Chapter 4

Mu Ran lowered her head, focusing on her work. After a while, the piece of wood in her hands transformed into a small wooden chicken, plump and adorable. But when she inserted a small spirit stone, it actually fluttered its wings and flew up.Wood & Plastics

Shopkeeper Song hurried over. "What new gadget have you been researching this time?"

Mu Ran stretched out her hand. "Shopkeeper Song, give me one of your hairs."

Shopkeeper Song plucked a hair without hesitation.

Mu Ran spoke to the little wooden chicken: "Deliver a message: Shopkeeper Song, it's time to pay my wages."

A small crack opened on the chicken's chest. She held the hair near the crack; it was sucked inside, and the crack closed.

The wooden chicken flapped its wings, flew to Shopkeeper Song, and its wooden beak opened and closed, emitting a girl's voice: "Shopkeeper Song, it's time to pay my wages."

Excitement spread across Shopkeeper Song's face. He circled the little wooden chicken, looking left and right. "Marvelous, truly marvelous! Have you given it a name?"

"It can find someone using just a single hair and can even deliver messages. I call it the Messenger Chicken."Biological Sciences

"Messenger Chicken... a fine name, a truly fine name!"

Two cultivators nearby had already noticed the commotion. They walked over together, very interested, and said, "How much for this Messenger Chicken? We'll take it."

Although it wasn't a magical treasure, its charm lay in its novelty. It would make a good gift for their superiors, perfect for currying favor.

Mu Ran wasn't good at bargaining. Shopkeeper Song gave her a meaningful look, so she sat down and continued carving another piece of wood, seemingly tuning out the world around her.

A smile appeared on Shopkeeper Song's face. "As you two honored guests can see, crafting this Messenger Chicken is no easy feat. I daresay only our artisan in the world can make such a thing. But today's meeting is fate — for the sake of this yuanfen (fate), I certainly won't ask for an outrageous price. How about... one hundred spirit stones?"Writers Resources

The two cultivators exclaimed in surprise, "One hundred spirit stones!?"

Even Mu Ran, who was carving, was startled by the number.

One hundred spirit stones was equivalent to half a year's expenses for an ordinary commoner.

She wiped cold sweat from her forehead, thinking Shopkeeper Song really dared to ask.

However, after the time it took to drink a cup of tea, he actually managed to close the deal.

One Messenger Chicken was finally sold for ninety spirit stones. Those cultivators were dressed finely and could grit their teeth and afford it. Their superiors had seen many fine treasures, but novel gadgets were rare; perhaps buying it wasn't a loss after all.

"We agreed on a seventy-thirty split. This is yours." Shopkeeper Song gave sixty-three spirit stones to Mu Ran, then added, "If you have more good things in the future, bring them all to me to sell."

Mu Ran was in a hurry to return home. She put the money away. "Understood. I'm heading back now."

Shopkeeper Song watched her running figure disappear out the door. "Are you coming tomorrow or not!?"

"Depends!"

In no time, she had run out of sight.

It wasn't dark yet, and the street vendors were still out. Mu Ran bought a packet of dried meat and some mung bean cakes that Cangshu Bai liked before heading back. Just as she reached the shaded path, a vicious hound blocked her way.Meat & Seafood

Mu Ran could tell at a glance this was no ordinary dog, but a spirit beast kept by someone.

It seemed desperately hungry, now staring at Mu Ran, drool dripping from its mouth.

Mu Ran slowly took two steps back.

The large, menacing hound also advanced two steps.

Mu Ran nervously swallowed, then suddenly threw the packet of dried meat to the side.

The hound immediately pounced, opening its bloody maw to frantically tear at the food.

Mu Ran quickly seized the chance to run away.

Not long after, a fragrant breeze arrived.

A woman in red, veiled with a gossamer scarf, had a graceful figure. Her brows and eyes were like a painting, her gaze clear and deep, beautiful as an immortal.

A sword-bearing maid glared at the ravenous hound and said angrily, "You stupid dog! The Immortal Maiden ordered you to fast for three months to cultivate your demon-beast physique! Now that you've eaten, all that effort is wasted!"Dogs

Another maid holding a blue lantern spoke indignantly, "Who was the blind fool who threw food to this stupid dog? Immortal Maiden, shall we investigate?"

The woman in red withdrew her indifferent gaze, her voice cool and clear. "The urgent task now is to find Old Man Longsword. Two hundred years ago, he killed for treasure in the Void Secret Realm. That debt must be settled. After all these years, rumors finally say he's hiding in this backwater place to recuperate. We must not alert the prey."

A sharp glint flashed in her eyes. "Back then, if not for that man in green who suddenly interfered, the top prize of the secret realm would have been mine. I must kill him and Old Man Longsword to wash away this shame!"

The surrounding aura suddenly turned cold. The two maids fell silent, not daring to make a sound.

Ever since she emerged from the secret realm two hundred years ago, the Immortal Maiden's mental state had become troubled, making breakthroughs particularly difficult. The man in green who had suddenly appeared back then seemed to have inflicted a deep trauma on her, giving rise to a terrifying obsession.

Mu Ran ran all the way home, but she had miscalculated. Cangshu Bai had already returned home first and even prepared the meal.

Thinking quickly on her feet, she hid her toolbox in the firewood pile before entering, then tidied her hair, hugged the pastries, and went inside.Biological Sciences

"Jinzhi, how come you're back so early today?"

Cangshu Bai was setting the table. He looked up at her. "There weren't many patients today. Doctor Hu let me come home early."

Mu Ran felt a bit guilty but braced herself and held her ground. She smiled and placed the pastries in his hand. "I just went to sit at Auntie Wang's place for a bit. Look, these are the mung bean cakes I asked her husband to bring from town."

Cangshu Bai wasn't in a hurry to eat. He reached out and gently brushed aside the stray hair by her ear, asking softly, "If you just went to sit at Auntie Wang's, why are you back here out of breath?"

Mu Ran's eyes darted around. "I just... just had a temporary lack of energy. I get out of breath after walking a few steps."

"Let me check your pulse."

"No need! I'm hungry, I'll go wash my hands first!"

Mu Ran hurried into the kitchen to wash her hands, her retreating figure practically a fleeing one.

Cangshu Bai didn't press further. He sat on the chair, looking at the mung bean cakes in the paper packet, still perfectly intact and not crumbled, and warmth returned to his gaze.

Not long after, Mu Ran ran back. She tried hard to control her breathing, giving him a smile, finally not panting anymore.

Cangshu Bai put down the pastries, picked up a bowl, ladled some meat soup into it, and placed it in her hands. "I tried a new dish today. Try it and see if you like it."Cookware & Diningware

Mu Ran held the bowl and took a sip, tasting the special deliciousness created by the rich mix of ingredients. She said, "It's delicious."

Cangshu Bai picked up a piece of meat and put it in her bowl. "I'm glad you like it."

Mu Ran asked curiously, "What's this dish called? I haven't seen you make it before."

He said, "Meat soup."

Mu Ran was taken aback. "Just 'meat soup'?"

He nodded. "Just 'meat soup'."

Mu Ran didn't know what kind of meat was in the bowl either; it was quite chewy. She sat without proper posture, leaning her body against him even while eating. "Jinzhi is amazing. Everything you make is delicious."

When he cooked for her, he always made sure to include both meat and vegetables. The most tender heart of the greens from the plate once again found its way into her bowl. He asked softly, "Then next time you want meat soup, just tell me, and I'll make it for you again."Writers Resources

Muran shook her head, "It's delicious, but I don't think it tastes particularly special compared to other meats. I still prefer the home-style dishes you make, Jinzhi."

He smiled faintly, "Mm."

With sharp eyes, Muran suddenly caught his hand, "Jinzhi, you're hurt."

There was a burn mark on the back of his hand, starkly visible against his pale skin.

"I burned myself accidentally while decocting the medicine. It's nothing serious."

"No, your body is mine. I can't bear to see you hurt. Even if you don't feel the pain, my heart aches for you." She got down from her chair again, swift and decisive, and rushed towards the bedroom. "We have burn ointment at home; I'll go find it."

Cangshu Bai watched her back as she rushed to the bedroom, a soft, fragmented tenderness spreading in the depths of his eyes.

He picked up a piece of mung bean cake with his fingertips and placed it in his mouth. As the delicate sweetness melted on his tongue, the corners of his lips unconsciously curved into a faint smile.

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