Chapter 2: Easily Solved
His gaze lingered on the content of the divination.
Li Chang'an's eyes lit up, and his heart beat a little faster.
“The Young Miss Zheng’s jade pendant!”
If he found this jade pendant, he could use it as an excuse to request an audience with Young Miss Zheng.
At that time, there might still be a turning point for the mining matter!
Li Chang'an immediately got up.
Without any hesitation, he immediately left the house.
“I hope this Golden Finger doesn't make a mistake.”
Night had fallen, and the bright moon hung high.
Not far outside the door was a large river, sparkling in the moonlight.
Qingshui River!
Qinghe Town got its name precisely because it was built along the river.
Looking out, the riverbanks were shaded by green willows, and countless willow branches swayed in the moonlight.
“The divination indicated it was under a willow tree, but it didn't say which one, so I can only search slowly.”
Li Chang'an patiently began his search, using the moonlight.
The river flowed gently, and the water grass was lush.
He focused intently, his gaze sweeping over the area under each willow tree.
After about an hour, Li Chang'an's eyes felt a bit dry.
Finally.
Under an old willow tree, he saw a faint glow.
“Found it!”
Li Chang'an's gaze sharpened, and he stopped in his tracks.
He looked left and right a few times, then cautiously squatted down, pushing aside the tangled water grass.
What appeared before him was an exquisite jade pendant, warm and translucent with delicate patterns, and the character “Zheng” carved on its front.
Li Chang'an immediately reached out and grabbed it.
He quickly tucked it into his embrace.
“Hoo…”
After doing all this, his breathing quickened a little.
After all, it was Young Miss Zheng’s jade pendant, and if others saw it, it would likely cause unnecessary trouble.
Li Chang'an dared not delay, got up, and walked home.
After returning home, he closed the door.
Only then did he let out a long breath.
“Thankfully, nothing went wrong!”
Li Chang'an took out the jade pendant and examined it carefully, an uncontrollable excitement rising in his heart.
The Golden Finger was spot on!
With the help of the divination, his future path to immortality would be smoother, and he might even have a chance at the legendary Great Dao of Longevity!
After a long while, Li Chang'an finally calmed his emotions.
“Now is not the time; I'll go see the Young Miss tomorrow morning.”
He suppressed the many complex thoughts.
Li Chang'an closed his eyes and meditated, not sleeping all night.
Time flowed slowly.
Unconsciously, the night receded, and the morning roosters crowed.
Li Chang'an opened his eyes, got up, and left his house, heading towards the central area of the town.
Young Miss Zheng lived in that area and would occasionally appear to handle disputes within the town.
Not long after.
Li Chang'an stopped outside a small courtyard.
“Knock, knock, knock…”
He knocked on the courtyard gate, the sound muffled.
Soon.
A maid opened the courtyard gate, looking at Li Chang'an warily.
“What do you want?”
“This young lady, I found this jade pendant with the character ‘Zheng’ carved on it. It should belong to the Zheng family. Please inform them.”
Li Chang'an explained his purpose and took out the jade pendant.
A hint of surprise flashed in the maid's eyes, and she immediately invited Li Chang'an into the courtyard.
“Please wait a moment; I will go inform the Young Miss.”
With that, she walked towards the deeper part of the small courtyard.
Li Chang'an sat in the courtyard, waiting quietly.
Not long after.
A melodious and pleasant voice sounded.
“A few days ago, I went to slay a troublesome water demon and accidentally lost my jade pendant. Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for returning it.”
It was like an oriole emerging from a valley, or a trickling stream, making one feel refreshed and at ease.
Li Chang'an subconsciously looked over.
It was a young girl dressed in a long, emerald-green dress.
She had a beautiful head, graceful eyebrows, clear eyes like water, and was graceful and gentle.
It was none other than Young Miss Zheng.
Zheng Qingqing!
Li Chang'an immediately got up, cupped his hands, and said:
“Greetings, Young Miss.”
“Fellow Daoist, there’s no need to be so formal.”
Zheng Qingqing smiled, gentle and lovely.
She spoke softly, asking about the jade pendant.
“May I ask where Fellow Daoist found it?”
“On the south side of the town, by the Qingshui River…”
Li Chang'an responded in detail, recounting the entire incident truthfully.
He stated.
He had signed a Spirit Contract with the Zheng family and was assigned to mining this year, which caused him anxiety and sleepless nights.
So he went to the riverside to clear his mind and accidentally found this jade pendant.
“Mining?”
Zheng Qingqing was a smart person and understood the implied meaning in Li Chang'an's words.
She pursed her lips and smiled, saying, “This matter is simple; I just need to say a word to Zheng Jinbao, and Fellow Daoist Li need not worry anymore.”
“Thank you, Young Miss!”
Li Chang'an was overjoyed.
He hadn't expected it to be resolved so easily!
This Young Miss Zheng was not only exceptionally intelligent but also very approachable.
Originally, Li Chang'an had prepared a whole set of excuses, but he didn't need any of them.
Zheng Qingqing seemed to feel that this was not enough.
“How about this: for the next five years, Fellow Daoist Li doesn't need to do anything else. Just Cultivate in peace.”
She gently stroked the jade pendant, her tone very soft.
“After five years, whether you stay or leave is entirely up to your personal decision.”
Hearing this, Li Chang'an was even more delighted.
He immediately expressed his gratitude.
A moment later.
Li Chang'an left the small courtyard, the anxiety in his heart having dissipated by more than half.
Next, it remained to be seen whether this Young Miss would fulfill her promise.
…
In the courtyard.
The maid poured a cup of tea for Zheng Qingqing and whispered:
“Young Miss, I checked, and this Li Chang'an has a Low Grade Spiritual Root. His past performance has been unremarkable, with no particular strengths.”
In that brief time just now.
She had already investigated Li Chang'an's past thoroughly, confirming that he was just an ordinary low-level Cultivator.
Zheng Qingqing nodded slightly.
“Good, I understand.”
“Young Miss, should we pay more attention to him?”
“No need. It seems he's just lucky; there won't be much interaction in the future.”
Zheng Qingqing instructed the maid to go to Zheng Jinbao's residence to fulfill the earlier promise.
This matter was considered concluded.
…
At the edge of the town, inside the house.
Li Chang'an had just finished breakfast.
Suddenly.
A knock sounded at the door.
It was still that familiar voice.
“Chang'an, are you home?”
Li Chang'an opened the door.
Standing outside the door was none other than the town Manager, Zheng Jinbao.
At this moment, he had shed his previous casual attitude, his face beaming with smiles.
“Chang'an, what I did before was too crude; please don't take it to heart.”
Saying this, he slipped a small cloth bag into Li Chang'an's hand.
Inside the bag were no less than forty Spirit Stones!
It had directly doubled!
Li Chang'an feigned surprise.
“Manager Zheng, why is this?”
“You little rascal, stop pretending. You know the Young Miss, why didn't you say so earlier?”
Zheng Jinbao patted Li Chang'an's shoulder, as if he were a familiar elder.
He smiled and said, “Don't worry, Cultivate in peace from now on; nothing else will be assigned to you.”
“Thank you, Manager.”
Li Chang'an breathed a sigh of relief, completely putting his mind at ease.
The Young Miss kept her word, delivering on her promise.
For the next few years.
He could enjoy a period of peaceful Cultivation.
“Manager Zheng, please take these Spirit Stones back.”
Li Chang'an only took his twenty, handing the other twenty to Zheng Jinbao.
He knew very well that this fellow was insatiably greedy.
He couldn't afford to offend him over twenty Spirit Stones.
But Zheng Jinbao's attitude was firm.
“You take them! Cultivation cannot be done without Spirit Stones!”
He directly pushed Li Chang'an's hand back.
Li Chang'an was helpless.
Zheng Jinbao was determined to make him accept these Spirit Stones.
