Chapter 53

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Hu Mansion, Main Hall.

The incense smoke flowed like water, and this fragrance made Su Qignian feel refreshed and clear-minded, and his depleted mental energy subtly recovered a bit.

Indeed, it is a family of scholars, Su Qignian sighed in his heart. Even the incense tower they lit was meticulously crafted, a blend of agarwood and sandalwood, known for its calming properties. Su Qignian knew that this kind of calming incense was only available for purchase at the Tranquility Pavilion, a thousand-year-old shop on Chang'an Wen Chang Street in the capital city.

"The kindness of the young hero is deeply appreciated by all in the Hu family. This is a small token of our gratitude. Please do not refuse it. If you have any needs in the future, the Hu family will do everything in our power, even at the cost of our lives!"

Grandfather Hu sat at the head of the table, his face beaming with a refined demeanor. With the threat now eliminated, he had regained some of the dignity of a prominent family. His words were like a gentle breeze, soothing to the ears.

A servant brought forward a purple sandalwood tray covered with a red cloth. When it was opened in front of Su Qignian, it revealed several silver ingots, each as large as a baby's fist, weighing about five taels, pure white, and inscribed with the four characters "Fengtian Chengyun" (By the Grace of Heaven). These were official silver ingots minted and issued by the court, of high quality, not the kind of silver used by common people, and with high purchasing power. Now, there were a hundred such silver ingots in front of Su Qignian.

Five hundred taels of silver!

This was different from the two hundred taels previously offered as a reward by the Hu family, more than double the amount.

Su Qignian's heart was as clear as a mirror. Being a scholar, he naturally understood the other party's intentions and the intricacies of human relations. This was just a light rain in the world of social interactions.

Without accepting the gift, Su Qignian took out a scorched yellow paper and placed it on the tray, looking at Grandfather Hu and saying, "Please take a look, Grandfather Hu."

Grandfather Hu was slightly taken aback. When the servant brought the paper close, he grabbed it and was immediately shaken to his core, his gaze fixed.

"Qingshan Town, Jiliang Ridge, nineteen acres of farmland on Wudang Qingyang Peak, established by Ling Yuanhe, in the year 4891 of the Chixiao Calendar."

Ling Yuanhe, Grandfather Hu remembered clearly, was an ancestor of the Ling family in Yunyang County over five hundred years ago. Before leaving Qingshan Town, the Ling family had specifically entrusted these nineteen acres of farmland to him.

"Step back!"

Grandfather Hu dismissed the servants and then looked at Su Qignian, speaking in a solemn tone, "May I ask the young hero's name? Are you from the Qingyang Peak lineage?"

"Wudang Qingyang Peak, Su Qignian."

Su Qignian spoke calmly, his gaze steady as he looked at Grandfather Hu.

Grandfather Hu took a deep breath, feeling somewhat hesitant. Although Wudang Qingyang Peak was far away in the countryside of Yunyang County, he had often read local histories of Yunyang County and even the entire Shiyan Prefecture, understanding that on Wudang Mountain, the only national-level major sect in Shiyan Prefecture, there were originally seventy-two lineages, but many had been lost over time, leaving only twenty-seven. The nineteen acres of farmland he had received over five hundred years ago belonged to the Qingyang Peak lineage, which had long since lost its succession.

The passage of time, the changing of the seasons, five hundred years were enough to erase everything. Grandfather Hu never expected that after five hundred years, the Qingyang Peak lineage would be reconnected. He couldn't help but feel a bitter smile, never expecting to have taken on such a hot potato. As a prominent family in the village, with relatives in Yunyang County developing trade routes and his own family having several caravans traveling throughout the county, Grandfather Hu understood the complexities. The entire Yunyang County had many private properties of the various peaks of Wudang, even involving industries like textile shops, cultural goods stores, and land and grain trading. Many merchants and traders had some dealings with these properties, and he could sense the underlying power struggles.

Having experienced many years of human relations and the warmth and coldness of the world, Grandfather Hu had many thoughts. The reconnection of the Qingyang Peak lineage, without any announcement from Wudang or the imperial court, and without any envoys from major sects or the Ministry of Rites coming to congratulate, was telling. Although the Hu family had some influence and minor properties in Jiliang Ridge and Qingshan Town, compared to a national-level major sect like Wudang, it was like a small stream meeting a great river. Intervening rashly, Grandfather Hu found it difficult to predict the outcome.

But thinking of his grandson in the back yard, still unconscious, his frail body weak and his organs failing, Grandfather Hu became hesitant.

Seeing this, Su Qignian did not urge him. The lights in the main hall flickered, the air stagnant.

After a full half an incense stick, in the cold winter, Grandfather Hu's forehead was sweating, fine beads of sweat rolling down. He finally took a deep breath and looked at Su Qignian, saying, "The Hu family did indeed receive these nineteen acres of farmland. The young hero is welcome to take them. However, the Hu family owes you a great debt. Although we are not a prominent family, we have a tradition of scholarship and the teachings of the sages. We may not be experts in the classics, but we have them memorized. I need a reason, a reason for the Hu family."

After a moment's thought, Su Qignian nodded, "You want a reason, very well."

Clang!

A green blade of light blossomed before Grandfather Hu's eyes, like a sun hanging high in the sky, its light illuminating every corner of his heart, purifying all evil and darkness. From that moment on, nothing could be hidden, and the world was seen through clearly. The stream before him flowed, and the river of fate continued to roar.

After a long while, Grandfather Hu came to his senses, his spirit and energy refreshed. His eyes were bright, his demeanor more harmonious and transparent, and the once-clouded pupils were now pure and clear, free of impurities.

"Is this the legendary 'Xiuming Dao' of the Qingyang Peak lineage?"

"Yes."

Su Qignian nodded, his face slightly pale. The mental energy he had just recovered was once again depleted, and his vital energy had also decreased. With his current cultivation, performing such a high-level blade technique was still a strain. If he were to gather all his vital energy and spirit and use his full strength, he could probably only manage three strikes.

"Excellent!" Grandfather Hu nodded solemnly, "From today on, if Qingyang Peak has any needs, the Hu family will do everything in our power."

Regarding the 'Xiuming Dao,' a nearly forgotten lost blade technique, Grandfather Hu had once glimpsed it in the local history of Shiyan Prefecture.

Seven hundred and seventy years ago, the peak master of the Qingyang Peak lineage did not cultivate the peak's main technique, the 'Qingyang Sword,' but instead mastered the 'Xiuming Dao.' One day, while in seclusion on Wudang Qingyang Peak, he suddenly struck a blow, the blade light spanning three thousand miles, illuminating the entire night. It cut through a demon king from the Northern Sea, hidden in Zhuxi County, reducing it to dust and scattering its soul.

...

After that, the host and guest enjoyed a pleasant evening. Su Qignian did not hesitate to accept the hospitality. At the family banquet, Grandfather Hu prepared a wolf meat soup. By now, his 'Turtle Snake Technique' had reached the seventh level, and the refinement of his skin, tendons, bones, and marrow was in its final stage. The wolf meat soup was quickly absorbed and refined by his body.

Three hours later, Su Qignian walked out of the guest room of the Hu family, looking into the distance. The orange sunlight was pure, and he faced the rising sun, practicing his blade technique, his gaze unwavering. The sunlight seemed to be absorbed by his pupils. The battle of the previous day, though brief, had been very instructive, especially the duel between the young monk Mingjue and the unnamed scholar, which had greatly benefited him.

Regarding the timing, location, and the art of leveraging momentum, Su Qignian felt his own shallowness. Cultivation and power were one aspect, but actual combat was another realm. If the difference in cultivation were not so great, the outcome of such a battle would be hard to predict.

Practicing his blade technique, performing his morning exercises, and finishing his breakfast in the main hall, Su Qignian got up to take his leave.

"Please accept this, and take good care of my grandson."

Grandfather Hu handed over a package, and Su Qignian did not hesitate to accept it. His mental energy was sharp, and he naturally knew what was inside. The little boy was possessed by a demon's essence, his organs failing, and ordinary medicines could not save him. Su Qignian sensed that he had at most half a month left. Even if he returned to the mountain and used all the contents of the package, it was uncertain whether there would be any hope of survival.

An hour later, after walking more than ten miles out of Qingshan Town, Su Qignian stopped and said calmly, "You have followed me for ten miles. It's time for you to show yourself." (Updated at noon, please give free recommendations daily, and new readers, please click to add to your bookshelf for collection)