Chapter 123: This Young Master Meets Granny Jiang...again.

Chapter 123: This Young Master Meets Granny Jiang...again.

A plain round face stared back at Chen Haoran in a mirror of polished copper. He brushed his hand through short, dark brown hair and squinted brown eyes. It was a face he never thought hed see again. Or rather, it could have been. No matter how well he explained what he wanted to Bao Si, it was impossible for her to completely recreate the details as he remembered. No matter how well he remembered, how could he possibly get the details right himself? He could certainly recognize his own face on sight, but could he actually imagine his face? How did one reference something when the reference itself was no longer there? As he roamed over imperfections and features that were just not right, he could only wonder if they were Bao Sis misinterpretations or his own false recollection.

Still, even if it wasnt his face, there was still enough familiarity in it that he could pretend it was. He thumbed the base of his neck where the Human-Skin Mask blended so perfectly into his skin as to be seamless. Then he pulled, and the false skin peeled away and revealed Chen Haorans face.

Is there something wrong with the mask? Bao Si asked.

No, Chen Haoran said. Its perfect. Im just admiring how useful it is. I didnt think a Mortal-Rank artifact would be this advanced.

Bao Si frowned and searched his face, but any possible hints she could glean from him would be made useless from lacking so much context. Context that she would never have. Only one person in this world knew about his origins, and that was enough.

Do you think you could teach me how to make this ? Chen Haoran asked.

Bao Si nodded and dropped her gaze. Yes. Ill make you a copy, but its a complicated recipe.

Thats fine

The door crashed open with a bang, and a kitted-out Xie Jin waltzed into the with a large bag strapped to his back. Whos ready to go? Come on, people, were burning daylight!

The happier Xie Jin looked, the less Bao Si did. I am the one who decides when we leave. You are far too happy to leave.

Xie Jin held up his hands. It looked more like a pose, though, than him trying to placate her. How can I be happy to leave? Im just happy to spend some time with Brother Chen without you sending me away with some excuses.

Those excuses were your job, just as this one is. Its not a day trip.

Its a multiple-day trip, Xie Jin corrected.

Bao Sis face quickly turned murderous, and Chen Haoran carefully put himself between them and looked for his errant sloth. Xie Jin, wheres Phelps? I thought you had him?

Xie Jin raised his arms even higher. Behold. Phelpss popped out from behind his bag. A multicolored silk hat was perched on his head and secured by two strings tied under his chin. What do you think? I found some silk scraps and made him a travel hat.

Chen Haoran looked at Phelps, who squealed at him. It sounded like a happy squeal. He looked back at Bao Si and shrugged. Its a nice hat.

Whatever string a control Bao Si was holding onto snapped, and she buried her face into her hands. Just get ready, and lets go.

Chen Haoran had entered the Basin on a bone, and he was leaving it on an elevator. He stared at the contraption, partially dug into the rock walls of the Basin to hide it from view. A team of Qi Realm cultivators pushed the winches that pulled the ropes that dragged the wooden platform they were standing on straight to the top of the cliffs to a hollow mound of dirt, stones, and selectively placed trees. It was actually pretty close to the femur bone that Jiang Lei, Wang Xiao, and he used to descend into the Basin.

Xie Jin saw his surprise and elbowed him. You didnt seriously think we used the bones to get in and out, did you?

Can you blame me?

Yes, Bao Si said, walking past him. Moving supplies would be so much more tedious if we did that. Her Centipede Gu crawled out her sleeve and flew ahead of her. Keep up. The sooner we get to Stonebridge, the sooner we can be on our way to Reservoir Town.

With that said, she dashed into the jungle. Xie Jin hopped after her with his Beetle Gu, mouthed something inaudible after he caught up and shot ahead. Whatever he said mustve worked because Bao Sis qi spiked, and she raced after him. It didnt look as if she were content with merely passing him once she caught up, however.

Chen Haoran sighed. Phelps leaned over his shoulder and burbled. You better stay cute, buddy, he said, scratching Phelpss chin. Because if something happens, Im throwing you in to defuse it.

Phelps squealed, and Chen Haoran shot off after his friends.

Chen Haoran quickly discovered that without meaning to he had developed some contempt for the Qi Realm. It was unintentional, born out of the instinctive thought of superiority everyone had and kept to themselves when they recognized they were better than someone else. It wasnt a mean thing, but he unconsciously looked down on Xie Jins and Bao Sis little race. Why not? He could easily catch up whenever he wanted to, after all. Thankfully, in short order, he was forced to recognize that contempt, backtrack it to its source, then take it around back to be shot.

The jungles of Zumulu were unforgiving to those who did not know how to navigate them. This was true when Chen Haoran was in the Qi Realm, and it remained true after he advanced to the Liquid Meridian Realm. Despite the time he had spent in the country, he had not gotten any better at moving through the brush. So while it was true that he could easily catch up to and surpass Xie Jin and Bao Si, he would look far less elegant than them doing it and end up far more covered in plant matter. So it was with a realization of his limitations that he followed behind Xie Ji Chen Haoran looked at Xie Jins back, replete with large backpack, then looked at Bao Sis back. He shifted over and followed her instead.

So it was with a realization of his limitations that he followed behind Bao Si and put aside his inflating ego. Their skill in crossing the jungle was simply superior to his own. It was to the extent that they were actually traveling faster than when he traveled through the Deep Jungle with Jiang Lei. Two Liquid Meridian Realms couldnt make up for the sheer utility two Qi Realm Shamans provided. It was a humbling thought, especially because it shouldnt have been. Then again, it wasnt like the desire for power was that much different between worldsjust the form of it. A down-and-out modern person and a down-and-out cultivator were pretty similar once you got down to it. The only thing that separated them was qi well, a bunch of other stuff too, but qi was the most important.

Patience, you brute! An irate-looking Granny Jiang opened the door and glared. Rushing an old woman like me. Have you know shame?

Hello, maam, Chen Haoran said. I see youre still in good health.

Granny Jiang paused and squinted blind eyes. So its you. I was wondering who could be so rude. Now it makes sense.

Come on. I was pretty polite last time.

Granny Jiang snorted. And Granny Three Worm is forever young. Well, come in then. I was just about to finish dinner. She sniffed the air and coughed. Except for the animal. I wont have it in my home.

Chen Haoran paused. He couldnt really ask her questions if Phelps was actually bothering her. He cast Xie Jin an apologetic glance. Could you watch Phelps, please? We wont be staying long.

Xie Jin sighed. Well. Better than repeating what happened the last time we left him alone. Well be by the door.

Chen Haoran nodded in appreciation and entered the house with Bao Si. It looked the same as when he was last here, but it looked. lonelier. The sat at the table, empty save for a plate and utensils set for one.

Its good to see youre still doing well, maam, Chen Haoran said. I was worried. The city got a little crazy after we left.

Granny Jiang slapped his shoulder as she set cups of hot water in front of them. Lying brat. Dont even mention that bastard Crystal Transformation Realm to me. Not only did he wake me up from my nap, he ruined a perfectly good pot of congee. I was up all night thanks to the racket he caused.

Bao Si caught his eyes. Normal? she silently mouthed.

Chen Haoran smiled and nodded.

Introduce your friend, you mannerless brat. Granny Jiang said.

Hello, Elder, Bao Si said. We came today to ask if you knew anything about some guests of yours.

You mean the Peach River boys, Granny Jiang said. Ill have to disappoint you. I dont know anything involving your cultivator business.

Bao Sis eyes narrowed. Saying you dont know anything requires knowing what we want.

Granny Jiang hummed. Girl, you have a beautiful voice. Will you do a blind old woman a favor and let her know your face?

Bao Si stared hard at Granny Jiang, and through his sense, he could feel her qi tense in wait like a predator prepared to lunge. You may.

Granny Jiang reached over and cupped Bao Sis face in her hands. With feather light touches she traced her fingers over Bao Sis eyes, nose, and lips before falling lower to her neck. Chen Haoran had to respect the way Bao Si didnt flinch or tense at all. Granny Jiang paused when her hand touched the head of Bao Sis centipede tattoo.

A Black Bone Shaman. She exhaled heavily. So even you nurtured hopes can bear to leave your people.

Shock bloomed on Bao Sis face, pure shock, even more than when Chen Haoran had shown her the Seven-Colored Steps of the Rainbow Stairs. That was interesting.

Granny Jiang sighed. In fractious Zumulu, the Peach Bloods have always been a source of unity and stability. What the Empire has done to them is tragic. That scar runs deep in those boys. She unerringly turned to Chen Haoran. Boy Jiang and his horrible junior stayed with me for a day before leaving again. I dont know what occurred between you, but I advise you to mend bridges with Boy Jiang. He is a good young man.

You trying to say Im not? Chen Haoran asked.

Who cares about you? Granny Jiang retorted. Even so, she looked solemn. Be careful traveling to the Peachwine. It has become a twisted version of what it once was, and the Empire is its twisted master. You would do well to have a good young man there.

Granny Jiangs words watered a seed of thought Chen Haoran had planted back when he was first asked to go to Reservoir Town. He didnt discount her advice. Maybe he would need a good man to help him in Reservoir Town. His mind flickered to his empty connection slot.

Maybe he would have to be a bad man to help himself right now.

He had to see Chanchu.