Chapter 038: An Unpalatable Lunch

“Ninth-grade spirit fruits may be rare in the heartlands of the human race, but here in the Eastern Wilderness, I’ve heard they’re much easier to find,” Qing Jin said with a gentle smile. Easier to find, perhaps, but not so abundant as to line the streets. Her words were merely an excuse for herself and the others.

“You’re quite right, miss. Will these spirit fruits be sent by mail as well?” the young courier asked, following her lead.

“Yes,” she replied.

“Ninth-grade spirit fruits—that’s an expensive shipment,” the courier explained. “Judging by the size of your box, it must contain just over ten pounds. We’ll deliver the fruits to the designated recipient, but each shipment costs thirty thousand Red Gold coins.”

“That’s outrageous! We’re just mailing a few small fruits,” Qing Zhen exclaimed, hardly able to believe his ears.

“It isn’t expensive at all. For these spirit fruits, to prevent interception en route, we must send a team of experts as guards. Don’t you think their protection is worth thirty thousand Red Gold coins?” The courier’s tone was amiable and confident.

“A team of guards?” Qing Zhen was astonished. He hadn’t realized that even mailing ninth-grade spirit fruits required expert escorts.

“Without guards, what if the fruits are stolen midway?” the courier countered.

Qing Zhen was momentarily speechless.

“That’s settled then. Zhen’er, pay all the postage fees at once,” Qing Jin instructed.

Qing Zhen was on the verge of tears—a box of tiny fruits, and a quarter of their earnings vanished just like that. When he returned, he’d have to talk to Qing Xiaohu about curbing these extravagant habits.

Qing Jin watched his pained expression and could barely keep from laughing.

“These spirit fruits are unlike any others. Not only do they enhance magical power, but they can cleanse Mother’s body, shielding her from the ever-present malice of heaven and earth. Mother is always frugal, never eating even a single fruit herself—always splitting them between you and Xiaohu. Xiaohu probably thought of this, which is why she had the fruits sent urgently. She must be missing Mother.”

“Hmph, Xiaohu acts as if she’s still nursing. I’ll certainly speak to her when I return.” As expected, with Qing Jin’s words, Qing Zhen’s reluctance turned to resolve. He handed over the Red Gold coins and specifically instructed the courier that only Mother was to receive all the parcels.

After removing the troublesome fish segments and live fish, Qing Jin and her companions set off with their caravan once more, this time heading toward the materials market. They planned to purchase wood, stone, and tools necessary for building a pottery kiln.

“All of these, yes, we’ll take them,” Ning Qi led the group, seeking out high-quality materials and timber, as well as supplies for constructing and firing pottery. “You don’t have many people now, but believe me—pottery is a daily necessity for the townsfolk. Always buying from the county is too wasteful; it’s better to build a small kiln yourselves. Most importantly, I’ve noticed the earth on a nearby hill is first-rate clay, perfect for pottery.”

“Building a kiln is indeed a fine idea,” Qing Jin nodded in agreement.

Qing Zhen thought, Weren’t we supposed to be fishing, luring out enemies? How did it turn into a grand procurement of building materials—and now, a kiln? Aren’t wooden plates and bowls enough? They don’t break when dropped.

Unfortunately, his two elder brothers ignored him entirely, engrossed in their discussion.

The caravan was soon loaded, wagon after wagon, with all manner of materials.

Zhou Ji saw Qing Zhen’s dazed expression as he followed along, and couldn’t help but laugh.

“That’s how they are—so earnest about everything. It’s just a kiln, yet they act as if they’re building a palace…” Zhou Ji grumbled.

Qing Zhen nodded enthusiastically, as if he’d found a kindred spirit, making Zhou Ji laugh even harder.

“Hey, you there, come over,” Zhou Ji called to Deng Xiaolai, who always hovered near Qing Zhen. “Where did you find those little fruits you delivered later? Did your lady encounter any danger?”

“What danger could there be? If anything had happened, the first thing I’d have done upon meeting you gentlemen would be to shout that Miss was in trouble. What could possibly be more important than her safety?” Deng Xiaolai replied, earning a look of approval from Qing Zhen.

“Haha, you’re quick with words. But where exactly did you get those fruits?” Zhou Ji asked curiously.

“Miss and Lady Bai found two unusual little trees while gathering wild fruits. Miss said those were tangerine trees, and the fruits growing on them—little tangerines,” Deng Xiaolai explained confidently.

“Little tangerines. Qing Zhen, your sister has a knack for naming things. The fruits we mailed are likely a new variety, never before identified in the human territories,” Zhou Ji mused.

“Haha, it’s just a little fruit. If she hadn’t seen it before, she’d name it on the spot. Xiaohu’s always done that,” Qing Zhen said proudly, as if his sister’s quirks were a badge of honor.

Zhou Ji was speechless. He realized that, whether it was Qing Jin or Qing Zhen, both brothers doted on their sister, trusting her implicitly. Whatever Qing Hu did, in their eyes, was always right—unconditional trust.

“Zhou Ji, Zhen’er, what are you two whispering about?” Qing Jin called out playfully. “There’s a tavern here—it’s already noon. Let’s have a simple meal inside and save the feast for tonight.”

Zhou Ji thought, Eating at a tavern is now a ‘simple meal’? Qing Jin, you’ve only been in Pan Snake Territory for a few days.

Even he felt that eating here was a compromise for his appetite.

The only tavern in Meishan County was always packed. Fortunately, there was a vacant private room on the third floor, though the price was steep. Qing Jin decisively led everyone upstairs, paying no heed to Qing Zhen’s mournful glances.

Frugal as ever, Qing Zhen began to lament the cost.

Qing Jin, for her part, knew both how to save and how to spend. She ordered every signature dish from the tavern’s menu.

But when the food arrived, everyone’s expressions changed.

“This is so salty—how much salt did they put in this Six-Whiskered Black Carp?” Zhou Ji was the first to complain.

“This is Black Hazel Chicken? I’ve never tasted such dry, unpalatable meat. Is this really meat from a ninth-grade beast? It tastes like farm-raised poultry,” Ning Qi chimed in.

Qing Jin had already begun to pick through the other dishes. “This ninth-grade spirit shrimp isn’t cooked properly—the flesh is still raw.”

“Some people actually prefer eating shrimp raw,” Zhou Ji joked. “They say it’s fresher that way!”

Qing Jin eyed the plate of raw shrimp in silence, then pushed it aside.

“And these noodles beneath the ninth-grade snow toad meat? There’s barely any snow toad meat, and only two bites of noodles. How is anyone supposed to be satisfied with this?” Qing Zhen protested. “I certainly won’t be.”

“Eat a little for now, and we’ll make up for it when we return,” Qing Jin said, laying down her chopsticks, unwilling to further torment her stomach.