A man and a woman turned into Mud Bottle Alley. The young man wore a high crown and had a green jade pendant hanging from his waist, looking more like a wealthy nobleman than the descendant of the town's richest family, the Lu clan. The woman's age was hard to discern; at first glance, she appeared youthful, with delicate skin and a sharp chin like an icicle hanging from an eave in winter. Upon closer inspection, she seemed to be in her thirties, with alluring phoenix eyes and a charming figure. Her every move exuded a gracefulness that no town woman could match.
The woman looked around curiously, even reaching out to touch the yellow mud walls. "Fu Nanhua, is this really one of the hidden blessed places you mentioned? Why didn't my family's ancestral feng shui map highlight this alley?"
The young man answered evasively, "If we find unexpected fortune here, how will you repay me?"
The woman turned sideways, intertwining her fingers behind her back, which accentuated her ample chest. She teased softly, "Anything you desire, how about that?"
Caught off guard by her directness, Fu Nanhua lost his composure. Though tasked with securing the family's prosperity for the next century, or even a millennium, he dared not indulge in a fleeting romance under the watchful eyes of the small town.
Quickly changing the subject, he pointed deeper into the alley and smiled, "Cai Fairy, business is business. I must reiterate our agreement. There are two households in this alley: a master and servant, and a mother and son. You can choose one first. The stake is your Yunxiao Mountain's specialty, Yun Root Stones, ten pieces each year for our Old Dragon City."
The woman nodded, her smile enchanting, "Of course."
As they walked, Fu Nanhua continued, "If you find an unexpected treasure here, it must be appraised by our ancestors. You'll provide an equivalent amount of Yun Root Stones. Can you ensure your Yunxiao Mountain elders will agree to this deal?"
Cai Jinjian's demeanor changed, becoming solemn and regal, as if she had transformed from a courtesan into an empress. "Yes, I can."
Fu Nanhua narrowed his eyes, stopping to face her directly. "We're allies today because of the enduring friendship between our ancestors. If we fail and incur their wrath, neither you nor I, nor our parents or masters, can bear the consequences."
Cai Jinjian smiled, "We must be honest and cooperate sincerely while in town, right?"
Fu Nanhua, in the shadowy alley, displayed his handsome charm. "Besides that..."
Lowering his voice, he added, "We need to watch out for those two. They're not from Zhengyang Mountain and aren't reputable. They're known for being unconventional and unpredictable."
The tall woman's phoenix eyes sparkled, as if saying, "That's why I chose you, Fu."
Fu Nanhua urged caution, "Let's go. Though sages balance the powers here, we should avoid any mishaps. Our chance to ascend relies on this."
His determination solidified, he thought, "The great path awaits. I will kill gods and Buddhas if they block my way."
As they proceeded, they saw a thin boy walking toward them. It was their second meeting.
They continued like celestial beings visiting the mortal realm. Cai Jinjian noticed the boy and teased, "We've met him twice in the alley. Do you think...?"
Fu Nanhua, understanding her implication, laughed, "My dear Cai, the town has 600 households and nearly 5,000 people, including the servants of the ten big families. Any good seedlings with roots and blessings have long been claimed by those with great power. We're just here picking up what's left behind."
Cai Jinjian smiled at her naivety.
Fu Nanhua continued, "My father taught me that in this place, if someone makes you uneasy, avoid them. If someone feels close, they might bring fortune. As long as we follow the rules, we can buy, cheat, or take by force as we please."
Cai Jinjian, raising her eyebrows, added, "As we please."
She frowned slightly, "Why didn't you let me bring the Zhao clan's descendant? I learned some of the local dialect..."
Fu Nanhua interrupted, "Those families have deep, secret channels to the outside. They can pass messages under the sages' noses without crossing the line. Our allies' true backers are stronger than ours. Relying on outsiders can complicate things. I'll handle the talking if you prefer."
She smiled, "I can manage. It's just a few words."
Fu Nanhua smiled but said no more. Allies could never replace family, especially for those ambitious for immortality.
Fu Nanhua, exuding a noble charm, revealed his true thoughts. From the moment he entered the town, he harbored a deadly intent toward Cai Jinjian.
Instinctively, he grasped his jade pendant. "Old Dragon bestows rain, skillfully crafted. A gentleman never parts with his jade."
Cai Jinjian closed her eyes briefly, then chose, "I'll pick Gu Can."
Fu Nanhua raised an eyebrow, "Good. It's a deal."
As the boy neared a door in the alley, Fu Nanhua quickened his pace with Cai Jinjian, calling, "We meet again."
The boy, Chen Ping'an, turned and asked, "What do you need?"
Fu Nanhua, in fluent local dialect, replied, "This is Mud Bottle Alley, right? We're looking for Song Jixin and a boy named Gu Can. I'm from the capital and a family friend of Song's father. This lady, Miss Cai, is related to Gu Can's mother. We're traveling together, and it's quite a coincidence. Isn't it?"
Fu Nanhua, despite his refined manners, slightly bowed to match the boy's height, appearing genuine and kind.
Chen Ping'an nodded shyly, "It's quite a coincidence."
Fu Nanhua, smiling warmly, asked, "Do you know where they live?"
To his surprise, the boy shook his head, "I was an apprentice at a dragon kiln outside town for years and just moved here. I'm not familiar with the neighbors yet. Maybe you should ask someone else?"
Fu Nanhua, maintaining his smile, seemed to ponder his next words.
The tall woman, Cai Jinjian, interjected, "Little brother, lying isn't good. Do we look like bad people? In broad daylight, what harm can we do?"
Chen Ping'an blinked, "But I really don't know."
Cai Jinjian, resuming her usual manner, asked Fu Nanhua, "Does he want a reward?"
Fu Nanhua, unbothered, said, "I don't think so."
Annoyed, Cai Jinjian suggested, "If he won't help, we'll just ask door to door."
Fu Nanhua waved her off and gently coaxed the boy, "Help us, and I'll give you something nice."
Chen Ping'an scratched his head, looking thin and clear-eyed.
Suddenly, Fu Nanhua stood straight, noticing another boy crouching on a nearby wall, observing them. The refined boy was accompanied by a clean, pretty girl.
Fu Nanhua felt relieved. The boy must be an easy target.
The boy on the wall asked loudly, "Are you looking for someone?"
Fu Nanhua replied, "Yes, I'm looking for you. This lady here needs to find Gu Can. Can you help?"
The boy, Song Jixin, frowned, "Do you know me?"
Fu Nanhua smiled, "I know your father, who works in the Ministry of Rites."
Song Jixin asked bluntly, "What's in it for me if I help you find that snot-nosed Gu Can?"
Without hesitation, Fu Nanhua removed his jade pendant and tossed it to Song Jixin, who caught it, surprised by its quality but showing no reaction. He turned to his maid, Zhi Gui, "You go."
She nodded and left the courtyard, brightening the alley with her presence.
Fu Nanhua turned to Chen Ping'an and said, "A word of advice: though the sky is vast, it does not nourish rootless grass."
He led the way to Zhi Gui, while Cai Jinjian lingered, eyeing the boy playfully, "Do you understand what he meant?"
Her eyes gleamed with interest, and she laughed before he could answer, "It means you missed a great opportunity. Just a bit from him could have made your life much easier. But maybe it's better you don't know what you missed, or you'd regret it forever."
Fu Nanhua thought she was wasting her breath. The gap between people here and those outside was vast.
Walking backward, Cai Jinjian called, "Remember, though the sky is vast, it does not nourish rootless grass."
Chen Ping'an showed no reaction until he suddenly shouted, "Watch out for the..."
Cai Jinjian froze.
Lowering his voice, Chen Ping'an finished, "...dog poop."