Chapter Eighty-Two: Light and Darkness

Overjoyed, Zhang Shu began to speak without restraint, calling out to his little uncle. Xiao Nan couldn’t be bothered to correct him anymore.

At that moment, Zhang Shu held a bundle in his left hand and an open jade box in his right. From within wafted an extraordinary fragrance. Just inhaling it made one’s blood surge and mind clear, like swallowing a mouthful of iced sour plum on the hottest day of summer.

Xiao Nan took a deep breath and asked tentatively, “Is that Shengyuan Grass?”

“Yes, exactly. I was wondering why that python lingered in place after swallowing Captain Han. Turns out they’d already succeeded earlier, stealing two stalks of Shengyuan Grass from the snake’s nest.”

The herb resembled orchid grass, with sword-shaped leaves—tender and unfurled. Looking closely, one could see a faint mist swirling above it, making it quite beautiful. Even those unfamiliar with herbs wouldn’t miss such a treasure, for its scent alone was enchanting.

No wonder the lake was called Fragrant Herb Lake; it must have been named after the Shengyuan Grass.

“There are two stalks here, one for each of us. Let’s split them. That way, we won’t go home empty-handed,” Xiao Nan said with a smile.

“No, I can’t accept the herbs.” Zhang Shu’s smile froze, his face reddening. “What do you take me for? Today I held you back more than once, and you saved me twice. This Shengyuan Grass is your trophy; I can’t take it.”

He forced his gaze away from the herbs, resolute.

“It’s only fair to share among those present,” Xiao Nan replied, not thinking much of it—it was just two stalks of herbs. In his previous life, when working missions, he’d often teamed up with temporary partners. Whenever something valuable was found, everyone would split the spoils.

If someone tried to keep everything for themselves, those left out might harbor resentment and leak secrets, causing endless trouble. Over time, this became customary: share, even if unevenly, but never leave anyone out.

“Fair enough,” Zhang Shu agreed, clearly familiar with the rule. He pulled out a small bottle from his bundle, containing two fiery red Vitality Pills, took one and swallowed it whole, then grinned. “I’m happy with the pill. You keep the rest, or else I’d feel insulted.”

What a fool! He refused the thirty-thousand-worth Shengyuan Grass and took a three-thousand Vitality Pill instead.

Xiao Nan was speechless, but said nothing more.

Truth be told, Shengyuan Grass was extremely useful to him—not for selling, but for rapidly increasing his blood vitality, which was currently his top priority. His family wasn’t destitute; once his strength grew, earning money would be easy.

With these two stalks, he intended to swallow them raw.

He was increasingly satisfied with his physique.

Although the otherworldly bear-man he’d slain was a low-tier creature, it still had innate advantages over humans. In some ways, bear-men were as robust as ferocious beasts. No beast ever needed to refine heavenly treasures into pills before consuming them; the whole business of monarch, minister, assistant, harmony—it didn’t apply here.

Of course, it wasn’t time to swallow the herbs just yet; he didn’t want to disrupt his plan. He needed to first address his physical hunger and optimize his body, then, once home, slowly absorb the herb’s energy and increase his vitality.

“Zhang Shu, why don’t you return to the city? You’ve seen for yourself—given my skills, there’s no danger in the Ten Mile Meadow. You can report back to Xiao Rou as well,” Xiao Nan suggested cautiously.

What he really wanted to say was that Zhang Shu’s weak strength made him a burden, but he reconsidered. This man, though foolish and clumsy, had many admirable qualities. He didn’t covet unexpected wealth and was loyal to those who entrusted him.

Such integrity was rare.

Especially earlier, when Xiao Nan refused to go to Fragrant Herb Lake and parted ways with Han Zhang and the others, Zhang Shu chose to stand with him. In retrospect, it might seem obvious, but at the time, it was a difficult choice for Zhang Shu: on one side, a young stranger he’d just met, and on the other, a familiar hunting team he hoped to join.

Most wouldn’t make such a “foolish” decision.

Later, when faced with valuable finds, he could restrain his greed and uphold his principles—an even rarer quality.

Vaguely, Xiao Nan felt as if he’d glimpsed the villagers of his past life’s mountain hamlets: perhaps lacking in knowledge or ability, but fundamentally honest and possessing a rustic kindness unique to small places.

In this era, such qualities were indeed hard to find.

Since arriving in this world, Xiao Nan had never felt much sense of belonging, always a faint sense of alienation. Aside from his family, his attitude toward others and the world was somewhat detached. The atmosphere here was lacking; he never felt truly safe.

Especially since the rise of martial arts, everyone seemed to have their own agenda. Even the Yuanjiang authorities left a poor impression.

Compared to his previous life, the world here seemed colder, less warmth between people.

Now, thinking back on those around him—his family, his homeroom teacher, Qin Shuang, Zhang Xiaorou, and the simple-minded Zhang Shu before him—he realized not everyone was selfish.

They were all so kind it was astonishing.

Where there is light, there is darkness.

Some chase petty gains, others sacrifice themselves for righteousness.

In this grand era, every person dances their unique life, each with their own persistence and convictions.

As expected, Zhang Shu shook his big head like a rattle drum and grinned, “No way, I have to see you safely to the meadow. There are places you don’t know; if you wander into a wolf den, that’d be trouble.”

“A wolf den? You mean there are many wolves in the Ten Mile Meadow? How strong are they?”

“Don’t underestimate those wild wolves, little uncle. They’ve mutated after eating who-knows-what—they’re huge. The strongest can rival a first-grade martial artist.”

Zhang Shu spoke with authority.

“Don’t call me little uncle,” Xiao Nan frowned. If he got used to being called that, it wouldn’t matter much, but if Zhang Yi heard it, there’d be trouble. That brute was even more domineering than Zhang Shu—he’d even taken on the City Lord’s Manor. What wouldn’t he dare?

“Understood,” Zhang Shu replied sheepishly. Xiao Nan’s cold expression made him nervous. Earlier, he’d seen Han Zhang beaten helpless, fed to a snake; Xiao Nan’s strength was intimidating.

“Wait, you’re a student at Yuanjiang First High? Are there really so many powerful students there? That sword technique you used to cut Han Zhang’s tendon—I think I’ve heard of it before.”

“Yes! I heard that bear-man was injured in the eye by a stealthy sword move, then killed by a student with a strike to the back. Was that you?”

Zhang Shu suddenly understood, his mouth agape in an unsightly way.

You only just realized? Slow as ever.

Xiao Nan rolled his eyes inwardly.

“Wasn’t Xiao Rou there? Didn’t she tell you?”

“So it really was you! That was a second-grade bear-man.” Zhang Shu struggled to contain his shock and patted his head. “That means your sword is really sharp.”

What did that have to do with the sword?

“Xiao Nan, even Han Zhang couldn’t defeat you—your vitality must be close to 5.0. You have a shot at a top university. Congratulations in advance!”

Actually, he hadn’t broken 3.0 yet, probably only at 2.0—still a long way to go.

Xiao Nan didn’t answer.

“Xiao Nan, when are you going to marry my aunt? Let me tell you, Grandpa Three is highly respected in the village, and my aunt is a treasure. If you show up, at least a hundred men will come to watch…”

What a chatterbox.

One talked incessantly while the other silently admired the scenery.

Soon, they came upon a vast wild plain, lush with green grass and blooming flowers. The breeze stirred waves across the meadow, creating ripples upon ripples.

From afar, it was endless, breathtakingly beautiful.

They had arrived at the Ten Mile Meadow.