Chapter 032: The Rich Aroma of Tea

Brahma City was vast, and with the arrival of cultivators, even ordinary folk had begun using spirit stones for transactions.

These mortals sold not only goods from their own world but also items from the cultivation realm, though no one knew where they acquired them. Of course, the quality and authenticity of these wares varied greatly, and discerning the truth depended entirely on one’s eye for detail.

Besides the mortals hawking their goods, there were also cultivators manning stalls, since the opening of the Brahma Secret Realm was imminent and disciples from all major sects were searching for useful supplies.

Liu Zhiqing led Yan Shu through the bustling streets, treating her as if she were still a child, even buying her some mortal snacks.

Yan Shu was about to decline when a skewer of candied hawthorn was pressed into her hand.

She could only swallow her words, resigning herself to thank him, “Thank you, Senior Brother.”

Liu Zhiqing, on the other hand, was quite pleased. “I knew you’d like it. When we were young and I snuck you down the mountain, you’d always put on a cold face and say you wanted nothing, but the moment you saw candied hawthorn, your eyes would light up.”

Yan Shu: …

Even if the original owner of this body were still here, she would now be nearing a hundred years of age. Surely, she would have outgrown a taste for candied hawthorn by now?

Yan Shu glanced at the treat in her hand and took a bite. The sweet and sour flavor was just as she remembered.

Unwittingly, the two of them wandered Brahma City for quite some time. As the sun set and lanterns began to glow, Liu Zhiqing brought her to a restaurant.

It was clear Liu Zhiqing was no stranger to the place. After they were seated, he ordered several dishes in succession, followed by a pot of wine. Turning to Yan Shu, he said, “This restaurant has been around for years. Though mortal food and drink do little for us cultivators, it’s a pleasure to indulge every now and then.”

The waiter, hearing this, hurried over with a smile. “The immortal master is quite right. Our restaurant may not claim to be the best in everything, but our flavors are unmatched in all of Brahma City!”

Since her transmigration, Yan Shu had yet to enjoy a proper meal. The aroma from the kitchen made her mouth water, but she kept up her aloof persona, nodding with indifference.

As Liu Zhiqing and Yan Shu waited for their food, a man and a woman approached.

The young woman was charming and adorable, with a round face and big, glistening eyes—truly, the only word that could capture her was “kawaii.”

The young man was handsome as well. Though Yan Shu saw beautiful faces every day thanks to Xiao Jihan, this man’s looks still caught her eye.

Ahem, she certainly wasn’t coveting his good looks—she was simply appreciating a fine view.

The pair stopped before their table, and the man bowed respectfully. “Fellow Daoists, we are disciples of the Prime Origin Sect. The restaurant is full at the moment; might we trouble you to share your table?”

The Prime Origin Sect was the leading sword sect, famed for its Prime Origin Sword Arts, and stood at the forefront of the four great sects.

Yan Shu said nothing, merely casting a sidelong glance at Liu Zhiqing.

He took in their attire and smiled gently. “A chance meeting is fate. Please, take a seat, fellow Daoists.”

It was a square table, with Yan Shu and Liu Zhiqing sitting opposite each other. Now, with the newcomers, everyone sat beside someone they didn’t know—a rather awkward arrangement.

After the man and woman ordered their food and wine, an uncomfortable silence fell.

Perhaps seeking to break the ice, the adorable young woman turned her gaze to Yan Shu. “May I ask your honored name and sect, elder sister?”

She was as sweet in voice as in appearance, making it impossible to refuse her. Unfortunately, even if Qin Wan had wanted to answer, she wouldn’t have dared. She could only glance again at Liu Zhiqing.

When the girl saw no answer was forthcoming, her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and her delicate brows arched in distress. “Did I speak out of turn and upset you, sister? I only wished to befriend you, so beautiful and kind as you seem. Please, forgive my presumption.”

Hmm?

What was with this overwhelming air of “tea artifice”? To say she thought Yan Shu must be kind and approachable was just a roundabout way of calling her cold and unfriendly!

She hadn’t offended this girl—this was their first meeting, and it was the newcomers who had asked to share the table. They were only here for a meal; was all this drama really necessary?

Yan Shu turned to her, the affection she’d felt earlier already gone. With cool eyes and a calm tone, she said, “Shouldn’t one introduce oneself before asking another’s name?”

“What’s more, I was merely lost in thought and hadn’t even spoken when you started apologizing profusely. Anyone sensible would see you’re simply oversensitive, but to an outsider, it might look as if I’ve bullied you.”

At this, everyone at the table was stunned. The girl’s eyes widened in disbelief, and tears spilled down her cheeks. “You misunderstand me, sister. I only wished to draw near because I admire you, not out of any ill intent.”

Brahma City was teeming with cultivators, and the restaurant was no exception. Yan Shu’s beauty had drawn attention the moment she entered, and now, with the young woman crying, all eyes in the room turned to them.

Yan Shu, growing weary of the girl’s incessant tears, was about to speak when the young man interjected, “Please, don’t take offense. My junior sister has been pampered within our sect since childhood and is somewhat naive. I hope you can forgive her.”

Now that sounded more reasonable, and the young man didn’t appear to be unreasonable. Perhaps Yan Shu had been too sensitive, and the girl was simply socially awkward.

Her expression softened, and she nodded slightly to the young man. “It’s nothing.”

He had clear, honest eyes. Bowing his hands in greeting, he introduced himself. “My junior sister was out of line just now. We are disciples of the Prime Origin Sect. My surname is Yu Wen, given name Che. This is my junior, Shan Zhiqing.”

At the mention of Yu Wen Che, the surrounding diners drew a collective breath.

The continent of Jiuzhou comprised nine regions. Except for Youzhou and Shangzhou, the other seven revered their royal families above all, even cultivators had to pay respects to royalty, for the royals were the chief patrons of the great sects.

Yu Wen Che was recorded in the original novel as possessing a heavenly spiritual root, second only to the protagonist’s mutated root, and born with an innate sword bone—seemingly destined for the Prime Origin Sect.

He had been in the sect for less than two centuries and was already at the late stage of Nascent Soul cultivation.

Yu Wen Che’s name was known to all. The novel described him as uniquely insightful and far-sighted, the very first among the sect leaders to cooperate with the protagonist, Xiao Jihan.

After introducing himself, Yu Wen Che smiled quietly, waiting for Yan Shu to state her own sect and name.

He had noticed her on the street earlier; just a glance had left him dazed. Blessed as he was, he had never felt such a thing for any woman before. Ignoring his junior’s protests, he had quietly followed her all the way, watching as her senior brother pressed a skewer of candied hawthorn into her hands, her bewildered and slightly helpless expression utterly endearing.