Chapter 43 Yin Yang Dream: Lin Feiran's Day in the Ordinary Volume

Back in the demon realm, Lin Feiran finally relaxed after being on edge for many days. After taking a bath, she collapsed into her room and slept soundly, seemingly unable to wake up. However, before dawn the next day, she got up to practice her sword as usual.

The courtyard used to be empty, with nothing but flowers and plants. Now it's different. There are many new challenge letters scattered around the courtyard, all with familiar names.

It seems that many people still miss her even though she's been gone for a few days.

With a sigh, she swept her sword across the ground, collecting the scattered invitations into a wooden box. Then, she leaped onto the roof, stretched in the rising sun, and soared out of the city, landing in front of the familiar steamed bun shop.

She hadn't eaten well in the past few days; she was starving.

The owner had just finished steaming several baskets and turned to bring them out when he immediately saw someone staring straight at him. Thinking he had seen a hungry wolf at dawn, he was so frightened that he almost dropped the steamer basket in his hand.

"You scared me to death! It's the envoy! You're back from your trip? Same as always?"

"Hmm." Lin Feiran responded softly, then took out a few jade coins from his mustard seed bag and placed them on the table.

The owner was very skilled at packing her food, using the largest sheet of tung oil paper. With a few deft movements of his hands, he packed several steamers of meat buns into the steamer.

Lin Feiran thanked them, took the steaming hot meat bun, and slowly walked towards the west alley. She thought to herself that she had a lot to do today.

The morning in Yaodu is not as lively as at night, but it always has a kind of tranquil beauty. The sun is sparse, the shadows of branches are horizontal and oblique, and various colorful flower branches peek out from the courtyard wall, fluttering in the wind.

Lin Feiran walked through the area, strolling under the shade of the willow trees. She glanced at the cats and dogs that were secretly following her not far away, paused slightly, picked up a few soft white meat buns from her pocket and placed them by the bridge, then got up and left.

She walked left and right until she reached the last steamed bun entrance, where she finally stood in front of a teahouse.

The teahouse has three floors, with green tiles and flying eaves. Every corner is decorated with delicate white jasmine flowers, which exude a faint fragrance. Just as Lin Feiran was about to raise her hand to knock on the door, she heard light footsteps coming from inside. A moment later, someone opened the door and peeked out.

"Lin Feiran!" Orange Blossom exclaimed with delight, her two dimples adorning her cheeks. "It's you! Come in quickly!"

"My husband said there was someone outside, and I thought it was some tea customer, but it turned out to be you! Have you had breakfast? Thanks to you last time, otherwise I would have frozen to death on the street. I wanted to come and thank you, but unfortunately you were out on business..."

Chenghua's mouth didn't stop, it was faster than beans pouring from a bamboo tube, and before anyone could keep up, she had already led Lin Feiran to the back room.

"Chenghua, speak more slowly." A voice came from behind the curtain, clear and melodious like pearls and jade, mellow and rich like fine wine.

Chenghua smiled, looking a little embarrassed: "That's my...husband. His name is Qi Chen, but the tea drinkers who often come to watch the opera prefer to call him Butterfly Through Flowers."

A butterfly flitting among flowers?

Lin Feiran turned her head and saw a man in a pink shirt lift the curtain and come out. He was not wearing any makeup, and his long hair was tied up with a flower branch. He was handsome and his eyes were sparkling.

He walked up to Lin Feiran, stared at her for a few moments, and then bowed: "I must thank you for your help when Chenghua suddenly fell ill last time."

His appearance was rather gentle, but his expression was somewhat incongruously cold. Even when he thanked her, his expression remained unchanged, only showing a hint of warmth when he stood up and looked at the orange blossoms.

Lin Feiran slightly turned aside to avoid the bow, and said only, "I did not help with the matter of the cold illness. If it weren't for a young man named Hengcao stopping me in time, I'm afraid I would have done more harm than good."

Qi Chen nodded slightly: "As long as the result is good, the process doesn't matter. We have already given a gift of thanks to that demon youth. This one is for the envoy, please accept it."

He handed over a brocade box containing a fist-sized edelweiss, its tiny petals surrounded by a thin layer of frost.

Edelweiss grows on the snowy plains of the North Plains and is extremely difficult to find. It is a rare and valuable medicine. To give away such a treasure so casually shows the sincerity of the giver and also reveals their extraordinary status.

Lin Feiran took a closer look at Qi Chen and thought to himself that the Demon Capital was truly a place where hidden talents resided. Could this place actually be some kind of blessed land?

She composed herself and did not accept the gift. Instead, she took out several ice-jade porcelain bottles from her mustard seed bag and placed them on the dining table. The bottles were as clear as ice and contained many fiery pills.

Qi Chen recognized the pills in the bottle at a glance, his expression slightly surprised, and he looked at Lin Feiran with some curiosity: "Your Excellency, what is this?"

"Golden Fire Pill."

Lin Feiran answered frankly.

"I came here today because of Chenghua's cold-related illness. I had heard that Jinhuo Pills are effective for cold-related illnesses and are very hard to find. I happened to come across a few bottles while I was out, so I took them and gave them to you."

The Golden Fire Pill must be stored with ice. When the Flowing Vermilion Pavilion collapses, the porcelain bottle protecting it will surely shatter. Rather than letting it be destroyed, we should do something good.

Lin Feiran's eyes were clear and her thoughts were simple, but the two people opposite her were somewhat stunned. They never expected that Lin Feiran had come here specifically to give away medicine.

Chenghua looked at her, then at the porcelain vase on the table, and was at a loss for words.

She had gone to Jingchuan to watch the game several times and had a great admiration for Lin Feiran. Today, she was also very enthusiastic. However, she knew in her heart that to Lin Feiran, they were just strangers who had met a few times.

There are always few truly kind people in the world. She has been ill since childhood and has lived a life of hardship. She and Qi Chen have gone through many trials and tribulations, and the hardships they have endured are beyond words. Therefore, every act of kindness is precious to her, let alone such a seemingly convenient and selfless gesture.

Unlike Cheng Hua's sentimentality, Qi Chen was much calmer. He lowered his eyes and pondered for a few moments before accepting the Golden Fire Pill and taking back the Edelweiss.

"Your Excellency is deeply grateful for this generous gift. This edelweiss is not enough to repay you. In the future, I will send a more worthy return gift."

Lin Feiran smiled and shook her head. She turned around and saw the breakfast on the table. She pointed to it and said, "If you really want to return the favor, then use these."

On the table was breakfast for the two of them, a very authentic human meal: several scallion pancakes mixed with egg liquid and fried, tender yellow and well-shaped, soft, glutinous and fresh, sprinkled with a little sesame, steaming gently in the morning light.

Chenghua's eyes lit up, and she quickly pushed Qi Chen into the kitchen, peeking into Lin Feiran's eyes and saying, "The pancakes are getting cold, wait a moment, I'll have Qi Chen make some more!"

Lin Feiran initially wanted to refuse, but seeing the two of them busy in the kitchen, chatting and laughing, she sat back down and quietly watched the tall pomelo tree in the courtyard, where the birds that had been hiding there finally took flight and went out to forage for food.

As the sun rose high in the sky, the streets became busier. Lin Feiran walked among them, eating a large bag of scallion pancakes. She kept a low profile and remained quiet, yet some people still recognized her and told her to hurry to Jingchuan.

Lin Feiran did not answer, but slowly walked to the gate of the sword-making workshop. The gate was not closed today, and one door was open.

She stood in front of the door, eating a pancake, then paused, taking a long time before speaking: "Senior, what are you doing?"

"I'm looking for the poor little thing that ran into the store just now. I only touched the tip of its tail before it disappeared. What if it got hurt by something?"

Zhang Si, disregarding his advanced age and dignified image, was crawling around on the floor with a sinister grin, glancing at the bottom of the cabinet one moment and darting behind the door the next.

Lin Feiran looked up and saw a small white mink head peeking out from the top of the cabinet. It looked at Zhang Siwo, who was grinning maliciously, and then trembled and shrank back.

"..."

Lin Feiran felt she should lend a hand.

She interrupted the person searching and asked, "Senior, how's the matter I asked you about last time?"

Before leaving the demon realm, she went to the blacksmith's shop to ask him for a favor and gave him a cup of dark silver water.

"It was prepared a long time ago..."

Zhang Si looked up at her. Even though his posture was indecent, he didn't care much. However, his gaze suddenly tightened as he looked at her, and after a moment his eyes lit up. He immediately got up and circled around her several times, saying, "How strange!"

Lin Feiran blinked: "What's wrong?"

I didn't answer Zhang Si, but mumbled something vaguely. My gaze inadvertently swept over the mustard pouch at her waist, and I chuckled twice.

It seems someone has stumbled upon a great opportunity.

"It's nothing, come with me. The task you set last time is done. You have no idea, in order to finish the work as soon as possible, this old man has been swinging a hammer and forging iron every day. You should appreciate my hard work!"

The two walked to the backyard, where a sword furnace was burning. Inside the furnace, there were eerie blue flames, occasionally streaked with lightning, indicating that it was no ordinary weapon.

Beside this sword furnace, there were hundreds of weapons, including swords, spears, axes, clubs, whips, bows, and halberds. These were all weapons that Lin Feiran had seized when he was making "magnets".

Zhang Siwo picked up the teapot and took a sip: "These weapons were quite damaged when they were delivered. There were broken, incomplete, and damaged ones. Last time, I only charged you the price for a fellow villager, which was a huge loss. Because of you, I haven't been able to sleep until the wee hours of the morning. You still have 10% left in your cup of 'Sinking Silver Water.' Don't take it back. Consider it a small change."

Lin Feiran chuckled, then took out a few more jade coins from her mustard seed bag: "I already said I would give you the Shenyin Water, so I won't take it back. Consider these as the remaining amount. Thank you for your trouble, senior."

"They really spend money like water," Zhang Siwo said sourly. "Is an envoy this rich? Go ask that peacock if he takes in old blacksmiths. Cough, and ask him where he picked up this little rascal. I'll go find one too."

Lin Feiran put the forged weapon into his storage bag and replied, "Okay, I'll ask him about it."

I grabbed the jade coins and put them into the cabinet box. I looked at her, my eyes showing satisfaction, and suddenly asked, "The Flying Flower Gathering, are you sure you want to participate?"

Lin Feiran nodded: "I'll definitely go. Why are you asking this all of a sudden?"

Zhang Siwo waved his hand: "It's nothing, just asking. By the way, I heard you have a big appetite. I have a few boxes of tea cakes here that someone gave me. They are fragrant and delicious, but not very sweet. They're not very satisfying to eat. I might as well give them to you to fill your stomach."

He bent down and took out several brocade boxes from under the counter, stuffed them straight into Lin Feiran's arms, saw her to the door, and instructed her, "Next time you come, remember to bring your little darlings!"

After saying that, he closed the door and went off to search for the white sable with a snicker.

Lin Feiran smiled silently, ate his tea cake, and walked out of the city. Unfortunately, the white sable had already slipped out the door, and the senior could only touch the remaining air.

*

Under Lin Feiran's sweeping influence over the past few months, Jingchuan has become a veritable training ground. Young people who have come from afar have filled the inn, full of energy and clear-headed, and they work hard every day. In the past few months, several people have indeed successfully broken through to higher realms, so the number of people coming to find Lin Feiran has increased even more.

In the few days she was away, the dojo was much quieter. It wasn't that there was no one to fight, but rather that people were lazy and few could be as diligent as she was, showing up every day to perform their duties.

Therefore, when everyone saw that figure in black enter the inner hall, they were all taken aback, firstly because they were surprised that Lin Feiran had returned to the demon realm, and secondly because they were surprised that she had only arrived at noon.

The sun truly rises in the west!

Lin Feiran's eyes were unreadable, and she didn't know why they were surprised. After a brief moment of confusion, she nodded slightly to everyone, then opened the mustard bag and took out the weapons one by one and placed them on the ground.

“I have repaired all these weapons; you may come and claim them.”

The demon race is extremely lacking in weapon craftsmen, and most of their weapons are obtained from the human race. Top-quality spiritual weapons are even more hard to come by. For the demon race, who are keen on fighting and comprehending the Dao, a fine spiritual weapon is priceless.

This shows how cruel Lin Feiran's decision to disarm and spare the lives of others was. Many people would rather be injured than have their hard-earned treasures confiscated.

Many people had fought with her before, hoping to redeem their treasures. Unexpectedly, she returned them all today. Even the originally insignificant Pu Jian was repaired and now faintly glows.

Someone exclaimed in a trembling voice, "This is so sudden! Have you committed some grave error that has finally led to your expulsion from your position as an envoy by the Lord?!"

"Does he/she have a chronic illness?"

"Does the Lord still dislike your human identity?"

The guesses were varied and confusing, leaving Lin Feiran bewildered. She said, "I never intended to keep these weapons. They're useless to me, so I might as well return them. Is there anything wrong with that?"

The hall suddenly fell silent, and even the hall master, who was looking down at the abacus, looked up.

There's nothing wrong with it; it's a very natural and simple principle. But among cultivators who believe in the law of the jungle, no one would waste their energy doing such unnecessary things.

After a long silence, someone asked in a low voice, "You're not coming to Jingchuan anymore?"

Lin Feiran said, "Of course I'll come."

The man was taken aback: "So you did all this because..."

To win people's hearts? To recruit followers? To ensure everyone supports her position as envoy?

"Does it have to be for some reason?" Lin Feiran asked, puzzled. "If it has to be for some reason, then it's for myself. I want to do it, so I'm doing it. The weapon is being returned today because I don't plan to fight any more martial arts battles."

"Then what are you going to do?"

Lin Feiran sat down on the ground, neatly arranged his weapons, and said, word by word, "After advancing in the realm, one must naturally learn new techniques and regain control of spiritual power."

It turns out they weren't satisfied with fighting them and were planning to switch to someone else for a promotion.

Suddenly, a familiar sense of urgency swept through everyone's hearts, as if they had returned to the days when they had fought with her not long ago.

Back then, whenever someone wanted to sleep a little longer, they would involuntarily think of Lin Feiran. The thought that she had probably been practicing swordsmanship for an hour made it impossible for them to fall asleep again.

Seeing the unconscious person, the faint sense of loss and gratitude in their hearts vanished instantly. Compared to martial arts, magic was far more harmful. They should feel more sorry for the person who would fight her in the future.

With long sighs and deep exclamations, the group squatted down and searched for their weapons. Halfway through, they suddenly spoke.

"I will get up at 5 a.m. tomorrow."

"I rise at the hour of Yin!"

"I won't sleep all night!"

Lin Feiran: ?

How did it suddenly catch fire?

The weapons on display were clearly in much better condition than before, and many people flocked to them with their friends, making the scene lively for a while. Lin Feiran had anticipated this, so he only took out ten weapons at a time, and only gave them away after confirming their owners.

The crowd gathered around, making a rumbling noise like a boiling cauldron. Suddenly, Lin Feiran seemed to sense something, immediately grabbed the remaining weapons, and retreated.

With a thud, the huge wine gourd landed in the middle, the water splashing and shaking several people away.

“Gatherings and making noise are prohibited outside Jingchuan.”

His voice was languid, yet it sent chills down one's spine.

Everyone turned around and saw a female cultivator with a single braid, tanned skin, and white lines under her eyes standing with her arms crossed. She lazily glanced at everyone and gave a solid yawn.

Among the many young people present, most did not recognize this person, but some with good eyesight immediately bowed and greeted him, "Lord Ping An."

Upon hearing this, the others also immediately bowed.

Ping An recalled the wine gourd, his gaze sweeping over the area, lingering for a few moments on the white jade bell at Lin Feiran's waist. He looked at her, then at the jade bell, and coughed lightly: "Gathering and making noise is prohibited, except for envoys."

The blatant double standards were met with dissatisfaction from everyone present.

Including the newly appointed Lin Feiran, there are now six envoys. Their duties and levels of cultivation are different. Compared to the envoys themselves, what everyone fears more is the hail behind them, except for one person.

May the envoy be safe and sound. He is the number one person below the level of the demon realm's divine travels, a true powerhouse.

Back then, Ru Xian nailed the previous Demon King to death on the high wall with a single spear. Afterwards, he abandoned the title of king, proclaimed himself the supreme ruler of the realm, and once declared that anyone who was not convinced could come to the Demon Capital for a battle.

Upon hearing this, dissent poured in, and when he got tired of being hit by hail, he simply took the first envoy to fight on his behalf.

The envoy's name was Ping An, and she belonged to the Iron-Eating Beast clan. However, her true origins were unknown. All that was known was that defeating her would give them hope of defeating the Demon Lord and dominating the Demon Realm.

Unfortunately, so far, hope remains slim. She has been stationed in Jingchuan for many years and has long become a symbol.

Lin Feiran had heard of Ping An before. According to Xun Feifei and others, she came to Jingchuan to avoid the world, so she did not want to go out much and preferred to stay in Xumi to drink wine and eat bamboo shoots. Therefore, she had never had the opportunity to meet her before.

A few days ago, when Ru Xian heard that she wanted to practice magic, she mentioned Ping An. Most of the ancestors of the Iron-Eating Beast Clan were Skywalkers, so they were very knowledgeable in magic. If she could practice with her, it would be of great benefit.

Thinking of this, Lin Feiran's expression shifted slightly. Could it be that he had specially summoned Ping An from Sumeru Land for her sake?

*

"Sister Ping went to Jingchuan today to look for Lin Feiran. Does anyone know where she went?" Xun Feifei asked.

Biqing recalled, "She said she had some things to do today, to go to the teahouse, the sword-making workshop, and Jingchuan... Wouldn't that mean she'd run into Sister Ping?"

Xun Feifei paused: "She just came back from the human realm yesterday, can't she rest for a while?"

Xuanzhen exclaimed, "With this kind of spirit, she'll succeed at anything!"

Upon hearing this, Xun Feifei and Bi Qing both turned to look at him.

Xuanzhen smiled and said, “I didn’t say that. I heard it from a teacher. He saw me fighting with wild dogs for food and said that if students have such a fierce spirit, they will succeed in whatever they do. I think he’s absolutely right!”

The other two remained silent, then said in unison, "Sorry."

"It's alright, it's alright!" Xuanzhen didn't take it to heart. He smiled and put his arm around the two of them to continue patrolling the streets. Halfway through, the three of them stopped.

Under the setting sun, two figures came running from afar, startling pedestrians who leaped into the air.

Xuanzhen straightened up, looking astonished: "If I'm not mistaken, that's..."

Not far away, Lin Feiran was running wildly through the streets and alleys, with a huge iron-eating beast chasing after him, while Ping An sat cross-legged on a wine gourd, chewing on crisp bamboo shoots and laughing heartily.

Bi Qing was silent for a moment: "This is the first time I've seen Lin Feiran with such an out-of-control expression."

Xuanzhen clasped her hands together: "Nine times out of ten, their spiritual veins have been sealed... That little dumpling can smash bricks into bean curd with a single palm strike, we must run fast!"

Xun Feifei: "..."

Ignoring Lin Feiran's pleading eyes, the three silently took a few steps back and watched her leave.

Author's Note: Even a leisurely day should be packed with activities. Lin Feiran absolutely refuses to admit that she is a "bookworm king."

*

In Ping An's eyes, everyone except Ru Xian was a vegetable.