39: Deng Rui seeks help and rides with Mei

“Lin Yuan, you don’t need to belittle yourself. Don’t Inner Sect Disciples also come from Outer Sect Disciples? As long as you work hard enough, you will definitely have a chance.”

Deng Rui withdrew his arm from Lin Yuan’s shoulder and stood with his hands behind his back.

“Alright, then I’ll take your auspicious words, Deng Rui.”

Just as he said this, he saw the stable owner leading horses out of the stables, and he said loudly, “Customer, all your horses are here. There are twenty-three in total. Please count them.”

“Okay.”

Deng Rui turned to count the horses. After confirming the number was correct, he handed over the money: “The number is correct, and this is the agreed price. Please count it as well.”

The mortal world, unlike the Cultivation world, does not use Spirit Stones for transactions but rather money and silver notes.

Because Spirit Stones are too valuable, just one can be exchanged for ten thousand mortal coins, which is enough for a Family of three to live on for several years.

Therefore, when Lin Yuan took out two Spirit Stones, Deng Rui’s attitude was so enthusiastic.

After all, an ordinary Opening Meridian Realm Cultivator, relying on hunting and gathering herbs, would be lucky to earn more than ten Spirit Stones a month. Taking out two at once was equivalent to several days of wasted effort.

So, in his opinion, Lin Yuan’s generosity was quite impressive, and he must have come from a good Family.

He didn’t expect to miscalculate.

“Outer Sect Disciples receive a monthly stipend of ten Spirit Stones. This kid must have just entered the Outer Sect and doesn’t know the value of Spirit Stones, which is why he’s spending them so carelessly.”

Deng Rui thought to himself, then mounted his white horse and turned his head, saying, “Lin Yuan, before we return to Luoxiao City, I still need to pick up the remaining horses from a few other stables. You can ride one first, and I’ll arrange a seat for you once we leave the city.”

“Okay.”

Next, Lin Yuan followed him around the city, picking up about fifty or sixty horses, before finally leaving the city.

Not far from the city gate, Deng Rui led the group of horses there, and then both of them dismounted. The Deng Family members nearby moved the goods piled on the ground onto the horses’ backs and tied them securely, then one by one, they all mounted their horses.

Once all the goods were loaded, Deng Rui awkwardly realized that all the horses were being ridden, and there wasn’t a single extra one.

Lin Yuan also noticed this situation and couldn’t help but frown.

There wasn’t a single extra horse. Would he go back on his word?

Sensing his change in mood, Deng Rui immediately reassured him, “Lin Yuan, please rest assured. Since I said I would take you home, I will naturally keep my word.”

With that, he quickly turned, walked to the frontmost carriage, pulled back the curtain, and slipped inside.

Inside the cramped carriage, a beautiful young woman was meditating with her eyes closed when she was suddenly interrupted from her Cultivation. She opened her eyes unhappily and said, “Didn’t I tell you to organize the supplies and prepare to depart? Why are you coming to find me again?”

Deng Rui sat opposite the woman, rubbing his hands, a little embarrassed: “Deng Fuxi, I suddenly ran into a bit of trouble, and I humbly ask you to help me solve it.”

“What trouble?”

“I just met a fellow villager in the city who wanted to buy a horse to go home. Since we bought all the horses, he hoped we could give him a ride. I agreed out of consideration for him being a fellow villager, thinking there might be extra horses for him to ride. Who would have thought the number was just right? Isn’t that troublesome?”

“A fellow villager? Is he from Luoxiao City?”

“Yes, it’s quite fated to meet someone from the same city a thousand miles away, isn’t it?”

“Did you receive any benefits from him?”

“No, I just agreed because I felt it was fated.”

“Heh heh, stop pretending in front of me. With your calculating nature, would you help a stranger without any benefits?”

“This… Deng Fuxi, your Wisdom Eye is sharp. I did indeed receive some benefits.”

“What benefits?”

“Two Spirit Stones.”

Hearing this, the woman’s eyes flickered slightly, and she lowered her voice, “What’s his background? Did you inquire?”

Deng Rui said indifferently, “Deng Fuxi, there’s no need to be reserved. I’ve already inquired. He’s just a Cultivator from a commoner Family. The reason he’s so generous is because he just became an Outer Sect Disciple of the Cloud Ripple Sect and doesn’t understand the preciousness of Spirit Stones. When he realizes it later, he’ll definitely regret it.”

Spirit Stones are not easy to earn. Even their Family, after deducting various expenses, has a net income of only a few hundred Spirit Stones a year, less than a thousand.

Two Spirit Stones may not seem like much, but as a fare, it’s already too much of an overcharge.

Upon hearing the words “commoner” and “Outer Sect Disciple,” the caution on the woman’s face instantly vanished, and she scoffed, “Then just let him ride with any Family member.”

Deng Rui said with difficulty, “The horses are loaded with supplies, there’s no room for a second person.”

The woman’s beautiful eyes widened: “Then what do you suggest? Do you want me to share the carriage with him?”

Deng Rui said with a fawning smile, “Deng Fuxi, isn’t there still an empty seat in your carriage? It’s empty anyway, so let him sit there. It’s not a long journey back, and we’ll reach the Family tomorrow.”

Hearing this, the woman clicked her tongue, her expression somewhat unwilling.

If the other person were a woman, it would be fine, but a man would inevitably make her uncomfortable.

After all, she had never been alone with a male outside of her relatives since childhood, and the carriage compartment was small. Sitting face to face, their feet were almost touching, and if there were bumps along the way, some physical contact might occur, which would be so awkward.

“Sister, please help Xiao Rui this once. After all, I’ve already promised someone, so how can I go back on my word? You don’t want me to be someone who doesn’t keep his promises, do you?”

Unable to resist her younger brother’s repeated requests, the woman finally said, “Alright, alright, just this once. In the future, you must ask me before doing such things.”

“Okay, Deng Fuxi!”

Finally convincing her, Deng Rui let out a sigh of relief. He immediately left the carriage and quickly walked up to Lin Yuan: “Lin Yuan, I’ve already spoken with my sister. On this return journey, you will share a carriage with her.”

“Ah?”

Lin Yuan’s expression froze: “Let me share a carriage with her? Is that convenient?”

“What’s inconvenient about it? You’re not doing anything, just sharing a ride.”

With that, Deng Rui winked at him: “My sister is a great beauty. Sharing a ride this time is really a bargain for you, kid.”

Lin Yuan twitched his lips, speechless.

What kind of bargain is there in sharing a ride without doing anything?

However, riding in a carriage is more convenient for Cultivation than riding a horse, which is an advantage.

He didn’t ask why Deng Rui wasn’t taking the carriage and he was riding the horse instead.

The goods on the horses were valuable, and it would certainly be inappropriate for an outsider like him to handle them, so sitting in the carriage was the most suitable option.

“Alright, then I’m truly troubling you, Deng Rui.”

“No trouble at all, no trouble. Since I’ve taken your things, of course I have to handle things properly for you.”

Deng Rui said, leading him to the carriage, and continued, “This is it. Just get in. Oh, and my sister doesn’t like men staring at her, so…”

“Don’t worry, Deng Rui, I’m aware of proper etiquette.”

Lin Yuan gently replied, then pulled back the curtain and entered gracefully.