Chapter 27: I'm Just Passing By

Thinking about spiritual herbs, Chu Tianfeng couldn’t help but recall the branch store of the Great Virtue Hall in Jianmen City. Only there could he obtain spiritual herbs. Moreover, herbs for marrow cleansing were certainly not cheap; without a discount, he feared he couldn’t afford them. Yet, leaving this place carried risks—the Salt Society was surely still lying in wait around Thousand Bird Lake, and going out now could well be walking into a trap.

Chu Tianfeng was deeply conflicted, but finally resolved that for the sake of cultivation, this risk was worth taking. Having made up his mind, he decided to head to Jianmen City the following day.

He didn’t plan to take anything with him. The giant python’s entire body was valuable; its flesh aside, even its skin was a treasure—properly refined, it could ward off water or resist ordinary flames. Unfortunately, it had been destroyed by Chu Tianfeng. The two large snake fangs were also quite useful, suitable for crafting tools, but Chu Tianfeng was not skilled in artifact refinement; he could only manage flying swords, array flags, and such materials for setting up formations, so he couldn’t make use of them. As for the demon core, he intended to retrieve it later. With his current cultivation, carrying a demon core openly was like a child parading gold through the streets.

He was also intrigued by the luminous pearl and the water-repelling bead, but given his low cultivation, he dared not take them.

Early the next morning, Chu Tianfeng quietly left the cave and carefully scouted the area outside. He discovered that the cave entrance was surrounded by a stone cliff dozens of meters high, dark and covered in aquatic plants. The cliff’s surface was riddled with cracks, from which light seeped out. Walking along the cliff, he spotted many broken walls and ruined structures at its base, hidden among clusters of water plants.

Recalling Lu Sheng’s tale of finding a treasured sword, Chu Tianfeng was almost certain this was the site of a martial sect, and the cave was likely part of it. He had already seen the sect’s swords—they were just ordinary weapons, not magical artifacts, and held little interest for him beyond the hope of some small profit, but he found nothing.

After leaving the lake, Chu Tianfeng didn’t head to the film crew’s base but went straight to Jianmen City via Thousand Bird Lake Town.

Following his usual routine, he made a large circuit around Jianmen City, and only when he saw nothing suspicious did he hail another cab and head to the branch of the Great Virtue Hall.

When Chu Tianfeng handed over his list of medicinal ingredients, Fang Han could only smile wryly. He dared not make decisions on his own and so reported everything directly to Du Sancai.

Du Sancai, at first hearing Chu Tianfeng wanted to buy several hundred thousand worth of herbs, was furious. But when he learned Chu Tianfeng had changed his prescription again, his mood flipped instantly, and he ordered Fang Han to sell the herbs as usual while secretly photographing the prescription.

After the call, Fang Han, as before, personally attended to Chu Tianfeng at the counter, expressing concern.

“Brother Chu, we’re old acquaintances now. Whenever you need herbs, just give us a call and we’ll deliver them to your door.”

Fang Han warmly handed over his business card, thinking it only polite for Chu Tianfeng to reciprocate.

“Thank you, boss. How much for these herbs?”

But Chu Tianfeng was no easy mark; he deftly changed the subject.

“Hmm, forty thousand one hundred in total. With the discount, the actual price is four thousand and one hundred.” Fang Han passed the discounted list to Chu Tianfeng.

Chu Tianfeng frowned; honestly, he knew the herbs would be expensive but hadn’t expected them to cost so much. He’d robbed Peng Yongliang, scavenged from the Gold Touch Sect’s Lu Sheng, and from Mount Huang’s Guo Xiancheng. Along with his stunt work and last month’s wages, he had about fifty-one thousand. After buying the pill furnace and spending two or three thousand, he was left with only forty-eight thousand.

All his hard-earned savings, whittled down—his bank balance finally reached five digits, only to be knocked back again.

After paying, Chu Tianfeng felt a sense of hopelessness.

There was no helping it—poverty!

He had originally wanted to buy a better pill furnace to properly learn alchemy. Now, he could only go back to the chubby boss for another two-thousand-yuan furnace.

After leaving the antique market, he stopped by the vegetable market to buy some cleavers, knives, and seasonings.

By the time he shook off Fang Han’s tail and returned to Thousand Bird Lake Town, it was already past six in the evening, with the sun about to set.

He hired a tricycle, got dropped at the Century Hotel closest to the lake’s center, and planned to reach the lakeshore via a small path beside the hotel.

Unexpectedly, turning a corner, he saw two familiar figures.

Xiao Yunmeng and Wu Bai.

Chu Tianfeng quickly turned around, intending to go back.

“Chu Tianfeng!” A silvery voice called out at just the right moment.

Chu Tianfeng had no choice but to turn back again. “Hello!”

“Come, sit with us!” Xiao Yunmeng stood up and smiled at him.

A hint of confusion flashed across Chu Tianfeng’s face.

They were sitting by the artificial beach next to the lake—a large sun umbrella, a small round table, two little chairs. Wu Bai and Xiao Yunmeng each occupied one.

Slanting sunlight, a gentle breeze, a handsome young man, a stunning beauty. The scene was so perfect it needed no embellishment—certainly not another man.

Chu Tianfeng wasn’t sure where he should sit; besides, he didn’t want to play third wheel, especially not a glaring LED one.

Wu Bai seemed a little awkward too, but stood up and beckoned. “Come, have a drink with us.”

Only then did Chu Tianfeng notice the round table was laden with food, and not far from Wu and Xiao was a barbecue grill, sizzling with two chicken wings and some seaweed.

Chu Tianfeng had no choice but to bite the bullet and walk over. “Thank you.”

Xiao Yunmeng waved to a distant attendant, who soon hurried over.

“One more chair, and a set of utensils, please!” Xiao Yunmeng smiled.

“Certainly, please wait a moment.” The attendant turned away.

“Welcome!” Xiao Yunmeng extended her hand to Chu Tianfeng.

“Sorry, what was your surname again?” Wu Bai held his right hand in midair, as if racking his brain.

Xiao Yunmeng had just called Chu Tianfeng by name. Whether Wu Bai hadn’t heard or pretended not to, who knew.

“Chu Tianfeng.” Chu Tianfeng didn’t want to argue, placing his bundle and pill furnace on the ground, and gently shook hands with Xiao Yunmeng.

He had to admit, Xiao Yunmeng’s hand was fragrant and soft—like holding a snowflake cake.

“Oh, right.” Wu Bai acted enlightened, introducing him to Xiao Yunmeng, “Chu Tianfeng is my stunt double now. Ah, his skills are impressive, really outstanding.”

Chu Tianfeng felt a flash of irritation—why hype yourself up by stepping on me?

Xiao Yunmeng stepped aside, pointing to her chair. “Chu Tianfeng, please sit.”

Chu Tianfeng replied with silence.

“Let Chu Tianfeng sit here—how could I let a lady give up her seat?” Wu Bai flashed a charming smile and moved aside, “Right?”

He believed Chu Tianfeng wouldn’t sit down. Among the three, one an international film star, one an Asian diva, and the third—a nobody even in the bit-part world.

Wu Bai thought Chu Tianfeng would be too embarrassed to take the seat.

But Chu Tianfeng didn’t care. It’s just a chair, why make a fuss?

He wasn’t sure what role he was playing tonight—he was used to being an extra, and now suddenly thrust into the spotlight, it felt a bit strange.

“Thanks!” Chu Tianfeng unceremoniously sat in Wu Bai’s chair.

Wu Bai was surprised for a moment, but quickly covered it up.

Xiao Yunmeng seemed taken aback as well, her smile growing clearer.

Just then, an attendant brought another chair, placing it beside Wu Bai. Another set of utensils was laid out on the table.

“All right, let’s continue!” Wu Bai picked up the wine, poured Chu Tianfeng half a glass, then elegantly sat down, raising his glass high. “Come, Yunmeng, cheers!”

Xiao Yunmeng nodded, raising her glass toward Chu Tianfeng. “Chu Tianfeng, thank you for escorting us back to the hotel that night. Thank you!”

“You’re welcome.” Chu Tianfeng raised his glass as well. “To getting drunk!”

A smile flashed again in Xiao Yunmeng’s eyes.

Wu Bai and Xiao Yunmeng only sipped lightly, while Chu Tianfeng drained his glass in one gulp.

He looked at them, full of confusion. “I thought ‘to getting drunk’ meant bottoms up.”

Wu Bai laughed, “Chu Tianfeng, I never knew you were so funny.”

Chu Tianfeng shrugged. “Actually, I don’t like drinking, especially wine. I’d rather finish it quickly and leave.”

With that, he stood up. “You two enjoy yourselves, I’ll go grill something to eat.”

He really was hungry—he’d been running around all day, and lunch had been just a small bowl of noodles.

Luckily, everything had gone smoothly; he hadn’t run into anyone from the Salt Society.

But when he reached the grill and saw the sparse dishes, he couldn’t help but curse inwardly.

There were only a few plates: some chicken wings, a one-pound lobster, a half-pound carp, some seaweed, a dish of cucumber, and a few slices of watermelon and apple.

That was all—how could they call this a treat!

Chu Tianfeng even felt he couldn’t fill himself with it alone.

Yet, seeing Wu Bai and Xiao Yunmeng chatting and laughing, Chu Tianfeng seemed to understand.

For them, eating wasn’t important; something else was.

Soon, Chu Tianfeng had grilled a few chicken wings and, not bothering to serve them at the table, simply stuffed them into his mouth.

“Is it good?” A familiar silvery voice sounded behind him.

“Mmm, mmm, good.” Chu Tianfeng had no choice but to hold the chicken wing in his hand and turn toward the table, only to see Wu Bai sitting alone, drinking wine with a trace of gloom.

“May I try one?” Xiao Yunmeng asked again.

“Help yourself.” Chu Tianfeng stepped aside.

Xiao Yunmeng, like Chu Tianfeng, picked up some grilled seaweed by hand and gently brought it to her lips.

“Mmm, not bad. I didn’t expect you to have such skill.”

“The seaweed was your grilling.” Chu Tianfeng didn’t like taking credit for others’ efforts.

“Oh?” Xiao Yunmeng glanced at Wu Bai, then back at Chu Tianfeng. “Actually, I’ve noticed you two aren’t alike at all.”

Chu Tianfeng flipped the lobster in his hand. “Your vision is sharper than Director Yang’s.”

“You’re really interesting,” Xiao Yunmeng giggled.

Chu Tianfeng lowered his head, focusing on the grill, saying nothing.

“Thanks again for escorting us to the hotel that night.” Xiao Yunmeng picked up the lobster and handed it to Chu Tianfeng. “And thank you for tonight as well.”

“The ingredients are yours. No need to thank me.” Chu Tianfeng thought she meant the barbecue and shook his head.

“I mean, thank you for keeping me company tonight.” Xiao Yunmeng’s gaze drifted.

Chu Tianfeng looked at Wu Bai, then back at Xiao Yunmeng, seeming to understand. “So I’m just the extra here.”

Xiao Yunmeng laughed softly. “The real extra is our Xiao Mei. We’d planned to have barbecue together, but she got pushed out after a few words, leaving me alone.”

Chu Tianfeng couldn’t help but smile as well.