“Ugh… then I won!” Lu Qiancha vigorously shook her still-dazed little head to wake herself up. Seeing Shangguan Yunzhu’s miserable, battered, and teetering appearance, the small bit of resentment in her heart dissipated.
After a moment of hesitation, she stepped forward on her short legs, fished a medicine bottle filled with a crystalline red liquid from her storage bag, and handed it over. “Here, take this. It’s medicine for injuries. Drink it directly.”
“Thank you.”
Without the slightest suspicion, Shangguan Yunzhu took the bottle, pulled out the cork, and tilted her head back to gulp it down.
A sweet and rich strawberry fragrance instantly filled her mouth — the taste was unexpectedly good.
As the liquid went down her throat, it turned into a warm current that rapidly flowed through her entire body.
A tingling itch came from her wounds, and her damaged skin healed at a speed visible to the naked eye. The scorched marks quickly faded, and the internal tremors and injuries were swiftly smoothed over.
In just a moment, aside from the bloodstained and torn dao robe that showed the severity of the previous battle, most of her injuries had healed.
However, the sense of emptiness and exhaustion brought by the total depletion of her ling power still left her feeling weak and limp.
“Senior Brother! Are you all right?!”
Only now did Gantang snap back to her senses from the world-destroying scene earlier. Like a startled rabbit, she flew over and nervously paced around Lu Qiancha, checking her from head to toe.
“Oh, I’m fine. I don’t have a single scratch.” Lu Qiancha felt a bit uncomfortable as Gantang pressed too close, so she pushed her away slightly. “You’re too close, it’s so hot…”
The wolf cub’s face carried a hint of fatigue after the victory, but it was mostly a sense of relieved ease.
Hearing Lu Qiancha say it was hot, Gantang obediently let go and stepped back half a pace. She patted her chest and let out a long sigh of relief, her face showing genuine peace of mind.
“As long as you’re okay! You really scared me to death just now.”
“Little Qiancha,” Shangguan Yunzhu’s voice was slightly hoarse after the battle, but still clear.
Struggling against the weakness from her depleted ling power, she walked slowly toward Lu Qiancha. She leaned over slightly to look directly into those clear, azure-blue eyes. “You won. What reward do you want?”
“Hmm…”
Lu Qiancha thought for a moment. If she had to name the thing she wanted most right now, it would be…
“Can you buy me something delicious?”
Lu Qiancha tilted her face up to look at Shangguan Yunzhu. After fighting for so long, she was a bit hungry.
“Heh…” Shangguan Yunzhu couldn’t help but chuckle as a light laugh escaped her lips. She nodded in agreement. “Of course.”
She intentionally paused, drawing out the last word with a hint of coaxing. “However…”
“However what…?” Lu Qiancha’s curiosity was piqued, and her little ears perked up.
“However,” Shangguan Yunzhu blinked her red eyes, which looked exceptionally gentle at this moment, “rather than buying it and eating it cold, wouldn’t it be better to go directly to the shop and eat freshly baked, hot pastries?”
“Think about it. That fresh, piping hot fragrance, the crispy, flaky crust, and once you take a bite, the filling is still steaming hot… Isn’t that 100 times better than something that’s gone cold?”
She described it so vividly that it felt alive.
The tempting image of freshly baked pastries immediately appeared in Lu Qiancha’s head — steam rising, golden-brown crispy crusts, and an irresistible aroma of wheat and sweetness.
Although it might be a bit hot, the satisfaction brought by that unique ‘wok hei’ was truly incomparable to cold pastries.
“Okay!” The wolf cub was convinced in an instant. She raised her small hand and responded crisply, “Let’s go to the shop to eat!”
“Mhm.” A gentle, successful smile curled the corners of Shangguan Yunzhu’s lips.
‘It seems like no matter who wins or loses, the result is the same… She’s easily led away.’
She then looked at Lu Qiancha and requested naturally, “Can I borrow your room to change clothes? This outfit is quite inconvenient.”
“Sure.” Lu Qiancha nodded generously. It was just changing clothes; her room could be used however she liked.
A moment later, the door opened.
Shangguan Yunzhu had changed out of her bloodstained and torn dao robe and walked out wearing a brand-new, plain white dress.
The hem of the skirt was like a cloud, making her skin look as white as jade and her temperament elegant. She looked like a completely different person from the sharp figure who had just fought through fire.
She walked up to Lu Qiancha and naturally reached out her hand.
Lu Qiancha reached out her small hand and grasped Shangguan Yunzhu’s warm, cool fingertips. As if remembering something, she turned to look at Gantang, who had been waiting nearby. “Junior Sister, do you want to come along?”
“Um…” Conflict and longing were written all over Gantang’s face. She definitely wanted to go. Mostly, she was afraid this Senior Sister Shangguan would spirit her Senior Brother away.
But at the thought of the cultivation homework assigned by her Master today that wasn’t finished yet, she knew if she were caught sneaking out… Gantang could almost see the stern face of Master Xuanya scolding her, and she couldn’t help but shudder.
“I… I think I’ll pass.” Gantang shook her head regretfully.
“Alright then.” Lu Qiancha nodded understandingly, then waved her small hand, promising grandly, “I’ll bring you back something delicious.”
Anyway, Shangguan Yunzhu was the one paying.
As her voice fell, Lu Qiancha activated the Illusory Mirage Art.
She was too lazy to maintain the Senior Brother disguise; she simply hid the fluffy wolf ears on her head and the big, bushy tail behind her, transforming into an exceptionally delicate and cute-looking little girl of the human clan.
She obediently held Shangguan Yunzhu’s hand, and the two of them walked down Tianquanfeng together.
***
After traveling about ten miles along the official road paved with green flagstones, a small city built against the mountains with curling cooking smoke appeared before them.
Shangguan Yunzhu simply flashed the Jade plaque hanging at her waist, which symbolized her status as an inner core disciple of the Tianyuan Sect, before the city gate guards.
“So it is an immortal lady of the Great Sect. Please come in, please come in!” The guards instantly became respectful. They bowed respectfully and quickly opened the heavy city gates.
As soon as they entered the city, a wave of noise and bustle hit them. They had stepped into the most prosperous fang market in the small city.
“Shaobing — ! Freshly baked sesame shaobing — ! So crispy it’ll fall apart — !”
“Fresh venison from the mountains — ! Twenty copper coins a pound! Honest prices for everyone — !”
“Ice sugar hawthorn skewers — ! Tanghulu so sweet your teeth will ache — !”
“Sugar-roasted chestnuts — ! Fragrant and waxy sugar-roasted chestnuts — ! Delicious and cheap — !”
The rising and falling cries, filled with a strong marketplace atmosphere, mixed with the tempting aromas of various foods, instantly enveloped them.
Stalls lined both sides of the street, and pedestrians walked shoulder to shoulder. The air was filled with the lively noise of everyday life.
Standing at the bustling intersection, Shangguan Yunzhu tilted her head slightly and asked the little one peering around curiously, “What delicious things do you want to eat? Just say the word.”
“Char Siu Buns!” Lu Qiancha answered without hesitation, her voice loud and her blue eyes sparkling with desire.
Warm, soft dough wrapped around sweet, salty, and juicy char siu pork filling… Just thinking about it made her mouth water. It had meat, and it was sweet. It was perfect. Two wishes satisfied with a single bun.
“Alright, I’ll buy them for you right away.” Shangguan Yunzhu smiled and, holding Lu Qiancha’s small hand, walked toward the nearest steaming and fragrant Baozi Shop as if she knew the way.
“Oh my, what a beautiful little girl.” The owner of the Baozi Shop was a brisk, middle-aged woman. As soon as she saw the doll-like Lu Qiancha, her face immediately broke into a smile, and she offered praise without hesitation. “Immortal lady, little girl, what would you like to buy?”
“Char Siu Buns!” Lu Qiancha couldn’t wait. She grabbed the edge of the high counter and struggled to stand on her tiptoes, poking her head over.
She raised one small hand high, fearing the owner wouldn’t see her, her voice as crisp as a bell.
Shangguan Yunzhu doted on her by stroking her little head and spoke gently to the owner. “Auntie, sorry to trouble you. I’d like three freshly baked Char Siu Buns, please. Pack them in a paper bag.”
“Coming right up. They just came out of the steamer, so they’re still hot.”
The owner was quick and nimble. Using long chopsticks, she picked up three plump, white buns with tops that had cracked open to reveal the enticing, sauce-colored meat filling.
She deftly packed them into a thick paper bag and handed them over. “Here you go. Be careful, they’re hot.”
“Thank you, Auntie.” Shangguan Yunzhu took the paper bag that radiated heat and fragrance, then lightly placed a few copper coins on the counter.
“Safe travels. Come back often if they’re good!” The owner smiled, tucked away the copper coins, and warmly watched them leave.
Only a few steps away from the Baozi Shop, the aroma of the food completely captured the wolf cub.
Lu Qiancha couldn’t wait to grab the plumpest Char Siu Bun from the paper bag. As she held the bun, the warm touch made even her fingertips feel happy. She carefully blew on it and then took a big bite.
“Mmm — !”
The warm, soft dough combined with the piping hot, sweet, and savory rich meat juice instantly exploded in her mouth.
Lu Qiancha squinted her eyes in satisfaction, her long eyelashes curving like crescent moons. Her little face overflowed with pure happiness, as if she possessed the whole world.
“So good~”
She let out a muffled sigh of appreciation, savoring this first sweet reward after her victory.