Chapter Seventeen: The Home of the Fallen Butterfly

Ji Nanshan felt exasperated, a black line forming on his forehead. No matter how he listened, these words sounded like the encouragement an elder would give to a junior. The problem was, he was actually older than Yun Yufeng! Ji Nanshan was at a loss for words, but could only clasp his hands in thanks. “Brother Yun, I am ashamed. Such a precious item you treat as nothing and bestow upon me with such generosity. I feel unworthy to accept it. I must report this to my master and find a way to make it up to you.”

Yun Yufeng waved his hand dismissively. “Brother Ji, you are being too formal. I regard you as a friend, so do not refuse. I can see you are a man of true character. In the future, should I require your aid, I hope you will remember this chance acquaintance.”

Ji Nanshan no longer insisted. He cupped his fists and asked, “Brother Yun, will you be staying here for a few more days?”

“Perhaps. I’m not certain, but I’ll remain for a day or two. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a proper rest—I’d like to sleep in for once.” Now that he was relaxed, a lazy trace appeared on Yun Yufeng’s face.

“Very well. I’ll be returning to my master. It should only take a day or two. Wait here; I’ll ask my master for some pills. Though he wants me to be self-reliant, since I was out gathering herbs for him this time, he ought to give me something in return. Brother Yun, I’ll take my leave now. Great kindness need not be spoken of. Farewell.” With that, Ji Nanshan hurriedly left the room.

“Safe travels, Brother Ji.” Watching Ji Nanshan disappear quickly down the hall, Yun Yufeng felt that Ji was someone truly worth befriending—his concern for his master revealed a deep filial piety. Though he had grown up lonely and was a bit aloof, he was genuine at heart.

Just as he was about to sit and enjoy some water, Yun Yufeng suddenly remembered the jar of Scarlet Flame Tiger King’s blood behind the screen. Cursing under his breath, he rushed over and stored it in his spatial pouch.

“Master, I’m back.” A thin figure stepped into the room, Butterfly Sorrow clutching the heavy sword and panting heavily. “I’m exhausted! Why is this sword so heavy? It must weigh at least twenty catties.”

Yun Yufeng chuckled. “Butterfly Sorrow, have some water to quench your thirst.” He picked up the cup he’d just poured and handed it over.

She took the water and drained it in one gulp. Her eyes sparkled as if she’d discovered something new. “Master, you look very good in that robe. Much better than those tight clothes! Now you finally look like a proper young lord.”

“So you mean I looked awful in my usual outfit?” Yun Yufeng pretended to frown sternly. “Butterfly Sorrow, do you still want dinner?” As soon as he spoke, a chill ran down his spine—the tone sounded just like a strange uncle teasing a little girl.

Sure enough, Butterfly Sorrow gave him a helpless look. “Master looks good in anything, alright?”

“Alright, I was just teasing you. Rest a bit, then come with me to the jade shop. I need to buy a few things.”

“Fine, let’s go now. I’m not really tired. I’ve endured much more hardship than this.”

“Then let’s be off. Just don’t accuse me of child labor.” Butterfly Sorrow rolled her eyes and took the lead out the door.

The jade shop was small, filled mostly with ornaments for noblewomen, though there were a few jade pendants for men as well. Yun Yufeng went to the counter and tapped it. Since there were few customers, the shopkeeper hurried over. “What would the young master like? Our little shop has a wide variety of jade ornaments.”

“I don’t need ornaments. Do you have jade bottles? Large and small, give me a selection.”

“Does the young master mean containers for storing things? We have dozens in various sizes. What specifications do you require?”

“Specifications? Just give me all you have. Bring them here. Butterfly Sorrow, go tally up the bill with the assistant.”

Soon, jade bottles of all shapes and sizes were arrayed on the floor. Yun Yufeng glanced over them, estimating they would be enough to store the Scarlet Flame Tiger King’s blood and the Howling Moon Celestial Wolf’s blood from his spatial pouch. He enveloped the bottles with his spiritual energy and stored them away.

The shopkeeper, unfazed, busied himself calculating prices, tallying up with the assistant.

Butterfly Sorrow clutched the few remaining gold notes in her hand with a pained expression. “Master, you really do spend a lot. Today’s spending would be enough for my whole family for centuries. Look, this is all that’s left.”

Yun Yufeng smiled. “Money is meant to be spent. If you don’t use it, it’s just for looking at—completely useless. Besides, I have my reasons for all this spending.”

“Shopkeeper, bring me three jade hairpins and a few more jade ornaments—only the finest.”

“Are the hairpins for a special young lady?” Butterfly Sorrow beamed, certain in her heart that Yun Yufeng must have a childhood sweetheart.

“I have a younger sister and a cousin, both very dear to me. I want to bring them each a small gift.”

“You’re quite good to your sisters.”

“Yes. Not many in the family are fond of me, but those two always stick to me. Strangely enough, I haven’t managed to corrupt them either.” Yun Yufeng’s face was full of gentle smiles. The stubbornness of a prodigal son was deeply rooted in his mind, impossible to erase. Orphaned from a young age, his yearning for family was more profound than most could understand.

“They’ll love your gifts,” Butterfly Sorrow said, thinking of her own sister, her face blossoming into a bright smile.

The shopkeeper came over, wrapping the jade hairpins and ornaments in a handkerchief. “Young master, thank you for your patronage. Please accept these ornaments as complimentary gifts. We hope to see you again soon. Would you like anything else?”

“That will do for now.”

“Take care, young master.”

As they stepped out of the shop, Yun Yufeng unfolded the handkerchief, took out a pale red jade hairpin and a jade-green ornament, and handed them to Butterfly Sorrow. “Take these. Think of it as fate that brought us together. May your mother recover soon.”

Startled, Butterfly Sorrow waved her hands. “Master, how could I wear a hairpin? Please, don’t joke with me.”

Yun Yufeng’s eyes glinted with an unreadable expression, half smiling. “If I’m giving them to you, then they’re yours. Take them.”

Her face flushed bright red, head lowered. “So you knew all along… But these are too valuable, and I can’t even protect them.”

“One day, you’ll be able to wear it in your own hair. Have faith in yourself.” With that, Yun Yufeng stored the remaining ornaments in his spatial pouch and headed back toward the inn.

In the room, Butterfly Sorrow stared in astonishment as Yun Yufeng transferred jar after jar of beast blood—some boiling and fierce, others cool and gentle—into the jade bottles.

After a long while, wide-eyed, she asked, “Master, did you rob two magical beasts? Just how big must they be to provide so much blood?” The more time she spent with Yun Yufeng, the more she realized he was full of stories.

Yun Yufeng laughed. “Why don’t you try robbing two magical beasts and see if they’re willing to spare you a drop?”

“I just can’t believe it, that’s all. I know you travel alone—I meant nothing by it.”

“Just a bit of luck, that’s all. Now, have the inn prepare some food. After we eat, I’ll take you home.”

Butterfly Sorrow tugged at her sleeve. “Master, you should rest early. I can go home by myself. You don’t need to take me.”

Yun Yufeng said nothing—he knew this was her nature, always thinking of others first. She did not realize that, in his eyes, she was the one who always considered others before herself, at least when it came to him.

“Then I’ll ask the attendant to bring up some food.”

“Good, get three or four of the dishes we had at lunch—they were quite good.”

The two of them ate heartily, Yun Yufeng patting his full stomach, finally feeling he’d properly rewarded himself. Afterward, he called for a carriage, and they set off toward Butterfly Sorrow’s home.

As the carriage moved on, the houses on either side became increasingly sparse and dilapidated. The passersby wore old, patched clothing—rarely did anyone look well-off. Some doorways were in ruins, even abandoned entirely, with cobwebs everywhere.

Yun Yufeng frowned but said nothing. He understood—no matter the era or the land, poverty was always an unchanging theme, giving rise to a so-called upper class obsessed with material wealth.

“This is where we live. In the Muzha Camp, it’s the slums—the original residents have lived here for generations. Those in poor economic conditions gather here. My father and stepfather were both born here. There’s a slum in every direction, but the authorities neglect us because there’s no profit to be made. Mercenaries live day to day; families can be shattered in the blink of an eye.” Butterfly Sorrow explained quietly.

“Have you ever thought of leaving?”

“I have. I’d like to, but I can’t—I don’t dare. Without ability, this is an unchangeable fate. At least here, we have a place to shelter. We’re not afraid someone will come and bully us. The so-called high society is far more corrupt. Here, the honest people make this a kind of pure land.”

Yun Yufeng let out a deep breath. “It’s not easy. But this is the everlasting rule, present since the dawn of intelligent life. The road is almost at its end—is your home up ahead?”

“Yes, master, just a dozen meters more. Would you like to come in and see?”

He looked at the broken-down doorway, but Butterfly Sorrow’s eyes were filled with a trace of warmth, as though this was a haven for her heart.

“Very well, I’d like to meet your adorable sister and your remarkable mother.” Yun Yufeng teased.

“Don’t make fun of me, master. But… there is warmth here, so everything seems beautiful.”

They got out of the carriage, and Yun Yufeng told the driver to wait—he would be returning to the Yunlong Inn soon.

“Big sis, you’re back!” A little girl with pigtails bounced out of the main hall and threw herself at Butterfly Sorrow. “You’ve been out all day again. Yier missed you so much. Mother’s cough is worse today. I was so scared.”

Butterfly Sorrow patted her sister’s head. “It’s alright. I’m home now. I’ll have the doctor come see Mother soon. Don’t worry, she’ll be fine. Come, let’s talk inside and not neglect our guest.”

The little girl peered up at Yun Yufeng. “Is this big brother your friend, sis? He looks nice, hehe…”

“Master, this is my sister. Please don’t mind her childish talk,” Butterfly Sorrow said, a bit embarrassed.

“No matter, it’s nice to see such innocence. Let’s go in. Here, take this—put it in your spatial pouch. The food is still warm; you don’t need to reheat it.” Yun Yufeng handed her the packaged meal.

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