The new smithy was completed over the past few days. The numerous other buildings that had gone up were mostly finished except what I could only really describe as some sort of market. It had several small shops along the brand new roadways. There was even a food shop selling steamed buns. I had never had them before but I’m pretty sure this is my new favorite food. The only reason I wasn’t one hundred percent sure was because my cravings for a cheeseburger had yet to go away.

I tried getting the cook to put in some of the peppers I had foraged for but he just looked at me like I was crazy.

Growing up my uncle always had a small herb and pepper garden but I hadn’t paid enough attention to know how to grow them well. I had tried just shoving seeds into the soil but that didn't work. Maybe one of the people in the village would be able to show me. It was worth checking especially since we hadn’t had much work lately. With the influx of merchants cheaper ready made goods were available so the only orders we got were for things that were less common.

I continued to munch on my basket full of buns as I strolled along with Wang Hu. It was a bit much but I got carried away when I realized how tasty they were. We had gone foraging in the morning for a few ingredients and had little to do, so we decided to explore the new area. It finally made it feel like a town rather than a village. Now if there could just be some indoor plumbing I would probably stop complaining. A tear came to my eye as I imagined a running toilet.

There was one building on the very edge of the market-like area that stood out from the rest. It was small and simple but also a bit elegant being made from dark wood and sitting almost tucked away.

The door opened and a young girl in dull brown robes began to sweep the front of the shop. It was the girl that had been looking for the fat old man the other day.

I had never seen them around the village before so it was certainly surprising.

Wang Hu froze completely when he saw her. Seeing that look on his face as his ears turned red made me realize why older siblings pick on the younger ones so much. I had to physically restrain myself from teasing him.

“Hey kid! Good to see you again!” I announced as I started towards the new building. Hu was doing his best to subtly pull me back but I pretended not to notice him.

She seemed a bit startled but when she noticed Hu next to me her ears turned a shade brighter as well.

I’ll be damned.

The door opened again and a large man with a long white beard yawned as he ambled out into the sunlight with a cup of tea in hand.

“Oh? Henry, yes?” He blinked groggily as he noticed me.

“And little Hu as well, good to see you both.” He held up his cup towards me and I nodded. He seemed to notice something then sniff the air a bit.

“Would those be… pork buns?” He sounded almost hopeful as he looked at the basket I was carrying around.

“They certainly are.” I offered them towards him and he happily accepted. His eyes lingered on the peppers I had collected. I only had the one basket, so hopefully the spice doesn't affect them. I held the basket towards the kid and she grabbed one as well.

“To think we would get breakfast so early. It will be a good day.” It was nearly noon by now. Hu and I were both up since before dawn.

I spent a little while speaking to the new residents. Chinese Sant- I mean Xinyi was apparently a doctor that just moved here with his apprentice. The apprentice, Bai Xiu seemed to look at the old man strangely when he said he was a simple doctor. With the way he and the rat had appeared I was pretty sure he was lying, but then again old master types should be good with medicine.

"Those fruits you're carrying with you..." He pointed to my basket.

"What are you planning to do with those?" His Long white beard was a bit less elegant with the sauce stain on the corner of his mouth.

"These ones are for dinner, but I've been trying to figure out how to grow them so I don't have to keep going into the forest." I explained.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Really?" He suddenly had a bit of glee in his eyes.

"Perhaps I could grow some of them for you, I'm quite good with plants." Even his laugh reminded me of Santa Claus. I couldn't be happier with the outcome. I wouldn't even have to put in the extra work.

We returned to the smithy after our tour. It really looked like some sort of fantasy workshop now. The forge itself wasn't much larger but the workspace and structure surrounding it certainly was. The sloped tile roof almost glowed as the afternoon sun hit the terra cotta. The thing was huge, the house part of the building had five bedrooms and there was even a small wall that surrounded the entire area. It was a bit excessive considering what still sat next door. The small shed with an awning hadn't been touched yet except to transfer over a few things like the tools. Honestly there wasn't much else that wasn't brand new.

I took a deep breath and ran my finger across the designs on my new ring. I couldn't even take it off until I figured out how to use the spirit energy or whatever it was. It still felt unreal. I suppose it always felt unreal but it was more obvious now.

I returned to my room after dropping off the ingredients and leftovers in the kitchen. The terms almost felt foreign after so long. Bedroom. It felt like such a powerful concept. I was brought back from my thoughts as I looked at the golden snake wrapped around an ornate box still sitting on my small table.

I was having trouble opening the last of the boxes. The largest and simplest box had been entirely filled with money. I had suddenly become one of the richest residents and hadn't even tried counting it. I'm sure it wouldn't be much in a larger city but here I felt like Mansa Musa. The other box contained a vial of red liquid. Long had tried telling me it was some sort of potent thousand year old elixir. I didn't care what it was, it will be expired in a thousand years, so I tossed it into the fire. Shu had been horrified when he learned what I did but old Long laughed until he nearly fell over.

The last box stared at me. The ruby eyes of the snake sculpture seemed to follow me around and never blinked. I might be going crazy, obviously a statue wouldn't blink. I sighed as I grabbed my sword. I had made the scabbard so that it had leather ties that always held the sword in place. I wasn't drawing it, I just needed to feel stable. The sort of calming feeling was nice. I'm sure it's just a placebo but I really did feel like I couldn't be uprooted.

I placed my empty hand on the box. The snakes scales felt all too realistic. I took a deep breath and opened it. Inside was mostly a velvety padding that protected a small item. It looked like it was made of glass. Inside of the round bulb was what seemed like liquid fire roiling around.

________________________________________________________________

Bai Xiu sat in the small garden behind the herb shop that her teacher had suddenly decided to open. She was having an anxiety attack. She had agreed to be his apprentice thinking he was some sort of master. Now he claims to be a mortal doctor. She had no idea what to do. She still dreamed of flying on a sword across the skies, of striking down demons and conquering realms. She had been told she was talented. Maybe not a once in a generation genius but she could still rise. She didn't need to be held down by a fat old mortal just because she had made a mistake. He had never even given her the weapon he promised.

She came to a decision. She went to her room and began to gather her things. She would return to her sect, they should understand her circumstances. To be deceived by a mortal was tragic. She paused for a moment when the image of the boy that had arrived earlier appeared in her mind. She shook it away and finished her preparations.

As she walked out of the building, she saw Xinyi sitting on the bench next to the entryway. He had a cup of tea in hand and an unconcerned expression on his face as he watched her. Seeing his reaction she started to get angry.

"I'm going back." She crossed her arms and stood firm. Bai Xiu wouldn't get stuck in a place like this. She would ascend to the spiritual realm some day.

"Why is that?" He always seemed so damn calm that it was infuriating.

"Because I don't need to learn these mortal things! I will hire servants to sweep my floors! I will wear only the finest silk! I was born to be a cultivator, not a mortal herbalist!" He smiled while he nodded along with her statements.

"Do you honestly think things are so simple?" He tossed a broom towards her before he suddenly disappeared. She was able to catch it when she felt a terrible presence behind her. She stepped forwards and swept behind herself reflexively. The elder had the same smile on his face. She had caught the stick he was holding with the broom in her hands. She swallowed the sudden lump in her throat. That wasn't something a mortal could do.

He took a deep breath and went inside for a moment. When he returned he was holding a box that was nearly as tall as she was. She hesitated as he handed it over to her. When she opened the box she saw a weapon unlike any other she had ever seen before. The crescent blade gleamed in the moonlight. The dark wooden handle seemed to drink the light that hit it, allowing the two sides to shine even brighter. As she held it up the entire thing felt just a bit too large but she knew she would be able to use it.

"There is more to cultivation than gaining power or conquering enemies." He smiled softly.

"It is often about the path we choose more than it is about where they lead." He went back inside. Bai Xiu sat there for a moment as she looked at the weapon in front of her.

Okay, so maybe he wasn't such a terrible teacher.

She could wait a little longer.