bookpub Chapter 62 The Opportunity to Change Your Fate Has Arrived
Chapter 62 The Opportunity to Change Your Fate Has Arrived
Upon hearing Cui Yingtang's evaluation, Cui Xijun couldn't help but take it to heart.
She looked around and, seeing that the Xie family had not yet arrived, immediately decided to leave.
The Cui and Xie families have a long-standing feud and constant friction.
If we wait for the other side to arrive and see the corpses lying there, a conflict is likely to break out immediately, and the situation will be difficult to control.
Don't stay here for long.
Under her direction, her men quickly gathered up the corpses in the courtyard, and the group headed straight for the Cui residence without stopping.
Cui Yingtang had come all this way to protect his third sister. Seeing that she had arrived safely, he returned to the Cui residence and stopped asking questions. He then turned around and continued to study his martial arts.
Cui Xijun then went directly to see Cui Zhenru.
When she arrived at the flower hall, Cui Zhenru was entertaining guests.
The other party was an old Taoist priest with white hair and a youthful face, holding a whisk in his hand, chatting and laughing with Cui Zhenru, with an otherworldly demeanor.
The old Taoist priest noticed someone had arrived and stopped talking at the right moment. He took out a sandalwood box from his sleeve and gently placed it on the table, saying, "Master Cui, this is the Bright Spirit Pill you requested. As you requested, it was made without any blood offerings."
Cui Zhenru accepted the pill, cupped his hands, and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Daoist Master."
"You're too kind. Since Master Cui has other matters to attend to, I won't stay any longer. Feel free to visit the temple when you have some free time."
"I will definitely visit you another day."
Cui Zhenru stood up and personally escorted the Taoist to the door.
The Taoist priest passed by Cui Xijun, his gaze sweeping across her face before he drifted away.
Cui Xijun asked, "Father, who is that...?"
"Huangshi Daoist of Xuanzhen Temple."
Xuanzhen Temple?
That was the world's number one Taoist temple, said to contain the secrets of immortality and renowned throughout the land.
The name of Huangshi Daoren is widely known.
What is he doing at the mansion?
A question arose in Cui Xijun's mind, but she saw Cui Zhenru turn around and sit back in his chair, saying in a calm tone, "It's the time to collect debts right now. Why aren't you in your room managing the accounts and assigning people? What brings you here?"
Cui Xijun composed herself and stepped forward, saying, "My daughter has encountered a matter that is related to the Xie family."
Cui Zhenru's expression hardened, and he said, "Explain in detail."
Cui Xijun stepped forward and, in front of Cui Zhenru, recounted the events that had occurred in Shaojiawei from beginning to end.
The story begins with how the Xie family forced the Han family to sign a contract of servitude, plotting to embezzle the Cui family's rent, then moves on to how everyone tried to stop them, Chen Ye killed someone, and finally the Xie family blocked the water supply to force the tenants to abandon their rent...
She explained it in great detail.
Cui Zhenru sat in the chair and listened patiently to her finish speaking without interrupting her.
After a moment of silence, he spoke, "How much do you believe your second sister?"
"Thumbs up." Cui Xijun met Cui Zhenru's gaze and said, "Father also knows that Second Sister never exaggerates when it comes to martial arts."
Cui Zhenru did not respond.
He picked up the teacup beside him, lifted the lid, stirred the floating leaves, but didn't drink it, and put it down again.
He knew his second daughter better than anyone.
He has many flaws, but he is exceptionally talented in martial arts, even surpassing others in some areas.
From childhood to adulthood, he had rarely seen her truly praise anyone's martial arts skills, let alone say so much for an outsider in front of his third sister.
Unless that person is truly exceptionally talented.
In fact, as a martial arts master in the Qiaohai realm, Cui Zhenru sensed Chen Ye's unusual nature just from listening to his narration.
He stood up and walked to the door, gazing at the dark blue roof ridge in the courtyard outside. After a long pause, he finally spoke, "Have you investigated his background? Did he already know how to practice the Returning Origin Technique before coming to the Cui family, or did he learn it by stealing it after arriving?"
"My daughter checked, and before entering the Cui family, she only had a rudimentary martial art and had not been exposed to any of the Cui family's techniques."
Cui Zhenru turned around, his gaze sharp, and said, "Three months of auditing and self-study, you've perfected your technique and even discovered a new path within it. Do you know what that means?"
"My daughter understands. This is a rare talent. If the Cui family doesn't use him, I'm afraid another family will snatch him up."
Cui Zhenru sat back in his chair, exuding the calm and composed aura unique to the head of the family: "You just said, what are your plans regarding the Xie family?"
"Strike first. My daughter will have someone draft a letter shortly, to be delivered to the Xie residence in the name of the Cui family. It will state that the Xie family steward beat up a Cui family maid on the Cui family estate first, and then forcibly seized the Cui family's contract. We demand an explanation from the Xie family." Cui Zhenjun said clearly, "Anyway, the conflict between the two families has been going on for a long time."
Cui Zhenru nodded and said, "We'll do as you say for now. But the Xie family won't sit idly by; they'll definitely come knocking. When they do, just say I'm not in the manor. Whoever comes, keep them out of the door and tell them to go to the front hall to find Steward Zhao."
"None of you should leave the manor alone these next few days. Let's wait until things calm down a bit before making any decisions."
Cui Xijun agreed to all of them.
"As for Chen Ye..." Cui Zhenru pondered for a moment and said, "Regarding the matter of learning the Cui family's martial arts, whether he learned it in the training ground or not, as long as he didn't pass it on to outsiders, it's an internal matter of the Cui family, and the manor will not pursue it further. As for killing the Xie family steward, he was taking a knife for the Cui family, and the manor will take responsibility for him. Apart from that, let's put it aside for now."
Cui Zhenjun pleaded, "Can't we give him a chance to enter the Sutra Repository?"
"His background is too humble. We can't break the rules of the manor just because he has high martial arts talent. If your second sister is willing to take care of him, let her take care of him for now. Other options are not possible for the time being."
"If he truly wishes to become a guest retainer of our family, the Cui family can arrange a place for him in next year's martial arts examination. Once he passes the examination and obtains the status of a scholar, leaving the clan elders with nothing to say, we can discuss further matters."
Cui Xijun frowned slightly and said, "Only a little over a year left, isn't that a bit too little time?"
"The opportunity is here; whether he can seize it depends on his ability. The rules of the household must not be disregarded."
Cui Xijun sighed and said, "I understand, daughter."
She left the flower hall and returned to her own courtyard, where she ordered Hongling to call Chen Ye over.
After a while, Chen Ye, having received the news, rushed over.
"Third Miss, you wanted to see me?"
Cui Xijun asked Hongling to make tea, leaving only the two of them facing each other in the hall.
"Father has already made a decision regarding today's events. The Cui family will handle the follow-up matters. Do not leave the manor without permission these next few days."
Chen Ye's face lit up with joy.
He knew before he came to the Cui family that the Cui and Xie families had a long-standing feud.
As long as the Xie family doesn't go too far, there's a very high chance the Cui family will stick to protecting them.
"Thank you, Miss. I understand."
Cui Xijun looked at him and continued, "There's something else I want to ask you."
Chen Ye's expression turned serious as he said, "Third Miss, please speak."
"Your talent is exceptional, and the Cui family is willing to nurture you. However, noble families have their own rules, and the status of a scholar is the bottom line. The military examination will be held next year. If you are willing to strive for a better future, the Cui family can vouch for you and help you obtain the qualification to participate. Are you willing to give it a try?"
Cui Xijun knew this clearly.
Martial arts practitioners are as numerous as carp crossing a river, and countless ordinary people aspire to follow this path.
To expect him to compete with everyone in the world in just a year and a half is truly asking too much of him.
Upon hearing this, Chen Ye had other thoughts in mind.
More than a year is too long.
By then, Gao Yunheng will probably have already been promoted and returned to the capital.
He couldn't wait that long.
Chen Ye clasped his hands in greeting and asked, "May I ask, Third Miss, how often is the martial arts examination held?"
"The Great Jing Dynasty was founded on military strength. In other prefectures and counties, the examination might be held every three years, but in the capital region, where there are many aristocratic families, it is held once a year. Regardless of one's background, as long as one passes, one can obtain the status of a scholar."
Chen Ye continued, "When will the exams be held this year?"
"It's usually held in October after the autumn harvest. Now it's August, so there's still more than a month to go."
"Then I'll trouble you, Miss. I'd like to participate in this year's martial arts examination."
Seeing Chen Ye's impulsive actions, Cui Xijun said, "Don't joke around. The capital region is teeming with scions of powerful families. Even if you have the cultivation of a fourth rebirth, you might not pass. The Cui family can't vouch for you every year. Have you thought this through?"
Chen Ye replied in a voice as firm as metal and stone, "Third Miss, I've thought it through. A year is too long; I'll seize every moment!"