By the time they reached Shangyang Village, night had fallen completely. Uncle Liu parked the car and called out warmly, “Xiao Chen, just crash at my place tonight. It’s way too dangerous heading up the mountain this late!”
Chen Ji almost agreed on instinct—after all, he had no desire to climb the mountain in pitch darkness—but then his gaze flicked to the bouquet sitting off to the side. He shook his head. “No need, Uncle Liu. Thanks, though! I’m used to this path. I’ll be fine.”
Uncle Liu grabbed his arm to stop him. “Hey, hey, don’t be like that! Don’t stand on ceremony with me. If the villagers find out I let you go up the mountain in the dark, they’d drown me in spit!”
Chen Ji picked up the flowers. “It’s not that I don’t want to. There are rules I have to follow. It’d be worse if I didn’t go back.”
With him putting it that way, Uncle Liu couldn’t press further. He asked if Chen Ji had a flashlight and only let him go once he confirmed he did.
Chen Ji had a full basket on his back, plus ten pounds of pork and five pounds of pork fat in his hands. He’d even summoned the System Cat to carry two bundles of vegetables and lighten the load. As he trudged along, he gave a wry smile. “No such thing as a free meat meal.”
The debt from that barbecue show-off session was waiting right here.
The System Cat followed behind with the veggies, keeping pace with Chen Ji. 【Why didn’t you stay? It’s super dangerous on the mountain in the dead of night! Be careful—whatever you do, don’t respond if something calls out. Even if you know it’s a live person, ignore it. Dead friends over poor me, got it?】
【Got it.】 Chen Ji had considered the risks of the mountain at midnight when he’d nearly said yes to Uncle Liu. But the daoist had just asked if he’d offended Grandpa Mountain Lord, and he remembered reporting in yesterday that he’d return that night—with flowers, no less. Breaking his word would surely count as an offense, so he’d decided to take the risk.
The little cat-faced truck looked deadly serious, ears perked and eyes scanning every direction. Fat lot of good it did—most demons and ghosts were beyond its detection anyway. If it weren’t afraid of the Main System noticing, it would’ve turned into a massive feline beast and dashed Chen Ji straight back.
After all, in martial arts, speed breaks all. As long as they made it to the Mountain Lord Temple before any spooks locked onto Chen Ji, they wouldn’t be in danger!
A cool evening breeze brushed Chen Ji’s face. For some reason, nights on Little Azure Mountain used to fill him with dread, but tonight the woods felt utterly peaceful. It was like the White Tiger had chomped that Crossing Peak Serpent like a spicy snack stick—the forest now seemed serene and natural, not the least bit eerie or terrifying.
The chirps of insects and the occasional flutter of bird wings through leaves sounded in his ears. Moonlight bathed him, bringing an inexplicable comfort.
After about half an hour, Chen Ji’s legs were burning. Overloaded as he was, he sat on a rock to rest and unloaded the System Cat’s bundles too. Man and cat each cracked open a can of cola.
Suddenly, a black shadow burst from the underbrush and stopped right in front of Chen Ji. It tilted its round little head. 【Chen Ji, what’s that you’re drinking?】
Chen Ji’s heart skipped a beat. On closer inspection, it was Second Master Huang. He beckoned, and Second Master Huang clambered naturally up Chen Ji’s pant leg to his knee. Chen Ji held the can to its mouth. “Give it a try.”
Second Master Huang had already caught the sweet scent. Chen Ji tilted the can slightly, and its pink little tongue lapped at the honey-like fizz. Bubbles popped on its tongue, and its eyes lit up. 【Delicious! What is this? Honey water?】
Chen Ji had no idea how to explain modern tech to it. He chuckled. “Close enough. Sugar water.”
The System Cat watched with disdain as Chen Ji petted Second Master Huang from head to tail—not sparing the tip. Oblivious, Second Master Huang chugged the Little Sweet Water, paws clutching the can. He polished off half a can, released it, and let out a massive belch.
【Burp! So good! Burp—!】 Second Master Huang grumbled, 【Why didn’t you bring this out sooner?】
Chen Ji took the chance to stroke its head with a fingertip, feeling the silky fur slide past. “Which do you like more—this or milk tea?”
Second Master Huang’s little face scrunched in conflict. 【Can’t I like both? …Hey, stop scratching my ears!】
He batted at his half-moon ears to swat Chen Ji’s finger away. Perched on Chen Ji’s knee, he asked, 【Kid, what’re you doing out so late?】
“Down the mountain for food and supplies.” A risky idea popped into Chen Ji’s head, but he sighed on his face. “I wanted to fry up some pork cracklings for you, Grandpa Huang Two, but there’s too much. I can’t carry it all…”
Second Master Huang instantly flashed back to his youth in Shangyang Village, sneaking a taste of them fresh out of the pot. He’d swiped one, only to drop the whole plate. The owners chased him with a hoe, breaking his leg before he escaped. That crispy, oily crunch—better than lard itself. He’d steal them again in a heartbeat.
He’d already spotted the pork fat nearby and swallowed hard. 【Too heavy? I’ll carry it up for you!】
That was exactly what Chen Ji had been waiting for. He feigned flustered panic. “Wouldn’t that trouble you too much? It’d be so disrespectful.”
Second Master Huang gave him a sidelong glance, as if to say: You weren’t so polite when you tied me up to send me off.
His shadow stretched from his feet, swelling against the wind into a two-meter-eighty pure-black yellow weasel. He jerked his head: Get on with it, no dawdling.
Chen Ji thanked him profusely while slinging the basket, meat, and even the System Cat’s veggies onto that massive form.
Second Master Huang bore it effortlessly and shot Chen Ji a look. 【Hop on, kid.】
Chen Ji waved him off. “No need. This is troublesome enough already.”
【Fine.】 The giant weasel flicked his tail—nearly as long as his body. His form peeled away from the shadow, leaping onto Chen Ji’s shoulder and settling there. He lifted his chin proudly. 【Still got it, your Grandpa Huang Two.】
Something had locked onto him?
Chen Ji arched a brow and smiled. “Don’t wear yourself out. I’ll make pork cracklings for you tomorrow.”
【Great!】 He’d answered too eagerly, too excited. Second Master Huang coughed to cover and relaxed when Chen Ji showed no suspicion.
It took an hour, but Second Master Huang got Chen Ji to the Mountain Lord Temple. Chen Ji lifted him from his shoulder to the steps and cracked open another Little Sweet Water. While Second Master Huang slurped, Chen Ji hustled to unload everything. Finally, he said, 【You always have so much stuff to haul… What would you do without me? Tsk tsk.】
“I’m human.” Chen Ji didn’t look up. “People need all kinds of things. I’ve got a ton more waiting at the village express station. I’ll have to get someone to bring it up later…”
【Why bother? Wait at the base with your stuff. I’ll bring it right up.】 Second Master Huang blurted it out, then regretted it. But Chen Ji had already turned, eyes wide with delight. Backing out now would look bad. He huffed. 【That little? It wouldn’t take me any effort. I could send a couple young’uns from the clan. Give ’em two bottles of that sugar water, and they’ll fight over the job!】
Chen Ji bounded over and pumped Second Master Huang’s paw. “You’ve saved me big time, Grandpa Huang Two!”
Cheap mountain porters who hauled dozens, even hundreds of kilos for just two cans of cola? Chen Ji wanted more like him.
【Hmph~】 Up close, Second Master Huang studied Chen Ji’s face—striking features softened by easy, happy laughter that washed away past terror. He yanked his paw free. 【Don’t sweet-talk your Grandpa Huang Two. Get back to work!】
Fine, for the kid’s respect, next time he’d bring a couple young ones to help unpack. This guy clearly wasn’t cut out for labor—it looked exhausting just watching!
Humans were all like that, though.
Chen Ji finished unpacking quickly. Second Master Huang retracted his shadow, said goodbye, and left despite Chen Ji’s attempts to keep him. Prime weasel hour in the dead of night—no interest in playing house. He just sauntered off.
Chen Ji headed inside with the bouquet. 【Xiao Ba, go thaw a few veggies you like from the fridge first.】
The System Cat veered off toward it. Chen Ji went to pay respects to the Mountain God.
In the main hall, he swapped the wildflowers in the vase for the fresh bouquet. Talking to himself, he said, “Forgive the lateness, Grandpa Mountain Lord. I’ll bring your dinner once it’s ready… These flowers are just for you. I spotted them in the shop and knew they’d look perfect here. A bit pricey, but worth it for you. I hope you won’t mind my humble effort.”
Chen Ji fussed with the arrangement until it was perfect, snapped a photo in excitement, then headed to the kitchen for dinner. As usual, he set aside a portion for Grandpa Mountain Lord and offered incense before joining the System Cat to eat.
The System Cat wolfed down its meal, eyes gleaming. 【Chen Ji, let’s make pork cracklings!】
【You still have room?】 Chen Ji was tired but not dead on his feet. He saw the System Cat raise a paw and glanced over—the air fryer and power strip were already out. Just chop the fat, toss it in, plug it up, and go.
He wavered for a second, then booped the cat’s head. 【Tomorrow.】
The fat needed washing and chopping. Even with the air fryer—less mess than a big iron wok—a few batches would leave him greasy. At this hour, he’d barely finish one before bed, with more tomorrow. Better to do it all fresh.
The System Cat drooped in disappointment. Chen Ji paused, sighed, grabbed a chunk of fat from the fridge, and sliced off a small piece. 【Fine, a little for you first.】
System Cat: 【……？！】
【Yay—! You’re my real dad—!】
Chen Ji: 【And where does that put your creator?】
【That’s my stepdad!】 System Cat declared righteously.
…
The rich fragrance of oil slowly wafted through the air. Snow-white, delicate curds rendered out a layer of glistening fat that sizzled merrily in the pan, gradually crisping into golden morsels.
【Yummy!】
【Another piece?】
【Sure!】
【Another piece?】
【Urp—! Can’t eat anymore! Too oily—!】
Chen Ji’s laughter gradually faded. The lights here went out, while lamps flickered to life elsewhere, only to dim again moments later.
