35：Watch him closely.
Wen Ren Yiyi obtained the liquor, and Shen Hao secured the gold.
Both were satisfied with the deal, leaving in high spirits.
As she was about to leave, Wen Ren Yiyi turned her head and said,
"If you ever need anything, just let me know. As long as you have liquor, I'm more than happy to help."
Shen Hao glanced at her, cupped his hands politely, and replied,
"Alright, no problem."
Seeing Shen Hao's tactful response, Wen Ren Yiyi was pleased. She put on her bamboo hat, leaped lightly, and disappeared beyond the courtyard walls.
For Wen Ren Yiyi, managing to buy the liquor from Shen Hao was indeed a joyous occasion.
Her master, Meng Xuanji, relied on the liquor to suppress the cold energy within her. A single bottle barely lasted a week.
If they couldn't find more, she didn't know how to explain it to her master.
Fortunately, she found Shen Hao—someone who still had liquor.
With that, Wen Ren Yiyi felt reassured.
After Wen Ren Yiyi left, Song Yongci and Ji Dongge began preparing dinner.
Shen Hao, on the other hand, headed out to Yangguan Town's bookstore, planning to buy some books on history, geography, and local customs.
Learning more about this world couldn't hurt.
Inside the "Jingji Bookstore," he found all sorts of miscellaneous items.
There were even martial arts manuals, though the prices were exorbitant. Shen Hao didn't bother looking.
Such manuals, being openly sold, were bound to be mediocre. They'd be slow to practice and not particularly powerful—though that could vary from person to person.
After all, Qiao Feng used nothing but basic Taizu Long Fist to defeat elite Shaolin monks.
After browsing around, Shen Hao didn't find anything to his liking.
Professional books on geography were rare in this era.
On the Way Back:
Shen Hao stumbled upon two street thugs dueling.
Both were at the Body Refinement Stage, opponents he could defeat with a single move.
After a brief glance, he lost interest.
Real masters didn't waste time showing off in the streets.
When he returned home, Ji Dongge and Song Yongci had already finished eating.
Song Yongci asked with concern,
"Master, did you have no appetite today?"
Shen Hao shook his head.
"Not really. It's just that after reaching my current cultivation level, I don't get hungry as often."
"Oh, I see. Well, if you ever feel hungry, just let me know. I'll cook for you."
"Got it."
After a moment, Shen Hao added,
"By the way, find some time to visit your father's grave in the next couple of days."
Song Yongci was stunned.
"Master, why?"
Shen Hao didn't beat around the bush.
"In a few days, we'll be moving. We're heading over a hundred kilometers away to Yangling Prefecture."
"Understood, Master."
Song Yongci didn't question further.
Since it was Shen Hao's decision, she had no reason to doubt it.
Ji Dongge, however, was surprised that Shen Hao planned to leave Yangguan Town.
But as she was now considered Shen Hao's personal property, wherever he went, she would follow.
The Next Day:
Song Yongci brought offerings to pay respects at her father's grave.
Shen Hao waited nearby, feeling a bit awkward—after all, the coffin only held a large stone.
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, scattering dry leaves into the air.
Shen Hao shivered.
Damn! Could there be a ghost?
Feeling uneasy, he glanced around.
But seeing the bright sun overhead, his nerves calmed.
Logically speaking, no matter how powerful, a ghost wouldn't appear in broad daylight.
Kneeling before the grave, Song Yongci burned paper offerings and kowtowed.
Her pale cheeks were soon streaked with tears.
"Father, your daughter is unfilial.
If I had the ability, I would've avenged you."
"But I must tell you this—Master Shen has agreed to let our child carry the Song surname."
"Father, in the afterlife, please look after Mother. She always feared the cold."
"Father… I'm sorry. I won't be able to visit you often anymore.
Please forgive me…"
As she spoke, Song Yongci burst into uncontrollable sobs, collapsing to the ground in grief.
Shen Hao felt a pang of sadness.
With a sigh, he quietly walked away, leaving her to mourn in peace.
Later That Afternoon:
Around 3 PM, Shen Hao drove the carriage back to Yangguan Town.
Inside the swaying carriage, Song Yongci had already drifted off to sleep.
When they got home, Ji Dongge noticed Song Yongci's swollen, red eyes and quickly fetched some water.
"Yongci, here—wash your face."
"Thank you," Song Yongci replied hoarsely.
Hearing her raspy voice, Ji Dongge felt a deep ache in her heart.
It was obvious she had cried for hours.
Trying to comfort her, Ji Dongge softly said,
"Yongci, the dead cannot return. Don't cry too much—it'll hurt your health.
Here, drink some warm water."
After a while, Ji Dongge brought over a cup.
"Drink this."
"Thank you, Dongge."
With trembling hands, Song Yongci took a sip, sobbing and hiccuping between breaths.
Seeing this, Shen Hao signaled Ji Dongge with a glance.
"Help your sister Yongci get some rest."
"Yes, Master."
In the room, with Ji Dongge's care, Song Yongci finally fell asleep.
Watching her slumber, Ji Dongge felt a deep sadness, as if her heart was being squeezed.
Lost in thought, she whispered to herself,
"At least Yongci got to know her parents… but who were mine?"
With that, she sighed softly.
Tears unknowingly welled up at the corners of her eyes.
The Next Day:
Shen Hao went to the horse market on the west side of the city, planning to buy a carriage.
After inquiring about prices, he found them to be quite expensive—an average carriage cost around 100 taels of silver.
Just then, a man in rough linen clothes approached.
"Young master, are you looking to rent a carriage?"
Shen Hao was surprised.
You can rent these? I had no idea.
"What's the price?"
"Not much. About 5 qian of silver per day for a basic carriage.
A fancier one costs 2 taels."
Shen Hao found the price reasonable.
Buying a carriage just for occasional use seemed wasteful.
If his spatial storage wasn't so small, he'd have preferred buying an off-road vehicle from the real world.
Considering the comfort of Song Yongci and Ji Dongge, Shen Hao asked,
"How much to rent a carriage to Yangling Prefecture?"
The man replied,
"For a single horse pulling a carriage, the daily maximum distance is about 200 li.
Yangguan Town is 300 li from Yangling Prefecture.
With passengers, the daily limit drops to around 60 li since we can't travel at night.
The trip will take at least five days."
"A regular carriage for a round trip costs 5 taels.
I'll give you a discount—3 taels.
If you want a luxury carriage, it's usually 20 taels round trip, but I'll charge you 15."
"Alright, 15 taels it is. I'll rent a better one."
"No problem. When do you need it?"
"In a few days."
"Great! I'm Ma Lao Liu. Just find me when you're ready."
"Got it."
After that, Shen Hao wandered around for a bit before heading home.
Shortly After He Left:
A man in black approached Ma Lao Liu and tossed him a silver ingot.
"Hey, what was that guy here for?"
Ma Lao Liu shook his head.
"That's the customer's business. I can't say."
"Ten taels?"
"No."
"Twenty taels?"
"Please don't make this hard for me. I really can't tell you."
"You damn fool. Don't you care about your family?"
The man flashed an official badge at his waist.
Ma Lao Liu's face turned pale with fear.
"He's heading to Yangling Prefecture… using my carriage."
"That's all you had to say. Wasting my time."
The man sneered, "If it weren't for my superior stationed in Yangguan Town, I'd cut you down right here."
With that, he disappeared.
He soon arrived at a secluded courtyard, kneeling before a woman in black.
"Lady Wen Ren, that man—Shen Hao—is heading to Yangling Prefecture."
Wen Ren Yiyi frowned slightly.
"Got it. You may leave, but keep an eye on him.
If he vanishes and I can't find him, you'll answer for it."
"Yes, ma'am!"