Volume One, Chapter Forty-Seven: Zhang Shaodan’s Plea for Help

Jin Feng brewed a pot of green tea and poured a cup for each of the four of them.

Chu Fangfei took a careful sip before asking, “You want to know why my sister made that suggestion?”

Chen Qifan nodded eagerly. “That mountain spirit stole so many spiritual herbs from the Thousand Springs Temple. Why do the people of the temple still offer it tribute?”

“You don’t understand.” Chu Fangfei began to explain, “The people of Thousand Springs Temple have always been skilled at farming, not at fighting. A Class C spiritualist like me wouldn’t even be noticed in our Seven Stars Sect, but in Thousand Springs Temple, I’m considered one of the strongest.”

Chen Qifan couldn’t help but veer off topic, “So you’re actually that weak?”

Chu Fangfei’s expression changed instantly. “Do you still want to hear the story or not?”

“I do, I do! That was my fault—please continue.”

She resumed, “Their disciples are poor fighters. I heard that before the Spiritualist Association was established, the Thousand Springs Temple had already attracted the covetous eyes of outsiders and suffered heavy losses. Things only improved once they gained the protection of the Association, but distant support can’t help with immediate threats. Now, with the mountain spirit, it’s a different story.”

The realization dawned on Chen Qifan. “So the mountain spirit acts as their bodyguard?”

“Exactly. Don’t be fooled by how timid that spirit appears—it’s only like that in front of true powerhouses. In reality, mountain spirits are formidable and more than capable of protecting the entire temple.”

It was a simple exchange: a few spiritual plants to keep a mountain spirit around was all gain and no loss for the temple.

As for the mountain spirit, being a creature born of the world’s spiritual energy, it was naturally drawn to humans. Add its gluttony for spiritual herbs, and the fact that it could live openly in the temple, fed daily by the disciples, was a source of great happiness for it.

It was a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Chen Qifan wiped away imaginary tears. “That’s wonderful—a perfect happy ending.”

Unable to tolerate his theatrics, Chu Fangfei was about to argue with him when Chi Xingwan decisively cut in, “We’ve been up all night. Let’s get some rest first. Once everyone’s caught up on sleep, we’ll discuss our next steps.”

The four stayed at Thousand Springs Temple for another day. When they left, everyone from the temple, including the mountain spirit, came to see them off. Chen Qifan was grinning from ear to ear, clutching a large sack of medicinal herbs.

Once down the mountain, he immediately divided the herbs into two portions, sending one to his mother and keeping the other for himself.

Afterward, he declared, “Sister-in-law, let’s spend a few days in Pingjing City before heading back to Yanjing.”

Chi Xingwan wasn’t particularly interested, but seeing the bright look in Chu Fangfei’s eyes, she agreed.

The day before the National Day holiday ended, they returned to Yanjing. Chi Xingwan first went to the Xiao family to pick up Dadai, then returned to school.

The atmosphere in the dormitory was odd.

Chi Xingwan asked Xu Mingyue in a low voice, “Did your experiment not go well?”

Xu Mingyue shook her head. “No, the experiment’s finished. It’s something else. By the way, have you had dinner yet? Let’s go to the cafeteria together.”

Though Chi Xingwan had already eaten at the Xiao family’s, she could tell Xu Mingyue was bursting to vent and pretended she hadn’t eaten. The two called Wen Jing along and headed to the cafeteria.

While Xu Mingyue and Wen Jing ate, Chi Xingwan only asked for a bowl of soup. After finishing, Xu Mingyue finally couldn’t hold back and started venting fiercely.

“I really can’t believe Yu Dongli. After everything that scumbag Huang Yusen did to her, she still wants to get back together with him.”

Chi Xingwan was shocked. “They actually got back together?”

“That’s right. Luckily, it happened after we finished our experiment—otherwise, if it had happened earlier, we might actually have failed the class.”

Chi Xingwan was a bit lost.

Wen Jing explained, “When we found out they got back together, Mingyue tried to talk sense into Dongli. But Dongli said Mingyue was just jealous because no guys are chasing her, and then they got into a fight.”

Xu Mingyue’s anger flared again at the memory. “How could she say that? If she’d found someone else, I wouldn’t have said a word. But Huang Yusen is a blatant scumbag—I only tried to help because I care about her.”

Chi Xingwan could only respond, exasperated, “Let go of your savior complex. She made her choice—let her face the consequences herself.”

Xu Mingyue huffed. “You’re right. I won’t say another word to her.”

Back in the dorm, Chi Xingwan surreptitiously observed Yu Dongli and indeed noticed her fortune had declined considerably, and through Huang Yusen, she’d acquired some of Su Tang’s ill luck as well.

Though it wasn’t enough to be dangerous, she was bound to encounter plenty of misfortune in the days ahead.

Chi Xingwan messaged Xu Mingyue and Wen Jing separately, advising them to keep their distance from Yu Dongli for a while to avoid being dragged into her troubles.

The next afternoon after class, Chi Xingwan received a call from Chen Qifan. Zhang Shaodan had asked him to act as an intermediary; she wanted to meet with Chi Xingwan.

When Chi Xingwan entered the café, Chen Qifan and Zhang Shaodan were already waiting.

“Sister-in-law, over here.” Chen Qifan pulled out a chair for her.

Once they were all seated, Zhang Shaodan said, “Miss Chi, if it hadn’t been for your warning up on Mount Thousand Springs, my companions and I might have been in real danger. I truly thank you.”

Chi Xingwan smiled. “It was nothing, really. Don’t mention it.”

She was certain Zhang Shaodan wasn’t here just to express her gratitude—there must be something else.

Indeed, Zhang Shaodan hesitated, then pressed her lips together. Chen Qifan, sensing the moment, stood up. “Sister-in-law, Shaodan, you two chat. I promised Fangfei I’d hang out with her. I’ll leave you to it.”

After he left, Zhang Shaodan finally spoke. “Miss Chi, I do have something to ask of you. I’ve heard from Qifan about your abilities. I’m really out of options and thought long and hard before troubling you.”

Chi Xingwan was curious. Zhang Shaodan had an excellent countenance—wealth, fortune, happiness at home, and no sign of recent troubles.

As expected, Zhang Shaodan continued, “It’s not about me—it’s about a friend of mine.”

She began to recount the story.

The incident happened to a high school classmate of hers. Simply put, the classmate’s daughter had gone missing. She’d been searching for over half a year without a single clue.

“The police were notified the day the child disappeared. All of us friends helped, but there’s been no trace at all. My friend’s condition is getting worse by the day. I’m afraid if this goes on, she’ll truly break down.”

“So, you’d like me to help find her child?” Chi Xingwan asked.

Zhang Shaodan nodded. “I’m begging you to help, no matter the outcome. I’m extremely grateful.”

Searching for missing persons was a basic skill for any spiritualist, and for Chi Xingwan, it was as easy as lifting a finger.

Chi Xingwan agreed. “I’ll need to meet your friend in person, and would you mind if I brought an assistant?”

Zhang Shaodan was delighted. “Of course, that’s fine. Thank you, Miss Chi.”

Chi Xingwan smiled. “Just call me Xingwan. Since Xiao Yue calls you Shaodan, I’ll do the same.”

The two exchanged contact information. On Saturday, Chi Xingwan took Chu Fangfei with her as she left the university. Zhang Shaodan drove herself and waited for them at the gate.