Chapter 653: Giving a Grand Gift
After fighting their way out of the Meteorite Mountain Range, Song Changsheng and Niu Dazhuang quickly shook off their pursuers. Then, they found themselves hesitating, unsure of where to go next.
Given Zhuang Yuechan’s current condition, the situation was beyond their capabilities. Logically, they should have returned directly to Luoxia City to ask the Great City Lord for help.
The problem, however, was their location. They were simply too far from the Daqi Cultivation World. Even traveling day and night at their fastest speed, the journey would take nearly three months.
In that much time, anything could happen.
And so, the two men sat on the grass, sharing a silent look. After a long moment, Song Changsheng stood, gritted his teeth, and declared, “We’re going back to Chixiao City!”
“Chixiao City? You’re going to look for the Young Master of the Wanlong Commerce Association again?” The moment Song Changsheng spoke, Niu Dazhuang knew what he was planning.
“It’s the only way I can think of right now.”
“I disagree.” Niu Dazhuang shot to his feet.
“Changsheng, I don’t know how close you are with her, but I know this much: the hardest debt to repay in this world is one of a favor. You already owe her for helping us find Yuechan. If you go to her again, you’ll never be able to repay her!
Throughout history, countless people have lost their lives over a simple favor.
You can’t go. Yuechan wouldn’t want you to, either. Let’s think of another way.”
Song Changsheng fell silent, then said softly, “I know what you’re saying, Senior Brother. But look at Yuechan. Can she really afford to wait?
When I intervened, the fusion ritual was already in its final stage. It’s a technique I’ve never even heard of. We have no idea what she did to Yuechan’s Divine Soul, much less what the consequences of interrupting the fusion might be.
The longer we delay, the worse it will be for Yuechan.
As long as Yuechan is safe, what does it matter if I owe ten favors, or even a hundred?
Don’t try to talk me out of it, Senior Brother. My mind is made up. Even if Yuechan disapproves, she’ll have to wait until she’s awake to tell me herself.”
“You… sigh.” Niu Dazhuang heaved a deep sigh, knowing he could no longer change Song Changsheng’s mind.
The two rested briefly before setting off for Chixiao City.
Upon entering the city, they first found an inn to stay. Song Changsheng then entrusted Zhuang Yuechan to Niu Dazhuang’s care while he went alone to the Wanlong Trading Company to seek Peng Siying’s help.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want Niu Dazhuang and Peng Siying to meet. Rather, he was worried that bringing someone along without prior notice would be rude, especially considering her extraordinary status.
The Wanlong Trading Company was still closed. Song Changsheng went up and rapped the iron ring on the door. A familiar, impatient voice soon sounded from within. “Who is it? Can’t you see we’re closed?”
Despite his words, the person opened the door a crack, revealing half his face. “Our shop is closed for now. Please, sir, try somewhere else.”
Though he could only see half a face, Song Changsheng recognized him as the attendant from his last visit. He stepped forward and said, “It’s me. Could you please inform your Young Master that I’m here? I have an urgent matter to ask of her.”
When the attendant got a clear look at Song Changsheng’s face, he jolted. He hurriedly threw the door wide open, his voice filled with reverence. “My apologies! It’s Elder Song! Please, come in, come in.”
“Thank you. Is the Young Master in?”
“Yes, yes, she is! I’ll lead you upstairs right away, Elder.” The attendant’s face was wreathed in smiles, his attitude warmer than if he were greeting his own father.
“Straight up? You don’t need to announce me?” Song Changsheng asked, puzzled.
“Anyone else would need to be, but you’re different. After you left last time, the Young Master gave an order: if you ever came to visit, you were to be admitted immediately, no announcement necessary.”
“I see.” Realization dawned on Song Changsheng as he followed the attendant upstairs.
Halfway up the stairs, the attendant bowed slightly and whispered, “Elder, are you perhaps wondering about our Young Master’s motives?”
Song Changsheng glanced at him in surprise. He was, in fact, quite curious.
After all, his relationship with Peng Siying wasn’t that deep, yet her attitude toward him was unusually warm.
Seeing that the attendant seemed to know something, he immediately broke into a smile and pressed a Middle-Grade Spirit Stone into the man’s hand. “Please, my friend, enlighten me.”
This time, the man didn’t refuse, simply tucking the stone away. He then gestured for Song Changsheng to step to the side. “To tell you the truth, our Young Master came here to get away from things after some trouble back home.
But somehow, word of her presence leaked. Now, everywhere the Young Master goes, a crowd of people swarms her like flies. She’s so annoyed by it all that she’s completely lost any interest in going out.
Our Young Master has a kind heart, you see. She didn’t make things difficult for them, but she’s ended up shutting herself in her room all day with no one to talk to.
Over the past half-month, plenty of people have come to visit the Young Master, but you’re the only one she considers a ‘friend.’ The way I see it, she’s doing all this because she’s hoping to have someone she can just talk to from time to time.”
The attendant fell silent after that, saying no more.
The way Song Changsheng looked at the man changed. ‘How could a simple attendant know all these details so clearly?’
Just as he was wondering about this, they arrived outside Peng Siying’s room.
“This is as far as I can go, Elder. Please proceed on your own.”
The attendant gave a slight bow, then quickly descended the stairs. He approached the middle-aged man at the counter and said respectfully, “Shopkeeper, I’ve passed on your message.”
“Mm, well done. I hope he can lift the Young Miss’s spirits. For someone of her status to be cooped up here day after day… what must people think,” the middle-aged man said, his brow furrowed with worry. ‘The pressure of hosting her is immense…’