Ch29 An Opportunity

A few of the older stewards let out laughs.

“One hundred fragments just for a ride? I could buy another servant with that.”

“Yeah, who does he think we are? A steward can’t afford anything of use at the Red Pine Market anyway! A single low quality qi gathering pill costs more than I make in two months!”

They soon turn the conversation elsewhere, but I see a few figures in the steamy room get out of the bath and put on their robes to leave.

I do the same.

I’m unclear how often this opportunity will come again. This could be my chance to fix my dwindling supplies problem.

Soon, other stewards walk out from their cave abodes, the dining hall, or even come running down dirt paths from their late night work schedules.

The majority stay in and make sour remarks, but from the general reactions of every steward I see, this has happened before. Trips to this Red Pine Market are a regular part of life as a steward.

About a dozen grey-robed stewards line up in front of the dining hall, waiting patiently, until a familiar large wooden flying boat comes soaring in overhead.

It slowly descends and stops a few meters off the ground in front of the hall.

A ladder drops down, and Gu Shan hops off without using it.

Above on the main deck, I catch the sight of at least 20 other stewards that must be from other Steward’s Quarters like this one.

Quickly, the line starts moving, and stewards all pay 100 fragments before climbing up onto the boat.

I drop 130 spirit fragments into Gu Shan’s outstretched hand.

“Senior, I’ve added fragments to pay back the gift you granted me on my first day as a steward.”

He squints, then pulls the extra 30 fragments out, handing them back.

“I never asked for anything in return for my kindness. It is considered quite rude to close a string of fate with a Senior.”

I accept the fragments back but turn my head in confusion.

He chuckles and points up to the ship.

“Move along. You will understand more in time. There is no need to overthink my gift.”

I nod and climb the ladder, but not overthinking this interaction is certainly out of the question.

It is the second time I’ve heard this strange statement: a string of fate.

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As the ship fills and every last steward in front of the dining hall boards, I stare off at the many trees in the distance, thinking about what it could mean. Even as the ship floats upward and begins picking up speed, I’m still drawing no conclusions.

Simultaneously, many stewards are shifting about, and new names with cultivation levels pop up in golden system text one by one.

They are mostly all old men, at the 1st to 3rd level of qi refinement. Living bitter and boring lives. Yet one reading finally catches my eye.