Chapter 60 of 100
Chapter 60
7 min read1,839 words
North of Jingyun City, in Willow Leaf Alley.
It was noon, and the warm sunlight filtered through the dense branches, casting light onto the long alley. Most of the gates of the houses on both sides were open, with many people coming and going.
However, the busiest place was a house near the entrance of the alley. Several cargo carts were parked in front of the gate, and the servants were busy moving furniture and miscellaneous items inside, their laughter and chatter filling the air.
"May I ask who you are looking for?"
The old gatekeeper, who was directing the moving, saw the young man standing at the gate and asked out of curiosity, "This house just changed hands, and we moved in today."
"He is your young master!"
Tieyi strode out from the courtyard and said with a smile, "Young Master, you finally made it!"
This young man was none other than Wei Changfeng. After having lunch with his senior brother Li Chen, he did not go to the Qingyuan Cottage but returned to the city to check out his new home first.
The old gatekeeper was greatly surprised and hurriedly bowed, "I didn't know it was the young master, I apologize..."
Wei Changfeng smiled and waved his hand, "You didn't recognize me, so there's no offense. No need for formalities."
As he spoke, he stepped into his new home.
The old gatekeeper secretly sighed in relief, thinking to himself that this young master was really approachable.
The newly purchased residence had a very good layout. In front was a large courtyard paved with blue stone slabs, and on the right side stood a yellow-fruit tree that was at least a hundred years old.
The thick trunk was so large that one person couldn't even wrap their arms around it, and the massive canopy covered most of the courtyard. Next to it was a well with carp patterns carved on it.
The main hall in the front looked very new, and the walls on both sides seemed to have been painted not long ago. The dark blue tiles gave the place a clean and tidy feel.
"The official procedures have all been completed!"
Tieyi said, "I handed over all the documents to the lady. This morning, we had the place thoroughly cleaned and bought a dozen new pieces of furniture. We can move in today without any problems!"
In addition to the entire residence, the original servants also stayed. Besides the old gatekeeper, there was also a maid, a cook, and a stable hand. The latter two were a middle-aged couple known for their honesty and diligence.
Wei Changfeng was very satisfied after looking around and said to Tieyi, "Thank you for your hard work!"
Tieyi laughed heartily, "What hard work? Being able to move here together, my wife and daughter are very happy. It's all thanks to you, Young Master!"
"Brother!"
At that moment, Wei Xiaoying and Wei Xiaoyu, the two girls, ran out from the inner courtyard along the corridor. Seeing Wei Changfeng, they cheered, "We have a new home!"
Wei Changfeng opened his arms and hugged them, saying with a smile, "Do you like it?"
"Like it!"
The two girls nodded vigorously, and Wei Xiaoying asked with a hopeful look, "Brother, can we live in the new house from now on?"
"Of course!"
Wei Changfeng reached out and gently pinched her little nose, saying, "You can stay as long as you like!"
"Great!"
The two girls clapped their hands in delight. Wei Xiaoyu turned and pulled a shy little girl who was following behind, asking, "Will Sister Xinlan stay and play with us forever?"
The little girl she was holding was Tieyi's five-year-old daughter, Tie Xinlan.
Although there was a significant age difference, the two girls had clearly become good friends.
Wei Changfeng was taken aback for a moment and shook his head, saying, "I'm afraid that won't be possible..."
"Uh..."
Wei Xiaoying and Wei Xiaoyu both wrinkled their noses, looking very unhappy.
Wei Changfeng glanced at Tieyi, who looked puzzled, and said, "Let's talk inside."
Inside the main hall, Murong Wan and Jingniang were helping to arrange the furniture.
Seeing Wei Changfeng and Tieyi come in with the children, Jingniang quickly asked a maid to bring tea.
Murong Wan took Wei Xiaoying and Wei Xiaoyu by the hand and said to Wei Changfeng, "You, buying this house without a word. Actually, the two families don't need such a large place..."
The larger the house, the greater the expenses, especially with servants and maids. The daily costs were not insignificant.
Although Wei Changfeng had mentioned it the night before, she was still surprised to see the new home today and couldn't help but worry about the future expenses.
Of course, Murong Wan was also genuinely proud of her son!
Wei Changfeng smiled and said, "It's not that big. Who knows, maybe more people will join us in the future!"
He knew what his mother was worried about, but for Wei Changfeng, it was no big deal.
Even if he never ventured into the Qingmang Mountains again, with his unparalleled alchemy skills, supporting his family would be easy and simple!
After a moment's thought, Wei Changfeng continued, "I need to go back to the martial academy, but there's something I need to discuss with Brother Tie and Sister-in-law. Since you're all here, it's convenient."
Tieyi and Jingniang exchanged glances, and the latter asked, "Young Master, what is it?"
Wei Changfeng said, "It's about your daughter, Tie Xinlan. I plan to take her to find a master."
"Find a master?"
Tieyi asked in confusion, "Isn't Xinlan too young?"
Usually, martial artists start training around the age of ten. If they start too young, their bones and muscles are too weak, and any slight mishap could damage their foundation, making it counterproductive.
Of course, major sects and noble families have secret methods to cultivate their children from a young age, but this requires a significant investment of resources, which not everyone can afford.
Wei Changfeng hesitated for a moment but then told the truth, "Precisely because she is young, it's still in time!"
"You don't know, Xinlan has a先天玄阴之体 (先天玄阴之体 translates to 'innate yin essence body'), and without proper guidance and cultivation, she won't live past fifteen years old!"
"What!"
Tieyi and Jingniang were both shocked.
Tieyi, losing his composure, grabbed Wei Changfeng's arm, "Young Master, is this true?"
Wei Changfeng nodded, "Yes, that's why I want to take her to find a master. Whether it will be successful is uncertain, and if she does find a master, you might not see her for a long time."
An innate yin essence body is a rare and precious talent, a natural gift for martial cultivation. Any major sect would treasure her like a gem!
However, which parents would be willing to let their young child leave? Jingniang's eyes welled up with tears, but she held back from crying.
Murong Wan gently held her hand to comfort her.
Tieyi thought for a moment and then bowed, "If that's the case, please, Young Master, find a good master for Xinlan!"
Wei Changfeng helped him up and said, "Don't worry, the master I've chosen for Xinlan is from a prestigious sect and will treat her well. Also..."
He paused and continued, "Xinlan won't be gone forever. You can still see her, and since you're both still young, having more children won't be difficult."
Tieyi blushed, and even the grieving Jingniang's face turned red.
Murong Wan glared at Wei Changfeng, annoyed—how could he say such things so openly?
Wei Changfeng chuckled and said, "I'll take Xinlan now. Whether it works out or not, I'll be back tonight!"
Jingniang led Tie Xinlan to Wei Changfeng and said softly, "Xinlan, go with Young Master to find a master. Listen to him and don't be naughty!"
Tie Xinlan looked at her mother and then at Wei Changfeng, nodding obediently.
Thus, Wei Changfeng took Tie Xinlan and left the new home to return to the martial academy.
Due to the back-and-forth, Wei Changfeng didn't arrive at the Qingyuan Cottage until well past noon.
Yu Qinghong was practicing sword techniques in the courtyard.
As soon as she saw Wei Changfeng, she turned away with a huff, pretending not to notice him.
Wei Changfeng was initially taken aback but quickly understood.
He chuckled inwardly and approached, bowing, "Senior Sister..."
"Don't call me Senior Sister!"
Yu Qinghong scolded, "You said you'd be gone for one day, but you've been absent for two. When Master asked me, I didn't know what to say. And now you're late again!"
Wei Changfeng apologized, "Yes, it's my fault. Please forgive me, Senior Sister."
Yu Qinghong huffed, "What do I have to forgive? Master has to forgive you!"
Wei Changfeng smiled, "Then please help me explain and put in a good word for me!"
Yu Qinghong glanced at him and asked, "Why should I help you?"
The next moment, she saw a pearl necklace, as white as jade, being offered to her.
"This is my apology, please accept it, Senior Sister!"
"Ah!"
Yu Qinghong gasped, "How much did you spend on this? I don't want it!"
Her eyes were sharp, and she could tell that each pearl in the necklace was full and round, not only large but also uniformly sized. The subtle luster indicated that it was not an ordinary piece. In Jingyun City, it would cost at least several hundred taels of silver.
And Wei Changfeng didn't seem like someone from a wealthy family.
Wei Changfeng explained, "I didn't buy it. I found it in a small lake in the Qingmang Mountains yesterday. It came from a hundred-year-old clam, and I had the craftsmen at the Four Seas Pavilion string it together, so it didn't cost much."
"Although these pearls are not spiritual objects, they contain water essence, which can nourish the skin and complexion. They are perfect for you, Senior Sister. Please accept them!"
Hearing that it wasn't bought and with his flattering words, Yu Qinghong was truly tempted.
She hesitated, took the necklace, and said as if making a decision, "I can't just take it. I'll pay you back later. I'll help you explain to Master... Hey!"
She turned around and saw Tie Xinlan standing beside Wei Changfeng, and asked curiously, "Who is this? Is she your sister?"
Wei Changfeng said, "Her name is Tie Xinlan. She is five years old this year, and I found her to be a disciple for Master!"
A disciple for Master?
Yu Qinghong looked at the smiling Wei Changfeng and the shy and uneasy Tie Xinlan, completely confused!
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Today is a holiday. I wish everyone a happy holiday. I hope those who haven't found their other half can meet their soulmate soon. I'll be going out with my wife after posting this chapter. Since I don't have any drafts, I probably won't update tonight. I believe everyone can understand, (*^__^*) hehe!
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