Chapter 70 of 100

Chapter 70

16 min read3,963 words

The steward of the Wang family opened the central gate of the mansion. Old Master Wang, dressed in a brocade robe and jade belt, stood by the door, waiting for Wang Qi to lead the distinguished guest inside.

Xuankong glanced at Old Master Wang and found that he was not actually very old, well-preserved as he was, and looked to be around fifty years old. The quality of his brocade robe was excellent, but the color was simple, clearly indicating a deep understanding of understated luxury.

The servants on both sides stood with their heads bowed, orderly and disciplined, exuding a noble air.

What piqued Xuankong's curiosity was that Old Master Wang's face was auspicious, indicating a life of good fortune and health, but there was a faint black aura around his eyebrows, suggesting a sign of impending death.

Wang Qi stepped aside to let the old master greet him. Wang Qi rushed forward a few steps and knelt down with a thud, sobbing, "Father, your son Wang Qi has returned home!"

A smile appeared on Old Master Wang's usually stern face. He walked a few steps forward and personally helped Wang Qi up. Though he was outwardly cold, he was inwardly warm, and in front of his family, he only said, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."

It turned out that he was extremely angry about Wang Qi leaving home without permission to learn some kind of immortal techniques.

It was Wang Qi's elder brother who told Old Master Wang about the incident on the street, and only then did the old man learn the details. Although he scolded his youngest son for being reckless, he was secretly pleased and felt a sense of pride that there was someone to carry on the family legacy.

Xuankong also followed behind and respectfully performed the junior's salute. He had calculated in his mind that Old Master Wang had rebuilt the family's vast fortune from nothing in his youth, and he felt a certain admiration for him.

Old Master Wang, having learned Xuankong's identity from his second daughter, hurriedly stepped aside and said nervously, "I dare not accept such a grand salute from an immortal!"

Xuankong, however, was not bothered by this and said with a smile, "I am like a brother to my junior, and this is a salute as a junior. Old Master can accept it."

Hearing this, Old Master Wang reluctantly accepted a half salute and said, "Heaven, earth, ruler, kin, and teacher—immortals are above kin. I am an old man, and to receive a salute from an immortal is already a great honor."

Old Master Wang insisted, and Xuankong naturally complied. After performing the salute, he turned to his disciple and said, "Jun, come and meet Old Master!"

Wang Jun responded, thinking, "This is a loss."

When he had become Xuankong's disciple, Xuankong was already a celestial immortal, and even a grand salute of three kneelings and nine prostrations would have been appropriate. But to bow to Old Master Wang seemed inappropriate given their statuses.

Although he was reluctant, he could not disobey his master's command.

He walked a few steps forward, bent his knees, and was about to bow. But Old Master Wang, who had spent his life in business, had sharp eyes. He immediately noticed the Hetian dragon jade pendant on Wang Jun's waist and was taken aback.

He quickly reached out to support Wang Jun and said, "The disciple of an immortal is like a celestial dragon or phoenix. I am just a mortal. There's no need for such formalities between us."

Wang Jun looked at his master, and seeing Xuankong nod, he stood and performed a bow.

Even the little fox on his shoulder straightened up, raised its front paws, and bowed to Old Master Wang.

Old Master Wang repeatedly said, "I dare not, I dare not!" He called the servants around him and instructed them to take the carriage to the back courtyard, then gestured for Xuankong and the others to enter the main hall.

He sent his youngest son to the back courtyard to see his mother, and then sat with Xuankong and the others to have tea.

Old Master Wang said, "My youngest son has always admired the path of immortality, saying he wanted to learn immortal techniques to glorify the family business. I thought he was delusional, but now he has actually become a disciple of an immortal, which is a great honor for our family."

Xuankong smiled and said, "As the saying goes, a teacher leads you to the door, but cultivation is up to the individual. My junior has been very diligent on the mountain and is already halfway on the path of cultivation."

Old Master Wang nodded and asked carefully, "I wonder where the immortal practices?"

Xuankong replied solemnly, "We are disciples of the Laoshan Sect."

Old Master Wang gave a thumbs up, "I have long heard of the great reputation of Laoshan. It is indeed a sacred place for immortals, capable of attracting such a distinguished immortal like you."

Xuankong modestly said, "I dare not be called an immortal. You can just call me Xuankong."

Old Master Wang did not refuse this time, "Very well, since you are a fellow disciple with my youngest son, I will take the liberty of calling you my nephew, and you can call me Uncle?"

Xuankong agreed, and Old Master Wang smiled, asking, "Uncle has mortal eyes and sees you as young. I wonder if you have a spouse?"

In the Daoist sects, each has its own rules, and some branches do not prohibit marriage. Xuankong did not expect this question and felt a bit awkward, "Not yet." Old Master Wang stroked his beard and smiled, "Then you must have a beloved in your heart?"

Xuankong glanced around and saw that only his disciple Wang Jun was sitting beside him, while the little fox had gone with Wang Qi to the inner hall to see his mother.

With no one else around, Xuankong could speak frankly and shook his head, "No, I am focused on cultivation and immortality. Although I have an interest in beautiful women, I am not willing to consider marriage at this time."

Even for beauties as exquisite as Xiangyu and Jiangxue, Xuankong only admired and praised them, letting them pass through his mind without attachment.

Old Master Wang smiled for a while and then suddenly said, "I have a young daughter, the sixth sister of Wang Qi. She is about the same age as you. Are you interested?"

Xuankong was taken aback, and Wang Jun couldn't help but chuckle. He was about to stand up and leave to give his master some privacy to talk with his "father-in-law." Xuankong glared at him, stopping him, and then declined, "I dare not accept such a generous offer. I am focused on cultivation and do not wish to be involved in worldly emotions."

Old Master Wang tried to persuade him, "I have already asked Wang Qi. Your cultivation is profound, and you have long passed the stage of preserving your original yang. If you do not mind my daughter's humble background, you can consider it. She is virtuous and skilled in all household matters..."

No matter what he said, Xuankong only shook his head.

Old Master Wang said, "If you marry my daughter, I will pass half of my fortune to her and help you build a Laoshan branch here by the North Sea. How does that sound?" Xuankong's eyes darkened, secretly cursing Wang Qi for being so talkative and already plotting against his senior brother as soon as he returned home.

On one side was his personal feelings, and on the other was the development of the Laoshan Sect.

While Xuankong was weighing his options, a servant quickly entered the hall with a fruit plate covered in a red cloth and said, "Master, today's pastries have arrived." Old Master Wang stopped talking, his fingers twitching, and patted Xuankong's hand, saying, "Nephew, don't rush. Take your time to consider. The doors of the Wang family are always open to you."

After a few more words, Old Master Wang quickly lifted the red cloth from the fruit plate. Xuankong saw clearly that the plate did not contain any fresh seasonal fruits but two large snakes coiled together!

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