The Youngest Daughter, Chang Le

Chapter 39: Returning to the Original Elixir

Chapter 39

I don't know what Zhu Changle thought of, but she laughed particularly mischievously. Que Long didn't ask, knowing that Ban Lian would likely be upset for a long time after being treated this way by the Immortal Lady today. Staying by Zhu Changle's side would be good for her.

Giving Que Long back to the couple who had just gotten together only to part ways, Zhu Changle high-fived Dingding, jumped into the carriage, and rolled around in her grandmother's arms, laughing heartily.

Qiuli mounted his horse, which seemed to have accepted Little Tail, as it walked over and stood still, swishing its tail when it saw the horse stop nearby.

Being close by, Qiuli naturally heard that triumphant laughter. He lay back on his horse, covering his face with an open fan, and smiled. Zhu Changle's original intention was probably just to lure a few people to be her guards, but not only did she take away the guards, she also nearly persuaded an entire sect to follow her. This kind of ability was not common.

Ban Lian didn't keep them waiting for long. Although she was reluctant to part so hastily from her lover whom she had just finally united with, she knew what was important. The crisis of the Dragon-Breaking Sect had come early because of her, and she couldn't pretend to be innocent and say it had nothing to do with her.

Zhu Changle jumped down from the carriage. Seeing Que Long standing in the pavilion without coming over, she waved from afar and said to Ban Lian, who was leading her horse, "Shall we go then?"

Ban Lian nodded, looking back at Long once more with red-rimmed eyes before mounting her horse.

The convoy set off again.

Zhu Changle was truly happy. After fidgeting on her horse for a while, she jumped onto her eldest brother's carriage, hugged his arm, and opened her mouth wide in a series of silent "Ah ah ah ah!"

Zhu Changwang indulged her excitement, his tone full of amusement, "Did you get what you wanted?"

Zhu Changle looked up, her eyes sparkling as she nodded vigorously. To prevent others from hearing, she whispered, "Que Long probably doesn't want to directly confront Falling Flower Valley. He can't beat them, and Ban Lian doesn't want to fight her former masters either."

"I've been thinking about the situation in Yunbei. Your friend who's going with you might be disappointed at first glance."

"Big brother, you should have faith in your sister's abilities," Zhu Changle patted her chest. "Isn't that place by the sea? I survived alone on an island for two years. If I didn't have a few tricks up my sleeve, I would have starved to death long ago. Besides, my swordsmanship is related to water. I've been dealing with water since the first day of my training. When it comes to water-related ways to get rich, big brother, you just think hard. I'm sure I can help! Haven't you noticed after all this time? I've already become the pillar of our family!"

Zhu Changwang smiled and tapped her forehead with his fan. "Is a scholar really useless in everything?"

"Big brother, is this how you treat a meritorious official?" Zhu Changle's words were playful, but her voice was full of joy. She was truly happy! Too happy! She had actually persuaded Que Long! Hahaha! If the Dragon-Breaking Sect were to guard Yunbei, she could go out and play without worry!

"Yunbei just has two big problems: pirates and poverty. You've solved one and a half of them. The rest is nothing in father's and my eyes."

"I'll let those pirates and wanderers know who's the real master in the water."

Zhu Changwang nodded in approval. Watching his youngest sister gesticulating and laughing eased some of his fatigue. After days of traveling, his body was starting to feel the strain.

"Chirp... chirp..."

Zhu Changle jumped up, hitting her head on the carriage roof but ignoring the pain. She lifted the curtain and leaped onto Little Tail, shouting loudly, "Little Golden, I'm here!"

The eagle's cry quickly approached. A black shadow dove down, landing on Changle's shoulder with all its force dissipated, nuzzling her like a domestic bird.

Zhu Changle hugged it and gave it a good rub. "You're finally back. I missed you so much, Little Golden. I've been bullied while you were gone!"

"Neigh, neigh."

"You're with me every day, and you're still jealous!" Zhu Changle squeezed the horse's belly to discipline this jealous one. "Your belly's gotten big from eating so much. Look at Little Golden, it's lost weight. My poor Little Golden, you've worked so hard."

"Coo coo."

Little Golden changed its tone. Qiuli thought it sounded even more like a domestic bird now...

"Zhu Changle, stop being dramatic and check if there's a message from Little Bottlecap on its leg."

"Who's being dramatic? I'm expressing my deep longing." Zhu Changle saw that Little Golden indeed had something tied to its leg. As she untied it, she said, "If Little Bottlecap dares to say she can't come, I'll go burn her ship later."

"Good idea. Burn her favorite one."

"I'll blow the fire, you go light it."

Dingding held up his hands, not wanting to get involved. "That's a grudge between you women. I won't participate, or I'll end up being the one in trouble."

"Too late." Zhu Changle waved the untied handkerchief with a grin. "She says she'll meet us at Yufeng Town up ahead. I'm definitely going to tell her you want to burn her ship. Guess whether she'll believe what I say."

Dingding, who had suffered greatly at the hands of these two, gritted his teeth in frustration. "Zhu Changle, if you haven't lost your memory, think back and see if it wasn't you who said you wanted to burn her ship."

"I didn't say that. Feng can testify!"

"Why don't you ask your master to testify!"

"She's too far away." Mentioning this made Zhu Changle feel aggrieved. "If my master were here, we would have fought our way through all the sects along the road together. Would they have dared to keep chasing after me?"

Having grown up together, Dingding knew best that Changle had never suffered such frustration before. This was different from losing a fight, which was simply a matter of skill, and one could train hard and come back for a rematch. But now, others were holding her weakness, making her afraid to even blink, fearing that any carelessness might lead to something happening to her family.

"No, I can't think about this. The more I think, the angrier I get." Zhu Changle made a gesture of calming herself down, but she couldn't recapture her previous happiness. She lay down on Little Tail's back, looking a bit deflated.

Little Golden pecked her once. Zhu Changle gave it a look, "Be good, go find something to eat. When you're full, I'll play with you again."

"Coo coo." Little Golden seemed to understand, spreading its wings and flying into the clouds.

Dingding couldn't stand seeing her dispirited like this. He poked her with his Dog-Beating Stick, deciding to stimulate her with something else. "The Old Monk has concocted a new batch of pills."

"Doesn't he make pills every year?"

"This time it's different," Dingding said mysteriously. "The furnace exploded!"

Zhu Changle sat up abruptly. "Did the house collapse? Did his beard burn off?"

"...Can't you wish him well for once?"

"He'll be fine," Zhu Changle sat cross-legged on the horse's back. "How many years has it been since he last had a furnace explosion? What kind of pill was he making this time that ruined his reputation?"

"The Restoration Pill."

Zhu Changle suddenly fell silent, staring at Dingding.

"I knew you'd be concerned about this. When I heard about it, I went to confirm with him. He actually didn't want me to tell you, saying there was nothing to say since it wasn't successful." But he and Little Zhu had no secrets between them. Even if he didn't say it now, he would tell her later. He knew how many years his little friend had been thinking about this pill.

"He also said he's already touched the edge of this pill. Once he finds the missing medicinal catalyst, he can start the furnace again."

"If his beard has burned off, I'll cut my hair and stick it on for him."

"..."