Chapter 173: New Year's Eve

The wind and snow drove harder than in recent days. A thick layer of white blanketed the rooftops of Haoyang Alley, and long icicles hung from the eaves, catching a faint blue-gray gleam in the twilight.

The distant shouts of children drifted over, mixed with the sporadic popping of firecrackers bringing the year to a close. Warm yellow light spilled from the windows of every home, and smoke rising from the chimneys was pressed low by the wind, scattering slowly across the rooftops.

Wrapped in a white fleece blanket, Jiuyou stood beneath the eaves of Azure Jade Pavilion. Snowflakes landed on his shoulders and slipped down the weave of the cloth. He reached out to catch one. It quickly melted into a drop of icy water in his palm and slipped through his fingers. He stared at his hand for a long moment, not bothering to wipe it dry, simply letting the chill linger.

He had been in Haoyang Alley for exactly one year.

The mortals were enjoying the bustling festivities, visiting neighbors and exchanging New Year's gifts. He had nowhere to go, and no one would come knocking on his door. Standing there, he felt like that snowflake—it didn't matter where he landed, and when he melted away, no one would care.

He was just about to turn back inside when the crunch of light footsteps approached through the snow.

"Brother Qing! Brother Qing!" Xiao Ling'er's voice cut through the blowing snow, ringing brighter than the firecrackers.

Jiuyou turned to see the little girl running toward him. Her cheeks and nose were flushed from the freezing wind, but she was visibly more energetic than before, having sprinted all the way here without stopping to catch her breath.

She wore only thin clothing, the sleeves ending short of her wrists, but her steps were light and swift. Gone were the days when she had to stop and rest after a few paces.

Over the past few months, she had officially stepped into the First Level of Qi Refining. While she had yet to show any extraordinary abilities, a new, unmistakable resilience had taken root within her frail frame.

"Xiao Ling'er, it's New Year's Eve. Why aren't you at home with your grandfather?" Jiuyou asked. Glancing at her thin clothes, he instinctively reached to unfasten the fleece blanket from his shoulders to wrap around her.

Xiao Ling'er quickly took a step back, waving her hands in refusal. "No need, no need! I'm a genuine cultivator now. A little wind and snow is nothing to me! Once I learn some healing spells, you can come straight to me whenever you feel sick, Brother Qing." She patted her chest, making her bold promise look entirely convincing.

Suddenly, she slapped her forehead. "Oh, I almost forgot why I came!" She took two quick steps forward and gently tugged his sleeve. "Brother Qing, my grandfather told me to come get you. He wants you to come to the clinic and celebrate the New Year with us!"

Jiuyou stood rooted to the spot. Feeling the slight tug on his sleeve, he looked down at her small, red hands, then up toward the clinic at the end of the alley. Still, he didn't move.

Seeing him hesitate, Xiao Ling'er tugged his sleeve again and pouted slightly. "Come on, Brother Qing! It's New Year's Eve. All the neighbors are gathering together. You can't just stay alone in your shop, can you?"

She looked up at him, her eyes bright as snow-washed pebbles. The blowing snow settled on her shoulders and melted into damp patches, but she didn't seem to care.

Jiuyou gazed down at her upturned face. After a long silence, as if he had finally understood something, he gave a gentle nod. "Alright." He offered no polite excuses and said nothing more.

He turned back to close the shop door, then followed Xiao Ling'er into the falling snow. The aroma of cooking drifted through the alley, mingling with the scent of gunpowder and the lively warmth of hearths. Snowflakes settled on their shoulders before the wind swept them up, carrying them further away.

The alley was far livelier than usual.

Snow continued to fall, but the pedestrians walked with a much lighter step.

People strolled in groups of two or three—some pushing handcarts, others carrying New Year's goods, and still others holding their children. Their faces bore a travel-worn warmth. Several unfamiliar faces had appeared in the alley, wanderers who had rushed back from distant lands. Whenever they ran into acquaintances, they stopped to exchange warm greetings, their white breath pluming and scattering in the bitter chill.

Jiuyou and Xiao Ling'er walked side by side, snowflakes landing softly on their shoulders and slipping away.

When the neighbors saw them, they smiled and called out their greetings. "Happy New Year, Shopkeeper Qing! Xiao Ling'er, you've grown taller again! Send my regards to your grandfather!"

A man carrying a bamboo basket paused to chat. "Shopkeeper Qing, Happy New Year to you! May your business thrive!" His voice carried the special, infectious warmth of the holiday season.

Xiao Ling'er enthusiastically returned every greeting, and Jiuyou nodded along. Though the smile on his lips was faint, it lacked his usual distant formality.

It had been a very long time since he'd felt this way.

Back on Soul Wraith Island, his disciples had treated him with absolute reverence. They offered nothing but flattering words, their eyes always filled with fear. These casual greetings in the alley, however, held a genuine warmth. It was an unfamiliar sensation, yet he found he had no desire to avoid it.

The winter wind carried the rich aroma of food and the lingering scent of spent firecrackers through the alley. As they walked past each home, joyous laughter and chatter spilled through the doors.

Jiuyou told Xiao Ling'er to head back without him while he made a quick detour to a shop at the end of the alley. He bought a few New Year's goods—several packages of pastries and a jug of wine. They weren't expensive gifts, but they would be enough to share around the table.

By the time he arrived at the clinic with his purchases, the delicious aroma of dinner had wafted out the door. The rising heat brushed against his face, chasing away the bitter chill of the winter night.

Xiao Ling'er had just walked out from the backyard, carrying a freshly cooked dish. Spotting him, she set the plate down and hurried over with a cheerful greeting. She took the goods from his hands, piled them onto the counter, and dashed right back into the rear courtyard to help.

Jiuyou stood in the clinic and glanced around the modest hall. Several dishes had already been placed on the table, the steam swaying gently in the candlelight.

Physician Zhang was still busy cooking in the back. The clatter of pots and spatulas drifted from behind the curtain, mingling with the sizzle of hot oil. The entire scene radiated the warm, bustling comfort of New Year's Eve.

A few moments later, the food was served.

Physician Zhang took off his apron and carried the last bowl of soup out from the back. The three of them gathered around the table. Outside, the wind and snow raged on, but inside, the room was thick with heat. The glow of the candlelight cast a cozy warmth over their faces.

Physician Zhang reached over and patted Xiao Ling'er's head. His gaze rested on Jiuyou, filled with gratitude, and he spoke in a gentle tone. "Thank you for gifting her the Little Spring Art, Brother Qing. You've given my granddaughter a path forward. This old man will forever remember your kindness."

Jiuyou shook his head slightly, his voice perfectly calm. "That cultivation manual wasn't mine. I was simply asked to pass it along. If you wish to thank someone, you should thank the one who provided it. I dare not claim the credit."

Physician Zhang glanced at him. He didn't press the matter, simply raising his teacup to share a sip with Jiuyou.

A hearty laugh echoed from outside before the door curtain was thrown back. Boss Wang stepped inside, carrying a few freshly slaughtered chickens and ducks. Breathing out clouds of white frost, he chuckled, "Hehehe! Old Zhang, Shopkeeper Qing, Xiao Ling'er! I'm not too late, am I?"

"Not late at all, your timing is perfect," Physician Zhang said, hastily standing up to take the birds from him.

The sky gradually darkened, and the snow outside fell thicker and faster.

Red lanterns flickered to life all across Haoyang Alley. One by one, they illuminated the snowy night, stringing together into a vibrant line of crimson light that seemed to guide the wanderers home.

The clinic was brightly lit. The clatter of bowls and chopsticks mingled with joyous laughter, rising with the heat of the feast to melt the thin layer of frost that had gathered on the windowpanes.