Chapter 183: Black Shadow

Chapter 183: Chapter 183: Black Shadow

Hua Buwan looked at the grill covered in chicken wings, fish, crabs, meatballs, and sausages. Working with a tacit understanding, they had seasoned each item with a variety of different flavors. Soon, the mouth-watering aroma of delicious food filled the air.

Hua Buwan couldn’t help but swallow hard, already impatient to taste these delicacies. She picked up a skewer of grilled chicken wings and took a gentle bite. The tender, juicy meat and spicy seasoning melted together in her mouth, instantly igniting her taste buds. Next, she tried a piece of the grilled fish. The flesh was fresh and tender while the skin remained perfectly crisp. Paired with the special sauce, the flavor was absolutely delectable. The crabs and meatballs were also grilled to perfection, offering a savory taste that left a lingering aftertaste.

Hua Buwan ate with great relish, chatting with the Ling family between bites as she enjoyed this wonderful moment. Unknowingly, night fell. The sky was dotted with twinkling stars as everyone sat around the grill, continuing to bask in the food and joyous atmosphere.

Hua Buwan also discussed their future plans with them. Since they were living by the sea, they needed to make a living from it; everyone had to learn how to catch seafood. She would provide them with fishing nets and clamming tools in advance. They could come down to the shore at night to use these tools without being discovered.

Ling Qianjun mentioned that many exiled households had relatives who would come to Lingnan in advance to make arrangements, or who would travel to bring them supplies once they were settled. Therefore, once the other exiled families began receiving goods, the Ling family could put on a small show, claiming that their own relatives had come to deliver supplies as well.

Hua Buwan could play the role of this relative. When the time came, she would have a perfectly legitimate identity to visit them. She was extremely satisfied with this proposal. By cementing this excuse, she wouldn’t have to hide from the others and could walk openly throughout Dongxuan Country. The more she thought about it, the more impatient she became.

Hua Buwan knew the Ling family would feel uneasy if they kept accepting her gifts without giving anything in return. However, in reality, the treasures they had already given her were more than enough to fund her entire retirement. But since they refused to just take handouts, she decided she could use that money for charity, which could be considered accumulating blessings for their descendants. When it came to charity, no amount of money was ever enough. Brimming with fighting spirit, Hua Buwan decided she would start with small-scale philanthropy and then expand it into something massive!

Thus, Hua Buwan told them about the next items she wanted to trade for: the ceramic bowls and vessels used by ordinary villagers. Once these items reached her hands, they would be genuine thousand-year-old antiques. They could showcase the everyday utensils of commoners and held a certain degree of historical research value.

Ling Qianjun and his family could catch seafood to exchange with the locals, who would presumably be more than willing to trade. Alternatively, they could sell the seafood for money, using their copper coins and silver to trade with Hua Buwan, or use the funds to buy ready-made wares from the shops. Although the Ling family didn’t understand why Hua Buwan wanted these mundane items, none of them pried for details. If Hua Buwan wanted them, they would simply go get them!

Once everything was agreed upon, they packed up their things and prepared to rest. Under Ling Qianjun’s escort, Hua Buwan returned to the modern era.

Late at night, when everyone was fast asleep, a figure pushed open the door of the stone house and walked out with light steps.

Reaching the backyard, he said in a deep voice, "Come out."

WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH! Several dark figures dropped from the shadows, dropping to one knee before Ling Qianjun. They spoke respectfully, "Master, everything has been arranged. The preparations in Lingnan are complete."