As the dishes arrived, Xuefeng and Wuying listened to the boy's story. His name was Li Kun, and life had dealt him a cruel hand. Two years ago, his parents ventured into the mountains searching for herbs and never returned. After exhausting the small savings they left behind to hire cultivators to search for them, only bloodstained, shredded clothing was found—a grim testament to their likely fate at the claws of spirit beasts.
From that day, Li Kun had been alone. At just ten years old, he took up his parents' trade, scouring the mountains for Spirit Herbs to sell so he could survive. A few days ago, he had stumbled upon an unusually rare herb, hoping it might finally bring him some relief. But his luck soured when a black-robed man tried to steal it from him in the bazaar.
Xuefeng and Wuying already knew the rest of the story. Despite its tragedy, the boy's resilience shone through. Few his age could have endured such hardship without succumbing to despair.
As Li Kun recounted his tale, Xuefeng felt the weight of guilt settle on his chest. He downed another glass of Spirit Wine, its fiery warmth doing little to soothe his unease. Cultivators had a high tolerance for alcohol, but this was no ordinary drink. The Spirit Wine hit harder, and for Xuefeng, a first-time drinker, it cut straight to his core.
The boy's story unearthed memories Xuefeng had tried to bury. He thought of his own parents, their sacrifices, and how little he had done to repay them. He had left them behind, offering only problems in return for their endless support. They'd worked tirelessly to secure his future, and yet his journey had ended on a random cliff in his past life.
A pang of regret gripped him—until he thought of Tianshi. Her face floated into his mind, a soothing presence that chased the darkness away. As long as she was safe, he told himself, he could bear the rest.
His gaze drifted to Wuying, who caught his eye and offered him a warm, concerned smile. For a moment, she reminded him of Tianshi, and the ache in his chest grew.
"Is something wrong?" she asked softly, her eyes filled with worry.
Unable to find the words, Xuefeng reached out and pulled her into an embrace. Wuying stiffened at first, surprised by his sudden action, but soon relaxed in his arms. She didn't ask questions, didn't demand explanations. She simply held him, offering comfort in the silence.
Li Kun clapped his hands, breaking the moment. "Big brother Feng and big sister Ying are a couple! No wonder she looks at him like that," he declared with the blunt honesty only a child could muster.
Wuying's cheeks flushed, but she didn't move away. If anything, her grip tightened, and a faint smile played on her lips.
Xuefeng chuckled, though the boy's comment embarrassed him. They pulled apart just as there was a knock at the door.
The room fell silent as the door opened to reveal Manager Wu, dressed in her signature sultry style. Her figure-hugging dress left little to the imagination, her confidence radiating like an aura.
"Hello, Young Master Xuefeng," she greeted with a smile that held equal parts charm and purpose. "I heard you were in town, and I couldn't resist paying a visit."
Xuefeng straightened, shaking off the lingering haze of the Spirit Wine. "Manager Wu, good to see you. I apologize for not visiting sooner. I've been busy with training."
"No need to apologize," she said, waving it off. Her gaze shifted to Li Kun. "And who's this young man?"
Xuefeng explained Li Kun's situation, his voice steady despite the lingering effects of the wine. "I heard you're in charge of a Trade Union branch. Are you looking for an experienced herb gatherer? Li Kun has been doing this work for two years already."
Manager Wu arched a perfectly shaped brow. "An herb gatherer, you say?" She studied the boy for a moment before nodding. "If it's your recommendation, I'll make it happen. But you realize you now owe me another favor, don't you? That makes two."
Xuefeng chuckled, brushing off her pointed remark. "Well, I don't mind." He paused, then remembered something. "Oh, and I promised him Spirit Awakening Liquid. I can cover that." He reached for his storage ring, ready to produce the required spirit stones, but Manager Wu's hand darted out to stop him, her grip surprisingly firm.
"No need," she said, her tone smooth as silk. "It's just Spirit Awakening Liquid—it's nothing much. Your favor is far more valuable." The subtle emphasis on "favor" wasn't lost on Xuefeng. Her words carried an undertone of power, a reminder of the currency she truly valued.
Li Kun, standing quietly at the side, listened intently. It didn't take long for him to piece together what Xuefeng was doing. Gratitude swelled in his chest, nearly overwhelming him. If he'd received payment for the herb in the bazaar, he would still be at risk of being robbed blind. But now, this small act of kindness was offering him a stable foothold in life.
Manager Wu, ever observant, leaned back into her seat with the ease of a predator at rest. "Are you also heading out for the Rank 4 Nightmare hunt? Word's already spread, and plenty of cultivators are on the move."
Xuefeng nodded casually, unaware of Wuying's sharp glance in Manager Wu's direction. "Yeah, we're planning to leave tomorrow morning."
Manager Wu's lips curled into a knowing smile as she leaned forward, her voice laced with playful intrigue. "Hehe, how about I call in one of those favors tomorrow?"
Xuefeng stiffened slightly, his brow furrowing. "What kind of favor?"
"Oh, nothing too difficult," she said, her laughter rich and melodic. "I want to add someone to your team."
Wuying's shoulders tensed. Her mind raced with scenarios that unraveled her carefully laid plans. But Xuefeng, thinking it a harmless request, let out a relieved sigh. "Uff, I thought you'd ask for something outrageous."
Wuying's internal cry of despair echoed like a ghostly wail in the recesses of her mind. Noooooooo…
Manager Wu stood gracefully, brushing an imaginary speck of dust from her sleeve. "Then it's settled. I'll bring her to your clan in the morning."
Xuefeng froze mid-nod, her words echoing in his ears. "Wait a minute. Her? The person joining us is female?"
"Of course," Manager Wu replied smoothly, her tone almost teasing. "It's my niece. She's a bit... rebellious, and I think some field experience will do her good. You don't mind, do you?" She tilted her head playfully, her eyes daring him to object.
Wuying's grip on Xuefeng's hand tightened, her fingers like an iron vise. He glanced down, certain she might crush his bones into powder. "Well... I guess I can't refuse, right?" He tried to sound nonchalant, though his voice carried a note of pleading. The silent prayer that "Wuying the Hammer Hand" might spare him tonight flickered briefly in his thoughts.
"No, you can't," Manager Wu said with finality, turning toward Li Kun. She gestured for him to follow. "Come, boy. Auntie will take care of you."
Li Kun hesitated, glancing back at Xuefeng. When he received a reassuring nod, the boy's nervous expression melted into one of hope. "Thank you, big brother!" he called, his voice filled with excitement as he followed Manager Wu out.
"See you tomorrow!" Manager Wu tossed over her shoulder, her tone light as the door clicked shut behind her.
The room fell into an uneasy silence. Wuying turned to Xuefeng, her gaze heavy with unspoken disappointment. Her plans for a quiet, intimate mission had been derailed by a third party, and though she wasn't angry at him, the frustration was evident in her posture.
Xuefeng sighed, running a hand through his hair. "How could I have known this would happen? It's not my fault…"
Wuying's glare silenced him. Her lips pressed into a thin line, her arms crossing over her chest as she turned away from him.
"Come on," he tried again, his voice soft, almost pleading. "I didn't ask for this. Don't be mad, okay?"
Her silence was deafening.
Xuefeng sighed again, resigned. He knew no words would smooth this over tonight. He'd have to tread carefully, step by step, to ease her frustration. As he watched her storm out of the room without another word, he muttered under his breath, "Great. Another mission and now another mess to clean up."