Life in Yuchun Village was quite leisurely, and more than a year had passed without them realizing it.
After this period of recuperation, Zhang Qiling's complexion had visibly improved, and he no longer felt as drowsy. To allow this elderly gentleman, whose age was unknown, to move his limbs in a safe manner, Fatty specifically bought many live animals from the market to raise.
When Wu Tianzhen entered the courtyard with groceries, he saw chicks and puppies running all over the place. The colorful fluff swirled in a chaotic mess before his eyes, momentarily making him think he had entered the wrong house.
He cautiously stepped back out to check the house number, then dared to push the door open again. As he looked up, he noticed a row of birdcages hanging on the doorframe. The strange birds inside, cooing and cawing, let out what sounded like mocking calls upon seeing him.
Wu Tianzhen: ...
"Tianzhen, you're back?" Fatty poked his head out from the kitchen, holding a bag of fish. "Perfect timing, Fatty is just planning to create another fish pond for Xiao Ge!"
Startled by Fatty's loud voice, the fish in the transparent plastic bag leaped out one after another, crowding together inside. Judging by their dark scales, these were clearly farmed freshwater fish meant for consumption.
... It made sense, how could they possibly buy colorful ornamental fish at the village market?
"...You don't mean," Wu Tianzhen pointed at the fish with their eyes rolling back, twitching his lips, "that you plan to keep those fish as pets?"
Keeping edible fish as ornamental ones sounded a bit strange, but Wu Tianzhen considered it from another angle—
Xiao Ge's style, from his scabbard to his clothes, was all black. Perhaps he preferred dark-colored ornamental fish?
Anything was possible!
So, when Xiao Zhang returned from his routine patrol and finally got a clear look at the cooing and barking animals, Wu Tianzhen thrust the heavy blue rabbit into his arms.
"Xiao Ge, go inside for some water and keep an eye on Mao Tuan," Fatty, wearing a sweat-soaked t-shirt and covered in mud, squatted in a dirt pit with a hoe. "We're digging a fish pond for you to play with. Don't let Mao Tuan eat those little ones."
Mao Tuan, nestled in his arms, let out a smug coo. Zhang Qiling lowered his gaze to see it looking up with a pitiful expression.
Mao Tuan: How could I, how could I possibly? I'm just a poor, innocent, weak little bunny!
It even managed to act the part somewhat, but Zhang Qiling was completely unmoved by its performance.
He paused for a moment, then, holding the rabbit by its ears with one hand, he turned and quietly put away his patrol gear.
After finishing, he turned his attention back, slowly pulling a tuft of white fur from Mao Tuan's mouth.
At Zhang Qiling's feet, a hapless puppy with a bare rump was whimpering, its front paws hooked onto his pants. It had clearly been thoroughly tormented by the rabbit.
The puppy was plump and looked like the most common breed, with white fur all over, only its eye rims and ears were black. At first glance, it resembled a panda trying to act like a dog.
It was too small to see clearly. At this moment, it nudged the ground with its bare rump and rubbed its little nose in the dirt.
Zhang Qiling looked at it for a while, his expression softening slightly.
Although his expression hardly changed in his own perception, to the blue rabbit, this subtle shift was a blatant declaration that its status was severely challenged.
It immediately bared its sharp teeth at the puppy, like a wild beast defending its territory.
However—
"Watch them." Zhang Qiling's hand slowly stroked the rabbit's head, the pressure light, like a feather brushing past. This caused Mao Tuan to instantly retract its teeth.
Proudly and boastfully, it nuzzled that hand in front of all the other pets in the yard. Then, it finally registered what it had just heard.
Mao Tuan: ???????
This was no different from letting a dog guard steamed buns. Just as Mao Tuan was about to protest, its body loosened, and Zhang Qiling placed it on the ground.
The puppies and chicks, having short memories, quickly crowded around, pushing Mao Tuan into the center. Mao Tuan stiffened, watching its great master abandon it and walk directly to the door to pick up a hoe, seemingly intending to help the two foolish humans dig.
"Xiao Ge, why did you come over?" Wu Tianzhen wiped the sweat from his brow. Seeing the tool in Xiao Zhang's hand, he understood. "It's okay, you go look after those little critters. Fatty and I are almost done!"
The fish pond Fatty had planned was quite large, and its basic shape had already emerged, only needing the surface to be leveled. Zhang Qiling silently observed the uneven clumps of earth, a thoughtful expression suddenly appearing on his face.
Although his memory was still hazy, his habits remained unchanged. Wu Tianzhen and Fatty understood his intention with just a brief glance.
... If the great one was going to condescend to help, it would naturally be better than them digging slowly.
The two immediately understood and stepped aside, gesturing for the magnificent Xiao Zhang to use his formidable knife skills to level the ground.
The white knife from the bronze door was still securely on Xiao Zhang's back. The two had originally thought they would finally witness the power of this new knife, but they inexplicably saw Zhang Qiling pause, then go back inside to retrieve the Black Gold Ancient Blade.
Zhang Qiling hadn't used his martial arts much since arriving in Yuchun Village. The Black Gold Ancient Blade had been sitting forlornly on the altar in the room for several days. Upon seeing its beloved master, it instantly perked up, humming and causing the entire platform to vibrate, looking almost like an automatic massage chair.
Then, it was soon used to cut earth.
The blade energy was sharp, the earth was cut well, and Xiao Zhang's drawing motion was very cool. Fatty and Wu Tianzhen applauded sincerely.
Zhang Qiling was unfazed by their praise. Ever since he emerged from the door, these two had been excessively encouraging, to the point where he was now praised from all angles even for peeling a garlic.
He pulled down his hood and suddenly realized that Black Gold in his hand seemed inexplicably dejected.
Xiao Zhang: ...?
Black Gold Ancient Blade: ...Understood, Master is truly tired of me now, woo ah ah ah! (Crying face!)
The white knife on Xiao Zhang's back was outlined by the sunlight, giving it a sacred glow, but it made Black Gold feel sour no matter how it looked.
If it could express its jealousy, the sourness it emitted would have probably flooded the entire scabbard.
...You bad knife, I was here first, woo woo woo! If you have the guts, come down here and let's fight!
The Black Gold Ancient Blade provocatively challenged, but the white knife remained unresponsive, as if it were just a dull blade that hadn't even developed any spiritual energy.
This made Black Gold feel a sense of futility, like punching cotton. It completely wilted, trembling its hilt and nudging Zhang Qiling plaintively.
Just then, it suddenly felt a fluctuation from the white knife!
The fluctuation was faint but real. Black Gold carefully discerned it for a long time before vaguely realizing that the white knife was smiling.
... For a knife, isn't "smiling" going a bit too far?
Black Gold didn't understand, but it felt mocked. It instantly activated its vibration mode in Xiao Zhang's hand, emitting a mosquito-like hum.
Then, due to its excessive noisiness, it was quickly suppressed by Xiao Zhang onto the altar.
Black Gold Ancient Blade: No! Master—!!!