Chapter 15: Old Friend

How can a bow without arrows shoot?

Perhaps it's meant to be collected?

I understood: "This bow seems very important to Hu Jun."

"Very important." Hu Jun said solemnly, "It is the natal magic weapon of an old friend of mine; I have always hoped that when we meet again, I can personally return this bow to her hands."

I couldn't help but sigh: "Hu Jun values loyalty and righteousness."

"Hmph." Li Qingying beside me suddenly snorted coldly, speaking unkindly: "You can even lose your natal magic weapon, Hu Jun; it seems the grass on your old friend's grave has grown quite tall, huh?"

That remark was laced with barbs, utterly uncivil.

I really wanted to cover Li Qingying's mouth.

Hu Jun didn't get angry; instead, he smiled and said, "Qingying, long time no see."

Li Qingying rolled her eyes: "It's better not to meet; running into you surely brings no good."

After saying that, she grabbed me and left.

Li Qingying is a martial artist with extraordinary strength; I couldn't break free, so I could only look back apologetically at Hu Jun.

Hu Jun smiled and waved at me, watching us go far away.

I felt a bit displeased, but more curious: "Sister Qingying, are you old acquaintances with Hu Jun?"

"Fate brings enemies together." Li Qingying released me, her tone warning: "Xiao Jiu, from now on, keep your distance from that person."

I didn't understand: "Why? Hu Jun has helped me."

"Such petty favors can only fool a naive girl like you." Li Qingying glanced at me and said, "Be careful he doesn't sell you off, and you'll still be smiling while counting his money for him."

Li Qingying didn't seem to be joking; I felt uneasy in my heart, thinking, "No way?"

As I slowed my steps a bit, she had already walked far away.

Gui Shi is a mix of fish and dragons; besides shop fronts, street vendors set up stalls, their cries never ceasing.

It was my first time in Gui Shi; unfamiliar with the place, it's easy to get lost.

I trotted a few steps to catch up with Li Qingying, pulling her sleeve and asking, "Sister Qingying, what is a natal magic weapon?"

Li Qingying didn't answer me, but she stopped, her eyes fixed on a stall spread out on the ground to the east.

Following her gaze, I saw a yellow cloth spread on the ground, with several items placed upon it.

Two black donkey hooves, a wind-dried five-colored rooster, and a large piece of tiger skin.

Beside the tiger skin lay a thick, long… tiger whip.

The stall was run by a thin, dark-skinned man with a goatee, wearing blue cloth clothes and black cloth shoes; he looked strong, yet didn't seem like a hunter.

I immediately took a liking to that tiger whip; in appearance and color, it was a top-quality pure yang item.

Needless to say, Li Qingying also took a liking to it.

She stepped forward to ask the price, and I hurried after her.

The dark, thin man stroked his goatee and said, "My things aren't for sale; I only trade."

It seems this is the unique barter system of Gui Shi.

Li Qingying felt around her person, produced a carnelian stone the size of a pigeon's egg, handed it to the dark, thin man, and asked, "Is this enough?"

The dark, thin man took the carnelian, turning it over in his hand for a while, seeming not very satisfied.

Li Qingying turned to look at me; evidently she had nothing else of value to offer.

It was my first time in Gui Shi, and I wasn't prepared at all.

Aside from money, all I had left was Sun Laiding's steel pen.

I took out the pen and handed it to the dark, thin man, asking, "Will this do?"

I hadn't held much hope, but I didn't expect the dark, thin man's eyes to light up; he took the pen, fondling it carefully, unable to put it down.

Not only did he give me the tiger whip, he also threw in two black donkey hooves as a bonus.

The gate of Gui Shi opens only three hours; we dared not loiter, lest we miss the time, so after gathering our items we headed back.

On the way back, Li Qingying seemed preoccupied; she dropped me off at the entrance of Dang Pu but didn't get out, saying, "Xiao Jiu, I have some matters to attend to; I'll return in three days."

She was the helper Liu Junyan found for me, my partner, and of course she is free to do as she wishes.

I nodded, telling her to go early and return early, and to stay safe.

Seeing Li Qingying off, I wrapped the two black donkey hooves in yellow oil paper and stored them in the box.

Black donkey hooves can ward off evil and dispel malign influences; my grandmother used them when she told fortunes.

I inherited my grandmother's mantle, and I have always treasured such things.

After storing the black donkey hooves, I went to the main hall and placed the tiger whip before the black coffin.

After all that, it was already past two a. m.; when I went to lock the front shop door to get ready for sleep, I suddenly felt something was off.

The street seemed to have a wind, but it only swirled on the west side, faintly mixed with whispers.

I instinctively poked my head west and saw, at the western street entrance, several shadowy figures stretching their necks to look at the hexagonal palace lamp beneath the eaves of Dang Pu.

By the lamp light, I could clearly see the trash can across the street, yet for some reason I couldn't make out the appearance of that group.

The wind lifted my hair, and I then noticed that the black strands from my wedding night had, at some point, grown a few white hairs.

My heart stirred, and I suddenly realized something.

I used to be unable to see souls and such things.

The first time I saw them was after Liu Junyan touched me.

I looked again at those western figures, and they seemed even more blurred.

I hurriedly shut the door, my heart in turmoil.

If I can no longer see these things, the yin‑dang business of Dang Pu probably won't work out.

Lying in bed, I thought this way and that, but still understood nothing; exhausted, I drifted off to sleep in a daze.

I don't know how long I slept; the bed beside me suddenly sank, and a strong arm lifted my waist, pulling me into a broad chest.

I was startled.

The next moment, a familiar sandalwood scent enveloped me, and I instantly relaxed again, murmuring, "Seventh Lord, I'm sleepy..."

A scorching breath sprayed against my ear, the man's voice unusually hoarse: "Xiao Jiu, be good, call my name."

I struggled to lift my eyelids, too sleepy to open them, and answered perfunctorily, "Liu Junyan, I want to sleep."

As soon as my words fell, my lips were already bitten, grinding against each other.

Liu Junyan didn't know what was wrong with him; tonight he was especially passionate, his whole body exuding an indescribable sensuality.

With waves of heat rushing into my limbs, my whole body's meridians seemed to stretch along with them—this must be the nourishment of merit and true qi, right?

By the time daylight fully broke, I was curled in Liu Junyan's embrace, yet I had long since lost any desire to sleep.

The sweat-drenched strands of hair all turned dark and glossy; the few white hairs from last night had vanished without a trace.

Liu Junyan's long fingers twined a strand of my hair, and he asked in a low voice, "Xiao Jiu, who taught you to make offerings of that thing?"