Chapter 14: Terms of Exchange

As night fell, Jiang Mingxu contacted a seasoned team of bounty hunters preparing to hunt in District 1 and relayed the news to everyone.

[Departure in ten days]

“Zhuang Yun, do you want me to lend you a mech first?” Jiang Mingxu was concerned that Zhuang Yun’s lightly armed “Spirit Sky” might be too vulnerable.

Zhuang Yun pondered for a moment. If the mech got damaged, she’d be buried in debt.

“No need. This time, I’ll just watch from the sidelines to see how the bounty hunters operate.”

She also felt that the “Spirit Sky” was lightweight and could escape swiftly if needed.

For a week, Lin Yiwen repaired the mech, while Zhuang Yun took on the responsibility of supporting the family and encouraging the others in the sect to train harder by setting up a temporary fortune-telling stall at the repair shop’s entrance.

A red banner fluttered in the breeze with the words “Fortune Telling and Divination.”

Hands on her hips, with a flourish of her dust whisk, Zhuang Yun began proclaiming loudly with strong energy:

“Come and have your fortune told, behold the gates of destiny open for you;
Bazi and physiognomy, I reveal your fortunes and misfortunes true.
Passersby, don’t miss your chance, seize this moment to command your fate;
Get your reading here, blessings and good luck shall accompany your gait...”

Occasionally, one or two curious glances came her way but only fleetingly.

A little girl was drawn over, “Little Taoist…”

Suddenly, a woman grabbed the girl, whispering low, “This is a fraud, superstition. Didn’t your teacher tell you at school to believe in science?” Then she left.

Zhuang Yun sighed helplessly. In her past, she was the proud disciple of her master; nobles and commoners alike vied for her divinations.

But now, three thousand years later, the world had changed utterly.

Technology advanced by leaps and bounds, reshaping people’s ideas and beliefs.

The ancient Taoist culture was being marginalized in the tide of the times, even regarded by some as synonymous with feudal superstition.

The sunlight lazily spilled over the sign; the four characters “Fortune Telling and Divination” trembled in the gentle breeze. Zhuang Yun thought to herself, “One day, the light of our Taoist tradition will shine again upon the world!”

Packing up her stall, she remained undeterred and powered on her light-brain device to check for part-time opportunities.

[Missing Person Notice: 88 years old, suffers from dementia, wearing a blue cotton jacket and a gray knit hat...]

[Missing Dog Notice: “Ah Huang,” brown fur, red bell on the collar...]

Within a day, Zhuang Yun used divination to find the dog lost by Granny Wang, and Uncle Li’s mother who had gone astray. Soon, the reputation of a Taoist who helped people find lost items spread across the streets, and Zhuang Yun accepted every request without refusal.

One late night, after three sleepless nights, she finally captured the precious falcon lost by Elder Chen in the mountain forest.

Arriving at the wealthy residential area in District 11, she handed over the cage. “Elder Chen, here’s your hawk.”

“Oh, thank goodness, Little Yun! I just bought that hawk; it wasn’t even tame yet. I searched for a month without success. You’re amazing—come in and have a seat!” Elder Chen gestured invitingly.

“No, no, I still have to find Boss Yang’s toad,” Zhuang Yun waved goodbye.

Walking beneath the hidden shade of trees, she finally succumbed to exhaustion and collapsed—falling into sleep instantly.

At that moment, Lin Yiwen was about to drive to the repair shop and saw a dark figure suddenly fall outside his building.

Approaching, he exclaimed, “Zhuang Yun?!”

Since she gave up the stall, Zhuang Yun had been helping people find things every few days—be it lifeless or living. If she had special skills, she only performed these small tasks; if not, even Elder Chen, who played both sides of the law, sought her help.

Lin Yiwen hadn’t seen Zhuang Yun for several days. Now, her pale face lay still.

“Zhuang Yun? Zhuang Yun? Wake up…”

Her breathing was steady. Stray strands of hair gently brushed her fair cheeks, lending a delicate beauty.

“You must be exhausted.” Lin Yiwen carried her into his room, tucked her in, and then left for the repair shop.

After finishing the morning’s work, Lin Yiwen planned to work at the dungeon restaurant but, thinking of someone at home, left early.

Meanwhile, Zhuang Yun slept soundly in the soft, plush bed. In her dreams, she wondered—since when had the Taoist temple’s bedding become so warm? The mattress so soft? Then a tempting aroma roused her.

Opening her eyes, she found herself in an unfamiliar, lavishly decorated room.

“Huh? Where am I? Didn’t I just deliver the hawk to Elder Chen, then find a spot to sleep?”

The surroundings compared to her humble Taoist temple could be summed up in one word—luxurious!

A huge crystal chandelier hung overhead like a cluster of dazzling stars, bathing the room in a dreamy glow.

Startled, she sat upright, her gaze settling on a family portrait on the bedside table—a smiling family of three, parents holding their son’s hands, sunlight filtering through leaves, warm and beautiful.

“Could this be… Lin Yiwen’s deceased parents?” Zhuang Yun speculated.

She noticed various medicine bottles on the table labeled for treating neurological disorders and mental fatigue.

Opening the door, she saw Lin Yiwen adding more food to the table, which was laden with a sumptuous feast—her mouth watered uncontrollably!

“You’re awake. Eat first!” Lin Yiwen said softly.

Zhuang Yun didn’t hold back. “Thank you, Lin Yiwen! I haven’t eaten in three days!” She began eating heartily. She had only nibbled on a few steamed buns during her three days in the mountains.

“Lin… Yiwen… your cooking is so delicious!” Zhuang Yun spoke with a mouthful, words slurred. The dishes surpassed even those from the famed “Drunken Cloud Pavilion” in the capital.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

Usually, at the temple, she ate vegetarian fare or just grabbed some buns or bread on the go. It had been ages since she’d tasted meat!

Watching her content expression, Lin Yiwen felt a warm surge in his heart. Knowing she loved meat, he had prepared several hearty dishes specially.

“Take your time; don’t choke.” He poured another bowl of soup.

During the meal, Zhuang Yun finally voiced a long-held question: “Lin Yiwen, your family seems so wealthy. Why do you still work at my master’s repair shop?”

“I’ve worked with mechs since childhood. Repairing broken ones gives me a great sense of accomplishment.”

“Then why not open your own shop?”

“...Because I’m still underage... not old enough to get a business license,” Lin Yiwen explained.

Zhuang Yun considered this. He was about the same age as Lake and Jiang Mingxu—he should have gone to the Mech Academy but claimed his spiritual power was insufficient to enroll.

“Then why open a small restaurant?”

Only a couple of hours at noon, earning little, no helpers, serving and cooking all by himself. It didn’t seem like he intended to make money or run it long-term.

Lin Yiwen fell silent. His parents were often busy working, but whenever he cooked at home, they hurried back to eat together. The family scene was warm and tender.

Seeing other families dine in his restaurant felt like stepping back into those moments. He said, “I like watching people enjoy the food I make.”

Zhuang Yun slapped the table!

Instant connection!

“I like your cooking too!”

“Could you come cook at our Taoist temple?” she asked, eyes sparkling with hope.

Lin Yiwen, not fond of deep social contact, was about to decline, “No...”

Zhuang Yun’s eyes shone even brighter.

“...I’m expensive...” Lin Yiwen tried to use money to refuse.

Zhuang Yun had a clever idea: “How about this—I help you improve your spiritual power, and you cook at our temple?”

Lin Yiwen’s eyes widened in surprise. What?