Before he realized it, another night had quietly passed. Chu Feng had now spent two nights in this unfamiliar world. The first night had been a nightmare—one he wished never to relive. But the night he had just awakened from was peaceful, like a gentle breeze brushing past a field of bamboo.
He had shared the cave with Ling'er, and for once, his dreams were tranquil.
The day before, after returning from his hunt, Chu Ling'er had chosen a squirrel from the game he brought back. She skinned it with deft hands and simmered it into a rich, steaming broth.
As Chu Feng had gone to the river at that time, he hadn't witnessed her skill firsthand. Yet, when he returned, the soup was warm—not hot—evidence that it had been ready for some time. She had waited for him before serving even a single drop for herself.
Gratitude welled in Chu Feng's heart. He finished the entire bowl, not leaving behind so much as a stain on the plate.
After their meal, with nothing else pressing, they had decided to explore the surrounding ruins together. Though Chu Feng possessed Ye Feng's memories, the sights were still novel and stirring to him. The world of cultivation, in contrast to Earth, was vast and unfettered. Yet freedom came only to those with strength.
To live without strength in this world was to live under the heel of others. That was a truth he could not ignore.
During their walk, Chu Feng found his thoughts drifting again to the old man's technique. But even the mere thought of it filled him with dread. Could he really subject himself to the same agony he had felt from that venomous bite? And not once—but a hundred times over?
To temper the heart through venom or any other means that is just as painful and deadly... was madness. How many times will he survive such torment?
On Earth, he had read in fantasies, the stories of heroic cultivators—men and women who defied death with indomitable wills. But truly, what in the name of the Asura Devils was this?
Thankfully, he wasn't some main character bound by fate or legend written in fictions for readers amusement, he was a real life person and real life people have fears.
He had sighed at that moment as he thought to himself; he would just live moderately, content to hunt and survive, with Ling'er at his side.
Ling'er would cultivate—that decision remained unchanged. As for him, he would continue as a hunter.
Even with the advantages the practice of cultivation could bring—like longevity, what was the use of it, if one's soul was taken early?
He had once spoken grand words upon his awakening, declaring that he would raise Ye Feng's body to heights it had never known. But that was ignorance on his path.
He had already started having a fickle heart after hearing Ling'er's tale—how her master nearly turned her into a cultivation pill. Even if he had spirit root, would he still have dared to tread the cultivation path?
And yet, some part of him could not let go of that thrill—the thrill of wielding power, of breaking trees with a single strike, of soaring upon a sword like wind through clouds.
But he would not reach for what lay beyond his grasp.
The hunter's memories were enough. With time, experience, and patience, he was confident he would be able to match the man's skill in the wilds.
And speaking of the mountain, he had made a firm vow—never again would he stray so carelessly beyond its periphery.
---
"Ahhh…" Chu Feng let out a long yawn as he stepped out of the cave into the morning light.
"Big Brother, good morning." A soft voice called behind him.
Startled, Chu Feng nearly leapt from his skin. He hadn't noticed that Ling'er was awake.
"I didn't know you were up already."
Ling'er rubbed her eyes. A trace of sleep lingered in her gaze.
"I barely slept," she murmured, eyelids heavy.
"Why? Did you have a nightmare?"
Ling'er shook her head. "Nothing like that."
"Then what kept you awake?"
Ling'er easily stomped her foot, her mouth pouting.
"Isn't it because of you?"
"Eh?" Chu Feng blinked in confusion. "What did I do to disturb your rest?"
"Hmph! You disappeared yesterday without a word. When I awoke and found you gone, I was worried sick. I even thought you had… run away."
Chu Feng opened his mouth, but no words came.
He had known that while he had been up the mountain, Ling'er would have been anxious. That was why he'd rushed to descend.
"But I brought meat back," he said sheepishly.
"I don't care about meat!" she huffed. "I would rather never eat meat again than wake up and find you gone."
A soft smile curved Chu Feng's lips. His gaze grew gentle as he reached out to pat her head.
"Don't worry. This Chu Feng will never leave you."
He paused, then added, "By the way, I plan to head to the city market today. Do you have anything I can use to cover myself completely?"
"You're going to the market?" Ling'er eyes lit up. "Are you taking me with you?"
He patted her head again. "If I bring you along, it'll be difficult to do anything. I'll take you next time."
Ling'er pouted.
"You promise?"
"Mn." Chu Feng nodded firmly.
"I still have a cloak I took when I fled from my master. It covers the whole body—even the face."
"Good. Then I'll borrow it."
—-------
With the aid of Ye Feng's memories, Chu Feng was able to trace the path toward the city without error.
Slung over his shoulder was the bundled excess game, which he intended to sell at the market.
The city was not far. Before long, the towering walls of its western gate loomed into view.
Chu Feng came to a halt and gazed up.
"So this… is the city," he murmured.
Seeing it with his own eyes was far more stirring than merely recalling it through borrowed memory.
The gates were forged from a dark metal, their surface polished and smooth, with artistic markings etched on it.
Chu Feng found himself captivated by the craftsmanship. He stood there, silent and motionless, unsure how long he had been admiring the gate.
"If the gate alone is this splendid," he thought to himself, "how magnificent must the city be?"
"Hey! You freak, just going to stand there all day? The gate's not here for you to gawk at!" a guard barked.
Startled, Chu Feng snapped out of his trance. "Ah… apologies," he said quickly, and continued forward into the city.
"Tch. Freak," the guard muttered again under his breath.
Though Chu Feng's face was hidden beneath a plain traveling cloak, the guards paid it no mind. The netted bundle over his shoulder marked him as a hunter — and some hunters often concealed their identities, either to avoid attention or to ward off trouble. There was nothing unusual about that.
The shouting guard turned to his companion, who had just finished inspecting a merchant's cart. "The people coming through these days are all nobodies. When will that young master from the Bai family visit the city? We always receive a little something extra in our coin pouches when he passes by."
The other guard let out a wistful sigh.
Anyway, Chu Feng had already entered the heart of the city.
It was as wondrous as he had hoped.
Though he had seen marvels beyond imagining in his past life on Earth, the sheer vitality of this place struck him deeply. The streets pulsed with energy — not just from the people, but from the very stones beneath his feet.
Every building, every pavilion, every lantern-hung alley radiated with life.
The markets bustled with noise and color, and alluring courtesans stood by ornate establishments, their laughter like silver bells, trying to draw men into their "Ginseng Palaces."
But Chu Feng actually walked past the Ginseng palace without a second glance.
He had no interest.
Had this been the old days while he was on earth, back when he still clung to these indulgences and considered places like this his heaven, he might have stood frozen, enthralled by the sight.
Because the women here were indeed alluring — more curvaceous, more enchanting than those he remembered from Earth. Their eyes shimmered like those of fox spirits, their movements fluid like serpents. They exuded charm and temptation with every gesture.
"Phew…" Chu Feng let out a quiet breath as he walked through.
He couldn't explain it—ever since seizing Ye Feng's body, something within him had changed. Desires that once mattered to him, now seemed meaningless. Things that were once his priorities had faded like mist in the wind.
Shaking his head, he moved along, taking in the city's liveliness, his eyes idly passing over the stalls lining the road.
"Young man!" a voice called out.
Chu Feng paused and turned toward the sound.
A middle-aged man seated behind a small stall was beckoning to him. The stall displayed various delicate hairpins—some wooden, some jade, a few of silver craftsmanship.
Chu Feng raised a brow. He hadn't even looked in the man's direction—what reason did the vendor have to call him over?
Curious, he approached.
"Forgive my boldness," the vendor said with a mischievous grin. "I couldn't resist calling you over."
"What do you want?" Chu Feng asked plainly. He had no intention of lingering.
The man leaned in, studying Chu Feng from head to toe beneath his cloak, then let out a chuckle.
"I see, I see…" he nodded, stroking his short beard. "You have someone dear to your heart, don't you? And if I'm not mistaken, that special person is a young lady, yes?"
Chu Feng nearly laughed aloud. It was obvious the man was simply fishing for an opportunity to make a sale. A typical merchant's trick—and a shallow one at that.
"I do have someone important to me," Chu Feng replied bluntly, "and yes, she's a woman. But I've no coin to spare on your hairpins."
"Eh?!" The man flinched as if stabbed. He muttered under his breath, Couldn't you at least play along and pretend? Must you be so honest?
Chu Feng turned to leave. "I've got things to do. Farewell."
"Wait! Wait!" the man called after him again.
Chu Feng sighed, already growing impatient. "What now? I told you—I don't have money for your stuff."
The man raised his hands in a placating gesture and laughed nervously.
"No, no—it's not about the hairpins this time. I noticed the game you carry. If you're looking to sell, I'll buy them from you. I can offer a fair price."
That made Chu Feng stop in his tracks.
He had indeed been wondering where to offload the hunts slung over his shoulder. Being new to the city, finding the right place would have taken time. If this man was willing to buy, then so be it.
"You?" Chu Feng asked skeptically. "Aren't you a hairpin seller?"
"Haha!" The man chuckled heartily. "Indeed, I sell hair pins. But I also know how to recognize an opportunity when I see one. A newcomer like you might waste time wandering the streets. I simply wish to help."
Chu Feng studied the man. There was something shady about the fellow.
"Fine," he said. "How much?"
The man squinted at the bundle of games. "You've got quite a bit there. I'll pay fifty copper. But…" He coughed. "From that fifty, you must buy a hairpin."
Chu Feng smirked inwardly. So that was his real aim.
"How much for the hairpin?"
The vendor cleared his throat. "Only five copper. No more, no less."
Chu Feng narrowed his eyes. He felt he was likely being swindled, but he had little knowledge of the local market rates. Still, fifty copper was enough to buy a decent number of things in town, and five wasn't a steep loss.
He thought briefly of Ling'er. A hairpin wouldn't be a bad gift.
His eyes scanned the display and landed on a jade one, simple yet elegant.
"I want that one," he said, then placed the net of the game on the man's counter.
The vendor pulled the net open slightly and examined its contents. His eyes gleamed.
"A fine hunter you are, young man! Such game… if only they were alive, I could've offered more," he said with a sigh.
"Spare me the flattery," Chu Feng said coolly. "Just give me the hairpin and my change. I've no time to waste."
"Right, right," the man nodded hastily.
He retrieved the jade hairpin, wrapped it carefully in a soft cloth, and handed it over. Then, he counted out forty-five copper coins and passed them to Chu Feng.
Chu Feng took both items without another word and strode away.
As soon as he disappeared into the crowd, the merchant's grin widened like a fox who'd just snuck into a henhouse.
He glanced at the game, his eyes sparkling. "Heh… best trade I've made all week," he muttered, lifting the bundle and cradling it close.
A low whistle left his lips as he began humming a jaunty tune.
Who could say just how much he had profited off the unsuspecting newcomer?