Chapter 58#

Chapter Fifty-Eight#

Hangcheng was the largest city in Nanzhou, with a constant flow of merchants and travelers, and was extremely prosperous.

Even though it was raining heavily, the number of pedestrians on the road did not seem to decrease. Snack shops raised their cooking smoke, which drifted high and low in the misty rain.

Xue Jingci and Pei Huang walked near the city gate and saw Pei Huang skillfully take out two fake identification documents, easily passing the questioning of the city guards.

He looked at Pei Huang and said, “You are quite skilled.”

Pei Huang smiled: “I’ve even been to the imperial palace.”

This sparked Xue Jingci’s curiosity, and he asked, “Is the imperial food good?”

Pei Huang shook his head: “The imperial kitchen is heavily guarded, and every ingredient is recorded in a ledger. Ordinary people have no chance to taste it.”

Seeing Xue Jingci’s slight disappointment, Pei Huang added: “However, I have a friend who works in the imperial kitchen. His grandfather once trained an apprentice who now runs a restaurant in Hangcheng. We can go and try it later.”

Xue Jingci nodded, remembering that back in Luocheng, Pei Huang had mentioned having a friend in the local government office. No wonder he was so familiar with matters regarding identification documents.

Pei Huang was very different from him.

He had been in this world for a long time, but never had many friends. The only person he was close to was his disciple.

In contrast, Pei Huang had many friends. He must have learned a lot from them. Despite his young age, he seemed to know everything.

Although Pei Huang had mentioned that Xue Jingci had taught him many things in the past, which allowed him to grow into who he was today.

But Xue Jingci understood that the current Pei Huang could live well even without him and perhaps no longer needed his guidance.

It was just that this was the first time Xue Jingci decided to choose a disciple for himself, and besides Pei Huang, he couldn’t think of a second suitable candidate.

He must take this disciple.

Xue Jingci was confident that he would be a good master for Pei Huang.

However, this confidence was soon replaced by guilt.

Xue Jingci and Pei Huang walked all the way and finally arrived in front of a shop, only to find the doors tightly closed, looking as if it hadn’t been inhabited for a long time.

On the way there, Pei Huang had mentioned that the shop he wanted to take Xue Jingci to this time was the one he had mentioned earlier in the Ghost Pearl Illusion.

They didn’t have the chance to eat there that time, so this was a perfect opportunity to make up for it.

But no one could have predicted that many things would change over ten years, and this regret would have no chance to be mended.

Xue Jingci was never one to feel guilty; no matter the time, he would do what he thought was right in the moment.

Back then, Xiao Xun was about to die, and his senior sister personally said he couldn’t be moved at all, so he chose to accompany Xiao Xun back to the sect to treat his injuries first.

Even though Xiao Xun later betrayed him and took someone else as his master, Xue Jingci felt a clear conscience and never regretted it.

But at this moment, meeting Pei Huang’s eyes and seeing the dilapidated shop behind him, a sudden sense of guilt arose in Xue Jingci’s heart.

Just then, the sound of a door opening was heard.

It turned out to be an old man from the neighboring house who noticed movement here. He leaned halfway out of the door and said, “This family sold crispy fish for over twenty years. They are prosperous now and moved their whole family to the capital to open a shop.”

“If you want to eat it, you might as well go to my daughter’s stall. It’s crispy, salty, and fragrant. Fried in hot oil three times, it’s golden and doesn’t stick to your teeth. It’s not inferior to theirs.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the system started meowing in Xue Jingci’s head: “This sounds delicious! Unfortunately, I don’t have enough energy right now to manifest a body. Host, you must eat a few extra bites for me!”

Xue Jingci looked up and saw that Pei Huang had walked up to him at some point and was looking down at him.

Pei Huang smilingly accepted the old man’s words and said with hidden meaning, “Although many things have changed here, they have changed for the better, which is also a good thing. Why don’t we go and try it? Maybe it tastes even better now.”

After saying this, he thought that since Xue Jingci hadn’t eaten it before, no matter how that small yellow fish tasted, he would say it was better than the previous one to erase the regret of that time.

But Pei Huang didn’t expect that the old man hadn’t deceived them.

As they approached the old man’s daughter’s shop, they heard the sound of oil crackling and bubbling.

A woman was busy in the shop. With a twist of the knife in her hand, she cleanly removed the fish bones with a “crack” and threw them to a calico cat by the stove.

Beside the oil pot was a basin of batter. She deftly rolled the fish in it, threw it into the pot with a flick of her hand, lifted it out quickly after three dunks, wrapped it in a lotus leaf, and handed it to Xue Jingci and Pei Huang.

Pei Huang took out ten copper coins. When he turned around, he saw Xue Jingci picking up a small yellow fish and sniffing it.

The batter was extremely crispy, falling onto the lotus leaf with a light touch, and finally all ended up in Xue Jingci’s mouth.

It was the first time Pei Huang had seen Xue Jingci like this. Both of his cheeks were stuffed full, losing all traces of his usual cold and aloof demeanor.

He couldn’t help but smile softly, not in mockery, but with a hint of doting.

For many years, when Pei Huang thought of Xue Jingci, he felt like he was a pure and flawless immortal.

Therefore, the first time he realized his unspeakable feelings for Xue Jingci, he immediately suppressed them.

How could a mortal dare to desecrate a deity?

But now, seeing Xue Jingci go through a brush with death, Pei Huang realized that he was not an untainted immortal, nor was he the unreachable moon standing alone on a high place.

He would feel pain, have cravings, and also feel sad.

The smile in Pei Huang’s eyes gradually faded. He gently reached out and used his knuckles to brush away the crumbs on Xue Jingci’s cheek.

“There’s something even more delicious. Come, I’ll take you.”

Only then did Xue Jingci remember the imperial restaurant Pei Huang had mentioned. He quickly followed Pei Huang and walked toward the East Market.

The restaurant was named Yanyu Tower, built right by the canal, and business was extraordinarily good.

Even though the lunch rush had just passed, there were already countless people waiting outside for dinner spots.

As soon as Xue Jingci and Pei Huang walked over, a waiter handed them a number tag. A closer look showed that they were already over a hundred people back in line.

Fortunately, waiting wasn’t boring.

The waiter moved through the crowd carrying osmanthus rice wine, and there were free river lanterns that could be taken at will, to be placed in the canal once night fell.

Pei Huang looked at Xue Jingci and said, “Wait here for a table. I need to go into the city to gather some information.”

Xue Jingci nodded in agreement, but his gaze remained fixed on Pei Huang.

The system joked: “Host, you’re watching so closely, are you afraid he’ll run away?”

Xue Jingci shook his head: “No.”

“I can always find him anyway.”

That said, Xue Jingci did not continue sitting on the waiting pleasure boat but walked out alone and went up the small stone steps at the highest point of the corridor bridge.

From here, one could have a panoramic view of most of the city.

Pei Huang didn’t know that Xue Jingci had been watching him like this. He was extremely familiar with the city’s secret passages and soon slipped into a dim street.

Lanterns were lit on both sides of the street, in varying numbers, representing specific secret codes.

Pei Huang entered a shop with three lanterns lit, took out spirit stones, and asked the waiter to help release a message.

This shop was for finding people. The ones Pei Huang was looking for were the River Demon and A-Su.

No matter where they were, as long as they went to a branch of this shop, they would receive his news.

After finishing this, Pei Huang was about to rush back but was stopped by the waiter, who said the manager wanted to see him.

A look of alertness appeared in Pei Huang’s eyes.

This place that traded information had always been neutral between good and evil, never interfering in power struggles. No one knew who the person behind the scenes was.

Even the River Demon’s multiple investigations only found that it was related to rogue cultivators, and nothing else could be discovered.

Pei Huang had long been curious about who this power belonged to. He quickly suppressed the alertness in his eyes, his tense body relaxed, and he said to lead the way.

Contrary to Pei Huang’s expectations, the place where that person met him was upstairs, not some heavily restricted secret room.

Clearly, that person was very confident in their strength.

Pei Huang walked forward cautiously, but his expression was relaxed. No matter what that person’s purpose was, he couldn’t show weakness to have the possibility of an equal conversation.

But when he actually saw the person, he couldn’t help but be taken aback.

The owner behind this shop was Xu Wang, who had helped him send the amber to the Upper Realm years ago.

Xu Wang brewed a cup of tea for Pei Huang and said, “Sit.”

He looked at Pei Huang, a hint of reminiscence showing in his eyes.

For someone like him who made a living selling information, he had seen countless people, but few left an impression.

Pei Huang was one of them.

When they first met, the child was only in his teens and dared to steal his token.

The difference in their cultivation was too great. Although Pei Huang was clever, slippery like a small loach, he soon fell into Xu Wang’s hands.

Xu Wang shook the sword tassel and asked: “Stealing my things, what do you want to do?”

Although Pei Huang was young, he had eyes like a wolf and replied calmly: “Save someone.”

In the end, Xu Wang didn’t kill him, thinking that this child would surely achieve something in the future.

This was just a chance encounter, and Xu Wang soon forgot about it.

Unexpectedly, a few months later, he was ordered to find a magical artifact, and multiple investigations yielded no clues.

When he was at his wit’s end, Pei Huang actually climbed through the window and left a note with a clue in the room.

Xu Wang tentatively searched according to the clue on the note and actually found the artifact.

He took the initiative to find Pei Huang and asked why he helped him.

Pei Huang said: “A loan must be repaid.”

Xu Wang found it a bit funny: “You call that a loan? It was clearly stealing.”

“Pretty much the same.”

Pei Huang looked him in the eye boldly, suddenly changed his tone, and asked tentatively: “You are from the Upper Realm, right? Someone as powerful as you should be able to enter the First Sect. Can you help me deliver something?”

With Xu Wang’s status, countless people had always wanted to befriend him.

But being intentionally befriended by a brat was a first.

Perhaps out of a bit of appreciation for the child, Xu Wang actually agreed to run the errand for him and asked: “What is that person’s name?”

To his surprise, as soon as he asked this, the boy who had been composed and fearless just a moment ago suddenly blushed. He clenched his hands behind his back several times before solemnly taking out a piece of amber.

“Xue Jingci.”

In the blink of an eye, it had already been more than ten years.

Xu Wang withdrew his thoughts and looked at Pei Huang, saying: “I didn’t expect you to still be alive.”

Pei Huang didn’t think there was anything wrong with those words.

When they fought back then, he hadn’t been practicing for long and was frequently hunted by demonic cultivators. Surviving was extremely difficult.

He took a sip of tea. Unable to guess Xu Wang’s true purpose for calling him, he didn’t plan to speak first.

Xu Wang took out a brocade box from his person.

A look of sighing appeared in his eyes. Thinking that ten years had passed, if he hadn’t accidentally seen Pei Huang today, he probably would have gradually forgotten about this matter.

Xu Wang was not someone who couldn’t let go, but occasionally thinking of that person, he would still feel regret.

He suppressed the complicated thoughts in his heart, handed over the brocade box, and said: “It’s a coincidence to meet you today. In that case, the unfinished entrustment from ten years ago should be settled today.”

Pei Huang didn’t understand what he was up to, but he still reached out to take the brocade box.

Unexpectedly, just as his hand touched the box, Xu Wang suddenly let go and cast a spell to attack him.

Pei Huang’s eyes were cold and dark. He quickly turned around to counterattack, not only protecting the brocade box in his arms but also forcing Xu Wang back a few steps.

“You’ve made quite some progress!”

Xu Wang withdrew his spiritual energy, staring at Pei Huang with undisguised admiration in his eyes.

In this world today, besides the sect masters of the major sects, few people could force Xu Wang back.

Although he hadn’t used his full strength just now, Pei Huang’s strength was still not to be underestimated.

Xu Wang rarely showed a serious expression. Looking at Pei Huang, he said: “As soon as I saw you, I noticed that your cultivation and internal breath are vastly different from the past. It seems that in these ten-odd years, you haven’t wasted a single moment.”

“With such cultivation, you haven’t ascended to the Upper Realm or joined a sect or an aristocratic family. It seems you don’t like it. Why not join our Heguang Association? It’s all rogue cultivators who, like you, don’t want to be restrained.”

Heguang Association?

A hint of strangeness flashed in Pei Huang’s eyes.

He didn’t expect that mysterious rogue cultivator organization to reveal a tip of the iceberg in front of him.

But he had no intention of lingering, shaking his head decisively and saying: “Thank you, but I’m used to being alone…”

As he spoke, he looked down and opened the box. Surprise flashed in his eyes, and his expression instantly changed.

Pei Huang paused and asked: “This is?”

Seeing the contents of the box, Xu Wang also lost the interest to persuade Pei Huang to join the Heguang Association.

He was silent for a moment and said: “It was entrusted to me by Xue Jingci ten years ago to give to you.”

“Unfortunately, I’ve been searching for ten years and haven’t been able to meet you. Now it’s finally returned to its rightful owner.”

Xu Wang stared at Pei Huang. He didn’t actually know much about the past between Pei Huang and Xue Jingci.

After thinking about it, he decided to inform him of Xue Jingci’s death truthfully, sighing: “It’s just a pity that the person is gone; he won’t be able to see it.”

Pei Huang remained calm.

So they all thought Xue Jingci was dead.

Then wouldn’t it be perfect for him to just spirit Xue Jingci away?

There was no grief in Pei Huang’s eyes; instead, he looked at the box and started laughing, making him unpredictable to Xu Wang.

Soon he snapped the box shut again, only said “thank you,” and quickly ran toward the direction of Yanyu Tower.

There were gusts of cold wind on the long street after the rain, but Pei Huang couldn’t feel any coldness.

He could finally be sure that that person cared about him.

Even more than he imagined.

Pei Huang ran faster and faster, his steps splashing in the puddles on the ground. An unknown fear rose in his heart.

He was a bit afraid that by the time he returned to Yanyu Tower, that person would already be gone.

Previously, he had restrained his feelings, deceiving himself that it didn’t matter, and even waiting for Xue Jingci to leave on his own so he wouldn’t have to be involved in the conflict between him and the demonic cultivators.

But now, holding this box of amber fragments, Pei Huang realized clearly for the first time that he just couldn’t let go of this person.

Even if he was evil or a demon.

And that person was the bright moon in the righteous path.

Pei Huang ran faster and faster, as if returning to the Lantern Festival when he was seventeen.

That year, he carried a lantern and ran to find Xue Jingci, but in the end, he only saw maple leaves stepped into pieces on the ground.

Soon Pei Huang ran back to the corridor bridge. He gripped the railing hard, his gaze looking toward the pleasure boats on the canal.

Night fell, and the pleasure boats lit up.

Pei Huang subconsciously looked for the boat where he and Xue Jingci had sat before.

People were weaving through the boat, but that familiar face was gone.

Pei Huang’s heart instantly went empty, like a tree that had grown wildly over the years was forcibly pulled out by its roots, leaving an unfilled hole in an instant.

“A-Pei.”

The suddenly sounding cold voice made Pei Huang’s heart tighten.

He looked back hurriedly and saw Xue Jingci squatting on the highest small stone step of the corridor bridge, holding a small river lantern in his hand.

Xue Jingci looked up at Pei Huang. The light of the river lantern fell into his eyes, reflecting a hint of grievance. Looking pitiful, he asked: “Why did you take so long to come back?”

Pei Huang was still panting. He walked to his side, tightly grasped the hand that was holding the river lantern, and stared into his eyes as if confirming something.

Xue Jingci found it a bit strange but did not pull his hand away.

After a long time, Pei Huang finally relaxed and spoke slowly: “I’m sorry.”

“I won’t make you wait anymore.”