Chapter Thirteen: The Touching Demise of the Butterfly

After a short while, the sound of knocking came from the door. A servant entered, carrying a large wooden tub. Warm water steamed from the barrel, with several unknown leaves floating atop, their fragrance filling the air.

Once the servant had left, Yun Yufeng wasted no time in undressing, and in the blink of an eye was left wearing nothing but a pair of loose shorts. Suddenly, a sharp cry rang out: “You… you… how can you just take your clothes off like that!” Before the words were finished, the person had already fled the room.

Yun Yufeng was baffled. If not like this, then how should one undress? Was he supposed to let this temporary servant do it for him? Shaking his head, he didn’t dwell on it. Yun Yufeng stepped into the wooden tub and luxuriated in the soothing warmth.

Outside the door, the young man’s heart pounded fiercely, mortified yet oddly curious. This solitary young lord was covered in scars, nothing like the pampered scions of noble families, and yet his bearing was unmistakably refined, his manners impeccable. The scars spoke of countless bloody trials; he was neither arrogant nor impatient. Though his current cultivation level was unknown, surely he would become an extraordinary powerhouse in time.

Yun Yufeng had no idea someone outside was infatuated. He hummed a light tune, eyes closed, savoring the sensation as the warm water washed away his fatigue.

After some time, the door opened and Yun Yufeng emerged at the threshold, invigorated and clad in tight-fitting clothes. In truth, Yun Yufeng was not fond of such attire; he preferred the scholar’s long robe, popular among young gentlemen these days—debonair and charming, perhaps even irresistible.

“You’re out!” The youth leaning against the door stared intently at the little wolf’s head poking out from Yun Yufeng’s chest. “Wow, what a cute puppy! Its silver fur—what breed is it? I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Yun Yufeng glanced down and quickly stuffed the little greedy wolf’s head back inside. “Behave yourself, don’t cause trouble for me. The people here have sharp eyes.” The little wolf seemed to understand. Its magical beast nature made it reluctant to show itself to strangers. With a few soft whimpers, it curled up in his arms and fell asleep.

The youth felt ignored and protested, “Young master, won’t it suffocate like that?”

Yun Yufeng chuckled, “It’s fine. It’s used to it. Come, take me shopping. I’ve no more clothes to change into, and my weapon is nearly worn out.”

“Let’s go then. Um… young master, could you spare me a few copper coins? I’d like to buy a bun—I haven’t eaten anything today.” The youth spoke bashfully, head lowered, one hand rubbing his rumbling stomach.

“All right, I’m a bit hungry myself. Waiter, bring a table of the best food and wine—your finest specialties, sent to my room, and quickly.” Yun Yufeng leaned out from the balcony, calling down to the attendant below.

“Young master, really, you don’t need to do this. Two buns would be enough for me.” The youth was full of gratitude, knowing Yun Yufeng had ordered the meal for him, claiming hunger only to preserve his dignity.

“No need to stare at me. I truly am hungry. Come inside!”

“Oh!” The youth was a little dazed. This gentleman was a good man, someone worth befriending, perhaps—even someone one could entrust oneself to. His heart brimmed with idle fantasies.

Both of them eyed the table laden with dishes—rich in color, aroma, and flavor. Yun Yufeng could not resist; after more than a month of tasteless grilled food, he’d grown weary of eating. Now, in the face of such delicacies, he seized his chopsticks and stuffed a piece of meat into his mouth, chewing and nodding unconsciously.

The youth gaped in astonishment at Yun Yufeng, who ate like a starved ghost. Clearly, he really was hungry, and the youth’s gratitude remained undiminished.

“Eat, too. Why just watch me?” Yun Yufeng said, then asked, “By the way, do you think I’m handsome?” He’d only seen his reflection in the sword’s gleam—black hair, black eyes, pleasing to his own taste, but he wasn’t sure about others’.

“Huh?” The youth was caught off guard by such an abrupt question. This young master was indeed amusing. “A little. Actually, quite good-looking,” he answered honestly.

Yun Yufeng nodded, continuing to eat, mumbling, “I didn’t ask if I was good-looking—I asked if I was handsome!”

The youth’s ears were sharp; he heard Yun Yufeng’s words and was left speechless, stuffing food forcefully into his mouth.

Yun Yufeng soon stopped eating and watched as the youth picked at the food with delicate chopsticks, quite unlike his own unrestrained manner.

After a while, the youth finished, patting his stomach with a blissful expression. “This is the best and fullest meal I’ve ever had. Thank you, young master.”

“Are you full? If so, come out with me.”

“Mm, I’m full. Um… young master… may I pack up the leftovers? It’s a shame to waste them. My sister has never eaten such delicious food. As her elder s—uh, brother, I haven’t been able to give her a good life.” The youth looked at the half-table of food with a pained expression.

Yun Yufeng was unconcerned, only smiling inexplicably when the youth’s tone faltered.

“Thank you, young master.” The youth dashed off to fetch a large food box from the waiter and packed up all the leftovers.

Yun Yufeng eyed the slender youth and the oversized food box, amused. He teased, “Are you planning to accompany me like that?”

The youth blushed, embarrassed. “I don’t know how far we’ll go or which direction. If we go too far, I might not be able to come back for the box.”

“All right, just teasing you. I’ll carry it for you.”

The youth waved his hand, “How could I let you? I can manage.”

Yun Yufeng said no more, took the food box, and with a twist of mental power, stored it in his spatial pouch.

“A spatial pouch!” The youth barely managed to squeeze out the words, utterly shocked. This young master was surely from a prominent family, and a direct descendant at that.

Yun Yufeng regarded the youth’s stunned expression and said calmly, “Surprised? Ha, you’ll have one yourself someday.” Yet inwardly, he thought, one should not flaunt wealth—though he didn’t feel threatened, there was always a risk that someone might act recklessly, bringing unnecessary trouble.

“Let’s go. Take this—when I buy things, you settle the bill.” Yun Yufeng handed the youth a stack of gold and silver notes, not worrying that he would run off with them.

The youth squeezed the notes in his hand, then carefully tucked them into his chest. It was a fortune: one tael of silver was equal to ten silver coins, and one tael of gold equaled a hundred taels of silver. How much money did he now carry?

They walked along the paved street, passing people in various attire—young gentlemen, fierce mercenaries—all mingling in orderly fashion, with no disputes or displays of dominance.

Yun Yufeng was surprised. This shouldn’t be possible. Was the management here so powerful that no one dared cause trouble?

“Young master, are you wondering why so many diverse people coexist here without conflict? That’s because they don’t dare.”

“Oh?” Yun Yufeng was not surprised by this conclusion. In this world, it’s not about whether good people exist, but that one is never short of cunning, ruthless villains. If everyone keeps the peace, there’s only one explanation: no one dares make trouble.

The youth spoke earnestly, “If you cause trouble here, the City Lord’s guards will come to arrest you. The punishment is severe—at the very least, confiscation of all property, and at worst, public execution. The City Lord himself is an eighth-ranked Emperor. There are rumors that a Saint-level expert resides here. It’s said that an eighth-ranked Emperor once caused trouble and was crushed by a giant hand in broad daylight, without anyone seeing who it belonged to—just a sky-covering palm descending, and the Emperor died instantly.”

Yun Yufeng grinned, “You have a talent for storytelling—who would have guessed!”

“You… how cruel. This is well-known among locals. Why would I make it up? Hmph! It’s the existence of these peerless experts that deters visitors from causing trouble, keeping Muzha Camp safe. Otherwise, the city guards alone would be useless.” The youth turned his head sharply and continued, “There’s a clothing shop over there. Shall we take a look?”

Yun Yufeng nodded, “What’s your name? I don’t know yet. Surely I can’t just call you ‘hey’?”

“Butterfly’s Sorrow.”

Yun Yufeng was silent for a moment. The name was so mournful; no doubt her childhood had not been easy.

Butterfly’s Sorrow continued, her tone steady, “That autumn, sunlight slanted through the window onto my mother’s bedside. That day, the maple leaves outside fell, covering the ground in crimson. My mother gave birth to me, while my father, who went out to Blackwind Mountains for work to support the family, never returned. With another mouth to feed, money was tighter than ever.”

Yun Yufeng listened quietly, unsure how to comfort Butterfly’s Sorrow.

“At dusk, leaves fell and my mother grieved, naming me Butterfly’s Sorrow. With help from neighbors, we survived the month, though my mother’s health never recovered. Later, a kind man cared for us, and soon my sister was born. Life improved, day by day. My sister was named Butterfly’s Wings, meaning to soar. But a few months after her birth, our stepfather also perished in Blackwind Mountains. Mother raised us alone, washing clothes for others even in winter, which left her with a chronic cough. She’s bedridden with a cold now, and we’re out of firewood.”

Yun Yufeng looked at Butterfly’s Sorrow, her face calm, and his nose stung. He knew she was a tomboy, but for a girl to recount such hardships so calmly—how many times must she have suffered and cried, to become so composed?

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