novelraw Chapter 7 : Chapter 7
Chapter 7 : Chapter 7
Chapter 7 : The Su Residence
“This… Alright.”
Su Wantian hesitated briefly before grasping the key point.
Yun Qingping couldn’t have been unaware that I was illiterate.
She left a letter, clearly not meant for me to read.
There shouldn’t be any sensitive secrets inside.
He opened the envelope, scanned the text, and said:
“Ahem, here’s the original text… Xun Qiu, my earlier excuse about you fainting for a day was a lie, but I’ve truly encountered matters I must attend to. As for what they are… heh, once you join Tai Xuan Sect, you might hear about it from your fellow disciples.’’
“Listen carefully to what follows. Xun Qiu, regarding yesterday’s events, it’s unlikely you harbor no resentment toward me. I originally intended to force you into a life-or-death crisis to maximize the medicinal power in your body and strengthen your resolve to face death while cultivating the Unnamed Book. But now, I see that’s unnecessary. You already have that resolve, and what you truly fear isn’t mere death… Never mind, take it as me rambling nonsense. The medicinal liquid needed for the Unnamed Book is in that jade bottle. If you feel your will is firm, fill a tub with hot water and pour the contents in.”
Su Wantian glanced at me while reading, noticing my lack of emotional reaction, so he didn’t dwell on it and finished the letter:
“You’ve memorized the ‘Enlightenment’ chapter of the Unnamed Book these past few days. Don’t falter at the critical moment. The book and items you left with me have been sent ahead to Tai Xuan Sect through someone I entrusted. I must remind you, once you enter Tai Xuan Sect, you can’t be as carefree as you were with me. As the orthodox Daoist sect, the head of the twelve sects, it has many rules. If you act like you do now, you’ll end up copying Daoist scriptures as punishment. Also, don’t forget the jade pendant I gave you…”
Yun Qingping’s letter rambled on about many things—don’t catch a cold, don’t rush the journey, prepare food and water for the trip north to Tai Xuan Sect, things to note after succeeding with the Unnamed Book, avoid outsiders.
Su Wantian’s brows furrowed as he read, unable to resist saying:
“Xun Qiu, I have a question.”
“…Hm? Ask away.”
“Is she your mother?”
Su Wantian waved the letter.
“I’ve never seen such a… caring cultivator. Her concern for you defies my understanding.”
I thought to myself: That’s because you don’t know I owe her over a billion top-grade spirit stones.
If I die, who’s she going to collect from?
That’s a dead debt! Truly a city bumpkin, so naive.
“Anything else in the letter?”
I changed the subject.
“Oh, one last line,” Su Wantian glanced at it.
“Immortal Lady Yun says… Xun Qiu, may everything go smoothly.”
He folded the letter, smiling:
“Xun Qiu, may everything go smoothly.”
“Why say it twice…?”
“The first was Immortal Lady Yun’s; the second was mine,” Su Wantian said casually.
“I don’t know what you’re about to do, but it sounds dangerous—facing death to live. That’s terrifying. I hope you’ll be fine.”
I gave him a serious look:
“Why? We’re not that close. Didn’t I tell you to die yesterday?”
Su Wantian paused:
“Does wishing someone well need a reason? As for yesterday, you saved my life. If I had to repay it, I wouldn’t complain. Besides, we’re fine now, aren’t we? If I held a grudge over every harsh word, life would be too exhausting.”
“I don’t get you scholars…”
I sighed.
“Anyway, thanks.”
Su Wantian accepted my thanks calmly and asked:
“What’s your next step?”
“Aren’t we going to the Su residence?”
I thought for a moment.
“Immortal Lady Yun told me to firm my resolve, but I’ve never lacked that. I want to settle this quickly and start cultivating.”
“Need a quiet room?”
“Preferably.”
“Then let’s go,” Su Wantian patted my shoulder.
“You should rest for a day or two. Tomorrow, I’ll show you around. Once you join Tai Xuan Sect, it’ll be hard to see the mortal world’s bustle again.”
“Sounds good,” I picked up the jade bottle and tucked the letter inside my clothes.
His words swayed me.
“I do have a place I want to visit.”
“Oh?”
Su Wantian’s interest piqued.
“Where?”
My eyes glinted with excitement:
“A brothel!”
…
Xinyang City, Su Residence.
Hearing his son had returned, Master Su, who’d been out on business, rushed back.
But upon seeing Su Wantian, he put on a stern “Hmph, you dare come back” fatherly demeanor, though his eyes couldn’t help scanning his son for injuries.
In contrast, Madam Su openly showed her love and concern, hugging her son, missing for over a month, crying profusely, saying “You’re back, that’s all that matters,” while occasionally scolding her husband for putting too much pressure on their son with the imperial exams.
Su Wantian felt embarrassed.
His father had expectations, but the pressure wasn’t overwhelming.
Failing the exams three times was entirely his own fault, wasting the money spent on his studies.
Worse, in his reckless escapade, he’d lost those valuable books to the beast, deepening his guilt.
But saying these feelings aloud… Su Wantian opened his mouth, but shame choked the words back.
The parents and son stood there, unable to say anything meaningful.
I stood with my arms crossed, watching this melodramatic scene, finding it annoyingly sappy, my toes curling in secondhand embarrassment.
Yet, I felt a twinge of envy.
Since I could remember, care from elders was an unattainable dream.
“Um… Mother, that’s enough,” Su Wantian patted her back after a while.
“It’s my fault, not Father’s…”
How’s it not his fault?
Look at your clothes, all torn and dusty.
You must’ve suffered, Madam Su said, eyes red.
Calming down, she glanced curiously at me behind Su Wantian.
“With a guest here… hmph, I won’t say more.”
They moved to a formal sitting room.
Master Su took the main seat, the others sat accordingly.
I looked around, mentally changing Su Wantian’s nickname from “troublemaker” to “rich dog.”
Meanwhile, Su Wantian, having gathered his resolve, spoke:
“Father, Mother, I came back to tell you something.”
“Oh?”
Master Su pondered.
“Giving up studying? Fine, I won’t force you. You’re literate and sensible. There are shops in the north district free for you to manage…”
“No, Father, that’s not it,” Su Wantian said. “I’m going to cultivate immortality.”
Master Su stared at his son, speaking after a long pause:
“Why.”
“I’m not cut out for studying,” Su Wantian said.
“Nor for business. Managing shops would be a joke—I’d lose everything. Seeking the Dao, though a hasty decision, is something I won’t regret, whatever the outcome. At least, it won’t waste your money like studying did…”
Bang—!!!
Master Su slammed the table:
“I’m your father! It’s my duty to spend it on you!”
The room fell silent.
Even my carefree self felt the shift, shrinking back like a turtle.
Madam Su hurried to mediate:
“Dear, calm down. You know Wantian’s stubborn as a mule, like you… Wantian, don’t blame your father. He’s blunt but always cares for you…”
“Hmph! Think it over!” Master Su flicked his sleeve and stormed out.
I saw Su Wantian give a wry smile, mouthing to me:
“Find you later.”
“Mother, I’ll talk to Father… Please arrange a place for Brother Xun, preferably a quiet room, undisturbed by servants.”
With that, Su Wantian chased after him.
Madam Su sighed, turning to me.
Su Wantian had briefly introduced me as his savior, so both Master and Madam Su treated me kindly.
“Sorry for the scene, guest.”
“No, no,” I waved my hands.
“It’s family. Just talk it out, and it’ll be fine… probably.”
After that display, I wasn’t sure my words held true, having no experience with parents.
“They’ve always been like this, awkward. I’ve never managed to fix it,” Madam Su paused.
“How about the west wing guest room?”
I, a country bumpkin, had no objections, silently wishing Su Wantian luck for half a second before following Madam Su to my temporary lodging.
I wasn’t worried about the outcome.
As they say, adversity reveals true bonds, and fire forges true gold.
After surviving a near-death ordeal, I knew Su Wantian’s character, even if we weren’t close.
Even if Master Su disagreed, that guy would climb walls to escape with me.
He was, after all, the kind of ruthless guy who’d hide in the mountains or jump off a cliff without hesitation.
Running away from home?
No big deal.