Datang, Shangjing City, teleportation point.
A flash of light surged, and Chong Chong stepped out from the radiance. Taking a deep breath, she looked at the magnificent gates of Shangjing City before her and walked inside.
At the city gate entrance stood two squads of spearmen guards led by a Centurion, responsible for defending the gate and performing patrol duties.
Upon Chong Chong’s arrival, all the guards fixed their eyes on her. Her pink wrap-chest dress acted like a beacon in the darkness, attracting the gaze of everyone around her.
However, Chong Chong paid them no mind as she hurried into the city. Her first stop was the Wangyue Inn.
As a resting point for Players, the Wangyue Inn was naturally crowded.
Chong Chong rejected several party invitations and quickly approached the front desk. She asked directly, “Manager, how much for a room?”
The innkeeper asked with a polite smile, “Would the Lady Fairy like a top-tier room or a standard one?”
“Um… top-tier, I suppose,” Chong Chong pondered for a moment before choosing the best option.
After all, she was handling business with Sister Xiaoyan, so they had to use the finest accommodations.
“One tael per day, meals included.”
‘One tael?’
‘In ancient times, that should refer to silver. One tael of silver is 50% more expensive than those damn items.’
‘Sigh, it looks like I have to go earn some pocket change again.’
‘Earning money in the real world and earning money in the game… I, Zhou Xiaopet, am nothing more than a money-making tool.’
Inside Shangjing City, there were quite a few Players earning silver.
After the game had been open for over a month, the Players had realized that mission rewards did not include game currency. If one wanted to purchase items in the game, they had to seek out NPCs to accept commissions. Completing these commissions would grant a small amount of silver.
However, there was one drawback.
The Players had no idea who had a commission available. In previous games, NPCs with commissions would have an indicator over their heads, but in Xianjie, there was absolutely nothing.
Consequently, they had to ask around one by one.
Nevertheless, even without indicators, most commission-giving NPCs were easy to identify. For instance, those on the streets looking anxious and peering around aimlessly clearly had urgent matters and commissions.
Others worked as guards in taverns to prevent drunkards from causing trouble. One could also gather medicinal herbs to sell to clinics. There were many ways to earn silver.
Chong Chong, however, would do none of those things. She had a better method.
That was her own healing. Tianxiang’s Healing Immortal Arts were a household name in Datang.
Mortals could not escape birth, aging, sickness, and death. When accidents happened, no one could stop them. Many wealthy merchants and high-ranking officials in Shangjing City yearned to have some connection with Tianxiang disciples. This way, as long as they didn’t die on the spot, their lives could basically be guaranteed.
Of course, given the principles of the Tianxiang disciples, they couldn’t take money from the common people, but it was perfectly fine to charge those high-ranking officials and nobles.
“Your father is sick?”
Chong Chong sized up the young man in brocade robes who had blocked her path. Judging by his clothing, he was definitely a wealthy man.
But there was a problem.
A Tianxiang’s healing could only restore HP; it had nothing to do with curing diseases, right?
“Lady Fairy, my father is the Vice Minister of Revenue, Qiu Qianzhong. A few days ago, for some unknown reason, he suddenly became bedridden. We have sought out many doctors, and even the Imperial Physicians from the palace have no solution.”
“Today, I happened to encounter you in Shangjing City. I beg you to take action and save my father.”
The young man in brocade robes bowed deeply with his hands clasped, his posture and tone extremely humble.
‘The Vice Minister of Revenue?’
Chong Chong was very tempted. Completing this job would surely earn her a large sum of silver, but she couldn’t make up her mind. She had never heard of Tianxiang’s healing being able to cure illnesses. Besides, shouldn’t one find a doctor for a sickness?
‘Since when could healers cure diseases? This is ridiculous.’
“Young Master Qiu?”
“I am here,” Qiu Yiran replied, lowering his head even further.
“I’m afraid I can’t help you with this.”
“Why is that, Lady Fairy?” Qiu Yiran looked up at her abruptly, his eyes filled with confusion.
“If your father were merely injured, I could assist. For an illness, you should go to a clinic instead of looking for me.”
“But we have already tried that, and it was useless! I hope the Lady Fairy will act to save my father’s life. The Qiu family will forever remember your kindness.”
“I have no way to help. Stop pestering me,” Chong Chong warned him before quickly turning to run away.
“Lady Fairy! Lady Fairy!”
That graceful figure soon disappeared into the distance, vanishing from sight. No matter how much Qiu Yiran shouted, it was useless.
“Sigh, what should I do?” Qiu Yiran was in despair.
At that moment, he recalled the instructions his mother had left him and looked toward the horizon. It seemed he had no choice but to make a trip to Tianxin Mountain.
However, the journey from Shangjing City to Tianxin Mountain was quite long. With Demonic Creatures currently rampant, it would be better to hire two Immortal Masters to escort him.
Just as Qiu Yiran had this thought, he saw two Tang Clan disciples passing by. He hurriedly called out to them, “Immortal Masters, please wait.”
“Hmm?” One of the Tang Clan players turned around, his fierce gaze giving Qiu Yiran a fright.
What terrifying eyes.
“Is something the matter?”
Suppressing the panic in his heart, Qiu Yiran clasped his hands and said, “Immortal Masters, I wonder if you could escort me to Tianxin Mountain?”
Hearing this, the eyes of the two Tang Clan disciples immediately lit up.
‘Oh? Not bad luck. We actually ran into a quest.’
But their target…
They glanced in the direction Chong Chong had fled. If they didn’t pursue her now, they might lose her. No, they could come back for this quest after they dealt with their target.
“Wait here for a moment. We will be right back.” After saying that, the two Tang Clan players gave chase.
Qiu Yiran silently watched the direction they left in.
‘Wait, isn’t that the way the Lady Fairy went?’
Thinking about the timing of these two Tang Clan Immortal Masters’ appearance and the scene before him, a suspicion suddenly popped into his mind: ‘Could they be stalking her?’
But then he remembered that the Tianxiang Sect and the Tang Clan were both part of the Xianjie Alliance—they were family, so such a thing should be impossible.
Qiu Yiran shook the absurd thought from his head and turned to leave, continuing his search for other Sect Disciples to escort him to Tianxin Mountain.
But after walking only a few steps, he stopped. Then, he turned around and followed them.
—
On the other side, after shaking off Qiu Yiran, Chong Chong began to wander aimlessly, taking in the sights of the Datang capital, Shangjing City.
After an unknown amount of time, she looked up at the sky. She only had half a tael of silver on her and still needed another half to afford the room.
‘Forget it, I’ll just find any commission.’
If she delayed any longer, the sun would soon set.
Chong Chong walked onto the busy main street and immediately activated Eagle Eye Mode, watching and listening in all directions. She searched for any NPC that might have a commission.
“Ah — my daughter!” Suddenly, the sound of a woman crying drifted from a distance.
It instantly drew her gaze. She saw a crowd gathered a short distance ahead, appearing to be pointing and whispering about something.
Chong Chong was overjoyed. She tilted her head and sniffed the air. ‘Yes, this is the scent of a commission.’
Thinking this, she hurried over.
‘Small commission, your Boss Chong Chong is here!!!’