Chapter 18.2
The old man tapped his tobacco pouch against the wooden chair. “My surname is Zhang. Just call me Old Zhang. I have a distant relative in Jinling City, far from here. Since you’re begging anyway, could you deliver a message to him for me?”
Wen Heng pondered. He wasn’t sure where Jinling City lay, and besides, the future held too many uncertainties to commit readily.
Seeing his hesitation, Old Zhang took several deep puffs on his pipe. The tobacco ignited in the bowl, filling the air with a thick, acrid smoke. He exhaled a cloud of smoke. “I’m not demanding you deliver it by any specific date. If you happen to pass through Jinling City, just deliver my message.”
Wen Heng chuckled at the request. What kind of demand was this? If he broke his word and never delivered the letter, Old Zhang wouldn’t even know. Delivering the letter was merely a convenient act. Since Old Zhang hadn’t set a deadline, he’d take on the task.
Having made up his mind, Wen Heng bowed his hands toward Old Zhang. “May I ask, sir, where in Jinling City does your relative reside? What is their name?”
Old Zhang exhaled a smoke ring with a sigh. “You’re honest, at least. Over the years, I’ve asked many to deliver letters for me, only to lose all contact afterward. Most agreed without even asking about my relative’s details. Heh… I’m just an obscure coffin-maker, Old Zhang. All I know is a little side business.”
“Go back now. Tomorrow I’ll tell you my relative’s details. Come tomorrow to collect your cart.”
Wen Heng bowed to Old Zhang: “Thank you for your trouble, sir.” Then he turned and left.
Watching Wen Heng’s retreating figure, Old Zhang exhaled a long stream of smoke: “A man of great fortune… Small Rock Town is about to change. This old man should find a new place too. ”
Wen Heng couldn’t shake the feeling that Old Zhang was peculiar—perhaps even a cultivator. But what did that matter to him? All he needed to do was return tomorrow for the cart, then deliver Old Zhang’s letter to his relative when passing through Jinling City. That would settle this karmic debt.
Leaning on his cane, he passed Apricot Blossom Pavilion and glanced back at the charred earth. A crowd lingered in front of the ruins, pointing and whispering. Judging by the scene, another tavern would soon rise here.
As he walked slowly along the road, Wen Heng was suddenly hailed by Mr. Huang from the roadside: “Hey, beggar boy, come here for a moment!”
Wen Heng snapped back to attention and bowed politely to Mr. Huang: “Mr. Huang.” Mr. Huang ran a breakfast shop and often saved steamed buns for Old Wen.
Mr. Huang held a hard steamed bun in his hand: “Haven’t seen you guys around these past few days. Old Beggar specially saved these buns for you.” Wen Heng looked into Mr. Huang’s eyes: “Old Wen has passed away. If he knew you saved buns just for him, he’d be overjoyed.”
Mr. Huang froze, caught off guard by the news. He fidgeted awkwardly, rubbing his hands together. “Passed away… I had no idea.” He placed the hard steamed bun into Wen Heng’s arms. “The dead can’t be brought back. Take care of yourself.” Then he fell silent, unsure what else to say.
Wen Heng bowed respectfully to Mr. Huang. “Thank you.” Mr. Huang waved dismissively. ” No problem. What are your plans now?” Huang looked at the tall figure beside Wen Heng. The big guy seemed to eat a lot, but he was incredibly strong. If he was willing, Huang could hire him as a laborer.
Wen Heng smiled faintly. “I plan to take Gouzi to another city to make a living. Mr. Huang, I have a word of advice. If you trust me, listen. Xiaoyan Town is no longer safe. You should take your family and start anew somewhere else as soon as possible.”
With that, Wen Heng bowed to Mr. Huang once more, leaving the bewildered man standing there.
Wen Heng had offered his advice; whether Mr. Huang heeded it was his own choice. He wasn’t a saint who could save everyone, nor did he wish to burden himself with too much karma.
Stuffing the hard steamed buns into his grimy cloth sack, Wen Heng strolled leisurely toward the dilapidated temple. Crossing the small wooden bridge outside Xiaoyan Town marked the town’s boundary, beyond which few dwellings remained. Continuing onward and rounding a few small earthen hills revealed the dilapidated temple.
A flash of green by the roadside suddenly caught Wen Heng’s attention. He looked closer—a person lay collapsed beside the path! Wen Heng hurried over in two strides: “Hey, wake up!”
Gently nudging the figure, he got no response. Circling around to face the person, he froze at the sight. This person was breathtakingly beautiful. Their skin was milky white and radiant, their world-class elegance impossible to hide even with eyes closed. A tiny vermilion mole between their brows… Was this a man or a woman? Wen Heng was stumped.
But he soon had his answer—a man. Because he had an Adam’s apple! The blue robe he wore didn’t look the least bit feminine on him; instead, it made him appear incredibly elegant and ethereal.
But no matter how ethereal, the person was collapsed on the ground!
“It’s him.” The man who had given him a copper coin the day before yesterday. How could he be lying here on the roadside? Wen Heng placed his hand near the person’s nose. Thankfully, there was still a faint breath.
“Hunger, perhaps?” Many beggars lay collapsed by the roadside, but this man didn’t look like one at all. Just the jade hairpin in his topknot screamed luxury. Wen Heng mused that the man must be ill. He should take him away—leaving him here for others to see could lead to trouble. After all, the man was far too handsome…
After a moment’s thought, Wen Heng broke off half a hard steamed bun and soaked it in water. The bun had a slight odor, but it should be fine. If he really had fainted from hunger, this half bun could save his life! Without further ado, Wen Heng pried open the man’s mouth and forcefully shoved half a bowl of soggy, mushy bun inside.
The man’s brow furrowed slightly. Wen Heng was almost mesmerized, then the man flushed and turned his head away. As a man himself, Wen Heng thought this man was too beautiful—even his frown was stunning. Just looking at him felt like a sacrilege.
Wén Hé bent down, hoisted him onto his back, and headed toward the dilapidated temple. The delicate fragrance of lotus flowers lingered at Wén Héng’s nose. His heart pounded wildly—how pathetic! It hadn’t been beating like this before, but now, at the sight of this beauty, it raced uncontrollably. Wén Hé’s old face flushed crimson…
Author’s Note:
Wén Heng: Do you believe in love at first sight?
Lian Wushang: I don’t.
Wen Heng: I liked you the moment I saw you!
Lian Wushang: Countless spirits in the Yuanling Realm have cried and begged for my attention. Nothing special.
Wen Heng: …【by the speechless Master】
![Flying Dust [Fei Chen]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/9k.png "Flying Dust [Fei Chen]")
