Chương 7: Face

A mesmerizing fragrance welcomed Ren as he stepped into the surprisingly plain dining room. It nearly had no decoration other than the calligraphy on the wall: 'Eat clean, and you do live long.' Meh, thanks but no thanks, I prefer pizza. Madam Zhang was serving different plates to a long table. She mustered a slight smile, yet her frown remained.

"Do you feel better, young master?" she asked.

"Yeah," Ren inhaled deeply, his eyes snapping to the big, red mushroom filled with small meatballs. It resembled Mario mushrooms more than he could ignore, and oh boy, he couldn't help but lick his lips.

"This looks amazing, Madam, but what exactly is it?" Madam Zhang smiled gently.

"It's Greenwitch Spotted-Mushroom topped with Deepwater Ox meat. A top-level delicacy from the northern Stormsoul Dynasty. They say it's more famous for chasing off exhaustion than for its flavor. Master Lei must've worked hard to get it just right." Stormsoul Dynasty? Isn't that where Yin Baozhai hailed? His brows twitched slightly.

"But where did he find the ingredients? After all, Stormsoul Dynasty is famous for its strictness in exportation."

"Ah, Master Xue brought them. Apparently, he passed on his role to someone else for the time being," Madam Zhang muttered while serving a plate. Steam wafted gently from the mushroom as the cheese atop it stretched in long strands.

"I hope this holiday isn't related to you, again."

"It doesn't matter; he can do whatever he wants. Ah, put one plate for yourself too, Madam. You know I don't like to eat alone," Ren muttered, leaning forward in anticipation.

"Though he isn't someone who acts on his whims. He served there for… how much, two hundred years? Three?"

"Exactly seven hundred ninety-seven years, young master. He started as a common soldier when he was twelve." She sat across from him, and they started eating.

"A long time," Ren muttered, taking his first bite. Then second, third… until he swept it all. He couldn't explain how it tasted as it didn't resemble anything he had tried. If he had to stretch the limits, he would say the meat resembled a grilled steak soaked in boiling broth for three days— so soft, it melted without chewing. And the mushroom tasted like fish marinated with avocado and pineapple, then stir-fried in butter. Weird, but delicious.

He took a glass of what he guessed was milk, and washed the strong aftertaste with it.

"By the way, Madam, do you have children?" Madam Zhang choked and lifted a hand to cover her mouth.

"Even my grandsons have grandsons, young master," she answered while trying to stifle her chuckle. Right, this world is crowded with all kinds of chronologically gifted. His lips twitched. Ren covertly stared at her. She looks at most forty, with little to no wrinkles. Heck, I knew a hell of a lot of people who would've lunged at her at the first opportunity. Shaking his head, he picked up his plate to wash it, but the sharp screech of a chair and Madam Zhang's sudden grip on his wrist stopped him cold.

"What are you doing?" she asked. Ren's eyes flickered between her face and her arm.

"Just rinsing the plate, is that a problem?"

"That's my job, young master. Ugh, even my unruly brats aren't this troublesome. Please, leave it to me." She rolled her eyes exaggeratedly.

"I fired you, remember?" He couldn't help but click his tongue. These people were too troublesome sometimes, even though they were doing it for his goodness. They meant well. But that didn't mean he appreciated it.

"And we said you can't, remember?" Madam Zhang skillfully reached for the plate, and it disappeared into who knew where as soon as she touched it.

"You can turn back to your training— honestly, what kind of young master insists on stealing work from an old lady?" Staring at his empty hand, Ren exhaled deeply in defeat. He turned back on his shins, but her grip didn't relax.

"Also, I will wait in case you get hurt… again," she said, her voice slightly cracking. Ren didn't turn back, feeling his chest tighten. The silence between them lingered a second longer than it should have. He nodded at last, and in return, she let him go, stepping back quietly. These people… huh… … He threw himself back to the backyard. With the sun blazing above, he closed his eyes and opened his arms. Let's see if the Growth and Watering both use the same energy. His moves began aggressively. Wide. Bold.

The slivers of unruly brats answered in kind, pouring into his pores and flooding his meridians, accompanied by a tearing feeling. Ren gritted his teeth and waited for the hunger to arise. Yet… nothing came. The energy absorbed into his new core without a problem, however, and didn't cause him any discomfort other than the burden in his meridians. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Ren slowed down, lest his body collapse once more.

Instead of focusing on the reason, he let himself fall into the flow, embracing that sense of peace. Time passed like that until he completed five sets and stopped. [Growth: 5/10000] Letting out a deep breath, he opened his eyes.

"One set equals one point, huh? Pretty good deal. And there's no hunger as long as I take care of daily watering. This looks like a proper cultivation at last." He felt like a weight lifted off his shoulders— one he hadn't even realized was there. Still, he had one more worry.

"I don't feel any change, nor do I have any hint of spiritual energy. Do I have to wait until night? Never mind, let's continue the grind." He moved once again, his hand tracing imaginary lines he had drawn in his mind. He wouldn't lie that repeating the same movements again and again was more boring than he imagined. Unlike in the novels he read, he couldn't sit still and meditate until he advanced his capability to store more spiritual energy.

Meditation was the advanced mode that might cause him to draw more spiritual energy than he could control, overburdening his meridians. He had the necessary muscle memory for the Heavenly Call, and it came naturally for him, but he couldn't say the same for his mind. One mistake, I go boom. No need to take such a risk. Slow and steady is the way to go. There was no reason to rush, as he got plenty of time before dark. He also wondered what 'photosynthesis' would even feel like when it kicked in.

Did he just bask under moonlight like a tree? Or howling under it? Even though he wasn't sure what kind of cultivation this would turn out to be, he couldn't help but feel excited. [Growth: 10/10000] Amidst his wandering thoughts, Ren finished five more sets. His body didn't feel as though it was on the brink of falling apart this time, only tired. Exhausted as fuck, truth be told, but better than before. And looking inward, the sapling swayed gently, as though it was satisfied for now.

"Great, I don't have any more energy for you to suck, little one," he muttered, and noticed Madam Zhang watching him from the window.

"Finished for today, young master?" Seeing him nod slightly, she came in with a towel and a smile. Ren let her wipe his sweat, feeling a sense of impending doom. Not a dangerous one, but more like he was about to face something he wouldn't prefer.

"We can say that," he said, trying hard to hide his unease.

"Why? Do you need me for something?"

"Actually, you've got a guest, young master." Madam Zhang's smile deepened with something between mischief and pity.

"Miss Baozhai is waiting in the main hall. Should I bring you a lightning-resistant armor or will you face the storm bare-headed?" Ren looked like he'd just swallowed something bitter.

"Madam Zhang, you were close to Foundation Establishment peak, right?" he asked.

"Quite close, young master."

"Punch me hard enough to knock me out for three days, will you? One day would do, actually." She cracked her knuckles.

"That's a tempting offer— if you were one of my brats. But I fear even sleep won't save you from her. And this old lady isn't tough enough to face her wrath." Ren dramatically shook his head.

"Tell her that I will be there shortly. Let me rinse off real fast." … Ren sighed as if he were heading toward his execution.

"Guess I'll go get zapped willingly. Better than hunted all over the place." He dragged the towel across his face and slung it around his neck like a cape, water dripping down his middle-short hair. He found no need to dress up exquisitely. Or made himself more presentable. Dead men don't need good grooming. The main hall felt far too quiet for comfort.

Even though Madam Zhang had recharged the jade lights hanging on the walls, their dim light wasn't enough for such a big place, especially when every step echoed like a countdown. Guest hall's twin doors loomed ahead, and raising his hand, he froze for a second. He… didn't know how to face her. What, how could I expect to meet with my soul brother's past flame? Even if they weren't official— hell, even a crush is already dangerous territory! But Ren also knew that he had no choice.

He had avoided her for two whole weeks, and this was already a huge contrast as his soul brother and she were no different than two peas in a pod in the past. Just as he thought, turning back and pretending to faint—"If you dare to escape one more time, I'm gonna beat the crap out of you for sure," her voice echoed sharply. The door creaked open. Ren stepped inside like a man facing execution, trying not to look too sheepish. His eyes scanned the room. There she was.

Yin Baozhai stood near the window, her back half-turned toward him. Evening sunlight filtered through the carved wooden screens, catching the crimson streaks in her golden hair and setting them ablaze. She didn't move, hands clasped loosely behind her back, shoulders straight. Serene. Regal. Beautiful. Ren swallowed. She wasn't one of the jade beauties all those novels extensively described, nor the most beautiful woman he ever saw. Yet his heart skipped a beat. She turned. Lightning met gaze. Literally.

Her golden eyes shimmered with restrained electricity, and through her expression remained composed, Ren felt the sting before she even spoke.

"You look terrible."

"Great to see you too," He replied instinctively, an eerie calm draped over him like a veil.

"Though I expected a more welcoming greeting." Baozhai raised an elegant brow.

"And I expected an apology," she uttered, stepping toward him. Slow and deliberate. Her black robes rustled, the Heavenly Master Peak insignia glinting on her chest— too close to where his eyes accidentally darted earlier.

"But seems like all I'll get is this cheap… cheesiness."

"Technically, I didn't die," Ren muttered.

"So yeah, nothing changed." Her gaze drifted down his frame— like she could see past his vessel's obstruction, and read his soul. He felt suddenly, stupidly exposed, like he was about to crumble there and then. Fortunately, she turned back toward the window.

"I didn't expect such a big change," she muttered, almost like a whisper.

"Hope you will remember your promise."

"What promise?" Ren said, scratching his head.

"Why don't I remember?" Please don't tell me you left another mess behind, soul brother. Or I am gonna lose my shit. Instead of answering, Baozhai went and plopped onto the big sofa like she owned the place, legs crossed. She sipped her tea as if nothing in the world could bother her.

"Nothing important. Sit, we need to talk." Ren frowned and stared at her intently, trying to glean anything. Unreadable. And with her, that was never a good thing. Fuck it, I'll learn anyway. He sat across from her, and Madam Zhang appeared as if on a cue, serving a dark-green tea along with some creamy-looking snacks.

"You can call me if you wish anything, young master, young miss." Before he could say anything, Madam Zhang disappeared. Yes, that gives me quite a bit of assurance. Holding back a deep sigh, he asked, "Alright, hit me with it." Baozhai's lips curled up dangerously, her regal aura disappearing just for a second.

"Ah, don't worry, I'll definitely hit you, but that comes after our little chat. Don't tell me you think you could escape after avoiding me so long?" Ren winced.

"So you came here to beat me up?"

"What else did you expect? Having a tea party? Thanks, but no thanks."

"Then at least tell me the reason. Why do I deserve—""Reason?" Baozhai's smile deepened.

"Did you forget how many times you bullied me just because you were a little bit stronger, huh? You really think I'd just walk away from something like this? Also, there must be a punishment for avoiding me so much. One way or another, you're catching these hands. You dig?" He wasn't sure about how his soul brother would feel in this scenario, but he knew he couldn't argue his way out as she wasn't just mad— she was righteous mad. Which made her ten times more justified.

Ren slouched so far into the couch that he might as well become a part of it. Fate? Yeah, sure, come get me.