Chapter 38: Grand Opening
The pricing at the eatery wasn't steep. Considering most of the customers were neighborhood residents or common, low-level itinerant cultivators with tight finances, the prices were kept affordable—aiming for small profits but high turnover.
The shop's signature remained beef. A plate of beef cost two spirit stones—not cheap for loose cultivators, but compared to spirit beast meat or other eateries selling beef, it was already extremely cost-effective.
Beef noodles were cheaper still. A plain bowl cost just three fragments of spirit stones; adding beef brought it to six fragments.
An ordinary Qi Refining cultivator could only earn about one spirit stone and a few fragments a day. To afford a single plate of beef, they'd have to toil for two whole days. Tasting it occasionally was possible—but eating it daily? Absolutely out of the question.
Yet, a full plate of meat for just two spirit stones—there was only one place in the entire Tongxian City offering that. And if you were just craving the taste, even a bowl of beef noodles only cost six fragments.
In just a few days after opening, customers started pouring in.
The nearby cultivators, though unable to feast daily, always had someone looking to indulge now and then.
Some were slightly better-off Qi Refining cultivators who could afford a dish every few days. Some came to meet friends—didn't want to splurge too much, but also didn't want it to be too plain—so they'd order a beef plate with a few side dishes, drink and chat over the meal.
Sometimes, parents brought their children who had made progress in cultivation as a reward—a fragrant bowl of spicy beef noodles to satisfy the craving.
Occasionally, traveling merchants from outside would pass by, exhausted from the road. Upon hearing there was meat here, they wanted to eat but hesitated, embarrassed by their empty wallets.
That is, until they learned that a whole plate of beef cost just two spirit stones—and their eyes widened in disbelief.
Still, they harbored doubts. "Is it this cheap because it tastes terrible?"
Then they'd glance around. The shop was booming—clearly the taste couldn't be bad. So they'd order a plate to try.
And the moment they took that first bite… they couldn't stop.
After that, any traveling merchant passing by would make it a point to stop for a meal and a few cups of wine. Even those who used to pass through without stopping now took breaks just to sit, eat, and chat.
Some merchants who normally didn't even pass through began deliberately taking detours—just to taste that beef and ease the fatigue of the road.
After all, within a hundred-mile radius, this was the only place offering such delicious meat at such a bargain price.
As customers increased, the shop got busier. Da Hu and the other two started coming by to help out. After a day of running around, they'd get a huge bowl of beef noodles and take home some meat—returning content and satisfied.
But with Tongxian Sect about to start classes again, everyone had to return to their cultivation. They'd soon be short on staff.
Mo Hua, not wanting his mother to overwork herself, suggested hiring someone. Mo Shan, also mindful that his wife was still recovering and couldn't use spiritual power yet, agreed.
After discussing with his wife, Mo Shan hired the spouse of someone from the demon-hunting team—thirty spirit stones a month.
The next day, a woman with a young face and a shy expression arrived at the eatery, holding a basket filled with dewy wild vegetables—clearly freshly picked that morning.
From overhearing his parents talk, Mo Hua learned her surname was Jiang, and her given name was Yun.
Her husband's surname was Chu. During a demon hunt, he'd been slashed across the chest by a wolf demon's claw. All their savings were spent on healing. His life was barely saved, but he was too gravely wounded to hunt again. The family had no income since.
Jiang Yun's spiritual roots were poor. She had only reached the fourth level of Qi Refining before withdrawing from the sect. A few years later, she married and had a child. After her husband was injured, she tried to find work to support the family, but with her weak cultivation, she couldn't earn much. The odd jobs she found were unstable and poorly paid. Plus, she had a small child to care for—making survival very difficult.
Now, having a stable job at the eatery for thirty spirit stones a month was a rare blessing.
Jiang Yun was deeply grateful but introverted and not good with words. She wanted to express thanks but couldn't manage more than a flushed face and a few awkward words.
Liu Ruhua quickly comforted her, telling her not to overthink it and just do her work well.
Only then did Jiang Yun relax and follow Liu Ruhua's instructions. She was diligent and careful. Though not quick at learning, she was earnest, and Liu Ruhua took a liking to her.
At closing time, Liu Ruhua packed several bowls of noodles with extra meat and told her to take it home.
Jiang Yun immediately refused, face bright red: "Sister Liu, you're already treating me so well—I can't accept this."
Liu Ruhua insisted, but she still tried to decline.
Liu Ruhua then gently said, "Take it back for your child."
Jiang Yun could no longer refuse. Her child hadn't eaten properly in days, let alone meat. She took the food box, trying to express thanks, but clumsily repeated the same words over and over.
Liu Ruhua simply comforted her, "Don't overthink it. It's getting late—go home and see your child."
Jiang Yun carefully held the food box and made her way home. But when she passed a wall corner, she stopped. From her posture, she seemed to be crying. After a while, she silently wiped her tears with her sleeve and walked on.
Mo Hua stood at a distance, watching her figure with complicated feelings.
His own family had once struggled to make ends meet, but in Tongxian City, there were countless loose cultivator families living even harder lives.
If only no cultivator in this world had to suffer just to survive, Mo Hua thought silently.
The Liu family's eatery had opened smoothly. Liu Ruhua, busy every day, looked thinner, but her complexion was rosier and healthier.
Running the eatery let her experiment with recipes, and also helped save spirit stones for her son's future cultivation—and even for marriage. Liu Ruhua felt content. Her smile had become more frequent.
Seeing his wife like this, Mo Shan felt comforted.
And with more delicious food on the table, Mo Hua was happy too.
With the eatery open, the family's income increased. Life wasn't as tight as before. By the time classes resumed at Tongxian Sect, the eatery had already made over two hundred spirit stones.
Liu Ruhua handed all of it to Mo Hua, telling him to choose a proper cultivation method from the sect—and to never delay his cultivation.
Mo Hua nodded and agreed.
The next day, the summer break ended. Tongxian Sect opened its gates to welcome new and returning disciples.
At the foot of the mountain, Mo Hua waved goodbye to Liu Ruhua, then turned and walked into Tongxian Sect.
With the arrival of students, the previously quiet Tongling Peak grew lively again.
But after two months of summer break, many students had lost their focus and slacked on their cultivation. As they returned, there was a subtle unease in their expressions.
Instructor Yan, hoping to rein them in, immediately announced a surprise formation assessment.
The lingering heat of summer was instantly doused by this cold splash of reality. Many students looked as if their spirits had been crushed.
This time it was a live test—no take-home exams, no room for tricks.
Mo Hua, however, felt no fear.
He could already draw five formation runes—making him a fairly seasoned apprentice. These basic formation tests were nothing to him.
And during the latter part of the break, he had trained day and night, pushing his spiritual awareness to its limits and sharpening it with every test.
A mere exam? Mo Hua was fully confident—he believed it would be a breeze.
But when the exam paper landed in front of him, Mo Hua was stunned.
He checked and rechecked it several times, only to confirm:
This wasn't a simple rune test… it was a complete formation—a full set requiring six runes!
(End of Chapter)