Chapter 68: Remediation

Chen Yan left the restaurant; at first he walked calmly, but when he reached the street corner, he suddenly broke into a run, invoking the Daoist technique of Dun Zi Jue, and in moments vanished from the street.

In the martial world, once you’ve shown off, you run.

And besides, I have no choice but to run…

Chen Yan’s Command·Stillness Spell was only recently mastered after his strength surged dramatically; even against Zi Lao, whose cultivation was roughly equal to his own, Chen Yan wasn’t sure how long he could hold her still.

If I don’t run now, I won’t be able to scare her anymore.

·

On the way, Chen Yan called Fang Zong and asked him vaguely about this “Zi Lao.”

Fang Zong was greatly surprised that Zi Lao had approached Chen Yan, and repeatedly swore he had revealed nothing about Xiao Chen Laoshi.

Chen Yan didn’t care about that—he pressed for details about Zi Lao. Fang Zong, without holding back, told him everything he knew.

After listening, Chen Yan couldn’t help frowning, lost in thought.

·

According to Fang Zong, this woman named Chu Keqing was already among the top experts in occult arts in the Jin Ling region, with great renown.

But… Chen Yan recalled his interaction with this woman just now.

Especially when he used the Command·Break Spell to shatter her talismanic power, then used the Command·Stillness Spell to immobilize her.

Her reaction was as if she had seen a ghost.

It wasn’t merely the kind of reaction one would have when [trapped by a spell and unable to move, in grave danger].

Is spellcasting really that difficult for cultivators in this world?

From her expression, it seemed that Chen Yan’s ability to cast spells directly, without talismans, had shattered her basic understanding.

Chu Keqing was a woman of cultivation roughly equal to his own, renowned in Jin Ling, and even the head of Yun Zong.

Yet she couldn’t even cast spells—only used talismans. In other words, she hadn’t reached the realm of “not relying on external objects.”

This clearly indicated a problem: her cultivation level didn’t match her skills.

But Chen Yan himself, shortly after beginning cultivation and still far from Guiyuan Realm, could already cast spells—while this Zi Lao couldn’t.

It wasn’t just about spellcasting.

Also, her Qi-Reading Technique was incomplete, inferior to the version passed down by the Old Grandma.

When Chen Yan used Qi-Reading Technique to examine Chu Keqing, he could clearly perceive her cultivation level was equal to his own.

But she couldn’t perceive his depth at all.

Gu Qingyi was right—this world’s cultivation lineages were extremely crude, with many teachings incomplete.

“This… is actually good. It should be enough to frighten her.”

Chen Yan’s mind settled.

·

In the restaurant, Chu Keqing stood frozen before the table for over ten seconds before suddenly relaxing, staggering backward two steps and collapsing into her chair as if drained.

It wasn’t that her strength vanished—her inner shock surged like tidal waves.

Her emotions were complex: shock, fear, and an inexplicable thrill.

Spellcasting!

This elder could cast spells without relying on any object!

In her entire life, even her late master, no one had ever achieved this.

After a few seconds of thought, her gaze sharpened.

Luo Qing is dead.

How could he have offended such a high-level cultivator? This kind of master is a lifetime’s opportunity—even her own master, from the days of her teacher, had never encountered one. Now one appeared, and it was Luo Qing who had angered him?

Fortunately, the elder seemed unwilling to pursue further—he had already taught Luo Qing a lesson and intended to do nothing else.

But… that’s not enough!

Chu Keqing had earned the title “Zi Lao” in Jin Ling, mingling with scholars, avoiding the vulgar—beyond her exquisite talisman arts, she was also sharp-witted and resourceful.

Should she merely hope the elder wouldn’t pursue vengeance?

“If there’s a grudge, resolve it. If there’s a rift, fill it.”

·

Chen Yan hadn’t finished his meal—he barely touched the four dishes and soup, and ate only a few bites of rice.

After walking two streets, he wandered into a noodle shop and ate a bowl of ramen.

After his encounter with Chu Keqing, Chen Yan abandoned the idea of meeting Lu Sisi in the afternoon—he had no mood for it.

He might as well be a dutiful son.

After eating, he went to the woodworking shop to collect his custom-made ancestral tablet.

The tablet bore the engraved inscription: [Chen Clan Seventeenth Generation Heir Chen Jue’s Tablet].

Chen Yan examined it closely—the craftsmanship was meticulous; the shop’s claim that it was hand-carved by master artisans, not machine-made, seemed true.

He paid the balance promptly; the shop kindly provided a piece of yellow silk to wrap the tablet, then placed it in a bag for him to carry.

At the intersection, he spotted a vendor selling roasted sweet potatoes from a cart.

Chen Yan, tempted, stopped and bought a few. He peeled one, ate it while walking, and put the rest in the bag.

Back at the villa compound, as he reached his front gate, he noticed another moving truck parked outside the neighboring villa.

This time, however, furniture was being unloaded and carried inside.

“They just moved out yesterday—someone moved in today?”

Chen Yan was curious—were houses in this compound selling so well? Wasn’t the real estate market sluggish?

But it was only mild curiosity—he glanced twice, then turned and went home.

Inside the courtyard gate, he saw Gu Qingyi’s familiar figure, as always, reclining in a chair, basking in the sun.

Gu Xiaoniang’s eyes were half-closed, as if dozing—but the moment Chen Yan opened the gate, she opened them and glanced at him.

“Back so soon?”

“Mm.” Chen Yan replied casually, walked over, and tossed the bag of roasted sweet potatoes into Gu Qingyi’s lap. “Just out of the oven—outside’s cool, but inside’s still hot. Be careful when you eat.”

Gu Qingyi stared wide-eyed, took one out, examined it, then gently broke it open.

The golden-red flesh released a sweet, fragrant steam.

She couldn’t help swallowing, bit into it—and her eyes lit up.

She ate one whole sweet potato in one go, then stood, smiling, and carried the bag inside.

Chen Yan stood beside a wall cabinet, studying something.

“What are you looking at?”

“Finding a place for my father.” Chen Yan sighed, tapped the yellow-silk-wrapped tablet in his hand. “The spirit marriage is still days away—the tablet needs to be enshrined. I can’t just toss it in a drawer.”

“That’s true. Chen Jue may have been infamous, but he’s still your father.” Gu Qingyi nodded seriously.

Chen Yan rolled his eyes at her: “You say that like he’s your husband.”

A recess had already been carved into the wall, forming shelves with a few decorative items.

Chen Yan and Gu Qingyi cleared everything off, made space, and placed Chen Jue’s tablet squarely in the center.

“Don’t we need an incense burner?” Chen Yan asked, glancing around.

Gu Qingyi glared: “You’re asking me?”

“Come on—I’ve never lost a husband.”

Gu Qingyi snapped: “I’ve never lost a father!”

A twenty-two-year-old filial son and a twenty-one-year-old stepmother stared each other down.

·

“Chu!”

As soon as Fang Zong’s call connected, he snapped coldly: “Are you this disrespectful?”

On the other end, Chu Keqing paused, then spoke slowly: “Mr. Fang, this matter isn’t…”

“Don’t waste my time! I let it go before out of respect for you—but now you’re breaking the rules!”

I hired the high-level cultivator—what of it? If you have an issue, come after me!”

I’ve spent years and countless fortunes in Jin Ling!

I’m not made of clay! If you want to fight, let’s settle it openly—see if I’m afraid of you!”

Why did you go after Xiao Chen Laoshi? Come after me! I’m the one who asked Xiao Chen Laoshi to act!”

Fang Zong’s anger surged—he no longer called her “Zi Lao,” now addressing her bluntly as “Chu.”

On the other end, Chu Keqing didn’t get angry. She waited silently until Fang Zong finished, then spoke calmly: “Mr. Fang, I failed in this matter. Give me two hours. I will come to your door to apologize.”

Then she hung up.

Fang Zong froze.

Come to his door to apologize?

·

Chu Keqing’s two hours were exact.

Fang Zong watched the clock; roughly one hour and fifty minutes after his call, his assistant Yan knocked and entered.

“Boss, the… Zi Lao is here. She wants to see you.”

Fang Zong frowned, grunted darkly: “Let her in.”

This time, Fang Zong didn’t rise—he leaned back in his chair, slightly reclined, watching as Chu Keqing walked in from the door.

This woman... seems a bit off emotionally?

Fang Zong is no fool—he took one look and immediately sensed something was wrong.

Normally, Chu Keqing gave off a calm, deep-water vibe—unmoving, composed, serene.

But today, as soon as she walked in, a trace of agitation showed in her brow; she seemed unnaturally restless.

Though she tried hard to suppress it, it was like a traveler missing his train—her inner unease couldn’t be hidden.

After entering, Chu Keqing didn’t play at formality; she walked straight to Fang Zong’s desk and placed a bank draft from her bag gently upon it.

“Fang Zong, I’ve clarified the matter—it’s Luo Qing who reneged and broke the rules.”

“I’ve brought the money—twice the amount I previously promised.”

“A small token of apology. I beg you, my lord, to overlook my petty faults. All blame lies with me, Chu Keqing, for failing to discipline my disciples and control my senior brother.”

After speaking, Chu Keqing stepped back a pace and slightly bowed, even offering a light bow to Director Fang.

Fang Zong: “…………”

What on earth has this woman encountered?

She’s giving in so easily?

No—

In Jin Ling, the name “Purple Old” still carries weight. She’s dealt with nobles and elites, wielded profound Daoist arts—when did I ever see her so pliant?

Then it must be—

She went to see Young Master Chen today, so—

Fang Zong’s mind raced; he quickly deduced the truth: she must have hit a wall with Young Master Chen.

But her sudden softness threw off Fang Zong’s own rising aggression, leaving him emotionally unmoored.

He swallowed his anger and muttered, “Luo Qing offended me, and I’m the one who hired the expert to deal with him. If you want to fight, you should come after me, Fang Mou.”

“All fault lies with me, Chu Keqing, for acting foolishly,” Chu Keqing shook her head, offering no rebuttal, speaking plainly: “I’ll pay compensation, I’ll apologize—I won’t flinch. If you’re still unsatisfied, tell me what else to do, and I’ll do my utmost.”

Hmm… she clearly took a hard beating from Young Master Chen.

Fang Zong’s eyes darted, then he shook his head: “Let’s settle this between us. You’ve paid and apologized on Luo Qing’s behalf—that’s enough.”

“But how have you dealt with Luo Qing himself?”

Chu Keqing slowly pulled out her phone from her bag, opened her photo album, and placed it before Fang Zong.

Fang Zong glanced—and his face paled.

On the screen was a photo.

In it, Luo Qing lay on the ground, face twisted in agony—both his legs bent at unnatural angles.

“Luo Qing’s legs are broken. He made you lose one leg—I made him lose two.”

Chu Keqing spoke calmly: “I broke them myself—just before I came here.”

This woman is ruthless… Fang Zong’s brow lifted.

What more could he say?

Apology. Compensation. Broken legs.

She’s done everything possible. To press further would mean demanding Luo Qing’s life?

That would be excessive.

“This matter, and today’s, are entirely our fault,” Chu Keqing’s tone softened slightly. “I beg you, Fang Zong, to show mercy.”

“Also, please speak well of me to Elder Chen. Say that Chu Keqing acted rashly, and now seeks only to make amends…”

Chu Keqing sighed, then shook her head: “Fang Zong, that’s all. I’ll take my leave.”

Without waiting for Fang Zong’s stunned reaction, she turned and left.

She exited Fang Zong’s company, descended to the street, and stepped into a car.

Her female assistant was driving; she turned back and whispered, “Purple Old, where to now?”

“The three men who beat Luo Qing—they run an internet cafe, right? Go there!”

·

【Dear readers, don’t keep complaining it’s too short.

The public version releases two updates daily—totaling seven or eight thousand characters. That’s not short.

Who ever massively updates in the public version? The platform doesn’t allow it.】

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