Chapter 7114
Buying a Courtyard
Chapter 7114 Buying a Courtyard
Amidst the profuse thanks of the boy's family, Tang Zhen turned and left, walking out of that dilapidated and filthy area.
Although the target has been found, it doesn't mean the matter is over. There are still some things to be done in the coming days.
The quests commissioned by fallen gods cannot be completed casually, but if done well, the rewards are very generous.
Tang Zhen is currently at the demigod level and needs a low-key and stable environment to slowly pass through this extremely important life-and-death hurdle for cultivators.
Taking on this commission is a win-win situation.
At this time, the streets were bustling with all sorts of people, no less so than in some big cities.
If you didn't see it with your own eyes, you wouldn't believe that this city in the valley could be so bustling and prosperous.
The moment he stepped into Nuchuan City, he knew that this city must be hiding some unknown secrets, but he had no intention of investigating them.
However, the city's streets and alleys are crisscrossed, and the crowds are bustling. The shouts of vendors, the rumble of carriages and horses, and the conversations of pedestrians all blend together to form a noisy and bustling scene.
For Tang Zhen, this is everything he wants, and he will try his best to integrate into it.
Since we need to stay here for the rest of the time, we need to find a suitable place to stay.
Walking slowly through the crowd, Tang Zhen's gaze was calm yet carried a subtle sharpness. His demeanor was out of place with the bustling surroundings, like a deep pool that remained serene no matter how turbulent the outside world was.
At the end of a street, there is a real estate agency.
The shop was small and simply furnished, with two people sitting behind the counter.
One of the short, stout men, with a businessman's obsequious smile on his face, saw that Tang Zhen's clothes were not luxurious but his demeanor was calm and composed. He immediately greeted him warmly: "Sir, are you looking for a place to stay? I have been doing this business in Nuchuan City for many years. There is no place in the city, big or small, courtyards, houses and shops, that I do not know. Just tell me and I will find you a place that suits your taste."
Tang Zhen nodded slightly: "I need a secluded courtyard, not too luxurious, but not too cramped either. Do you have any suitable options?"
Upon hearing this, the short, stout real estate agent's eyes lit up, and he immediately patted his chest and agreed: "Sir, you've come to the right person. I happen to have a courtyard house hidden in a quiet alley. It's very peaceful, but it's a bit old. With a little tidying up, it will be an excellent place to stay. Come with me and you'll see."
Tang Zhen said nothing and followed the short, stout real estate agent into the depths of the alley.
Away from the hustle and bustle of the main street, the surroundings gradually quieted down, and the road surface underfoot was mostly cracked bluestone slabs that had stood the test of time.
The two continued walking and entered a winding, quiet alley.
The alley is narrow, with low and simple houses on both sides. The walls are mottled with the marks of time, and a few green plants occasionally peek out from the cracks in the walls, adding a touch of life.
The sound of footsteps echoed softly in the narrow, quiet alley before slowly dissipating into the air.
On both sides of the street, houses built of stone and with a rough shape are scattered in a well-organized manner. There is no regular planning, but they exude a natural and lively atmosphere.
As evening approached, wisps of smoke rose from the rooftops of several houses, the pale blue smoke slowly ascending into the air and mingling with the cool breeze.
The aroma of food wafted from the windows and cracks in the doors of each house, a rich and mellow scent of rice and noodles, fresh and fresh vegetables, and savory meat, mixed with the faint smell of firewood burning, permeating the entire street.
Tang Zhen walked in silence, savoring the rare tranquility. He nodded to himself, thinking that this living environment was quite in line with his requirements.
Reaching the end of the alley, the short, stout real estate agent stopped and pushed open a slightly worn wooden door.
With a soft creak, a quaint courtyard came into Tang Zhen's view.
Upon entering the courtyard, the first thing that caught his eye was the hawthorn tree standing tall in the center. It was the season for hawthorn to ripen, and the tree was laden with fruit. The bright red fruit hung heavily on the branches, bending the thick branches slightly under their weight, yet the tree remained resilient and upright.
A gentle breeze blows, and the trees full of red berries sway gently, colliding with each other and making a soft, crisp sound.
The leaves, layer upon layer, stretched out, gleaming with a warm and vibrant luster under the sunlight filtering through the gaps in the branches. Each leaf was full and unfurled, brimming with vitality.
Even without careful tending, it still grows wildly, creating its own unique scenery.
In the corner of the courtyard, there is an ancient well, surrounded by damp moss.
The well opening wasn't very large. Looking down, the well water was deep and still, constantly emitting a cool breeze.
On one side of the courtyard, there is a dilapidated hut, which is probably used to store miscellaneous items.
The roof tiles are incomplete, with many broken and missing, and some corners even slightly sunken. It needs repair before it can be used. Otherwise, it will inevitably flood when it rains.
The wall was mottled and old, but it was tightly entwined by a large vine. The dark green vines meandered up the wall and climbed wildly, covering most of the wall surface.
The corner was overgrown with weeds, with the tall and short weeds swaying gently in the wind, making it look rather messy.
The short, stout real estate agent stood to the side. Seeing Tang Zhen's gaze sweeping over the courtyard, he hurriedly stepped forward and enthusiastically introduced the property, his tone full of earnest sales pitch: "Sir, you see, although this courtyard looks a bit old, with a little tidying up, it will be an excellent place to live."
Take this hawthorn tree for example. Every year it produces a lot of fruit, which is large, sweet, and juicy. If you don't want to eat it, you can sell it.
There is also this ancient well. The well water is warm in winter and cool in summer, clear and sweet. It is perfect for washing clothes, cooking, or making tea, eliminating the hassle of queuing to fetch water every day.
With just a little renovation from you, sir, it will be a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city, a place of comfort and peace. Such a place is hard to find in Nuchuan City.”
Tang Zhen remained calm as he listened to the agent's introduction, his gaze sweeping over the red fruit tree and the ancient well in the courtyard, without saying a word.
After the other party finished speaking, Tang Zhen said in a firm and steady tone, clearly enunciating each word: "I want this courtyard."
Upon hearing this, the short, stout real estate agent's face lit up with joy, his smile widening as he nodded repeatedly, "Alright! You have excellent taste, sir!"
He dared not delay, and quickly took out the lease or sale documents he had prepared beforehand, and found pen and ink, and respectfully handed them to Tang Zhen.
Tang Zhen took the document, picked up a pen, and neatly signed his name.
"Sir, this document is in duplicate. Please keep one copy and keep the smaller one for your records."
The short, stout real estate agent carefully folded one of the documents and handed it to Tang Zhen, saying with a fawning smile, "Without further ado, let's go to the city government office to complete the transfer procedures. Once the procedures are completed, this courtyard will be completely yours, and you can live here with peace of mind from now on."
Tang Zhen carefully put away the documents and followed the short, stout intermediary to the Nuchuan City government office to complete the property transfer.
When he left the government office and returned to his courtyard alone, the sun was already setting.
The afterglow of the setting sun spread across the entire sky, dyeing the horizon a warm orange-red. Golden rays of light shone through the alley and fell into the courtyard, casting a soft halo over everything in the courtyard.
Bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, the red berries and green leaves on the tree turned into a warm orange hue, which looked quite beautiful.
Tang Zhen stood in the center of the courtyard, slowly closed his eyes, and felt this rare tranquility and peace. The evening breeze was gentle, carrying the fragrance of grass and trees and the smell of cooking fires. The feeling of drifting in his heart gradually dissipated.
I walked slowly to the dilapidated main house, reached out and gently pushed the wooden door open with a creaking sound.
The room was dimly lit, and the air was thick with a musty, dusty smell.
It was completely empty inside; to live there long-term, one would need to purchase many things.
For Tang Zhen, these were all minor matters.
From this day forward, he will reside here, take root in this ancient city of Nuchuan, in this simple and rustic courtyard, and complete the task entrusted to him by the fallen god's remains.
Night slowly fell, enveloping the entire city of Nuchuan, and the streets outside gradually quieted down.
The surrounding houses gradually lit up with dim yellow lights, which shone through the paper windows, warm and soft, dispelling the chill of the night.
Occasionally, the hushed conversations of neighbors drift over, along with parents' words of advice to their children, couples chatting idly, and the clear laughter of children playing. These ordinary sounds of everyday life create a vivid picture of daily life.
This once-obscure courtyard now seems to have gained a touch of human warmth and life.
On the street, neighbors were talking in hushed tones, their words clearly reaching inside the house: "That old courtyard at the end of the alley seems to have been sold. It's been empty for so many years, and finally it has a new owner."
"That's right. I even saw the agent taking people to the government office to complete the formalities."
"That person seemed extraordinary, not an ordinary person. However, this courtyard..."
The words became mumbled at this point, the footsteps gradually faded into the distance, and the conversation also dissipated.
Finally, the courtyard returned to silence, with only the sound of the wind, the rustling of leaves, and the cool moonlight that filled the courtyard.