Chapter 568: A Side Plot: Lu Hua, a Cultivation Genius?

Zhang Yunzhi frowned slightly and said, "Xie Yuan, don't play around. You're just beginning your martial training—your strength isn't yet under control. If you hurt yourself, that's one thing, but if you injure Master Guan…"

Seeing his cousin's rare stern expression, Xie Yuan's face flushed with resentment.

"I was just fooling around with Brother Guan—why are you making such a big deal out of it?"

Zhang Yunzhi adopted the authoritative tone of an elder cousin: "Even fooling around is unacceptable."

You smiled and shook your head: "It seems I truly cannot match Sixth Brother in raw strength."

Though reprimanded by Zhang Yunzhi, Xie Yuan's face lit up again at your words.

After all, he had finally found a strength where he surpassed you.

Xie Yuan knew you had never trained in martial arts and would never deceive him. At that moment, several servants hurried to drape a fur cloak over his shoulders.

Xie Yuan adjusted his clothes, called for his attendants, and prepared to leave.

Zhang Yunzhi ordered a maid to bring you a stack of exquisitely crafted pastries.

"I wish you an early new year in advance. Not sure of your preference, so I picked a bit of everything."

You gazed at the towering pile of pastry boxes—over a foot high, neatly stacked—and felt deep gratitude, quickly thanking her: "Thank you, Miss Yunzhi. Such a generous gift leaves me humbled."

Xie Yuan's gaze landed on the topmost box, delicately carved with peach blossom patterns, and teased: "Fourth Cousin, did you spend days selecting this from the shop?"

"These peach blossom pastries are the most sought-after—Xie Qi even begged for days without getting any. So this was meant specially for Brother Guan?"

Hearing this, Zhang Yunzhi's cheeks flushed. Seeing your expression unchanged, she glared playfully at Xie Yuan.

"Well, your share went to Qi Yue. Don't even think about it."

Xie Yuan immediately waved his hands and laughed: "No, no, Cousin, I was just joking!"

The Zhang family's pastry shop was famed throughout Bianjing; their pastries were expensive, and ordinary folk could only afford them during festivals.

Xie Yuan and his party took their leave.

You stepped out the courtyard gate to see them off.

Xie Yuan walked away through the deep snow, growing smaller with distance.

After walking some distance,

Xie Hou'er, Xie Yuan's personal attendant who always stayed by his side, turned back to look toward the small courtyard gate.

A figure stood in the snowstorm, watching from afar as if seeing them off—posture straight as a pine.

Xie Hou'er sighed in admiration: "Master Guan truly has the bearing of a gentleman."

Xie Yuan heard Xie Hou'er's remark.

"Little Monkey, you've always admired Master Guan's calligraphy—why didn't you ask him for a New Year's greeting scroll?"

Xie Hou'er's eyes flickered with hesitation, then he resolved himself: "Master, I'll go and come right back."

Xie Hou'er ran back to the courtyard.

You looked at the panting Xie Hou'er with mild surprise.

Xie Hou'er quickly explained his purpose.

You did not refuse. You picked up your brush and asked what poem or saying he favored.

Xie Hou'er's face reddened. He stammered: "Last time in the courtyard, I happened to hear you mention 'Between geese and wood, dragon and serpent transform.' That phrase stirred me deeply. I was born poor—my brothers couldn't feed me, so I was sold into the Xie household. Though Master and Lady have been kind, I still carry a stubborn resentment…"

He spoke softly: "Could Master Guan write 'dragon and serpent transform' for me?"

You smiled faintly: "Of course."

You wrote: "Being born humble is no shame. A true man must undergo dragon-serpent transformation."

The characters were forceful, powerful, as if piercing through the paper.

Xie Hou'er stared at the words, heart pounding, growing more and more satisfied.

Words reveal one's resolve!

He carefully rolled up the scroll, tucked it safely into his bosom, and bowed deeply: "Thank you, Master Guan. If ever you need me, I'll give my life for you."

Faced with this matter… you decide.

1. Have Xie Hou'er deliver silver to Dong Shao's adopted son. (Hint: may aid future developments.)

2. Have Xie Hou'er arrange Dong Shao's funeral. (Hint: may aid future developments.)

3. Have Xie Hou'er deliver silver to Dong Shao's adopted son and arrange his funeral. (Hint: may aid future developments, possibly with unexpected rewards.)

4. Participate personally. (0/3)

The great bronze tripod rang, spilling ten thousand feet of radiant light; the characters upon it slowly stabilized.

Yu Ke stared at the four options before him.

Strange—why did a choice trigger here?

"A new subplot?"

Still about Yuan Madam's appointed tutor for him, Master Dong Shao.

According to Hua An, Dong Shao died drunk at home.

Could there be something hidden here—something tied to the future?

All three hints offered benefits; Option Three was best. No need to hesitate—choose it.

3. Have Xie Hou'er deliver silver to Dong Shao's adopted son and arrange his funeral. (Hint: may aid future developments, possibly with unexpected rewards.)

You looked kindly at Xie Hou'er and said slowly: "There is indeed something I'd like you to help with."

Xie Hou'er paused, startled—hadn't you just finished speaking? But he didn't refuse.

"Master Guan, please speak."

You recounted Dong Shao's story: "Master Dong was my childhood tutor. When such hardship befalls him, I wish to help as much as I can."

"I already sent silver through Dr. Hua An, but I fear it may still be insufficient." You frowned slightly. "I need you to go again—his adopted son, and his funeral. I worry the money won't be protected."

Xie Hou'er immediately puffed out his chest: "Master Guan, leave this entirely to me."

You nodded in thanks, then went to Wu Tong's room, found her usual hiding place for silver, took out fifty-five taels, and handed them over: "Five taels are your fee."

Xie Hou'er hurriedly refused: "Master Guan, your calligraphy was payment enough."

"Besides, I've saved up quite a bit of silver and valuables over the years."

His words were true—he didn't have ten thousand taels, but a thousand or two were certainly in his possession.

He had served in the Xie household for years, deeply favored by Master and Lady. His monthly stipend was generous, and all his food, clothing, and lodging were covered by the Xie household—he had little need to spend. Thus, his silver had steadily accumulated.

Helping with Master Dong's affairs was no trouble at all.

In the Xie household, calling him "Xie Hou'er" was fine. But outside, on Changning Street, among the roughs in blue robes, shopkeepers—they all called him "Brother Xie."

The Xie household owned nearly every shop, bathhouse, and market stall on Changning Street. As one of the most favored heirs of this generation, Xie Yuan was known to everyone in this territory.

As Xie Yuan's personal attendant, Xie Hou'er's status had risen accordingly—he was treated with great respect.

Xie Hou'er took his leave.

You thought of the fifty taels spent today—your previous two hundred taels had dwindled to almost nothing in just two months.

Clearly, you must plan a way to earn income—you cannot sit idle as your family wealth vanishes.

It was already afternoon.

You returned indoors to read and cultivate. Life was always this dull.

The path of cultivation demands gradual progress—no haste, no impatience.

By afternoon, Wu Tong returned, bringing you hot meals from the main courtyard's Lady.

You told Wu Tong about the silver you'd spent. Though she fretted over the waste, she understood it was your "social obligation."

Soon after, Liu, the main courtyard's steward, came to visit.

Today, many visitors came to your courtyard.

He delivered four months' salary at once—fifty taels in total.

After brief pleasantries, Liu took his leave.

He came because he'd heard Sima's family and Master Xie Yuan had both visited your courtyard—he sensed your rising status in the Xie household.

Liu had previously withheld your and Wu Tong's monthly stipend—you received only eight taels. Now he repaid the arrears and gave you four months' salary upfront.

Wu Tong had always disliked him—she kept a cold face, for Liu had often mistreated her and her mother in the past.

Wu Tong had never shown him kindness.

You, however, remained calm, personally escorting him to the courtyard gate.

You placed the silver on the table before Wu Tong, signaling her to put it away.

Only then did Wu Tong's face soften with relief.

"Master, Liu is two-faced. We must be careful. When Lady was alive, he constantly withheld our stipend or delayed payment for weeks."

"Now that you've risen in standing, his attitude has changed completely."

You gazed out the window—the sky was dark, snow still falling, the world wrapped in silver, glowing faintly.

"People like Liu are servants—they have their own ways of surviving."

"Some are forced into it. Others enjoy it. Liu isn't evil."

"But if he knew the truth behind Mother's death… then…"

You left the sentence unfinished, but a cold glint flashed in your eyes.

Inside, candlelight flickered. You leaned by the lamp, continuing to read.

Wu Tong stared at the stack of delicate pastry boxes, gently opened one.

"Peach blossom pastries!" she exclaimed.

"Master, these are expensive and nearly impossible to buy—even the ladies in the main courtyard have tried and failed to get any."

"I heard only the Peach Blossom Temple outside Bianjing grows winter peaches—and only pastries made from those blossoms are called peach blossom pastries."

It was said that within Peach Blossom Grove lived a transcendent hermit who called himself the Peach Immortal; his courtyard was planted with tens of thousands of peach trees, and any ordinary person who entered the grove would become lost in a labyrinthine maze, unable to find their way out.

This person possessed profound cultivation; once, a great demon that had escaped from the Divine Imprisonment sneaked into Peach Blossom Grove—only to be slain effortlessly by a single palm strike from the Peach Immortal.

The Second Master of the Academy had also once rested quietly within Peach Blossom Grove for a period of time.

The Zhang family enjoyed close ties with this Peach Immortal, and thus were granted special permission to enter Peach Blossom Grove and pick peach blossoms.

Yet the peach blossoms were scarce, so the peach blossom pastries could only be made in limited quantities—almost always sold out the moment they appeared on the market.

You did not look up, but replied calmly: "It was Miss Zhi who gave it to me."

Wu Tong could not help but glance at you, quietly reading by the candlelight—a young scholar enduring cold windows and hard study, now approaching adulthood, his features growing ever more strikingly handsome.

Many maids in the mansion had begun whispering about you in private, their eyes filled with admiration.

Could it be that Miss Zhi, too, had developed feelings for the Young Master?

Wu Tong pondered inwardly; for some reason, though this was a joyful matter, a faint sorrow stirred inexplicably within her heart.

"Young Master, won't you try some?"

You turned another page beneath the lamplight. "No, you eat it yourself."

Wait until Wu Tong falls asleep.

In the deep, silent night, you stepped outside and entered the courtyard.

The heavens and earth were blanketed in white, all sounds hushed.

In the courtyard stood Lu Hua, clad in white robes, already busy, having built a snowman shaped like a large gourd.

Lu Hua saw you, patted the snowman to compact it further, and said: "Have you decided yet? Will you join the Three Truths Sect? I'll teach you how to become a Celestial Master—guaranteed to learn!"

"How about it? If you're willing to learn, I won't just teach you the methods of the Three Lower Realms of Martial Path—I'll give you the secret scriptures of all Nine Realms of Martial Path."

You stepped through the snow, walking slowly closer, studying Lu Hua's snowman, then shook your head; though only roughly outlined, it was clearly not humanoid—unattractive.

"I was born in Da Qi; naturally, I cannot join the Three Truths Sect."

Hearing this, Lu Hua asked: "How can you still cling to sectarian prejudice?"

"By your logic, most of the world now belongs to Yan State—but how long has Master Lu been dead? Are sectarian and national boundaries truly so important?"

Over this period, you had come to understand this woman's unfathomable cultivation and her temperament—you grew too respectful, she would dislike you.

You only needed to interact naturally.

You smiled: "If sectarian prejudice doesn't matter, why insist I must join the Three Truths Sect?"

Seeing you "refuse to submit," Lu Hua could only sigh helplessly.

Originally, she had merely entertained the thought of taking you as a disciple upon first meeting you—but being in Bianjing, within the Xie Fu, many obstacles arose, and the idea gradually faded.

Yet!

In the following two months, your cultivation progress was utterly astonishing.

Even she, a cultivation prodigy, could not help but feel shaken by your advancement—so much so that she nearly gave rise to a demonic mind!

From knowing nothing of the Martial Path, you broke through to the Third Realm in just two months—this pace alone was astonishing enough.

But what was more shocking was your spiritual soul cultivation: you surged forward, advancing from initial perception, through Spirit Stabilization, Soul Departure, Night Travel, and Object Manipulation—until yesterday, you successfully broke through into the Star Opening Realm.

Two months. Six realms advanced.

Lu Hua began to doubt: had her master truly called her a cultivation prodigy—or was it merely to comfort her?

If not, then what exactly is Xie Guan?

(End of Chapter)