Green Ox along mountain paths.

Along the way, Hua Changxi flew through the sky on a cloud, while in the mountain forest below, the Green Ox dragged Niu and Pucao along the ground.

"Xiao Qing, you don't know the art of cloud-riding?"

"Replying to the Immortal, aside from inheriting the immense strength of the Ox clan, I do not know any spells."

The Green Ox was a creature that knew how to handle situations. Seeing Hua Changxi riding the clouds, it felt very envious and seized the opportunity to say, "Immortal, could you teach me the art of cloud-riding?"

Hua Changxi glanced at the Green Ox: "There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. If I teach you spells, what can you do for me?"

Niu cared deeply about the Green Ox and immediately replied, "Changxi, as long as you teach Xiao Qing the art of cloud-riding, we will do whatever you ask of us."

Hua Changxi said in a flat tone: "What can you do right now? Even if I had tasks for you to handle, you would need the corresponding abilities."

Niu changed from his usual timid self: "As long as the Immortal teaches Xiao Qing, I am even willing to give my life."

Hua Changxi looked at him, feeling somewhat speechless: "You are a person who doesn't dare to stand up for yourself, yet you dare to risk your life for an ox."

Niu seemed to want to say something more, but the Green Ox nudged him, signaling him to stop.

It had figured it out: the Immortal before them was different from the villagers they had dealt with before. In the village, people willing to sacrifice themselves were very popular, but here with the Immortal, she didn't seem to like that at all.

Niu had just mustered the courage to speak, but after being interrupted by the Green Ox, his spirit deflated. Thinking of how Pucao would usually speak up for him, but was unusually silent today, he couldn't help but look at her.

What was Pucao doing now? She was still lost in thought, having not yet recovered from the collapse of her worldview.

An ox could talk!

An ox could actually talk!

And the new master she had recognized could actually ride clouds!

Was she an immortal?

That must be it; the Green Ox called her an Immortal, so she must be an immortal.

She had actually found an immortal to be her master!

"Pucao-jie, are you alright?"

Hearing Niu's concerned voice, Pucao came back to her senses and said dully, "I'm fine, I'm fine. I just need some time to process this."

Hua Changxi also looked at Pucao. It was understandable for an ordinary person to be incredulous when suddenly exposed to the fantastical side of this world. Since she hadn't screamed or asked endless questions, her temperament was considered quite good.

Three hours later, as the sky began to darken, the city gates of the capital appeared in the line of sight of Hua Changxi and her group.

Before entering the city, Hua Changxi looked at the two people and the ox: "We are about to enter the city. Since you are following me for the time being, you must act according to my rules. My first rule: keep your mouths shut."

"Pucao, Niu, you are just two employees I have hired. I have a shop in Feng'an Ward, and I intend to open a pharmacy. What you need to do is watch the shop for me."

"And the Green Ox will be the labor for hauling goods in the shop."

"Remember the roles you are playing, and do not do anything outside the scope of those roles."

"If you cannot meet my requirements, then you cannot follow me."

Pucao's emotions had mostly been digested by now, and she quickly stated her position: "Changxi, don't worry. We won't talk nonsense. Niu and I are both capable of hard work, and we will definitely watch the shop well. As for this ox, Niu will keep a close eye on it and won't let it act recklessly."

Niu nodded repeatedly.

The Green Ox's large head also nodded along.

Hua Changxi: "I don't look at what people say, only at what they do. I hope you can keep your word." After saying this, she led the two people and the ox into the city.

Hua Changxi did not return to the Hua residence, nor did she go to the Medical Department. Instead, she took Pucao, Niu, and the Green Ox to the shop in Feng'an Ward.

The shop had been bought at the beginning of the year, but she had never had time to manage it. The weeds in the backyard were half a meter high, and the rooms were covered in dust.

Looking at the three large storefronts and the fully equipped courtyard in the back, Niu and Pucao's eyes shone with light, feeling that life had hope again.

Hua Changxi took out the one hundred taels of silver from selling the fish and looked at Pucao: "Can you keep accounts?"

Pucao nodded: "I can. When I helped my mother-in-law sell tofu, I had to keep accounts."

Hua Changxi: "There are places selling food and clothing in the ward. You and Niu can go buy the daily necessities you need, just keep a record of the expenses."

"Since the shop hasn't opened yet, I'll give you a monthly wage of one tael of silver for now. Once the shop opens later, we will adjust your wages based on how the business is doing."

"Working in the shop includes room and board, but you must pay for any extra expenses yourselves."

"You both know what a pharmacy looks like, right?"

"If you aren't sure, spend the next few days walking around the streets to see how other pharmacies are set up."

"I'll give you one month to find people to clean and set up the pharmacy. Can you do it?"

Although it was her first time in the capital and she didn't know anything, Pucao still took the silver: "We can do it. Niu and I will definitely get the shop cleaned up properly."

Hua Changxi looked at her: "If the silver isn't enough, you can tell me. By the way, you also need to have an ox cart made for the Green Ox. If the shop needs to haul anything, it will have to do the work."

The Green Ox suddenly asked: "Do I get a wage too?"

Hua Changxi paused: "Yes, the same as them, one tael of silver a month."

Knowing that it also had a wage, the Green Ox was satisfied and indicated that it would haul goods well.

Hua Changxi: "I have to report to the Medical Department tomorrow, so I might not be able to come here very often. If you have any issues, you can come to the Medical Department to find me."

Not wanting her family to know she had opened a shop outside, she didn't tell them the address of the Hua residence.

After finishing the instructions, Hua Changxi let Pucao and Niu handle things themselves, while she left Feng'an Ward and returned to the Hua residence.

When Hua Changxi returned to the Hua residence, the sky was already completely dark. As she approached the Hua courtyard, her expression changed.

Spiritual energy fluctuations!

Why would there be spiritual energy fluctuations in the Hua courtyard?

Hua Changxi leaped directly onto the courtyard wall and sensed it, discovering that the spiritual energy fluctuations were coming from the second and fourth branches in the backyard.

"Who is it?"

Hua Minghe came out with a basin of foot-washing water to dump it and immediately noticed someone on the wall. While shouting a warning, he grabbed a broom from under the eaves, ready to throw it.

Hua Changxi hurriedly called out: "Father, it's me."

"Jiuniang."

Hearing his daughter's voice, Hua Minghe was first surprised, then his face filled with joy.

At this moment, the other rooms in the front yard also opened, and Hua Liulang rushed out wearing only his underpants and carrying a saber.

Hua Changxi jumped down from the wall: "It's me, it's me."

Hua Liulang's face lit up: "Jiuniang, you're back."

Yao Shi also ran out of the room. Seeing Hua Changxi, she hurried forward to pull her over and look her over. After confirming her daughter was fine, she complained: "You child, you don't use the front door when coming home, why are you climbing over the wall?"

Hua Changxi laughed sheepishly, seeing the people from the second and fourth branches rushing over from the backyard, her gaze lingering on Hua Silang and Hua Shierniang of the second branch, and Hua Qiniang of the fourth branch.

These three had actually already guided Qi into their bodies!

"I just wanted to give everyone a surprise."

Old Madam Hua's dissatisfied voice rang out: "No surprise, only a fright. You haven't been home for months, and not only have you made no progress, but you've even learned the ways of a bandit..."

"Mother."

Hua Minghe called out to Old Madam Hua, stopping her from continuing her lecture.

In the main living room, Old Master Hua's coughing sound was also heard: "Jiuniang is back, let's all go inside to talk."

Old Madam Hua didn't say anything more and turned to enter the house.

Hua Changxi had long been immune to Old Madam Hua. At this moment, she only wanted to know how the three of them had embarked on the path of cultivation. After being pulled into the living room by Yao Shi and paying her respects to the elders, her gaze remained fixed on the three of them.

Seeing Hua Changxi staring straight at her, Hua Shierniang smiled somewhat smugly: "Jiuniang, why are you looking at me like that?"

Hua Changxi immediately asked: "Twelve, your and Seventh Sister's skin is so supple. Did you use some kind of beauty method?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the Hua elders shifted.

Hua Minghe and Yao Shi exchanged a glance, both surprised by their daughter's keenness.

Hua Shierniang said happily: "It's not a beauty method. It's Tenth Sister. Tenth Sister came back a while ago and brought a transparent crystal stone for the family to touch. Only Seventh Sister and I made the stone light up."

"Tenth Sister said that those who can make the crystal stone light up can practice Daoist cultivation techniques. She gave me a copy of the 'Five Elements Technique' and Seventh Sister a copy of the 'Fire-Wood Technique'."

"After Seventh Sister and I practiced them, we really felt that our bodies and complexions improved a lot."

Hearing that Tenth Sister had returned, Hua Changxi's face lit up, and she looked at Yao Shi and Hua Minghe: "Father, Mother, is Tenth Sister back? Where is she?"

Speaking of her youngest daughter, Yao Shi's expression darkened: "She left. The Tai Su Palace had matters to attend to. Tenth Sister only stayed for a day before being called away again."

"Tenth Sister originally wanted to go with your Third and Sixth brothers to the Medicine Valley to see you. She said you were all alone there and was worried you might run into trouble, so she told us to bring you back."

Hua Changxi smiled: "Tenth Sister just loves to worry. By the way, Mother, has Tenth Sister been doing well at the Tai Su Palace all these years?"

Before Yao Shi could speak, Hua Shierniang spoke up first: "Of course she has. Jiuniang, you didn't see it. Tenth Sister is now more refined than any young lady of a noble family; she has such an air about her."

"Tenth Sister also left behind nourishing pills for the elders in the family. Haven't you noticed that Grandfather, Grandmother, and Eldest Uncle's complexions are much better than before?"

"However, when it comes to health, nothing beats practicing Daoist techniques. Unfortunately, Daoist body-cultivation techniques aren't for everyone to practice. In the whole family, only Seventh Sister and I can."

Hua Changxi looked at Hua Silang: "I see that Fourth Brother's complexion is about the same as Seventh Sister and Twelve's, and better than everyone else's. What's going on with that?"

As soon as this was said, Hua Shierniang, who had been keen on showing off, suddenly stopped talking.

Old Madam Hua glanced at Hua Changxi and muttered: "Your eyes are really sharp."

Hua Changxi looked at her family who had gone silent, especially noticing that her father and mother were hanging their heads in shame, while the others also looked uncomfortable: "What's going on?"

Hua Liulang spoke up in a muffled voice: "Daoist techniques aren't something only Seventh Sister and Twelfth Sister can practice. Seventh Sister and Twelfth Sister have talent, but others can also practice by taking pills."

Hua Changxi's eyes flickered: "What pills?"

Hua Liulang looked at his sister: "Tenth Sister left behind three sets of pills, two in each set: one 'Rebirth Pill' and one 'Wood Spirit Pill'. As long as you eat them, you can practice Daoist techniques."

Seeing that Hua Liulang seemed to want to continue, Old Master Hua spoke up: "It's getting late, and Jiuniang must be tired. Let's stop here for today and all go back to rest."

After saying this, he was the first to return to the west room, and Old Madam Hua followed immediately. Seeing the old couple leave, the people from the second and fourth branches all stood up and returned to the backyard.

Hua Changxi watched this scene with a flat expression, having already guessed what was going on in her heart.

With Tenth Sister's personality, she definitely would have left pills for her, but given Grandfather's patriarchal nature, her share of the pills had likely been eaten by the other men in the family.

Hua Changxi followed Hua Minghe and Yao Shi to the east room where they lived. Hua Sanlang and Hua Liulang exchanged a glance and followed them in.

"Father, Mother, who were the three sets of pills Tenth Sister left behind given to?"

Seeing that Hua Minghe didn't speak, Hua Liulang said: "Eldest Brother, Fourth Brother, and Eleventh."

Hua Changxi: "Grandfather distributed them?"

Hua Liulang: "Who else but Grandfather? Grandfather said that the first branch has Eldest Brother and Tenth Sister, the second branch has Fourth Brother and Twelfth Sister, and the fourth branch has Seventh Sister and Eleventh. This way, all three branches can develop upward in a balanced way, with no one left behind."

Hua Changxi looked at Hua Minghe and Yao Shi: "Father, Mother, the pills were Tenth Sister's. Even if they weren't given to me, it would have been good to give them to Third Brother or Sixth Brother. Why did you let Grandfather make the decision?"

Hua Minghe looked at Hua Changxi: "Jiuniang, your grandfather is doing this for the sake of the entire Hua family."

Hua Changxi sneered: "Grandfather can be far-sighted for the Hua family, but the premise is that he has the ability himself. What kind of logic is it to be generous with someone else's things?"

Hua Minghe was actually bothered by Old Master Hua's distribution of the pills, but as a child, how could he speak ill of his parents: "Your grandfather said that from now on, the family will fully support your Third and Sixth brothers in practicing martial arts."

Hua Liulang hummed: "But Daoist techniques are much more powerful than martial arts."

Hua Minghe looked at Hua Liulang with displeasure: "You've never practiced them, so how do you know Daoist techniques are more powerful?"

Hua Liulang: "I just know. Even if you become a grandmaster in martial arts, you can't fly, but Tenth Sister can."

Seeing her son's resentment, Yao Shi couldn't help but soothe him: "Everything has its destiny. Not getting some things might not be a bad thing."

Hua Changxi looked at the four of them: "Father, Mother, Third Brother, Sixth Brother, do you want to practice Daoist techniques?"

Hua Liulang muttered: "Who wouldn't?"

Seeing that the other three didn't deny it, Hua Changxi asked again: "Do you have copies of the Daoist techniques Tenth Sister left behind?"

Hua Liulang immediately said: "Third Brother copied them."

Hua Changxi looked at Hua Sanlang: "Third Brother, I want to see them."

Hua Sanlang looked at her: "It's useless to look. Without spiritual veins, you can't practice."

Hua Changxi: "Just bring them for me to see first."

Hua Sanlang had no choice but to return to his room and bring back the three copied techniques.

Hua Changxi took them and flipped through them: "'Green Wood Technique', 'Five Elements Technique', 'Fire-Wood Technique'."

Hua Sanlang explained: "Seventh Sister practices the 'Fire-Wood Technique', Twelfth Sister practices the 'Five Elements Technique', and the three of them, including Eldest Brother, who took Tenth Sister's pills, practice the 'Green Wood Technique'."

Hua Changxi was looking at the 'Five Elements Technique': "It says here that there are five types of the best spiritual veins: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. If you could choose, what would you choose?"

Hua Sanlang shook his head and laughed: "Is this something we can choose?"

Hua Changxi looked at her parents and two brothers and smiled: "Since we're idle, let's treat it as a game. If it were me, I'd choose the fire spiritual vein."

Hua Liulang was the first to respond: "I'd also choose the fire spiritual vein."

Hua Changxi looked at Hua Sanlang: "Third Brother, what about you?"

Deep down, Hua Sanlang wanted to practice Daoist techniques, but he also knew he probably wouldn't have the chance. Not wanting to mess around with his younger brother and sister, he didn't speak.

Hua Liulang spoke for him: "Third Brother likes refining medicine, he would definitely choose the wood spiritual vein."

Hua Changxi looked at Hua Minghe and Yao Shi: "What about Father and Mother?"

Regarding her daughter's questioning one by one, Yao Shi sensed something unusual: "I like fire, and your father would probably like wood."

Hua Changxi smiled: "You all know that I was valued by a grandmaster from the Medicine Valley, right?"

"That Grandmaster You gave me a few pills some time ago. I took one, and then I had a fire spiritual vein. I happen to have four pills left here, one for each of you."

Hearing this, the four of them were stunned. It wasn't until they saw Hua Changxi really take out two red pills and two green pills, and smelled the fragrance of the pills, that the four of them came back to their senses.

Hua Liulang swallowed his saliva: "Jiuniang, what kind of pills are these?"

Hua Changxi shook her head: "I'm not too sure, anyway, after eating them, you can practice Daoist techniques."

Upon hearing this, Hua Liulang quickly grabbed a fire spirit pill and threw it directly into his mouth. Feeling the pill turn into a warm current flowing to all parts of his body, he closed his eyes comfortably.

Hua Changxi handed the pills to the other three.

Hua Sanlang glanced at Hua Liulang, took the pill, and also threw it into his mouth.

Yao Shi was somewhat worried: "Jiuniang, tell Mother, where did these pills come from?"

Hua Changxi smiled and shook her head: "Mother, I don't want to lie to you, but there are some things I don't want to say."

Yao Shi and Hua Minghe exchanged a glance, took the pills, and without hesitation, ate them just like that.

Absorbing the pills would take some time. Hua Changxi helped the four of them sit down, and seeing that they weren't having any trouble, she returned to her own room. ===== CHAPTER 81 =====