Chapter 167: Daily Life in Kunshan (Part Two)
Pei Chunzheng's actions were peculiar. He held the sword tightly in his arms, yet his right hand clenched tightly as if holding onto something, his knuckles turning white. After a while, the young boy expressionlessly released his grip on his right hand and tore off a piece of his clothes. He patiently wiped the Snow Fright Sword little by little, hanging at his waist, before turning around and walking away.
A chilling wind blew, leaving behind a layer of jade-colored dust on the ground.
Whether filled with regret or not, since he had already made his decision, he would never go back on it.
In another place, Qiao Wan and Xiao Boyang were still hurrying towards Wenshi Hall.
On the way here, they didn't come across any disciples from Kunshan, but as soon as they arrived at Wenshi Hall, there were many Kunshan disciples.
They all hurriedly and anxiously ran forward with blood on their faces, coming to complete their tasks.
"Oh my goodness! I climbed up and completed the task with great difficulty, but I only got five medium-grade spirit stones! This was supposed to be at least an intermediate-level task!"
At the entrance, a senior brother gritted his teeth and wiped the blood off his face. He raised his strong arms in protest and despair.
The concealed disciple guarding the gate looked cool and impatient, waving his hand dismissively. "The amount of spirit stones for this task was changed two months ago."
"I have done great deeds for Kunshan, I have shed blood for the concealed disciples. Let me see Hall Master Ma!! I want to see Hall Master Ma!"
"Isn't the meeting among disciples happening soon?" the concealed disciple sneered. "Kunshan has to cut down on expenses, as instructed by Hall Master Ma. Wenshi Hall must set an example."
"But five medium-grade spirit stones is still too little! Brother, let's negotiate. How about six?"
"No, it's not possible."
"What about those five and a half? Just a few days ago, I bought a magical tool on credit, but now I don't have any money. I can't even afford medicine. Oh no!"
Qiao Wan's mouth twitched.
Unlike the elegant and noble peaks of Kunshan, Wenshi Hall has always been the most down-to-earth place in all of Kunshan.
But the whimpers fell on deaf ears. The muscular senior wiped the blood off his face and turned around.
In no time, there were medical practitioners rushing towards them from afar.
"Make way! Please, make way! I'm out of breath!"
Dodging fellow disciple, Student A, who was riding a flying disc, Qiao Wan gathered her courage and stepped through the gates of Wenshi Hall.
It can be said that apart from Yuqing Peak, Wenshi Hall was the place she was most familiar with in all of Kunshan. For over thirty years, she had spent nearly twenty of them here.
A hidden disciple stood guard at the gate, wearing black boots and a sinister expression. Other disciples of Wenshi Hall were dressed like scholars, clutching their scrolls tightly as they hurriedly made their way to the recording room. They were busy and bustling with activity.
But this harmonious scene suddenly became disharmonious when they saw the pink at the door.
"Qiao Wan?"
Someone exclaimed, and the whole Wenshi Hall fell silent for a moment before erupting in excitement!
"Oh wow! Qiao Wan!"
Amongst the bloodied disciples of Wenshi Hall, the unique pink color could only belong to Qiao Wan.
Other disciples of Kunshan were curious, sympathetic, and contemptuous towards Qiao Wan.
But Wenshi Hall's feelings towards Qiao Wan were a mix of love and hate.
After all, they had been on a mission together for over twenty years, and feelings had already formed. But due to Qiao Wan's involvement, Ma Huaizhen had put them through rigorous training for months, nearly causing their demise.
Sensing that something was amiss, Qiao Wan's heart skipped a beat and they ran for their life.
"Don't run!!"
Elder martial sister Yi slammed the table and roared, as swords flew out behind her towards Xiao Boyang's direction. "Catch them!"
Xiao Boyang exclaimed, "Oh no!"
Unfortunately, they were too slow.
Our path was blocked, and elder martial sister Yijiaorao raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Where are you going?"
Qiao Wan quickly pulled Xiao Boyang, and they turned around.
Behind them, elder martial brother A pulled out his sword expressionlessly.
"Great! It was this guy who let them be trained and tormented by Hall Master Ma for three whole months, and now they're running away as soon as they see him. How ridiculous?!" Xiao Boyang exclaimed angrily, "It's not my business! Let me go!"
After a moment, Qiao Wan and Xiao Boyang opened their mouths silently, and a wisp of soul escaped.
After beating up the others, elder martial sister Yijiaorao, feeling refreshed, stroked her chin and said, "So you're looking for Red Fire Golden Fetus."
She turned and walked to the tall cabinet and took out a scroll.
"Why are you looking for Red Fire Golden Fetus?" elder martial sister asked, confused, "Isn't Yuqing Spiritual Master..."
"Isn't he your master? Why not go directly to him?" she continued, but then realized something was wrong and immediately stopped talking.
The relationship between Qiao Wan and Yuqing Spiritual Master was well known among the people of Kunshan.
"This Red Fire Golden Fetus was recently delivered to Wenshi Hall by a spiritual master. An elder martial sister from the shadow division said, 'Not long after it was delivered, Hall Master Ma ordered Yuan Shixiong to take this Red Fire Golden Fetus to the White Tower in the Azure Sky Island.'"
"The White Tower in Azure Sky Island is like the Kunshan arena, where the disciples of Kunshan usually practice and compete. The tower is hundreds of feet tall, and as you climb each floor, there are corresponding rewards."
"Meaning, this thing has already become a prize for Ma Huaizhen . Whoever climbs to the corresponding floor will receive the Red Fire Golden Fetus."
"It's all based on strength, which can be said to be fair."
"But there is also a requirement. Another elder martial sister said, 'Only those who possess a Wenshi Hall battle token with a value of ten thousand and two thousand can participate in the competition.'"
"And speaking of that, we have to mention this thing called the 'Wenshi Hall battle token'."
Kunshan Wenshi Hall is the place where the disciples of Kunshan receive their daily tasks. The tasks are divided into twelve levels, ranging from the most difficult called "甲" to the easiest called "亥". The higher the level, the more battle orders one can obtain.
Battle orders can be exchanged for corresponding spirit stones or magical tools at Wenshi Hall. Generally, the disciples in Kunshan, especially those from the secret department of Wenshi Hall, tend to collect more battle orders. When a disciple on patrol catches someone wandering at night, they earn five battle orders.
Only disciples of Wenshi Hall have priority, as it is a matter of strength. Qiao Wan once commented expressionlessly that Ma Huaizhen isn't good at math. The battle orders at Wenshi Hall have already reached a new high, and Ma Huaizhen was coldly kicked out of Wenshi Hall. The following day, Wenshi Hall ordered that battle orders be deducted in various ways.
What if you don't have enough battle orders to obtain the Red Fire Golden Fetus? Well, the solution is to go and earn more.
And so, under the encouragement of this measure, Wenshi Hall acquired several hundred handy and useful donkeys.
Hall Master Ma, known for his cunning and unfairness, a narrow-minded but good-hearted man.
"How many floors is this Red Fire Golden Fetus on?"
Elder martial sister from the secret department looked up, "The 220th floor."
"Elder martial sister, how many battle orders do I have left?"
Elder martial sister from the secret department turned around and brought out another scroll: "Still 2,000 left."
So, that means there are still over 10,000 battle orders to go.
This is troublesome.
Although Qiao Wan and Ma Huaizhen had a good relationship, it wasn't to the extent where they could easily ignore the rules and help each other out.
Qiao Wan didn't have the audacity to ask Ma Huaizhen for help.
There was only one path left in front of her.
That is to complete tasks, accumulate enough battle orders, and then climb the tower on the Emerald Isle.
The S-ranked tasks might give more battle orders, but they are the hardest and farthest away, so they can be ruled out first.
Next are the tasks of B-rank and C-rank.
Qiao Wan thought for a moment and asked, "Are there any tasks for Yizi number?"
"Oh yes, there are. Here, take a look."
On a small scroll, the requirements for this task were clearly written.
Recently, Hall Master Ma had been busy with the Kunshan Fellow Practitioner Meeting. Before leaving, he gave a special order to improve the moral standards and promote harmony and friendship in Kunshan. He wanted all the disciples from different sects to feel at home. Because of this, most of the tasks in the area had already been completed.
There were only two tasks left for Yizi number, and they still needed people to help.
The first one was located in the southern Thirteen Continents.
As for the second one, there had been reports of unexplained injuries and deaths in Water Phoenix City, which was not far from Kunshan.
Water Phoenix City?
Why does that name sound familiar?
Wait a minute!
Qiao Wan suddenly remembered.
Water Phoenix City! It was also part of the original plot.
The story in Water Phoenix City continues from the previous events in the Song Family. It mainly focuses on Mu Xiaoxiao and Pei Chunzheng going down the mountain together to complete a task. Pei Chunzheng, the gloomy big demon king, becomes jealous of Zhou Yan.
Mu Xiaoxiao has some impression of this task. Water Phoenix City is actually a large martial arts organization that follows something called the Water Phoenix Sect. After Mu Xiaoxiao arrives there, she is mistaken for the Water Phoenix Sect's saintess and gets involved in some plot of being imprisoned with Pei Chunzheng.
Noticing that Qiao Wan hasn't reacted, an undercover elder martial sister is puzzled: "What's wrong? Will you accept it or not?"
On one side, there's the original plot and on the other side, there's the Red Fire Golden Fetus.
After thinking for a while, Qiao Wan bravely nods with hesitation: "I... guess I'll accept it?"
This task as a Grade B mission can reward them with three thousand battle tokens.
If she remembers correctly, this part of the story is specifically designed to help Mu Xiaoxiao obtain the golden finger of the saintess. The danger level is not high, apart from the incident where Mu Xiaoxiao almost got forcefully imprisoned and played by Pei Chunzheng. At least everyone else returned safely.
And Qiao Wan had already received her lunchbox before the plot began.
One of the benefits of breaking through the Yuan Infant with divine consciousness is the ability to recall memories.
Quietly, she retraced the contents of the book.
[The young boy held the young girl on his lap, and his cold lips gently brushed against Xiaoxiao's warm earlobe.
With lowered eyes, his gaze was as cold as ice: "Xiaoxiao."
Mu Xiaoxiao anxiously bit her lip and her eyes reddened as she shrank back.
She had never seen Pei Chunzheng like this before.]
Quickly delete it! Quickly delete it! There's a visual!!
However, after she came down the mountain, she had no contact with Pei Chunzheng anymore, except for meeting the Cen family twice. Qiao Wan didn't know how the plot in the original story developed.
Pei Chunzheng doesn't seem like someone who would forcefully imprison someone to play.
Zhou Yan's approach didn't work, so now they could only start from Wenshi Hall.
Just to be sure, Qiao Wan asked, "How many people are on this mission?"
Elder martial sister from the secret department picked up the scroll and announced the names: "There's Yu Sanniang and Liang Yiqing from the secret department... disciples of Spiritual Master Xuan Zhong from Taixuan Peak... Pei Chunzheng..."
At this point, elder martial sister paused.
"There's also Martial Sister Mu."
Qiao Wan was surprised.
Weren't they the ones she encountered in Youxian Town before?
They actually joined Kunshan and became members of the secret department?
"Younger martial sister, if you're really going to take on this task, I'll add your and Xiao Junior Brother's names to the list."
Accept it? Why wouldn't she!
Qiao Wan looked up. "Please help us add our names, elder martial sister."
Xiao Boyang's expression seemed a bit complicated.
After some hesitation, he sighed and said, "Fine, you can add it."
If it weren't for Mu Xiaoxiao, he wouldn't have taken this useless mission.
After leaving Wenshi Hall, it was time for lunch.
"So why do I have to accompany you to eat this stuff," Xiao Boyang poked at the food on his plate with frustration.
Although monks rarely eat, it doesn't mean they don't eat at all. When they feel hungry, they still need to satisfy their hunger, especially in a big place like Kunshan. Many low-level disciples who have just started cultivating Qi must eat some grains and miscellaneous grains to sustain their lives.
Xiao Boyang, not being someone who doesn't eat, is a young master from the Xiao family. He drinks spiritual dew and eats exotic animals.
The potatoes and cauliflower on the plate seemed particularly plain.
Qiao Wan calmly stuffed a small chicken leg into her mouth.
Mmm... the small chicken leg from Kunshan is truly exceptional.
When feeling upset, of course, one would resort to eating.
Xiao Boyang's mouth twitched as his gaze fell on the plate of cauliflower and then shifted to the disciples of Kunshan, who held their plates with curiosity written all over their faces.
It's not that he is picky, but under that gaze, who could still eat!
"Can you still eat under that gaze?"
Qiao Wan answered firmly, "Yes."
She also raised her bowl and said, "Another bowl, please. Thank you."
Xiao Boyang : "... Are you still a female cultivator?!"
The young man made a gesture with his hand and said, "Haven't you seen Miss Mu and the others? Female cultivators eat so little."
At the same time, not far away, a certain elder martial sister in Kunshan slammed the table and shouted, "This measly amount of food, is it for feeding the chickens?!"
Xiao Boyang : ...
"By the way, what did you mean by what you said on Taixuan Peak earlier?" The young man frowned.
A beloved one? What's going on?
Qiao Wan : Chomp, chomp, chomp.
Xiao Boyang : Don't eat chicken legs with a red face and no expression!!
After leaving the cafeteria, Qiao Wan returned to her own cave.
She had left in a hurry before, without taking anything with her, and now everything remained the way it was when she left, with a thick layer of dust on the stone table.
After tidying up a bit, Qiao Wan jumped onto the bed and closed her eyes to meditate.
...
There had been no news from Yuqing Peak all this time.
As long as she still needed the Red Fire Golden Fetus, she wouldn't leave Kunshan anytime soon. Zhou Yan probably tacitly agreed to her departure from Yuqing Peak.
The next morning, when they arrived at the gate of Wenshi Hall, there were already many people waiting outside.
There were more than ten people on this mission, standing or leaning against each other, all waiting for someone.
Among them, there was a woman in purple clothes who was closest to a tall and strong man. The woman held a thin whip in her hand, with a cold and serious expression, her eyes sharp and filled with a hint of bloodlust. There was no doubt that it was Yu Sanniang and Liang Yiqing.
However, when they were in Youxian Town, she disguised herself as Lu Wan. Although Qiao Wan was happy to see Yu Sanniang and Liang Yiqing again, it wasn't the right time to go up and acknowledge them.
Apart from Yu Sanniang and Liang Yiqing, Qiao Wan also saw Pei Chunzheng.
He was a young man, with a handsome figure, and he stood coldly on the side, holding a sword. He didn't interact with anyone. His black hair fell softly like snow.
More than ten people couldn't wait any longer. Pei Chunzheng, who was standing beside Qiao Wan, glanced at her silently, recalling the words she had said on Taixuan Peak before. She also glanced at Pei Chunzheng and Xiao Boyang, who were not far away. Xiao Boyang seemed a bit troubled.
Even someone as proud as Xiao Boyang couldn't escape the gossip. He had been arguing with Qiao Wan for over ten years, and they were practically inseparable.
After leaving the cafeteria, this question troubled Xiao Boyang day and night.
Finally, unable to hold it in any longer, he awkwardly spoke up, furrowing his brows. "I say, who exactly have you fallen for?"
Qiao Wan looked very serious. "The man I've fallen for is one-of-a-kind, both in heaven and on earth."
Xiao Boyang's mouth twitched.
Qiao Wan pondered deeply for a second. "He's cold and devilishly charming, domineering yet gentle, kind-hearted and ruthless. He never shows mercy to his enemies, but he's tender and considerate to his comrades."
"He..."
"He has a big butt and beautiful eyes. He used to be weak, but then he got transformed. His weapon is a shield and he comes from a good family. There's a glowing mark on his chest that turns green when he's angry. He usually travels using magic threads and he's an excellent archer. He has worked as a spy for other sects, and oh, he's also very skilled in using lightning spells."
Xiao Boyang sensed that something was wrong and furrowed his brows. "What's all this nonsense?" he exclaimed.
Qiao Wan continued calmly, without changing her expression. "He lost both of his parents when he was young, but he built a huge business empire all by himself. People call him 'Mr. So-and-so'. After I accidentally bumped into his carriage while coming down the mountain, I got to know him better. He had a first love who got sick and needed a kidney."
"My favorite thing about him is when he calls me 'woman'..."
Before Qiao Wan could finish her sentence, a sudden sword aura shot through the air.
Pei Chunzheng glanced at her, then averted his gaze. His eyes paused for a moment as they scanned the various expressions on the men's faces in front of him. He had a cold and severe look, as if he had just experienced a snowstorm in Kunshan.
The young man said in a cold voice, "Be quiet."
Pei Chunzheng hugged his sword tightly in his arms, with his long black eyelashes half lowered. His face looked gloomy and his knuckles turned white with force as he said, "Stop arguing."
