She really was Heaven’s favored child. The black market was bustling—more crowded than she had expected—and the variety of goods rivaled, even surpassed, the cooperative store. Yet nothing there caught her need. She wandered aimlessly, glancing here and there, until a stall displaying medicinal herbs drew her eye.
“Little Sister, every herb here was dug from the deepest mountains. Pure wild stock. If you’re interested, my prices are fair and honest,” said a lean, sharp-featured man, speaking with an air of secrecy.
“Is that so?” Xia Yuge replied calmly, her gaze sweeping quickly over his wares.
“Indeed! Rest assured—here in the market, everyone knows Black Brother’s reputation. Honest dealing, fair weights—never cheat a soul!” He grinned broadly.
“Very well. Let me see what treasures you have.”
Xia Yuge crouched down and examined the herbs laid out before her closely. Several were of excellent quality—strengthening, restorative herbs, exactly what this frail, undernourished body needed. If she meant to thrive long-term, a thorough nourishing tonic was long overdue.
“Black Brother—how much for the Codonopsis and Astragalus roots?”
“Little Sister, you have an excellent eye! These were wrested from the high mountains with great difficulty. What say we settle on this price?” He held up fingers.
“Black Brother—that price is hardly fair,” she replied evenly. “These are fine tonics, yes—but they are not life-saving medicine. Nor are they grain to fill an empty stomach. And frankly—the Codonopsis is only average in quality, and the Astragalus is neither thick nor aged. Surely you can come down a little?” She gestured to her patched clothing, humble and plain.
All her earlier purchases, she had already quietly slipped into her soul-space with Little Nine’s help—nothing remained to give her away.
“Little Sister, I speak true! These were hard-won from the deep forests! This price is already most reasonable!” The man rubbed his fingers together, visibly reluctant to lower his asking price.
“Black Brother, I know herbs well—and your price is unjust. Here is my proposal: lower the price fairly, and I shall buy in quantity—helping you clear your stock. If the loss is too great… then I shall look elsewhere.” She turned as if to walk away.
“Wait—Little Sister—please!”
Panic seized him. He had carried these herbs for months, hoping to turn a profit, only to have them sit unsold. Now a buyer had appeared who actually knew her stock—he dared not let her slip away.
After more haggling, the desperate merchant finally relented.
“Black Brother—after buying so generously… might I ask for that little green fruit over there? Just something to quench my thirst on the walk?” She pointed toward a single, vivid green fruit resting at the edge of the stall.
“The green fruit?” His eyes lit up, calculating an exorbitant price.
“Ah—dear me… I left my wicker basket at home! So many herbs, and nothing to carry them in… Black Brother—perhaps I should return another day?” She wore a look of genuine dismay.
“No trouble at all, Little Sister! A basket? I shall give you one!”
Terrified she would withdraw entirely, he fetched a sturdy woven wicker basket, packed every root inside—and, in his eagerness, pressed the glossy green fruit into her hands as well.
And so—Xia Yuge walked away with high-grade tonic herbs at a bargain price, a free basket, and best of all—the precious green fruit, hers for nothing.
She had stumbled upon a treasure beyond measure.
Within the soul-space, Little Nine stared at the fruit Xia Yuge placed before it—and gasped in utter astonishment.
[Mistress! A Soul Fruit! You have found a Soul Fruit! And not just any—one of the highest, purest quality!]
Little Nine was practically rolling with joy.
“I know! I scarcely dared believe it myself! Not only did I find a Soul Fruit—I got it for nothing at all!
Ahahaha! It is true then—I am Heaven’s favored daughter! When fortune arrives, nothing can hold it back!” Xia Yuge laughed in delight.
That evening, she barred her door and ensured no one could disturb her. Then, using an esoteric technique she alone knew, she refined the Soul Fruit into a Soul-Nourishing Pill—and swallowed it without hesitation.
Warmth surged instantly through her limbs, spreading in gentle, glowing waves. That soft, radiant power bathed her wounded soul, healing it, strengthening it, knitting together what had been torn and frayed. She could feel it—her soul expanding, growing brighter, sharper. Her senses heightened, her vision cleared, and her awareness stretched outward, keener than ever before.
[Mistress—it works! I can manifest a physical form again! And—look! My tails! My second tail has grown back!]
Little Nine’s voice rang out, bright and triumphant within her mind.
“Little Nine—is it truly so? You can appear before me in the flesh? And your second tail—fully grown?”
[Yes! Yes! Truly! Surer than gold—see for Yourself!]
White light flashed—and there, standing before her, was a small, exquisite snow-white fox. It was delicate in size, soft and pure as driven snow—with two full, bushy tails that swayed gently behind it, eyes bright and shining. It was unbearably lovely.
“Little Nine… it really is you.”
Her heart swelled with tenderness. She reached out and gathered the little fox gently into her arms, stroking its soft head as she had always done. The fox closed its eyes in utter bliss, curling comfortably against her.
It was then—soft footsteps outside the window.
Instantly alert, Xia Yuge signaled silence to the fox. She crept toward the window and listened.
Outside, Gu Nianchen stood hesitating. He took a deep breath, steeled himself—and knocked gently.
“Yuge? It is I. Are you asleep?”
Xia Yuge retreated to the bed, holding the little fox close. She deliberately yawned loudly, shifted the bedclothes, and made the sounds of someone newly awakened before answering.
“Gu Nianchen… why call so late? Is something amiss?”
“I have given thought to everything,” he said through the door. “I have decided to return to the base ahead of schedule. If you truly intend to come with me—pack your things. We leave at dawn tomorrow. I shall ask the Village Chief to prepare your letter of introduction.”
It was a decision he had reached after turning the matter over all night.
“Very well. Understood.”
“Rest well, then. Goodnight.” He let out a long breath of relief and turned toward his own quarters.
As for packing—Xia Yuge had almost nothing to gather. Everything purchased that day, along with her money and vouchers, already rested safely within her soul-space. She brought out her cloth satchel, and placed within it only what she would need for the journey: dry rations, her new enamel mug, and daily essentials.
The trip from Gu Village to the army base would take days of travel, with multiple transfers. She had no illusions that Gu Nianchen would look after her along the way. Best to be entirely self-reliant.
When all was ready, she curled up with her little white fox and sank into the softest, most peaceful sleep she had known since arriving in this world. Wrapped in the fox’s warm, radiant presence, she did not wake until the rooster crowed thrice and dawn broke.
Because Gu Nianchen was departing for the base, the entire Gu household had risen before the sun. Xia Yuge had just finished making ready when—once again—knuckles rapped upon her door.