Chapter 27: Reconciliation

Huaye Tower.

Warm golden lantern light made the heart itch, and occasional feminine giggles drifted through the air.

Zhu Ping, head of the Zhu family, raised his wine cup with a cheerful grin: “Old Brother Li, you’ve kept me in the dark too long—if I’d known, I’d never have let you go.”

On Li Rui’s thigh sat a young woman with a pretty face and plump thighs.

He gripped her waist hard with his large hand.

The woman shot him a shy, flustered glance and burst into laughter.

“Just lucky enough to break through.”

Li Rui spoke the words, but inwardly sighed.

The Zhu family patriarch called him “brother”—something he’d never dared dream of before.

Huaye Tower was a place he’d never imagined stepping into.

“Now that you’ve joined the Heaven and Earth Alliance, don’t cut ties with the family—come back often.”

Zhu Ping had shed his usual arrogance.

Merchants were best at speaking sweet words.

He didn’t mention a single word about Li Rui’s past as a servant in the Zhu household—after all, no one liked being reminded of their lowly origins.

“Old Brother, I heard Wang Zhao say you’ve been feeling stiff lately—pick any girl here, freely.”

“Then I won’t be polite.”

Li Rui leaned comfortably back on the reclining chair, a pair of soft, boneless hands massaging his shoulders.

He hadn’t expected Zhu Ping to be this extravagant.

Huaye Tower wasn’t some low-class brothel—it was a proper courtesan house.

One night’s stay cost at least eight taels of silver.

Even now, as head of the Tianyi Hall, Li Rui wouldn’t dare spend silver so lavishly.

In the next instant,

Laughter filled the private room—men’s laughter, the kind only men understood.

After three rounds of wine, the atmosphere was sufficiently warmed.

Zhu Ping pulled out a delicate wooden box from his sleeve: “Old Brother, this elixir is called Tiger Bone Pill—it’s an eighth-rank spiritual pill.”

Li Rui’s pupils dilated slightly, his heart pounding.

He’d sensed the pill’s unusual nature the moment Zhu Ping revealed it—but he hadn’t expected it to be an eighth-rank spiritual pill.

A grand gesture!

“Only pills above seventh rank qualify as spiritual pills—each one costs at least five hundred taels.”

The words of the pharmacy apprentice echoed in Li Rui’s ears.

Five hundred taels. Truly generous.

Even the Zhu family’s wealth would strain to afford it.

Zhu Ping chuckled, then called out toward the door.

Zhu Lie entered the room reluctantly.

“Old Brother Li had some misunderstandings with my younger brother, but we’re family—hope you’ll let bygones be bygones.”

He glared at Zhu Lie: “Apologize to Old Brother Li right now.”

In recent days,

He’d specifically investigated the matter between Li Rui and Zhu Lie.

He hadn’t expected the truth to be so startling.

A stablehand named Ma Yang, and a guard named Zhao San—

Both died mysteriously after offending Li Rui.

Though no evidence proved Li Rui responsible, Zhu Ping’s instinct told him Li Rui had done it.

“Old Li always seemed so cheerful—but he strikes so ruthlessly.”

He was already this ruthless before shedding his lowly status—what would he become now that he was a martial cultivator?

Zhu Ping didn’t want a ranked martial artist targeting him—that’s why he was willing to spend heavily to settle this.

Seeing Zhu Lie still reluctant, he snapped: “If you still recognize me as your elder brother, apologize now.”

Zhu Lie’s facial muscles twitched; after a long silence, he spat out a few words: “Old Li, I was wrong before—I ask your forgiveness.”

His attitude was far from sincere—but for the Zhu family’s second master to apologize to a former stablehand like Li Rui? That was unprecedented.

Li Rui waved his hand: “Old matters—no need to mention them again. I’ve long forgotten them.”

Hearing this, Zhu Ping’s smile brightened; the heavy stone in his chest finally lifted.

Elders know how to handle things.

Adults have no eternal friends—only eternal interests. Before interests, no grudge is too great to resolve.

Merchants feared stubborn fools—those who held petty grudges as if they were life-or-death matters, refusing reconciliation at all costs. Zhu Ping despised such people most.

The Zhu family and Li Rui working together was a win-win.

Zhu Ping saw no reason for Li Rui to refuse—he believed he’d shown sufficient humility and given Li Rui ample face.

The scene turned joyous again, the women’s laughter never ceasing.

An hour later, Li Rui tucked the pill into his sleeve, draped an arm around the plump woman, and walked contentedly toward the guest room.

Only the two Zhu brothers remained in the room.

Zhu Lie finally spoke, bitter: “Brother, he’s just an old man near death—send a few men to bury him at night. Why are we so afraid of him?”

Zhu Ping’s gaze turned cold.

Slap!

A sharp crack echoed through the room.

“If you ever act so disrespectful again, don’t come back to the Zhu family—I’m no longer your brother.”

“Brother—”

Zhu Lie clutched his cheek, eyes wide with shock.

His brother had struck him—for a stablehand?!

Zhu Ping sighed softly, his tone softening: “Second brother, the Zhu family is no longer a small household. Too many enemies invite retribution—if enemies come seeking vengeance, we might survive—but what of the rest of the family?”

“When you rise to prominence, you must have the magnanimity to match—do you understand?”

Zhu Lie clenched his fists, bones cracking loudly, knuckles turning white.

“Heh.”

Zhu Ping sighed: “I know your temper—but Old Li is now of the Heaven and Earth Alliance.”

“I’ll tell you this: one of the Alliance’s leaders has broken through.”

Zhu Lie’s eyes widened sharply.

The Alliance’s leader had previously been seventh rank.

Broken through.

That meant he was now a sixth-rank Minor Master?

Damn.

Sixth rank—throughout Yunzhou, he’d be a major figure.

“Don’t let this trivial matter ruin our ties with the Heaven and Earth Alliance.”

“I won’t say it again.”

With that, Zhu Ping swept his sleeve and descended the stairs.

Zhu Lie’s face darkened, teeth grinding:

“Old Li, this isn’t over. Time is long—you can’t wait, but I can.”

“I don’t believe you’ll live another ten years!”

He’d already decided: when Li Rui lay paralyzed on his sickbed, he’d smother him himself.

In a room hung with red silk curtains,

A supple body lay motionless on the soft couch, eyes closed, breathing even.

Li Rui stood calmly in the room.

After confirming the woman wasn’t faking unconsciousness, he nodded in satisfaction.

For a martial cultivator, knocking out a powerless courtesan was trivial.

A flash of cold light passed through his eyes.

Zhu Lie’s resentment and malice had been far too obvious.

“Since your heart still burns, don’t blame me.”

Take the gift. Kill the man.

Take it all!

(End of Chapter)