After hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua’s face lit up with delight, and he said: “Why is Boss being so polite? Just take your time to look. I’ll keep this Jade Restoration Pill for you.”

Chen Fengxiao cupped his hands and said: “Then many thanks, little brother. I’ll take my leave now and go back to search carefully. To tell the truth, I do have quite a few medicinal herbs there. Although I’ve lost quite a number to the Pill Division, herbs with such age are still extremely rare.”

After speaking, Chen Fengxiao stood up and turned to leave, but he still did not forget to remind him: “Little brother, if anyone else comes looking for you, don’t give this Jade Restoration Pill to them.”

When Zhang Xiaohua heard this, he immediately felt displeased, thinking to himself: “Is my character really that poor? I just promised you that I could get the herbs by tomorrow morning—would I turn around and give the item to someone else?”

So Zhang Xiaohua stood up and said: “Boss, please wait a moment.”

After speaking, he walked over to the table at the side, opened the already packed bundle, took out the “Jade Restoration Pill” that Chen Fengxiao was determined to obtain, and casually tossed it over, saying: “If Boss doesn’t trust me, or is afraid someone else might take it, then just take this pill first.”

Chen Fengxiao hurriedly caught the jade bottle that Zhang Xiaohua had thrown. His heart was filled with joy: “This fellow has finally come to his senses—he has potential for cultivation.” Yet he said politely, “This isn’t quite appropriate, is it, little brother? Even between blood brothers, accounts are settled clearly. Doing this puts me in a difficult position.”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said, “What kind of person is Boss? If I didn’t trust you, then there wouldn’t be anyone on Tianmu Peak worth trusting.”

“Good, little brother, well said. I, Chen, will remember this sentiment of yours.”

Chen Fengxiao was rarely this happy; even the phrase “I, Chen” slipped out naturally. It was likely that he would wake up smiling even in his dreams tonight.

Carefully tucking the jade bottle into his robes, Chen Fengxiao cupped his hands and quickly left the small courtyard, his steps light as if they did not touch the ground. Watching his back, Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but shake his head. He truly didn’t feel that this “Jade Restoration Pill” from a failed refinement had any particular use—otherwise, he wouldn’t have ignored it without even taking a look back then.

Seeing that it was already getting late, Zhang Xiaohua sat down again, preparing to make use of the remaining time to cultivate a bit more.

But just at that moment, a voice calling out came from outside the courtyard: “Junior Brother Ren, Junior Brother Ren, are you in the courtyard?”

Zhang Xiaohua was startled. It was almost midnight—who would be shouting like a ghost? When he swept out with his divine sense, he saw two people standing outside: one was Senior Brother Bai Huan, and the other was an old Consecrated Elder who had served as a judge at the gambling match during the day.

Zhang Xiaohua was first surprised, then muttered to himself, “Could it be for this ‘Jade Restoration Pill’ again?”

Thus, he did not dare to be negligent. As he walked out, he raised his voice and replied, “Which Senior Brother is looking for me? Please come into the courtyard and speak.”

Upon hearing Zhang Xiaohua’s reply, Bai Huan led the old Consecrated Elder into the courtyard. Zhang Xiaohua put on a greatly startled expression and quickly saluted, saying, “This Consecrated Elder…”

Bai Huan explained: “Junior Brother Ren, this is an old Consecrated Elder of our Tuodan Hall. His surname is Feng. On Tianmu Peak, he is very well-liked and is especially known for supporting the younger generation.”

Zhang Xiaohua saluted again and said: “Consecrated Elder Feng, greetings. If there was anything you needed, you could have simply sent someone to call for me. How could I trouble you to come personally?”

Elder Feng had originally heard about Zhang Xiaohua’s fierce behavior the previous night and had worried that this fellow might not give him face, leaving him in an awkward position. But now, seeing Zhang Xiaohua so respectful and courteous, like a well-mannered and sensible youth, he couldn’t help but feel somewhat pleased. He helped Zhang Xiaohua up and then stroked his beard as he said: “Martial Nephew Ren, although this old man may be considered a senior within the sect, one of us is from the Pill Division and the other from the Herb Division. We are not familiar with each other, so I did not dare to come rashly.”

After hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua quickly invited Elder Feng into the room. Once they were all seated, he carefully asked: “May I ask what matter Consecrated Elder Feng has come for?”

Seeing Zhang Xiaohua get straight to the point, Elder Feng nodded inwardly. He glanced at Bai Huan, who understood and took over, saying: “Junior Brother Ren, earlier at the gambling match, didn’t Wu Dalang from the Pill Division compensate you with a ‘Jade Restoration Pill’? Consecrated Elder Feng here is quite interested in that pill, so he asked me to bring him over to ask whether you would be willing to transfer that pill to him.”

Then, after glancing at Elder Feng, he added, “He is willing to offer a high price—certainly enough to satisfy Junior Brother Ren.”

“Just as expected,” Zhang Xiaohua nodded inwardly, though he was also puzzled. Could it be that this Jade Restoration Pill held some secret he didn’t know about?

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Xiaohua showed a look of apology and said, “Although I’ve only met Consecrated Elder Feng once, since Senior Brother Bai has brought you here, and you are also a Consecrated Elder of the hall, there should be no issue with this matter, but…”

Elder Feng frowned tightly upon hearing this and couldn’t help but ask, “But what?”

“But before Consecrated Elder Feng arrived, Boss Chen had already taken that pill away!”

“This…” Elder Feng grew anxious and said, “How could it be such a coincidence? I had just seen them drinking together, so I hurriedly sought out Martial Nephew Bai and came over. Could it be that I was still one step too late?”

Zhang Xiaohua nodded and said: “I wouldn’t dare deceive Consecrated Elder Feng. Please, take a look.”

After saying this, he opened his bundle, revealing all the pills inside. Although Elder Feng felt somewhat embarrassed, he still carefully looked through them. As expected, the Jade Restoration Pill was indeed not there. They had come hastily, and Zhang Xiaohua had no way of foreseeing their arrival, so there was no way he could have hidden it in advance. Elder Feng was already somewhat convinced. Then he heard Zhang Xiaohua say, “If Consecrated Elder Feng urgently needs it, you can still go after Boss Chen now. He just left not long ago—perhaps he hasn’t returned yet.”

Elder Feng’s face was full of disappointment. He gently shook his head and said: “Fate is lacking, fate is lacking… sigh. Had I known, I should have stopped you on the spot. Very well, Martial Nephew Ren, many thanks. This old man will take his leave.”

After speaking, he cupped his hands and, without sitting any longer, stepped out of the room. Bai Huan, who had been sitting on the chair, also hurriedly stood up, waved at Zhang Xiaohua, and chased after him. After all, the bamboo grove outside was rather eerie—he didn’t dare linger alone.

Zhang Xiaohua pretended to escort them a few steps. Just as he reached the doorway, the two had already left the courtyard. Standing under the moonlight that flowed like water, Zhang Xiaohua fell into thought. A refined-failed “Jade Restoration Pill” alone was enough to make them scramble like this—what about a genuine “Jade Restoration Pill”?

“Heh heh.” Zhang Xiaohua’s face broke into a smile. He still had several in his money pouch.

Chen Fengxiao had come, Bai Huan had come, and Elder Feng had also come. Presumably, news that the “Jade Restoration Pill” was no longer in his possession would soon spread throughout Tianmu Peak. After that, no one would come to trouble him again. However, the matter of exchanging the “Jade Restoration Pill” for medicinal herbs had given Zhang Xiaohua an idea. Pills were hard currency on Tianmu Peak, while medicinal herbs were worthless—so exchanging pills for herbs should be quite easy. Should he perhaps trade all the pills he would win tomorrow for medicinal herbs?

It seemed that tomorrow’s gambling match was not really a gambling match at all, but rather the Pill Division giving him a welcoming gift.

Zhang Xiaohua spread out his divine sense, roughly surveying the area within a dozen zhang around him. After confirming there was nothing unusual, he closed the courtyard gate, set up the restriction, and focused on cultivating the Carefree Heart Sutra.

The next morning, just after Zhang Xiaohua finished practicing the Big Dipper Divine Fist, he saw Chen Fengxiao approaching with a cheerful smile, with Qiu Weicheng still following behind him eagerly. When he saw Zhang Xiaohua walking over from the edge of the cliff, Chen Fengxiao called out loudly: “Little brother truly is a diligent person. I thought you hadn’t gotten up yet, but who would have thought you’ve already finished a round of martial practice?”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said, “The early bird catches the worm. My mother told me this when I was very young. I’ve always been slow-witted, so I have no choice but to rise a bit earlier than others.”

After hearing this, Chen Fengxiao’s expression dimmed, and he said somewhat dejectedly: “Sigh, my mother also said that in my early years, it’s just… hehe. Little brother, you are still young and have plenty of time ahead. You must train your martial arts well. When you travel the jianghu in the future, be sure to remember to go back often and visit your mother.”

Seeing Chen Fengxiao reveal genuine emotion, Zhang Xiaohua was also moved. No matter whether this person was good or bad, or whether his actions were right or wrong, at least when speaking of his mother, he showed filial piety—this alone was a commendable trait.

Zhang Xiaohua said apologetically: “Boss, please don’t take offense. I spoke improperly and made you think too much.”

Chen Fengxiao waved his hand. “No need to be so polite, little brother. We already made it clear yesterday—you are my brother. Why bother with such things between brothers?”

Then, with a wave of his hand, Qiu Weicheng, behind him, handed a small bundle to Zhang Xiaohua. Chen Fengxiao said: “Little brother, inside this bundle are the medicinal herbs I promised you yesterday. Take a look. There is a portion of ‘Iron Bone Grass’ with nearly seventy years of medicinal efficacy. The other few herbs are inferior, but they should still have around thirty years.”

“Iron Bone Grass?” Zhang Xiaohua was startled and thought to himself, “Isn’t this the main ingredient of the Bone-Consolidating Pill?”

Zhang Xiaohua took the bundle and said: “Boss just said we’re brothers and there’s no need to be polite, yet you’re the first to be courteous. Didn’t we agree on just one herb yesterday? Why are there several more today?”

“What little brother says is incorrect. This ‘Jade Restoration Pill’ is something Chen has long desired. Not to mention these few herbs—even more, I would still be willing to take out. By doing this, I am already taking advantage of little brother. Oh, right…”

At this point, Chen Fengxiao took out another jade bottle from his robes and handed it to Zhang Xiaohua, saying: “This is a Blood-Replenishing Pill. You might need it in today’s gambling match, so keep it.”

Zhang Xiaohua declined: “This thing was already compensated by Wu Dalang yesterday. I also brought some from Spring Rebirth Valley. Besides, you’ve already given so many medicinal herbs—there’s no need for this.”

Chen Fengxiao stuffed it into his hands and said with a smile, “Take it, take it. Only then will I feel at ease.”

Zhang Xiaohua had no choice but to accept it. However, as he held the warm jade bottle, he suddenly asked: “By the way, Boss, I have a question. Look, this jade bottle itself is made of jade, and this jade doesn’t seem much inferior to gold leaves. So why is it that these jade bottles containing pills are given away so casually, yet when people see some gold leaves, they lose their composure? Doesn’t that feel a bit like ‘buying the casket and returning the pearl’?”