Since the street was anything but good for an ill person to stay on, Su Jing tried to move the man's body.
She placed him against the wall, but he continuously slid down since he was deep asleep. Not having other means, Su Jing took the cane he used, prompting it against his body so he could stay put.
It did not look comfortable, but she hadn't the strength or the energy to move him further. His breaths were quiet, and she did not wish to have him accidentally choke on himself. It is not like she has other ways to help.
So Su Jing stood beside him, observing that his fever seemed to ease down. He was going to wake up soon. Good thing she had Bai Xiu Ying's miracle medicine. Her body hurt a bit still, but that did not matter if she was to find an opportunity.
The opportunity to find information about this place.
This man may not have the attire of a sect disciple, but being a local here, he was bound to know how things work here better than Su Jing. It was one thing reading about it, and another living it.
Even better, he may even know a cheap place for her to stay.
Her anticipation proved correct as the man's body soon began to move. Trembling slightly, he groaned and leaned to the side, his hair falling messily over his face. His hat tumbled off, and Su Jing quickly caught it, not wanting to get it dirtied.
The man's eyes fluttered open, his gaze unfocused as he also gripped the hat when it fell. He blinked several times before his eyes settled on Su Jing, his expression quickly shifting from confusion to alarm. Su Jing, too got flustered when his expression changed so quickly.
"Who are you?" he rasped, attempting to sit up straighter. His body trembled with the effort, and he winced in pain.
Seeing him so guarded, Su Jing raised her free hand, not wanting to look like a ruffian stealing his things.
"Sorry, I'm not here to hurt you. I found you unconscious and tried to help."
His eyes narrowed suspiciously as he scanned her appearance, making Su Jing even more self-aware of how bad she looked. She got her hand off his hat, now realising that she was the one dirtying his hat.
"You're a mortal." His eyes looked intensely at her, his alertness slowly changing to vague surprise.
Su Jing did not know how to appreciate his words.
She knew from the story that mortals rarely reached the immortal realm, and Su Jing thought it was, at first, just an exaggeration to contrast with Feng Zhi Hao's abilities. She never thought it would be so bad - blame her again for assimilating herself to Feng Zhi Hao! Feng Zhi Hao, even though mortal, had the attire of a powerful immortal - something which Su Jing missed.
She was ordinary and easy to spot.
”I do come from the mortal realm.” Su Jing cupped her hands, wanting to greet him politely, ” My name is Su Jing.”
The man did not answer for a while, but he soon sighed, responding to her greeting, ”I am sorry for being rude.”
Su Jing only smiled.
The man took his cane and soon got up on his legs, his complexion looking better. Su Jing followed him, getting surprised when he offered his hand for help. Su Jing hesitated a little, wondering whether he would fall down again if she forced her weight upon him.
Because of this, she caught his palm only perfunctorily.
“Thank you—” Su Jing began, but her words were cut short as her body was suddenly jerked upwards. Unbalanced, Su Jing almost fell down, but she prompted her leg in front, like in a lunge.
That was close. Her heartbeat couldn't help but hardly pounce in her chest.
Right, before being an ill man, he was still a cultivator! He was bound to be thousands of times more powerful than her.
”Oh, heavens, are you alright? I did not mean to do that.” the cultivator tried to help her get up. He might have sensed Su Jings trembling so he got this time more careful with her.
Embarrassed, she stood properly, still feeling her arm aching. "It's okay," she said, forcing a smile. She will have to pass over more harder things than this to survive.
”You can call me Ya Wen. Thank you for helping me.” he bowed slightly in front of her, his hair fluttering slightly, ”If it weren't for you, things would have really gotten bad for me.”
”Then, I greet senior Ya Wen. I am glad the medicine worked.”
Ya Wen placed his hat on his head and glanced at her with a smile. "Would you mind if I treated you to a meal? I'm sure coming from the mortal realm was no easy task. Besides, this way I can repay you."
"Yes, please!" Su Jing nodded eagerly, his words sounding like music to her ears. She was famished, and not even God knew how much she needed food!
Ya Wen stared at her briefly and chuckled, ”Alright, then. You can order as much as you want. As my benefactor, you are my guest.”
He turned and signed for her to follow. Su Jing walked beside him, feeling how her sorrows would be already half extinguished if her tummy was full.
Her excitement grew, but as Su Jing looked where they were headed, she couldn't help but hesitate. Isn't this the restaurant that she just left? The waiter seemed to notice her too, so, with an annoyed look, he came again in her direction.
”What's wrong? Is this place not to your liking?” Ya Wen stopped when he observed her frozen in place.
”Ah, that's not...” More like the place was not very fond of her.
Ya Wen stepped towards her, seemingly wanting to say something to her. But before that, the waiter arrived, surpassing him and coming to Su Jing.
Just from his look alone Su Jing knew he had no more patience to talk business with her.
”I thought I had explained to Miss already that we don't welcome you here. Why are you here again?”
Su Jing looked down and put her hand behind her neck, even more embarrassed. He was so rude towards her, however, it's not like she did something wrong.
”I come back to order some food this time. Mister doesn't have to worry.” She tried to mend the atmosphere by smiling slightly, but the man continued to look upfront at her, up and down.
”You?”
Was this the openly provoking of the cultivation world? Su Jing had really become the type of character that people liked to pick on for their own vanity.
”Is there a problem with it?” Ya Wen intervened too, startling the waiter. The waiter gave him a look but continued to uphold his arrogance.
”Our restaurant has a reputation to keep. We can't just welcome anyone.”
His offer sounded fair, but it wasn't as if they were at some extravagant restaurant. She had chosen this place specifically because it looked relaxed enough for her to stay for a few days or even weeks.
But right now, it seemed her appreciation was incorrect.
” It's okay, we can leave then. Senior, we can find another place.”
Su Jing turned towards Ya Wen, not wanting to make it even more uncomfortable than it already was. It's not even important where she goes, all that counts is that she gets to eat.
Ya Wen, however, stood put, gripping harder on the cane, ”Why would we? Su Jing, we haven't done anything wrong. ”
He looked seriously towards her, his straight figure intimidating her. Yes, she overlooked again that he was a cultivator. Su Jing was willing to bend her ego and be a pushover, but that might not be the case with Ya Wen.
”What are you spouting? Don't even think about entering.”
The waiter crossed his arms, standing as a block in front. Su Jing stood silent since she felt conflicted. Being a pushover sounded like the easiest idea but was it the correct one?
"I urge you to reconsider your words. Prejudice based on origin is improper and unjust."
Ya Wen looked like wanting to keep his ground. He was really like the typology of righteous immortal!
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
The waiter hesitated, his stance wavering as more and more people started looking towards them, gossiping. The restaurant's reputation could indeed suffer from such an incident and Su Jing was sure the waiter knew of that too. Finally, he stepped aside with a grudging nod, especially directed towards Su Jing.
"Fine. But if there's any trouble, you'll be held responsible."
He turned and opened the door for them, Su Jing keeping shut while following Ya Wen. She felt like a child clinging to her mother by the corner of her clothes.
”We'll be taking a private room upstairs. And please rework on your temperament.”
Ya Wen started walking towards the stairs, but before he could be able to, the waiter went once again in front of them, stopping.
”My apologies, but those are not reserved to the public. Only cultivators who made prior reservations can acquire one.”
Su Jing was nearly going to approach Ya Wen again to convince him to go to a normal table. But before she could open her mouth, he rummaged through his sleeve, taking out a pendant. It had a beautiful and clear green colour, akin to a jade and a white tassel hagging around it.
The waiter's eyes bulged when he saw it, repeatedly glancing at it and then at Ya Wen.
”You...” he hesitated, lost in his words.
Su Jing was confused too, however she had a strange hunch she had already seen before such a thing. But where? She massaged her head, not remembering it. There were even some characters inscribed on it but she couldn't recognise them.
White tassel and a jade stone. Was he a young master? Or a cultivator from a sect?
The waiter's attitude changed immediately, bowing deeply. ”My deepest apologies, honourable sir. Please, follow me to the private room.”
Ya Wen nodded, leading Su Jing up the stairs. Su Jing could observe how the waiter was now terribly shaken. This only made her more curious. Did she pick up a rich koi fish out of the street? Her appreciation of Ya Wen being a simple local might have been wrong.
Thinking about it, what sane man would fall ill in the street when he could book a fancy room in a restaurant? Wouldn't that mean he already had the means to help himself?
This made her a bit hesitant. Reflecting on the novel, no one had similar characteristics to Ya Wen. But still - Ya Wen could have hidden his real identity with an elixir or spell. It's not like it was impossible.
She should leave quickly if he turned out to be dangerous.
”What are you thinking about so much? Do you really want us to go elsewhere?”
Ya Wen's gentle voice was brought close to her, startling Su Jing. He looked towards her, together with the waiter. Su Jing could see how the waiter's expression bent in a panic.
”Of course, young miss also has my apologies,” the server stammered, his earlier arrogance replaced, ”Our earlier discussion shouldn't have ended like that.”
Su Jing paused and easily felt the shift in dynamics. With just a few words Ya Wen totally changed the power dynamics. She met his eyes and then turned back to the waiter. “Thank you for your apology. I appreciate it.”
The waiter bowed, stepping aside to give them more space. “Please, if you need anything, let me know.”
With that, the two of them sat down. Su Jing felt a bit out of place with her attire, everything around looking like being of the finest calibre. An incense was flowing quietly around, bringing a rather good smell.
”This restaurant may lack tact when it comes to serving, but it has good food. I hope to be it for your liking.”
Yawen gave her a menu, and Su Jing awkwardly responded with a nod. Whatever now, she came here to eat, and she will later worry about other things.
Opening the book, Su Jing was hit with fancy and neat writing. There were no illustrations, and as she looked across the pages, sweat beaded across her face.
No wonder she did not recognise the characters on that jade pendant - that was because Su Jing was illiterate!
Perhaps sensing her anxiety, Ya Wen put down the menu, looking at her.
”Have you decided on something? Don't worry about the prices since I will pay.”
If only this was about money.
Su Jing half grinned, ”Senior should just recommend me some dishes. I am sure a mortal like me wouldn't know the immortal food well.” She pushed the menu aside, finding it useless to look at.
Ya Wen didn't hesitate and ordered a few dishes he knew. Soon, the table was filled with delicious aromas wafting through the air. Su Jing's stomach rumbled, and she struggled to restrain herself.
”Spiritual food is good for mortals to cleanse their bodies. It should help you regain your forces.”
Ya Wen pointed towards the beef and soup. Su Jing did not shy away from eating, liking the feeling of being full in her stomach. Plus, this was the miraculous spiritual food of the immortals! Even for cultivators, it was considered an extravagance!
Ya wen clasped his hands at her eating, still not touching the tableware. His nails had a nicely kept look, though calluses appeared on his thumps.
”So you are part of this year's mortal realm selection? You're the first one I see.”
Su Jing swallowed the meat from her mouth, surprised Ya Wen was the one who wanted to start this topic. She thought it would be difficult to make him talk - since cultivators tend to be secretive.
”Does senior know about it?”
”I am a sect disciple so it is not hard to hear about it.”
Ya Wen's answer startled Su Jing. So that meant that the jade pendant was a sect token! Su Jing's expectations proved to be correct!
Ya Wen gazed at her silently, seemingly confused.
”I thought you recognised the jade pendant I've shown. Did not you come from Tian Hui Sect's selection?”
”You are from Tian Hui Sect?!”
Tian Hui's disciples were often reserved and arrogant, not mingling with lowly outsiders. So why had she just casually met one on the street?
”Was I wrong?” Ya Wen furrowed his brows, ”I am sure our sect was recruiting during this time. Silver Sword Sect had already finished their disciple searching.”
”Tian Hui Sect was indeed the one I met, though I got rejected by them. ”
The master clearly stated she had weak and overused roots. Playing with the food, Su Jing still did not miss Ya Wen's surprise.
”You've come all alone? I've heard Longzhu's forest is hard to pass even for experimented cultivators. Even my sect sisters and brothers do not dare to go.”
Ya Wen's eyes shined, seemingly amazed by Su Jing's potential.
”But I do not understand. If you are so talented, why would you be rejected? I don't remember the old man's eyes to have gone that bad.”
While Ya Wen was in his world with his questions, Su Jing stood silent, not knowing how to approach this problem. If she lies and says she passed through the forest, then she'll have a big plot hole - since indeed, apart from Feng Zhi Hao, no mortal passed through it alone. But even if she tells the truth, would he believe the ancient teleporting array malfunctioned? Even more, the gate collapsed on the other side so that meant it was partially destroyed. He may even blame her.
”I've encountered a powerful immortal.” the words slipped shamelessly through Su Jing's lips, ”He brought me here and then left before I could ask for his name.”
Ya Wen stood silent, making Su Jing nervous that he might have caught on to her lie. However, he smiled instead.
”That's what we call a cultivator opportunity. Maybe the Heavens wanted you to reach this city.”
What Dao, if not Heaven would more want to kill her. Was Ya Wen joking with her? She looked at his expression, however he seemed to be sincere and not suspicious of her words.
Su Jing pressed her fingers nervously under the table, ”I actually do not know the city I am in. I've walked around for a bit, but our mortal realm currency isn't accepted by cultivators. Does senior know about this place?”
Since she couldn't read, it would be even more difficult for her to find information! She had to extort Ya Wen as much as she could.
”We are in North Yang City of the Black Turtle Clan.” Ya Wen responded, looking outside the window, ”And cultivators do not accept gold or copper, they only accept spiritual stones. It's only natural you did not know that - thought your family should have told you already about this. From what noble family do you come from? Is it from the Qin Country? Or the Jin?”
”That, senior might have misunderstood me.” Su Jing raised her hand, embarrassed. What brought this man to think she was from a noble clan? Didn't he see how she looked?
”I am but a simple village girl. I wouldn't dare to think of me being from a noble household.”
She was far apart even from a middle-class family.
Ya Wen raised his eyebrows. ”You're a commoner?”
”My village is in Wei Country though, near Shun Mountain. That's why it was easy for me to reach the Gate of Immortals.”
Another lie, yet it was also a half-truth since it was obvious this body did not come from a faraway place. The Shun Mountain she climbed to the Immortal Realm was in Wei Country so Su Jing could only say she came from there.
Anyways, who would even care about a random extra? Su Jing doesn't even wish to go back again in the mortal realm. She started muffling some dumplings, not wanting this delicious food to go cold.
”I am sorry, I haven't thought it through. Usually, nobles come here. Even in our sect, a few years back, two nobles from the Qin Country came to Tian Hui Sect as disciples. One is a royal prince of Qin, and the other is a young miss of the Feng Clan. Although mortals, they are pretty much powerful now.”
Su Jing kept her reaction in place, aware he was talking about Feng Zhi Hao's sister, Feng Huo Hua and ex-fiance, Qin Wu Rong. Those two were the main enemies of the female lead, soon to be defeated.
”I do not know them,” Su Jing responded, really not wanting to have any tie with those two, ”I do not even know the nobles of my own Wei country. My village did not really care about the higher authorities.”
Among those mortals accepted by Tian Hui Sect, was also the Prince of Wei, Wei Mu Xing. He was going to be a friend of the female lead, but even so, Su Jing wanted to keep her distance. After all, nobles and commoners never really got along.
”I understand. That is not a problem since in the immortal realm, titles rarely matter if you do not have the cultivation level to uphold them.”
Ya Wen shook his head. He then watched Su Jing eat her dumplings, appearing thoughtful.
”And after this, what are cultivator Su's plans?”
Su Jing wiped her mouth from the soup, being caught unprepared.
”I shall start searching for a place to live in.” She looked towards Ya Wen, putting into words the question she wanted to ask him since the beginning, ”Do you know a sect close to this city which would accept me, even with low aptitudes? I am not picky about anything.”
North Yang City wasn't something she heard about in the novel, apart from its fame in how the best blacksmiths resided in this city. Feng Zhi Hao only went here a few times, across the storyline, but never had a conflict here. So it was rather peaceful - enough for Su Jing to stay without worries.
”Yang City, well, if I remember correctly, around here should be the Red Jade Sect, though I do not know the exact location. I heard they reside bellow the near mountain.”
Su Jing's face hardened. This sect crumbled as the mountain fell on them!
Definitely not a good place.
”Is there something else?”
Not a dead-end place, if possible!
Ya Wen crossed his arms, enumerating other sects.
”There are a lot more, but I am not sure if those would be the right place for you.” he paused, glancing at Su Jing, ”Usually disciples... need to have some requirements.”
”Just tell me. I will try my best to fit in, senior.”
It's not like she has anything else to choose from.
”Do you like forging weapons?”
Su Jing imagined herself with a big hammer, hitting metal as she stood 24/7 in front of the fire to create a scrape of a sword. Her hands would be constantly burned and her face all red from sweat - meaning tired all the time.
”With patience, I might do.” The patience of one hundred years. Ya Wen gazed at her and then chuckled, the room full of his laughter.
”Cultivator Su, are you sure? Disciples need to have the right physique. Families usually train their children for years for them to obtain body muscles.”
Ah, Su Jing might have omitted one thing. Blacksmiths tend to have a high body cultivation, enough to crush someone's head with a slight touch. Feng Zhi Hao encountered a few, and all of them were like that.
”And did you start cultivating already? I see you still haven't broken through Qi Refinement. I remember they require beginners to have at least a three-stage Qi Refinement.”
Su Jing did not even know what roots she had! What cultivation!
”Senior, I am not really versed in cultivating. That's why I am searching for a lesser sect.”
In this regard, she couldn't lie since she would be easily caught! Plus, remembering that hand that strangled her in the mortal realm when she tried cultivating, Su Jing hesitated to try it again on her own.
”Are you okay with any sect?”
”Since I do not have a place to stay, anything will do, I think.”
A roof above her head and food will be more than enough.
Ya Wen paused for a second, then smiled. ”Then wouldn't simply my own Tian Hui Sect work? It's more suitable for diverse cultivators.”
Su Jing was appalled when she heard him. Her eyes widened, for a second not knowing what to say. ”I appreciate senior's consideration, but Tian Hui Sect would never accept someone like me. I've already been rejected.”
Ya Wen looked like just expecting her to say that.
”There are ways to enter even if you aren't that talented.” He searched through his sleeves and got out the jade token he previously had. Su Jing looked confused at it, not understanding him.
”Tian Hui Sect is actually in need of workers. If they accept you and you later do a good job, you can win rewards for your cultivation. Furthermore, I heard the monthly wage isn't that bad.”
Su Jing looked at the blossom flowers drawn on the token, and then at Ya Wen again. Was this man asking her to walk into the tiger's den? Plus it was Tian Hui Sect! One of the top sects in the realm!
”Senior, I am sure there are many others who wish to enter Tian Hui Sect, who are better than me. It would be better for me to choose a lesser sect.”
Su Jing tried to stress the word "lesser" once more, hoping he'd understand her concerns. However, Ya Wen shook his head, holding the token to her.
”Cultivators are arrogant. Those who want to work in sects are rare, so with my token on top of that, you can be sure you will be welcomed in. If you worry about the work, be sure it won't be as hard as what those official disciples do. At most, you'll have to keep clean the surrounding area or take care of a garden.”
Su Jing hasn't heard of such a thing being in Tian Hui Sect. Feng Zhi Hao wouldn't bother herself to bow towards anyone, after all.
With her hand behind her neck, Su Jing thought about what excuse to bring up. ”Still, I am not sure. I don't even have the means to reach Tian Hui Sect.”
Teleportation was something expensive for her since Yang City was in the opposite direction of Tian Hui Sect.
”For that, you don't need to hurry.” Ya Wen responded, reassuring her, ”I have a talisman just enough for two people to teleport.”
Su Jing couldn't help but hold her breath for a second when she heard him. If he had the means to leave this place, why was he standing as if abandoned in the streets?
Ya Wen might be the strangest character she knew. She frowned, feeling conflicted.
Perhaps seeing her like that, Ya Wen's head dropped slightly, looking apologetically.
”I am not trying to force you. You can still go wherever you want. You can first finish your food and then think it over - after all, I am not really in a rush to go back.”
Ya Wen then went silent, letting Su Jing eat in peace. Su Jing however felt uncomfortable. It's not like she wasn't attracted by his offer - gardening and cleaning sounded like the laziest job someone would ever do in a cultivation novel.
But this enhanced her chances of also encountering the other characters, no matter how much she stood hidden.
Feng Huo Hua, Qin Wu Rong, Bai Xiu Ying and so many others.