"Don't disclose the source of the prescription to anyone, and don't mention me to anyone."
After hearing Old Man Luo's words, Lu Fei and Hu Zi exchanged a puzzled glance.
"Senior, why is that?"
Old Man Luo squinted his eyes and gazed out beyond the mountains, surveying the tranquil and beautiful small village.
"The world is too noisy and chaotic. The peace and quiet here in the mountains are just what I want. I don't want anyone to disrupt this serenity!"
"Understood! Senior Luo, rest assured, we will not say a word."
Lu Fei nodded vigorously in assurance.
A reclusive expert naturally has reasons for seclusion; there's no need to ask further.
It's already very fortunate to have received a prescription from an expert.
"I'm getting old and my energy is waning. Dear friends, I will take my leave now."
Old Master Luo stood up and slightly bowed to Lu Fei and Hu Zi.
"Take your time, elder."
After seeing Old Master Luo off, Lu Fei and Hu Zi rested in the courtyard.
Hu Zi and Zhao Fengchun seemed to have endless topics to discuss, from catching birds on the mountains to fishing in the rivers.
"Actually, when my dad first asked me to come back and guard the mountain, I was quite unwilling. How much money can you make in the mountains?"
"At that time, all I could think about was making money in the city, buying a house, and getting married. I worked two jobs every day, tired as a dog. I always thought the more money, the better, but when would it end?"
"After coming back, I don't know why, but my heart gradually became calm."
"It seems that guarding the mountain isn't as bad as I thought..."
Lu Fei sat under the shade of a tree, sipping tea and eating fruit, enjoying the lush greenery of the mountain and the pleasant bird songs.
There was no air pollution, no noisy traffic, and even the sky was particularly clean and bright.
The days in the mountains are truly comfortable and enjoyable.
If it weren't for matters back in the city, he would really want to stay a few more days.
"In the future, when Grandpa comes back, I'll set up a small courtyard for him in the countryside so he can enjoy his retirement..."
As the setting sun filled the courtyard.
Tiger's alcohol had also worn off considerably.
Before they left, Zhao Fengchun insisted on loading two sacks of mountain goods for them.
"Brother Lu, we agreed that you must come back and stay for a few more days once your business is done."
"Alright, I promise not to be polite!"
Lu Fei stuffed the drowsy Jing Jian into the car and waved at Zhao Fengchun.
"Brother Zhao, I'll be back to go fishing with you!"
Huzi shouted with a laugh and stepped on the gas.
The black SUV gradually drove away from the village, as Zhao Fengchun waved forcefully, watching until the vehicle disappeared from sight.
The car got onto the main road.
The mountains grew increasingly distant in the rearview mirror.
And the city was getting closer and closer.
Upon returning to Jiangcheng, the first thing Lu Fei did was to deliver the coffin fungus to Jia Banxian.
This thing is difficult to preserve, so it's better to deliver it sooner rather than later.
The car was parked outside Jia Banxian's house, with Huzi and Jing Jian waiting inside. Lu Fei got out of the car, carefully holding the wooden box, and pushed open the gate to enter the yard.
"Senior Banxian!"
Jia Banxian was in the courtyard, holding a cage and playing with a green tiger parrot.
"Lu Fei, you came just in time! Look at my little parrot. This little thing is very smart and can talk, not any worse than your Five Black Dog!"
"Come on, Xiao Dongdong, say something for him, let him see what you can do."
The little parrot in the cage tilted its head, its beady eyes rolling as it looked at Lu Fei. Its actions were very cute, but it didn't open its beak.
"Why are you being so shy, little one? You were talking fluently just a moment ago. Hurry up, give us a performance," Jia Banxian said, tapping the cage lightly in frustration.
The little parrot immediately let out a few loud squawks, its tiny body huddling into a ball, looking quite scared.
Lu Fei couldn't understand what it was saying, but it sounded like something along the lines of 'bi xiao ou bi xiao ou'.
But at least it had opened its beak.
"Lu Fei, what do you think, isn't my little parrot pretty good?" Jia Banxian proudly stroked his beard.
"Senior Banxian, let's not talk about this for now!" Lu Fei carefully placed the wooden box on the table, "Look, what's this!"
"What?"
Jia Banxian was taken aback and looked at Lu Fei, who was dusty and with mud all over his shoes, his old eyes widening in surprise.
"No way? You really found the coffin fungus?"
"Be more confident, drop the word '吧'!"
Lu Fei stood tall and proud, his face full of smiles.
"I knew it! I knew it!" Jia Banxian's voice trembled with excitement, "My divination can't be wrong! My chance of survival is in Jiangcheng, with your Lu family!"
Then, he hurriedly put down the birdcage and opened a crack in the wooden box to take a peek.
"Senior, you need to be careful, the coffin fungus is very fragile and cannot be exposed to light," Lu Fei quickly reminded him.
"I know, I know."
Jia Banxian took a careful look and then cradled the wooden box like a treasure.
"The coffin fungus is highly toxic and cannot be consumed."
"But if you soak the fungus intact in alcohol for seven days and nights, it will become a medicinal wine, using poison to fight poison! Its potency can drive out the cold toxins in my old rheumatic legs. I prepared the alcohol long ago!"
He hurriedly wanted to start soaking the coffin fungus right away.
Lu Fei went to help.
They placed the fungus into the wine jar, sealed it tightly, covered it with a layer of black cloth on the outside, and put it in a cool place.
"With this rare fungus, I can rest easy in my twilight years."
"I feel completely at ease now that I've been able to help Senior Immortal Jia." Lu Fei let out a long breath. Exchanging this big favor made him feel much lighter.
"I'm sure I won't be able to finish this vat of fungus wine, so whatever is left, you can take all of it." Immortal Jia patted Lu Fei's shoulder firmly.
"Where there are coffin fungi, there must be zombies. I know your journey was definitely not easy."
"Alright, I won't stand on ceremony with you, Senior!" Lu Fei smiled.
Being able to get a share of such a wonderful thing as fungus wine naturally made him very happy.
"Come, take another look at my little parrot! I just bought it a few days ago. I spotted it at the flower and bird market right away!" Jia Banxian lifted the birdcage, playing with the little parrot inside, unable to put it down.
"Lu Fei, look at its eyes, they are so clear and innocent, like a child's, don't you think?"
Lu Fei looked at the little parrot, and the parrot looked back at him.
Its gaze was very spirited, not like an animal, but like a human.
"It does seem... weirdly adorable!"
However, Lu Fei always felt that there was something odd about the little parrot, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.
Back on the antique street.
"Finally home!"
Pushing open the door of Sinisterium Pawnshop and sitting behind the counter, Lu Fei felt a sense of security that he couldn't put into words.
Hu Zi and Jing Jian unloaded the two sacks of mountain goods and several jars of corn wine.
"Brother Jing, there's so much, how can we finish eating it all? You've worked hard on this trip, take a bag back with you."
"Alright, I'll take it to Master Mo and have him fix my peachwood sword again."
Jing Jian hoisted the sack and prepared to go home, but after a few steps, he came back.
His expression was very serious.
"I just remembered, I forgot something very important!"
Lu Fei and Hu Zi were both startled.
"What is it?"
Jing Jian pulled out a hundred yuan from his bag and handed it to Lu Fei: "Here's your money!"
Lu Fei and Hu Zi nearly fainted.
"Didn't we say you didn't need to pay it back?"
"That won't do, paying off debts is only right and proper!"
Jing Jian insisted, so Lu Fei took the money.
Looking at his disheveled appearance, he said, "Your peachwood sword is basically left with just the hilt. How can it be repaired?"
"Master Mo is very skilled, he will surely find a way," Jing Jian forced a smile.
"Master Mo wants to live a few more years! Wait a moment."
Lu Fei shook his head, took out a key, and opened the warehouse door.