Data-Driven Daoist

“I guess your sister has a sweet smell, then.” Yu Han snickered.

“This fatty dares?” one of the girls said. “Senior Sister isn’t a liar!”

“Song Yinuo, he is my benefactor,” Huang Niuniu urged the girl.

“But Sister Niu—”

“Song Yinuo. No more.”

“Okay.” The twin-tailed girl called Song Yinuo turned to the group. “I’m Song Yinuo. Be pleased you get to meet me.”

“I-I’m Shi Miao,” the other girl, with pink and white hair, stammered. She then buried her face in Huang Niuniu’s side.

Yu Han heard a gulp. It was Li Weidong.

“You’re the Cow Girl,” the farmer’s son said.

“You court death!” Shi Miao suddenly scowled with the face of an asura and took out a dagger.“Shi Miao,” Huang Niuniu chided.

Shi Miao sighed. “Okay. I forgive him.”

“Good girl.” Huang Niuniu patted her head.

“Y-You mustn’t. I’m already betrothed.” Shi Miao retreated, but then hugged Huang Niuniu again. “Only for today.”

“Lilies bloom whilst the frogs shall see, none can say what their fates may be,” Topknot recited a poem, earning a few claps from Li Weidong and Li Yao.

“Don’t tell me how I should feel,” Huang Niuniu said to Yu Han again, and the rest shut up.

“It’s called coping. And besides, even if you think men are smelly, no need to tell that to me.”

“I…” Huang Niuniu hesitated, but then seemed to muster her courage and said, “I appreciate you standing up for me. But I can’t return your feelings.”

“What feelings?” Yu Han felt his voice crack. This bulbous bitch!

“You like me, right? That’s why you… fought Wu Di.”

“Delulu.”

“What?”

“You’re delusional!” Yu Han shouted, a vein popping in his temple. Him? Like? A girl who he’d barely spoken to? If it was Johan, yeah, he wouldn’t mind bedding a few one-night stands and being done with it. But Yu Han lived differently. A connection, no matter how small… he would nurture it as long as there was goodwill.

“You gave me the medicine. I vented my anger. That’s it,” Yu Han said. That was the connection. No love required, no need to even be friends. Just return goodwill with goodwill. “I don’t like you.”

He articulated it clearly, leaving no room for doubt.

Huang Niuniu stepped back with a pale face.

“Sister Niu!” Song Yinuo supported her.

“You fatty! I’ll have your tongue,” Shi Miao scowled.

“I’m fine, Shi Miao.” Huang Niuniu’s complexion paled. She bit her lip and stared at Yu Han.

“What is it?” Yu Han was getting annoyed. It would be fine if the girl wanted to be his acquaintance. She seemed kind, and in this life, Yu Han wanted to be around people of a different moral compass. But he wouldn’t force it.

“No need to deny it so vehemently,” Huang Niuniu said, as if wronged.

“You—!” Yu Han pointed a trembling finger at her. “What part of ‘I don’t fucking like you’ don’t you under—”

“What drama is this?” a new voice called out from behind him. Yu Han turned and saw Dong Chou’s granddaughter.

“The other groups are leaving. Should we head out too?” she said. “This one is Dong Tianlan.”

“Oh, Junior Tianlan,” Topknot said. “How is the illustrous Ninth Scribe Official doing nowadays after that humiliating dismissal? Everyone was surprised when the Scripture Keeper—” Topknot wiggled his brows “—former Scripture Keeper of the Outer Sect took charge of the Rookie Village this year. Will you not join the other Five Great Sunken Mountain Clan Scions?”

“My grandfather is fine,” Dong Tianlan said. If she was offended by the sarcasm, she didn’t show it. “He entrusted this boy with a delivery. I must oversee it.”

“Is that so? Then let us tarry not,” Topknot said. “Junior, your name is…”

“Yu Han.”

Topknot neared him and whispered in a voice no one else could hear, “Junior Brother Yu. Lady troubles delay cultivation. It’s better to not have too many entanglements.” He then gave a knowing look, gestured at Dong Tianlan and Huang Niuniu, the latter still glaring at Yu Han.

“Senior Brother, will it be fine if we stop by the Sea of Gold Commerce along the way?” Dong Tianlan said.

“It’s near the Treasure and Mission Halls, so why not?” Topknot led the way.

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“You better be grateful,” Dong Tianlan grumbled, as if she didn’t want to be here. “If not for Honoured Grandfather’s grace, how could a commoner like you—never mind.”

Shut your mouth.

“Tubs, don’t you wanna tell Huang Niuniu that you like men?” Li Yao grinned.

“Don’t you wanna tell Li Weidong you kissed him once?” Yu Han shot back.

“He did what?!” Li Weidong was alarmed.

“When you drowned. He gave you life mouth to mouth—bastard! You dare punch me? You started it!” Yu Han kicked out.

“Help, Brothers! Tubs wants to steal my flower! First Wu Di, and now poor me!”

Li Yao had a really punchable face right now. Hu Feng was laughing. Li Weidong stood there in shock, eyes popping like a goldfish.

“Commoner men. So depraved,” Song Yinuo squinted.

“I think it is men in general,” Dong Tianlan said.

“They’re very smelly,” Huang Niuniu agreed,

The atmosphere was good. They joked, and Topknot, whose name turned out to be Yong Lefan, would recite a sarcastic poem or two as well.

They walked through the simple road of the valley, with many other teams around, spotting a large temple with a constant flow of disciples.

“That is the Land God Temple. We are, after all, part of the Great Xia Dynasty. The enshrined deity is a past Elder of our Sect who perished protecting the Crown Prince. Later, when the prince became the Emperor, he showed great grace to our Sect.”

At that, Fang Zhao shifted uncomfortably, while Song Yinuo nodded as if proud.

They passed by a large marketplace, the one Yu Han had seen from above.

“This is the Outer Sect Market. You can buy and barter for most of what you need here.”

They saw a majestic stone building bustling with Outer Sect Disciples.

“This is the Mission Hall. You will later select an Internal Mission here, and then when you’re ready, pick up External Missions. And this is the Treasure Hall. You can exchange your Contribution Points here, and pick up your monthly quota of Spirit Stones and Elixir. You get ten Spirit Stones, five contribution points, and one random Body Tempering Pill at the Mortal Grade a month, depending on what’s available.

“Of course, these are only the Outer Sect Branches. The Inner Sect is a different world. The Cloudy Rain Peak Mountain separates the Central Area of the Outer Sect from the rest of the Sunken Mountains, which are part of the Sect too. From your second year, most disciples will base themselves in the Great Barrier City outside, near the coast.” Yong Lefan pointed at the impossibly tall mountain they had crossed. Then he pointed at a second tall mountain in the distance. “That mountain, the Thunder Spear Peak, separates the Outer Sect from the Inner Sect. Do not approach it if you have no business there.”

Finally, they reached a one-story wooden courtyard. Banners of gold hung from the eaves, and the two guards outside wore shining armour that seemed to be made of pure silver.

There was a square in front of it, seemingly made of obsidian. The fountain in the square spurted steaming water. The place screamed opulence.

“This is the Sea of Gold Commerce, Junior Tianlan. We can wait here until your business finishes.”

“It won’t take long. Come,” Dong Tianlan said.

Yu Han followed her through the large gates. The two guards didn’t stop them.

Inside, there was a lobby. The walls were covered with ink paintings. The chairs oozed luxury with their cashmere-like cushions, and the potted plants were like nothing Yu Han had seen before. One was like a transparent cactus, a fish swimming inside. Another bore gold coins.

“I do not enjoy coming to this place,” Dong Tianlan said. “Bring the token to the counter. They can help you send the letter too.” She pointed towards a place where it seemed like receptionists were welcoming customers.

Don’t be nervous, Yu Han. We’ve been to many banks for clandestine meetings. He gathered himself and approached an empty counter.

“Welcome to the Sunken Mountains Branch of the Sea of Gold Commerce. I am Little Three of Counter Three. How may I help you?” the lady said. She had a picture-perfect smile, her voice soothing. Classic poster girl.

“I was told that I could exchange this for money or services.” Yu Han carefully brought out the wooden box and placed it on the counter.

Little Three picked it up and opened it.

“Indeed. This is worth a thousand Spirit Stones. Would you like Spirit Stones, treasures, or services?”

“I want to send a letter to a family member in the White Lotus Kingdom.”

“The trade ship will leave in a month’s time. It may take up to six months for the letter to reach them. You can also use the Familiar Messenger Service, which will cost more.”

“How much?” Yu Han asked.

“Normal courier is three hundred Spirit Stones. With a familiar, it would cost six hundred, but it will arrive within two months.”

There was no reason to waste so much money on the letter. His sister was only supposed to arrive at Riversong Prefectural City a bit more than a year from now. If they heard what happened to the Yu family, they would avoid it too.

They wouldn’t be in danger. He should choose the three hundred Spirit Stones option and use the rest of the cash on himself.

Yu Han gritted his teeth. “I’ll take the familiar.” This was his last remaining family member, a genuine connection of blood and love. Six hundred Spirits Stones to ensure her safety was a cheap price.

If he was unwilling to pay even that, how disappointed would dad be?

“Great. Please follow me.” Little Three led Yu Han to a room in the back. It was lit by lamps, and two black and gold zabutons lay beside a low, circular table. There was a cup of tea gently wafting steam.

“Do you have a letter prepared, or would you like ink, pen, and paper? It will cost one Spirit Stone extra.”

Wow, businessmen. “Give me the pen and paper, please.” Yu Han sat down.

“You may take the tea. It is free of charge.” Little Three went away and came back with the tools. “Take your time. Do be aware that the Sect will check all communications that leave through us, but the Sea of Gold Commerce will not.”

Yu Han closed his eyes. What do I even say? How much do I share?

He wiped his tears away. Fuck. Don’t cry, you little baby.

He wrote.

Bandits, not a hooded man. Sima Yan and his family. Stay away. Go to another kingdom. Make a life there. I am well, so you better be too.

I’ll come find you.

Ten pages’ worth of feelings. Nonsense and screams mixed in with whatever came to his mind.

“I’m done,” Yu Han said.

“Do you have an address?”

…I forgot about that! His brother-in-law’s caravan was a nomadic one. He could mention the name, but what if his sister’s family was already on the run?

Yu Han shook his head.

Little Three took out a crystal ball and placed it on the table.

“For three hundred Spirit Stones extra, you can imbue the familiar’s memory with the recipient’s details. Do you wish to purchase this service?”

If this was Earth, Johan would have been amazed and angry at the same time. Yu Han nodded.

“Great! It will take half an hour. Please think about the recipient with as much detail as you can. Your relationship, what they do now, their circumstances. You may also imbue instructions for places and people to avoid, and what care must be taken. The familiar will seek out the recipient for one year, and if it can find them, they will deliver the letter. But they cannot bring a letter back. Although for six hundred—”

“That’s okay! Will I at least know if the familiar found the recipient?”

“That you will.”

“If I want to convert the remaining one hundred Spirit Stones—”

“Ninety-nine.”

“…Ninety-nine Spirit Stones to gold notes and deliver that to the recipient, can that be done?”

“As long as the parcel weighs less than a pound and a half, it is possible, although a conversion fee will apply.”

“How much can I get total?”

“After the fees and taxes, this much.” Little Three said a long number.

Yu Han gulped. That was enough to buy ten Yu Family Diners! Or outside of cities, buy a land deed and be a minor noble!

“I’ll convert.”