Volume 1, Chapter 40: To Work for a Living, and to Pay for a Life

Su Cheng emerged from the alley with a dark expression, and Xu Zhanfeng immediately bowed low in a grand gesture of respect.

"Great Master."

Su Cheng raised an eyebrow at him. Xu Zhanfeng wore a mask, making his expression unreadable, though it likely wouldn't have been any clearer without it.

"Uh... are you here to rescue Ye Qinghan, too?"

Xu Zhanfeng was dumbfounded. What was this supposed to mean? Rescue the Matriarch? Had something happened to her?

"Great Master, I am here to seek refuge under your banner. I only hope that you and the Matriarch will take me in."

"Uh... you lot..."

"Great Master, I was trapped in a secret realm for over a thousand years and was fortunate enough to be saved by the Matriarch. Now that my old friends and kin have all passed on, I wish to repay her for saving my life with this body. I am at your command, and I shall harbor no two-mindedness."

"Right, right, that's enough. You come back with us too. When the time comes, both of you can go tell Qinghan; if she agrees, it's fine."

Su Cheng felt completely numb. This Ye Qinghan certainly had quite the charismatic pull! First Dongfang Jue came to pay a visit, then Li Shiyao came to rescue her, and now, even an expert at the Integration Stage like Xu Zhanfeng had come to pledge his loyalty!

"Thank you, Great Master!"

After knocking his head against the ground several times, Xu Zhanfeng rose and followed behind Su Cheng, feeling a sense of relief. It seemed the Great Master had a fairly good impression of him!

Before long, Su Cheng returned to Lingxian Palace with the two of them. Ye Qinghan hurried to the door to greet them, but she froze when she saw who was accompanying him. Were there so many visitors today?

"Master, who are these?"

[One came to rescue you, the other came to join you. Don't ask me; I have no idea what's going on either.]

"They are both here for you. Since they are guests, you must entertain them well. I am going to cook."

With that, Su Cheng carried the ingredients off to the kitchen.

Ye Qinghan was flustered. What was going on? Judging by her master's tone, while he wasn't exactly angry, he was clearly growing impatient! Just as she was about to question the two of them, Li Shiyao reacted even faster.

Li Shiyao took Ye Qinghan’s hand, pulled her aside, and retrieved a cultivation technique of the Immortal Grade from her satchel, thrusting it into Ye Qinghan's hands without a word. Meeting Ye Qinghan’s bewildered gaze, Li Shiyao beamed, feeling she had accomplished something monumental.

"Sister, you are free now."

This sequence of events left even a purebred vixen like Ye Qinghan speechless.

"What are you talking about? What do you mean I'm free?"

"I've already made an agreement with Sect Leader Su. She releases you, and I take your place."

"No, you don't understand at all..."

Ye Qinghan looked at Li Shiyao, then at the Immortal-grade technique in her hands, feeling completely dazed. Li Shiyao spoke as if delivering her final words, her eyes tinged with a hint of melancholy, yet she smiled at Ye Qinghan as always.

"Sister, I'm not stupid. I know you've been very kind to me. Whenever I think of you suffering, I feel so sad, so I snuck out!"

"I'm very healthy. The elders always say I'm as strong as an ox, so it doesn't matter if I eat a little less. You don't need to worry about me, and honestly, I'm not afraid of pain..."

Despite saying she wasn't afraid of pain, her small hands were trembling—whether from fear or some other emotion, it was hard to tell. "In short, I've already settled everything with Sect Leader Su..."

Ye Qinghan was too shocked to speak, standing frozen in place.

"What's wrong, Sister?"

"Sister, you don't have to worry about me. I only hope you can find a good man for yourself! Even though the elders say that handsome men are no good, I still hope you find a very handsome, good man!"

Ye Qinghan stuffed the manual back into Li Shiyao's bag and gave a gentle smile. In that moment, she seemed to understand why the so-called Saintess was a little "dull." Perhaps only a little fool could be worthy of being a Saintess.

"Sister, why?" Shiyao didn't understand; Sect Leader Su had already agreed!

"Thank you, but I won't be leaving."

Li Shiyao tried to persuade her further, but upon meeting Ye Qinghan's eyes, she couldn't find the words.

"Why? Am I very stupid? I will never understand what you are thinking, Sister."

Ye Qinghan just smiled. "Go to the Spirit Pool Palace to wash up. We'll eat together in a while."

After sending Li Shiyao off to the Spirit Pool Palace, Ye Qinghan turned to look at the timid Xu Zhanfeng at the door. Ever since she met Ye Qinghan, Xu Zhanfeng felt there was nothing in this world that could surprise him, but standing before this immortal palace, he couldn't help but sigh: it truly was the residence of an Immortal!

"I spared you once. Why come here now? Do you want to be my dog?"

"Indeed. I humbly beg the Matriarch to grant me this opportunity," Xu Zhanfeng answered without hesitation. What was wrong with being a dog? To be a dog for the Matriarch was a supreme stroke of luck! The Matriarch was simply keeping a low profile for now, like a dragon hidden in the deep abyss. In time, he feared others would have to line up just to serve as her dog!

"What did Master say?"

"The Great Master said he would defer to your wishes."

"Oh, that's fine, but..." Ye Qinghan looked at Xu Zhanfeng. He looked a bit dim-witted, but he had some strength.

"Matriarch, please speak freely. I have no way to repay your grace in saving my life; this body is yours to command, and I shall never be two-minded."

"It's nothing much. I want a protection fee of twenty taels a month. Can you accept that?"

Xu Zhanfeng was stunned. Was the Matriarch playing with him? Twenty taels? Even twenty thousand taels would have been a reasonable demand; what kind of protection fee was twenty taels?

Seeing his hesitation, Ye Qinghan said, "If you aren't willing, then forget it. You can go look elsewhere."

"Ah, Matriarch, I'm willing! Never mind twenty, I can pay two hundred!"

"Good, then two hundred it is!"

Xu Zhanfeng was confused. Was the twenty taels because she was afraid he couldn't afford it? The Matriarch's temperament was truly unfathomable. However, he did have some money on him, so he simply handed over two hundred taels to Ye Qinghan.

Ye Qinghan was visibly delighted. "Good, good, good. Xu... what was it?"

"Xu Zhanfeng."

"Right! Zhanfeng, you've done well. I see you have remarkable potential, so I shall take you in!"

Xu Zhanfeng was completely dazed. He had to work for Fairy Qinghan, and he had to pay her money, too! Was this fairy a bit poor? So, all his grand speeches were worth less than two hundred taels! If he had known, he would have robbed more money before coming! He might have even earned an official title.

"Thank you, Matriarch!"

"Mm, from now on, you are a member of Lingxian Palace. Find a place to stay in Nanding City for now. I will arrange tasks for you in the coming days."

"Thank you, Matriarch!"

"Alright, go on."

Having dismissed Xu Zhanfeng, Ye Qinghan ran to the kitchen, beaming, to help out. "Master, about Xu Zhanfeng..." She deliberately left the sentence unfinished, wanting to hear her master's inner thoughts.

[Xu Zhanfeng has the cultivation of the Integration Stage. If he can be used by Lingxian Palace, that is naturally a good thing.]

Hearing this, Ye Qinghan continued while washing the vegetables: "I asked him to pay a protection fee of two hundred taels a month, and I've accepted him."

[Oh my, two hundred taels! Fantastic! Such a generous soul, we should take in more!]

"You may decide these matters for yourself."

Dongfang Jue followed behind Li Shiyao, curious about where she was going.

"Hmm? Are you looking for Shiyao for something?"