Chapter 90: Repaying Kindness

Ning Changjiu pulled open the wooden bolt. Dust scattered, and as the door opened, an old woman stood at the entrance, leaning on a walking stick.

The old woman's hair was white, her face like a withered vegetable leaf. Her body was thin and hunched, her cheekbones high, and the corners of her mouth pulled downwards. The frost-like wrinkles on her face resembled folded lotus leaves.

She raised her head, her cloudy, faded eyes fixed on the young man in white before her. Her voice trembled as she asked, "Old Mr. Ning... has he returned?"

Ning Changjiu looked at her, unable to recall which street she was from. He simply replied, "No."

Disappointment flickered across the old woman's face. She said, "Oh... I saw smoke from your chimney, and I thought the old gentleman had returned..."

Ning Changjiu asked, "Is there something you need to see him about, Grandma?"

The old woman looked at him, scrutinizing him for a moment, then asked, "Are you the old gentleman's disciple?"

Ning Changjiu replied, "Yes. If there's anything, you can tell me, and I'll pass it on to him."

The old woman waved her hand. "It's nothing really. Half a year ago, my grandson fell ill, and the old gentleman cured him with just a bowl of holy water. I've been wanting to thank him, but he's been gone for two months now."

Ning Changjiu thought for a moment, then said seriously, "No thanks are needed."

The old woman peered into the house. "Is he really not here? I wanted to bring a hen and have my grandson pay respects to his benefactor..."

Ning Changjiu slightly shifted his body.

The old woman saw a young girl in the dimly lit room, curled up in a chair with her legs tucked in, looking at her like a small cat. She asked, "I recall the old gentleman having a pair of disciples... like a golden boy and jade girl. But why have you two returned while the old gentleman has not?"

Ning Changjiu explained, "The old gentleman is still busy with some rituals in the Imperial City. We just came back to retrieve some magical artifacts and will leave in a couple of days."

"Oh..." The old woman swayed, nodding her head, and the wrinkles on her face seemed to deepen. She fumbled in a pouch at her waist and finally pulled out a tooth-bone-like pendant, which she pressed into Ning Changjiu's hand. "This is a family heirloom, said to have some spiritual power. If you see the old gentleman, please remember to give him this pendant as thanks for saving my grandson. I'm already quite old; next time the old gentleman returns, I might not be around to see him... Oh!"

The old woman suddenly exclaimed.

Her gaze shifted towards the house, and she suddenly saw a pair of wolf-like eyes eerily staring at her. Her hunched body trembled slightly, her walking stick tapped the ground twice, and she stepped back a little, almost losing her breath.

Ning Changjiu glanced at Shǔbái and explained, "Don't be afraid, Grandma. He's a helper we hired."

The old woman let out a breath and said, "That young man's eyes are really scary..."

Shǔbái stood there, staring at the old woman for a moment, gripping the shovel like a knife. Perhaps because the old woman intended to thank Ning Qínshuǐ, he glared at her fiercely, his hostility extending to her by association.

Ning Changjiu smiled and motioned for Shǔbái to step back.

Shǔbái turned and left, returning to add firewood to the stove.

The old woman recovered herself, looked at him seriously, and pressed the pendant into his hand. "Don't refuse, please don't refuse. If I don't repay this life-saving kindness, this old bone of mine will never be able to rest in peace."

Ning Changjiu took the pendant and accepted it. "Then I thank you on behalf of my master, esteemed elder."

The old woman seemed to have completed a task, feeling much relieved. She sighed, "That's good, that's good."

Ning Changjiu asked, "Would you like to stay for a meal, Grandma?"

The old woman refused. "No need, my grandson is waiting for me to come home."

Ning Changjiu did not press her. "Please be careful on your way, esteemed elder."

"Ning Qínshuǐ is dead. How can you have the nerve to accept this family heirloom from the old woman?" Shǔbái glared at Ning Changjiu, furious.

Ning Changjiu retorted, "What should I have done then? Tell her about Ning Qínshuǐ's death?"

Shǔbái said coldly, "Either way, you shouldn't have taken it."

Ning Changjiu ignored him, picking up the pendant and examining it in the light. "The elder is sincere; it truly is a good item."

Ning Xiaoling asked, "Brother, you're not going to secretly return it, are you?"

Ning Changjiu chuckled, "Ning Qínshuǐ almost killed us. Consider this a bit of interest."

Ning Xiaoling was half-convinced, yet felt her brother wasn't truly that kind of person.

Ning Changjiu patted her chair back. "Come on, let's go eat."

Shǔbái said, "But the rice isn't cooked yet..."

Ning Changjiu replied, "Who said we're eating at home? It's rare for us to be back; of course, we're going to the tavern."

Shǔbái was stunned, then said angrily, "Then why did you tell me to cook? I made enough for three people!"

Ning Changjiu didn't answer. He simply reached into a hidden compartment beneath the compass, pulled out a money pouch, weighed it in his hand, and then tossed it to Ning Xiaoling, smiling. "Take your brother out for some good food."

Ning Xiaoling opened the money pouch for a quick look. She smiled faintly, her teeth like white porcelain, and no longer bothered him about wasting food. "Alright!" she chirped.

Shǔbái stood frozen in place.

Ning Changjiu paused and looked at him. "Alright, there's nothing more for you to do here. Go home; don't let your master worry waiting for you."

Shǔbái was speechless, completely bewildered by the white-robed young man's intentions.

Ning Xiaoling walked behind him, quietly asking, "Brother, do you think he's a talent with potential, and you're tempering his character?"

Ning Changjiu gently shook his head. "Your brother doesn't have that much free time."

Shǔbái, meanwhile, stood rooted to the spot, listening to the crackling of the firewood in the flames, and watching the steam escaping from the edge of the pot lid. He cursed angrily, "To hell with these immortals!"

At this moment, with three days left until New Year's Eve, the central area of Linhe City was already decorated with lanterns and festive banners, brimming with a lively atmosphere.

Ning Xiaoling remarked, "He saw you take the money. Aren't you worried he'll take all of it if you leave him alone in the house?"

Ning Changjiu said, "There's not much money left. Consider it a test for him."

Ning Xiaoling scoffed, "That's my money! Of course you don't feel bad!"

Ning Changjiu teased, "So thrifty and managing the household at such a young age?"

Ning Xiaoling replied, "If I wasn't a bit thrifty, how would I have money to treat my brother to a meal?"

Ning Changjiu said, "Don't try to fool me. Your eyes didn't leave that cosmetic shop when we just passed it."

Ning Xiaoling retorted confidently, "I was just checking it out for Master Jiajia! Master is so beautiful; if she were to put on some makeup, she would truly be a fairy."

Ning Changjiu chuckled, "I didn't expect you to respect our master as much as I do, junior sister."

Ning Xiaoling gave a low hum, not wanting to respond.

After a while, she suddenly asked, "Oh, by the way, that pendant... there's nothing wrong with it, is there?"

Ning Changjiu said, "Don't worry, I've checked it. There's no problem. We've been tricked by Ning Qínshuǐ once, so of course, we must be careful with everything."

Ning Xiaoling nodded vigorously.

The long river flowed through the city, spanned by arched bridges. Pedestrians wore either heavy cloaks or padded jackets. Some rickshaw pullers, sweating profusely, had rolled up their sleeves. A scholar in a green robe, riding a tall, spirited horse, had his wide sleeves draped around him, his body slightly hunched, and his brows tightly furrowed. The horse's hooves moved at a steady pace, as if he were pondering a line of poetry.

As noon approached, sunlight streamed down, making the unfrozen river water shimmer with golden glints. Several taverns and music halls stood along the riverbanks, adorned with vermilion-lacquered railings and fine, flower-patterned gauze screens. Though it was daytime, faint candlelight still flickered within, casting hazy, clear shadows.

Ning Xiaoling exclaimed, "Just a moment ago, it was a string of dilapidated houses, and now it's suddenly bustling here. The difference is truly immense!"

Ning Changjiu said, "Demons and monsters are rampant in this world. Were it not for the small towns protected within immortal mountains, who could withstand wave after wave of attacks from mountain spirits and ghouls? Many people moved into the cities, content with simply having a place to live and being alive. This prosperity and entertainment are not what most ordinary people yearn for."

Ning Xiaoling recalled the scene of mountain ghouls attacking the city when she was a child. Even after many years, a prickling chill still ran through her when she thought of it.

She shook her head. "Let's not think so much. After we eat, I'll take Brother for some drinks and entertainment!"