Su Yi silently took in the furious, out-of-control Ge Changing.
Finally, the old man started to calm down. Only then did Su Yi say, “Anger won’t solve your problems.”
Ge Changling fell silent for a moment, then said, “I remember it clearly. Back when I cultivated alongside your mother, she said something once.
“She said that she carried an extremely strange and terrifying demonic treasure, and that if one day. she no longer acted like herself, it was highly likely that said treasure had invaded her soul and taken hold of her body.
“She said that if something like that were ever to occur, then Su Hongli and I should do everything in our power to kill her.”
When he heard that, Su Yi couldn’t help but arch his brow.?A ‘treasure’ likely to invade its owner's body and soul? Isn't that a?bit too sinister?
Ge Changling continued, “At the time, Su Hongli was curious. He wanted to see what this demonic treasure looked like, but your mother refused. She even lost her temper, which was rare for her. She warned Su Hongli not to covet that treasure, and she said that doing so would only hurt him.”
The old man laughed?self-deprecatingly. “To tell the truth, I was incomparably curious too, but when I saw your mother lose her temper, I no longer dared harbor such thoughts.
“But looking at it now, it seems highly likely that the change in Su Hongli’s temperament is related to this demonic treasure!”
When he heard this, Su Yi’s eyes flashed, a hint of mockery on his lips. “My mother had to have known how dangerous this treasure was. Even after becoming Su Hongli’s wife, there’s no way she’d give it to him voluntarily.?In other words, Su Hongli’s greed most likely got the best of him, and he used some shameless method to steal it from my mother, resulting in an accident.”
Ge Changling nodded. “I thought the same, except…”
“Except what?”
“Except that although Su Hongli’s temperament has changed enormously, it seems nothing in particular changed beyond that. He still has his memories and intelligence. It doesn’t seem like someone else has possessed his body or taken over his soul.” Ge Changling furrowed his brow. “Furthermore, ever since stripping your mother of her position, he’s paid little heed to mundane affairs. He’s been in seclusion within the Su Family estate all this time, and he’s done little out of the ordinary.”
“You suspect that, although his temperament changed, the demonic treasure hasn’t taken him over?” said Su Yi. “Or even… that it’s highly likely he’s taken control over it instead?”
“That’s right. Your mother could control this demonic treasure. With the methods at Su Hongli’s disposal, he might well have been able to do so too.”
Su Yi’s eyes filled with reminiscence.
He clearly remembered that, when he was three years old, Su Hongli and his mother’s relationship had been wonderful.
Yet that year, on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, Su Hongli suddenly gave the order to have Ye Yufei stripped of her position and placed under house arrest. There were no signs and no warning before it happened at all.
Looking at it now, it seemed highly likely that when Su Yi was three years old, Su Hongli had pilfered his mother’s dangerous and demonic treasure!
As for why he’d view his former beloved with enmity, well, perhaps it was just as he’d told Ge Changling. Perhaps Su Hongli really did think Ye Yufei harbored evil intentions, and that she’d come close to hurting him?
Su Yi pondered this briefly, but he couldn’t be bothered to give the matter any further thought.
Something about Su Hongli had changed. There was no doubt about it.
However, even if he didn’t understand the truth of the matter, there was no way Su Yi would let Su Hongli off.
This was a man who’d killed his wife and a bastard who viewed his own flesh-and-blood son as an “unworthy descendant.” It didn’t matter what his reasons were; nothing could make up for his sins! contemporary romance
Besides, to Su Yi, who had the memories of his past life, ending his current biological father wouldn’t put any psychological pressure on him.
He wouldn’t care in the slightest, not even if he was forced to bear the unpleasant name of “patricide.”
“Might you show me the cultivation technique my mother taught you?” asked Su Yi.
“I anticipated that you’d be interested in it, so I’ve already inscribed both the cultivation technique itself and the two secrets arts she taught me onto a jade talisman. Please, take a look.”
.
As he spoke, Ge Changling took out a jade talisman and passed it to Su Yi, who examined its contents with his divine sense.
Inside was a cultivation technique called the “Mysterious Netherworld Embracing Origin Incantation.” It was a Daoist inheritance, and it was a complete technique. It could take someone all the way to the peak of the Spirit Dao.
To Su Yi, a cultivation technique like this wasn’t top-notch, but by the standards of the Azure Continent, it was quite an impressive legacy.
Su Yi asked, “When you met my mother, were you already a Xiantian Martial Ancestor?”
Ge Changling nodded. “I was indeed.”
“No wonder,” said Su Yi. “When she taught you this technique, she likely told you not to attempt to break into the Earthly Immortal Realm within the next ten years. Is that right?”
Ge Changling looked surprised, but he nodded. “That’s right.”
Su Yi then glanced at the two other techniques. They were called “Flowing Clouds Return to Origin” and “the Heavenly Sword of the Five Absolutes.”
Both techniques were clearly complimentary to the Mysterious Netherworld Embracing Origin Incantation, and both were extraordinary.
When he finished looking, Su Yi returned the jade talisman to Ge Changling. “Seeing this, I can tell that she really saw you as her friends.”
Although Su Yi sounded calm, Ge Changling looked conflicted and ashamed. “That’s right. But to me, she wasn’t just a friend. She was my guide, my benefactor. She taught me miraculous techniques and instructed me, and she never kept anything for herself, but…?After she died, I couldn’t avenge her. I’ve had a guilty conscience ever since. Every time I think of her, I can neither sleep nor eat in peace.”
He then sighed, looking lost and forlorn.
Su Yi had nothing to say to this.
Before long, Ge Changling got his emotions back under control. “Three days from now, should you fail, I’ll help you escape alive even if it kills me.”
With that, he got up, bade farewell, and left.
As soon as he left through the villa’s gates, Ge Changling recalled something. “Right, there’s something you should know. A few years ago, I visited the chasm deep within Sifting Darkness Yao Mountain once more, only to discover that the ninety-foot sword tomb was missing.”
“Your mother once said that the sword tomb sealed a peerless but cursed sword. I suspect that Su Hongli is the one that took it. Fellow Daoist, you must be careful.”
His voice still echoing through the air, Ge Changling gradually faded into the distance.
Su Yi remained in the courtyard, reclining in his wicker chair, his expression just as calm as before.
Ge Changling’s visit had cleared up many of his doubts.
But, although Ge Changling most likely didn’t know it, even without knowing the reasons behind this, he wouldn’t have shown Su Hongli any mercy.
This grudge had long since become his heart’s obsession, and he had to sever it. He had no need for any other reasons!
“Fang Yuan,” said Su Yi.
“Can I assist you, Your Excellency?” Fang Yuan hurried over.
“Go buy a bowl of noodles. Vegetarian, with clear, watered-down broth. No seasoning,” ordered Su Yi.
Fang Yuan was surprised, but despite his confusion, he went out to do as he was told.
Before long, he returned with a bowl of steaming hot noodles.
“You can return to what you were doing,” said Su Yi. He sat up in his chair, picked up his bowl and chopsticks, and started eating.
They were bland, and to Su Yi, someone who’d grown accustomed to eating well, they were even a bit difficult to swallow.
Nonetheless, he ate them with complete seriousness.
Years ago, on the second day of the second month, the day he turned four years old, in that dark, damp little room, that woman made him a bowl of birthday noodles.
She was?bony?and gaunt, racked with illness, every breath agonizing, like a captive beast trapped in darkness and on death’s door.
She was so pitiable that it made one’s heart ache.
It didn’t matter where she’d come from or who she was. That wasn’t important to Su Yi, and it hadn’t been for a long time.
Su Yi finished his noodles, then leaned back into his chair, stroking the armrests, as tranquil as before.
He’d already waited for years.?There was no rush. He could wait another three days.
……
Late that same night.
Su Hongli had been fishing beside the pond for quite some time when he suddenly asked, “Has my unworthy son left Pinewind Villa since killing You Tianhong?”
“He hasn’t.” The Daoist elder silently appeared, then said softly, “Fellow Daoist, Ge Changling has most likely told Su Yi about what happened back then.”
“I anticipated that this would happen,” said Su Hongli indifferently. “It’s not at all strange. No, what surprises me is that even after learning what happened, the boy has kept his cool.”
He said this, then laughed. “Daoist Brother, there’s something I’d like you to do for me.”
….
The night skies were shrouded in mist.
Mu Xi, Pu Yi, and the others were currently dining in the Jade Capital’s House of Falling Petals.
“I already looked into it. On the third night of the fifth, the imperial clan will dispatch the shadow dragon guards, locking down everything within ten miles of the Su Family estate.” Mu Xi spoke between sips of wine. “After all, as you’re all well aware, if Su Yi and the Su Family fight, the aftershock will destroy countless streets, buildings, and homes. Sending the uninvolved away in advance is the wisest decision.”
Pu Yi sighed. “I wonder how many people in the Jade Capital are watching and waiting for the impending storm? They say that lately, incredible experts are pouring in from all over, including no shortage of powerhouses from the Great Wei and Great Qin.
“Like the Cloudstone Venerate, the one they call the strongest fighter in the Great Qin’s Donghua Sword Sect, or Jin Ruolan of the Great Wei’s top clan, the Jin Family. They both arrived in the Jade Capital days ago.
“It’s no exaggeration to say that no one knows just how many mighty experts are currently gathered in the Jade Capital.”
This declaration sent waves coursing through the group’s hearts.
Su Yi slew You Tianhong atop Nine Millet Mountain?on the?twentieth. Word of their duel shook the nation and its neighbors, spreading throughout the Great Zhou, Great Qin, and Great Wei at the fastest possible speeds and stirring up countless waves.
Now, the fourth day of the fifth lunar month was fast approaching. The nation’s attention was focused on Su Yi, the Su Family, and the grudge match about to unfold.
As a result, numerous dark undercurrents were coursing throughout the Jade Capital, signs of the impending storm.
When they finished their banquet and left the restaurant, it was already the middle of the night.
Just as they were about to leave, they saw a gaunt, lean-faced older man in Daoist robes. His hair was tied up in a topknot, and he carried a feather whisk.
The elderly Daoist’s gaze swept across Mu Xi and the others. He flashed them a smile as warm as a spring breeze and gently inclined his head.
“This humble Daoist is here on orders. Everyone, please kneel.”
done.co