Chapter 89

（There are already nine new patrons, thank you… thank you for the generous support from the new patron Xingye United…）

Zhao the steward, due to official duties, could not leave, so he specially sent two people to escort Mr. Zhao’s family, accompanying Chen Xun back to the residence in Tongluo Alley.

Upon returning to the residence, Grandpa and the others were still discussing the alliance with the Black Mountain, Zuo Ji, and other tribes.

Zong Ling and Nan Xi were cultivating in the courtyard. Seeing Chen Xun return after more than a month, and that Cai'er, whom they hadn't seen for over a month, had also come back, they excitedly ran over and asked:

"Xun, the people from Mr. Ge's residence returned your guest scholar robe, saying you would be back soon, but we didn't see you for a long time. Did you go back specially to bring Cai'er here?"

"Cai'er greets Lord Zong Ling and Lord Nan Xi…" Cai'er, her face blushing, ran over to pay respects to Zong Ling and Nan Xi.

Mr. Zhao, whose name is Zhao Tu, has a fierce and powerful name but very low cultivation. He hurriedly ran over to pay respects. Seeing that Zong Ling and Nan Xi, who were even younger, had already reached the middle stage of the True Yang realm, he was secretly shocked, thinking that the Black Python Tribe, to which Lord Xun belongs, must not be underestimated.

Chen Xun told Zong Ling and Nan Xi about what happened today, asking them to stay in the courtyard and focus on cultivation, as Canglan City might not be safer than the northern wilderness of Python Tooth Ridge.

"Cai'er isn't here to serve you, Xun?" Zong Ling, knowing the reason, said with a hint of regret.

Zhao Tu, being perceptive, seized the opportunity and pleaded with Chen Xun: "Cai'er has nowhere to go after returning home. Please, Lord Xun, take her in."

Chen Xun thought that if he were to establish his own household in the future, he couldn't casually command the nine clans' descendants. He would need someone to handle the daily chores and miscellaneous affairs.

Although Zhao Tu's cultivation was low, he was born and raised in Canglan City and had worked as a clerk at Lianxian Hall for twenty years. He was shrewd and capable, and well-versed in cultivation and the various factions in Canglan City.

If not for today's fortunate opportunity, where could he find such a versatile steward?

"If Uncle Zhao has nowhere to go, you and your family can stay and help me manage this courtyard," Chen Xun said.

"Zhao Tu thanks Lord Xun for taking us in!" Hearing Chen Xun's intention to take them in, Zhao Tu immediately pulled his family to kneel and pay respects to Chen Xun.

In Canglan City, the life of commoners is hard, and only by affiliating with a powerful clan can one hope for a bright future.

Moreover, they had offended Lianxian Hall this time. Without Chen Xun's protection, their family might end up dead on the streets tomorrow.

"My courtyard is small and can't accommodate so many. Take these Black Python Pills and buy a house nearby to settle your family," Chen Xun said, handing the leather bag filled with Black Python Pills to Zhao Tu.

In the secular world, fifty Black Python Pills are a huge fortune, more than enough for Zhao Tu to settle his family.

Chen Xun thought for a moment and took off the guest scholar seal from his waist, handing it to Zhao Tu:

"Take this first. It will make things easier for you. Return it to me after settling in..."

Zhao Tu, a minor figure in Canglan City, feared that carrying a bag of Black Python Pills would attract thieves, but with Chen Xun's guest scholar seal, it was a different story.

If anyone in Canglan City were foolish enough to rob a disciple of a guest scholar of the Suwuwei Manor, their fate would be no better than that of the Yue Lun family.

Having just met today, Chen Xun trusted him with the guest scholar seal, which greatly moved and gratified Zhao Tu. However, having seen Chen Xun's sharp methods at Lianxian Hall, he knew he could take advantage of the situation but dared not have any ulterior motives. He thought that Lord Xun, being so generous and already a guest scholar of the Suwuwei Manor at a young age, would surely rise to prominence and might even become a senior figure in the Su family.

Zhao Tu thought that if he served diligently, Cai'er might have the chance to become Lord Xun's concubine, which would also give her a bright future. He was just afraid that the girl might not understand and wondered if he should secretly teach her.

*****

Grandpa's matters would not be resolved quickly, so Chen Xun returned to the study to meditate.

When the moon was high in the sky, he heard Zhao Tu talking to Cai'er in the courtyard. Chen Xun opened the door and asked, "Did you settle everything so quickly?"

"With the guest scholar seal, things were much easier. The house is right across the alley. The owner was happy to move out immediately for double the price. If you need anything, just call across the alley," Zhao Tu said excitedly, wanting to return the guest scholar seal and the extra Black Python Pills to Chen Xun.

Chen Xun took back the guest scholar seal and told Zhao Tu to keep the extra Black Python Pills:

"Keep these for now. You will be in charge of this courtyard. Your two boys, who I see have good potential, if they wish to cultivate, the expenses will be covered by this courtyard. Don't be too frugal for me."

In addition to Cai'er, Zhao Tu had two young sons with good potential, but Chen Xun didn't have the time to personally teach them.

Canglan City has countless large and small sects. Although they can't teach profound mystical arts, as long as one can join and diligently cultivate, reaching the middle stage of the True Yang realm is still possible.

Joining these sects is extremely expensive, far beyond the means of commoners.

However, for Chen Xun, the cost of apprenticeship and initial cultivation in the True Yang realm was negligible.

At most, it would cost him one or two Black Python Pills per month.

If this could ensure Zhao Tu's loyalty in managing the household and Cai'er's loyal service, allowing him to focus on cultivation, it would be worth it.

Hearing Chen Xun's words, Zhao Tu was moved to tears and knelt with Cai'er to thank him.

"If there's nothing else, go rest. You've had a tiring day," Chen Xun said.

"There's one more thing to report, Lord," Zhao Tu said.

"What is it?" Chen Xun asked.

"The Yue Lun family has already transferred Lianxian Hall and fled the city with their family and dozens of servants in the middle of the night," Zhao Tu said.

"..." Chen Xun was slightly stunned, not expecting the Yue Lun family to act so quickly, fleeing as if they feared staying another moment would mean certain death on the streets of Canglan.

Chen Xun was silent for a long time, then asked Zhao Tu, "By the way, have you heard of Qingyangzi in Canglan City?"

"Are you asking about Grandmaster Qingyang, the supreme elder of the Canglan Academy?" Zhao Tu asked, puzzled that Chen Xun hadn't heard of Qingyangzi.

"Since I arrived in Canglan City, I've been focused on cultivation and know little about the Su family and Canglan City—otherwise, I wouldn't have caused such a commotion at Lianxian Hall today," Chen Xun said calmly.

"Although Qingyangzi is not a member of the Su family, he is from the Suwuwei Manor. In terms of seniority, he is the uncle of the current Suwuwei Manor Lord. He holds a prestigious position in the academy and broke through to the Rebirth realm over a hundred years ago, advancing to the Tianyuan realm!" Zhao Tu said.

Chen Xun felt a chill run down his spine. He had overheard the secret meeting of the Zuo Ji tribe the night before, knowing that the Qingyangzi whom Lou Shiyi had joined was no ordinary person, but he hadn't expected him to be such a significant figure, a senior to Su Qingfeng and Su Quan.

Breaking through to the Tianyuan realm over a hundred years ago, such a supreme expert in Canglan would be almost as powerful as the Su family's centuries-old patriarch, if not quite as strong.

Chen Xun nodded, indicating he understood, and let the frightened Zhao Tu and Cai'er rest. He returned to the study and sat down, but his mind could not calm down.

The hasty escape of the Yue Lun family vividly demonstrated the cruelty of this world.

Canglan City may seem to follow some rules, but the essence of the strong preying on the weak has not changed.

Even if the Yue Lun family hadn't fled, Lianxian Hall would have fallen drastically after today's events. The forces that had grievances with Lianxian Hall would not miss the opportunity to strike.

If the Yue Lun family hadn't fled in the middle of the night, they might have ended up dead on the streets without Chen Xun or the steward Zhao taking action.

Chen Xun thought that, as a guest scholar of the Suwuwei Manor, he was protected and didn't fear the Gui Xi tribe daring to act openly against him, but what about the future?

Was he really going to spend his life under the protection of Su Tang and the Suwuwei Manor, just eating and waiting to die?

Perhaps the Gui Xi tribe had no interest in targeting him anymore, but if Lou Shiyi, after cultivating under Qingyangzi, came to seek revenge, he would have no chance of survival.

Qingyangzi, with his prestigious position and having broken through to the Tianyuan realm over a hundred years ago, would not only possess profound mystical arts but also vast cultivation resources.

Lou Shiyi, under his tutelage, would cultivate rapidly and might break through the physical barrier and advance to the Rebirth realm before the age of twenty.

When Lou Shiyi came to seek revenge after cultivating, would he have to flee Canglan like a stray dog, just like the Yue Lun family?

No, absolutely not!

No matter where he went, the essence of the strong preying on the weak in this world would not change.

If he always thought of just surviving, he might never have a chance to return to Earth.

The only way to prevent Lou Shiyi from coming to seek revenge was to be stronger than him.

Being strong enough was the foundation for standing in this realm and not having to live like a stray dog.

*****

"Commander, the Yue Lun family was forced to flee today by that boy?" Lou Jiao, having received a report from his subordinates, already knew what had happened at Lianxian Hall in Huayang Ward today, hurriedly ran to Lou Li's guest scholar residence to ask for a plan, "If we don't send someone to find the Yue Lun family, I think they, being dead dogs, wouldn't mind finding someone to kill that boy before fleeing!"

"No," Lou Li shook his head with a dark look, "That boy's life should be left for Shiy