On the first day, lacking the manpower to enforce any semblance of discipline, Xiao Yifeng had no choice but to let the street run wild. By the time he arrived for his shift on the second day, the Miscellaneous Goods Alley had descended into absolute anarchy.
Previously, under the watch of a full squad, the Rogue Cultivators here hadn't dared to act too outrageously. But the moment they learned that only Xiao Yifeng—a single, young disciple—was managing the entire street, the crowd exploded into chaos.
Stalls popped up in the middle of the road. Arguments erupted over inches of dirt. The alley became a labyrinth of shouting vendors and blocked paths.
Xiao Yifeng felt his head buzzing as if a swarm of bees had taken residence inside.
Fine, he thought, shrugging his shoulders. I’m failing this evaluation anyway. Why stress myself into an early grave?
Adopting a pragmatic "let it rot" attitude, he relaxed. He allowed them to set up wherever they pleased, only intervening when a stall completely blocked the thoroughfare or a fight threatened to turn lethal. Ironically, this laissez-faire approach earned him a great deal of goodwill from the unruly Rogue Cultivators.
However, Xiao Yifeng couldn't just wander off; "mismanagement" was one thing, but "dereliction of duty" was a punishable offense. He had to stay visible.
So, he claimed a seat at a random stall, chatting idly with the vendors. His days passed in a strange, leisurely rhythm amidst the chaos.
In stark contrast, Li Lifang had been assigned to oversee the VIP Building—an exceptionally cushy job involving air-conditioning and expensive tea.
Perhaps to facilitate his sycophancy, the supervisors had also assigned Ling Sisi and Lin Mi to the same location. Li Lifang spent his entire shift glued to Ling Sisi’s side, showering her with obsequious attention like a sticky piece of candy.
Whenever he had a free moment, Li Lifang would wander over to the Miscellaneous Goods Alley, eager to sneer at Xiao Yifeng’s misery.
To his immense disappointment, he would find Xiao Yifeng sitting comfortably, chatting and laughing with the street rats. Furious that his sabotage hadn't broken Xiao Yifeng’s spirit, Li Lifang would storm off, returning to the VIP Building to redouble his efforts in wooing Ling Sisi.
For a time, neither could do much to the other.
However, Xiao Yifeng was undeniably at a disadvantage. The stall owners were not simple merchants; many were hooligans and ruffians. Once word spread that Xiao Yifeng had been ostracized by the local Enforcement Team, the sharks began to circle.
Some particularly domineering vendors, failing to secure prime spots, refused to listen to his mild corrections. Emboldened by the lack of backup, they started getting physical.
Fighting was strictly forbidden within the market, but these men acted as if they had received special permission. They shoved, checked, and swung at him. The patrolling Enforcement Teams turned a blind eye to the violence.
The attackers knew their limits—they didn't break bones or cause internal injuries, just enough to leave bruises and humiliate him. Xiao Yifeng occasionally took a punch or two, leaving him looking disheveled and battered.
Li Lifang, you petty bastard, Xiao Yifeng thought, gritting his teeth as he nursed a fresh bruise.
Living under the same roof meant Su Miaoqing eventually noticed the purple marks on his arms.
"Xiao Feng, what happened?" she demanded, her eyes narrowing.
"Just a training accident," he lied, forcing a smile. "Clumsy me. Don't tell Master or Mistress, okay? They'll worry for nothing."
One afternoon, while Xiao Yifeng was sitting on a crate chatting with an old vendor, the noisy bustle of the street suddenly quieted.
A young man dressed in pristine white robes stepped into the alley.
He was tall and slender, possessing a face that seemed carved from jate. His brows were like sharp swords, his eyes shining like cold stars. He moved with an effortless grace, radiating a vitality that made the dusty street seem brighter just by his presence. Passersby stopped in their tracks, sighing in amazement at such a magnificent figure.
Xiao Yifeng froze.
Ye Jiusi!
Although he had seen the adult Ye Jiusi in his previous life, several years had passed in this timeline. Yet, Xiao Yifeng recognized his best friend instantly.
The young man in white paused, keenly sensing a gaze fixed upon him. He turned his head, and their eyes met across the crowded street.
Ye Jiusi’s body trembled. A look of pure, unadulterated joy broke across his handsome face. He ignored the mud on the ground and strode quickly toward Xiao Yifeng.
Xiao Yifeng stood up and walked to meet him. Standing face-to-face with the brother he hadn't seen in years, a hundred emotions surged in his chest.
"Long time no see."
"You brat! Look at you, you've grown so tall!" Ye Jiusi laughed, pulling Xiao Yifeng into a bear hug, disregarding the grime on Xiao Yifeng's uniform.
"You too," Xiao Yifeng laughed, clapping his back. "You startled me. I almost didn't recognize you with that pretty face of yours."
Noticing that they were attracting a crowd, Xiao Yifeng pulled him into a quieter corner of the alley.
"So, how have you been?" Xiao Yifeng asked.
They quickly caught up. Xiao Yifeng learned that Ye Jiusi was living the life of a true genius in the Qiankun Hall. With his A-grade aptitude, the renowned Zhenren Guangwei held him in extremely high regard.
Ye Jiusi hadn't disappointed. He had reached the seventh layer of Qi Condensation 2 years ago. Since the Enforcement Hall fell under the jurisdiction of the Qiankun Hall, he had been granted special permission to complete his mandatory service in just 2 years.
"Xiao Feng," Ye Jiusi asked, his expression turning serious, "you said your team leader is named Tang Pei?"
"Yeah. Why? Do you know him?" Xiao Yifeng asked, noting the change in tone. "I’ve felt he harbors some hostility toward me."
Ye Jiusi let out a bitter laugh. "I think I know why. He has a grudge against me. Back in the hall, I caught him gossiping maliciously about... well, about someone close to me. I taught him a lesson. You’ve been implicated because of me."
"How does he know we're friends?" Xiao Yifeng asked, stunned. He hadn't considered this angle.
"Everyone knows," Ye Jiusi grinned. "We’re the famous duo who entered through the 'back door.' And since the Wuya Hall has only accepted one disciple in years, it’s not hard to connect the dots."
"Ah. Right." Xiao Yifeng laughed wryly. "I guess that makes sense."
What Xiao Yifeng didn't know was the specific content of that gossip. Tang Pei had been mocking Xiao Yifeng in the Qiankun Hall dining area when Ye Jiusi overheard him. Ye Jiusi had beaten him senseless for it.
So, in the end, the grudge was about Xiao Yifeng. That explained Tang Pei’s bizarre expression whenever he looked at him.
"Wait, Xiao Feng, what are you doing here?" Ye Jiusi looked around the chaotic, dirty alley. "Are you on duty?"
He frowned, scanning the area. "Where are your teammates? Why are you alone in a place like this?"
"Don't even mention it," Xiao Yifeng sighed. "It’s been driving me crazy."
He recounted the story of Li Lifang’s sabotage and the supervisor's bias.
"That is too much!" Ye Jiusi slammed his fist into his palm, his eyes flashing with anger. "This is blatant bullying! I’m going back to the Qiankun Hall. I’ll drag someone out here to set this right."
"Don't bother," Xiao Yifeng stopped him. "They’re acting within the rules. Technically, it's 'allocation of manpower.' Complaining won't help. Forget them. We finally met again—let’s not waste our breath on trash."
Xiao Yifeng looked his friend up and down. "So, what are you doing here? You're not wearing your disciple robes."
"I'm going down the mountain tomorrow," Ye Jiusi explained, his eyes sparkling. "I'm seeking my opportunity for Foundation Establishment. I came here to see if I could find any hidden treasures or bargains in the market. I didn't find any loot, but I picked up something even better—you!"
Xiao Yifeng blinked, stunned. "Wait... you're seeking Foundation Establishment? You’ve already reached Qi Condensation Grand Perfection? Good lord, you’re a monster!"
"Not quite yet," Ye Jiusi shook his head modestly. "I'm at the ninth layer. I should reach Grand Perfection within a year or two of traveling. I’m just heading out early to gain experience."
He slapped Xiao Yifeng’s shoulder heartily. "Who said your aptitude is poor? You're already at the seventh layer! That's not slow at all. Mark my words, brother—we’re going to make names for ourselves in this Cultivation world!"
Xiao Yifeng forced a smile, nodding along.
Inside, he felt a bitter pang. Not slow? He was a reincarnator Cultivating for the second time, cheating with foreknowledge, and he was barely keeping up. Ye Jiusi was a true prodigy.