Youth Must Be Seized Early, How Can One Remain Forever Young Chapter Eighteen: Xie Zhongjian

After wandering for quite some time, turning east and west along the northern edge of the marketplace, the three finally found their family’s shop tucked into a secluded corner. The storefront was modest, a single shopfront with a signboard above the door curtain. The three characters for “Hundred Herbs Hall” were written in a winding, serpentine script. Looking inside, there were no customers, just a few sparse shelves on either side, simply displaying a handful of medicinal herbs.

In front of the shop sat a bamboo chair, on which lay a young man of about twenty, eyes closed, humming a tune, fanning himself lazily with a small fan as the chair rocked gently back and forth—completely at ease.

Upon seeing him, Qin Yihan’s face lit up and she waved, calling out loudly, “Hey! Senior Brother Xie!”

Hearing his name, the young man opened his eyes. When he saw the familiar grey robe, his face broke into a delighted smile. “Well, if it isn’t Xiaohan! You’ve grown so much—and become so pretty!”

This was none other than Xie Zhongjian, stationed at the Luo Ancient Market.

“How come you’re here?” Xie Zhongjian got up and asked with a smile.

He had delicate features and an easy, lazy smile, his pitch-black eyes holding a lively glint and a hint of irreverence, though he looked at Qin Yihan now with warmth.

“Steward Dai had us come out to deliver invitations! Elder Nie Fang’s foundation establishment was a success—did you know?” Qin Yihan said happily.

“What? He succeeded? Elder Nie is as vigorous as ever! Ha ha ha!” Xie Zhongjian clapped and laughed heartily.

“Exactly! So this time, we three are heading south to visit the sects,” Qin Yihan replied, stepping aside to reveal Bai Qingzhou and Ruan Xiuqi behind her.

Xie Zhongjian glanced at the two and asked with a grin, “Are you both new disciples?”

Bai Qingzhou quickly stepped forward and saluted. “Greetings, Senior Brother. My name is Bai Qingzhou. I joined a year ago.”

Ruan Xiuqi raised a hand casually. “Same here, I’m Ruan Xiuqi.”

“Not bad, not bad—you remind me of myself back in the day!” Xie Zhongjian laughed, patting both on the shoulder.

He had been assigned to the Luo Ancient Market three years ago, so among the three, he only knew Qin Yihan; the other two were strangers.

After the introductions, Xie Zhongjian invited them inside and asked about their task.

“We’re heading south to deliver invitations to three sects. Steward Dai told us to come find you first,” Qin Yihan explained honestly.

“Oh? Which three sects?”

“The Green Mountain Sect, Rainbow Gate, and Moon Enclave,” Bai Qingzhou replied.

“These three… not a problem, they’re all nearby. I happen to be free today, so why don’t I show you around the area? We can set out tomorrow—it won’t make a difference.”

Hearing this, both Qin Yihan and Ruan Xiuqi were delighted, but Bai Qingzhou looked hesitant. “But Steward Dai instructed us to deliver the invitations as quickly as possible…”

“Oh, that’s nothing—let’s have some fun first! Listen, there’s a waterfall near the marketplace called Redwater Falls, truly spectacular. I’ll take you there today,” Xie Zhongjian said with a wide grin.

“But Steward Chen also told us…” Bai Qingzhou reminded him softly.

At the mention of Steward Chen, Xie Zhongjian’s face instantly grew solemn.

“Oh… in that case, business comes first! No delays!” he declared, changing his tune at once.

The three exchanged silent glances.

Bai Qingzhou then remembered the matter of the spirit boat, and immediately asked, “Senior Brother, it’s our first time traveling by spirit boat. We’re not very familiar with the process—could you explain it to us?”

“A spirit boat? There’s not much to it. The big sects run the routes. As far as I know, spirit boats come in four classes: A, B, C, and D. Our Luo Ancient Market’s boat is a D-class. All you do is pay, board, and get off at your stop.”

“How much does a trip cost?” Qin Yihan asked curiously, eyes wide.

“It depends on the distance. For your trip to those sects, it’s the minimum fare—one low-grade spirit stone per person.”

The three exchanged glances, clicking their tongues in astonishment. After all, they only received one low-grade spirit stone every three months. A round trip would cost two stones—a considerable expense, and their spirits sank.

Seeing their expressions, Xie Zhongjian burst out laughing. “Why the long faces? You’re on sect business—of course you don’t have to pay out of your own pockets. Here, travel funds.” He tossed three spirit stones to them.

“But Senior Brother, we can’t take your spirit stones!” Qin Yihan protested, waving her hands.

“Heh, they’re not mine—they’re sect funds, kept here for your use on such errands. Why do you think Steward Dai sent you to me?”

“I see—thank you, Senior Brother!” Relieved, the three accepted the stones without further guilt.

Seeing that they’d put the spirit stones away, Xie Zhongjian stood. “Alright, if you’re in a hurry, I’ll just show you around the marketplace.”

“Senior Brother, won’t you need to watch the shop?” Qin Yihan asked, puzzled.

Xie Zhongjian gestured at the empty store. “No one comes at this hour—let’s go!”

He locked up, and they walked out to the bustling street.

As they walked, Ruan Xiuqi sidled up to Xie Zhongjian, grinning slyly. “So, Senior Brother, how’s life here? Fun?”

Xie Zhongjian’s mouth curled into a smile as he looked at the little chubby one before him. “Life is delightful, of course!”

“How so?” Ruan Xiuqi pressed eagerly.

“Fine wine, good food, beautiful women, scenic views—far from the mountain, free from interference. And plenty of spirit stones to spend. What more could you want?”

“Then I want to apply for a post at the marketplace!” Ruan Xiuqi’s eyes sparkled; he was clearly tempted.

“Haha, good lad!”

They walked through the bustling streets, led by their own senior brother. Their nerves relaxed, and laughter and chatter accompanied them.

“That ‘Unrivaled Inn’ over there is run by a powerful family, I hear. They even have secluded rooms specially for foundation establishment, but the prices are sky-high!”

“That’s the Myriad Treasures Pavilion—normally a general store, but once a month they hold an auction. Lots of good stuff up for grabs.”

“This weapon shop… their gear is so-so, but they love to fleece people. Best stay away from there…”

Xie Zhongjian pointed out shops as they went, quietly introducing them, and the three’s horizons broadened.

“Senior Brother, I have a question!” Ruan Xiuqi suddenly piped up.

“Go ahead!”

“Earlier, we passed a place where many people were selling goods from mats on the ground. They all looked poor, in ragged clothes, even malnourished. Why are they so destitute?”

“That’s a good question. That was the rogue cultivators’ market.” Xie Zhongjian paused, then went on, “You’re wondering, if they could return to the mortal world and live like kings, why do they stay here in such misery, right?”

“Exactly.”

“First, life as a rogue cultivator is incredibly hard. Second, even if their clothes look tattered, they’re still magical robes, inscribed with arrays—nothing like mundane garments. Third, after you’ve eaten spiritual rice and spirit beast meat, even the finest mortal delicacies taste like wax. So only those who truly can’t survive here ever return to the mortal world—and they’re looked down upon for it.”

Bai Qingzhou nodded, deeply moved. Indeed, after getting used to spiritual rice, everything else tasted like nothing.

“No wonder…” Ruan Xiuqi nodded, half understanding.

“Which is why having a sect’s protection is already a blessing. Life for those rogue cultivators is truly tough.” Xie Zhongjian paused, then added, “And if you ever encounter rogue cultivators in the wild, be on your guard—they’re often the most likely to kill for profit.”

At this, the three felt their hearts race and nodded quickly.

Before long, they arrived at the door of a restaurant.

“Here we are,” Xie Zhongjian announced cheerfully.

“What’s this, Senior Brother?” Bai Qingzhou asked.

“Ha! Since you all came to find me, I’d be a poor host if I didn’t treat you. Otherwise, who wouldn’t laugh at me? Come on, let’s eat!” Xie Zhongjian declared with gusto, striding in.

The three exchanged smiles and followed.

The restaurant was a two-story wooden building, wide and spacious inside, with many square tables and chairs. Only seven or eight people sat scattered about.

They chose a table by the window. Soon a server came over, tossed a stack of water-stained menus onto the table, and said offhandedly, “Order what you want.”

Such poor service made the three gape, but Xie Zhongjian paid it no mind, grinning as he picked up a menu.

Sensing the situation, Bai Qingzhou quietly used his spiritual energy to probe and was startled. The rude server was a cultivator too—no wonder his attitude was arrogant.

Xie Zhongjian studied the menu and, after a moment, said, “One wild duck with eight treasures, mountain-grown dragon-bud, fairyland mushrooms with orchid, and bright indigo fish-bird—one of each. And four bowls of quality rice.”

“Senior Brother, we brought our own spiritual rice…” Bai Qingzhou reminded him softly, seeing he’d ordered rice.

The server snorted. “No outside food allowed!” With that, he snatched up the menus and walked away, leaving Bai Qingzhou a little embarrassed.

“What’s his problem?” Qin Yihan grumbled in a low voice.

“Don’t mind him,” Xie Zhongjian said, unconcerned. “Their service is always like that, but the food’s good. You’ll see.”

“Senior Brother, does anyone ever cause trouble here in the marketplace?” Ruan Xiuqi asked curiously.

Xie Zhongjian grinned. “This place is under the protection of the Primordial Alliance—who’d dare? Inside the market, it’s very safe. Outside, though, can’t say the same.”

The three exchanged glances—they knew well what the Primordial Alliance was. It had been covered in class: an alliance led by the Primordial Gate and dozens of sects, while the Primordial Gate itself was a powerful sect with two Golden Core ancestors and centuries of history in the region.

The Xuanyang Sect was a member of the Primordial Alliance.

Qin Yihan then asked, “Senior Brother, why is our sect’s herb shop doing so poorly? Not a single customer.”

“No need to worry. Our sect’s spiritual herbs are mostly sold wholesale to the Divine Farmers’ Society, who come to purchase regularly. The shop’s mainly for storing herbs—the ones on sale are just leftovers. Having no customers doesn’t matter much.”

…

After some casual conversation, their food arrived.

Xie Zhongjian pointed at the dishes, grinning. “These are all made from spirit beast meat and spiritual plants—delicious and even catalyze your spiritual energy. Go ahead, try them.”

Four dishes sat on the table, looking mouthwatering. Oil gleamed in the sunlight, wisps of spiritual energy floated above, and the aroma was intoxicating, the colors vibrant. The three couldn’t help but salivate.

After a morning’s journey, all were hungry. At Xie Zhongjian’s word, they dug in ravenously.

The meat was tender and fatty, roasted to a crisp golden finish, the rich juices bursting with flavor. The spirit beast meat was soft, succulent, delicious but not greasy.

“This is amazing!” Ruan Xiuqi laughed aloud.

His laughter earned a derisive snort from the server at the counter.

But no one cared. In short order, the table was cleared, every dish devoured.

Leaning back after the meal, Ruan Xiuqi patted his stomach and sighed, “Now I finally understand why rogue cultivators don’t want to go back to being big shots in the mortal world…”