His gaze landed on the contents of the Divination.
Li Chang'an's eyes lit up, and his heart began to beat a little faster.
'The Zheng Family Young Miss's Jade Pendant!'
If I find this Jade Pendant, I can use it as an excuse to request an audience with the Zheng Family's Young Miss.
Then, there might be a turn of events regarding the mining assignment!
Li Chang'an immediately stood up.
Without a moment's hesitation, he headed out the door.
'I hope this golden finger isn't wrong.'
The night was deep, and a bright moon hung high in the sky.
Not far from his door was a large, shimmering river.
The Qingshui River!
The Qinghe Marketplace got its name precisely because it was built along this river.
As far as the eye could see, the riverbank was shaded by green willows, their countless branches swaying in the moonlight.
'The Divination said it was under a willow tree, but not which one. I'll just have to search carefully.'
Li Chang'an patiently began his search by the light of the moon.
The river was calm, and the waterweeds grew thick.
He focused his full attention, his eyes scanning the area under each willow tree.
About an hour passed, and Li Chang'an's eyes started to feel dry.
Finally.
Beneath an old willow tree, he saw a faint glimmer of light.
'Found it!'
Li Chang'an's gaze sharpened, and he froze.
He glanced around, then cautiously crouched down and parted the tangled waterweeds.
Before him was an exquisite Jade Pendant, smooth and translucent with delicate patterns. The character for "Zheng" was carved on its face.
Li Chang'an's hand shot out and snatched it.
He quickly tucked it into his robes.
Having done all this, he let out a ragged breath.
It was the Zheng Family's Young Miss's Jade Pendant, after all. If someone else saw it, it would most likely cause unnecessary trouble.
Li Chang'an didn't dare to linger. He got up and headed home.
After returning home, he shut the door.
Only then did he let out a long sigh of relief.
'Good, nothing went wrong!'
Li Chang'an took out the Jade Pendant to examine it closely, an irrepressible excitement rising in his heart.
'The golden finger was right!'
With the help of the Divination, his future Immortal Path would be much smoother. Perhaps there was truly hope of treading the legendary Path of Longevity!
It was quite a while before Li Chang'an managed to calm down.
'Now isn't the time. I'll go find the Young Miss tomorrow morning.'
He suppressed his many racing thoughts.
Li Chang'an closed his eyes and meditated, staying awake the entire night.
Time slowly passed.
Before he knew it, the darkness of night had receded and the morning rooster crowed, heralding the dawn.
Li Chang'an opened his eyes, got up, and left his home, heading towards the central area of the Marketplace.
The Zheng Family's Young Miss lived in that area and would occasionally appear to handle disputes within the Marketplace.
Before long.
Li Chang'an stopped outside a small courtyard.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK...
He knocked on the courtyard gate, the sound dull and heavy.
Soon.
A Maid opened the gate and looked at Li Chang'an warily.
"What do you want?"
"Miss, I found this Jade Pendant with the character for 'Zheng' carved on it. I believe it belongs to the Zheng Family. I would be grateful if you could inform them."
Li Chang'an explained his purpose and took out the Jade Pendant.
A flash of surprise crossed the Maid's eyes, and she immediately invited Li Chang'an into the courtyard.
"Please wait a moment. I will go inform the Young Miss."
With that, she walked toward the inner courtyard.
Li Chang'an sat in the courtyard and waited quietly.
Not long after.
A gentle and pleasant voice sounded.
"A few days ago, I went to slay a troublesome Water Demon and accidentally lost my Jade Pendant. Thank you, Daoist, for returning it."
Her voice was like the song of an oriole, as pleasant as a trickling stream, soothing the soul.
Li Chang'an instinctively looked up.
He saw a young woman dressed in a long, bluish-green dress.
Her features were delicate, with elegant brows and eyes as clear as water. She carried herself with a graceful and gentle air.
It was none other than the Young Miss of the Zheng Family.
Zheng Qingqing!
Li Chang'an immediately stood and cupped his hands in a salute.
"Greetings, Young Miss."
"There's no need to be so formal, Daoist."
Zheng Qingqing broke into a gentle and charming smile.
She spoke gently as she asked about the Jade Pendant.
"May I ask where you found it, Daoist?"
"On the southern side of the Marketplace, by the Qingshui Riverbank..."
Li Chang'an responded in detail, recounting the entire course of events.
He explained that.
He had signed a Spirit Contract with the Zheng Family and had been assigned to the mines this year, which made him too anxious to sleep.
So, he had gone to the riverbank to clear his head and had unexpectedly found the Jade Pendant.
"The mines?"
Zheng Qingqing was a smart person; she understood the implication in Li Chang'an's words.
She pursed her lips and smiled. "That's a simple matter. I just need to have a word with Zheng Jinbao. You don't have to worry anymore, Daoist Li."
"Thank you, Young Miss!"
Li Chang'an was overjoyed.
'I can't believe it was resolved so easily!'
This Young Miss of the Zheng Family was not only exceptionally intelligent but also very easy to talk to.
Li Chang'an had prepared a whole speech, but none of it was needed.
It seemed Zheng Qingqing felt that wasn't enough.
"How about this: for the next five years, you won't have to do any tasks, Daoist Li. Just focus on your cultivation."
She gently stroked the Jade Pendant, her tone very soft.
"After five years, whether you go or stay will be entirely up to you."
Hearing this, Li Chang'an was even more delighted.
He immediately thanked her.
A moment later.
Li Chang'an left the small courtyard, more than half of the anxiety in his heart already gone.
'Now, all that's left is to see if the Young Miss will keep her promise.'
...
In the courtyard.
The Maid poured a cup of tea for Zheng Qingqing and said in a low voice,
"Young Miss, I did some checking. This Li Chang'an has a Low Grade Spirit Root. His past performance has been mediocre, with no particular strengths."
In that short amount of time.
She had already investigated Li Chang'an's past thoroughly, confirming he was just an ordinary low-level Cultivator.
Zheng Qingqing nodded slightly.
"Alright, I understand."
"Young Miss, should we keep a closer eye on him?"
"No need. It seems he's just a lucky person. We probably won't have much interaction in the future."
Zheng Qingqing then instructed the Maid to make a trip to Zheng Jinbao's residence to fulfill her earlier promise.
The matter was thus concluded.
...
On the edge of the Marketplace, inside his house.
Li Chang'an had just finished breakfast.
Suddenly.
A knock sounded at the door.
It was that familiar voice again.
"Chang'an, are you home?"
Li Chang'an opened the door.
Standing outside was none other than the Marketplace Steward, Zheng Jinbao.
He had completely changed his previous casual attitude, his face now wreathed in smiles.
"Chang'an, about what happened before... I was too crude. Please don't take it to heart."
As he spoke, he stuffed a small cloth pouch into Li Chang'an's hand.
Inside the pouch were a full forty Spirit Stones!
Double the original amount!
Li Chang'an feigned surprise.
"Steward Zheng, what is this for?"
"Stop pretending, you brat. You know the Young Miss, why didn't you say so sooner?"
Zheng Jinbao patted Li Chang'an on the shoulder as if he were a familiar elder.
He smiled and said, "Don't worry. From now on, just focus on your cultivation. I won't assign you any more tasks."
"Thank you, Steward."
Li Chang'an breathed a sigh of relief, his worries finally put to rest.
'The Young Miss keeps her promises. She does what she says.'
For the next few years.
He could enjoy a period of peaceful cultivation.
"Steward Zheng, please take these Spirit Stones back."
Li Chang'an took only the twenty that belonged to him and offered the other twenty back to Zheng Jinbao.
He knew very well that this man was insatiably greedy.
He couldn't afford to offend him over a mere twenty Spirit Stones.
But Zheng Jinbao's attitude was firm.
"You take them! You can't cultivate without Spirit Stones!"
He pushed Li Chang'an's hand right back.
Li Chang'an was helpless.
Zheng Jinbao was dead set on making him take these Spirit Stones.