After escaping from the overseer's search, I made my way through the marketplace toward the spirit beast district.
The stalls here were different from the general merchant areas, filled with cages containing infant spirit beasts and carefully protected eggs of spirit birds.
I moved through the rows methodically, examining the various creatures on display.
Small fox kits with unusually bright eyes, serpent hatchlings coiled in temperature-controlled boxes, bird eggs nestled in formations that kept them warm.
Some vendors were clearly honest, their products legitimate and properly cared for. Others, however, were obvious frauds.
That one's trying to pass off a normal crane egg as an Azure Wind Eagle, I observed, watching a merchant enthusiastically pitch to a young cultivator who looked fresh from village.
The boy's eyes were wide with excitement, completely taken in by the elaborate story about how rare and powerful the creature would become.
Scammers everywhere,Preying on novices who don't know better.
I had no interest in the beasts today. My target was more practical.
After checking several stalls, I found what I needed. Beast repelling powder, the kind hunters and farmers used to keep spirit beasts away from crops and homes.
"How much for three packets of Beast repelling powder?" I asked the vendor, a middle-aged woman with work-worn hands.
"Ten spirit stones per packet," she replied. "Good quality, lasts Six months per application."
I paid without haggling. Fifty spirit stones was nothing compared to what I'd acquired, and I needed the powder to be effective.
With my purchase secured in my storage bag, I made my way toward the city gate.
The atmosphere had changed dramatically since this morning. Where before there had been a steady flow of traffic, now guards stood in rigid formation, checking every person entering and leaving with suspicious eyes.
The overseer's orders, I realized, watching them search a merchant's cart with thorough efficiency. Looking for his "spy" trying to flee the city.
I couldn't risk the main gate. Even with my cultivation concealed, the scrutiny was too intense.
Instead, I diverted to a nearby alley, empty of foot traffic and shadowed by the tall buildings on either side.
I activated the farmer's robe cloaking effect, feeling the qi formation shimmer to life around me.
The world didn't change from my perspective, but I knew to others I would be invisible.
Moving with careful, measured steps, I approached the checkpoint from the side.
The guards' attention was focused on the main road, their spiritual senses sweeping over the obvious traffic.
I slipped past them like smoke, my presence registering as nothing more than a whisper of wind.
Once clear of the gate, I deactivated the effect to conserve qi and began making my way along the road toward the village.
That's when I spotted them.
Old Han's son and daughter-in-law, walking together on the path ahead. They carried bundles on their backs, provisions purchased in the city, and moved with the steady pace of experienced travellers.
Looks like my warning got through to him, I thought with satisfaction. He actually listened and left early.
I maintained my distance, keeping them in sight while staying far enough back to avoid detection.
There was no need for the cloaking effect here. I was just another traveller on the road.
The journey took over two hours, the sun sinking lower toward the horizon as we travelled.
The familiar landscape gradually emerged. Fields I recognized, the outline of distant mountains, the curve of the road that meant we were getting close.
No bandits, I noted, scanning the tree line out of habit. They're probably still dealing with the aftermath of their leader's abandonment.
Finally, the village came into view. I quickly activated my robe's cloaking effect again.
The small cluster of houses, the fields spreading out around them, the whole scene painted in the warm orange light of approaching evening.
Old Han's son and daughter-in-law headed straight for their father's house, their pace quickening with obvious eagerness.
I watched them disappear inside, then turned away toward my own destination.
Not to my house, but.
To my spirit fields, they need my attention first.
The late evening hour meant the fields would be empty. Most farmers had already finished their work for the day, heading home for dinner and rest.
I moved quickly through the rows until I reached my plots, the original land and the newly acquired three mu I'd taken under me.
From my storage bag, I withdrew the beast repelling powder. Working systematically, I spread it around the perimeter of all my fields, creating an invisible barrier that would keep spirit beasts from damaging my crops.
Can't have my investment destroyed by wandering creatures, I thought, making sure to cover every section thoroughly.
Once the powder was applied, I stepped into the field.
I placed both hands on the ground. A faint yellow light emerged from my palms.
The soil trembled. Waves rippled outward as if the land itself were breathing.
Clods of earth lifted, turned, and settled smoothly. Stones surfaced and rolled aside.
I focused, guiding the flow carefully. Rows formed neatly, evenly spaced, stretching across the plot.
The technique required precise control, moving earth without creating obvious disturbances or excessive noise.
I worked carefully, adjusting soil conditions, improving drainage, preparing the new fields for optimal cultivation.
Sweat formed on my forehead despite the cool evening air. The technique was qi-intensive, especially when applied across a total of five mu of land.
But it was necessary work. And more importantly, it created an alibi.
If anyone asks where I was today, I thought, stepping back to survey my work, multiple villagers will have seen me leave home early this morning. And now my fields show clear signs of recent cultivation work.
No loose ends.
Satisfied with the results, I straightened my back and headed toward my home.
The house was quiet as I approached, but not empty. Warm light spilled from the windows, and I could see figures moving inside.
Mo Ling and Mo Fan were waiting at the entrance, seated on the step. Grandfather sat at the table inside, visible through the open door.
The children spotted me first. Their faces lit up with relief and excitement as they jumped to their feet.
"Big Brother Shen! You're back!" Mo Ling rushed toward me, her small hand reaching for my sleeve.
"We were worried!" Mo Fan added, trying to maintain his serious expression but failing to hide his concern. "You were gone all day!"
I smiled, ruffling both their heads gently. "I'm fine. Just had some business to handle at the field."
"What kind of business?" Mo Ling asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Boring farming things," I replied, deflecting the question with practiced ease. "Nothing interesting."
Grandfather watched this exchange in silence, his weathered face unreadable. After a long moment, he spoke.
"Is the work completed?"
I met his gaze steadily and smiled, then shook my head. "Just started laying the foundation."
We looked at each other, a conversation happening without words. He was asking about the danger, about the risks I'd taken, about whether it was truly over.
I was telling him that the pieces were in motion, but the game wasn't finished yet.
After what felt like an eternity but was probably only seconds, Grandfather stood up slowly.
"I'm going to rest early," he announced, his voice carefully neutral. "I finished my meal, so don't wake me up for dinner."
I nodded, understanding what he wasn't saying. He'd been worried about me from morning until now, anxiety killing his appetite, stress wearing at him despite his recently restored health.
He needs rest, I thought. To recover from the mental strain I've put him through.
"Sleep well, Grandfather," I said softly.
He paused at the doorway to his room, looking back at me one more time. Then he nodded and disappeared inside, the door closing with a quiet click.
I turned my attention back to the children, both of whom were watching me with expectant expressions.
"I'm going to cook special rice soup," I announced.
Their faces transformed instantly, worry replaced by pure joy.
"Really?" Mo Ling bounced on her toes. "The same soup as before?"
"Even better," I promised. "I will also add some meat and bones I saved."
"Can we watch?" Mo Fan asked, already moving toward the kitchen.
"Of course. Come on, both of you."
They followed me like ducklings trailing their mother, chattering excitedly about the meal to come.
I headed into the kitchen, pulling out fresh spirit beast meat with bones from my spirit pouch and started preparing.
The moment the scent spread, the children crowded at the table, peeking in with wide eyes.
"Sit down," I said, waving them toward the stools. "No need to stand. Watch if you want."
They hurriedly obeyed, sitting in a neat row like obedient little chicks.
As usual, I didn't rely solely on my hands.
Three familiar strands of spiritual energy extended from my fingertips, thin and translucent like silk threads, moving with precise control.
They stirred the soup, cleaned the bones, added herbs and seasonings effortlessly, each motion smooth and natural.
Fire flared beneath the pot. Ingredients flew into the air, spinning before landing perfectly back inside.
The vermillion blood rice grains danced as I measured them carefully, spiritual energy guiding each movement with effortless precision.
"Waah!" Mo Ling gasped, eyes shining.
Even Mo Fan was completely mesmerized, his earlier seriousness forgotten.
The soup simmered, filling the kitchen with rich, nourishing aromas.
I also prepared a rice pot of vermillion blood rice for my body cultivation later.
After a while, the dishes were finished.
When everything was ready, I separated a bowl of soup and rice for Grandfather, leaving it in the kitchen for when he woke at midnight, along with the rice pot.
I began preparing to carry everything out.
"Let's go to the dining table."
The children immediately jumped down from the stools.
I used strands of spiritual energy to form invisible threads that held the heavy soup pot, side dishes and bowls.
I walked behind them, empty-handed, dishes floating in the air beside me.
I placed them down at the table.
"You guys eat first," I said. Then I brought out two small cups and bowls, filled them with the rice soup along with the meat.
After eating the meat first, both Mo Fan and Mo Ling both turned toward me instantly, eyes shining with anticipation.
"One cup at a time," I instructed. "If nothing happens in one incense stick's time, you can have another like last time. Understood?"
"Yes!" they shouted in unison.
Mo Fan didn't hesitate. He drank it in one go.
Mo Ling hesitated only a second before copying him.
I observed carefully as they began eating their meal, noting their reactions.
We waited. Time passed slowly.
Nothing happened.
"Do you want another cup?" I asked.
"Yes!" Mo Fan replied immediately.
Mo Ling also chirped in. "Mo Ling wants too!"
I poured another round. And so,
By the third cup, Mo Fan's face turned noticeably red, but he controlled the rising power within him. After some time, he asked for another cup.
I nodded and gave him another cup. This time the redness increased more than last time, so he quickly sat down without me saying anything, assuming a meditation pose and refining the energy inside him.
While Mo Fan was doing that, Mo Ling was nibbling the leftover meat on the bones, smiling slightly.
I asked her why she was smiling. She said brother looks cute.
Then I looked at Mo Fan. Slight disturbance was noticed on his face. I think he heard his sister's comment.
I said, "Concentrate." Then he stabilized again.
Shhh!
I motioned to Mo Ling to stay silent.
By the sixth cup, she also started to sleep at the table.
They're adapting, I noted with satisfaction. Building tolerance to the vermillion blood rice.
I quickly brought another mat, laid it beside Mo Fan, and placed her down carefully.
I watched them both closely.
Mo Fan meditated steadily, steam faintly rising from his skin as the blood energy took effect, his breathing evening out.
Mo Ling slept peacefully, breath even.
I ate my own meal slowly, dividing my attention between the food and the children.
The rice soup was excellent, the spiritual energy from meat and blood energy from rice are flowing smoothly into my meridians.
About an hour later, Mo Fan stirred from his meditation. His eyes opened slowly, clarity returning to his gaze.
I moved to his side immediately, checking his pulse and spiritual channels. Everything seemed normal, the blood energy was properly absorbed and distributed.
Mo Ling remained asleep.
We waited another half hour, but she showed no signs of waking. Worry began to creep in.
I moved to check her condition.
....to be continued