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Chapter 4: Occupational Disease Relapsed
🕑 Added 2025-01-22 10:44:05 +0000 UTCAfter repeatedly confirming that Chen Xiao had memorized the village's location, Master Zhou finally left with a head full of confusion.
By this time, the shopkeeper and the other workers who were off duty had returned. Chen Xiao wasted no time running to the chief shopkeeper to request leave. Initially, the chief shopkeeper seemed displeased when Chen Xiao asked for a ten-day break. However, when he heard that Chen Xiao needed to return home because someone from an immortal sect was recruiting disciples, his attitude changed completely.
Just as Chen Xiao had expected, the owner behind the Taxue Xunxian was an avid fan of immortals. Anything remotely connected to them piqued his interest. Without a second thought, the chief shopkeeper approved Chen Xiao's leave and even asked if ten days were enough.
The shopkeeper's decision wasn't entirely altruistic. He was hoping that when Chen Xiao returned, he'd bring back some information about the immortals. Even casual observations about this event would please the owner. If the owner hadn't been away from the county, the shopkeeper was certain he would've joined Chen Xiao on this trip, just to chase after the immortals.
The chief shopkeeper even excused him from his afternoon duties to prepare for the trip. Under the envious gaze of Zhao Erhu, Chen Xiao retrieved the package Master Zhou had given him and headed to the shop he had been kicked out of previously.
This shop, named Treasure Appraisal House, was another renowned antique store on this street, just like the Taxue Xuanxia Pavilion.
Having lived here for five months, Chen Xiao was naturally recognized the moment he stepped through the door. The attendant at the entrance greeted him with a smile:
"Xiao Han, what brings you here today?"
Chen Xiao replied with a grin, "Just here for some personal business."
The attendant found this strange—what personal business could Chen Xiao have here? He watched as Chen Xiao walked toward the jade section, where a senior attendant stood nearby. The senior's expression soured as soon as he saw Chen Xiao, his disdain palpable.
Having once been dismissed from this very shop, Chen Xiao's new status as a competitor diminished the senior attendant's sense of superiority. Whenever they crossed paths, the atmosphere was icy.
"I don't know what kind of nerve you've got to be slacking off right after lunch. If I were the shopkeeper at Taxue Xunxia Pavilion, I'd have kicked out someone as lazy as you a long time ago," the senior attendant said sarcastically, not even sparing Chen Xiao a glance.
Though annoyed, Chen Xiao held back for the sake of his goal. He smiled and replied, "Thanks for the concern. The chief shopkeeper gave me permission to step out."
"Who cares about you!" the senior attendant retorted. "Don't flatter yourself."
Chen Xiao maintained his composure and said, "I'm heading back to my hometown soon, and I'm here to pick out a gift."
The senior attendant sneered. "Trying to act rich when you're not!" He dismissed Chen Xiao with a wave. "Pick something yourself. If you break it, be prepared to pay."
The jade section was overseen by a master shopkeeper, but the senior attendant was responsible for managing less valuable items. He moved away, too annoyed to assist Chen Xiao, but failed to notice the disapproving glare of the master shopkeeper, who was busy with another customer.
The entrance attendant noticed the master shopkeeper's dissatisfaction but chose not to warn the senior. Instead, he stepped in to help Chen Xiao with a cheerful smile:
"Xiao Han, which piece are you interested in? I can assist you."
The senior attendant immediately barked, "What are you doing here? Get back to the entrance!"
Feigning innocence, the entrance attendant returned to his post, inwardly gleeful at the trouble the senior would face later.
Chen Xiao ignored the glares and pretended to browse the jade pieces until he picked up a jade pendant emanating a faint aura. Turning to the senior, he said, "I'll take this one."
The senior attendant glanced at it dismissively. "200 silver."
Chen Xiao's brows furrowed. The piece's placement on an inconspicuous shelf indicated a price of no more than 150 silver. The senior was clearly gouging him.
"200 silver?" Chen Xiao raised his voice, directing his words at the master shopkeeper in the back. "I chose this piece because I trust Treasure Appraisal House. But this price is 30% higher than what it's worth. Does your shop no longer value integrity?"
The senior faltered but recovered quickly. Having recognized Chen Xiao's attachment to this jade, he decided to exploit it. "Take it or leave it!" he snapped.
Before the situation could escalate, the master shopkeeper approached swiftly, apologizing to his customer before turning to Chen Xiao:
"Xiao Han, let me take a look."
"Master, I was just—" the senior began, but the master cut him off sternly:
"Silence!"
Turning back to Chen Xiao, the master said kindly, "Since it's for you, this jade pendant is 140 silver."
Chen Xiao wasted no time completing the transaction and left with the pendant. Outside, he smiled, recalling the senior attendant's sour expression. A little revenge never hurt, he thought.
Carefully storing the jade pendant, Chen Xiao shopped for other gifts, buying the county's famous pastries and ten meters of fine light-blue fabric. Together, these would make a respectable offering, whether for family or friends. The fabric alone was enough to outfit an entire family.
Prepared for the trip, Chen Xiao donned clean clothes and carried a spare set. He even packed a warming stone in a cotton-wrapped flask, anticipating cold nights at Hanwa's uncle's home, where burning coal was a luxury.
Following Master Zhou's directions, Chen Xiao boarded a comfortable postal carriage to the county town. Though more expensive than private carriages, the postal one was well-sprung and spacious. By evening, he had arrived and spent the night at an inn, where the warming stone proved indispensable.
The next morning, after breakfast, he continued by ox cart to Hanwa's uncle's village.
Reaching the village in the afternoon, Chen Xiao disembarked and headed toward the village trail. As he walked, his occupational habit flared, prompting him to climb a nearby mountain for a better view of the village.
From the summit, he saw a place of remarkable beauty and fortune: hills embraced the land, streams flowed through the village, and a wide plain resembled a ship anchored in a harbor. It was a textbook example of a feng shui treasure.
"What a place!" Chen Xiao marveled. "With such fortune, it's no wonder an immortal sect would come here to recruit disciples."
Lost in thought, he failed to notice someone approaching.
"Brother Hanwa? Is that you?" a hesitant voice asked.
Chen Xiao came back to his senses and remembered that he was not here to see Feng Shui this time, but to visit his relatives as a Hanwa.
He turned around and saw a thin boy behind him, holding a cow in his hand, followed by two calves.
Chen Xiao looked at the other person with a puzzled look: "Who are you?" The boy was very nervous and swallowed his saliva. Chen Xiao's eyes softened a little, and he said softly and kindly: "I'm sorry, I had a serious illness before, and I don't remember anything before."
The boy showed a happy and unbelievable expression: "Brother Hanwa! You have become, become completely different!"
Chen Xiao blinked: "Well, probably because of the serious illness. By the way, can you tell me, who are you?"
The boy shook his head, as if to deny Chen Xiao's statement: "It's not because of. But, maybe it's because of?" As he spoke, he himself was confused. Then he laughed, showing his uneven teeth, "Brother Hanwa, I am Sanshuan, your cousin."
