Under the warm afternoon sunlight, Song Yinjian leisurely led his donkey cart through the busy streets of Liyue Harbor.
Shenhe, cold by nature and uninterested in noisy crowds, had already returned to the shop on her own halfway through.
Song Yinjian moved from store to store, buying large quantities of supplies. Before long, the cart was piled so high it was practically overflowing.
The donkey—an especially dim-witted one he'd deliberately named "Planner"—let out sharp, protesting brays, as if complaining about the heavy load.
As for why he'd chosen such a strange name… Of course, it was "accidental." Totally.
When the donkey complained, Song Yinjian calmly declared that the world was simply too loud and chaotic, and he needed to quiet his mind and "distinguish the sounds."
In any case, the donkey still had to keep walking.
After all, if it wanted to eat, it had to rely on Song Yinjian.
As the sun sank and the sky was dyed a brilliant orange-red, Song Yinjian guided the fully loaded cart through the back door of a shop called Adeptal Rites.
The moment he stepped inside, a group of children hurried up to greet him. They were… different.
Some couldn't hear. Some couldn't speak. Some could do neither.
Yet their joy was unmistakable. They gathered around him, excitedly signing with their hands—showing how many paper offerings, paper figures, and the like they'd folded today.
Song Yinjian reached into the cart and pulled out a colorful bag of lollipops, then took out a pouch of mora. He handed them out one by one.
The children who received candy and mora immediately bounced away toward their homes, laughter and footsteps trailing behind them.
Not far away, Shenhe watched Song Yinjian quietly.
For some reason, she felt that in this moment, he carried an inexplicable pull—enough that her gaze lingered on him without her noticing.
After distributing everything, Song Yinjian kept one lollipop. He walked over and offered it to her.
Shenhe accepted it out of habit, still not saying a word. Yet a faint shift flickered in her eyes—subtle, but real.
Then she turned and went into her room.
Song Yinjian didn't mind. He returned to the cart, took out the vegetables he'd bought, and headed into the kitchen.
Soon, the sound of pots and bowls clinking filled the courtyard.
Not long after, he finished cooking: two dishes and a soup, fragrant enough to make anyone hungry. He set everything neatly on the table, then went down to the cellar and brought up a jar of strong white liquor.
His senior sister rarely touched mortal food, so he didn't disturb her. He sat alone, ready to enjoy dinner.
Just then— "Creak!"
The door was shoved open hard, and a burly, rugged man strode in with heavy steps.
The moment he entered, he boomed with a loud voice, "Ah! What perfect timing, Nephew Song! This immortal's stomach was growling, and you just happen to be eating! Heh heh—how embarrassing for me!"
His mouth said "embarrassing," but his face showed not the slightest bit of shame.
Without hesitation, he marched straight to the table, dropped into a chair, grabbed the liquor jar, and poured himself a full cup as if he owned the place.
Seeing this, Song Yinjian teased, "Uncle Li Shui, you call this 'perfect timing'? You show up at the exact same time every day."
Li Shui didn't care. He tipped his head back and downed the cup in one go, letting out a long, satisfied sigh.
"Good liquor! This is strong—refreshing!"
Song Yinjian chuckled. "Uncle, if you really like this erguotou, I have a suggestion. I'll deliver you ten jars of it every month—so long as you teach me those adeptal arts of yours. What do you say?"
Li Shui set the cup down, helpless. "Nephew, it's not that I don't want to teach you. It's just that your aptitude is too poor."
He spoke bluntly, with no softness at all.
"You trained under your master for over two years, swallowed countless elixirs, and only barely managed Qi Refinement. If nothing changes, you'll stop at—"
He cut off, surprise suddenly entering his voice. "…You reached mid-stage Qi Refinement?"
Then he sighed again, sounding almost resigned.
"At most, this is it. Your talent is still trash. Look at your senior sister Shenhe—she cultivated for a single day and leapt past Qi Refinement straight into Foundation Establishment."
He glanced at Song Yinjian as if giving advice out of pity.
"You might as well give up early and enjoy the wealth you've already got."
Song Yinjian took the liquor jar and poured himself a cup, but instead of arguing, he asked calmly, "Then Uncle—how can I learn your adeptal arts?"
Li Shui eyed the way Song Yinjian kept a tight grip on the liquor jar, then spoke as if he'd been forced into it.
"Foundation Establishment. As long as you successfully reach Foundation Establishment, I'll teach you the Nine Heavens Thunder Invocation."
Song Yinjian's eyes lit up instantly.
Thunder arts—overwhelming, domineering thunder arts—were exactly what he yearned for most.
"It's a deal."
After that, the two ate and drank in comfort while chatting about everything under the sun.
Most of the time, Li Shui was the one talking—animatedly boasting about his heroic deeds during the Archon War.
And because Song Yinjian had gained Li Shui's promise to teach him thunder arts, his responses were far more enthusiastic than usual.
He exclaimed at the right times, agreed at the right moments, and fed Li Shui's excitement until the man grew even more eager to talk.
They continued like that until the bright moon climbed high into the sky, spilling silver light across the courtyard.
Only then did Li Shui leave, satisfied and slightly drunk.
Song Yinjian cleaned the table, disposed of leftovers, washed the dishes, and finally returned to his own room.
After a quick wash to remove the day's fatigue and the scent of alcohol, he stepped into his plainly furnished bedroom.
The room was simple to the point of austerity—one bed, one desk, a few chairs. That was all he owned.