Section 4

The two returned to the Jin Guan Fang to drink tea. After dark, snow began to fall outside the door, with snowflakes swirling in and covering the ground in a blanket of silver white. Bai Qingming did not light the guiding incense and listened as Liu Feiyin asked, "Qingming, are we not doing business tonight?"

Wangxiang Tower is a teahouse that also offers fine wines.

My third brother's health is not good, and both my father and elder brother often advise him to drink less... Sigh, let's not talk about him anymore, Young Master Liu, how about we...

"What does Young Master Liu want with me?" The young lady completely disregarded the presence of others as she exchanged flirtatious glances with him

Greenery shook its head: "Boss Bai is not that kind of person; he is doing this for my own good"

Bai Qingming smiled, yet there was not a trace of mirth on his face: "Someone asked me to bring something to Young Master Shen." Liu Feiyin observed the situation and understood most of it, tossing the handkerchief onto the table. The small red fruits rolled across the table, soaked in liquor, glistening like the tears of a little tree spirit

Bai and the book, with a clear sound, shook open the paper fan adorned with a painting of cold plum blossoms defying the snow, and disdainfully snorted while raising her eyebrows.

Liu Feiyin threw the clay ball into the copper basin to wash his hands, and the filthy, dark waters of the Wangchuan River emitted a nauseating stench, with countless vengeful souls' hands reaching up from the muddy riverbed to grasp his feet. These memories were not particularly pleasant, and he was reluctant to recall them. The greenery seemed somewhat afraid of this clay ball, frowning as it huddled around the stove, the firelight casting a red glow on her face, bringing a clear brightness.

Shen Qiufan, with his fair and refined appearance, stands out in the crowd. He is using his fingertips to dip into the wine and write poetry on the table, his small characters flowing with elegance. Although his complexion is somewhat pale, there are no signs at all of impending doom.

May I ask what Mr. Bai wishes to discuss with me

Two ethereal figures walked down the street, causing even the shyest of women to turn their heads for a few more glances. At the intersection of Shenjiamen and the library, they encountered a soft sedan chair, and the maidservant accompanying it joyfully called out from outside: "Miss, it is Young Master Liu." It should be the young lady of the Shen family; Liu Feiyin could hardly remember her, yet still gazed deeply with his peach blossom eyes and said: "It has been a long time since we last met. How have you been? I have missed you."

Thank you, Boss Bai. "Greenery smiled faintly.

My third brother went to Wangxiang Tower to drink

"What is there to trust about such a person?" Liu Feiyin leaned closer and said, "If it weren't for your century-old tree, he wouldn't even consider your business."

Oh, I have come with Boss Bai to find Master Shen Qiufan

Shen Qiufan gasped upon seeing the newcomer, one of the three great ghost stories of Fenglin City, the coffin shop in the small alley known as the Brocade Coffin Workshop, which not only sells coffins but also conducts business exclusively with the dead. The shopkeeper, Bai Qingming, has an unknown background and is as beautiful as the alluring ghost described in books, sending chills down one's spine

"It is the silt at the deepest part of the River of Forgetfulness and the Book River." Bai Qingming raised an eyebrow, "Haven't you swum there before? This scent is the most familiar to you!"

I will bring the fruit to the Shen family, you need not worry

Shen Qiufan suddenly fell silent, frowning as she stared blankly at the few Li fruits. Before leaving, Bai Qingming heard someone say, "Qiufan, you truly have remarkable skills; you have really brought back the Li fruits. This time, the young lady of the Zhou family has no reason to refuse your marriage proposal, right"

"It is a fruit!" someone exclaimed.

Bai Qingming stared blankly at the tree trunk, and after a long while, he shook his head and said: "Let's go, we are heading to the Shen family."

In an instant, the tree trunk seemed to be infused with boundless vitality, its crown growing wildly as if it were obscuring half the sky. The warm, humid scent of rain rushed towards me, and the bustling street fell silent. I watched as the flowerless tree suddenly bloomed with small light green flowers the size of a fingernail, which were blown away by the wind, only to bear small fruits the size of soybeans. In the blink of an eye, these fruits grew to the size of jujubes, as if stained with blood, glistening red and dripping with juice. I watched as the flowerless tree suddenly bloomed with small light green flowers the size of a fingernail, which were blown away by the wind, only to bear small fruits the size of soybeans. In the blink of an eye, these fruits grew to the size of jujubes, as if stained with blood, glistening red and dripping with juice

Ripe fruits fall one after another, the leaves turn a withered yellow, and in the cold wind, they quickly turn to ash, before me stands yet another lifeless old tree

Just consider yourself as a dead person

The little red fruits rolled all over the table, soaked in the wine, sparkling like the tears of a little tree spirit

"Can he still drink alcohol with that body of his?" Liu Feiyin was a bit surprised

We are waiting.

Liu Feiyin was just about to agree when he felt the collar at the back of his neck being yanked. By the time he came to his senses, the two had already reached the mouth of the alley. No matter whom he encountered, this shameless fellow would always say something cheesy like "I miss you," even though he couldn't even remember what the person looked like. If he dared to claim second place in the art of flirting, no one among the young rakes in the city would dare to claim first.

After dawn, I will bury this clay pill beneath the trunk of your tree at hetushu.com. The sensation of having one's spiritual power forced out will not be pleasant. If luck is on your side, you may preserve a trace of your essence; if not, there will be no you left in this world.

What is this? It stinks! Is this the dirt scraped off your armpits after not showering for three years? Liu Feiyin held the heavy little mud ball in his left hand while covering his mouth and nose with his right hand

I trust Boss Bai

Liu Feiyin could not say anything more, and did not return to the town during the day. Instead, he followed Bai Qingming to the large, lushly-leaved locust tree in the street. The locust tree was surrounded by a fence, and offerings of incense were made around it, as the people revered it as a sacred tree. Bai Qingming and Liu Feiyin stood among the crowd, and a small clay pellet flew from his fingers, landing at the base of the tree.

"Young Master Shen?" Bai Qingming stepped forward.

Hmm, should I hit him

Taking advantage of the crowd's momentary daze, Liu Feiyin walked over and picked up a few fruits, wrapping them in a silk handkerchief. By the time the crowd reacted, they all shouted and rushed forward, snatching the fruits away.