Chapter 48: The Su Ancestor

In the side chamber.

Chen Zhao was slightly surprised and was about to close the door.

This commission, being entrusted by the Su Ancestor to have someone ghostwrite it, implies the matter has hidden depths and cannot be spoken of openly.

But Su Zhiyuan merely raised his hand, signaling him not to bother.

"I've often heard Wan Yao praise your meticulousness; now that I see you for myself, it's no exaggeration."

Su Zhiyuan stroked his beard and smiled:

"This place is under a restriction barrier; the two of you may speak freely."

"Then this junior dares to speak plainly—what, exactly, did the Su Ancestor summon me here for?"

"Not yet. First, come look at something."

Su Zhiyuan casually waved his hand, and half a sheet of paper flew to Chen Zhao.

Within two years, the Demon Seed launched a fierce assault on Shanlian City.

Signed, Liang Chenfeng.

"So the Su Ancestor's intention is for me to alchemize Nourishing Spirit Pills?"

"Clever."

Su Zhiyuan praised:

"Apart from Su Muqing, none in our clan can refine this pill. I entrust this year's task to you, young friend. Should war break out, I'll assign dedicated personnel to protect you—no alchemist will be sent to the front lines."

"Also, you won't lack for herbs or resources."

This task isn't difficult.

Chen Zhao gave a slight nod.

But the Evil Cultivators' stance is rather ambiguous.

This matter is most likely entrusted by the Fang Clan.

The Evil Cultivators seem to hope the operation fails.

If the Demon Seed dies, it's indeed advantageous for them—but it's still legitimate combat power; how can they afford such wastefulness?

Perhaps they wish to add fuel to the fire, intensifying the conflict.

Chen Zhao made a tentative guess.

After concluding talks with Su Zhiyuan,

Chen Zhao and the others were led to the Deliberation Hall.

According to the Su Ancestor's introduction, everyone here is "one of our own."

It seems Su Muqing's branch has been completely controlled.

The remaining voices mostly advocated breaking off the engagement with the Fang Clan and severing ties completely.

Su Zhiyuan subtly shook his head and changed the subject.

"This is Chen Danshi of the Tiankui Sect. I've invited him here to alchemize pills for all of you—who agrees, who opposes?"

Who would dare oppose?

Chen Zhao's lips twitched.

Small house holds grand meetings, big house holds small meetings—turns out even cultivation clans are no different.

Yet after listening to Su Zhiyuan's introductions around the room,

The clan head, whose lifespan was nearly spent, was conspicuously absent.

Only after the meeting ended did Su Zhiyuan take him to the inner chamber.

There, a middle-aged man lay on the bed, his entire body purple, his mind unclear.

He bore the signs of a cultivation deviation—likely tied to the Evil Cultivators.

"Can the Chen Danshi offer a cure?"

Chen Zhao's gaze sharpened.

This, perhaps, was the true purpose of summoning him here.

He had divined a hex—this journey would indeed grant him access to the ruins.

But if he didn't save this man, he'd have no grounds to make his request.

"I'll attempt it, though I cannot guarantee success. Please, Su Ancestor, allow me to treat him alone."

Su Zhiyuan nodded and withdrew willingly.

He wasn't so greedy as to covet a youngling's opportunity.

An hour later,

The door opened, revealing Chen Zhao being supported by Xin Tong, his spiritual energy utterly drained.

"I've not disgraced the task—I've spent five Nourishing Spirit Pills and one mid-grade Dharma Treasure."

Chen Zhao panted heavily.

"Thank you, young Chen, for your aid. The terms I promised will not be broken."

Su Zhiyuan sat beside the bed and bowed to Chen Zhao:

"When this commission ends, I'll offer additional compensation—not merely one high-grade Dharma Treasure."

He sought to break through to Foundation Establishment's late stage and had no time for clan affairs.

At this critical juncture, the clan head must not fall.

After a long while, the middle-aged man slowly stirred awake.

Seeing the two had matters to discuss, Chen Zhao took Xin Tong's hand and stepped outside for a stroll.

In scale, this place cannot match Han City, but it surpasses it in prosperity.

Shanlian Immortal City stood like an island, with cultivators from all walks gathering here, and over time, a "night market" formed.

Cultivators came here specifically to fence stolen goods and hunt for treasures.

Spirit pills, talismans, dharma treasures, beasts, poisons, arrays, and Gu were all on display—everything imaginable.

Xin Tong held his white sleeve and wandered, looking around.

The goods here were far removed from those at Juxian Pavilion, yet they carried a touch of earthly vitality.

A thin man was arguing with the shopkeeper:

"This health cultivation technique only lets you reach Qi Refining Fifth Layer, and you're charging me twenty low-grade Spirit Stones?"

He glanced back, spotted the patrol squad nearby, and hurried away.

"I heard this patrol squad is made up of noble family heirs—today happens to be Su Family members. I wonder if there are discounts for buying."

Xin Tong spoke fluently, pulling Chen Zhao into a shop.

"Moya Sundry Shop..."

Chen Zhao gazed at the signboard.

It didn't look like a proper shop.

"Golden Sun Powder, Jade Dragon Pill—three low-grade Spirit Stones per pill!"

"Free copy of Sound Sect Rampage! If you're not interested, check out this one: When the Wind and Clouds Arrive, One Becomes a Dragon..."

The shopkeeper was a middle-aged cultivator with a sword, standing in the snow without an umbrella.

"Shopkeeper, do you sell Spirit Pill Prescriptions?"

Chen Zhao stared at the blue pills, his mind turning.

Tiankui Sect has Yuhua Lou—if these pills were sold at Juxian Pavilion, they'd sell like wildfire.

Unexpectedly, after hearing the pill's effects, Xin Tong pinched him hard on the lower back.

"Zhao... do you really want me to die in bed?"

Seeing the dark expression on her face wasn't feigned, Chen Zhao abandoned this chance at sudden wealth.

Instead, he picked up a small booklet beside it.

They were all picture books or tales of the martial world.

"This one, A-Bin's Eighteen Styles, looks like a martial arts manual... Zhao, your physical strength is solid—why not try it?"

Xin Tong pulled out one.

Chen Zhao's face flushed red; he quickly put it down.

"I only read that kind of thing—I don't practice it."

Instead, he chose a copy of Shanlian Wind and Clouds, flipped through it idly, and found it truly had the flavor of unofficial histories.

Like how the Su Family's eldest son secretly practiced Evil Techniques, or how the Duan Family's Su Ancestor died from heartbreak...

It sounded convincingly real.

He'd been here a year—he had time to verify each tale.

Anything that aided his exploration of the sect's ruins, Chen Zhao was willing to learn.

As expected.

Upon hearing Chen Zhao was a guest minister of the Su Family, the shopkeeper immediately gave him a half-price discount.

He threw in one pill called Six-Flavor Great Replenishment Pill.

Chen Zhao had just handed over one low-grade Spirit Stone.

His brow furrowed; he looked up toward the eaves across the street.

A man wore an invisibility dharma treasure, sneaking around, with two storage bags strapped to his waist.

He glanced left and right, as if heading toward the Su Family.

"Not a good person."

Chen Zhao pulled out his Beast Control Tablet and infused it with spiritual energy.

Shadowstepping Cat slipped into his shadow.

And at the same moment:

Two pink-and-white tiny paws appeared in the night sky, gently hooking the man's storage bags away without a sound.

From Chen Zhao's shadow, two storage bags suddenly flew out.

He tossed him a Huanglong Pill as a reward.

He began inspecting the spoils.

One storage bag was stained with blood—clearly not belonging to this thief.

Besides a few low-grade Spirit Stones, it contained only a bamboo pen.

Chen Zhao narrowed his eyes.

It seemed Duan Ziheng was likely dead.

As for the other storage bag:

Inside was one Blood Spirit Pill and a letter:

Kill Duan Ziheng, frame the Su Family.

The signature was none other than Fang Zijing.

Heavy Evil Qi clung to the bag—this man was an Evil Cultivator with a Demon Seed...

Chen Zhao's gaze sharpened; he roughly guessed the man's intent.

Indeed, without me, the Su Family head might have gone mad and harmed others.

Even if I'd already healed him, the man could still die within the Su Family, sowing discord between the two clans.

Fortunately, he discovered it in time.