Dao Of The Salted Fish

100. Human children and furry children

When it came time to pick up the kids, Sun Fuyu drove the cart, while Wen Zhihao sat at the back and turned smooth river stones into calming stones. The animals smartly went back to the sect by themselves.

Then it was lunch at the sect kitchens, then naps back at their rooms…it was back to their normal routine. The war scare was barely a blip in Wen Zhihao’s everyday life.

This time, Wen Zhihao woke up from his afternoon nap on the same afternoon. There were sounds floating in from outside: children’s laughter and cats’ meows. The bed was otherwise empty, but Wen Zhihao just knew in his heart that Sun Fuyu was nearby, supervising the kids.

Wen Zhihao breathed slow and steady, his awareness turning inward. He felt as though there was a connection between his heart and Sun Fuyu’s. He reflexively glanced at his hands, but there weren't any red strings tied around his fingers.

Stretching, Wen Zhihao rose from bed and pulled on his robes. He left his long hair untied. Taking the opportunity, Wen Zhihao created a few more calming stones, and changed the talisman-to-be-printed on the talisman copier. Once he was sure that the talisman copier was working, he headed outside.

As expected, in the courtyard of Liu Zhongmin’s disciple accommodation quarters, there was Sun Fuyu, the children, and many large animals.

Wen Zhihao tilted his head slightly. He had never counted the number of cats before but...didn’t it seem like there were more this afternoon than in the morning? And there were...three dogs, a giant bunny and even a bear…

Bewildered, Wen Zhihao walked over to Sun Fuyu’s side. “Xiao Yu...did Cultivator Huang adopt more animals?”

Sun Fuyu bumped their arms together affectionately. “No. These are the pets of other cultivators from the other sects.” At Wen-ge’s confused look, Sun Fuyu cleared his throat. “They followed Wen-ge’s aura…”

At the plain/ravine, Wen-ge’s aura had had a big impact on the demonic animals. The peaceful qi made them want to roll over, to be petted, and to sleep. Unfortunately, Wen Zhihao and the others had left soon after. So as soon as their masters weren’t looking, these demonic animals used their tracking skills to stalk down the delicious qi. Wen Zhihao’s trip to the mortal town with Sun Fuyu to collect the children allowed them to catch Wen Zhihao’s trail, leading them here.

“Oh, I see.” Wen Zhihao leaned down and picked up Xiao Bai who had just come over. “Xiao Bai, not playing with your friends?”

Xiao Bai shook his head. “Uncle is awake now…”

Wen Zhihao rubbed Xiao Bai’s head. “Were you scared I’ll sleep through the afternoon again?” he asked with a grin.

Xiao Bai shyly hid his face.

Wen Zhihao smiled fondly and turned to Sun Fuyu. “Xiao Yu, can you do something for me?”

Sun Fuyu immediately straightened. “Yes!”

“I’ll give you all the calming stones I’ve made, and trust you to give them to interested cultivators? You can keep all the spiritual stones.”

Sun Fuyu’s heart rate picked up. “Yes, I can do it for Wen-ge!”

He had wanted to deal with the other cultivators for Wen-ge, and Wen-ge was thinking the same as him! They really were the best Dao Companions!

“But no, no, the spiritual stones are all Wen-ge’s, I won’t hide any!”

“Are you sure? How about taking half?”

Sun Fuyu decisively shook his head.

“I trust Xiao Yu.” Even if Sun Fuyu didn’t accept it, Wen Zhihao was planning to spend it on Xiao Yu. Either way, it’ll go to his fiancé.

Wen Zhihao gave Sun Fuyu all his calming stones. With a serious expression, Sun Fuyu left the courtyard.

Sun Fuyu hadn’t told Wen-ge...but outside Liu Zhongmin’s grounds, there was a crowd of cultivators waiting. While they all looked like righteous cultivators, Sun Fuyu wouldn’t be surprised if a couple of demonic cultivators had snuck in too.

Sun Fuyu had first spotted some of them lurking outside the courtyard during the afternoon nap time. Upon contacting his shifu, Liu Zhongmin hurried back from her meeting to activate a defensive array around her quarters.

The crowd consisted of three groups of people:

(1) the cultivators who wanted to buy calming stones, which they called “unassuming heart-soothing treasures”;

(2) the cultivators who were not happy that their demonic pet had run away; and

(3) the cultivators who wanted to “speak” with Wen Zhihao.

Sun Fuyu wanted all of them to leave as soon as possible.

The cultivators outside the barrier became more energetic when they spotted Sun Fuyu, though nothing could be heard through the barrier.

Hu Jingyan, who had been assigned to watch the defensive array, frowned. “Sun-shidi, you be careful.”

“En, I’ll be fine, Hu-shijie,” Sun Fuyu inclined his head to Hu Jingyan in acknowledgement. He continued up to the barrier and stepped through.

The other cultivators immediately began talking, but Sun Fuyu pointedly didn’t speak until they all calmed down.

“The fellow cultivators who want a heart soothing treasure, please come to the front with your payment ready.” Sun Fuyu’s voice grew cold. “If you are not orderly, then I won’t sell to anyone. My Wen-shixiong has no obligation to you. You can find another source of heart soothing treasures.”

“Tch, then what about my demonic pet?! Are you going to reimburse me after stealing it?!” A particularly livid cultivator angrily kicked the defensive array’s shield. “I know my pet is behind this array!”

Sun Fuyu sneered. “With that kind of attitude, you don’t deserve to have a demonic pet! Now, should I sell any heart-soothing treasures or not?”

“Sell!” Another cultivator lightly nudged the first one aside. She then greeted Sun Fuyu respectfully with two hands. She produced an exquisite tray with two tear-shaped blue spiritual stones. “Fellow Cultivator Sun, here are two high-level spiritual stones…”

After ensuring that the spiritual stones were legitimate, Sun Fuyu took out one calming stone from his spatial ring. Its aura gently spread out. “Ensure its quality.”

The cultivator’s eyes closed briefly. Her exhale was slow and calm, though her heart was excited. This heart-soothing treasure was even better than the one her rival had snatched yesterday! “Many thanks, Fellow Cultivator Sun!”

With her proclamation, the other interested cultivators immediately hurried forward—though not too hurried, or else it would look like they were desperate.

“Fellow Cultivator Sun, here is my payment!”

“Fellow Cultivator Sun, please accept these spiritual stones!”

Despite the clamouring outside, none of that sound penetrated into the courtyard.

Wen Zhihao carried Xiao Bai and played catch with the demonic dogs (wolves), petted the giant bunny, and rubbed the furry stomach of the bear.

“See, not so scary,” Wen Zhihao said to Xiao Bai, guiding Xiao Bai to also rub the bear’s stomach.

“Soft,” Xiao Bai said in a serious little voice.

“En, soft.” Wen Zhihao gave a light laugh.

“Meow! Meow!” Why are you petting these outsiders! You’re our human!

A particularly energetic cat gently nudged Wen Zhihao away from the demonic bear and stuffed his head under Wen Zhihao’s hand.

Pressing his lips together to hold back a laugh, Wen Zhihao gave the cat a scratch behind the ears and under the chin. The cat purred.

“MEOW!” Don’t monopolise the Sleepy Human!

Another cat came over and knocked the first one aside and placed her head under Wen Zhihao’s hand instead.

With an exasperated smile, Wen Zhihao obligingly petted this cat too. Xiao Bai also reached out and touched the top of the cat’s head.

Seeing the herd of cats approaching him, Wen Zhihao stopped petting the cat and pulled out a butterfly-lights talisman from his spatial ring instead. “Xiao Bai, would you like to activate this talisman for me?”

Xiao Bai nodded. He gripped the talisman with his small hand and said in a milky voice, “Activate!”

The talisman glowed and shiny butterflies flew out of its surface. Eyes of the cats immediately narrowed in on the fluttering creatures, head-pats forgotten.

“Meow!” I can catch more than you!

“GRR!” I’m the current champion!

With the cats occupied, Wen Zhihao was able to sit down, resting against the large bear. Looking after human children and furry children was tiring!

Xiao Bai sat down next to him, examining the talisman.

“I’ll let you practice writing on yourself later, okay?”

Xiao Bai brightened. “I’ll work hard, Uncle!”

Wen Zhihao rubbed Xiao Bai on the head. “En, looking forward to it.”

100. Human children and furry children

When it came time to pick up the kids, Sun Fuyu drove the cart, while Wen Zhihao sat at the back and turned smooth river stones into calming stones. The animals smartly went back to the sect by themselves.

Then it was lunch at the sect kitchens, then naps back at their rooms…it was back to their normal routine. The war scare was barely a blip in Wen Zhihao’s everyday life.

This time, Wen Zhihao woke up from his afternoon nap on the same afternoon. There were sounds floating in from outside: children’s laughter and cats’ meows. The bed was otherwise empty, but Wen Zhihao just knew in his heart that Sun Fuyu was nearby, supervising the kids.

Wen Zhihao breathed slow and steady, his awareness turning inward. He felt as though there was a connection between his heart and Sun Fuyu’s. He reflexively glanced at his hands, but there weren't any red strings tied around his fingers.

Stretching, Wen Zhihao rose from bed and pulled on his robes. He left his long hair untied. Taking the opportunity, Wen Zhihao created a few more calming stones, and changed the talisman-to-be-printed on the talisman copier. Once he was sure that the talisman copier was working, he headed outside.

As expected, in the courtyard of Liu Zhongmin’s disciple accommodation quarters, there was Sun Fuyu, the children, and many large animals.

Wen Zhihao tilted his head slightly. He had never counted the number of cats before but...didn’t it seem like there were more this afternoon than in the morning? And there were...three dogs, a giant bunny and even a bear…

Bewildered, Wen Zhihao walked over to Sun Fuyu’s side. “Xiao Yu...did Cultivator Huang adopt more animals?”

Sun Fuyu bumped their arms together affectionately. “No. These are the pets of other cultivators from the other sects.” At Wen-ge’s confused look, Sun Fuyu cleared his throat. “They followed Wen-ge’s aura…”

At the plain/ravine, Wen-ge’s aura had had a big impact on the demonic animals. The peaceful qi made them want to roll over, to be petted, and to sleep. Unfortunately, Wen Zhihao and the others had left soon after. So as soon as their masters weren’t looking, these demonic animals used their tracking skills to stalk down the delicious qi. Wen Zhihao’s trip to the mortal town with Sun Fuyu to collect the children allowed them to catch Wen Zhihao’s trail, leading them here.

“Oh, I see.” Wen Zhihao leaned down and picked up Xiao Bai who had just come over. “Xiao Bai, not playing with your friends?”

Xiao Bai shook his head. “Uncle is awake now…”

Wen Zhihao rubbed Xiao Bai’s head. “Were you scared I’ll sleep through the afternoon again?” he asked with a grin.

Xiao Bai shyly hid his face.

Wen Zhihao smiled fondly and turned to Sun Fuyu. “Xiao Yu, can you do something for me?”

Sun Fuyu immediately straightened. “Yes!”

“I’ll give you all the calming stones I’ve made, and trust you to give them to interested cultivators? You can keep all the spiritual stones.”

Sun Fuyu’s heart rate picked up. “Yes, I can do it for Wen-ge!”

He had wanted to deal with the other cultivators for Wen-ge, and Wen-ge was thinking the same as him! They really were the best Dao Companions!

“But no, no, the spiritual stones are all Wen-ge’s, I won’t hide any!”

“Are you sure? How about taking half?”

Sun Fuyu decisively shook his head.

“I trust Xiao Yu.” Even if Sun Fuyu didn’t accept it, Wen Zhihao was planning to spend it on Xiao Yu. Either way, it’ll go to his fiancé.

Wen Zhihao gave Sun Fuyu all his calming stones. With a serious expression, Sun Fuyu left the courtyard.

Sun Fuyu hadn’t told Wen-ge...but outside Liu Zhongmin’s grounds, there was a crowd of cultivators waiting. While they all looked like righteous cultivators, Sun Fuyu wouldn’t be surprised if a couple of demonic cultivators had snuck in too.

Sun Fuyu had first spotted some of them lurking outside the courtyard during the afternoon nap time. Upon contacting his shifu, Liu Zhongmin hurried back from her meeting to activate a defensive array around her quarters.

The crowd consisted of three groups of people:

(1) the cultivators who wanted to buy calming stones, which they called “unassuming heart-soothing treasures”;

(2) the cultivators who were not happy that their demonic pet had run away; and

(3) the cultivators who wanted to “speak” with Wen Zhihao.

Sun Fuyu wanted all of them to leave as soon as possible.

The cultivators outside the barrier became more energetic when they spotted Sun Fuyu, though nothing could be heard through the barrier.

Hu Jingyan, who had been assigned to watch the defensive array, frowned. “Sun-shidi, you be careful.”

“En, I’ll be fine, Hu-shijie,” Sun Fuyu inclined his head to Hu Jingyan in acknowledgement. He continued up to the barrier and stepped through.

The other cultivators immediately began talking, but Sun Fuyu pointedly didn’t speak until they all calmed down.

“The fellow cultivators who want a heart soothing treasure, please come to the front with your payment ready.” Sun Fuyu’s voice grew cold. “If you are not orderly, then I won’t sell to anyone. My Wen-shixiong has no obligation to you. You can find another source of heart soothing treasures.”

“Tch, then what about my demonic pet?! Are you going to reimburse me after stealing it?!” A particularly livid cultivator angrily kicked the defensive array’s shield. “I know my pet is behind this array!”

Sun Fuyu sneered. “With that kind of attitude, you don’t deserve to have a demonic pet! Now, should I sell any heart-soothing treasures or not?”

“Sell!” Another cultivator lightly nudged the first one aside. She then greeted Sun Fuyu respectfully with two hands. She produced an exquisite tray with two tear-shaped blue spiritual stones. “Fellow Cultivator Sun, here are two high-level spiritual stones…”

After ensuring that the spiritual stones were legitimate, Sun Fuyu took out one calming stone from his spatial ring. Its aura gently spread out. “Ensure its quality.”

The cultivator’s eyes closed briefly. Her exhale was slow and calm, though her heart was excited. This heart-soothing treasure was even better than the one her rival had snatched yesterday! “Many thanks, Fellow Cultivator Sun!”

With her proclamation, the other interested cultivators immediately hurried forward—though not too hurried, or else it would look like they were desperate.

“Fellow Cultivator Sun, here is my payment!”

“Fellow Cultivator Sun, please accept these spiritual stones!”

Despite the clamouring outside, none of that sound penetrated into the courtyard.

Wen Zhihao carried Xiao Bai and played catch with the demonic dogs (wolves), petted the giant bunny, and rubbed the furry stomach of the bear.

“See, not so scary,” Wen Zhihao said to Xiao Bai, guiding Xiao Bai to also rub the bear’s stomach.

“Soft,” Xiao Bai said in a serious little voice.

“En, soft.” Wen Zhihao gave a light laugh.

“Meow! Meow!” Why are you petting these outsiders! You’re our human!

A particularly energetic cat gently nudged Wen Zhihao away from the demonic bear and stuffed his head under Wen Zhihao’s hand.

Pressing his lips together to hold back a laugh, Wen Zhihao gave the cat a scratch behind the ears and under the chin. The cat purred.

“MEOW!” Don’t monopolise the Sleepy Human!

Another cat came over and knocked the first one aside and placed her head under Wen Zhihao’s hand instead.

With an exasperated smile, Wen Zhihao obligingly petted this cat too. Xiao Bai also reached out and touched the top of the cat’s head.

Seeing the herd of cats approaching him, Wen Zhihao stopped petting the cat and pulled out a butterfly-lights talisman from his spatial ring instead. “Xiao Bai, would you like to activate this talisman for me?”

Xiao Bai nodded. He gripped the talisman with his small hand and said in a milky voice, “Activate!”

The talisman glowed and shiny butterflies flew out of its surface. Eyes of the cats immediately narrowed in on the fluttering creatures, head-pats forgotten.

“Meow!” I can catch more than you!

“GRR!” I’m the current champion!

With the cats occupied, Wen Zhihao was able to sit down, resting against the large bear. Looking after human children and furry children was tiring!

Xiao Bai sat down next to him, examining the talisman.

“I’ll let you practice writing on yourself later, okay?”

Xiao Bai brightened. “I’ll work hard, Uncle!”

Wen Zhihao rubbed Xiao Bai on the head. “En, looking forward to it.”