Chapter 80: Returning to the Capital

Due to the sudden appearance of the Green Ox Demon, Hua Changxi no longer bothered to conceal her cultivator identity before A Niu and Pu Cao; to speed their journey, she abandoned the official road and led the green ox along mountain paths.

Along the way, Hua Changxi rode clouds through the sky, while in the forests below, the green ox dragged A Niu and Pu Cao across the ground.

"Little Green, can't you ride clouds?"

"Replying to the Immortal, aside from inheriting the ox clan's boundless strength, I know no spells whatsoever."

The green ox was also a shrewd creature; seeing Hua Changxi riding clouds, it felt quite 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 free lunch in this world. If I teach you a spell, what can you do for me?"

A Niu, deeply concerned about the green ox, immediately replied, "Changxi, as long as you teach Little Green the cloud-riding technique, we will do whatever you ask."

Hua Changxi's tone remained indifferent: "What can you do right now? Even if I had tasks for you, you would need corresponding abilities to carry them out."

A Niu, abandoning his usual timidity, declared, "As long as the Immortal teaches Little Green, I am willing to give up my life."

Hua Changxi looked at him, her expression hard to describe: "You dare not stand up for yourself, yet you are willing to sacrifice your life for an ox."

A Niu seemed about to speak again, but the green ox jostled him, signaling him to stop.

It had finally realized that this Immortal before them differed from the villagers they had previously known; in the village, those willing to dedicate and sacrifice themselves were highly popular, but here, this Immortal seemed not to appreciate such behavior at all.

A Niu had just summoned great courage to speak; interrupted by the green ox, his spirit deflated. Recalling that Sister Pu Cao usually spoke up for him, yet today remained unusually silent, he couldn't help but glance at her.

What was Pu Cao doing now? She was still lost in thought, unable to recover from the collapse of her worldview.

An ox can talk!

An ox can actually talk!

And their newly acknowledged mistress can ride clouds!

Is she a deity?

Yes, the green ox calls her 'Immortal'; she must be a deity.

She actually found a deity to serve as her mistress!

"Sister Pu Cao, are you alright?"

Hearing A Niu's concerned voice, Pu Cao snapped back to reality and said dazedly, "I'm fine, I'm fine; I just need some time to settle down."

Hua Changxi also glanced at Pu Cao; it was understandable that an ordinary person, suddenly exposed to this world's mystical aspects, would find it hard to believe. The fact that she hadn't screamed or bombarded them with questions showed her mental fortitude was quite good.

Three hours later, as dusk began to fall, the gates of Jingcheng appeared in the sight of Hua Changxi and her companions.

Before entering the city, Hua Changxi looked at the two humans and one ox: "We are about to enter the city. Since you are temporarily following me, you must abide by my rules. My first rule: keep your mouths shut."

"Pu Cao, A Niu, you are two hired hands employed by me. I own a shop in Feng'an Ward, and I plan to open a pharmacy there. Your task will be to watch over the shop for me."

"As for the green ox, it will serve as the beast of burden for hauling goods at the shop."

"Remember the roles you are to play, and do not act beyond the scope of those roles."

"If you cannot meet my requirements, then you cannot remain with me."

By now, Pu Cao had mostly processed her emotions and quickly pledged, "Changxi, rest assured, we won't speak out of turn. Both A Niu and I are capable workers; we will definitely watch the shop well. As for this ox, A Niu will keep an eye on it and prevent it from causing trouble."

A Niu nodded vigorously.

The green ox's large head also nodded in agreement.

Hua Changxi said, "I judge people not by their words but by their actions. I hope you can live up to your promises." With that, she led the two humans and the ox into the city.

Hua Changxi did not return to the Hua family residence nor go to the Medical Bureau; instead, she took Pu Cao, A Niu, and the green ox directly to the shop in Feng'an Ward.

The shop, purchased at the beginning of the year, had never been tended to; weeds in the backyard had grown half a meter high, and the rooms inside were covered in dust.

Seeing the three large shop rooms and the fully equipped courtyard behind them, A Niu and Pu Cao's eyes sparkled brightly, feeling that life once again held hope.

Hua Changxi took out the hundred taels of silver from selling fish earlier and looked at Pu Cao: "Do you know how to keep accounts?"

Pu Cao nodded: "Yes, I used to keep accounts when helping my mother-in-law sell tofu."

Hua Changxi said, "Within the ward, there are shops selling food and clothing. For daily necessities you and A Niu need, purchase them yourselves and simply record the expenses."

"Since the shop hasn't opened yet, I'll pay you each one tael of silver per month for now. Once the shop opens, depending on how business goes, we can adjust your wages accordingly."

"Working at the shop includes food and lodging, but any additional expenses you incur must be paid by yourselves."

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

"If you're unclear, spend the next few days wandering the streets to observe how other pharmacies are arranged."

"I'm giving you one month to find workers, clean, and furnish the pharmacy. Can you do this?"

Although it was their first time in Jingcheng and everything felt unfamiliar, Pu Cao still accepted the silver, saying, "We can do it. A Niu and I will definitely tidy up the shop properly."

Hua Changxi looked at her and said, "If the silver isn't enough, tell me. Also, you'll need to build an ox cart for the green ox; whenever the shop needs something hauled, it will be its job."

The green ox suddenly asked, "Do I get wages too?"

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

Learning that it too would receive wages, the green ox felt satisfied and promised to haul goods diligently.

Hua Changxi said, "Tomorrow I must report to the Medical Bureau, so I may not have much time to come here. If you have any matters, you can find me at the Medical Bureau."

Not wanting her family to know she had opened a shop outside, she did not tell them the Hua family's address.

After delegating all necessary tasks, Hua Changxi left Pu Cao and A Niu to manage things themselves, then departed Feng'an Ward and returned to the Hua family residence.

When Hua Changxi arrived at the Hua family home, night had completely fallen. As she approached the courtyard, her expression suddenly changed.

Spiritual energy fluctuations!

How could there be spiritual energy fluctuations within the Hua family courtyard?

Hua Changxi leaped upward, landing directly on the courtyard wall. Sensing carefully, she discovered the spiritual energy fluctuations emanated from the backyard areas belonging to the second and fourth branches of the family.

"Who goes there?"

Hua Minghe, carrying a basin of foot-washing water out to dump, immediately noticed someone on the courtyard wall. Shouting an alarm, he grabbed a broom from under the eaves, preparing to throw it.

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

"Ninth Daughter."

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

At that moment, doors in the other rooms of the front courtyard swung open, and Hua Liulang rushed out wearing only trousers and wielding a blade.

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

Hua Liulang's face brightened: "Ninth Sister, you're back."

Lady Yao also ran out of her room; seeing Hua Changxi, she hurried forward, grabbed her, and looked her over. Only after confirming her daughter was unharmed did she complain: "You child, why didn't you enter through the main gate when coming home? Why climb over the courtyard wall?"

Hua Changxi smiled awkwardly. Seeing members of the second and fourth branches hurrying over from the rear courtyard, her gaze lingered briefly on Hua Silang and Hua Shier'niang of the second branch, and Hua Qiniang of the fourth branch.

All three had actually already drawn Qi into their bodies!

"I just wanted to give everyone a surprise."

The Old Lady Hua's dissatisfied voice rang out: "No surprise, only a fright. Away for several months, not only have you not improved, you've even picked up the ways of bandits..."

"Mother."

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

From the main hall of the upper house, the Old Master Hua's cough sounded: "Ninth Sister has returned; everyone, come inside to talk."

Only then did the Old Lady Hua cease speaking, turning to enter the room.

Hua Changxi had long become immune to the Old Lady Hua; at this moment, she only wished to know how Hua Qiniang and the other two had embarked on the path of cultivation. Pulled into the main hall by Lady Yao and having paid respects to the elders, her gaze remained fixed on the three.

Seeing Hua Changxi staring straight at her, Hua Shier'niang smiled somewhat proudly: "Ninth Sister, why are you looking at me like that?"

Hua Changxi immediately asked: "Twelve, your skin and Seventh Sister's look so fresh and dewy; what method of care have you been using?"

At these words, the expressions of the Hua family elders shifted slightly.

Hua Minghe and Lady Yao exchanged a glance, both surprised by their daughter's keen perception.

Hua Shier'niang said happily: "It's no method of care; it's Tenth Sister. Tenth Sister returned some time ago and brought a transparent crystal stone for everyone in the family to touch. Only Seventh Sister and I made the stone glow."

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

"After Seventh Sister and I practiced them, we truly feel our bodies and complexions have improved greatly."

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

Speaking of her youngest daughter, Lady Yao's expression darkened: "She's gone. The Tai Su Palace had matters to attend to; Tenth Sister returned and stayed only one day before being summoned away again."

"Tenth Sister originally wanted to go with your Third Brother and Sixth Brother to the Medicine Valley to see you. She worried about you being alone out there and getting into trouble, so she asked us to bring you back."

Hua Changxi smiled: "Tenth Sister always worries too much. By the way, Mother, has Tenth Sister been doing well at the Tai Su Palace all these years?"

Before Lady Yao could speak, Hua Shier'niang interjected: "Of course she has! Ninth Sister, you haven't seen it; Tenth Sister is now even more refined than any noble young lady, her bearing is magnificent."

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

"However, when it comes to preserving health, nothing compares to cultivating Daoist techniques. Unfortunately, Daoist body-cultivation methods aren't something everyone can practice; in the whole family, only Seventh Sister and I can."

Hua Changxi looked at Hua Silang: "I notice Fourth Brother's complexion is similar to Seventh Sister's and Twelve's, better than everyone else's. What's the reason for that?"

At these words, Hua Shier'niang, who had just been so eager to show off, suddenly fell silent.

The Old Lady Hua glanced at Hua Changxi and muttered: "Your eyes are truly sharp."

Hua Changxi looked at her silent family members, especially noticing her own father and mother bowing their heads with guilt, while others looked somewhat uneasy: "What is going on?"

Hua Liulang spoke in a dejected voice: "Daoist techniques aren't something only Seventh Sister and Twelfth Sister can cultivate. They have innate talent, but others can also cultivate by consuming pills."

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

Hua Liulang looked at his sister: "Tenth Sister left three portions of pills, two pills per portion: one Rebirth Pill and one Wood Spirit Pill. Whoever consumes them can cultivate Daoist techniques."

Seeing that Hua Liulang seemed about to say more, the Old Master Hua spoke up: "It's getting late; Ninth Sister must be tired. Let's stop here for today; everyone go back and rest."

Having spoken, he was the first to return to the west room, and the Old Lady Hua immediately followed. Seeing the old couple leave, members of the second and fourth branches all rose and headed to the rear courtyard.

Hua Changxi watched this scene with a calm expression, already guessing what had happened in her heart.

Knowing Tenth Sister's nature, she would definitely have left pills for her, but given Grandfather's preference for sons over daughters, her portion was likely consumed by other male members of the family.

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

"Father, Mother, who received the three portions of pills Tenth Sister left?"

Seeing Hua Minghe remain silent, Hua Liulang spoke: "Eldest Brother, Fourth Brother, and Eleventh."

Hua Changxi: "Assigned by Grandfather?"

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 balance, with no one left behind."

Hua Changxi looked at Hua Minghe and Lady Yao: "Father, Mother, the pills belonged to Tenth Sister. Even if they weren't given to me, giving them to Third Brother or Sixth Brother would have been fine. Why did you just let Grandfather decide?"

Hua Minghe looked at Hua Changxi: "Ninth Sister, your Grandfather did it for the sake of the entire Hua family."

Hua Changxi sneered: "Grandfather can plan far ahead for the Hua family, but the premise is that he must have the ability himself. What kind of logic is it to be generous with someone else's belongings?"

Regarding the Old Master Hua's distribution of the pills, Hua Minghe actually minded it in his heart, but how could a child speak ill of their parents? "Your Grandfather said that in the future, the family will fully support your Third Brother and Sixth Brother in practicing martial arts."

Hua Liulang snorted: "But Daoist techniques are far more powerful than martial arts."

Hua Minghe looked displeasedly at Hua Liulang: "You haven't practiced them yourself; how do you know Daoist techniques are more powerful?"

Hua Liulang: "I just know. Even if one becomes a Grandmaster in martial arts, one still cannot fly, but Tenth Sister can fly."

Seeing her son's great resentment, Lady Yao soothed him: "Everything is determined by fate; not obtaining certain things may not necessarily be a bad thing."

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

Hua Liulang muttered: "Who wouldn't want to?"

Seeing that the other three did not deny it, Hua Changxi asked again: "Did you transcribe the Daoist techniques Tenth Sister left?"

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

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

Hua Sanlang looked at her: "It's useless even if you see them; without spiritual meridians, one cannot cultivate."

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

Helpless, Hua Sanlang could only return to his room and bring over the three transcribed technique manuals.

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

Hua Sanlang explained: "Seventh Lady cultivates the Fire-Wood Technique, Twelfth Lady cultivates the Five Elements Technique, and Eldest Brother and the other two, who took Tenth Lady's pills, cultivate the Green Wood Technique."

Holding the Five Elements Technique, Hua Changxi read: "It says here the best spiritual veins are five types: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. If you could choose, what would you pick?"

Hua Sanlang shook his head with a wry smile: "Is that something we get to choose?"

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

Hua Liulang responded first: "I'll choose the fire spiritual vein too."

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

Deep down, Hua Sanlang wished to cultivate Daoist techniques, but knowing he likely had no chance, he didn't want to indulge his younger siblings' playacting and remained silent.

Hua Liulang spoke for him: "Third Brother likes refining pills; he'd definitely choose the wood spiritual vein."

Hua Changxi turned to Hua Minghe and Lady Yao: "What about Father and Mother?"

Sensing something unusual in her daughter's line of questioning, Lady Yao said: "I like fire; your father probably likes wood."

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

"Grandmaster You gave me several pills some time ago. I took one and gained a fire spiritual vein. I happen to have four left; one for each of you."

Hearing this, Hua Minghe and the other three froze. Only when they saw Hua Changxi actually produce two red pills and two green ones, and caught the scent of the elixir, did they come to their senses.

Hua Liulang swallowed hard: "Ninth Sister, what kind of pills are these?"

Hua Changxi shook her head: "I'm not entirely sure myself; all I know is that after taking them, one can cultivate Daoist techniques."

At these words, Hua Liulang swiftly snatched a fire spiritual pill, tossed it into his mouth, felt it melt into a warm current flowing throughout his body, and closed his eyes in contentment.

Hua Changxi handed the remaining pills to the other three.

Hua Sanlang glanced at Hua Liulang, took his pill, and tossed it into his mouth as well.

Lady Yao, somewhat worried, asked: "Ninth Sister, tell Mother honestly—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'd rather not discuss."

Lady Yao and Hua Minghe exchanged a glance, took their pills, and without hesitation, swallowed them.

Absorbing the pills would take some time; Hua Changxi helped the four sit properly, and seeing that nothing went wrong, she returned to her own room.