The Return of Stars to the Jianghu

Chapter 13 Tea Picking in Terraced Fields, Hot Water in Thermos Cups

"Why did Shi Hao want to kill you?" Luo Yifei continued to ask, hoping to learn more about the people he had encountered in this other world and understand the logic behind their actions. However, things didn't go as he wished. The more he learned, the more confused he became. The complexity of this world could not be summarized by simple logic.

“I don’t know. I haven’t offended the Shi family. He could have easily shot the sword at me, but he shot it at Lin Lei instead. I also discussed the Shi family’s purpose with Lin Quan at Mount Emei, but all our deductions are just guesses. There is no evidence to prove our guesses.” Qi Yuan did not directly state his guess.

"What guess?" Luo Yifei could tell that Qi Yuan didn't seem willing to explain his guess, but he couldn't help but ask anyway.

"Rumor has it that his grandfather sent people to mine near Free City, and the ore in question is the very five-colored stone that forms the teleportation altar. Just like Qi Zhi told you before, the rivalry among the nations of the Eastern Continent is somewhat related to this rumored path to immortality. For example, the emperor of Qi believed this legend and sent people everywhere to search for elixirs and the path to immortality, only to lose his country in the end. Lin Quan and I suspect that this legend might have been true before, but we just didn't know where it led. The Shi family must know a lot about us. Maybe they don't want to kill me, but I'm afraid that if I find something, I'll unravel their secret."

Luo Yifei wanted to ask Qi Yuan some more questions, but just then Hua Xi invited them inside for dinner.

They slowly walked down the terraced field ridges and entered the house.

The mountains and plains here are covered with tea trees, and the farmers have cultivated the land for generations, creating vast terraced fields. However, they haven't been able to build roads that horse-drawn carts can travel on. The tea is mostly transported out of the mountains by manpower, with oxcarts used in some places.

Years ago, this mountain, like the one before it, was planted with rice. Later, some enterprising people planted tea trees, and the tea produced tasted completely different from teas from other places. The aroma was neither too strong nor too weak, and the taste was just right—perfectly balanced. Merchants transported the tea to Canglang City, the capital of the Southern Han Dynasty, where it received unanimous praise. Gradually, tea trees were planted all over the mountain.

Along the way, everyone had to dismount and push the cart repeatedly, making their progress very slow. They came across a village. Luo Yifei took out a map and told everyone that the village was called Zhuling Village.

Qi Yuan knew the names of all the major cities in the Southern Han Kingdom very well, but he didn't know the names of the smaller villages. Luo Yifei's map finally proved somewhat useful.

After finishing their meal, Qi Yuan prepared to lead everyone on their journey. Luo Yifei suggested picking some tea leaves to take with them.

“You can’t just brew these tea leaves directly after you pick them and take them with you. The tea leaves need to be roasted first. Besides, there might not be hot water available all the time along the way.” Sanmu rarely speaks, but when it comes to food and drink, he always says a few words, sometimes even going on and on.

“These villagers should have some tea; why don’t we buy some to take with us? As for hot water, we can only find it in villages we pass through,” Bili responded to Luo Yifei’s suggestion.

"I have a way to get hot water, wait a moment." Luo Yifei went to the carriage and took out the huge thermos from his backpack.

"What is this?" Everyone asked in surprise.

"A thermos can keep hot water at a longer temperature," Luo Yifei replied.

“This looks like iron from last time I went there,” Bili said, looking at the thermos in Luo Yifei’s hand.

Luo Yifei bought some tea leaves from a villager and also brought a cup of hot water. The old man who bought the tea thanked Luo Yifei profusely as he handed him the silver. Little did he know that Luo Yifei had inquired with Qi Yuan and paid the market price in Canglang City, the capital of the Southern Han Dynasty.

The group continued on their way, heading southeast. They were all exhausted from pushing the carts and had finally managed to rest and recover. To avoid making the journey too treacherous, they had to travel along roads closer to the county town, instead of solely taking the country lanes.

“Tongren County is just ahead. We traveled from Ziyou City through Xishu to Qi and then to Nanhan. We must have spent most of the silver we brought with us. Should we go to the money exchange in the county town and withdraw some cash?” Bili asked Qi Yuan.

“There are indeed still many places ahead that require money, but if we show ourselves, we will attract attention. If our feint is discovered, it will be a loss.” Qi Yuan replied to Bi Li, and unconsciously looked at Luo Yifei.

“You don’t necessarily have to withdraw the money in person; you just need a bank.” Bi Li also looked at Luo Yifei.

Seeing their gazes, Luo Yifei guessed what they meant. "No one should recognize my face. Otherwise, let me go to the county town to withdraw money."

“Okay, you can go into the city with Sanmu. The two of you can look out for each other,” Qi Yuan said to Luo Yifei.

……

The group stopped to rest in Shigang Town and checked into an inn. The innkeeper thought that it was not unusual to see outsiders in the town; trade was frequent in Nanhan, so it was not surprising to see strangers in the towns.

Luo Yifei and Sanmu headed south to Tongren County. The two kept a low profile and did not rush to the money exchange to retrieve the thread.

It was already dark when they arrived in the county town, and the two found an inconspicuous inn to stay in.