Chapter 91: Delivery

Chapter 91: Delivery

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What do you think is in here?

Something that will probably be spoiled if you keep shaking it like that. Remember, you are the one who wanted to do something different to earn points. At the very least, you should do it properly.

Right. Sorry. Sorry, Huang Shing says. I am not used to things like this. I never thought disciples of the Eternal Flame Clan would do things that are so...

Mundane? supplies Liu Jin.

Yes, that.

Liu Jin can understand that. A simple delivery job is probably not what one associates with one of the most powerful Sects in the Empire, yet that is what Liu Jin and Huang Shing have been entrusted with. For the first time in many days, the two have left the Eternal Flame Clans compound to deliver large crates filled with herbs to Ember City.

Ember City is about an hour away from the Summer Forest. As such, there is very little there that isnt controlled by the Eternal Flame Clan. Liu Jin was able to experience this first-hand during the days leading up to the Selection Exam.

It had been a surprisingly relaxing time. Since the Eternal Flame Clan has so much influence over Ember City, no one dares to start trouble there. This gives the city a very peaceful atmosphere. Ember City is probably even more peaceful than Eastern Port City ever was.

It may not be glamorous, but this is something that needs doing too. Servants alone cannot be trusted with this sort of task.CHeCk for new stories on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m

Servants could, in theory, be entrusted with the delivery, but it is far simpler for disciples to do it. While the transfer circles would allow them to skip the Ash Road, the servants would have a hard time moving the crates, and there is no guarantee they would be able to protect them adequately. Meanwhile, Liu Jin and Huang Shing have little trouble making the trip, even without using movement techniques.

I understand that. The servants probably wouldnt be able to handle a bandit attack.

Liu Jin doubts there is a single bandit group that would dare steal from the Eternal Flame Clan. However, that does not make Huang Shings point any less valid. Just because no one is likely to try doesnt mean they shouldnt worry about safety.

It may not be as exciting as the combat you have been partaking in, but this is also a way to gain points.

A more cost-effective one at that. The disciples Huang Shing has been fighting have been the ones angry at how quickly he had been promoted. Liu Jin doesnt doubt it has helped keep his skills sharp, but the points he received from winning likely arent worth the effort he has put in.

The system is likely set up that way to encourage disciples to help out with more mundane tasks. Also, to remind them that, while spars are a good way to hone ones skills, in the end, cultivation is what really matters.

I know. I know, Huang Shing says, his head leaning from right to left. The past few days have been fun. I feel Brother Hong and I have really bonded.

They must have if Huang Shing has shifted from Brother Bei to Brother Hong.

However, the challenges have been coming less and less lately. Brother Hong says its to be expected since we keep winning.

Hence why Huang Shing came to him looking for another way to earn points. The delivery job is one Liu Jin has had his eye on for a while, and he didnt see anything wrong with letting Huang Shing come along. The opposite, in fact.

Theres still that guy, Bei Duyi, but he hasnt done anything yet. Did you know he is Brother Hongs cousin? Apparently, theres some old grudge between them.

I figured it was something like that. The Bei Clan is prominent within the Golden Fist Sect.

That Bei Hong and Bei Duyi are both here means they are talented within their Sect, but not so important that the Sect couldnt bear to be without them. Sending them here was a way to foster a good relationship with the Eternal Flame Clan, and they should both be aware of it.

However, just because they are both in a new Sect does not mean their old grudges have disappeared.

I am surprised he talked about it.

Ah, no. Huang Shing shakes his head. It was Sister Mei who told me. By the way, Sister Mei keeps asking about Brother Jin. You really shouldnt keep ignoring her.

I prefer to think of it less as ignoring her and more as guaranteeing my peace of mind.

Brother Jin! Huang Shing chides him. Do you not understand the position youre in? Sister Mei is easily the prettiest girl in the Sect. There is no one who wouldnt wish to have her affections! I do not understand why youre like this.

Because that woman is too cunning to be trusted.

Well, even if he said something like that, Liu Jin doubts Huang Shing will listen. He could also mention he is married, but that would just invite more questions, and his link to Xiao Shuang is something hed prefer to keep hidden.

Even you?

Well, no. Huang Shing looks awfully uncomfortable all of a sudden. My heart already belongs to another.

Liu Jin blinks. That is news to him.

Because of that, my heart cannot be swayed by Sister Meis charms. However, if it werent for that, Id absolutely be envious of Brother Jin right now!

I was unaware you had your heart set on someone.

It is the reason I joined the Eternal Flame Clan! Huang Shing says with startling earnestness, puffing his chest only to immediately deflate. Where she is now, I can only reach by being strong. It pains me to admit it, but I need to improve myself further. That is why, right now, points are what I need.

Is Brother Shing planning to buy cultivation pills from the shop?

I was actually thinking of purchasing access to the meditation chambers.

Smart.

Most Sects have special chambers where one can cultivate in complete isolation for weeks, months, or even years. The Eternal Flame Clan is no different. In fact, because they are the Eternal Flame Clan, their meditation chambers are sure to be of top quality. However, because it is the Eternal Flame Clan, one needs points to use them.

I see, Liu Jin says, nodding. It is certainly possible to gain the necessary points for that through Apothecary work. It will certainly be faster than through sparring.

Lei Kong stares at the floor, the very picture of solemnity.

What did Xiao Fang actually say?

My lord, I-

I can make it an order if I need to.

He said He said he said my lord is being a butthead.

Liu Jin snorts, but there is a smile tugging at his lips. What else did he say?

He says my lord is being unreasonably stubborn. While the cultivation pills you send him are appreciated, he wishes my lord would just join him, so they could focus their efforts on the Xiao Sect instead of chasing after an ill-advised plan.

I know thats not the word he used, but I appreciate you trying to keep his intent.

Thank you, my lord. Your brother-in-law also wishes you good luck, and additionally, he told me to give you this.

Liu Jin blinks in surprise as Lei Kong produces a large wooden box with several temporal seals on it.

Could it be?

Lei Kong opens the box.

It is the egg of a Black-Winged Imperial Eagle.

The one he had said no to such a long time ago.

Xiao Fang had kept it for him.

~~~

It is after a few more minutes of talking that he and Lei Kong say their goodbyes. The Black-Winged Imperial Eagle egg is now safely stored within his spatial pouch. Explaining how he got his hands on one would not be particularly hard. The Eternal Flame Clan is not some sort of haven for ordinary people, quite the opposite in fact.

One more abnormality would barely merit a mention.

Lei Kong had not been keen on leaving his side once more, but it had to be done. Thanks to his Thousand Steps of the Thunder God, his mobility is far greater than what his level would suggest. Furthermore, since he is in the late stages of the True Realm, the fifth Realm of cultivation, few places are too dangerous for him to venture into. Rather than having him wait in Ember City, it is better to send him off on another errand.

Of course, convincing him it was for the best had taken a while. Even after all this time, the man remains annoyingly servile.

Brother Jin!

Liu Jin jerks his head up as Huang Shing comes running at him.

Brother Jin! Im so sorry! This is bad! Were in big trouble!

Calm down, Liu Jin says, holding up his hands to stop Huang Shing from barreling into him. Wait, why are you here? You should not leave the-

Theyre gone! Huang Shing shouts into his face. I only looked away for a second. I swear, Brother Jin! It was no more than that. But-

The herbs were stolen.

A shame-faced Huang Shing nods.

Show me, he says immediately. Huang Shing wastes no time leading Liu Jin to the storefront where he had left the crates. They are open, but there are no herbs inside.

Only rocks.

I dont know how it happened. We definitely did not come here carrying rocks, but now the boxes are full of them.

Someone switched them.

Bei Duyi, Huang Shing growls. It had to be him.

One of those aligned with him most likely. Liu Jin grabs one of the rocks and tests its weight. Its a perfectly normal rock, the likes of which you can pick off the ground. Losing the herbs could land us both in big trouble.

Two disciples go out of the Eternal Flame Clan carrying several medicinal herbs and end up with a pile of rocks. There is no way they wont be punished for it.

The loss in points alone will be immense. I dont want to imagine what type of punishment awaits us for this.

If Brother Jin knows that, then why is Brother Jin so calm?!

Because it wont get to that point.

It wont?

No. Right now, instead of worrying, Brother Shing should focus on the bright side.

What could possibly be bright about this?

You wished to see me fight more, didnt you?" The rock is tossed to the ground and stepped over. "You are most certainly going to get the chance to do so now.

~~~