Beast-Taming Cultivator from Two Realms

Chapter 28: Southern Wastes Language

To truly master a language, the best method was to use it frequently for communication.

Thus, Chen Beiwu refrained from using his divine sense and instead spoke in the Southern Wastes language: "Are you alright?"

Mo Li stood frozen in place, still unable to react.

‘Could it be that the female cultivator left a trick, and the Southern Wastes language in the jade slip was incorrect?’ Chen Beiwu frowned slightly.

At this moment, Mo Li finally regained her senses.

She stepped back two paces, glanced at the Five-Red Snake lying dead on the ground without her noticing when it had died, and respectfully bowed to Chen Beiwu. "Sir, was it you who saved me just now?"

"Yes." Chen Beiwu nodded and continued testing the Southern Wastes language.

His gaze fell upon the Grass Within the Stone, and he asked, "Where are you from, and what is this place?"

Mo Li blinked her pitch-black eyes, stepped lightly, and stood in front of the Grass Within the Stone with a confused expression. "Sir, what are you saying?"

Chen Beiwu rephrased more plainly, "What is your name, and what is this place called?"

"My name is Mo Li. The people in the village call this place the Desolate Mountain." She answered truthfully.

"For this herb, you were even willing to risk your life. It seems you recognize it?" Chen Beiwu said bluntly.

A slight blush of embarrassment surfaced on Mo Li’s dusky cheeks as she guessed, "This should be Azure Crystal Exotic Herb. It can be sold for a good amount of silver at a medicine shop."

Chen Beiwu was slightly surprised.

Multiple names for herbs were common, due to regional differences.

However, Grass Within the Stone was, after all, a Second-Tier Spiritual Herb. It was not something that mere silver could purchase.

"This item is fated with me, but since you discovered it first, it belongs to you," Chen Beiwu mused aloud.

Hearing this, Mo Li immediately clenched her fists in nervousness.

Though she had never been to a town and had limited knowledge, she knew a few things.

The village chief was a prominent figure in the surrounding areas, with a wife and thirteen concubines serving him, and he ate meat at every meal. But even so, the chief’s finest clothes could not compare to the ones worn by this noble young man before her.

From this, it was clear that this man was someone even the village chief dared not offend—a person of great importance who could decide her fate with a single word.

Whatever decision he made, even if it meant taking the Azure Crystal Exotic Herb, she could only accept it obediently. Otherwise, she would end up like the Five-Red Snake.

But if that happened, her father would…

Thinking of this, Mo Li mustered her courage and looked directly at Chen Beiwu. "Sir, you saved my life. I will serve as your servant to repay the debt. But this herb—I discovered it. Could I keep it?"

She closed her eyes and added weakly, "If that’s not possible, I’ll repay you with my life. I just need a few more days to return it."

He had saved her life, and she had no right to haggle over a spiritual herb.

But Mo Li had no choice. Her family had no money, and if she couldn’t afford the medical fee, her father wouldn’t survive.

Rather than watch him die helplessly, she would rather repay a life with a life and settle the debt of gratitude.

Hearing this, Chen Beiwu couldn’t help but chuckle. "Why would I want your life for no reason? Forget about repaying me. Without you, I wouldn’t have found this spiritual herb."

Seeing Chen Beiwu’s gentle demeanor, Mo Li widened her eyes. "Then you mean…?"

"Extend your hand."

As Chen Beiwu spoke, Mo Li obediently stretched out her dark, rough palm.

"Is this silver enough?" Chen Beiwu placed down a silver ingot, weighing about fifty taels.

"It’s more than enough." Mo Li nodded repeatedly.

With this much silver, she could buy five Azure Crystal Exotic Herbs, let alone just one.

Seeing this, Chen Beiwu smiled without a trace of contempt.

Mortals treasured gold and silver, while cultivators pursued spirit stones. The former sought wealth and glory, the latter power and longevity. In essence, they were no different—both were chasing desires of the heart.

Crouching down, he carefully dug out the Grass Within the Stone and stored it safely. Chen Beiwu looked at Mo Li and said, "Where is your village? Take me there."

"Sir, please follow me." Mo Li quickly stepped forward to lead the way, her actions crisp and efficient.

As he followed Mo Li, Chen Beiwu used his divine sense to scan their surroundings while conversing with her, treating it as practice for the Southern Wastes language and also to better understand this world.

Mo Li’s village was called Shuanghe Village due to its proximity to two rivers, and it housed over a hundred families. When villagers needed supplies, they would organize a group to travel to Shuishan Town for trade.

As for anything beyond Shuishan Town, Mo Li knew nothing. She only knew that Shuishan Town belonged to the Ze Kingdom, which had immortal masters capable of flying on swords.

Being a youthful girl, Mo Li couldn’t help but ask boldly upon seeing Chen Beiwu’s friendly attitude, "Sir, are you a martial artist or one of those legendary immortal masters?"

"That’s not important," Chen Beiwu replied calmly.

Mo Li lowered her head, her voice crestfallen. "Alright."

Crossing a hill and passing through a rugged path, two clear rivers gradually came into view for Chen Beiwu.

About a mile beyond the rivers lay a scattered village of over a hundred households, each with smoke rising from their rooftops.

"Sir, that’s my home. Would you like to come in and rest?" Mo Li gathered her courage to extend an invitation.

"Sure." Chen Beiwu nodded.

Under the curious gazes of nearby villagers, Mo Li led him straight to a modest wooden hut.

Before entering, Chen Beiwu had already “seen” through divine sense a frail man lying on a bed of dry straw, looking close to death.

"Father, I’m back."

After speaking, Mo Li bent and bowed to Chen Beiwu, pleading, "Sir, I want to buy some medicine. Could you help me?"

She understood the concept of borrowing authority.

Without this man accompanying her, she wouldn’t dare to carry fifty taels of silver to buy medicine—it would surely invite trouble.

"It’s just a mild cold. I can cure it," Chen Beiwu said as he pushed open the wooden door.

"Ah Li, who is this?"

Seeing Chen Beiwu, the frail man’s face showed a trace of fear.

"Father, this gentleman is a good person. He saved me in the mountains," Mo Li reminded him.

Hearing the first part, the frail man forced out a stiff smile.

A good person?

Foolish daughter—there were no good people in this world!

But seeing this man’s fine clothing and fair skin, it was obvious he was a noble young master from outside. Villagers like them couldn’t afford to offend such people.

Upon hearing his daughter’s next words, the man’s expression changed at once, his eyes filled with worry. "What? You went to the Desolate Mountain again!"

"No, I was just gathering firewood at the foot of the mountain." After telling her lie, Mo Li turned to Chen Beiwu. "Sir, you just said my father’s illness can be cured. Is that true?"

Chen Beiwu said, "Of course. I never lie."

His only flaw was his kind heart—he could not bear the suffering of mortals.

That was the sole reason he was willing to help treat Mo Li’s father. It had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that the Grass Within the Stone was worth six hundred spirit stones.

"Please, sir, save my father. Ah Li is willing to do anything." Mo Li took out the silver with both hands and was about to kneel and beg.