Chapter Twenty-Six: Mirror Spring City

Qian Family Residence.

Red lacquered doors, gleaming bronze rings.

On either side stood lifelike stone lions.

At the entrance, two house servants stood facing each other, their expressions calm, silent, attesting to the solemn discipline of the household.

A family with centuries of tradition, naturally governed by strict rules.

“Is the head of the Qian family present?”

A young man arrived at the gate, smiling politely. “Would you kindly announce my arrival?”

The servant on the left stepped forward, asking, “May I ask who you are? For what purpose do you seek our master?”

The young man replied with a smile, “It concerns an old matter, related to Lixian. I believe the master of the Qian family will wish to see me.”

The servant frowned inwardly, sizing up the visitor. Though his clothes were plain, his bearing and speech were clearly uncommon.

Behind the young man stood another figure, clad in black robes, a long blade at his waist, exuding a fierce aura, yet following like a subordinate.

The servant, perceptive enough, dared not make things difficult. He signaled to his companion to go inside and report.

“Please wait a moment.”

A considerable time passed.

The servant who had gone in returned hurriedly, saying, “The master will see you.”

Qingyuan nodded and followed him inside.

The fierce Mountain Demon Gu Cang trailed behind, blade at his side, his presence intimidating.

“Hm?”

As Qingyuan stepped into the Qian residence, he sensed something amiss—a subtle, inexplicable radiance lurking in the shadows.

He had expected as much; the servant’s delay in reporting hinted at preparations being made.

Yet he was unconcerned.

Neither he nor Mountain Demon would have anything to fear unless they encountered a cultivator or a grandmaster of martial arts.

…

The head of the Qian family was a man in his fifties, a long beard gracing his chin, his gaze sharp and scrutinizing.

“Young man,” the master said in a deep voice, “what brings you to the Qian family?”

Qingyuan smiled gently. “It’s nothing urgent. I found something in Lixian that may pertain to your family.”

The master’s expression grew wary. “What is it?”

Qingyuan drew an object from his bosom.

A servant immediately received it and presented it to the master.

The master took it, feeling its weight in his hand. It was a token, bearing the family’s seal. Its faded color and worn edges spoke of many years passed.

“This is indeed a Qian family item,” the master said. “Where in Lixian did you find it? And what is your purpose in returning it?”

Qingyuan replied, “It came from the mountains. Recognizing it as a Qian family possession, I thought it right to return it.”

The master’s voice turned cold. “Is that all?”

Qingyuan nodded. “That is all.”

“Then I thank you,” the master said.

Qingyuan smiled, his tone languid. “No need for thanks. I do have questions, though, and hope you might enlighten me.”

The master’s expression shifted, then replied, “Ask.”

Qingyuan said, “There are rumors of treasure in those mountains. Many went in search, few returned, and many died. Were any of your family among them? And did the Qian family come into possession of the treasure?”

The master hadn’t expected such direct questioning, caught off guard, but he offered no reply, his face darkening. “There is absolutely no such thing.”

Qingyuan’s words were inferred from traces found in the mountains, mostly matching the facts.

He watched the master closely, but saw nothing amiss. With a shrug and a smile, he said, “Since the item is returned and you are unwilling to clarify, I’ll take my leave. By the way, I have something else…”

He reached into his bosom and produced another token.

“This should belong to the Zhao family. I have other matters and won’t visit them. Please pass it along.”

The servant at his side took it and handed it to the master.

The master’s expression darkened once more. “Wait here.”

He turned and instructed, “Go to the accounts room and fetch a hundred taels of silver as a reward for our guest.”

Qingyuan smiled. “Thank you.”

The servant led the way, Qingyuan followed.

Watching Qingyuan’s departing figure, the master’s face grew grim.

“Go to the Zhao family. Invite their master here.”

“Yes.”

…

“Wu Wei.”

After a moment’s thought, the Qian master called out, “Take ten skilled men and apprehend them.”

A middle-aged man emerged, his eyes alert, his hands thick and strong. In a low voice he asked, “Why not seize him here?”

“This is the Qian residence,” the master replied. “If he enters but does not leave, it would be improper… Follow him, have your disciples trail him from a distance, see who accompanies him, test him. If there’s no one, capture them both alive. Do not harm them.”

Wu Wei nodded. “Understood.”

He turned and departed.

The Qian master remained seated, his expression unsettled.

…

Less than half an hour later, the master of the Zhao family arrived hurriedly with two guards.

The round trip from Qian to Zhao house took nearly half an hour.

The Zhao master’s swift arrival showed he came immediately upon receiving the message.

“What’s happened?” he asked, somewhat flustered.

The Qian master recounted the events truthfully.

“This matter…” The Zhao master pondered. “Back then, it was the Sun family who took the lead, inviting the Bai family, as well as ours. The losses were great, and all kept silent. How could anyone know?”

The Qian master shook his head. “I do not know.”

“Where is the man?” asked the Zhao master.

“He has left,” the Qian master replied.

The Zhao master’s face changed. “Why did you let him go?”

“No need to worry,” said the Qian master. “I sent Wu Wei to follow and see who’s behind him. He’ll act as needed; if there’s no one, he’ll capture them alive.”

“Will it work?” the Zhao master asked.

“It should be fine,” said the Qian master. “Wu Wei accepted the task confidently. He had already observed the young man—if he were truly capable, Wu Wei would not have agreed. Wu Wei himself is at the peak of vitality, two disciples can channel their energy, others may not be masters but their skills are not low.”

The Zhao master relaxed. “True, Wu Wei can channel his energy, almost forming internal strength, counted among the finest martial artists of Yuanjing City, and you hired him at great expense.”

The Qian master sighed. “In the past, both our families had masters who could form internal strength; after that incident, casualties were severe.”

The Zhao master said, “We were fortunate, with deep roots, able to turn to commerce. Sun family was martial to the core, but without masters, they declined within two years, and Bai family benefited most.”

“Bai family…” The Qian master’s tone was low. “It’s said the treasure ended up with them.”

The Zhao master replied, “It wasn’t exactly a treasure, more a key.”

The Qian master gave him a look. “A key is treasure enough. If so, what does it open?”

The Zhao master pondered.

The Qian master looked at him. “We didn’t get the key then, but perhaps now we can obtain what it unlocks. I can’t claim it alone, which is why I called you.”

The Zhao master gritted his teeth. “The Bai family is powerful, I fear…”

At that moment, the tiles overhead suddenly shattered.

Someone leapt down.

Though debris and dust filled the air, he retained a graceful bearing within the smoke.

It was Qingyuan, frowning as he asked, “The item ended up with the Bai family?”

Both masters were startled, retreating in fear.

“You…” The Qian master exclaimed, “How are you here?”

Qingyuan smiled. “I never left.”

The master’s voice faltered, “Then…”

“You mean the one at the peak of vitality, and his disciples?” Qingyuan smiled. “His skills aren’t low, but he feared for our lives and held back. I didn’t. So after a few exchanges, he was defeated. As for his disciples, now… they should be lying on the ground, felled by my companion’s blade.”

Ordinary cultivators, once attaining true energy, could move their organs, invigorate their blood, prolong their life. Yet in combat, they were no better than ordinary men.

But Qingyuan was different. Outwardly a frail scholar, after cultivating true energy his strength increased, making his skills formidable.

As for Mountain Demon, his vitality was strong, true energy cultivated, and now, having learned some blade techniques—at first awkward, but later proficient—he could easily overwhelm Wu Wei.

Qingyuan now held an iron staff, pointing at the two.

“Wu Wei lost to you? Impossible…” The Qian master cried out.

“Why not?” Qingyuan smiled serenely. “You should recount the events in detail. You’ve already revealed much; no need to conceal the rest.”

…

Leaving the Qian residence, Mountain Demon Gu Cang joined him, his sheathed blade stained with blood.

“Come with me once more. Let’s visit the foremost family of Yuanjing City.”

Qingyuan’s face was solemn.

He had learned the truth at the Qian residence.

It was said the Sun family had discovered the treasure, but Bai family found out, then Zhao and Qian families sought a share.

Together they ventured to Lixian, but suffered heavy casualties; only Bai family escaped with minor losses.

Sun family, founded on martial prowess, lost all its masters and soon declined, its properties absorbed by Bai family.

Zhao and Qian families, with deeper roots, survived by shifting to commerce.

The item from those days, it seemed, now rested with the Bai family.

“Bai clan…”

Qingyuan’s expression was contemplative.

Having traversed the world for years, he was no longer the naive young Daoist he once was.

He regarded the Bai family with some trepidation.

Though this was a branch, the Eastern Bai clan was the foremost family in Shu.

Among them were cultivators.

Some even claimed their ancestors were immortals.

ps: O(∩_∩)O haha~… Tomorrow is Monday—asking for recommendations, clicks, and bookmarks for the coming week…