Before long, a modest-sized waterfall appeared, with water flowing down to hit the rocks below, creating a mist that formed beautiful rainbows when it caught the sunlight. A small pool of crystal-clear water, so clear that fish could be seen swimming, lay below. Perfect, this waterfall could be harnessed to irrigate the mulberry garden below. "Xin Xi, could you please fetch Master He here?" She wanted her father to see the site to determine where they could construct the water channels. "You’ll see. Go on. I’ll explore this area a bit more." While Xin Xi went to fetch He Lei, Zhenzhu explored the surroundings. The area was pleasantly cool, with large trees providing shade near the water, perfect for resting and escaping the heat. She dipped her feet into the water. Ah... The water was exceptionally cold. The coldness surprised her, it was almost like ice water in winter, not at all like the stream’s water below, which wasn’t this cold. But here, the cold penetrated to the bone. "Eh?" Looking at the waterfall’s curtain, Zhenzhu observed for a while before noticing a hidden cave behind it. Curious, she walked around the side of the waterfall, before making her way behind the water curtain. The spray made her thoroughly wet. "There really is a cave!" The entrance wasn’t very large, just a small opening big enough for a person to pass through, discreetly hidden behind the waterfall curtain. If Zhenzhu hadn’t been so observant, she might not have noticed it. However, once she passed through the entrance to the inside, the cave inside was big. The temperature inside was much lower, causing Zhenzhu to shiver intensely, feeling as if she was in deep winter. She furrowed her brows, wondering if the outside water’s temperature was due to this cave. She couldn’t help but think there must be something causing the cave to be colder than normal. The deeper she went, the less light there was, and the cold seemed to penetrate her bones. Suddenly, a flicker of light caught her eye. "Eh? What plant is that?" As she ventured further, Zhenzhu spotted a type of plant with long, sharp white leaves in bunches, its stem a silver-gray color, not very tall, about chest height. This plant was scattered throughout the cave, its white leaves shimmering and competing in brightness. Nearly every plant bore pale, slightly dull fruits on its branches, some ripe enough to have fallen to the ground. However, these fruits didn’t rot; instead, they lay still on the ground, emitting a cold aura. Zhenzhu picked up one of the ripe fruits that had fallen, feeling as if she was holding a piece of ice, cold and hard. The coldness freezes her hand, causing pain, so she quickly placed it back down. On closer inspection, she saw the floor was covered in these ripe fruits, blanketing the ground in white. It was impossible to tell how many decades it had taken for so many to accumulate. Still, she didn’t know what exactly they were. "Big Sister Zhu! Big Sister Zhu!" "Zhu’er, where are you?" Calls echoed from the cave’s entrance. Using her shirt hem to wrap around her hand, she picked up one of the white fruits from the ground and ran back on the way she came to meet her father and Xin Xi. "I’m here, Father!" She shouted from behind the waterfall, slowly making her way out along the rock face. "I thought you had disappeared," He Lei sighed in relief. "I was just exploring around the waterfall." "Father, look at this waterfall. We could extend a water channel down below and distribute it throughout the fields. Drilling holes above the vegetable patches for the water to drip down would save us a lot of effort in watering our plants," she shared her plan with her father. "Hmm, it’s possible, but it will take a considerable amount of time to construct. We will need a large amount of bamboo to extend it all the way down." "Should I hire some daily slave workers to help Father cut the bamboo? I would like to get the water channels finished quickly so we can water the mulberry trees." "Yes, let’s sketch out the design on paper first to see what we need. And what is that you’re holding, Zhu’er?" He noticed she was holding something wrapped in the edge of her clothing. Zhenzhu gently crouched down and released what was in her hand onto the ground. The dull white fruit rolled out and lay still, its cool aura palpable. "What is this, Big Sister Zhu?" Xin Xi touched it lightly, finding it ice cold. "I’m not sure what it is. It seems to be some kind of fruit. I found it in a cave behind the waterfall. It’s hard and cold. I brought it for Father to see. Do you know what it is, Father?" He Lei picked it up and examined it closely, tapping it lightly. "This is!" His eyes widened. It was a Yuchong fruit. "What is Yuchong, Father?" She asked in bewilderment, why does Father look so shocked?. "It’s a fruit resembling jade, found in cold climates. Yuchong can be used to brew a superior kind of liquor, known for its heartwarming fragrance, gentle and enduring aroma, and spirit of the liquor. A famous poet even said: [1]*The scent so compelling, one must dismount the horse, Taste it and halt the journey’s course. The liquor’s aroma fills the air, Even ordinary birds, upon smelling, turn into swans. Even the waste, when cast into the stream, Turns fish into dragons, so it would seem." "Isn’t that poet exaggerating a bit?" Zhenzhu looked at the Yuchong fruit on the ground, marveling that it could be used to brew exquisite liquor. "Do not underestimate it. This liquor is compared to the top Jade Stream Wine. Even the emperor would pine for a taste. It’s said that consuming it can advance a spirit energy cultivator’s practice dramatically." It was believed that Yuchong in the human realm is compared to Jade Stream Wine in the realm of immortals. Jade Stream Wine is brewed from a superior jade called Chong, believed to transform one into an immortal. Jade Stream Wine is considered a delicacy at the banquet, immortals’ Pantao Peach[2]. But He Lei was surprised because Yuchong fruit typically grows in perpetually cold lands, a rare fruit indeed. Liquor experts in this realm seek it to brew a jar of Yuchong liquor. Why did it grow in Fengfu City? Even though it was cold in the winter, the weather was not cold throughout the year. "Shall we brew liquor with it?" "I have no skill in brewing liquor." "That’s a pity. There are many more fruits in the cave." Zhenzhu expressed regret, as she didn’t know how to brew liquor either. "There’re more in the cave!" He Lei was shocked. A single fruit was already unusual, let alone a cave full of them. Isn’t this a treasury? "Yes, there are plenty on the ground." "Let’s head back. Once we find someone to brew the liquor, we can collect more fruits." “Yes, father.” Zhenzhu wrapped the Yuchong fruit in her clothing and headed home, if she could brew liquor, it would be great. She would have an additional income from selling the brewed liquor. Upon returning home and seeing it was not yet late, Zhenzhu invited Xin Xi to the city, intending to buy some slaves to help her father dig vegetable plots and build water channels. She preferred lifelong slaves due to her family’s many secrets, wanting to avoid any troubles. Recently, her parents allowed her to go to the city as she pleased since they moved closer to the city and had Xin Si, who knew every nook and cranny of the city, to guide her. "Xin Si, let’s stop by Master Tiao’s place for a moment," Zhenzhu said as she walked towards the Yu Yi Pharmacy. Nowadays, the Yu Yi Pharmacy was not only famous throughout Fengfu City but also renowned in other towns. Middlemen traveled to buy medicine from his shop because it could purchase more spirit pill balls than other shops. "Lady He, are you here to visit Master or to deliver herbs?” Mi Fan greeted them with a smile. "Just visiting Master Tiao to see if he has any new herb seeds for planting. Father is planning to plant a new plot." "Then please wait in the guest room. Master Tiao is currently busy with an important guest," Mi Fan guided them to another room. Due to thin walls, Zhenzhu could faintly hear the conversation from the next room. It was the quarreling sound between Master Tiao and a woman, well... maybe it was fair to say that this was just a conversation of the two who was not in their good mood. Curious, she listened more closely. Did not intend to pry, just for information. “Big Sister Zhu.” Why did you eavesdrop? "Shh!" She gestured for Xin Xi to be quiet. "Master Tiao, I need to see that inscription master as soon as possible!" The voice was familiar; could it be Hui Lin? "Lady Hui, it’s not that I’m obstructing you, but that inscription master doesn’t want to meet you." Master Tiao was fed up. If she wasn’t an adopted daughter of the Water Dragon’s leader, he would not have wasted his time pleasing her. She did not even repent after injuring someone. "Why won’t he meet me? Does he think he’s above everyone? Doesn’t he know how much the Water Dragon’s leader wants to meet him? If you can bring him to meet my father, I’ll pay whatever you ask." This was her first assigned task from the leader, and she almost failed it. How could she not be angry? "It’s not a matter of money." "Then what’s the issue?" "Alright, Lady Hui, I won’t hide it from you. That inscription master is a person of great kindness. The other day, when you rode your horse recklessly through the market, causing injury to people and damage to their belongings, it made that inscription master very angry. He has declared that he will not meet with you or anyone from the Water Dragon again," Master Tiao said, resorting to a lie. Lady Hui Lin was relentless in her pursuit, and if she continued to seek him every day, he would never get any work done. Lying , he hoped, would make her give up and leave on her own. "What did you say? He’s angry with me?" Hui Lin’s face turned pale. How could she have known the situation would escalate ? Within the group, she could act recklessly, throwing and breaking things, and even assaulting the servants without anyone reprimanding her. If the Leader found out she had caused such trouble that the mysterious Inscription master was now angry with her, what would she do? "Let’s do this: I’ll ask you to tell him I want to apologize in person." "I will relay your message," Master Tiao said resignedly. The lady was stubborn and difficult to deal with. He was tired of arguing with her. On the other side, Zhenzhu, who was eavesdropping from another room, couldn’t help but smirk. ‘Heh, don’t even hope of meeting me. Just stew in your own frustration.’ After Hui Lin left, Zhenzhu quickly sat down and sip tea, as if she hadn’t just been spying on someone else’s conversation. Xin Xi looked at her in admiration. ‘Big Sister Zhu, you are truly remarkable.’ "Lady Zhu, Little Xin Xi, sorry for making you wait, I was dealing with an important guest," Master Tiao hurried over. "Was it Lady Hui Lin?" "Ah, you must have heard her. She came because she wanted to meet that mysterious inscription master. I was at my wit’s end with her; she’s so stubborn. If not for respecting the Water Dragon Leader, I would have driven her out long ago," he explained, somewhat annoyed. Outside, they agreed to use the term ‘Mysterious Inscription Master’ instead of ‘Master He’ to prevent others from overhearing. "Is the Water Dragon really that powerful?" If they were so influential, they should have their own personal inscription master. Why then, were they seeking an itinerant one like her? "Well, they are quite prominent. The Water Dragon is a major faction in Yan Region to the north of us. They excel in archery and also have the rights to trade salt in the northern region, making them very wealthy indeed." "Being so wealthy, they should have their own inscription masters. Why seek out an ordinary one ?" "I heard the faction leader’s wife has been severely ill for many years, so frail she can neither speak nor move. The Leader dearly loves his wife and has sought many divine healers and medical inscription masters to treat her, but to no avail. The Leader learned that in Fengfu city, there’s a mysterious inscription master capable of carving Dimensional Character and also Preservation Character. He wonders if that person might inherit the skills of Tao Shaotou, as Tao Shaotou’s inscription art contains a medical character that might cure his wife’s condition. However, that character has been lost to time. So, he’s searching for this mysterious inscription master to treat his wife." Hearing this, Zhenzhu felt sympathy for the Leader. He must deeply love his wife to go to such lengths. She would like to help if she could, but as a mere blue-tier inscription master herself, most of the medical characters in the red book required a rank of dark blue or higher. The basic medical character she knew was probably within the capabilities of most inscriber of her level. Besides, she wasn’t a real doctor; a mistake in treatment could be disastrous. Better not to risk it, lest she end up headless. Zhenzhu left the Ruyi Pharmacy with a significant number of herbal seeds, all of which were difficult to cultivate and expensive. She then headed straight to the slave market, which was as bustling as ever. It was another instance where she felt uneasy about the human trafficking that took place there, but such was life — the weak often ended up as slaves to the strong, and sometimes people had no choice in the path their life took. Zhenzhu went from one shop to another but couldn’t find any slaves that caught her interest. Some were slaves from the households of nobles, caught stealing or committing other offenses and sold off; others were slaves from noble households in other cities, guilty of some crime and sold into slavery. They seemed frivolous, did not know how to work; some were frail former nobility, unable to perform hard labor; and some were criminals, some captured to be sold into a second round of slavery by the authorities. After a long search, Zhenzhu couldn’t find a single slave that met her criteria. "Xin Xi, it looks like we’ll have to head back today," she said. "Understood, Big Sister Zhu. If you haven’t found anyone to your liking today, we can always look again another day. In the meantime, I’ll help Master He and Brother Ming with the vegetable plots digging," Xin Xi replied, not particularly taken with anyone either. Having been a beggar before, he had spent a lot of time with beggars and riff-raff, learning to read people’s faces to survive. He could still somewhat discern people’s character, and many of these slaves seemed untrustworthy, deceitful, and self-serving. "Look, they really are pitiable." "You know what Butler Hui is like. He wouldn’t let anyone who wronged him get away scot-free." "But they did nothing wrong, did they? It’s all because of Master Hui’s insatiable greed. Will they die?" The villagers’ chatter made Zhenzhu pause. The villagers around this area formed small groups, eagerly discussing among themselves. She was just leaving the alley that led to the slave market when she overheard their conversation. Zhenzhu stopped and looked where the villagers were looking. There was a slave shop at the corner of the street, with a not too big nor too small cage placed in front of the shop. Inside the cage, there were two young boys, about 15-16 years old, both emaciated and wearing dirty clothes, with bruises and dried blood on their bodies from being whipped or beaten. It was hard to determine the original color of their clothes due to the blood stains covering them. Blood was also dried on their cheeks, coming from their mouths. Another cage contained a young girl, who, though not tongue-cut, was in a similar condition. Zhenzhu was nearly overwhelmed by the brutality in front of her. How much cruelty had they endured to end up ? Could humans really inflict such harm on one another? If she were in their place, she doubted she could endure the pain and injury covering her body; she would rather die of despair. The three lay curled up in the small cage. "Auntie, may I know what they did to end up in such a state?" she asked a group of villagers who were discussing animatedly. "That’s the slaves from the restaurant owner’s manor on the eight main street. They were framed by Butler Hui, beaten, had their tongues cut out, and then sold off." "To be so cruel... Why would someone be so heartless?" [7] A poem that describes ‘Yanghe Daqu’, the marvelous liquor. [8] Pantao Peach is a type of peach that considered immortals’ peach. Eating it can expand your life span. It is a peach that located in Xiwangmu’s peach garden. Pantao Peach is round and flat, the middle of the fruit a slightly sunken both top and bottom, bright beautiful color, extremely sweet taste, smooth texture, the fruit peel is easy to peel of, have a nice smell. ----- ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵⚑𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⚑𝓷𝓮𝓽 Read ‘Rebirth: This Farmgirl Has Spirit Fish Scales’ before anyone else with more Chapters at https://www.jinovel.com/en