Su Wen arrived at the edge of Five River Village, the familiar rustic buildings lining the dirt roads and the lively chatter of villagers filling the air. The soft scent of freshly baked bread and the distant clink of metal from the blacksmith's shop greeted him.
Slowing his pace, he entered the village, scanning the area for a familiar face. After a short while, he spotted a middle-aged man standing near a stall selling fresh produce. The man wore a wide-brimmed hat that cast a shadow over his face.
He was tall and stocky, with a weathered face, rough hands, and a warm smile that made him seem approachable despite his imposing appearance. His clothing was simple but practical, suited to a life of hard work in the village.
Su Wen approached, adjusting the weight of his rings as he walked. The man noticed him and stood straighter, recognizing the cultivator from the nearby mountain. He wiped his hands on his apron and clasped his hands in front of him, giving a respectful bow.
"Ah, Su Wen, I see you've made it to the village," the man greeted, his voice deep and warm with a hint of familiarity. "How can I help you today?"
Su Wen returned the gesture, clasping his hands and bowing his head slightly. "James, it's good to see you again. I'm here for some meat. I've run out of stock and was hoping to restock today."
James chuckled, the lines on his face deepening as he smiled softly. "Ah, I see. You've come to the right place indeed. We always keep fresh game, though I suspect Young Master's palate requires more than mere meat. I wouldn't dare offer you anything less than the highest spiritual cut." he teased, his eyes twinkling with knowing humour.
Su Wen smiled faintly. "I don't mind, as long as it's fresh. I could also use a few other supplies if you have them, spices, herbs, and maybe some dried fruit."
"Of course, of course," James said, gesturing to the stall behind him where various dried goods and preserved meats were neatly arranged. "I've got plenty. Let me get you something that'll be perfect for your needs."
As James went about gathering the supplies, Su Wen's gaze drifted over the stall, scanning the assortment of goods. He couldn't help but notice the array of dried herbs stacked next to the salted meats. Several of them were medicinal herbs commonly used in cultivation, ones that could aid in recovery or boost one's qi. James had a knack for collecting such items, and his stall often had rare goods that were hard to find in normal markets.
Su Wen's eyes lingered on a dried Spiritroot Herb and a bundle of Golden Lotus Petals, both of which were highly valuable in the cultivation community. 'The Spiritroot Herb will be beneficial for Du Yue, and the Golden Lotus Petals will aid my soul cultivation', he thought to himself.
"James," Su Wen said, his tone suddenly more serious, "Where did you get these herbs? They're quite rare."
James paused for a moment, then smiled wryly. "Ah, you've got an eye for good stuff, don't you? These came from a recent hunting trip out near the Ironspine Mountains. There's a small cave system there that holds some interesting things if you know where to look."
Su Wen raised an eyebrow. He asked James to pack the two herbs and informed him to let him know if he came across any more. James nodded, finishing up the wrapping of the dried goods and handing them to Su Wen.
"There you go, all set. That should last you for a while. As for the meat..." He motioned toward the side of the stall, where freshly butchered cuts of wild game were displayed. "I've got some prime cuts of wild boar, venison, and a few others if you're interested."
Su Wen scanned the cuts of meat, mentally estimating how much he would need. "I'll take a few of the venison cuts. And... maybe the boar too."
James nodded, expertly cutting the meat into manageable pieces and wrapping them in cloth. "You've got it, Su Wen."
Su Wen smiled and handed over the required spiritual stones. "I appreciate it, as always."
"Anytime," James said, clapping him on the back.
Su Wen stored the supplies in his storage ring and adjusted the weight before starting his run back up the mountain. His focus shifted inward as he concentrated on refining his blood and organs during the journey.
Su Wen got to the front door, a little winded and kinda sweaty. No big deal, though. He just flicked on his Soul Sense, and poof! The sweat totally disappeared like it was dust.
Su Wen entered through the front door and saw his grandparents and Du Yue sitting together at the dining table. Du Yue's head was slightly bowed, and her face was flushed and ears slightly red. Although Su Wen was a little suspicious, he chose not to bother them, simply telling them to get ready, as he would be serving breakfast soon.
He whipped up some normal food for his grandparents but gave it a tiny boost of spiritual qi to make it super healthy. As for Du Yue, himself, and that little sparrow who had been missing since yesterday, he was making a big pot of boar meat stew. Oh, and he had some extra Spiritvine herb tea brewing for Du Yue and himself.
Just as he was serving everything, the little sparrow came flying and took a bite, like the delicious smell had totally taken her control. It was flying and chirping: "—chirp, food! food! Dumb Su Wen's cooking is the best!"
Su Wen just gave the little sparrow's cheek a light pinch, filled its bowl with the boar meat stew, and muttered, "Eat quietly."
Next, he served his grandparents. He gave his Grandma a serious look: "My lady, you need more vegetables. It'll keep you young and your skin healthy."
Grandma simply winked back. "Don't you worry about me, my grandson. Right now, it's time for a pretty girl like Du Yue to lighten up the world with her beauty."
Su Wen nearly choked and wisely decided not to argue with his mischievous grandma. Du Yue just kept her head down, trying hard to look calm.
Finally, he served up the boar meat stew and the spiritvine tea for himself and Du Yue.
Du Yue took a bite of the stew and froze for a moment, stunned by its rich flavour. It was so delicious that she instinctively took a few more bites, trying to commit every nuance to memory. She then sipped the Spiritvine tea, and a warm, soothing sensation spread through her meridians, as if gently mending them. At the same time, the subtle spiritual qi within the food worked on her external injuries, as though each dish carried a carefully pre-set healing mission.