He casually strolled to the Luofu Night Market.
Even though it was late at night, the place was still bustling with activity.
Moments later, after the two of them had swept through the market from one end to the other like a storm.
Leaning against Jing Chen and laboriously rubbing her own round belly, Bai Lu's contented gaze suddenly flashed with shrewdness.
"Ah, full and satisfied, I'm going back to sleep!"
Jing Chen beside her: "???"
Wait, why were they going back to sleep after being full?
She'd eaten her fill and now wanted to run? Was there such a good deal?
A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, and Jing Chen sensed that things were starting to go awry.
Thus, after a moment's thought, Jing Chen chose his moment and began to guide (deceive) Bai Lu.
"Ahem, well..."
"Xiǎo Bái Lù! Do you want to go on a spontaneous trip with me?"
Before he could finish speaking, listening to the latter half of the sentence that came from Bai Lu's mouth.
Jing Chen at this moment: [?_??]
"No, how did you know what I was going to say next?"
"Hmph hmph ~ There's something I seem to have forgotten to tell you. Actually, General Jing Yuan specifically came to see me this evening.
He told me that you're going on an external assignment soon, and the place you're going to is not only a desolate and cold region but also has nothing good to eat or drink. He asked me to be sure not to be fooled by you."
Jing Chen: "......"
Damn Jing Yuan, all of his Divine Machines Department trickery is being used on me, right!
(Jing Yuan: Hee hee~ Fire prevention, theft prevention, teammate prevention. High Diviner's words are indeed great!)
"Ahem, but, you don't be too disappointed. Even so, seeing as I was quite satisfied with what I ate just now, this is for you."
Reaching for the small gourd at her waist, she tossed it into Jing Chen's arms. Bai Lu then followed up with an introduction.
"This item is a marvel of the Vidyadhara, a Medicine Pot. It possesses Space-Dwelling Ability, and the medicinal liquid within was personally concocted by me..."
【Ding! Detected artifact that the host can offer for sacrifice...】
Before Bai Lu could finish her boast, a more detailed panel appeared before Jing Chen.
Name: Marvelous Medicine Pot
Type: Magic Treasure
Quality: Excellent/Fourth Tier
Traits: Space-Dwelling Ability, Sturdy
【Space-Dwelling Ability】: The Medicine Pot, imbued with the art of Space-Dwelling, has a capacity that can preserve freshness for about ten directions. (Note: Cannot contain living creatures.)
【Sturdy】: Crafted from Jianmu Mystic Root combined with several rare minerals, this Medicine Pot is extremely difficult to damage.
Magic Treasure Evaluation: A storage Medicine Pot that looks very impressive but is actually quite ordinary in potential. Compared to its intrinsic value, the medicinal liquid within, capable of reviving the dead and regenerating flesh, is the true value of this Magic Treasure.
Wow, capable of reviving the dead and regenerating flesh? This little broken bowl's evaluation is quite high!
Putting away the panel, Jing Chen happily stroked his chin.
Just as he was about to habitually flatter the Dragon Lady, he saw Xiǎo Bái Lù standing beside him, proudly looking up and waiting for praise.
Jing Chen suddenly decided it was time to let this guy experience the harshness of the world.
Serves you right for teaming up with that trash general to set me up, Xiǎo Bái Lù. Do you really think you can just eat my meals so easily!
Although I'm happy with the treasure you gave me, I don't like your attitude!
Grabbing Bai Lu's thick dragon tail from behind, Jing Chen's face gradually revealed an evil smile.
"Dragon Lady, how did you like tonight's late-night snack?"
"Emmm, it was passable! What? Realized how good I am to you and planning to treat me to another meal?"
"No, no, no. What I mean is, you wouldn't want those Dragon Masters to know you snuck out late at night to binge eat, would you!"
Bai Lu: "!!!"
Hearing this, her usually silky blue hair instantly stood on end, and Bai Lu's eyes widened in shock.
"You, you, you... Jing Chen, you can't play me like this! I even gave you my precious Medicine Gourd, and you're just... Woooo~"
Jing Chen: "......"
Hey, hey, hey, must you be so dramatic!
Listening to the sudden wailing beside him, Jing Chen looked at Bai Lu with a helpless expression.
Honestly, he had only intended to scare Bai Lu a little and ask for some favor.
But now! Jing Chen was suddenly curious about how the Vidyadhara's trash dragons usually punished Bai Lu.
"Hey, alright, alright, stop crying. Why are you so scared!"
Seeing Bai Lu's crying getting louder and attracting the attention of the surrounding crowd.
Jing Chen quickly covered Bai Lu's mouth, then immediately explained:
"Don't worry, I don't plan to report you. I just want you to help me transcribe some basic pill recipes."
"Eh~ That's all! I thought you were going to abduct me to that little ice ball place!"
Hearing this, she slowly lowered her two delicate little hands. To Jing Chen's astonished gaze, Bai Lu's pretty little face was completely free of tear stains.
Damn it, I, the dignified Path of Joy Follower, have been tricked again.
Who said this girl was innocent and naive before? This girl is definitely White Cut Black!
"No, I've changed my mind. Not only basic pill recipes, I want intermediate ones too!"
Angrily throwing a stack of jade slips, which he had "borrowed" from the Divine Machines Department, at Bai Lu, Jing Chen's tone was cold.
"Hey~ Why are you like this! Be careful, I'll really cry for you then!"
"Hmph! Do you think I'll fall for it again? Hurry up and write for me.
"Cry! Crying still takes time."
Bai Lu: o(╥﹏╥)o
Is... is this right?
She should clearly have the upper hand, but why is the plot development completely different from what she read in "The Domineering Dragon Lord and Her Drama Queen Junior" from Sanyú Bookstore?
......
After thoroughly retaliating against Xiǎo Bái Lù, Jing Chen walked home with a big bag full of pill recipe jade slips in his right hand.
He was in high spirits at the moment.
Whether these jade slips would be useful in the future was debatable, but bullying Xiǎo Bái Lù was genuinely fun!
Looking at her tearful expression, heh heh... Huh! Why is this guy here?
Rubbing his eyes in disbelief, the smile on Jing Chen's lips gradually faded.
Seeing Yan Qing loitering by his doorstep holding two cups of milk tea, Jing Chen instantly felt an urge to turn and run.
However...
"Hey, Brother Jing, your injury healed so quickly! The Dragon Lady's medical skills are truly renowned!"
Jing Chen: "......"
Is this guy worthy of being a sword genius? His eyesight is really sharp!
I was clearly retreating as fast as possible, yet I was still discovered.
Also, why do I always run into you at my doorstep! Is this your respawn point?
Muttering inwardly, Jing Chen nodded at Yan Qing with an unchanging expression, feigning a casual manner.
"Haha, yes! Thanks to Xiǎo Bái Lù, my injuries are almost completely healed."
"But speaking of which, Yan Qing, why are you here?"
"Oh, you mean this? The Dragon Lady asked me to buy two cups of milk tea. I didn't see her when I returned to the Cloud Cavalry Training Ground, so I decided to try my luck here."
Jing Chen: [●′?｀●]
Your luck is indeed quite good!
With a twitch of his mouth, he chatted with Yan Qing for a couple more sentences.
Afterward, just as Jing Chen was about to quickly get rid of Yan Qing so he could enjoy a peaceful sleep, as expected, the thing that was bound to happen, happened.
Immediately, Yan Qing coughed lightly, and a fiery fighting spirit reignited in his eyes.
"Since Brother Jing's injuries have fully recovered, what do you think about our training?"
Jing Chen: "......"
Damn Yan Qing, you're still thinking about how to kill me!!
If I hadn't retreated quickly enough this time, I would have faced not four swords, but ten thousand celestial swords!
"Cough cough... Ptoo!".
Pretending that his old injury had relapsed, he coughed a few times. Seizing Yan Qing's unguarded moment, he forcefully hit his own chest, coughing up a large mouthful of congealed blood.
Jing Chen shook his head weakly at Yan Qing, apologizing:
"Sorry, Yan Qing. I'm suddenly feeling unwell again!"
Yan Qing: ゛(◎_◎;)
No, wasn't he just fine a moment ago? Why did he suddenly spit blood?
Or is that Dragon Girl's medical skill actually just so-so? (Bai Lu, still engrossed in writing pill recipes: You're talking nonsense!)
Never mind, there will be plenty of time for sparring later. Brother Jing is about to go on a business trip, so it's best not to delay the General's arrangements.
Oh, right, the General!
His eyes flashed with a brilliant light, as if he had suddenly remembered something. Yan Qing, who was about to leave, suddenly turned and said to Jing Chen:
"Oh, right. On my way to buy milk tea, I ran into the General. The General asked me to pass on a message that the Stellar Ship is ready, and we can depart tomorrow!"
Jing Chen: "!!??"
Nani, departing tomorrow?
*****\n\n*****