Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Seed

Chen Xiao knew that investing in Qing Lin was simple: treat her with sincerity, and she would repay it a hundredfold. Yet, the simplicity of it was so profound that it still moved him.

No one could predict what the world or they themselves would become in ten or a hundred years. But at this moment, Chen Xiao believed that the brief exchange of questions and answers would be etched in his memory for a long time to come.

"Pack your things; we are going to Mo City."

Looking at the girl who was as timid as a kitten before him, Chen Xiao raised his right hand, intending to stroke her head to comfort her. However, he felt it might be too abrupt and feared he would startle her, so he quietly withdrew his hand.

Qing Lin nodded vigorously. Filled with anticipation for the future, she trotted into the house and, under Chen Xiao’s gaze, neatly packed her few belongings. From start to finish, she did not ask a single extra question. Her years of experience in Shi Mo City had taught the young girl one thing: talking too much only invited more disdain.

"Young Master, I am ready."

In less than five minutes, Qing Lin had gathered everything she intended to take, even tucking the two remaining steamed buns from the bowl on the table into her clothes.

"Here, give those to me. The road to Mo City is not far, but it isn't close for you, either," Chen Xiao said, noticing the two small bundles she had tied together with a thin string. Seeing her hesitate, he added, "I have a Storage Ring; it’s more convenient."

Hearing this, Qing Lin handed the items over. After locking the small house from the outside, the two set off one after the other toward the gates of Shi Mo City. Because he was with Qing Lin, Chen Xiao did not rush to deploy his Purple Cloud Wings, choosing to walk instead. As a result, the journey took much longer. By the time the sun began to set, Chen Xiao estimated they had only covered half the distance.

Seeing the day turning late and the undisguised fatigue on Qing Lin’s face, Chen Xiao reached out at the right moment.

"Hold onto me. I’ll carry you the rest of the way; otherwise, we’ll be traveling in the dark."

In truth, Chen Xiao didn't need to rush back to Mo City; he could have easily set off the next morning. However, he harbored a small, selfish wish: he wanted Qing Lin to wake up the next day in a brand-new place and witness the sunrise from a brand-new perspective, just as her life was about to turn a new page.

Qing Lin hesitated when looking at the hand Chen Xiao extended. Because she was washing the only decent outfit she usually wore, the robe she currently had on was somewhat oversized. If she reached out, the fine, snake-like green scales on her arms would inevitably be exposed. She didn't know if this person, whom she had met today, would react with the same disgust as the mercenaries she had encountered in the past.

She did not realize that her worries were entirely unnecessary with Chen Xiao.

"Don't worry; I already saw them back at the house."

Qing Lin’s heart skipped a beat, but she noticed Chen Xiao’s gaze remained exactly as it had been when they first met—without the slightest hint of strangeness. Realizing that she was not being shunned, she finally mustered the courage to speak.

"Young Master, are you not disgusted by Qing Lin's abnormality?"

The question, phrased somewhat awkwardly, seemed to have drained all of her courage. The timid nature she had been forced to adopt since childhood could not be changed overnight. Feeling her nervousness, Chen Xiao shook his head slightly.

"What is called 'normal' is merely a standard set by the majority to seek validation and exclude those who are different. In my view, if you are 'abnormal,' so be it. There is no need to care about the eyes of others, including mine. Besides, if we want to be pedantic, I feel uncomfortable when I see asymmetry. When I see two trees of different heights, I want to cut them to the same level. If I have such thoughts that others find hard to understand, does that not make me abnormal as well?"

"So, treat the suspicious gazes of others like flickering ghost fires, and boldly walk your own path."

Chen Xiao was usually not a man of many words, but for this girl by his side, he was willing to say a little more. Listening to his words, a spark of light seemed to glimmer in Qing Lin’s clear eyes. A seed called 'self-confidence and self-reliance' was quietly planted in her heart. One day, it would take root, sprout, and grow into a towering tree.

"Let's go."

Chen Xiao extended his hand again. This time, Qing Lin did not hesitate. Chen Xiao’s palm, endowed with ice affinity, felt slightly cool, and the girl’s hand was the same. It seemed they were truly of the same kind.

With the help of the Purple Cloud Wings, their speed increased significantly. Even with Qing Lin in tow, her weight of less than a hundred pounds caused no hindrance at all. In less than an hour, they arrived at Mo City.

In this larger city, accommodation was not a concern. Finding an inn relatively close to Hai Bodong’s map shop, Chen Xiao rented two rooms and sent Qing Lin up to rest first.

"Innkeeper, prepare some extra food and send it up to her. Also, please have your wife make a trip to purchase a few sets of new clothes."

Chen Xiao took out a small bag of gold coins and handed it to the innkeeper and his wife. He had promised that the girl would no longer go hungry, and he would not break his word. He had heard her stomach rumbling during the journey; if he didn't prepare food, given her nature, she would likely have settled for those hard, cold buns.

"It is my pleasure. You may return to your room and rest, sir. Within two quarters of an hour, I will ensure the clothes are delivered to the young lady."

Chen Xiao nodded and returned to his room alone. He took a boost pill from his Storage Ring and cultivated for less than two quarters of an hour before he heard a knock at the room next door. Paying it no further mind, he withdrew his focus and devoted himself entirely to his cultivation.

...

The night passed without incident. When a knock came at Chen Xiao’s door, it was already the morning of a new day.

"Come in."

Upon receiving the response, the door was gently pushed open. Following that, the girl, now dressed in fresh green clothes, came into view carrying a water basin.

"Young Master, it is time to wash up."

Qing Lin had not slept well the previous night, but her demeanor was excellent. She wore a soft smile, and she seemed to carry herself with much more confidence. Chen Xiao had never been served by anyone in his life, and the scene felt quite unfamiliar to him. However, he did not say anything to stop her.

After washing up and with nothing else to do, Chen Xiao resumed his cultivation. He did not stop his meditation until close to noon. After having lunch at the inn, Chen Xiao extended their stay for another month and then took Qing Lin to the outskirts of the city.

"Qing Lin, do you want to cultivate?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Chen Xiao laughed at his own stupidity. In this world, who wouldn't want to cultivate?

"I will teach you how to channel energy later."