Sizzle!
The flames illuminated the terrifying darkness of the abandoned temple. Li Lu used a wooden stick to stir under the fire, and a few round black things, slightly smaller than fists, rolled out from under the firewood pile.
"Master, I’m going to eat first."
Li Lu rubbed his hands together and peeled off the charred skin. An enticing aroma broke free and filled the temple. Underneath the torn skin was a white fruit, resembling sweet potatoes from a past life, called earth fruit, implying a fruit growing from the soil.
This was a local wild fruit that the two of them discovered passing through a small town. After Su Mu saw that Li Lu liked it when they tried it at a stall, he bought a hundred or so pounds and stored it in the Sumeru Ring.
The yield of earth fruit is not high, and farmers don’t deliberately cultivate it, so it’s just considered a wild fruit that can fill one’s stomach.
The farmers in this area gather firewood or rest in the fields. If they feel hungry, they often dig up a few earth fruits and toss them into the firewood.
Once the skin is charred and cracked, it’s ready to eat. The earth fruit roasted over firewood is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. When cooked, the flesh remains milky white. Although it isn’t as sweet as sweet potatoes, it has a glutinous, slightly sweet aroma and is considered a local specialty wild fruit.
However, one must not be greedy with these; if an ordinary person eats three or five at once, their stomach will swell like a drum, making it hard to sleep through the night. For this reason, the people in this area never consider earth fruit to be a staple, only using it to stave off hunger in times of famine or poor harvests. As for the wealthy families in the area, they usually can’t be bothered to even look at it.
Li Lu enjoyed the earth fruit, reminiscent of when his father roasted earth fruit when he was younger. Due to the heat, he kept juggling it between his hands, occasionally making a sizzle sound.
Beside him, Su Mu sat cross-legged, his closed eyes flickering with shadows, and bits of spiritual light insight emerged in his mind, growing increasingly intense and clear.
In his eyes, the shadows were surrounded by golden light, appearing majestic, with every inch of flesh swirling with horrifying power, subtly hinting at the harmony of dragon and elephant.
It was at this moment Su Mu slowly opened his eyes and glanced outside the temple.
"Someone’s coming."
"Someone’s coming?"
Li Lu stood up and peered outside the temple but was blocked by rain and a blanket of fog, unable to see any silhouettes or hear any footsteps. Yet, since Su Mu mentioned it, Li Lu naturally didn’t doubt it.
"Huh, there’s an abandoned temple ahead. Let’s take shelter there for the night and continue our journey tomorrow."
"Yes!"
Sure enough, shortly after, voices were heard speaking outside the temple, followed by hurried footsteps approaching. Li Lu glanced at Su Mu, who closed his eyes again, and understood immediately.
"The rains this year are exceptionally abundant; it looks like there might be floods..."
"Careful, there’s someone in the temple."
Leading was a scholar in a robe, about twenty, who hurried over, his worried voice ceased abruptly. Behind him, a burly man with a long saber noticed the two in the temple and immediately gave a low warning.
"The two of us missed the inns while traveling; there’s no village or inn here. Tonight, we wish to take shelter from the rain in the temple."
The scholar cupped his hands as he spoke.
"You may come in first."
"Sorry to trouble you."
The scholar shook off the rainwater at the temple entrance before stepping inside. The burly man with the long saber instinctively glanced at the two inside the temple, his gaze lingering on Su Mu and Li Lu before withdrawing after a few moments on Su Mu.
"Not cultivators..."
The burly man silently breathed a sigh of relief but did not let down his guard fully; being cautious while traveling is usually wise.
"Want some?"
Li Lu offered some earth fruits. The man accepted but did not eat them, whereas the scholar gratefully accepted and said, "Thank you, little girl."
As the scholar bit into the fruit, the conversation gradually started. Li Lu was lively and made friends easily.
"My master and I travel far and wide to treat and save people. From the look of you, are you a scholar, sir?"
"Miss, my name is Hai An, a student of White Poplar Academy in Sanshan County. This is a friend I met on the road, Lu Sandao."
"Is the gentleman heading to the Commandery City?"
Hai An seemed to have been hungry for days, quickly finishing the earth fruit in his hand. Li Lu timely handed over another, causing Hai An’s cheeks to redden slightly as he accepted and thanked her again.
"We’re planning to travel together to..."
At this moment, Lu Sandao promptly coughed, Hai An’s expression changed slightly but eventually did not continue, hastily changing the subject.
"May I know where you two doctors are headed?"
"My master didn’t tell me. I go wherever my master goes." Li Lu took a bite of the earth fruit, speaking slyly.
"I admire the two pharmacists who travel widely to treat and save people."
Hai An spoke in a scholarly manner. Li Lu frowned slightly, but since it was raining heavily all day and Su Mu didn’t talk much, Li Lu was now quite chatty.
"Does Master Hai know about Donglai County? My master and I have never been to Donglai County and are curious about the Commandery City there."
"I once had the fortune to visit Donglai County, which is excellent and very prosperous. It’s said that Donglai County has three specialties, the first being its wine. The Drunken Moon Assembly is next year... In the Commandery City, there are the Tao, Li, Zhou, and Lin families, with the Tao Family being the head. The Tao Family is a thousand-year-old noble family of Qingzhou, with many clan members holding official positions. Also, the autumn exam is approaching, and it’s said that Governor Yang of Donglai plans to hold a Deer Singing Banquet for the students participating in the exam..."
As if to compensate for his earlier concealment and in gratitude for the earth fruit, Hai An recounted his experiences in Donglai County and recent events in the Commandery City.
During Su Mu’s cultivation, hearing about the Tao Family made his heart stir. When he heard about the upcoming Deer Singing Banquet, it dawned on him why he had recently encountered so many people in scholar’s attire—it was because the autumn exam was near.
"These two are likely headed for Donglai County as well; it seems Donglai County isn’t far off."
Su Mu thought silently, showing no change in expression, while Li Lu was engrossed in listening.
"Indeed, I also heard there’s another major event related to the Four Families happening in Donglai County soon. I heard the Four Families plan to hold a competition after the Deer Singing Banquet, ..."
Hai An continued to narrate the interesting events of Donglai County, while Lu Sandao, listening intently, also secretly observed Su Mu and Li Lu before starting to eat the earth fruit in his hand.
......
Li Mansion, Donglai County.
The night was as dark as ink. A figure strode swiftly across the outer mansion to a secluded study’s entrance. Before he could speak, a low voice from inside pierced through the door.
"Any news of that traitor... and Yao’Er?"
-------
During Su Mu’s cultivation, hearing about the Tao Family made his heart stir. When he heard about the upcoming Deer Singing Banquet, it dawned on him why he had recently encountered so many people in scholar’s attire—it was because the autumn exam was near.
"These two are likely headed for Donglai County as well; it seems Donglai County isn’t far off."
Su Mu thought silently, showing no change in expression, while Li Lu was engrossed in listening.
"Indeed, I also heard there’s another major event related to the Four Families happening in Donglai County soon. I heard the Four Families plan to hold a competition after the Deer Singing Banquet, ..."