Zhong Cai began observing the new residence.
It was a rather large courtyard, divided into inner and outer areas. The four sides were surrounded by high walls, ensuring ample privacy.
The inner area had a main room, which served as the couple’s new home. On either side of the main room was an empty room, each intended as their respective cultivation chamber, connected to the main room by a corridor. The inner area had two rooms on each side. The left side housed a bathroom and a kitchen, while the right side was equipped with bedding and simple furniture, presumably for their children or guests.
There was a large open space between the rooms, with a flowerbed near the second gate, containing only some ordinary plants.
In front of the flowerbed, there was a large tree with wide branches, under which there was a stone table and two stone benches.
The rest of the area was flat enough for practicing martial arts.
Through the second gate was the outer area, facing the main gate, with a small room on the left side as the gatehouse; there were three rooms on each side of the outer area, all with simple furnishings for servants to stay in; the space in the outer area was also large enough for martial arts practice, which the servants could use when not serving.
Zhong Cai nodded in satisfaction.
Zhong Cai was satisfied that the courtyard’s size was not small. It was at least several times larger than many mansions he had seen in his previous life. Even during his time in the Zhong family in this life, although there were courtyards of various sizes in Yuehe Garden, he was only allocated a small one — and it didn’t even have separate inner and outer areas, just four or five rooms. Much smaller than here.
What he really found hard to adapt to was probably his buddy… Thinking of this, Zhong Cai couldn’t help but glance at Wu Shaoqian.
Wu Shaoqian followed Zhong Cai around, with a hint of a smile on his face.
Seeing this, Zhong Cai praised Wu Shaoqian in his heart first — indeed, he is his loyal friend, with a strong mindset!
Then he praised himself a bit — he said marrying over here was the right move, otherwise could his buddy have bounced back so quickly? Hey, he’s impressive!
After inspecting the residence, Zhong Cai focused his attention on the few individuals standing in the side corridor.
These were all the manpower they currently had.
Three of them were brought by Zhong Cai, including Zhong Da and two loyal servants in black attire standing beside Zhong Da; one of them was his buddy’s personal guard, Xiang Lin.
In addition, there were two maids in their twenties, dressed plainly with average looks. Their hands, bearing calluses from years of labor, clearly indicated they were not for close personal service.
Wu Shaoqian’s gaze swept over the two maids, recalling their identities. He turned to Zhong Cai and said, “They were originally responsible for cleaning at Yunteng Garden, called Miao Hua and Miao Ye.”
Zhong Cai felt a sense of familiarity and, after a moment of recollection, exclaimed, “Didn’t you mention them before? Your elder brother’s concubine nearly beat a pair of sisters to death because they accidentally broke her things, and when you intervened, you saved them and had them work in your courtyard… Are they the ones?” He suddenly understood, “With a debt of gratitude, no wonder they didn’t leave.”
Wu Shaoqian smiled faintly.
Often, his friend inclined to think well of others. However, both Miao Ye and Miao Hua’s eyes held nothing but fear and uncertainty. Their decision to stay might not be out of gratitude but rather because they had nowhere else to go. After all, Wu Xiang held grudges, and while other servants could find new paths after leaving, these two might not have any options once they departed.
The two maids hung their heads slightly, their thoughts laid bare, feeling flustered.
Wu Shaoqian quietly explained a few things to Zhong Cai and added, “Regardless, I am still Wu Xiang’s senior. Even though my status has changed, she wouldn’t dare openly meddle with the maids in my courtyard.”
Zhong Cai also glanced at the two maids’ expressions and knew his buddy was right. Still, he patted Wu Shaoqian’s shoulder and chuckled, “For the sake of survival, it doesn’t matter. As long as you’re efficient, nothing else matters.”
Wu Shaoqian gave him a glance and said, “As long as you’re aware.”
Zhong Cai put his arm around Wu Shaoqian’s shoulder, smiling mischievously, “Don’t worry.”
The two maids didn’t expect Zhong Cai to interact with Wu Shaoqian in this manner, but they didn’t dare think too much about it. They quickly lowered their heads, trying their best to show loyalty.
Zhong Cai directly ordered, “All six of you will live in the outer area. Xiang Lin will choose first, then Zhong Da. The remaining four rooms will be assigned by Xiang Lin. Initially, one person per room. If we add more people later, we’ll rearrange.”
Xiang Lin solemnly replied, “Yes, Master Cai.”
Zhong Da, being Zhong Cai’s trusted aide, also replied out of habit, “Yes.”
Zhong Cai then instructed, “Miao Hua and Miao Ye will continue to be responsible for cleaning. They will also handle other miscellaneous tasks.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
The two maids quickly replied, “Yes, Master Cai.”
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Zhou Lin and Dong Jin acknowledged the orders.
Zhong Cai went on, “Zhong Da, you’ll usually be on gate duty. If there’s anything, send Dong Jin to take over for you.”
Zhong Da also acknowledged.
Zhong Cai then said, “Xiang Lin, your main responsibility is to protect Shaoqian. During other times, focus on your cultivation to enhance your strength.”
Xiang Lin respectfully agreed.
Wu Shaoqian interjected, “If A Cai goes out, Xiang Lin, you go with him.”
Xiang Lin responded, “Yes.”
Zhong Cai gave Wu Shaoqian a stern look.
Wu Shaoqian smiled and said, “You can’t let me worry either.”
Zhong Cai had nothing to say. He turned to the servants and maids for the final instructions.
“Unless summoned, no one is allowed to enter the inner area without permission. If there’s danger, Xiang Lin and Zhong Da can act accordingly.”
All the servants and maids acknowledged once again.
After giving the instructions, Zhong Cai waved his hand to dismiss everyone.
The second gate was closed by Xiang Lin. Wu Shaoqian looked at Zhong Cai, feeling somewhat surprised. According to his nature, Zhong Cai should have instructed Zhou Lin to prepare meals now. Why did he let them disperse so soon?
Zhong Cai, on the other hand, wore a strange expression.
Wu Shaoqian frowned and asked with concern, “A Cai, are you feeling unwell?”
Zhong Cai nodded honestly, “Yes, I’m quite uncomfortable.” Before Wu Shaoqian could respond, he hurriedly added, “I feel like I may have overdosed on Yang energy from you last night.”
“It’s just… it seems like I’m about to open my soul artifact.”
It’s very sudden!
Wu Shaoqian took a deep breath and indeed sensed a subtle fluctuation in Zhong Cai’s body. He couldn’t help but feel both annoyed and amused — what does it mean to “overdose on Yang energy”? How could opening the soul artifact be related to that kind of thing? A Cai’s way of speaking is really uncensored.
Pulling Zhong Cai towards the main room, Zhong Cai continued to tease him.
“I’m not just saying this casually. When I was in the Zhong family, I thought I had to reach the Palace Aperture Realm to summon the companion artifact. But then, thanks to your intervention, the artifact was unlocked in just one night. It’s not like it’s all because I… took some of your ‘Yang’…”
Seeing Zhong Cai’s pale face, Wu Shaoqian knew it was critical. He kicked the door open decisively, lifted Zhong Cai, and quickly carried him to the bed.
Zhong Cai grumbled again, “Princess carry, how embarrassing,” then rolled around on the bed.
Wu Shaoqian immediately closed the door and sat beside the bed to accompany him.
“I suggest you conserve your energy. The more you move, the more it hurts.”
Zhong Cai rolled around, sweating profusely, and continued to shout, “This is me trying to distract!”
Wu Shaoqian was at a loss, only able to grab him and hold down his hands,
But Zhong Cai’s hands couldn’t move, yet he still kicked out with his legs, pushing himself under the bed.
Wu Shaoqian sighed, “If you keep kicking like this, I won’t be able to hold you down.”
Zhong Cai immediately retorted, “Then use your hands and feet too, I’m in pain!”
Wu Shaoqian remained silent,
After a sigh, Wu Shaoqian pressed his whole body onto Zhong Cai’s.
Zhong Cai screamed, “I can’t breathe!!”
Wu Shaoqian’s mouth twitched slightly, he rolled over, locking Zhong Cai in his arms, pinning him down with all four limbs.
After struggling for a while, Zhong Cai couldn’t move, and he calmed down. And being so close together, it felt somewhat bearable.
Zhong Cai could sense that at the core where his three souls and seven spirits were intertwined, something was taking shape. The intense pain began the moment it appeared, surging forth and washing over him like a mountain torrent…However, after about half an hour, as the thing became increasingly clear, the pain gradually subsided to a mere prickling sensation.
Enduring, Zhong Cai’s lips turned pale, his body trembling slightly, sweat pouring down, soaking a large portion of the bed. He still had little strength but began to ramble.
“When we cultivate, various realms have various rare medicines to alleviate pain, but the opening of the soul artifact cannot be assisted, one must endure it oneself. It’s just that I am the one suffering the most…”
Wu Shaoqian slowly massaged the trembling areas, trying to alleviate his pain.
Indeed, the later the soul artifact is opened, the more painful it becomes. Zhong Cai was the latest to open it, naturally suffering the most.
But other than enduring it, there really was no other way.
Another half an hour passed, and Zhong Cai finally relaxed.
Following that, a ball of light floated out from his brow, hovering in front of him.
Wu Shaoqian loosened his limbs, preparing to get off the bed.
But Zhong Cai leaned against him, saying, “I’m still tired, lend me a bit of strength.”
Wu Shaoqian gently pushed him, saying, “You need to check your companion artifact now, I have to step aside.”
Zhong Cai didn’t care at all, saying, “What’s the problem with that? You have more experience, even if you step aside, I’ll still need to ask you. It’s easier now.”
Wu Shaoqian paused, realizing this was something Zhong Cai could do, so he stopped objecting.
Zhong Cai was satisfied, his fingers lightly touching the ball of light.
“Whoosh!” Suddenly, the ball of light expanded, turning into a small, entirely red-black structure, seemingly made of stone. It was petite, just filling the space of the main room—If previously Zhong Cai was too lazy to get off the bed and just casually tinkered with the companion artifact with his buddy, now they were both pinned down by this thing on the bed.
Zhong Cai looked around, his lips twitching slightly, “Old Wu, look at that thing, doesn’t it look like an altar?”
Wu Shaoqian replied, “It’s probably exactly that, an altar.”
The altar had a rounded base, with edges surrounded by towering stone walls resembling flames, enclosing most of the altar, guarding the wide stone platform in the center. On both sides of the platform were three steps, connected to the base. In the center of the platform was a sunken pit, covered in flame patterns, exuding an ancient and distant charm.
Zhong Cai’s current feeling was a bit hard to describe.
Despite knowing his poor aptitude, he couldn’t help but have some expectations for his summoned object. He guessed and guessed, thinking he might perhaps summon a weapon of some sort, the kind that would allow him to practice martial arts with a whoosh; or maybe, like some of those with the worst aptitude, he might summon something like pots, pans, ladles, hoes, or bottles – something that could add a bit of energy to the food he cooked or slightly increase the growth rate of the plants he grew. That wouldn’t be too bad either, as small gains add up over time.But he never imagined he’d get an altar.
How on earth is he supposed to use this thing?
Wu Shaoqian, on the other hand, was quite optimistic, saying, “An altar must involve offerings before obtaining, there must be some profound secrets to it. It definitely won’t be just a common item.” He gently pushed Zhong Cai, urging him, “Go on, see how to use it.”
Zhong Cai thought it over and, feeling happy, decisively got out of bed.
Now that his soul wasn’t hurting and the uncomfortable parts of his body had been relieved by Wu Shaoqian’s massage, he moved swiftly and dashed to stand on the base of the altar.
In an instant, a shimmering light enveloped Zhong Cai on the altar.
A large amount of information poured into Zhong Cai’s consciousness, informing him about various aspects of this altar…
Wu Shaoqian watched helplessly as Zhong Cai’s expression suddenly turned blank, his face slowly losing color, while in front of Zhong Cai, on the altar, numerous virtual images resembling books appeared one after another. With each additional book, Zhong Cai’s complexion grew paler.
Although he knew Zhong Cai was probably receiving an inheritance, he couldn’t help but feel anxious involuntarily. Even though he was concerned about the companion artifact, he didn’t dare to disturb Zhong Cai recklessly.
Gradually, a stick of incense passed.
Zhong Cai suddenly opened his eyes, clear and bright, full of vitality.
Wu Shaoqian breathed a sigh of relief, feeling reassured.
Zhong Cai spoke up immediately, saying, “Old Wu, I need to choose a category for this thing first.”
Wu Shaoqian: “?”
Zhong Cai chuckled and, with his finger, pointed at each virtual book, introducing them one by one.
“Starting from here, we have the Pill Department, the Artifact Department, the Talisman Department, the Array Department, the Control Department, the Puppet Department, the Music Department… The altar wants me to choose one, and then I’ll produce finished products by learning the skills of that department. Each time a finished product appears, it will emit some spiritual aura. The altar automatically collects these auras, and once a certain amount is accumulated, I can invest them back into the altar to exchange for various items. However, what I get in exchange is all up to luck, I have no control over it.”
Wu Shaoqian had never heard of this type of companion artifact before and was somewhat surprised, but the key now was to choose the inheritance.
“A Cai, what’s your plan?”
Zhong Cai answered without hesitation, “Of course, I’ll choose the Pill Department and learn the Dao of Alchemy!”
There is no need to even consider this question!
Practitioners all want pills, so pills are in high demand and sell well. As long as he learns this craft, spiritual aura and wealth will come rolling in!
Wu Shaoqian also believed that alchemy held the highest position, but he still reminded, “You should choose what you like the most. Otherwise, learning it will be uncomfortable and won’t benefit you.”
Zhong Cai waved his hand, indifferent, saying, “I haven’t learned anything before, who knows what I like? Anyway, I’m most interested in alchemy, so let’s go with that!”
Seeing that he had thought it through, Wu Shaoqian naturally felt relieved.
So Zhong Cai hesitated no longer, reached out his arm, and grabbed directly towards the “book” of the Pill Department.
In an instant, all the other books disappeared, while the one belonging to the Pill Department turned into a white light, entering Zhong Cai’s brow.
Zhong Cai closed his eyes, continuously absorbing the vast inheritance like an endless sea of smoke, feeling dizzy and swollen-headed. He didn’t notice that the entire altar was also enveloped in a layer of white light, with details changing rapidly.
Wu Shaoqian watched everything unfold clearly.
The stone wall facing the pit on the stone platform suddenly rose, rapidly protruding forward, forming a broad stone seat large enough for a person to lie down on. At the same time, white flames emerged from the pit, filling it entirely. The flames danced wildly, as if burning fiercely.
It was quite miraculous.
Wu Shaoqian felt happy for Zhong Cai, but also a bit melancholic.
With such a treasure, Zhong Cai should be able to advance to higher realms, and he could probably only accompany Zhong Cai for a short part of his journey.
However, these emotions quickly passed when Zhong Cai finished receiving the inheritance and looked over with bright eyes. Wu Shaoqian’s fleeting gloomy thoughts dissipated rapidly.
“Old Wu, come over here!”
“Coming.”
It is nice to see people being supportive
💐💖💐💖
Thanks for the chapter! They make a great couple, between Mr casual & Mr too serious.
Thank you for your translation 💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛
It seems Wu Shaoqian hasn’t realised yet that buddy with miraculous alchemy = perfect recovery = these 2 will dominate the world
Indeed! With how much Zhong Cai cares about his buddy, he’ll definitely try his best to cure him with his newly acquired alchemy skills!
Lol the altar is his golden finger system
“overdoes on yang energy”?? hello????? is this something you can just say outloud????? i mean, no outsiders are there and it’s just zc and wsq, but come on! it seems our shou is a shameless when around wsq.
i can’t picture what the altar looks like. the image on the toc looks like a cauldron.