Food System in Cultivation World-Chapter 473 - 439: A Simpleton and the Forest Sprite
Wei Yuan stood in the palm of Chen Xu’s hand.
He did not look at Chen Xu, but gazed seriously and gravely at a small path beside him, saying:
"We cannot allow Brother Chen of the Chen Family to have his energy absorbed by an essence spirit. Otherwise, starting with him, the fortune of the Chen Family may likely deteriorate."
Indeed, now is not the time for reminiscing.
Wei Yuan and Ah Shi have been guarding Xiaowan Village for a while now, and their concern for the Chen Family in some ways even surpasses that of Chen Xu.
The little mouse perched cheerfully on Chen Xu’s shoulder exhaled a sigh of relief and said:
"It’s good that the scholar is back now, Ah Yuan. We don’t need to be afraid anymore with the scholar here."
Despite its words, it still urged Chen Xu: "Scholar, hurry up, let’s catch up and see what’s happening."
The little mouse was eager, with a look of wanting to witness the excitement.
However, it did not know that Chen Xu had already extended his divine thought, continuously monitoring the situation between Chen Ping and Lady Meng.
Since his return to the Great Li Kingdom, his divine thought could extend outward for at least a hundred zhang.
Within a hundred zhang, all the scenes of heaven and earth were reflected in his mind, even clearer and more subtle than what the naked eye could perceive.
Xiaowan Village was only about a dozen li in size, including the village fields.
If only the area where the villagers gathered was considered, it was pitifully small.
Walking from one end of the village to the other did not exceed two li.
The Chen Family was situated at the east end of the village, with the mountains at its back.
From the small path beside it, only a few dozen steps were needed to go straight up the mountain.
After climbing the mountain and passing through a patch of low shrubs, there was a small peach grove.
Now, with autumn in full swing, the peaches had long since fallen.
The grove was covered with fallen leaves, and sparse starlight fell through the branches of the peach trees, giving the small grove an extraordinary tranquility and gentleness.
Chen Ping gritted his teeth all the way, mustering courage as he followed Lady Meng into this peach grove.
Once inside, Lady Meng turned and looked at him hauntingly.
Under the patchy and serene light and shadow, the woman’s skin was so pale it looked as though moonlight had fallen to the mortal world.
Chen Ping’s breathing gradually became rapid.
He took steps towards Lady Meng, his feet making a rustling sound on the leaf-strewn forest floor.
Lady Meng retreated step by step, the tips of her red embroidered shoes faintly visible beneath her white dress.
Until a moment when her soft shoulders struck a peach tree with horizontal branches.
Fallen leaves rustled down.
She called, "Chen Lang!"
Chen Ping suddenly rushed forward, enveloping her tightly as if he were a beast bursting from its cage.
His hot breath rushed out, and his wheat-colored face came close to her snow-white delicate neck.
Breath mingled, cheeks touched, indescribable and undefinable.
Neither noticed as Chen Xu’s figure unknowingly approached them.
According to the little mouse and Wei Yuan, the essence spirit Lady Meng grew stronger when met with strength, nearly invincible.
What they didn’t know was that Chen Xu had achieved cultivation at the Golden Core Seventh Layer and returned from beyond the realm, having gained a profound understanding of this world’s environment.
He deliberately masked his aura and presence, making it nearly impossible for Lady Meng to detect his arrival.
The little mouse covered its eyes with its paws, yet couldn’t resist peeking through the gaps, muttering:
"Brother Chen is really daring! Oh, what to do? This essence spirit has him completely enthralled, can he really forcibly separate them?"
But as Chen Ping embraced Lady Meng, her body which had been leaning against the peach tree, unexpectedly started to slump downward.
Caught off guard, Chen Ping also fell to the ground with Lady Meng.
"Ah!" Lady Meng exclaimed.
"Lady Meng!" Chen Ping panicked, reacting with a speed far beyond his limits.
He tightly embraced Lady Meng, using his waist to forcefully twist and exchange positions with her.
In the end, he fell to the ground, with Lady Meng falling on top of him.
Bang!
Chen Ping’s head hit the ground, but he ignored his own pain, hastily checking on Lady Meng who was lying on him.
"Lady Meng, did you fall anywhere? Are you hurt?"
In his anxious disarray, a soft hand reached over, gently touching his lower lip.
"Silly man, you’re the one who fell, yet you’re asking if I’m hurt..."
Tears welled in Lady Meng’s eyes, and her words, both reproachful and gentle, added a touch more tenderness.
"Let me see, tell me where you’re hurt, and I’ll... blow on it for you."
As she spoke, she reached to untie Chen Ping’s belt.
Instinctively, Chen Ping covered his belt with his hands, blurting out: "I’m strong, tough-skinned, and not hurt at all.
You don’t need to see to me..."
At the end of his words, Lady Meng’s hand was held firmly by him, and she gazed at him with a resentful look.
Chen Ping thought Lady Meng didn’t believe him, so he quickly explained: "Really, I’m not hurt at all.
My second brother once left Spiritual Objects at home; our family all consumed them, and now everyone is strong; a little fall is nothing.
Look at me, do I look hurt?
Believe me, I’m fine."
Lady Meng’s eyes flickered slightly when she heard him mention Chen Xu, feigning curiosity and asking:
"Your second brother... is he the Top Scholar?
He left you Spiritual Objects; what kind of Spiritual Objects?"
Chen Ping answered without any caution: "A jar of wine, second brother said drinking it regularly strengthens the body and prolongs life.
Unfortunately, we’ve used it all up, but when second brother returns, I’ll ask him for more.
If he’s willing to give me some, I’ll share my portion with you.
You can give it to my, my mother-in-law... as your son-in-law’s goodwill."
Upon these words, the little mouse on Chen Xu’s shoulder deeply wrinkled its nose.
"Squeak, squeak!" The little mouse said irritably, "Brother Chen is generous with others’ property, I thought he was genuine.
Ah, so annoying..."
Had it not been unwise to act recklessly, the little mouse would have rushed over to deliver a flurry of mouse punches to Chen Ping.
It had been wholeheartedly thinking about helping Chen Ping, rescuing him.
The little mouse was furious, hopping on Chen Xu’s shoulder.
In contrast, Wei Yuan calmly remarked: "As the saying goes, when one person attains the Dao, their entire household prospers. Brother Chen’s success in the imperial examination and his rewards to the family are entirely normal.
He just wants to use his share to please someone he thinks is his mother-in-law, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
It’s just that from our perspective, hearing it doesn’t feel right."
That’s reasonable, but the little mouse just felt very vexed listening to it.
Meanwhile, Chen Ping and Lady Meng continued their conversation.
Lady Meng said joyfully: "Chen Lang, such a precious thing as Spirit Wine, and you’re willing to share it with my mother?
You’ve treated me so well; how could I ever repay you?
But we can’t just accept what your second brother gave us without giving something in return. Chen Lang, see, I’ve embroidered a pair of insoles here."
With that, Lady Meng indeed took out a pair of insoles from her sleeve.
At this moment, Chen Ping was still lying on the ground, with Lady Meng on top of him.
As she retrieved the insoles, Lady Meng slightly straightened her upper body and placed a pair of beautifully embroidered cloud-patterned insoles before Chen Ping, speaking softly:
"Chen Lang, give these insoles to second brother.
We’re just ordinary villagers, with nothing good on hand, unlike the various Spiritual Objects second brother has gifted us.
This is the only skill I can offer.
Although the insoles aren’t worth much, it’s the thought that counts."
In her speech, she had already regarded herself and Chen Ping as a single entity.
Thus, even if carrying insoles with her seemed slightly odd, Chen Ping was nonetheless moved.
He immediately reached out to receive the insoles, exclaiming joyfully:
"Excellent, Lady Meng. Your consideration truly makes you the best woman in the world.
My mother disagrees with our marriage, so when second brother returns, I’ll ask for his help.
Second brother is always understanding, and my parents will surely listen to him.
This way, you and I won’t have to cross the line before marriage and tarnish your reputation."
With those words, he took the insoles and was about to sit up.
Lady Meng was dumbfounded.
