Transmigrated into a Grandpa, Embracing the Laid-Back Life-Chapter 281: Entrustment

The mist in Clear Stream Valley was thinner than usual, dew sliding down the leaves of the Silver-Spotted Heart-Clearing Orchids and dripping into the soil.

Su Ming squatted by the medicinal field, holding a specially crafted jade scissors in his hand, carefully cutting a few orchid plants that showed the best growth.

These mutated spiritual plants had thick, fleshy leaves with shimmering silver spots, emitting an exceptionally pure and refreshing fragrance. Just one whiff was enough to clear one's divine sense.

"These are the 'first harvest,' their medicinal potency is the strongest."

Su Ming placed the orchid plants into a jade box, then took out several pre-made calming incense cakes, packing them together. "This trip to the Northern Frontier, the return date is uncertain. Although Senior Brother Qingfeng and Senior Sister Mingyue might still be in seclusion, the proper courtesies cannot be neglected."

In his Consciousness Sea, Lin Yu's voice drifted over lazily: "If your Repair Hall didn't have those two big Buddhas keeping watch, the moment you leave, those people from the Vessel Hall would probably dismantle it for firewood."

Su Ming nodded, sealed the jade box, and affixed a Restriction Talisman.

He originally intended to go directly to their cave dwellings to leave a note, but then reconsidered. There were still a few essential supplies for the Northern Frontier he hadn't exchanged for at the Internal Affairs Hall.

"Go to the Internal Affairs Hall first, then pay a visit."

Having made up his mind, Su Ming stood up, patted the dust off his robe, checked the storage pouch at his waist and the "Bumper Harvest No. 2" hidden in his sleeve, then turned and walked out of Clear Stream Valley.

...

The Internal Affairs Hall was exceptionally crowded today.

With the outbreak of war in the Northern Frontier, previously unpopular items like Cold-Resistance Talismans, Antidote Pills, and Fasting Pills had become hot commodities.

The area in front of the counter was packed with disciples about to head to the front lines, with clamoring voices and haggling sounds rising and falling.

Su Ming, using his "Technical Assistant Repair Specialist" waist token, took the special side passage.

He had just received two stacks of specially made "Warm Sun Talismans" and a bottle of "Hundred Herb Evil-Cleansing Pills" from the steward and was about to turn and leave when his gaze inadvertently swept over a corner and then froze.

He saw two small figures sitting side by side on an inconspicuous stone stool beside the counter.

Qingfeng was wearing an obviously ill-fitting cyan short jacket, his hair hastily tied up with a wooden hairpin, a few stray strands hanging over his forehead. His small face was smudged with a bit of dirt and dust as he hugged his knees, staring longingly at the exchange list. Mingyue wore a matching lotus-root-colored short shirt, her sleeves rolled up to her elbows. She was squatting on the ground without any regard for decorum, idly scratching the ground with a small twig, with half a dry pancake stuffed in her mouth.

Although the two looked somewhat disheveled, the faint, almost imperceptible Spiritual Pressure they emitted was several times more substantial than before.

Su Ming's pupils contracted slightly, then he cupped his hands in salute, lowering his voice: "Greetings, Senior Brother Qingfeng, Senior Sister Mingyue."

The two were also taken aback. After recognizing Su Ming, the previously somewhat dazed look in their eyes instantly brightened.

Both little heads turned simultaneously. Qingfeng's eyes showed a moment of confusion, then lit up as he jumped down from the stone stool: "Junior Brother Su!" Mingyue also tossed the twig away, stuffed the pancake into her mouth in a few bites, and mumbled with puffed cheeks: "Su Su Su Ming! You're here to exchange stuff too?"

"Wait... you're going to the Northern Frontier?"

Su Ming nodded: "I accepted a posting with the Formation Maintenance Camp, to go earn some Military Merit."

"Good courage!" Qingfeng praised, though his voice sounded a bit lacking in vigor. He gave a bitter smile and pointed at himself and Mingyue. "We just came out of the 'Withering and Flourishing Secret Realm.' Master said our foundations were unstable and tossed us in there to fight a bunch of wood demons for half a year."

"Fight? That's putting it mildly!"

Mingyue wore an expression of grievous indignation, lowering her voice for an outburst. "Master said we needed to 'cut off, discard, and detach,' and confiscated all the spirit stones, talismans, and elixirs on us, saying 'external objects disturb the mind.' For half a year, we ate tree bark when hungry and drank dew when thirsty. We finally got out, and our pockets are cleaner than our faces!"

Hearing this, Su Ming understood.

No wonder these two, as disciples of a sect heavyweight, appeared in the Internal Affairs Hall in such a state. They were probably here to "fence goods" in exchange for spirit stones to eat.

Lin Yu was beside himself with glee in the Consciousness Sea: "Tsk tsk, this is the rich kids' 'Metamorphosis' show. Seems their master is quite a character too."

Su Ming's expression remained unchanged. He smoothly took out the list of supplies he had just exchanged for, along with the description about the "Earth Vein Spirit Milk," from his storage pouch.

"This junior brother is going to the Northern Frontier for this." Su Ming pointed at the small print about the spirit milk, speaking frankly. "The damage to my Dao foundation cannot be delayed. It seems only this substance can repair it. There are risks, but it's worth a try."

Qingfeng took the list and glanced over it. The original look of weariness on his face receded slightly, and his gaze towards Su Ming gained a touch of solemnity.

"Earth Vein Spirit Milk... fifty thousand Military Merit." Qingfeng sighed softly. "Even for us, gathering that amount wouldn't be easy. For Junior Brother Su to dare to go to the Northern Frontier at the Qi Refining stage, this temperament, Qingfeng admires it."

Su Ming gave a slight bow, seizing the opportunity to voice his request.

"This junior brother's departure date is uncertain. The Repair Hall is this junior brother's hard work, and also the place where a few old brothers have settled and established themselves. Steward Wang Defa is diligent, but after all, his cultivation is low and his vision limited."

Su Ming looked at the two, his tone sincere. "This junior brother presumes greatly, but I earnestly request that if you two senior siblings have spare time, please help keep an eye on it. There's no need for deliberate favoritism, just ensure the hall doesn't descend into chaos and isn't deliberately targeted or harassed."

Qingfeng and Mingyue exchanged a glance.

"Junior Brother Su, rest assured." Qingfeng said seriously. "The Repair Hall being what it is today also has a share of our 'favor from past kindness.' As long as we are here, the Repair Hall will not fall into chaos."

After speaking, Qingfeng pondered for a moment, then reached into his robe and pulled out a token that was neither metal nor jade.

The token was pale cyan, carved with cloud patterns and a cliff, faintly exuding a sharp, sword-like intent.

"This is the 'Cloud Cliff Token.'" Qingfeng handed the token to Su Ming. "Although it cannot directly mobilize sect resources, seeing this token is like seeing a Nominal Disciple of our master. Leave this item at the Repair Hall, or give it to Steward Wang to hang in the main hall. Common troublemakers will know their place upon seeing this token."

Su Ming received it with both hands. It felt warm and smooth to the touch, but his heart trembled.

This wasn't just a token; it was a form of silent deterrence.

With it, the Repair Hall would truly be considered under the banner of that heavyweight.

"And this!"

Mingyue rummaged in her deflated storage pouch for a long time, finally pulling out a bulging beast-skin bag and unceremoniously shoving it into Su Ming's hands.

"We have no spirit stones, we're broke, penniless." Mingyue scratched her head somewhat sheepishly. "These are core fragments that dropped from those 'Crystallized Wood Demons' we fought in the secret realm. That stuff is incredibly hard, too brittle for artifact forging, and toxic for alchemy. But..."

Mingyue lowered her voice, speaking mysteriously: "We discovered this stuff is extremely sensitive to Wood and Earth attribute spiritual energy fluctuations. Even from dozens of yards away, as long as something is burrowing underground, these fragments will heat up and vibrate. Take them to the Northern Frontier, bury them around the camp perimeter. They might help guard against sneak attacks from burrowing demon beasts."