Chapter 397

Chapter 397: Making Friends

Bang! Crack!

Fireworks burst one after another in the sky, their dazzling brilliance illuminating the entire night.

They also cast their glow upon the city below.

In Huai County City, the streets and alleys were alive with activity, bustling with a steady stream of people. All the shops had flung their doors wide open, and the workers in short coats stood at the entrances, enthusiastically calling out to passersby.

Their faces were flushed with excitement, no different from the customers coming and going.

Though it wasn’t a festival, this small city on the edge of Zhongzhou had already plunged into a joyous celebration!

Even the usually reclusive ladies of noble families had ventured out with companions to join the lively scene in the streets.

And the common folk were no exception.

For a long time, the people of Huai Mountain City had lived under the terrifying shadow of Evil Spirits. When night fell, they would hide in their homes, sometimes even retreating to hidden chambers, too afraid to step outside.

Rumors, both true and false, had spread among the people, deepening their fear.

Moreover, the influx of refugees from the surrounding towns had only added to the county’s burden, making it difficult for anyone to hold hope for the future.

Some of the more capable individuals had quietly fled the city.

But now, with the clouds parting and brighter days ahead, the besieger’s office announced that the true culprit behind the chaos caused by the Evil Spirits had been slain, and all the towns under the county’s jurisdiction had been reclaimed.

The emotions that had been pent up in everyone’s hearts suddenly burst forth.

This celebration of victory carried with it a touch of wild abandon!

At the stargazing platform of the Heavenly Pivot Pavilion, Wang Chen sat in a spiritual tea lounge chair, watching the fireworks blooming in the distance.

These were not spells conjured by cultivators but genuine fireworks.

The air was thick with the familiar scent of gunpowder.

It was this very scent that stirred memories of his past life in Wang Chen.

On a certain day in a certain year and month, he too had gazed at the sky, marveling at the brilliance of fireworks.

“Brother Wang…”

Zhao Hongyi’s voice pulled Wang Chen back to the present. He turned to see the besieger placing a steaming cup of spiritual tea before him.

“Come, try the Huai Mountain spiritual tea,” Zhao Hongyi said with a smile. “This is tribute tea, reserved only for the true experts in the sect!”

“Oh,” Wang Chen replied, intrigued. “I must give it a taste!”

Seven days ago, he and Zhao Hongyi had set a killing trap, luring in the evil cultivators responsible for the chaos and successfully eliminating them.

Afterward, Zhao Hongyi returned safely with his beloved son, who had served as bait, calming the hearts of the people in Huai Mountain City.

Then, Wang Chen continued his efforts, clearing out several other towns.

By now, there were no longer any Evil Spirits causing trouble in Huai County!

Tonight, Zhao Hongyi hosted Wang Chen at the stargazing platform of the Heavenly Pivot Pavilion.

Lifting the steaming cup of tea, Wang Chen felt a wave of spiritual energy rush toward him, instantly revitalizing his spirit.

As he brought it to his lips and took a sip, he was amazed to discover that this seemingly hot tea possessed a cooling essence, sliding down his throat and into his belly, leaving behind a rich and fragrant taste.

In the next moment, it felt as if a pure wave of spiritual energy exploded in his stomach, instantly permeating his five organs.

It surged straight to the Tianzhong acupoint!

Wang Chen shivered, feeling as if he had been cleansed from head to toe, from body to soul.

He felt incredibly light, as if he could float away!

Not only that, but the power flowing within him also became more agile.

Instinctively, Wang Chen activated the Preheaven Five Element Technique, drawing out all the spiritual energy from the tea, leaving not a trace of impurity behind.

This spiritual tea was truly extraordinary!

“Good tea!”

His admiration came from the heart, completely genuine—no wonder this was tea only the true experts could enjoy!

“Hahaha.”

Zhao Hongyi laughed, feeling both happy and proud: “Our Huai Mountain is a small place with no special products, but the five-leaf spiritual tea produced at the peak of Huai Mountain has a unique flavor. Brewing it calms the mind and nourishes the soul.”

“Unfortunately, the yield is too low. After presenting it to the sect every year, I can only keep three taels for myself.”

Saying this, he took out a jade jar and handed it to Wang Chen: “Brother Wang, this one pound of Huai Mountain five-leaf spiritual tea is my small token of appreciation. Please don’t refuse it again!”

Last time, Zhao Hongyi had tried to gift him a small token of gratitude for his help,

but Wang Chen had politely declined.

At that time, the true culprit had not yet been found, and Wang Chen couldn’t guarantee that he could complete the task; how could he accept favors and complicate matters?

Now, with Huai County free of Evil Spirits and peace restored, he could be called the greatest contributor.

After thinking for a moment, Wang Chen happily accepted the gift.

“Thank you, brother.”

As the besieger, Zhao Hongyi could only keep three taels of spiritual tea for himself each year.

This one pound was equivalent to three or four years’ worth, possibly all of his stock.

This gift was indeed quite substantial!

“It’s only right.”

Zhao Hongyi sighed: “If it weren’t for you, Huai Mountain would have been in serious trouble.”

Unlike Wang Chen, who was the Exorcism Agent sent by the sect, able to leave without repercussions if he failed, Zhao Hongyi bore the responsibility of protecting the land and its people; he couldn’t just run away.

Moreover, he had no place to go.

His Family, kin, and business were all here!

Let alone a mere pound of spiritual tea, he would be willing to part with half his fortune.

Now that Wang Chen accepted the gift, he felt very pleased.

Even though Zhao Hongyi and Wang Chen had known each other for a brief time, Wang Chen’s displayed combat ability during the Exorcism process deeply impressed this local besieger.

Most importantly, Wang Chen was very young, with limitless potential for the future.

Thus, he wished to build a friendship.

“Brother Wang, take this spiritual tea for now. I’ll send you a few taels every year.”

Zhao Hongyi was willing to be generous.

Huai Mountain spiritual tea came in grades; the best five-leaf tea came from three mother trees, specifically supplied to the sect, making it truly precious.

However, Zhao Hongyi could actually keep more than just three taels—sometimes five or six taels when harvests were good.

By befriending Wang Chen, he would have a powerful ally in the West Sea Sect, worth much more than a few taels of tea!

This calculation was clear to Zhao Hongyi.

Wang Chen also saw through the thoughts of this local besieger but felt no aversion.

Though Wang Chen was an inner sect disciple of the West Sea Sect, he didn’t have many friends in the sect. Making connections with more capable peers was not a bad thing.

The two, with no barriers between them, enjoyed the spiritual tea while casually chatting.

Zhao Hongyi, well-informed, spoke of various interesting tales from the West Sea Spiritual Realm with eloquence, making sure there was never a dull moment.

In the county, groups of fireworks occasionally lit up the night sky.

Fire trees and silver flowers adorned the night sky!