While the little one was feasting, Liu Nanfeng asked Zhu Yuchan many more questions.
Whether it was because Liu Nanfeng had treated Feng Hongjin well or because of his status, Zhu Yuchan answered everything without reservation.
For instance, she told Liu Nanfeng that a monster's strength wasn't actually related to how long it had been a monster. It depended on its original form and whether it had a heritage.
She also informed Liu Nanfeng that monsters with dragon bloodlines grew relatively slowly, with a century of their time equivalent to one year for humans.
Liu Nanfeng suddenly understood. No wonder Feng Hongjin said she was only three years old when she looked so small.
She also told Liu Nanfeng that monsters who consumed the Yun Mu Cao would develop a birthmark around their navels, which would fade and disappear during pregnancy.
After the child was born, the birthmark would appear on the child.
Some said this was how the Yun Mu Cao passed on its power, but whether it was true or not remained unknown.
They talked for a long time, and Liu Nanfeng's image of monsters became clearer and more comprehensive.
Furthermore, Zhu Yuchan told Liu Nanfeng that there were not only monsters in this world, but also demons, born from human desires. They were better at hiding and disguised themselves more skillfully.
So, this world was actually very dangerous, far from being as peaceful and simple as it appeared on the surface.
This was also why she had been following Feng Hongjin today.
Although she had heard Liu Nanfeng's name, Feng Hongjin's mother was still a bit worried, so she had asked Zhu Yuchan to follow and look after her.
However, even Zhu Yuchan hadn't expected Liu Nanfeng to see through her disguise.
Speaking of this, Zhu Yuchan gave Liu Nanfeng a meaningful glance.
Liu Nanfeng also looked up at the words floating above her head.
Name: Zhu Yuchan
Race: Clam Spirit
Cultivation: Five hundred seventy-two years
Status: Zhu Yin'e's maid
Past events: Not triggered
This was the monster with the highest cultivation Liu Nanfeng had seen so far. He didn't know about its strength.
After all, she had just said that a monster's strength wasn't closely related to its cultivation, and Liu Nanfeng believed her.
As they were talking, Feng Hongjin suddenly looked up and asked, "Do you want to eat with me?"
The little one held a half-eaten chicken drumstick. Her forehead was shiny with oil, her cheeks were covered in sauce, and a piece of crumb stuck to her small nose, making her look like a dirty kitten.
She couldn't eat anymore. Her little belly was round, and she now wished someone could help her share some of the food.
"No, if you can't finish it, just pack it up and take it back."
Liu Nanfeng looked down at her and stroked her little head.
"Really? Can I?" Feng Hongjin asked with a face full of surprise.
"Of course, I bought all of this for you anyway."
"Then—then that's not good, not good at all."
Feng Hongjin said this, but she was already quietly pulling the shopping bag closer to herself.
She kept looking around, avoiding Liu Nanfeng's gaze and her hands, as if trying to make Liu Nanfeng not notice.
Seeing her so cute, Liu Nanfeng wanted to laugh, but children also had pride, so he suppressed his smile.
Zhu Yuchan, on the other hand, couldn't hold back and chuckled, covering her mouth with her sleeve.
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about. Didn't you give me a gift too?" Liu Nanfeng pointed to the little fish drying nearby.
"You're so kind. I'll bring you a big fish tomorrow," Feng Hongjin said happily.
"But, how will you take these things back?" Liu Nanfeng asked, looking at the rolling river with a slight frown.
"I have bubbles."
Feng Hongjin was also very smart and immediately understood Liu Nanfeng's meaning. She pouted and blew out a "poof" bubble.
The bubble floated leisurely in the air. Feng Hongjin immediately threw the half-eaten chicken drumstick into it, and the drumstick floated inside.
"Amazing."
Liu Nanfeng praised her sincerely.
Pleased by Liu Nanfeng's praise, Feng Hongjin let out a "ge ge ge" laugh.
This strange laughter finally made Liu Nanfeng unable to hold back, and he burst into laughter.
Zhu Yuchan, however, stopped smiling. She covered her face, feeling utterly embarrassed.
But the little one was oblivious, laughing with her body bent forward and backward, utterly delighted.
"It's getting late. We should go back."
Zhu Yuchan looked up at the sky. The sun had already set, casting its light on the flowing river, as if dyeing the entire river surface orange.
The ship's whistle sounded like the evening bells.
Feng Hongjin stood up reluctantly, holding the bag tightly.
"Will you come again tomorrow?" Feng Hongjin tilted her small face up, looking at Liu Nanfeng with anticipation.
Before Liu Nanfeng could speak, Feng Hongjin added, "Shall I bring you a big fish tomorrow?"
Hearing this, Liu Nanfeng couldn't help but smile and stroked her little head. "You don't need to bring it. Tomorrow..."
"Hongjin, you can't do that. Young Master Liu has his own matters. How can he accompany you every day?" Zhu Yuchan interrupted Liu Nanfeng.
Liu Nanfeng didn't continue either. It was true. He needed to seize the time to improve his strength and couldn't afford to slack off.
"Oh~"
Feng Hongjin lowered her head, appearing a little sad.
Her pitifully dejected look touched Liu Nanfeng's soft spot, so he said gently, "As long as I have time, I'll come to play with you, okay?"
"Then how will you find me?" the little one asked, looking up with hopeful eyes.
"Uh—"
Liu Nanfeng was speechless for a moment. She was in the water; he couldn't exactly call her.
"Use this."
Just then, Zhu Yuchan handed him a conch shell.
The conch shell was peculiar in appearance, with fine patterns circling its reddish-brown surface.
Zhu Yuchan explained, "This is called a 'Huiyin Conch' or 'Twin Conch.' They are naturally born in pairs. If you speak into one, the other will hear you, no matter the distance. If you fill it with water, you can also hear the other's messages."
As Zhu Yuchan spoke, she took out another conch shell and handed it to Feng Hongjin.
The conch shell was not large, at most the size of the little one's palm, small and cute.
The little one had probably seen them before and wasn't surprised.
However, Liu Nanfeng found it very novel, turning it over and over.
This thing saved so much money on phone bills. If it could be popularized, what would happen to the three major operators?
"Young Master Liu, we'll be going back now." Zhu Yuchan bowed to Liu Nanfeng.
Seeing this, Feng Hongjin quickly imitated Zhu Yuchan.
But the little one was short and squat, giving the impression of squatting down, which was quite amusing.
Watching the two walk to the riverbank, Feng Hongjin blew another big bubble, put the shopping bag inside, and disappeared into the river. Only then did Liu Nanfeng turn and head back onto the embankment.
Looking at the conch shell in his hand, Liu Nanfeng was about to put it in his pocket when he suddenly remembered that "Su Jinxiu" might also recognize this thing. How should he explain it then?
"Where should I hide it?" Liu Nanfeng mused.
Just then, [Guan Shan Hai] suddenly appeared.
Looking at the long scroll floating in the air, Liu Nanfeng was stunned. He realized that he could summon it at any time.
However, the entire painting was obscured by a layer of mist, with only a small area revealing the scenery behind it.
It was the garden where Cai Die was.
With a thought, Liu Nanfeng reached out his hand holding the conch shell towards the painting, and his hand disappeared into it.
When he withdrew his hand, the conch shell in his hand had vanished without a trace, and it had already appeared within the painting.
"So it can be done like this."
Liu Nanfeng murmured, unable to hide his excitement.
ps: Time is tight, so I'm posting this in parts. There's one more chapter.