"If there weren't any, do you think I'd be willing to go to such trouble catching bugs?" the old man said dismissively.
Yang Kai stroked his chin. "So that's how it is!"
As a laborer, he would receive three Open Heaven Pills each year. Yang Kai didn't know exactly how significant that amount was, but judging from Die You's earlier tone and attitude, three pills was far too few.
But now, if he could manage to please General Sichen, he could easily receive Open Heaven Pills as a reward. Who wouldn't leap at such a good thing? No wonder the old man had looked so happy when he heard there were bugs in the trees.
His eyes couldn't help but drift toward the box in the old man's hands.
"What are you after!" The old man shielded his precious box and blew his beard at Yang Kai in fury. The main reason was that Yang Kai had threatened him too many times today already, and he already knew this young man was no good—so one look at that expression and he could guess what scheme was brewing.
"Old Fang..." Yang Kai placed a hand on the old man's shoulder. "You may not know this, but two days ago I made a promise to General Sichen—I'd catch five Jade Fire Silkworms for him within one month. But you know my situation. I've got a grand total of thirty fruit trees. Where am I supposed to find that many bugs? So you see..."
"Beat it!"
"If you won't give me bugs, at least lend me a set of your catching tools. That incense of yours seems to have some tricks to it, and this box should be custom-made as well."
The old man said nothing, which only made Yang Kai more convinced his guess was right.
"You wouldn't want me pestering you about this day and night in the future, would you?"
The old man sneered. "You really think you've got me figured out?"
Yang Kai replied, "How could I dare? You're a senior, and I'm new here—when would I ever be so rude? It's just that I genuinely don't have any tools for catching bugs, and I have no idea where to get them. We're all out here away from home; if someone can lend a hand, why not?"
The old man kept a stern face, unmoved.
Yang Kai pressed on. "Worst case, I'll buy a new set later and return it to you. That should be fine, right?"
"I only have this one set! There are no extras—even if I wanted to give you one, I couldn't." The old man's expression softened slightly.
"Then just lend me this one for now..." Yang Kai grinned and tapped the box in his hands. "Lend me the bugs too. If I actually get Open Heaven Pills, I'll give them to you."
The old man's eyes widened. "You mean that?"
Yang Kai threw an arm around his shoulder warmly. "We're neighbors. We see each other every day, and there's plenty of time ahead of us to get along. What would I gain by lying to you? The main thing is, I already promised General Sichen. If I can't complete the task in a month, I'll be in real trouble."
"At least you show some sincerity..." The old man mulled it over. "If that's the case, I suppose there's no harm in lending them to you."
"But let me say this upfront—if General Sichen doesn't give me any Open Heaven Pills, then there's nothing I can do."
"Of course, of course." The old man nodded. "But I should warn you—catching five Jade Fire Silkworms in one month is no easy task. The two of us together probably don't have that many between our orchards."
"Five is difficult too?" Yang Kai asked, startled.
"Jade Fire Silkworms aren't that plentiful to begin with, and they serve a purpose for the Fire Spirit Fruit trees. You can't catch all of them."
Yang Kai chuckled. "Well, we'll just have to work together this month. When General Sichen hands out his rewards, I'll complete my mission, and the Open Heaven Pills go to you."
"Deal!"
Yang Kai reached for the box, and the old man didn't resist this time—letting him take it straight from his hands.
Yang Kai held out his hand again. "The incense too."
The old man passed over the burning stick.
Yang Kai examined it idly and asked, "Where do you get these? Looks like I'll need to prepare a set of my own."
The old man said, "You're new, so of course you wouldn't know. Just take a trip to the market later and you can buy one."
Yang Kai nodded. Die You had mentioned before that she'd take him to the market sometime when they were free, to broaden his horizons. It was looking more and more like that trip was a must.
With his new gear in hand, Yang Kai grew even more enthusiastic. He went from tree to tree, searching for Jade Fire Silkworms. But just as the old man had said, the silkworms weren't plentiful, and they were useful for the Fire Spirit Fruit trees, so he couldn't catch them all—he had to leave some behind.
He didn't manage to catch any bugs, but he did become much more skilled at tending the fruit trees.
Days passed uneventfully. Yang Kai shuttled back and forth between his own little patch and the old man's territory, working under his guidance. When there was nothing else to do, he would play board games with the old fellow.
The old man was quite skilled at the game. Yang Kai lost match after match, but he wasn't the least bit discouraged. He couldn't cultivate for the time being anyway, so he treated it as a way to pass the time.
After more than ten days of living and working together, their relationship had grown somewhat closer.
Under the fruit trees, beside the thatched hut, on the stone table, black and white stones tangled into fierce battles. Yang Kai sat straddling the stone bench with a broad, commanding posture, staring ahead. "Old Fang, your move."
After over ten days together, Yang Kai had learned that the old man's surname was Fang. His full name remained unknown—the old man never mentioned it. Yang Kai just called him "Old Fang" at every turn, and Old Fang didn't seem to mind much.
Across the table, Old Fang smiled and picked up a stone. "This kid plays chess like he's going to murder someone. Too bloodthirsty!"