Chapter 24: She Did Have Something She Wanted p1
Money was something she lacked, but the envoy sent by the imperial family shouldn’t.
It was perfectly normal to pay someone upfront for their services, right?
After all, Zhao Xianchen himself had said they could ask him for anything.
Asking for money, though a bit direct, was a necessity.
So, the penniless Li Yu, the Exalted Immortal, along with her equally penniless “left and right guardians,” solemnly arrived at Zhao Xianchen’s door.
Zhao Xianchen, having invited three immortals from the sacred mountain, never imagined that the most mysterious and uncommunicative one would come looking for him.
He was beyond flattered.
“Why has the Immortal come?” He bowed deeply, moved aside to let them in, and gestured invitingly.
Li Yu: “No need, I just have a small matter to discuss.”
Zhao Xianchen didn’t insist, withdrawing his hand and asking with a smile, “What can I do for you, Immortal?”
Li Yu: “Mm.”
Zhao Xianchen: “Please speak, Immortal!”
“It’s like this, Lord Zhao.” Li Yu said in the most dignified tone, completely shameless, “We’ve just arrived in the human realm and are a bit…short on funds.”
Zhao Xianchen’s eyes clouded over briefly, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“Are you…also short on funds, Lord Zhao?”
“Oh, oh!” Zhao Xianchen snapped back to reality, a smile returning to his face as he pulled out a money pouch with exaggerated generosity. “Not at all, not at all!”
“Immortal, please take…” He seemed about to hand over the pouch, but then hesitated.
After a brief awkward pause, he slowly opened the pouch and reluctantly took out one, two, three pieces of broken silver.
Li Yu, unable to stand it any longer, snatched the pouch.
Zhao Xianchen looked up in astonishment. The immortal before him still maintained her aloof, otherworldly demeanor, bearing no resemblance to the word “robber” that was about to escape his lips.
He looked at the three pieces of silver in his hand and forced a smile. “Please, Immortal, use as much as you need. I’ll…keep these…”
“Lord Zhao is truly accommodating.” Li Yu smiled faintly and turned to leave with the two juniors.
Zhao Xianchen stood at the door, his brow furrowed as he processed what had just happened.
—The more he thought about it, the more bitter he felt.
That was his salary!
Could he…expense this?
On their way back, Li Yu, imitating scenes from TV dramas, weighed the money pouch in her hand.
Having grown accustomed to mobile payments, she had almost forgotten the feeling of holding physical money.
The clinking of coins was pleasant.
Although she couldn’t estimate the amount, she felt a surge of emotion.
She used to work overtime just to keep her job, and now, she could get money by simply asking.
The disparity in this world was truly astounding!
If this continued, she was afraid her resolve to return home would weaken, tempted by this leisurely immortal life.
Lost in thought, Li Yu entered her room and closed the door.
Mo Yichu, who had been with her just moments ago, was gone.
Mu Tao, however, had followed her in. She stood by the door, beads of sweat on her forehead, holding a small fan, but not using it, just looking at Li Yu obediently.
“In the human realm, be more casual.” Li Yu walked to the table, sat down, placed the money pouch on the table, and poured two cups of cold tea.
Seeing a cup for herself, Mu Tao quickly ran over, picked it up, and drank it all in one go.
She put down the cup, tentatively sat beside Li Yu, and started fanning her.
The cool breeze played with the strands of hair around Li Yu’s face.
Li Yu looked at Mu Tao’s earnest and cheerful expression and sighed inwardly.
The original owner was a born god, who ascended to immortality through diligent cultivation. Even if she, Li Yu, couldn’t access this body’s full power, she should be impervious to ordinary heat and cold.
Sometimes she couldn’t tell whether Mu Tao’s attentiveness stemmed from gratitude or a desire to please.
Regardless, for the past six months, Mu Tao had taken excellent care of her.
Apart from her mother, no one had ever cared for her like this.
And her mother would occasionally nag and complain, while this girl was always respectful, blaming herself for everything, never finding fault with Li Yu.
Thinking of this, Li Yu’s heart softened.
She gently stopped Mu Tao’s hand.
Mu Tao froze, her heart pounding with anxiety.
Just as she thought she had angered her master again, Li Yu reached out and gently wiped the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve.
Mu Tao swallowed nervously, her eyes wide with disbelief.
“Master?”
“I’m not hot. You’re sweating; fan yourself.”
Li Yu took the fan from Mu Tao and started fanning her.
Mu Tao hesitated for a moment, reaching for the fan, but seeing Li Yu pull it back, she stopped, just staring at her master, mesmerized.
Li Yu’s hand started to ache after a while, so she returned the fan to Mu Tao.
This time, Mu Tao finally fanned herself.
As she fanned herself, she leaned on the table.
Perhaps encouraged by Li Yu’s words about being casual, she relaxed and opened the gray money pouch on the table.
Shiny silver pieces spilled out.
Mu Tao rested her chin on her arm, her head tilted slightly, curiously poking at the silver with her finger.
Mu Tao: “So this is the spirit stones of the human realm.”
Li Yu: “Mm.”
Mu Tao: “What’s so special about them? There’s no spiritual energy at all.”
Li Yu: “This is silver. Its value isn’t determined by spiritual energy, but by its weight.”
Mu Tao listened attentively and nodded seriously.
She picked up a piece of silver and compared it to a spirit stone from Mount Chao Yao, her eyes shining with curiosity.
After examining it for a while, she muttered, “I wonder how much this can buy.”
Li Yu blinked, unable to answer.
She didn’t know either.
If she were asked about the price per thousand words for a novel, the monthly cost of a video streaming subscription, or the cost of in-game purchases in her favorite mobile game, she could answer instantly.
But she had no idea about ancient prices or the exchange rate between silver and copper coins.
But it didn’t matter. Even without any concept of ancient prices, she knew that ordinary people earned mostly copper coins.
And what she had before her was a pouch of silver taken from an Eighth-rank cultivator in the imperial court.
As long as they didn’t spend recklessly, this silver should last a long time.
Besides, after dealing with the Luoyu, they would be heading to the imperial city.
The Third Princess in the original story was a true benefactor; once they connected with her, they wouldn’t have to worry about money!
So, a little extravagance wouldn’t hurt.
She had never experienced the joy of spending freely in her life!
The thought alone was exciting.
As she got excited, she realized she had forgotten to maintain her composure.
Her disciple was still in the room.
Li Yu glanced at Mu Tao, who was already looking at her, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
She quickly closed her eyes and suppressed her smile.
After a few awkward seconds, Li Yu cleared her throat and asked calmly, without opening her eyes, “Take some of this silver with you. If you see anything you like, just buy it.”
“I don’t need anything…” Mu Tao said softly, her gaze fixed on Li Yu. “I caused Master so much trouble today, and Master didn’t get angry and even gave me this fan. I’m already very happy!”
Li Yu opened her eyes and met Mu Tao’s bright gaze.
Her eyes were filled with gratitude and contentment.
Such a sweet girl, easily won over with a small gesture.
This little protagonist, just like in the novel, never asked for anything because she felt unworthy.
If no one showed her kindness, if no one understood her desires, she would remain a child with nothing.
This submissiveness wasn’t healthy.
No, no, she had enjoyed the perks of being a master for long enough. Even if she couldn’t teach spells, she should teach the little protagonist something else.
Li Yu: “Mu Tao.”
Mu Tao: “Mm?”
Li Yu: “Things are different now.”
Mu Tao: “Huh?”
This sudden address and cryptic statement caught Mu Tao off guard.
She sat up straight, waiting expectantly for her master to continue.
“I’ve neglected you for too long and caused you much suffering…”
“No, Master!” Mu Tao quickly waved her hands. “Master was busy with cultivation. This disciple understands…”
“No, as your master, I should be responsible for you. You don’t have to dwell on the past and feel like you’re unworthy of anything.” Li Yu gently placed her hand over Mu Tao’s. “If there’s anything in this world you want, as long as I have it, I will give it to you.”
She saw tears welling up in Mu Tao’s eyes.
Don’t cry yet, she wasn’t just making empty promises. She was teaching her how to pursue her desires!
“Actually, there are many things not just I can give you, but others as well. Perhaps you haven’t received them because you haven’t asked. Although asking doesn’t guarantee receiving, not asking guarantees you’ll get nothing.” Li Yu glanced at the silver on the table and said earnestly, “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Mu Tao followed her gaze and looked at the silver.
She fell into deep thought.
A flicker of understanding, mixed with apprehension and confusion, appeared in her eyes.
She looked up at Li Yu and asked timidly, “But, but what if I ask, and they refuse to give it to me?”
“Then they don’t give it to you. It wasn’t yours to begin with. It was just a try; there’s no loss in not getting it.” Li Yu smiled nonchalantly. “There’s nothing in this world that you absolutely must have, right?”
“What if there is?”
“If there is, then you should definitely try.” Li Yu smiled. “Wanting something is a feeling. It’s important to follow your heart.”
Leave a Reply