Youth must be seized early; how can one remain young forever? Chapter 71: I Believe in You

Bai Qingzhou wielded the Supreme Purity Sword, slicing through the carcass of the beast on the ground. The Crimson Gold Bear boasted especially tender meat, making it a highly sought-after delicacy in the market. Due to the creature’s fierce nature, cultivators at the mid-stage of Qi Refinement rarely targeted it, which only drove up its price even further.

After days spent butchering magical beasts, Bai Qingzhou’s skills had become much more practiced. This time, he wasted little meat, managing to cut away the majority in perfect slabs. There was so much beast meat that his storage pouch could not possibly contain it all. Reluctantly, he removed some of the less valuable cuts to make room for every last piece from the Crimson Gold Bear.

“Finally! That’s done—time to head home,” he exhaled, joy brightening his features.

His purpose for venturing into the beast forest had at last been fulfilled.

After stowing the storage pouch, Bai Qingzhou glanced up at the dense canopy, leaves stretching wide enough to blot out the sky. Then, with a firm step, he launched himself three zhang into the air. As he began to fall, he twisted midair, landing lightly on a nearby branch.

Bang!

He continued to leap upward, using the trees as footholds.

Bang!

Since advancing to the sixth layer of Qi Refinement, his mastery over his body had sharpened; bounding from trunk to trunk, he soared higher and higher. In just a few breaths, he nearly reached the treetops.

Bang!

With one final kick, he snapped a branch and burst through the leafy ceiling, sunlight flooding over him. From this vantage, he gazed out over a vast, endless sea of forest, the green waves rolling to the horizon like a deep and undulating ocean.

“That direction,” he murmured after orienting himself.

He summoned his spiritual energy and activated the Flying Cloud Paper, which materialized midair to catch him as he began to descend.

Whoosh!

The talisman sped toward the market.

Night fell.

Bai Qingzhou’s journey back was without incident. As soon as he entered the market, his battered appearance drew immediate laughter from some familiar faces.

“Manager Bai, where have you been? Don’t tell me you crashed your flying artifact, ha ha…”

“Nonsense! With Manager Bai’s skills, he’d never fall from the sky—maybe he tripped while walking!”

“Ha ha! You’re wicked!”

These jokers were shopkeepers from various sects, regular customers at the beast meat shop. Over time, Bai Qingzhou had grown acquainted with them. Now, seeing his disheveled state, they seized the chance to make merry at his expense.

“You lot know nothing!” he retorted, exchanging a few jests before heading back to his shop.

By this hour, Old Luo had already gone home and the store was locked. Bai Qingzhou unlocked the door and entered. Familiar surroundings put him at ease. He unloaded the magical beast meat, storing it all in the cold room.

Afterward, he washed off in the courtyard with cold water. Days of tension and vigilance had left him spent. After his bath, he collapsed into bed and quickly drifted into a deep sleep.

The night passed swiftly.

...

The following day, as Bai Qingzhou was cultivating in the courtyard, a visitor arrived—someone he had not expected.

“Ah… Master! What brings you here?” Bai Qingzhou stared in surprise at Li Yuyun standing before him.

Li Yuyun smiled warmly. “I came to see how your meat shop is faring.”

At those words, Bai Qingzhou remembered that nearly half a year had passed since he last reported back to the sect. He had made a pact with the sect master: they would trial the beast meat shop for half a year before deciding whether to continue.

Business had been so brisk that he’d nearly forgotten this arrangement.

He quickly stood and gestured for Li Yuyun to take his seat. “Master, please sit! I’ll fetch the account books at once.”

Li Yuyun nodded, seating himself without ceremony. “Go ahead.”

Bai Qingzhou hurried to his room. Though Old Luo and his daughter now handled the daily butchery, Bai Qingzhou personally oversaw all transactions and profits, recording everything meticulously.

Soon, he returned with the ledger, presenting it respectfully.

Li Yuyun perused the records, the faint smile on his lips growing ever brighter as he read.

“Excellent! Profiting two or three low-grade spirit stones daily! To turn an unremarkable herb shop into this—truly a great achievement!” Li Yuyun exclaimed, delighted.

Embarrassed, Bai Qingzhou scratched his head. “It is only my duty as your disciple.”

“Tsk, who would have thought that rogue cultivators’ beast meat business would out-earn our herb shop…” Li Yuyun mused softly, flipping through the pages.

“We are the first shop in the market to sell beast meat, so everyone comes here to buy. That’s why business is so good. But I’ve heard some sects are planning to open their own beast meat shops soon…” Bai Qingzhou added, his tone tinged with worry.

Li Yuyun smiled calmly. “No need to fret. With yearly profits nearing a thousand low-grade spirit stones, it’s only natural others would grow envious! We cannot monopolize the market forever. Competition only proves there’s a bright future ahead. You’re clever and resourceful—I trust you’ll find a way.”

Comforted by the master’s trust, Bai Qingzhou cupped his hands and replied, “Rest assured, Master. I will not disappoint the sect!”

“Good, good…” Li Yuyun said approvingly.

He then pointed to some figures in the ledger and began to ask questions, each of which Bai Qingzhou answered in detail.

Since opening the shop, Bai Qingzhou had handled all the finances for the sect without taking a single spirit stone for himself, serving with utmost dedication.

As Li Yuyun questioned him, he answered every inquiry with a clear conscience and flawless transparency.

After a while, Li Yuyun nodded, satisfied, and said, “Come, show me the cold storage.”

“Yes, Master. This way, please.” Bai Qingzhou led him forward.

Thanks to the constant placement of Ice Talismans, the cold room was frigid, enough to make even a cultivator shiver.

“How often do you replace these Ice Talismans?” Li Yuyun asked, pointing at the two talismans on the wall.

“Usually once every ten days, Master, changing two at a time,” Bai Qingzhou replied.

Li Yuyun pondered this for a moment, then asked, “So what are the shop’s fixed monthly expenses?”

“The Ice Talismans cost twelve low-grade spirit stones per month, plus three spirit stones for Luo Zhi’s wages, and a bit more for miscellaneous expenses. In total, about eighteen spirit stones monthly,” Bai Qingzhou answered promptly.

Li Yuyun nodded and began to inspect the magical beast meat stored inside.

After a short while, he paused and pointed at several cuts. “These beasts’ meats don’t appear in the ledger?”

Bai Qingzhou looked and recognized the meat he’d hunted the previous night. He answered honestly, “I hunted those myself.”

“Oh?” Li Yuyun raised an eyebrow, chuckling. “Still going out to hunt, are you?”

Bai Qingzhou explained that the Yue Lai Inn was lacking Crimson Gold Bear meat.

Listening, Li Yuyun said solemnly, “It’s only right for cultivators to hunt magical beasts, but you must prioritize your own safety. Remember that always.”

He paused, then added, “Also, you’re entitled to the same rewards as anyone else for beasts you bring in. The meat you supply can be exchanged for spirit stones at market price.”

Bai Qingzhou was overjoyed. “Thank you, Master!”

He had only meant to take a token payment, never expecting his master to offer full market price.

“Very well! I’ve got a good grasp of the situation now. You’ve done an excellent job. Pay no mind to what others say—our Xuanyang Sect needs people with your spirit to grow ever stronger!” Li Yuyun said with heartfelt encouragement.

“I understand,” Bai Qingzhou replied, deeply moved.

Since he opened the shop, he’d faced no end of criticism—whether from market cultivators, slum-dwelling rogue practitioners, or even the sect elders, most had mocked and derided his efforts.

Only Li Yuyun, his master, had offered unwavering support.

Fortunately, he had not let him down. The shop now earned nearly a thousand low-grade spirit stones annually for the sect.

A sense of hard-won triumph welled up in Bai Qingzhou’s heart.

...

Later, Li Yuyun and Bai Qingzhou lingered in the courtyard, chatting about various sect matters. The warmth of their conversation filled Bai Qingzhou with comfort and gratitude.

At last, Li Yuyun pocketed the three hundred spirit stones earned over the past six months, leaving a few dozen for the shop’s operation, then made ready to depart.

At the door, he turned and said, “Qingzhou, above all take care of yourself. Let the spirit stones come slowly if they must—your life is what matters most. You are irreplaceable.”

Bai Qingzhou bowed deeply. “I understand, Master!”

Li Yuyun turned to Old Luo and his daughter standing behind Bai Qingzhou, smiling kindly. “You’re Luo Zhi, yes? Bai Qingzhou has told me about you. As long as you serve the Xuanyang Sect faithfully, you will never be mistreated.”

Old Luo, never having encountered such a celebrated sect master, bowed with trembling respect. “Thank you, Master, for your guidance. With such a patron, I, Luo Zhi, will spare no effort in service to the sect!”

Li Yuyun laughed. “Good!” He looked back at Bai Qingzhou and said gravely, “Qingzhou, I trust you—do your best, without reservation!”

“Yes!” Bai Qingzhou answered with a respectful bow.