Chapter 95: Sage of Confucianism, Xiao Ru; Elder Sister Xiao Fanling

“What’s going on here?” Yanchen’s question was directed at Shen Yan. Ever since his return to the Xiao family, and having acquired treasures to restore his spiritual power, he hadn’t forgotten Shen Yan. After all, Shen Yan had once saved him—his benefactor and master—so aiding him in recovering his mental strength was only right. Over this period, his own spiritual power had recovered well, even reaching its peak. Now that something was amiss, he naturally came to inquire. Especially since Shen Yan had told him that this particular pill was extremely rare and difficult to refine; without Shen Yan’s guidance, Yanchen would never have succeeded. Yet now, someone had actually managed to refine it. He had to ask about it.

Hearing Yanchen’s words, Shen Yan emerged from his ring, intending to explain, but Xiao Bingyu spoke up first. “It’s because the eldest young master’s sister has returned, and there’s a young man with them. After they came out, Xiao Qing’er’s illness was cured. Young master, could it be that…” Xiao Bingyu narrowed her eyes, voicing her suspicion. Among the three, only Lingtian was a stranger; she couldn’t help but notice him. “What does he look like?” Yanchen asked, a bad feeling rising in his heart. Somehow, the whole situation seemed ominous.

As soon as Xiao Bingyu described Lingtian’s appearance, Yanchen’s eyes flared with rage. “Tian Ling—him again! Why does he keep crossing me? Damn it!” Anyone watching closely would see that Yanchen’s bravado was only skin-deep; his hand trembled as he spoke. He was truly frightened. Lingtian had once shattered his arm, and it had taken him days and countless rare treasures to heal. Just hearing Lingtian’s name now struck terror into his heart. The man was simply too terrifying. Back then, he had purposely leaked word of Lingtian’s chaotic body, hoping to cause him trouble, only to have Lingtian turn up here as well.

His first instinct was to flee. But then again, this was the Xiao family—his own home. Why should he run? Surely, Lingtian couldn’t kill him in front of his own father? With that thought, Yanchen calmed somewhat.

“There is indeed his aura. He appears to have come alone, but he harbors too many secrets—it isn’t wise to act rashly. Unless…your father intervenes,” Shen Yan mused, recalling Lingtian’s trump cards and not daring to move lightly against him. Still, he made a suggestion: have Yanchen’s father take action. Wasn’t Lingtian a disciple of an Emperor? His strongest attack should be the Emperor’s strike, but Yanchen’s father was an Emperor himself—a living, breathing one. Surely, he could suppress him?

“If that’s the case, then I’ll have to bide my time, until I rightfully become the Xiao family’s young master!” Yanchen pondered deeply, feeling much calmer under his master’s presence. Recalling Lingtian’s endless trump cards, he felt a shiver of dread, but for the first time, he wholeheartedly agreed with his master’s idea. Still, for his father to act, he would need greater standing—such as becoming the official young master of the Xiao family.

“Lingtian, for the love you stole, for the pain of my severed arm, for the loss of my fire, I swear you will pay back twice over!” Yanchen took a deep breath, his hatred palpable.

***

Night fell upon Xiao Jin’s residence. Lanterns blazed, and a grand feast was held. After today’s events, the number of people siding with the eldest young master had clearly grown. Attending the banquet was a show of allegiance, but even a crowd of small fry was useless without some true middle and upper echelon strength. Yet such people rarely made their positions known lightly.

Xiao Jin pressed cup after cup upon Xiao Zhanguo, very pleased with the sincerity shown. Naturally, he didn’t neglect Lingtian—if anything, his hospitality was even more effusive. After a few drinks, Lingtian felt a wave of restlessness. The noisy atmosphere didn’t suit him at all; he realized he preferred peace and quiet. Rising, he prepared to step out for some air.

Xiao Jin, spotting an opportunity, promptly patted his sister’s shoulder, signaling her to accompany Lingtian. He trusted his sister completely. If anything were to happen between her and Lingtian, he would only be too happy. If nothing else, at least she could guide him around; after all, it was his first time here. If he got lost or wandered somewhere he shouldn’t, that could cause real trouble.

Xiao Yanying pouted but said nothing, following after him. The two strolled in silence, enjoying the gentle breeze. Suddenly, after a rush of footsteps, a dark figure dropped to his knees before Lingtian with a thud. Startled, Lingtian instinctively pulled Xiao Yanying in front of him as a shield.

Xiao Yanying: ??? Seriously? We’re cultivators now—what, are you afraid of ghosts? That reflex is something else. Still, her expression darkened—could he not show a little more chivalry?

Catching her look, Lingtian felt a bit embarrassed, coughed, and let her step aside. Just then, a notification sounded in his mind:

[At the age of sixty, you gradually lost interest in cultivation. Once, you debated Confucian classics with a man who completely defeated you. Only later did you learn he was a Confucian Sage—one step from becoming an Emperor. Unwilling to accept defeat, you couldn’t find his trace. Side quest triggered: Find the Confucian Sage, avenge your humiliation, and win his admiration for your talent. Reward: Three Hundred Tang Poems (their artistic conception may manifest, containing endless mysteries)!]

He hadn’t even seen the kneeling man’s face before the message appeared. Wait—was this person the Confucian Sage? But to win his admiration for talent… The trouble was, Lingtian had never been much of a scholar. The thought gave him a headache.

“I hear you’re an alchemist, sir. My elder sister suffers from a stubborn illness—please, I beg you to come see her!” Xiao Ru knelt, his tone humble but dignified. As the saying goes, a man’s knees are worth gold, but for his sister—who was more than a mother to him—he would pay any price to save her.

“You’re—the sixth brother?” Xiao Yanying, recognizing the voice and familiar features, spoke up. Her sixth brother truly had a hard lot. His mother’s clan lacked power, offering no support in the struggle for succession. His sister had once been a genius, but as the saying went, only geniuses who survive their vulnerable years count as true geniuses. His sister had been sabotaged, her cultivation ruined, reduced to a cripple. The Xiao patriarch had many children and cared little. Xiao Yanying was only valued for her extraordinary talent in alchemy. As for Xiao Ru, gentle and averse to conflict, he had few supporters, and most who did were only there to keep him under surveillance for other brothers.

For a direct descendant of the Xiao family to end up so wretched was truly pitiful. Yet he had no outstanding qualities, so he offered no promise for the future. Xiao Yanying had visited years ago and remembered her gentle, unambitious brother well.

“Ying-jie?” Xiao Ru looked up, recognizing her after a moment’s scrutiny.

“If you have something to say, stand up and say it—he won’t be moved by this.” Xiao Yanying rolled her eyes, trying to pull him up. She thought she understood Lingtian by now—he never involved himself in others’ affairs unless it directly concerned him. If her brother hadn’t been up against Yanchen, Lingtian likely wouldn’t have helped at all.

But before she finished, Lingtian retorted, “Who says I’m not moved by this?” Normally, Xiao Yanying would have been right—he wouldn’t have cared. But now, thanks to the quest, this was different. Befriending a Confucian Sage might be fortuitous. Still, he felt a headache coming—how was he supposed to complete this task? He could only take things as they came.

“Get up and take me to her,” he said, helping Xiao Ru to his feet before Xiao Yanying could interject. If there had been another way, who would choose to debase themselves so? It was rare indeed to find a scholar who, like Xiao Ru, understood the art of yielding.

“Please, follow me.” Xiao Ru’s face brightened, as though Lingtian’s mere presence could save his sister, and he led the way.

“How did I not notice?” Xiao Yanying muttered at Lingtian’s side.

“Notice what?” Lingtian asked.

“That you’re just as worldly as the rest,” she replied, pouting.

“Heh, whatever you say…” Lingtian chuckled coldly, not bothering to explain. This only made Xiao Yanying angrier—she hated it when people left things half-said.

Before long, the three arrived at a humble courtyard where a peach tree was in full bloom. Beneath its branches sat a young woman in white, breathtakingly beautiful, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, arousing a surge of pity in any onlooker.

“Xiao Ru, you’re back. And these are…?” The young woman, Xiao Fanling, looked up with a gentle smile, her composure impeccable.

“Sister, this is Sister Ying, and this is the honored guest I brought to see you.” Xiao Ru scratched his head, a little embarrassed, turning to Lingtian. “In my haste, I didn’t catch your name…”

“Just call me Tian Ling,” Lingtian replied with a wave, signaling it didn’t matter.

At his words, Xiao Fanling’s expression changed dramatically. She bit her lip and called out, “Xiao Ru, I told you, I’m done seeking treatment for this illness—it can’t be cured…”