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Chapter 59: First Cup Of Fruit Tea in Spring
Red Cotton Peak[1] was renowned for its Red Cotton Tree Flowers that bloomed all year round.
The peak housed a cleared area that was once an altar[2] but had been abandoned over time. On either side stood vacant buildings, and the road was clean and well-maintained. Eventually, Mount Shu's disciples began setting up stalls in this space, leading to the formation of a small general goods market known as the Red Cotton Market[3].
Compared to the costly and fixed items available at the sect's main entrance, the goods in the Red Cotton Market were set up by the disciples themselves, offering a more diverse range of items and allowing room for negotiation.
While there was a risk of encountering scams, it was also possible to find great deals, making it a popular spot for many Mount Shu Sect disciples to visit, even if they didn't intend to make a purchase.
However, it was Chu Liang's first time here.
Upon entering the small market, he noticed that both sides of the road were lined with blankets of various sizes displaying an array of items for sale. Elixirs, enchanted artifacts, and hand-drawn talismans were among the items sold.
The quality varied, and it was evident that these items lacked the same level of quality assurance as those sold at the main entrance.
Some vendors were even selling spirit pets, a commodity not available at the main entrance. They had various spirit dogs, with fur in different shades, including black, white, and some with colorful coats. These spirit dogs were cute and cuddly, sitting obediently.
Upon request, vendors would showcase the talents of their spirit animals.
If one offered the spirit pet a bit of food to sniff, it could locate the food regardless of where it was hidden.
Their tracking range extended up to a hundred li, and as the spirit dogs grew, their tracking range could expand even further, reaching distances of thousands of li.
Some individuals would try using various items, but the vendor would dismiss their attempts with a wave of their hand and remark, "It's not that it can't locate non-edibles; it's simply that they can't be bothered to search for them."
At another stall, an enchanted mirror with a unique magical effect caught the attention of passersby. Reciting a specific incantation, "Mirror, mirror, tell me who is the most beautiful person in the world," would cause the mirror to display the face of the person standing before it.
A curious onlooker inquired, "But don't all mirrors reflect faces?"
The vendor nodded and explained, "The enchantment of this artifact lies in the fact that it doesn't reflect anything until you ask."
"So, is this just a broken mirror?" the inquirer said.
"What are you saying? Move along! If you're not going to make a purchase, don't clutter the mirror," the vendor retorted.
"..."
At another stall, a vendor offered a cracked bowl known as the Scattered Treasures Bowl.
When a person placed a precious item of divine quality into the bowl, it would instantly disappear.
A curious onlooker decided to test it by tossing a stone inside, but there was no response. They then threw a sword coin into the bowl, and it promptly vanished.
The onlooker marveled at the mystical effect of the bowl.
However, they later asked the vendor to return the sword coin. The vendor, raising their hands, claimed to have no idea where it had gone.
The two of them then got into a fight, and disciples from the Hall of Discipline swiftly intervened, kicking them out of the market.
Such conflicts were a daily occurrence, and disciples from the Hall of Discipline were stationed there to manage such matters.
...
Chu Liang found it interesting as he roamed around for a while but didn't see anything he wanted to buy. Even if he had wanted to make a purchase, he didn't have any money left.
Next, he located an empty spot for himself.
He retrieved a blanket he had brought with him, placed a board on it, and arranged six small teacups. Adjacent to them, he positioned a jar of honey syrup tea.
Then, he set up a signboard with two large lines of text:
The first cup of fruit tea in spring.
Sample.
Although his stall may have seemed unconventional, it didn't stand out significantly in a market filled with oddities. However, curious individuals gradually approached after a while.
"Brother, what are you selling?" a young disciple inquired out of curiosity.
"Fruit tea," Chu Liang replied, pointing to the jar of honey syrup tea.
"Tea? Does your tea have any special effects?" the young disciple asked.
"It tastes good," Chu Liang said with a smile.
"Huh?" The person was taken aback. "That's it?"
"It tastes good and doesn't cause weight gain," Chu Liang added.
"..." The individual found it somewhat peculiar.
"You can try it," Chu Liang offered as he poured a small tea cup for the inquirer and gestured for him to give it a taste.
Since they were cultivators, there was no need to lift a tea cup, so the young disciple gently inhaled, sipping a stream of liquid.
His lips puckered, and his eyes brightened.
"Mmm, it does taste pretty good," he acknowledged. Then, he asked, "How much is it?"
"One sword coin for one jar," answered Chu Liang, pointing to the jar of Honey Syrup Tea, "and it's quite a big jar."
"What? One sword coin?" The disciple wore a bewildered expression. "You're selling this jar of sweet water for one sword coin? You might as well be robbing people."
"Sigh..." Chu Liang smiled and shook his head, not bothering to argue with him.
The young disciple cast Chu Liang a glance as if he were looking at a peculiar individual, then he turned and left muttering to himself.
This process repeated itself with two or three more individuals, and it followed a similar pattern.
It wasn't entirely surprising that the disciples were taken aback. Sword coins were quite valuable within the Mount Shu Sect. Even disciples in the Spiritual Awareness Realm, who went on frequent missions, earned around a hundred sword coins per month.
Those who went on missions at a normal frequency might not even earn a hundred sword coins.
Disciples in the Golden Core Realm earned more, but their resources were still limited.
They needed sword coins for various purposes, such as purchasing elixirs, talismans, enchanted artifacts, flying swords, and other items, and they often felt that they never had enough.
Spending a single sword coin on a beverage that was essentially only tasty and had no other effects did indeed seem a bit extravagant.
However, Chu Liang remained patient and sat there quietly.
After a while, a commotion began to grow louder further up ahead. Shouts and exclamations filled the air and gradually approached him.
"Fairy Jiang is here!"
When the cries reached the vicinity, people began to realize that something was happening. They immediately leaned forward to see what was going on.
As expected, they could see a group of people like stars surrounding the moon, slowly making their way in this direction.
Jiang Yuebai was here!
The arrival of one person suddenly ignited a frenzy in the Red Cotton Market.
Figures like Fairy Jiang rarely visited this place. She undoubtedly lacked nothing when it came to cultivation resources, and she wouldn't typically come here for shopping. Furthermore, coming to a crowded place like this would inevitably attract onlookers, something she usually tried to avoid.
But for some reason, Jiang Yuebai had unexpectedly appeared at the Red Cotton Market today. Judging by her demeanor, she didn't seem to have any specific goal in mind. It appeared she had come here purely to stroll around, casually moving from the east side to the west.
Jiang Yuebai wore a long flowing robe that made her look like a celestial being, radiating grace and elegance with every step as if she were walking on lotus petals.
A group of Mount Shu Sect disciples had followed her from various directions, all bearing eyes filled with admiration, respect, curiosity, and other intense emotions. Yet, not a single person dared to approach her and talk to her.
Jiang Yuebai's gaze roamed in all directions and then paused in Chu Liang's direction. She exchanged a brief glance with Chu Liang.
After that... a faint smile appeared on her usually aloof face.
Immediately, low voices of astonishment and excitement filled the air around Chu Liang.
"Brothers! She's smiling at me!"
"Nonsense! Jiang is smiling at me!"
"Get lost! Three-fourths of that glance was on me."
"..."
Amidst the chaotic sounds, Jiang Yuebai walked toward Chu Liang's small stall.
She gently leaned down and inquired, "What is this?"
"Fruit tea," Chu Liang answered calmly.
"Oh, there's a sample. Let me try it," Jiang Yuebai said as she blinked.
Chu Liang poured her a cup, and Jiang Yuebai inhaled, drawing the tea into her mouth.
She then smiled and nodded, "Yes! Delicious."
"Senior Sister Jiang, do you want a jar?" Chu Liang asked.
"Give me a jar... No, two jars," Jiang Yuebai responded.
Chu Liang smiled and nodded. "Alright."
Simultaneously, he said with a gentle but loud voice, "Half-price for the second jar."
1. Just wanted to tell you guys that the writing for Red Cotton Peak in chinese is 红棉峰. ? ☜
2. In ancient times, this altar was used to worship the Mountain God.? ☜
3. Red Cotton Market in Chinese is 红棉市?? ☜