Chapter 20
Bad News
He rested for a full five days before Shen Ping walked out of the house again.
The warm morning sunlight was a little dazzling. He looked at the date tree in front of the door and smelled the fragrance of date flowers. However, before he could immerse himself in it, the familiar fragrance of bath water sprinkled on the street.
“Fellow Daoist Yu, what kind of ingredients are the flower petals used for your bath mixed with? It’s so dense even though I’m in the upwind!” He asked with a smile. After being neighbors for so many years, this was the first time he had asked.
Yu Yan was stunned for a moment. Then, she put her hands on her waist and twisted her body. “Oh, you’ve become bold today. Do you want to come into my room? There’s still half a bucket inside. You can smell it properly.”
Shen Ping immediately stopped bickering with the widow. He had never won before. After all, the other party had always acted without speaking. If he didn’t dare to use real bullets, he wouldn’t have enough confidence.
Yu Yan pursed her lips. She knew that this middle-aged old neighbor’s firepower was not good. She was about to return to the house when Shen Ping asked, “Fellow Daoist Yu, are you free?”
“Yes.” Yu Yan replied, “Why? Are you going to the market? Fellow Daoist Shen, there’s something wrong with you. It’s only been five days.”
She could not help but size Shen Ping up. She wondered if he had taken the wrong medicine. Shen Ping said awkwardly, “Fellow Daoist Yu, I’m going to the market to do something. The Deacon Hall will finish the procedures in two days. If I don’t go now, it’ll be too late.”
Yu Yan did not react for a moment. It was only when Shen Ping asked her to prepare and go through the procedures together that her eyes widened. “Fellow Daoist Shen, you-you have a spot?”
Shen Ping nodded. “Didn’t I say that I met an elder last time, so I shamelessly asked for a spot.”
Yu Yan asked suspiciously, “Really?”
“I don’t have to lie to you about this. Hurry up and prepare. If we hurry up, we can still come back for lunch. There shouldn’t be many cultivators who will go through the procedures these few days.”
Yu Yan suddenly laughed and her body trembled. “Not bad, Fellow Daoist Shen. You’re already middle-aged, but I didn’t expect you to become more promising. Wait for me. I’ll do it immediately!”
In less than five minutes, Yu Yan finished dressing up. She changed into her robe and went out again. “Co-rent. Sixty-forty. I’ll take sixty, you take forty.” She smiled.
Shen Ping looked into her eyes and did not doubt that if he still followed the previous rental agreement, the other party would definitely close the door tightly. “Sure.”
Yu Yan smiled brightly. “Let’s go.”
The two of them arrived at the Deacon Hall in the market and did not say anything halfway. There were not many cultivators at the entrance of the hall. There were only a dozen of them. He didn’t have to wait long.
Shen Ping walked in.
Yu Yan waited at the side. Her tense nerves relaxed, and her eyes flashed with surprise. She didn’t expect her neighbor, Fellow Daoist Shen, who rarely went out, to really get a spot in a medium-sized courtyard.
One had to know that she had risked her life to join that team. Even so, the quota was only given to her by others and could be taken back at any time. She could not even refute a word.
“Is there really such a thing as bringing fortune to the husband?” She subconsciously thought of Shen Ping’s situation. It seemed that ever since he married and took a concubine, his life had been getting better and better.
Now, he even knew a senior who could give him a spot.
…
In the hall of the Golden Sun Sect’s outer sect deacon.
“Next.” The deacon said expressionlessly. Shen Ping walked forward and handed over the Golden Sun Sect’s wooden token. The deacon glanced at it and couldn’t help but sit up straight. “The quota for the True Treasure Pavilion?”
Shen Ping nodded.
“Fellow Daoist, which courtyard do you want to rent?” The deacon’s face became a little more enthusiastic. “The medium-sized courtyard is divided into three levels: upper, middle, and lower. The upper level that is connected to the spiritual vein is better. There is a small spirit gathering array in the house, and the concentration of spiritual energy is only second to the single courtyard in the market. The lower-middle level is a little lacking.”
Shen Ping did not expect there to be such a division. He quickly thought in his mind and said, “Deacon, I choose a lower-level courtyard house.”
He was at the fourth level of Qi Refinement, so renting an upper-level house was too conspicuous. A middle-level house was actually more suitable, but considering the strength of his wife and concubine, he still chose the lower-level house.
Although the concentration of spiritual energy was a little low, as long as it did not cause unnecessary speculation, it was worth it. Moreover, he had already said that he was offered it by an elder. If he chose the upper or middle level, then this relationship was not a simple favor.
The deacon looked at Shen Ping. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure!”
“Okay.” The deacon smiled and said, “You just have to pay 15 mid-grade spirit stones and place your handprint on this wooden sign. When you enter the house, there will be a formation to remember your aura. Other than you, no one else can enter the house. In addition, the wooden sign can only be pressed five times. If it exceeds five times, you have to come here to change a wooden token and pay more fees.”
Shen Ping understood and quickly paid a year’s rent. The procedures were completed. The deacon continued, “In mid-June, the restrictions on the small courtyard will be officially lifted. At that time, Fellow Daoist can move in. Your number plate is on the wooden sign. If you lose it, you can re-register it.”
Shen Ping cupped his hands. “Thank you for your reminder, Deacon.” He walked out of the lobby. Seeing Yu Yan waiting beside him, he handed over the wooden token. “It’s done. Put your thumbprint on it and you can enter and exit the house freely in the future.”
Yu Yan readily did as she was told and said with a smile, “Tsk tsk, if I had known that Fellow Daoist Shen had such connections, I wouldn’t have worked so hard. That Qi guy has been causing trouble for me many times. Last time, she even took advantage of Fellow Daoist Gao to forcefully obtain a co-rent opportunity. Hehe, when I was handling the procedures, I voluntarily gave up the opportunity and gave all the spots to that Qi guy. Fifteen mid-grade spirit stones a year!” She gritted her teeth. “She has to work hard in the future!”
Fellow Daoist Qi was also at the fifth level of Qi Refinement, but her aura was obviously not as solid as Yu Yan’s. If she wanted to earn 15 mid-grade spirit stones, she had to work hard.
As for what direction she should work in, that would be up to the benevolent and wise. Of course, the other party could find another co-rent, but it might not satisfy Fellow Daoist Gao.
Yu Yan pursed her lips. “If I leave that team, my life will be difficult in the future. Fellow Daoist Shen, on account of our many years of neighbors, you have to sell me some talismans at a cheap price in the future.”
Shen Ping said seriously, “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely pay you according to the market price of the market.” After saying that, he took out two amulets. “Here, the usual.”
Yu Yan snatched it over and rolled her eyes. “How petty. When we move to the market, I won’t be able to get such a good job in the future.” Leaving Shen Ping with a head full of jet-black hair, she walked forward in a carefree manner.
“Fellow Daoist Yu, don’t walk so fast. Wait for me!”
…
In the following days, Shen Ping once again entered a dull but fulfilling life. Making talismans, dual cultivation, and meditation. He was mentally and physically exhausted every day. But he enjoyed it.
Mid-May.
From the depths of Cloud Mountain Swamp came news that the large flame gold mine had finally been completely opened up by batches of cultivators who didn’t care about their lives.
The Golden Sun Sect immediately dispatched more than ten Foundation Establishment Cultivators and hundreds of disciples to the Cloudy Mountain Swamp, preparing to establish a safe route on the cleared road.
On this day, the prices of talismans, medicinal pills, and dharma artifacts in the market finally stopped rising, and they fell sharply the next day. The prices for the fire talisman directly returned to its original state.
Shen Ping sighed, not eating for two whole meals.