Volume One, Chapter 14: Lazy and Ugly!

Qingyi gently patted Bai Ziye’s head and patiently coaxed him, “Wangcai, hold on a little longer, we’re almost there!”

But Bai Ziye stubbornly refused, kicking his legs and flopping down onto the ground.

The Fox Emperor of Qingqiu, having to follow a human to set up a stall? Did he have no dignity at all?

Qingyi sighed helplessly.

Dragging the sprawled Bai Ziye, she struggled toward the street where she often set up her stall.

This street had once been the busiest in town.

But now, it was eerily quiet.

Qingyi felt a pang of disappointment.

Today’s stall setup was clearly a bust!

If these demon clans didn’t leave, this Peach Blossom Array might not regain its former liveliness for a long time.

No, this would cut off her own income!

Qingyi rested her chin on her hand, thinking for a moment, then suddenly her eyes lit up.

Of course!

If she couldn’t set up a stall, she could go door to door treating illnesses!

Although women were not allowed to practice medicine openly, she could disguise herself as a man. That way, she could legitimately treat patients and earn more silver than selling goods at a stall.

The more Qingyi thought about it, the more feasible the plan seemed.

I’m truly a little genius!

“Wangcai, once we strike it rich, I promise to buy you two of the prettiest little female dogs!”

At these words, Bai Ziye’s expression froze.

He was the proud Fox Emperor of Qingqiu!

He had countless women of various races captivated by him, circling this tiny Peach Blossom Array hundreds of times!

Did he need two little female dogs?

An insult!

A blatant insult!

“Looks like setting up a stall is out of the question. Let’s go buy some medicinal herbs,” Qingyi said, dragging Bai Ziye to the town’s herbal shop.

The herbal shop in Peach Blossom Town was just about to close for the day.

“Uncle Xu!”

“Qingyi! What a surprise!”

Qingyi dragged Bai Ziye inside.

Uncle Xu, a warm-hearted man, saw her struggling with the dog and helped her. “Qingyi, why are you dragging a dead dog around?”

Bai Ziye lifted his head and glared fiercely at the human in front of him.

“Woof?”

(Who’s calling me a dead dog?)

Uncle Xu jumped in fright, thinking the dog had come back to life!

“Oh, it’s still alive!”

Qingyi smiled sheepishly. “Uncle Xu, this is my dog Wangcai. He’s just a bit timid and doesn’t like to walk much.”

Uncle Xu looked the dog up and down with some disdain.

Such an ugly and lazy dog.

Qingyi, such a beautiful girl—how did she end up with this creature?

Of course, that was none of his business; everyone had their preferences.

“Qingyi, are you here to buy medicinal herbs?”

Qingyi was a regular customer at his shop.

“Yes,” she nodded and pulled out a list she had prepared. “Uncle Xu, do you have these herbs?”

Uncle Xu glanced at the list. “We do, but some of these herbs are very expensive. Are you sure you want them?”

Qingyi touched the gold leaves in her pouch, gaining confidence. “How expensive?”

“This hundred-year wild ginseng costs at least this much!”

“Thirty silver coins?”

“Thirty gold leaves! Also, the hundred-year knotweed isn’t cheap, and there’s more...”

Qingyi felt her heart tighten painfully.

She expected the herbs to be costly but hadn’t anticipated such exorbitant prices!

“But since you’re buying so much, if you’re serious, I can give you a discount.” Uncle Xu took out his abacus, clicked away, and showed her the total.

Qingyi’s eyes widened.

Wasn’t this going to empty her pockets?

Uncle Xu knew these herbs were expensive.

Especially the hundred-year wild ginseng, the knotweed, and other precious herbs—they nearly exhausted his own savings, and he’d been unable to sell them for a long time.

The price he offered Qingyi was already rock-bottom.

In reality, he was taking a loss!

But since he couldn’t sell them, they would only rot in his hands.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be willing to sell them so cheaply.

“Alright, I’ll take them!” Qingyi pulled out the pouch of gold leaves.

Besides helping Little Li detoxify, she wanted to try concocting some new medicines.

She hadn’t tried before because of lack of funds.

This time, she was going all out.

Uncle Xu was stunned when he saw the gold leaves.

He hadn’t realized this girl was secretly wealthy!

So many gold leaves!

Enough to buy a shop!

Too bad he only had a daughter himself.

If it were a son, he’d have tried to set them up!

“Qingyi, you can’t carry all these herbs by yourself. I’ll send a cart to help you.”

Qingyi smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Uncle Xu!”

Her sudden large purchase helped Uncle Xu quite a bit.

Sending the herbs over was a small matter.

“Wait a moment; I’ll have my assistant prepare the herbs for you.”

Before long,

Two carts of medicinal herbs were loaded and ready to go.

Uncle Xu personally led his assistant to deliver the herbs to Qingyi’s small courtyard.

“Thank you, Uncle Xu!”

“No need to thank me. If you need any more herbs, just ask!”

Qingyi nodded repeatedly.

After bidding farewell to Uncle Xu, Qingyi began to feel the strain again.

She looked at the somewhat shabby courtyard and sighed softly.

Looks like the renovation of this little home would have to wait.

At that moment, Li Yan returned carrying water and noticed the courtyard filled with herbs, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes.

Though he didn’t understand the value of the herbs, it must be considerable.

So she bought these just to help detoxify him?

Li Yan had never experienced kindness from others.

Everyone feared him, except his subordinates.

He didn’t even have a single friend to confide in.

“Brother Li, you went to fetch water?” Qingyi was startled seeing him carry two buckets.

The poison within him hadn’t cleared yet.

How could he be so reckless?

Li Yan shook his head. “It’s no problem.”

Qingyi grasped his wrist, relieved to see the black veins hadn’t spread further. “Then you should rest. I’ll prepare the medicine for you.”

Before Li Yan could reply,

Qingyi had already selected the herbs she needed and began brewing the decoction for him.

Suddenly, Bai Ziye, lying atop the herb piles, sprang up and sneered, “Heh heh heh, the mighty Demon Lord of the demon clan, tired out just from fetching water? How amusing!”

Li Yan smirked faintly. “I’m curious—if the outside world knew the Fox Emperor of Qingqiu was being led around every day like a dog by a human, would they be shocked?”

Bai Ziye bristled in anger.

“Li Yan, do you really think I can’t beat you?”

Li Yan’s expression was disdainful. “If you could, would you waste your breath here?”

“You—” Bai Ziye was left speechless.

He couldn’t beat Li Yan!

Not to mention his injuries hadn’t healed yet.

Even at his peak, he couldn’t win!

Li Yan picked up a bucket and approached the water tank. “Don’t forget, if I want to kill you, it would be like slaughtering a dog!”

Bai Ziye trembled with fury.

No, he absolutely could not stay here!

Seeming to read Bai Ziye’s thoughts, Li Yan poured the water into the tank and glanced at him. “Don’t even think about running away, or I’ll break your dog legs!”

Bai Ziye was left speechless.