CHAPTER 196
The Contract of a Hundred Flowers
============================================================
"My name is Miaomiao…"
Su Cheng smiled in return. "My name is Su Cheng, Master of Lingxian Hall. What brings you here, young lady?"
Miaomiao nodded thoughtfully. "Master Su, might you have a task for me?"
【A task? What kind of task?】
Li Shiyao wasn't listening at all, smacking her lips as she went: "Miaomiao~ Meow meow~ Meow meow meow~ Meow meow meow meow~"
But both Yu Lan and Ye Qinghan had their eyes fixed on this Miao Miao. Truth be told, few women dared to appear before them like this.
"Don't judge me by my looks—I'm a hard worker! Laundry, cooking, you name it!" As if selling herself, Miaomiao desperately needed a job. She knew relying on petty theft to keep her mother alive was unrealistic.
After a moment's thought…
[Miaomiao…]
"Let's be clear. I can save your mother, but there are conditions."
The girl named Miaomiao showed no joy on her face, only a hint of fear.
It was obvious. She had hoped to trade her labor and sweat for payment, but now it seemed she had overestimated her worth. Her hard work and effort held little value.
He had nothing to offer. The so-called "condition" was more like a bargaining chip—the only thing he could trade for her mother's life was likely herself.
"May I consider it?"
【Huh? I haven't even stated the conditions yet. What is she considering?】
【I just want her to stay in the Northern Realm, that's all?】
【Does she think I'm tricking her? I just don't want her clinging to me!】
Ye Qinghan silently nodded to himself. Right, Master! This woman’s hands aren’t clean—how could you possibly let her wash clothes?
If she does the laundry, what would Qinghan wash? Unless… heh heh…
Miaomiao was a bit confused too. Saving her mother was to avoid being hounded by her?
What kind of logic is that?
"Miaomiao, you should understand—no amount of money could save your mother, but I can."
"Meow~ You don't know, Master doesn't have much money either~" Li Shiyu just loved telling the truth!
"Shiyao, keep your mouth shut!" Ye Qinghan shot Li Shiyao a glare…
Miaomiao looked at Su Cheng. Though she desperately wanted to save her mother, she also had reservations. This influential figure before her was someone she absolutely had to be wary of!
What was a big shot?
Someone who could resolve matters, yet also stir trouble. Dealing with such a figure meant one careless step could plunge you into a trap they'd dug, like a gambler sinking deeper and deeper until you no longer belonged to yourself.
"I still hope to serve Sect Leader Su and receive the compensation I deserve."
【This kid… has some serious guard up…】
【She clearly thinks I'm out to harm her… What to do?】
"How about this then? Go do something for me. What do you say?"
"What is it?"
【Might as well send her off to pick some flowers. She won't know what they're for anyway.】
"Do you know what Ice Mist Flowers are? Go pick a hundred of them for me. Consider it your reward. How about it?"
Miaomiao was a bit confused. Was she really that annoying?
"Seriously?"
"I'm the head of Lingxian Hall. Would I lie to you?"
【Her mother's illness wasn't exactly complicated. If it persisted another year, it might require more effort, but for now, the condition wasn't severe. A top-grade Immortal-tier Revival Pill should suffice.】
He casually produced a pill and handed it to Miao Miao.
"This is a Qi and Blood Pill. Give it to your mother to take. Within three days, it will surely take effect!"
To be honest, Miaomiao was almost too afraid to accept it…
The mere words "top-grade immortal-grade" felt like they could cost her life…
"But I haven't gathered all the Ice Mist Flowers yet…"
【Even across the entire Northern Realm, you might not gather a hundred Ice Mist Flowers. By the time you find them all, your mother will have long passed away…】
"Ice Mist Flowers are endangered. Take your time gathering them. I'm in no rush."
Only now did Ye Qinghan and Miao Miao realize Su Cheng had merely been trying to distract her.
But Li Shiyu…
"Does Master really like Ice Mist Flowers? Shiyu can help Master find them too~"
With that said, Miaomiao took the immortal pill in a daze, her face tinged with confusion and disbelief.
She didn't understand. What benefit could this possibly bring to Su Cheng?
"Thank you, Master Su!"
Miaomiao promptly knelt in gratitude. She had never encountered someone so selflessly generous.
She understood Su Cheng was pitying her, but this was a top-tier immortal-grade pill!
Master Su's nonchalant demeanor and deliberately impossible conditions—was it all to ease her mind?
"Hurry back. Saving your mother is the priority."
Miaomiao nodded and hurried back, cradling the small wooden box Su Cheng had given her.
It wasn't far. Just outside the town, nestled by the mountainside, stood the small thatched cottage that was her home.
After changing clothes, she quickly reached her mother's bedside and slowly opened the exquisitely crafted wooden box.
Inside, the red velvet lining cradled a pill that seemed encased in gold lacquer. Its surface bore incomprehensible characters and patterns too intricate to decipher.
Wash your hands thoroughly, then remove it from the box. As you hold it between your fingertips, you'll feel its crystalline clarity—four colors of light seem to flicker endlessly within!
Qi and Blood Pill?
Miaomiao felt a bit helpless. Even if she were a fool, she could tell this wasn't a Qi and Blood Pill, right?
How could she possibly repay such kindness?
Besides, it seemed he didn't even care about her and didn't need repayment.
But Su Cheng didn't know that every thought in his heart had already been read by Miaomiao.
This selfless kindness now became an unbreakable knot in Miaomiao's heart.
Without dwelling on it, she fed the pill to her mother. Merely placing it in her mouth, no swallowing required, the divine pill slid down her throat like sugar water.
It didn't take three days—in less than half an incense stick's time, her mother was up and about. At this rate, singing, dancing, and even playing basketball wouldn't be out of the question before long!
Watching her mother chop wood in the courtyard now, Miao Miao felt joy mixed with the weight of a new concern: where would she find the hundred Ice-Ling Flowers promised to Master Su?
Even knowing Master Su intended to send her away, she was determined to try. She had no intention of shirking this debt of gratitude.
"Mother, how are you feeling?"
Her mother didn't respond, as if still recovering from her surprise.
"Miaomiao, where did you get this pill?"
Miaomiao answered truthfully.
"I traded a hundred Ice Mist Flowers for it."
"There might not even be a hundred Ice Mist Flowers in the entire Northern Realm. Tell me the truth. If it's someone we can't afford to offend, we should flee quickly."
This was the best solution the mother and daughter, left without support, could think of—running away.
"Mother, don't worry. It was the head of a cultivation sect in the Southern Realm who helped me. He asked me to find a hundred Ice Gale Flowers for him, didn't set a deadline, just told me to do my best."
"Did he mention what happens if you can't find them?" Her mother seemed equally skeptical of such a thing—whether it was a hundred Ice-Ling Flowers or a sect master bored enough to help people on the streets.
"No."
The mother then began her earnest admonitions, urging Miao Miao to be cautious. The world was unpredictable, she reminded her—where were all these good people?
Helping others without expecting anything in return? That sort of thing probably only happens in novels, right?
Perhaps everyone has a kind side, but that's just how the world is. If you act like that, if you're not seen as a fool, you'll be ostracized as an outsider.
"Why?"
"Never harbor malicious intent, but always guard against deceit."
Miaomiao nodded. She couldn't explain to her mother about her supernatural ability to hear men's thoughts, so she simply agreed. She'd figure out the Binglan Flower matter later.
============================================================