Mortal Bones

Chapter 28: Invitation to a Meal, Xu Taiping’s First Encounter with Old Nine

Xu Taiping said nothing upon hearing this, merely flashing a wide grin.

The tiger demon’s unguarded answer perfectly corroborated the Chang Ghost’s intel, considerably putting his mind at ease.

“You wretched little thing! Three months from now, I will skin you alive, rip out your tendons, and twist your soul into a lamp wick so you may suffer the torment of soul-fire day and night!”

The Tiger King had never been humiliated in such a manner. His furious roar, despite originating from a mere soul projection, violently shook the foundations of the Green Bamboo Residence.

Standing directly in the path of the blast, Xu Taiping felt his qi and blood churn violently in his chest.

If not for the protective layer of his Residual Glow True Qi, he would have undoubtedly blacked out.

However, following that deafening bellow, the Tiger King’s phantom form collapsed into embers, having seemingly exhausted all the energy tethered to the Chang Ghost’s corpse.

This is its might after a severe injury. If it were at its peak, just how terrifying would this Tiger King be?

The breath vanished from Xu Taiping’s lungs. He now possessed a profoundly terrifying understanding of the beast’s true strength, validating the warnings of both Qingmei and the Chang Ghost.

Yet, beneath the shock, not a single trace of cowardly hesitation took root; instead, a raging inferno of fighting spirit ignited within him.

This grit stemmed from a childhood spent surviving alone. When faced with adversity, he could only lower his head and charge forward, lacking the luxury of retreating behind the protective shield of parents like other children.

Clatter…

Just as the flames died down, the distinct chime of falling coins echoed from the bottom of the pit.

Xu Taiping cautiously peered over the edge. Bathed in the pale moonlight, he spotted a pile of Merit Coins and two unrecognizable objects resting in the center of the ash.

Could these be the treasures the Chang Ghost hid using a secret art?

Xu Taiping pondered inwardly.

He recalled a passage from the Novice scroll: ghosts, demons, and spirits all possessed unique methods for storing their hoards. Tiger demons preferred their bellies, while elephant demons favored their trunks.

To guard against any lingering tricks, I’ll leave them to bake for a few nights. I can inspect them after I repair the Green Bamboo Residence’s grand Formation.

Regardless of whether they were priceless treasures or cursed trinkets, for the sake of his own life, Xu Taiping refused to descend into that pit tonight.

…

On Yanglu Mountain, behind the Green Bamboo Residence.

“Brave and resourceful. It seems this old man’s eyes haven’t failed him.”

A white-haired elder, lounging casually on a thick tree branch, nodded with a warm smile, clearly delighted by Xu Taiping’s midnight performance.

“However, the Dao is long and arduous. A moment of bravery and a spark of wit are but minor paths; ultimately, one must rely on innate talent. If you can break through to the Door Opening Realm within three years and make a name for yourself in the Seven Peaks Sword Inquiry, this old man might just make an exception and take you in as a disciple.”

The elder gently stroked his beard before tilting his head back, draining the liquor from his gourd in one smooth gulp.

“Those slothful, greedy gluttons of the West Wind Pavilion… Not only do they extort outer sect disciples, but they don’t even bother to investigate when a cultivation site’s water vein is severed! They truly operate with utter disregard for the heavens!”

At this thought, the warmth vanished from the old man’s face, his small eyes flashing with a dangerously sharp glint.

“To think such a trivial matter requires a Patriarch like myself to personally intervene. Ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous!”

With those parting words, the elder swayed to his feet. Securing his wine gourd at his waist, he casually stepped out into the empty air. With a crisp swish, an ancient bronze sword materialized beneath his feet, bearing him away with a thunderous sonic boom.

…

Rumble…

“Finally done.”

The Purple Bamboo Forest, Yanglu Mountain.

It took Xu Taiping nearly five days of backbreaking labor to finally clear the blocked spring. He successfully reactivated the surrounding Formation mechanisms, completely concealing the water vein once more.

My luck is good today. Not only is the spring repaired, but I even bagged a yellow antelope.

Glancing at the beast beside him, entirely encased in ice from his Residual Glow True Qi, Xu Taiping couldn’t suppress a small, satisfied smirk.

With the Chang Ghost eradicated and his Residual Glow Art advancing to the Ice Condensation Phase, everything was proceeding perfectly.

…

“Taiping, you’re finally back.”

“Uncle Bai?”

Just as Xu Taiping dragged the frozen antelope back to the Green Bamboo Residence, his long-absent friend, the spirit beast Bai Hong, suddenly appeared at the courtyard gate. Standing directly beside the towering white-headed eagle was an old man with grizzled hair, a simple wine gourd swaying at his hip.

“Uncle Bai, when did you get back?”

Xu Taiping dropped the heavy antelope corpse.

Although he directed the question at Bai Hong, his sharp gaze was firmly locked on the strange old man.

“Just now. This is a… fri… friend I met on the road. Everyone calls him Old Nine. We happened to be passing by the Green Bamboo Residence and thought we might impose on you for a hot meal.”

Bai Hong, who typically spoke with the booming authority of a seasoned predator, was uncharacteristically stammering. Xu Taiping raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“Little friend Taiping! Bai Hong and I have trekked for hundreds of miles. My stomach is eating itself! Would you be so kind as to fire up the stove and whip us up something to eat?”

Old Nine rubbed his hands together, his face crinkling into a wide smile.

“Uncle Bai is my friend. Let alone one meal, he’s welcome to eat here every day. But as for you, old timer… you have to pay.”

Extremely generous to friends, utterly stingy with strangers. In this regard, Xu Taiping was a carbon copy of his grandfather.

“Taiping, you…”

“Hahaha! Little friend Taiping is absolutely correct! One must always pay for their meals!”

Bai Hong visibly stiffened in sheer panic, desperately wanting to interject, but the old man’s booming laughter mercilessly cut him off.

Plop!

Old Nine casually tossed a heavy money pouch right at Xu Taiping’s feet.

“Little friend, there are three hundred Merit Coins in there. Is that enough for a humble supper?”

He asked, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

Xu Taiping didn’t answer immediately. He crouched down, meticulously counted out exactly seven Merit Coins, and tossed the heavy pouch back.

“I don’t have any delicacies lying around. For a simple meal, seven Merit Coins is the exact price.”

Having secured his payment, the coldness in Xu Taiping’s eyes melted, replaced by a much warmer smile.

Old Nine let out another booming laugh, flashing Xu Taiping an approving thumbs-up.

“Honest business.”

Standing off to the side, Bai Hong discreetly wiped cold sweat from his feathered brow, exhaling a massive breath of relief.

Little Taiping, oh Little Taiping… do you have any idea what kind of monster is standing in your courtyard? Thank the heavens the Venerable One isn’t angry.

However, since Old Nine had explicitly sworn him to secrecy beforehand, Bai Hong could only swallow his terror, not daring to utter a single word of warning.

…

“Old timer, the fire is too big. Smaller! Turn it down!”

“Uncle Bai, peel a few cloves of garlic for me, and chop up some green onions.”

Chaos and warmth filled the tiny kitchen of the Green Bamboo Residence. Old Nine stoked the roaring hearth, the eagle-headed Bai Hong meticulously diced vegetables, and Xu Taiping expertly commanded the wok. It was a picture of bustling harmony.

“Little brother Taiping, look at me doing all the heavy lifting with this fire. Shouldn’t I get a discount on the meal?”

Old Nine brushed a stray white hair from his eyes, grinning like a sly fox as he tried to bargain.

“You stingy old man, you’re still trying to haggle? If you didn’t help with the fire, I would have charged you eight Merit Coins!”

Xu Taiping wiped the sweat from his forehead and shot Old Nine a vicious glare.

“Fair point, very fair point.”

Old Nine chuckled in pure delight.

Over at the chopping block, Bai Hong’s heart performed another terrified somersault, his knife slipping and nearly amputating his own claw.