Immortal Mortal Chapter 4: A Rice Bowl Filled With Gratitude

A shift in destiny could certainly bring sorrow, yet Mo Wuji remained unfazed. Even if his status were reduced to that of a disgraced prince, it would not weigh heavily on his mind. The sole source of his despair and regret stemmed from his identity as a mortal, one devoid of any natural talent for cultivation.

On Earth, everyone began on equal footing. No one lived in fear of an inability to cultivate, as there were countless other avenues for achievement. However, in this new world, the absence of cultivation potential represented an insurmountable barrier, a closed door to all opportunity.

Despite his inner turmoil and the grim reality of being potentially without spiritual roots, Mo Wuji resolved not to surrender without confirmation. He would not give up until he had personally undergone the necessary tests. Lost in these somber reflections, he drifted off to sleep without realizing it.

The irresistible aroma of rice was what roused Mo Wuji from his slumber. As his eyes fluttered open, the morning sun was already high in the sky. Sitting up, he noticed a generous bowl of rice placed on the worn, dilapidated square table. Alongside it sat a small dish of pickles and half a cucumber.

"Master, you're finally awake. Hurry and wash up to eat," Yan'Er, her gaze filled with constant concern for him, exclaimed with undisguised joy. She spoke before Mo Wuji could utter a single word.

"Were you unable to sleep last night?" Mo Wuji's eyes fell upon Yan'Er’s pale face, the dark circles beneath her eyes, and her visibly exhausted expression. It was immediately clear that she had stayed awake the entire night.

"Yesterday, I helped Aunt Lu tend to her stall, and business was incredibly good," Yan'Er replied. Despite her evident fatigue, Mo Wuji could still sense her underlying happiness.

Mo Wuji discerned the reason for her elation. With brisk sales, Aunt Lu had rewarded her with a more substantial payment.

Descending from his simple wooden bed, Mo Wuji reached out and gently stroked Yan'Er's disheveled hair. He remained silent for a long moment, his mind churning.

He was certain this was not the first time Yan’Er had toiled through the night to provide for him. She had long grown accustomed to such hardships. The original Mo Xinghe, he mused, must have been utterly degenerate. Not only was he a silent burden reliant on a young girl, but he also squandered his days fantasizing about grandeur. After Yan’Er returned from work, she even had to spend money on sweets to indulge his childish king-playing games.

"Master, you didn't eat much yesterday. Please hurry and wash up to eat," Yan'Er urged. She felt a renewed sense of hope, noticing a significant transformation in her young master since he had awakened, which brought her immense happiness.

"You go ahead; I'll wash up shortly," Mo Wuji replied. He was overcome with a mixture of pity and profound emotion. In both his lives, no one had ever shown him such unwavering kindness. His former lover, though pleasant, possessed a cold disposition. While she was good to him, she never touched his heart in the way Yan’Er did. Ultimately, she had even betrayed him.

Yan’Er began to protest, "I just ate, young master, you..."

Her words trailed off as she watched her young master approach her makeshift bed. He slowly bent down and picked up a half-eaten black bun resting beside the pillow.

Mo Wuji remained silent, clutching the hard, stale bun. A wave of panic washed over him. He recalled Yan’Er mentioning she had already eaten, and he had noticed dark crumbs near her mouth.

He cautiously brought the bun to his nose, detecting a faint stench of staleness and decay. This coarse, black bun, emitting a sour odor, stood in stark contrast to the steaming bowl of fresh, white rice. It was no wonder, Mo Wuji thought, that this growing young girl already had dull, straw-colored hair.

Perhaps the unpleasant smell triggered a reflexive response; Mo Wuji's nose stung, and his eyes began to water.

"Master, you mustn't eat that..." Yan’Er cried out, mistakenly believing Mo Wuji intended to consume the discarded bun.

Gently, Mo Wuji took Yan’Er's hands, noticing their calloused texture, rougher than his own. He spoke slowly, his voice filled with newfound resolve, "Yan’Er, from this moment forward, whenever I eat, you will eat with me. You will never go hungry again. Today, do not go out to help with the stall. Remember what big brother says: I will provide for you from now on."

This bowl of rice, brimming with her selfless gratitude, would never be forgotten.

"Master..." Yan’Er whispered, her voice laced with apprehension. She was perplexed by her young master’s unusual behavior today.

Mo Wuji dared not continue the conversation. He patted Yan’Er’s hands reassuringly, then stepped outside to discreetly wipe away the tear tracks from the corners of his eyes before heading off to wash up.

...

After their meager breakfast, Mo Wuji departed. Despite his insistence that Yan’Er share his meal and his decree that she rest before he left, a sense of guilt lingered. He was determined to find employment as quickly as possible, hoping to alleviate Yan’Er’s hardships and bring some ease into her life.

...

Within the entirety of the Cheng Yu State, Rao Zhou City stood as the most expansive and vibrant metropolis. As Mo Wuji navigated the bustling thoroughfares, he felt the palpable pulse of life in Rao Zhou City, a rhythm as dynamic as that of Earth itself.

The Rao Zhou Association was Mo Wuji's destination. It was the central hub where individuals sought work and employment opportunities.

Upon entering the association, Mo Wuji observed numerous recruitment windows. Some offered long-term positions within large workshops, while others presented temporary job opportunities. Additionally, various recruitment posters and informational displays were scattered throughout. In essence, this functioned as a multi-functional talent market, akin to what one might find on Earth.

The association itself was vast. Despite the presence of over a thousand individuals milling about, the space still felt remarkably open and uncrowded.

After a period of wandering through the association, Mo Wuji identified two particularly sought-after roles: the cultivation of medicinal herbs and mineral exploration.

Mo Wuji couldn't help but shake his head. While this world possessed advanced technology, there was a surprising lack of variety in high-end home appliances, leading to little demand for electronic experts. Consequently, the compensation for a mechanic was a mere third of that for a medicinal herb planter and a fifth of what a mineral explorer could earn.

This disparity did not concern Mo Wuji. Back on Earth, he had been a distinguished biology expert with a profound understanding of botany. Securing employment in this new world, he felt, would be exceedingly simple.

After conducting a brief comparison of the available positions, Mo Wuji quickly located several that were well-suited to his skills.

The Rao Zhou pharmaceutical sector was seeking a herb grafter, offering a monthly salary of 30 silver coins. They also had openings for individuals skilled in herbs for garden maintenance work, with a pay of 10 silver coins per month. In contrast, the Copper Hill Mining Square was looking for a prospector to appraise their minerals, an offer that came with 50 silver coins monthly.

As a premier biologist, Mo Wuji possessed the confidence to appraise minerals and ascertain their composition. His current objective was merely to find employment, without regard for job suitability or the state of the workshop. For him, the highest paying position was the most desirable, as he had no intention of remaining in any role for an extended period.

That position, consequently, would be the prospector job. Mo Wuji made his way towards the Copper Hill Mining Square booth. Just as he was about to take his place at the end of the queue, a new job posting suddenly appeared at a nearby window: "Cheng Ling Pill Workshop, urgently hiring several assistant refiners, monthly pay of 10 gold coins..."

Mo Wuji immediately halted his movement. He was aware that the currency in this world consisted of gold, silver, and copper coins, with 1 gold coin being equivalent to 100 silver coins, or 10,000 copper coins. A monthly salary of 10 gold coins vastly surpassed all other offers. To pass up such an opportunity would be to disregard his previous expertise as a first-class biologist.

Wasn't refining medicine simply a form of pharmacy? On Earth, due to increasing viral resistance, affluent individuals had gradually shifted away from Western medicine. Conversely, Chinese medicine, with its diverse formulations and natural plant extracts, had gained significant popularity. As a leading biologist and pharmaceutical master, he was privy to the formulas of numerous companies' traditional Chinese medicines. His participation in such matters typically commanded a fee of at least one million.

Mo Wuji proceeded to the water tower, making his way to the recruitment window for the Cheng Ling Pill Workshop, and took a seat. Adopting an aura of expertise with a gentle smile, he stated, "I wish to apply for your company's... uh, for the high-paying position."

The recruitment officer, a middle-aged woman exuding an air of intelligence and capability, observed Mo Wuji seating himself without presenting any application materials. A hint of puzzlement crossed her face as she inquired, "May I ask which position you are applying for?"

"I would like to apply for the drug refining assistant job that was just posted..."

Before Mo Wuji could finish his sentence, he sensed a shift in the atmosphere. The moment he uttered those words, a noticeable silence fell upon the area, and it felt as though nearly every eye in the vicinity was fixed upon him.

The middle-aged woman looked at Mo Wuji with an expression of surprise. After regaining her composure, she responded in a respectful tone, "May I see your qualification certificates...?"