Chapter Forty: Silver Sands

As soon as they stepped inside, a graceful and alluring waitress approached. Her wide sash accentuated a waist so slender it seemed it could be encircled with a single hand, and her flowing sleeves fluttered about her as she moved, ethereal as a fairy.

She smiled at the two of them—a smile as dazzling as a blooming peony, breathtaking in its beauty.

“Please, follow me.”

Jiang Wangshu’s gaze was instantly ensnared by the waitress’s charm. Her eyes circled the woman appreciatively, as if afraid to miss a single second.

With such a beauty before her, she thought, no matter how bad the food was, she would never complain.

Xiao Hei, however, wore a fleeting look of distaste, which Jiang Wangshu failed to notice. Seeing the waitress walk off, she hurried to follow.

Glancing back to see Xiao Hei still rooted in place, she quickly ran back, grabbed his hand, and dragged him along.

They passed through a corridor and along a winding path until they reached a pond, where they entered a wooden pavilion and sat upon the floor.

Inside, the floor was carpeted in softness, pale cushions arranged around them. The round, open window resembled a full moon, through which the shimmering pond gleamed like a fallen Milky Way.

A gentle breeze drifted by, filling the space with comfort.

Picking up the menu from the table, Jiang Wangshu, in a sweet, syrupy voice, asked, “Pretty sister, which dishes are the best? Can you recommend something for me?”

The waitress knelt gracefully beside her, slender fingers lifting the first page of the menu and pointing out dishes on the second, her voice soft and melodious, like pearls falling on jade.

Jiang Wangshu felt as if her soul might drift away, her eyes sparkling. “Yes, yes, I’ll have these.”

The waitress glanced at the youthful Jiang Wangshu at her side, a glint of pity in her eyes.

So young, and already someone’s dual cultivation vessel, brought to such a sordid place.

With that thought, her tone grew even gentler. “Can you really finish all this food?”

Jiang Wangshu nodded vigorously. “Of course, I can! No problem at all.” As she spoke, she instinctively leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially.

“Pretty sister, what’s your name? Can you eat with us later?”

Looking at the fluffy head nudging nearer, the waitress hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “My name is Silver Sand. But I’ll need this gentleman’s permission to stay.”

It would be good to remain, she thought, in case someone else came to corrupt this young girl.

Jiang Wangshu shot Xiao Hei a decisive look. “He’ll agree for sure.”

Xiao Hei crossed his arms, snorted disdainfully, turned away, and scooted his seat back.

These foolish humans not only liked to frequent such filthy places, they even enjoyed mingling with those tainted by impure spiritual energy.

He’d better keep his distance, lest he get contaminated.

Silver Sand lowered her head, placed the menu into a transmission array at the table’s corner. “Without this gentleman’s consent, I can’t stay.”

Catching Silver Sand’s fleeting smile, Jiang Wangshu hesitated, but quickly drew close and whispered, “Be careful, young lady.”

Before she could ponder the warning, Silver Sand had already risen, hands folded before her, bowing as she retreated. “I wish you both an enjoyable meal.”

The moment Silver Sand left, Jiang Wangshu’s uplifted smile dropped. She swiftly summoned her contracted spirit beast, Xiao Hei, who froze as she pounced, gripping his neck and shaking him fiercely.

“Why did you refuse? Why did you scare away my pretty sister? I’ll fight you for this!”

Xiao Hei quickly suppressed his rising anger, seized her wrists, and pried her hands off with a look of utter contempt. “Filthy.”

Jiang Wangshu misunderstood, eyes widening and voice rising. “Filthy? How am I filthy? A child doesn’t mind a mother’s faults, and a pet shouldn’t despise its master. You little brat!”

She struggled, but he didn’t budge an inch, his drooping eyes full of scorn.

She instantly headbutted him and tried to kick as well.

Xiao Hei released her, pushed off with his feet, and slid away.

She chased after him relentlessly.

The two of them brawled around the room, chaos ensuing until the aroma of food filled the air and they ceased their fight.

“The food’s here.” Jiang Wangshu turned to see a table now laden with dishes, each more appealing than the last, delivered by the array. She immediately sat down and began to eat with gusto.

Xiao Hei sniffed, saw her chopsticks flying, and quickly joined the fray.

After eating her fill, Jiang Wangshu, recalling the picturesque scenery from before, stood up, intending to take a stroll.

“Come on, Xiao Hei, let’s go for a walk.”

Xiao Hei shook his head.

“You have to—two spirit stones.”

Xiao Hei relented, holding out a large, well-defined hand. “Pay up.”

She placed a shimmering top-grade spirit stone in his palm. Chin lifted, she announced, “That’s your deposit. The balance comes after the walk.”

Xiao Hei snorted, eyes appraising as if seeing through her ploy. He pocketed the stone and followed. “Stingy.”

By now, dusk had fallen. The arrays in the forest all activated.

Tiny starlights danced everywhere, like fluttering sprites illuminating the blossoming flowers.

Beneath the surface of the stream, koi swam leisurely, while countless lotus lanterns floated downstream, glowing softly.

Standing on a bridge, Jiang Wangshu gazed at the river, ablaze like fire, and exclaimed in admiration.

Even Xiao Hei, setting aside his earlier disdain, let his golden eyes sweep over the scene, gathering in its beauty like searchlights.

Though the place reeked of filth, he had to admit: it was far lovelier than the dark, murky sea.

From a distance came a muffled voice, “…Excuse me, sir, but I am already serving someone else…ah…”

The sound was indistinct, but Jiang Wangshu recognized Silver Sand’s voice at once.

Damn it, someone was bullying her beautiful sister!

Pouring spiritual energy into her legs, she stormed off in the direction of the cry.

Behind a rockery, a short, fat man was tearing at Silver Sand’s clothes, forcing her against the rough stones.

Rage flared in Jiang Wangshu’s chest, exploding like an oil-fed fire. “You scum, what do you think you’re doing!”

She darted forward and delivered a furious kick.

With a thud, pain shot up her leg.

A golden shield shimmered around the man, leaving him completely unharmed. He stared at her with vulgar eyes.

“Where did this little brat come from? I don’t fancy kids. Get lost!”

Silver Sand hurriedly straightened her clothes and pulled Jiang Wangshu behind her. “I’m all right, you should go!”

Jiang Wangshu’s gaze fell on her swollen cheek, brows knitting in concern. “You’re hurt. That must have hurt.”

Silver Sand covered her face and shook her head, eyes pleading. “Just go.”

Jiang Wangshu looked at the man, then back at Silver Sand. “Silver Sand, I have money. Let me take you away, all right?”

She might not have the power to intervene, but she did have more money than she could count—and she couldn’t bear to see Silver Sand come to harm.

Silver Sand pushed her away urgently, whispering, “Don’t even think about it. None of the attendants at Luminous Pavilion can ever leave. Go now.”

Jiang Wangshu caught her hand in return. “Just tell me—do you want to leave? Do others in your situation want to leave as well?”