Chapter Six: Going Too Far

The Yellow-Level task had nothing to do with the “Heaven, Earth, Black, Yellow” classification. It was simply because Lu Zhou and Chao Jin’er held the rank of Yellow Scorpion.

The scorpion ranks were divided by color: Gold Scorpion, Red Scorpion, Black Scorpion, Green Scorpion, and Yellow Scorpion, in descending order. Thus, when Lu Zhou first met Qu Qiuniang, she asked what color clothing the person he was searching for preferred. Lu Zhou replied that the newcomer had told him only yellow was permitted. Compared to gold, yellow seemed much more inferior.

The higher the rank, the greater the reward for completing a task.

This time, the reward for their mission was merely ten spirit stones and a hundred taels of silver. One spirit stone was worth ten taels of silver, so the total value of this task was only two hundred taels.

Spirit stones were used by cultivators in their training. When the major sects selected their locations, they would usually choose places with spiritual springs or blessed lands. These areas existed for one purpose: to produce spirit stones. Yet as production increased, the value of spirit stones naturally depreciated.

Of course, the reward amount also determined the difficulty of the task.

So their first assignment—hunting down Master Withered Leaf of the Vajra Temple—was essentially a beginner-level quest.

At midnight, the snow was about to stop, though the wind had not ceased.

A carriage quietly departed from the Spring Beauty Courtyard. Its wheels crushed the ice and snow on the ground, but could not shatter the loneliness that permeated the world.

The carriage circled the city once, then returned to the Spring Beauty Courtyard. Yet the passengers were no longer there.

Chao Residence.

Lin Suyun stood anxiously in the courtyard, pacing back and forth, calculating the time in her mind, and occasionally glancing at Chao Lu, who sat not far away. “Still not back?”

It was Chao Jin’er’s first mission, and Lin Suyun was uneasy. She insisted that Chao Lu arrange for her daughter to return home.

Chao Lu was helpless, forced to violate protocol and use his privileges. Fortunately, Lin Suyun promised that this would be the first and last time, otherwise if they had to return home after every mission, not only would Chao Lu be overwhelmed, but Lu Zhou would refuse as well.

Lin Suyun turned around and saw Lu Zhou and Chao Jin’er, who had shed their disguises, quietly landing in the courtyard. Joy flashed in her eyes as she hurried forward.

Under the moonlight, she scrutinized her daughter, whom she hadn’t seen for a month.

“You’ve grown thinner…”

Lu Zhou nearly stumbled at her feet. It seemed every mother’s first words upon seeing her child return home were the same—utterly unoriginal.

He glanced at Chao Lu, who was unusually seated beneath the corridor, drinking wine.

Knowing Chao Lu, he would never dare drink in front of Lin Suyun. Was the sun rising from the west today?

Well, it was snowing—no sun at all.

Seeing Lu Zhou’s gaze, Chao Lu felt a bit uncomfortable and explained sheepishly, “Your Second Mistress knew you’d be coming home, so she allowed me a few drinks.”

Lu Zhou tutted twice. Clearly, this was a legitimate exchange of benefits.

Lin Suyun, wishing to see Chao Jin’er, had intentionally given Chao Lu a proper opportunity to drink. In truth, even if she hadn’t, after ten days or so, the wine jar would be empty regardless.

Lin Suyun pulled Chao Jin’er into the house, presumably to speak some private words.

Lu Zhou, having nothing better to do, sat opposite Chao Lu and poured himself a cup.

“Pour less, there’s not much left,” Chao Lu said, glancing over with some pain. “So, how’re you getting on as Scorpion Leader?”

“It’s decent, the pay’s a bit low,” Lu Zhou said, sipping.

Low was an understatement. After a month, he’d received six taels of silver, two of which were Chao Jin’er’s own savings.

Chao Lu sighed, “The Thousand Bull Guards have their rules. I can’t bend them.”

Lu Zhou shot him a sideways look.

If you can’t bend the rules, then how did today happen?

“Though, when the tasks are evaluated, I can help adjust the scores a bit,” Chao Lu said, smiling awkwardly. “How did Jin’er do?”

“Not very well,” Lu Zhou replied honestly.

“She didn’t cause you trouble, did she?” Chao Lu asked.

Lu Zhou thought for a moment, eyes lowered, then sighed, “Not yet, but after tomorrow, who knows?”

He couldn’t predict whether accidents would happen during the mission.

“Nothing will happen after tomorrow,” Chao Lu said, “With you there, I have peace of mind.”

Lu Zhou glanced at Chao Lu, who didn’t seem to be lying—at least, his expression didn’t betray it.

“What did Master Withered Leaf steal?” Lu Zhou asked.

“I don’t know,” Chao Lu replied, shaking his head.

As he spoke, his eyes twitched ever so slightly.

He was lying.

“Where’s he planning to escape to?” Lu Zhou pressed.

Chao Lu hesitated, then said, “The Southern Zhou.”

“No wonder there’s a pursuit.”

Lu Zhou nodded and stood up. Now he knew much more than the mission briefing had revealed, and could prepare accordingly. After all, it was their first mission—failure would be embarrassing.

He glanced towards the side room. “How long do you think Second Mistress will keep talking?”

Chao Lu’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “Hard to say, but definitely not until dawn.”

Lu Zhou: “…”

He felt Chao Lu’s gaze on him was somewhat odd.

Inside the room, the candlelight flickered.

Lin Suyun sat on the edge of the bed, holding Chao Jin’er’s hand, staring at her elegant face. “Tell me, are you fond of Lu Zhou?”

“No, I’m not.” Chao Jin’er’s cheeks flushed, and she denied it outright.

Lin Suyun said, “Don’t rush to deny it. If you don’t like him, why did you become his Scorpion Tail?”

“I thought it was fun.”

“I don’t believe you,” Lin Suyun shook her head. “Actually, I’ve come to understand these past days. A daughter grows up and can’t be kept at home. Lu Zhou’s a good kid, has a nice temperament, though his cultivation is a bit…”

“Mother, you really are overthinking.”

“Senior Brother Lu has no such feelings for me, Jin’er can sense that. Instead of growing to resent each other, being senior and junior siblings is just fine, and now we’re partners as well.”

A trace of disappointment crossed Chao Jin’er’s eyes.

Lin Suyun sighed, “Will you keep being his Scorpion Tail?”

“Of course,” Chao Jin’er answered earnestly.

“You’ve said it yourself—Senior Brother Lu’s cultivation is lacking. If I don’t help him, wouldn’t he be in danger?”

Lin Suyun: “…”

In the courtyard.

Lu Zhou looked up at the full moon, estimating the time.

“Lu Zhou, what do you think of Jin’er?” Chao Lu asked in a low voice.

“Hm?” Lu Zhou’s heart skipped a beat. “She’s good, full of a sense of justice.”

“What?”

“Er, Jin’er is a fine girl.”

“That’s good. I think Jin’er might like you. Maybe we’ll become a family.”

With the conversation so frank, Chao Lu didn’t bother to hide it anymore.

Lu Zhou didn’t know how to respond.

He’d always considered Chao Lu a mentor—now the man wanted to be his father?

Luckily, at that moment, Chao Jin’er emerged.

The two exchanged glances, then simultaneously looked away.

Those harboring secrets never realized the other did too, and an awkward tension began to fill the air.

...

...

The courtyard was left with only Chao Lu and Lin Suyun; Lu Zhou and Chao Jin’er had departed, ready to carry out their first mission.

“You told her?”

“You told him too?”

Chao Lu and Lin Suyun looked at each other, then burst out laughing.

Lin Suyun sat opposite Chao Lu, gazing at the man she had followed for so many years. “The two of them are much like we once were.”

Chao Lu nodded, staring at the moonlight. “Back then, you were still in the Tea Bureau.”