Text-based martial arts: A nighttime rendezvous with the gang leader's wife in a dilapidated te

As the sun began to set, you finally returned with hurried steps to the small medicine shop that belonged to you and Cao Qing.

Cao Qing sat behind the counter and glanced at you sideways.

"Young man, does it really take this long to go back and forth to offer incense?"

[You're not afraid at all? You lifted the oil paper package in your hand and the fish wrapped in the clothes, and said with a smile (choose your own opening line):]

"Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. My master is my only family. I specially went to buy two jars of wine, some braised meat and roast chicken, and even went fishing for two fish so that my master can taste my cooking tonight."

Upon hearing this, Cao Qing's displeasure vanished, replaced by a smile.

[System Notification: Cao Qing's favorability towards you +4, current favorability: 77 (Close Friends)]

"You little brat, how many taels of silver do you have left? Cultivating that Shennong withered tree stump will cost you a lot of money later. Don't come looking for silver from me when you're broke!"

You sensed the insincerity in his words, but you didn't point it out.

No matter how ruthless Cao Qing was before, his feelings for you are truly genuine.

You chuckled, took the large carp you'd just casually pulled from the water, and headed to the kitchen.

However, I must say, your cooking skills are truly appalling.

[A short while later, an angry roar rang out: "You little brat, are you trying to set the kitchen on fire?"]

Cao Qing stormed over, looking at your face, which was covered in soot, and laughed with a mixture of anger and amusement: "Damn it, alchemy and cooking are both about the same principle of heat and ingredients."

"You're such a prodigy at alchemy, how come you're so useless at cooking? Get out of my way, watch me!"

You've already witnessed Cao Qing's cooking skills and fish soup firsthand. Even after being reprimanded, you weren't angry; instead, you humbly stepped aside.

[With a swift and efficient motion, Cao Qing lit the fire and quickly prepared a large pot of fish soup and steaming white rice, its aroma making your mouth water.]

[System notification: You have learned the life skill: Cooking, current level: Level 1, 1% (Beginner).]

As darkness fell and a perfectly round moon rose above the horizon, a table laden with dishes was already set out on the small table in the courtyard.

Besides the fish soup, Cao Qing also prepared two stir-fried vegetable dishes, along with the roast chicken and braised meat you bought, and those two bottles of Zhuyeqing liquor that you've never tried but have bought several times.

This is the most sumptuous meal you've ever had since you came into this world.

Under the moonlight, you were like a starving ghost reincarnated, sweeping away all traces of the world in a whirlwind.

Cao Qing didn't seem to mind, occasionally tasting the still-warm mooncakes and sipping a cup of Zhuyeqing tea from time to time.

"You brat, I'm not joking with you. Money won't be spent like this in the days to come. Be frugal and buy more medicinal herbs! The path of martial arts will have many expenses in the future—medicinal herbs, pills, weapons, everything costs money..."

[Cao Qing, perhaps having drunk a bit too much, surprisingly softened his usual cold demeanor under the moonlight and offered you a gentle reminder.]

However, over the past two weeks, you've come to know Cao Qing quite well. You know that this little bit of alcohol won't affect Cao Qing's judgment at all.

[You tentatively started speaking:]

【"Master, what's wrong?"】 (Option 1, ask directly.)

Cao Qing glanced at you, then said, "I'll be leaving soon."

"Go? Where to? It's already dark..." Your eyes widened.

This is definitely not acting; your shock is impossible to hide.

Cao Qing seemed quite satisfied with your performance, and waved his hand with a smile:

"It's not like we're never going back! As for night and day? They're meaningless to us. Besides, it's better to do this sooner rather than later."

Three months from now, it will be the Grand Canal Gang's "Hundred Boats Race"! Many figures from the martial arts world will gather in Lin'an.

This time, I unexpectedly obtained the Purple Blood Fruit from the Shen family. I also want to try the Purple Dragon Blood Exchange Pill, a treasure that is now gathered in Lin'an by many martial arts practitioners.

I've heard that Jin Wanliang, the "Treasure Merchant" of the Salt Gang, has arrived in Lin'an. Under the guise of a salt merchant, he's setting up a display of treasures for the martial arts world to buy and sell before the grand competition of a hundred boats.

Jin Wanliang may possess the crucial ingredient for the "Purple Dragon Blood Exchange Pill," besides the Purple Blood Fruit—the "Dragon Scale Grass"—as well as other necessary materials. I plan to travel to Lin'an to see if I can gather all the necessary ingredients for the "Purple Dragon Blood Exchange Pill."

You paused slightly, then subconsciously asked, "Then, Master, how long will it take?"

Cao Qing shook his head: "It will take at least ten days, and at most twenty days. Although Jinling City has a lot of medicinal herbs, the 'Purple Dragon Blood Exchange Pill' requires mostly rare and precious herbs, and it will be very difficult to gather them all at once."

[What came to mind? Speak up quickly:]

【"Master, can I go to Lin'an with you? I also want to go and see it..."】 (Option 2)

Cao Qing rejected you without hesitation: "You'd better stay in Jinling obediently. Lin'an is a chaotic place right now. Although it's not yet time for those martial arts masters and giants to arrive, it's still extremely dangerous."

You shrank back, sensing the resolve in Cao Qing's words, and did not plead again.

[Besides, joining in this fun at this time is really not in your style. Focusing on developing your character is the best approach!]

You didn't try to persuade him further. This Mid-Autumn Festival night, with its full moon, was the day you temporarily parted ways with this master you had only known for two days.

After a hearty meal and drinks, the moon reached its zenith.

In the darkness, Cao Qing had already taken out a suitcase that she had prepared sometime earlier.

"In short, you should focus on your cultivation in Jinling. I will also give a heads-up to the Shen family. You can try refining basic pills like the Rejuvenation Pill. In any case, consider it as consolidation."

Therefore, during this time, you must not neglect your medical skills and alchemy. When I return, I will check your level. If you slack off because of this, I will not let you off the hook.

Seeing that you nodded firmly, Cao Qing then took out a heavy brocade pouch from his robes and handed it to you.

"Alright, here's ten taels of gold. At the money exchange, it'll be worth about two hundred taels of silver. That should be enough for your medicine for the time being. So, like I said, be careful with your money..."

Before you could speak, Cao Qing's figure seemed to merge completely with the night, disappearing into the city of Jinling.

Watching Cao Qing's departing figure, you shook your head helplessly, then glanced at the bright yellow goldfish in the brocade pouch, clicked your tongue, and smiled.

"Master, oh Master, how much you look down on your disciple! When have we, the true protagonists of the martial world, ever been restricted by these gold and silver objects?"

At this point, you suppressed your thoughts of parting with Cao Qing, and once the effects of the alcohol had completely worn off, you put on the night clothes you had prepared beforehand.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, moon-viewing at the Shen family mansion must continue until midnight. As the Shen family's steward, Shen Fu naturally had to serve him throughout the entire process.

With the bright moon hanging in the sky, tonight is the perfect night for you to make this ill-gotten gain...