Chapter 4

As Shang Fengzi stood before him, Yang Xiao felt a secret joy in his heart, but he did not rush to reveal himself. He waited until Shang Fengzi had traded a wild boar for some rice, salt, and tea and left the village before stealthily following him.

The earthen cave where Shang Fengzi lived was about twenty miles from the village, with a rugged and difficult path. Shang Fengzi, carrying a clay jar of salt, was afraid of breaking it and did not dare to walk too fast, taking more than half an hour to return.

Yang Xiao followed him from a distance and saw a woman standing outside the earthen cave, dressed in coarse cloth and wearing a gold hairpin. She looked no more than twenty-three or twenty-four years old, with a very clear and beautiful appearance and a healthy, robust body. Especially her chest, which was full and large, far surpassing that of ordinary women. However, her face was pale, as if she had been ill for a long time.

In his previous life, Yang Xiao was still a virgin. During the time he had spent in this world, he had been busy seeking immortality and cultivation, leaving no time to think about women. Now, seeing the woman's chest sway, he couldn't help but salivate and swallow hard.

"Mom! I'm back!" Shang Fengzi, unaware that someone was following him, immediately showed a joyful expression when he saw the woman outside the cave and called out in a hoarse voice.

"Ah Feng, did you fight with anyone this time?" The woman affectionately patted Shang Fengzi's head and asked.

"No, no, those guys have already been beaten by me, they wouldn't dare to provoke me!" Shang Fengzi, with a simple and honest look, snuggled into the woman's arms and said with a smile.

Yang Xiao, watching from a distance, had a slight thought and realized that the woman was probably Shang Fengzi's mother. However, the original story did not provide much detail, so he only knew her surname was Shang and not her name. He thought to himself, "What a pity for such a beautiful woman to be harmed by a bear spirit! However, since this earthen cave is already occupied by them, even though they don't know about the treasure inside, I can't pretend to be unaware. The woman is already suffering from a long-term illness and is close to death, not expected to live more than a few months. Since I have benefited from them, I might as well save her life as a way of repayment."

Yang Xiao, though not a good person, was willing to help with a small effort. After a moment's thought, he made up his mind. He immediately flew down from the sky, landing on the ground and shouted, "Hey! You fool, your mother is about to die, and you're still smiling!"

Shang Fengzi, unaware that someone was following him, was taken aback by Yang Xiao's shout. He quickly regained his composure and became furious, shouting, "What are you talking about, kid! Who is about to die!"

Yang Xiao sneered, "Your mother is a weak woman, and with her worries unresolved, it's not a big deal, just a bit weaker. However, you live in an underground earthen cave, constantly exposed to the cold and dampness, which has already invaded her body, and she won't live much longer!"

Although Shang Fengzi was simple and honest, he became worried after hearing Yang Xiao's words, which seemed reasonable and convincing. He quickly turned around and grabbed the woman's arm, asking, "Mom! Is what he said true?"

The woman, not knowing the severity of her condition, thought she was just weak and often caught colds, which were minor illnesses. However, hearing Yang Xiao's words, she couldn't help but feel afraid. Seeing that Yang Xiao, though young, had come on a flying sword and spoke with an air of authority, she realized he was not an ordinary person but either a mountain spirit or an immortal. She asked anxiously, "Can the immortal master save her? I am not afraid of death, but I can't bear to leave Ah Feng alone!"

In fact, she had already thought of ending her life, but because of her concern for Shang Fengzi, she had been reluctant to do so. Now, with Yang Xiao's words, her desire to live was rekindled, at least until she saw Shang Fengzi grow up.

Yang Xiao smiled slightly, "Since I have spoken, I will certainly help you. First, move out of the earthen cave to avoid the cold and dampness, which will naturally improve your condition. Then I will help you remove the cold and dampness from your body, and your illness will be cured without medicine. You can live a long life."

Hearing this, Shang Fengzi was overjoyed but soon became hesitant, "But, they all say I'm a monster and won't let my mother and me live in the village. Where can we sleep at night if we don't stay in the earthen cave?"

Yang Xiao was suddenly angry and couldn't help but shout, "You big fool, there are so many trees on the mountain. Can't you cut a few to build a house?!"

"Oh! Right! Why didn't I think of that!" Shang Fengzi's eyes lit up, and he rushed into the cave, quickly returning with a machete to cut down trees in the forest.

Yang Xiao, both amused and sympathetic for the woman, thought how she could have such a simple-minded son. Since he had already spoken up, he decided to help them completely. He focused his mind and aimed at several old trees a hundred steps away. With a wave of his hand, a green sword light swept out, cutting the trees at their roots.

"Ah! What is that? It flew out and cut down the trees!" Shang Fengzi stared in amazement, now showing more respect for Yang Xiao.

"Big fool, what are you standing there for? Go and bring the wood back!" Yang Xiao, secretly pleased with his flying sword's success, maintained a calm demeanor and ordered Shang Fengzi. He knew that Shang Fengzi was incredibly strong, and the heavy logs would not be a problem for him.

Although Shang Fengzi was slow in thinking, his actions were quick. Hearing Yang Xiao's command, he immediately responded and ran over, carrying the heavy logs on his shoulders and returning in no time.

After a few trips, Shang Fengzi had brought back all the logs Yang Xiao had cut down, with the efficiency of a seasoned professional.

"Immortal master, the wood is all here, but how do we build the house?" Seeing Yang Xiao's flying sword cut down the trees, Shang Fengzi was even more afraid. Although he was strong, he did not know how to build a house and was at a loss with the logs on the ground.

Yang Xiao, knowing that Shang Fengzi's intelligence was limited, decided to take charge of building the house. He focused his mind and used his flying sword to cut the logs into pieces, then instructed Shang Fengzi to follow his commands. Soon, the outlines of three wooden houses were formed.

Yang Xiao then personally helped the unfortunate mother and son build the three wooden houses. He then instructed Shang Fengzi to go into the forest to hunt some game.

Shang Fengzi, seeing the houses built, was overjoyed. Hearing Yang Xiao's command, he immediately took his hunting tools and rushed into the forest.

Yang Xiao, seeing Shang Fengzi leave, turned to the woman and said, "He will be gone for a while. I will take this opportunity to remove the cold and dampness from your body to prevent future problems."

"This..." The woman hesitated, then asked, "Please forgive me, but may I ask why the immortal master, who has never met us, is going to such lengths to help us?"

Yang Xiao was slightly taken aback, then asked with a half-smile, "Oh? What do you think we have that is worth my effort?"

The woman pondered for a moment and tentatively said, "I am not a beauty, and my body is already in poor condition. I doubt I can attract the immortal master's attention. My son Ah Feng is simple and honest, not a talented person, and I don't think the immortal master is here to take him as a disciple. I really can't think of any other reason."

Yang Xiao smiled, "You don't need to belittle yourself. Although you are not a beauty, you still have some charm. As for Fengzi, he may seem simple, but he is actually wise inside. However, his destiny does not lie with me, and he will be taken by a high immortal in the future."

The woman, knowing her body was fuller than that of ordinary women, blushed and slightly pulled her chest inward, trying to remain calm, "Since it's not for these reasons, may I ask why the immortal master is here?"

Yang Xiao said calmly, "I might as well tell you the truth. I am here for something in this cave. It is of little use to you but is invaluable to me. Since you and your son have occupied this place, I don't want to bully the weak. Seeing that you are ill, I will save your life as a small effort, and then I will take the treasure, feeling at ease."