Chapter 7: Su Mansion

“This… alright.”

Su Wantian hesitated for a moment, but quickly figured out the crucial point.

Yun Qingping couldn’t possibly not know that Xun Qiu was illiterate.

The fact that she left a letter was clearly not for Xun Qiu to read.

‘There shouldn’t be any unspeakable secrets inside…’

He opened the envelope, glanced at the words on it, and said:

“Ahem, the following is the original text… Xun Qiu, my earlier statement about you being unconscious for a day was a lie, but I did encounter something and had to leave.

As for what it was… heh, when you enter the Grand Profound Sect, you might be able to hear about it from your senior brothers and sisters.

“The following words, you must listen to carefully.

Xun Qiu, regarding yesterday’s events, it is probably impossible to say that you don’t hold a single grudge against me.

I originally wanted to use a life-and-death crisis to force you, to maximize the medicinal power in your body, and also to firm your will to cultivate the Nameless Book and be reborn from death.

But now I find that it is unnecessary.

You already have the determination, and what you truly fear is not simple death… never mind, just treat it as me talking nonsense to myself.

The medicinal liquid required for the Nameless Book is all in that jade bottle.

If you feel that your will is firm, then prepare a tub of hot water and pour the contents of the jade bottle into it.”

As Su Wantian read, he glanced at Xun Qiu and found that he showed no emotional fluctuation, so he didn’t think too much about it and finished reading the rest of the letter.

“The ‘Aperture Opening’ chapter of the Nameless Book, you have memorized it well these past few days.

Don’t be dazed at the critical moment.

The books and things you kept with me, I have already asked someone to deliver them to the Grand Profound Sect in advance.

I must remind you, once you enter the Grand Profound Sect, you can’t be as free and undisciplined as you were with me.

As the orthodox school of Daoism and the leader of the Twelve Sects, there are numerous rules there.

If you are still like this, you will inevitably be punished by having to copy all the Daoist scriptures.

Also, do not forget the jade pendant I gave you…”

Yun Qingping rambled on about many things in the letter, such as not to catch a cold, not to rush on the road, to prepare dry rations and drinking water when heading north to the Grand Profound Sect, what to pay attention to after the Nameless Book is completed, to avoid outsiders…

Su Wantian’s brows furrowed as he read, and he couldn’t help but say:

“Xun Qiu.

I have a question.”

“…Hmm?

Go ahead and ask.”

“Is she your mother?”

Su Wantian waved the letter in his hand.

“I’ve never seen such a… such a kind person in cultivation.

Her concern for you is simply beyond my comprehension.”

Xun Qiu thought to himself: ‘That’s because you don’t know that I owe her over a hundred million high-grade spirit stones.

If I die, where would she find someone to repay it?

Wouldn’t it become a bad debt?

Truly a country bumpkin from the city, utterly inexperienced.’

“Is there anything else in the letter?”

he said, changing the subject.

“Oh, there’s one last sentence.”

Su Wantian glanced at it.

“Fairy Yun says… Xun Qiu, may everything go smoothly.”

He closed the letter, smiled, and said:

“Xun Qiu, may everything go smoothly.”

“Why did you say it twice…?”

“The first sentence was from Fairy Yun, the second was from me.”

Su Wantian said nonchalantly.

“I don’t know what you’re about to do, but it sounds very dangerous, being reborn from death… it sounds terrifying.

I hope nothing happens to you.”

This time, Xun Qiu looked at him seriously.

“Why?

We’re not that close.

Didn’t I just tell you to go die yesterday?”

Su Wantian was stunned.

“Does one need a reason to wish others good luck?

As for yesterday, my life was saved by you in the first place.

If I really had to give it back, I would have no complaints, and besides, didn’t everything turn out fine in the end?

If one were to hold a grudge just because someone said something that made them unhappy, that would be too tiring a way to live.”

“I don’t understand you scholar types…”

Xun Qiu sighed.

“Anyway, thanks.”

Su Wantian accepted his thanks very frankly and said:

“What do you plan to do next?”

“Aren’t I going to the Su residence with you?”

Xun Qiu thought for a moment.

“Fairy Yun told me to make up my mind, but I’ve never lacked that kind of thing.

I want to resolve this matter as soon as possible and start cultivating.”

“Do you need a quiet room?”

“It would be best.”

“Then let’s go.”

Su Wantian patted his shoulder.

“You’d better rest for a day or two.

I’ll show you around tomorrow.

Once you enter the Grand Profound Sect, it will be difficult to see the mortal world’s hustle and bustle again.”

“I’ll listen to you.”

Xun Qiu picked up the jade bottle, put the letter inside his clothes, and listening to Su Wantian’s words, he changed his mind for a moment.

“I do have a place I want to go.”

“Oh?”

Su Wantian’s interest was piqued.

“Where?”

Xun Qiu’s eyes lit up with a bit of spirit.

“The brothel!”

…

Xinyang City, Su Residence.

Hearing that his son had returned home, Master Su, who had been out of town on business, rushed back.

But when he actually saw Su Wantian, he deliberately put on the stern fatherly air of “Hmph, you still dare to come back,” but his gaze couldn’t help but scan Su Wantian’s body, wanting to know if he was injured.

In contrast, Madam Su was much more willing to show her love and concern.

She hugged her son, who had been missing for over a month, and cried her eyes out, constantly saying “it’s good that you’re back, it’s good that you’re back.”

From time to time, she would also complain about her husband taking the imperial examinations too seriously and putting too much pressure on their son.

Su Wantian was a little embarrassed.

After all, while Master Su had expectations for him, it wasn’t to the extent of bringing heavy pressure.

Failing three times was entirely his own problem, and all the money Master Su had spent on his studies had gone down the drain…

Not to mention his own foolishness, encountering a monster and losing all those valuable books.

For a moment, he felt even more guilty.

But to ask him to voice this guilt, these emotions… Su Wantian opened his mouth, but the words felt shameful at the tip of his tongue, difficult to say.

The three of them, father, mother, and son, couldn’t seem to say anything proper at this moment.

Xun Qiu stood with his arms crossed, watching this grand family drama, feeling that this group of people were unbearably sentimental, so much so that he couldn’t help but curl his toes in disgust.

Yet, in his heart, he felt a little envious.

After all, ever since he could remember, the care of an elder was something completely out of reach.

“Um… Mother, that’s enough.”

After about half a quarter of an hour, Su Wantian patted his mother’s back.

“It’s my problem, it has little to do with Father…”

“How is it not related?

Look at your clothes, all scratched up and dusty.

You must have suffered a lot.”

Madam Su’s eyes were red, but after venting for a while, she also got her emotions under control.

She glanced curiously at Xun Qiu standing behind Su Wantian.

“And there’s an outsider here… hmph, I won’t say any more.”

The few of them moved to the more formal living room.

Master Su took the main seat, and the others also sat down separately.

Xun Qiu looked left and right, and finally, in his heart, changed Su Wantian’s nickname from “troublemaker” to “rich dog.”

On the other side, Su Wantian, who had finally sorted out his feelings, also made up his mind and said:

“Father, Mother, I came back this time with something to tell you.”

“Oh?”

Master Su pondered for a moment.

“Are you giving up on your studies?

Never mind, I won’t force you.

At least you’re literate and know right from wrong.

There are a few shops in the north of the city that have just become vacant, I’ll hand them over to you…”

“No, Father, it’s not about that.”

Su Wantian said.

“I’m going to cultivate immortality.”

Master Su stared at his son, and only after a long moment did he speak.

“Why.”

“I am not cut out for studying.”

Su Wantian said.

“I am just as clueless about business.

Managing shops would just be a joke, and I’m afraid I’ll lose everything…

As for seeking immortality and the Dao, although it was my hasty decision, I will not regret any outcome.

At the very least, it won’t cost you as much money as my studies did…”

Bang—!!!

Master Su slammed his hand on the table.

“I’m your father!

It’s my duty to spend money on you!”

The living room suddenly fell silent.

Even the carefree Xun Qiu felt the change in atmosphere and turtled up.

Madam Su quickly came out to soothe both sides.

“My dear, say a few words less.

You know Wantian’s personality, he’s just like you, stubborn as a mule…

Wantian, don’t blame your father either.

He’s straightforward, but he’s always cared about you…”

“Hmph!

Go and think it over again.”

Master Su flicked his sleeve and walked out directly.

Xun Qiu looked over and saw Su Wantian with a bitter smile on his face, mouthing:

“I’ll go find you later.”

“Mother, I’ll go talk to Father…

First, please arrange a place for Brother Xun to stay, preferably a quiet room, and don’t let the servants disturb him.”

After saying that, Su Wantian chased after him.

Madam Su sighed and turned to look at Xun Qiu.

Su Wantian had already briefly introduced Xun Qiu, saying that he was his savior, so Master and Madam Su’s attitude towards him was very good.

“We’ve made a fool of ourselves in front of our guest.”

“Not at all, not at all.”

Xun Qiu quickly waved his hands.

“We’re all family.

It’s good to talk things out…

I think.”

After that scene just now, he, with no experience of getting along with parents, wasn’t very sure if what he said was right.

“Sigh, that father and son have been like this since childhood, so awkward.

I’ve never been able to do anything about it.”

Madam Su paused.

“The guest room in the west wing, what does our guest think?”

The country bumpkin Xun Qiu naturally had no objections.

He silently prayed for Su Wantian for half a second, then followed Madam Su to his lodging for the next few days.

He was not worried about the outcome of this matter.

As the saying goes, adversity reveals true feelings, and true gold is forged in fire.

After a brush with death, although their relationship hadn’t reached that level, he was still quite clear about what kind of person Su Wantian was…

Even if Master Su disagreed, that guy would climb over the wall and run away with him.

After all, he was a ruthless person who would go into seclusion just because he said so, and jump off a cliff just because he said so.

Merely running away from home was nothing.