Suddenly, a loud crack resounded in the room. Xue Yi recoiled, a stinging pain blossoming on his cheek. Xue Chang stood there, hand still raised.
"You filthy animal," Xue Chang roared. "What did I do in this life to deserve a son like you?"
"Father?" Xue Er gasped, taken aback.
"Dear!" Rou Shui rushed to Xue Yi's side.
Xue Yi winced, eyes full of outrage. "Why did you hit me?" he demanded.
"Drop the act," Xue San said, his voice cold and final. "We already know everything—everything."
Then he recounted to everyone what he had already told his father. By the time he was done, no one looked more shaken than Xue Yi himself. He had been so sure his wife would never emerge from that place, or that their family would ever learn the truth.
Ruo Shui ran to Cai Jin and pulled her into a hug, sobbing and apologizing over and over. Xue Er, too ashamed to even face her, buried her face in her hands, her cheeks blazing red.
"Get out. I have no son," Xue Chang suddenly declared. The words were sharp, but the burden behind them was clear—it was the hardest decision he had ever made as a father.
"What?!" Xue Yi gasped, eyes wild. "You're taking her side over mine? Mother, say something! I'm your son!"
But Ruo Shui just trembled. She didn't utter a word. Fury bubbled inside Xue Yi when he realized no one would step in for him. He spun toward Xue San, rage flaring.
"This is your fault, you filthy brat!" he snarled. "Seems I didn't teach you well enough when you were little!"
Before anyone could react, he lunged at Xue San—only to be halted mid-step, as if seized by invisible chains.
"My dear brother," Xue San said, his voice cold, "I think you misunderstand something. I am a cultivator, and you are a mortal. If you tried to attack any other cultivator, you'd be dead before you even knew what had happened."
The air in the room turned frigid. Ruo Shui and Xue Er stood aghast at Xue San's uncharacteristic chill. Even Xue Chang winced. No matter how disappointed he was in his eldest son, he was still his son.
"Xue San," he said quietly, "enough."
"You heard Father," Xue San added. "Get out." He released his phantom hands, and Xue Yi collapsed in a heap before struggling upright. Shooting them all a murderous glare, he strode out of the house.
A voice inside Xue San clamored for him to end Xue Yi there and then, but he couldn't bring himself to do anything more after his father asked him to stop.
A long silence followed. Finally, Xue San spoke. "Mother, Xue Er—please help Sister-in-law clean up. The sun is almost up, and Xue Si and Xue Rou will be awake."
Snapped out of their daze, both women led Cai Jin toward the bathroom.
When they were gone, Xue San turned to his father. "Father I've been thinking. Dragon Fort City isn't right for us anymore. There's a rumor going around the sect that a lot of cultivators are converging here over some treasure. I think it'd be best for us to move somewhere safer."
"I agree," Xue Chang said. "After what your sister-in-law has suffered, it might be best to leave. Perhaps going back to our old village wouldn't be such a bad idea."
"Maybe," Xue San replied. "I was hoping to ask Mister Jin Fu for advice, but I have no idea when he'll return."
In the God Silk Palace.
"Ah, Shadow One," Jin Fu drawled, "don't you just love a good family reunion?"
Shadow One remained silent, noting how Jin Fu's interest in the boy had sharpened significantly after what he'd witnessed. He had to admit that he was also somewhat surprised by the boy's performance.
"Well," Jin Fu continued, "he did gain something from this ordeal. The contents of that Tiger Head ring alone would make many cultivators jealous."
"Should I send someone to retrive it?" Shadow One asked.
"No" he said, waving a dismissive hand. "Tell your men to back off for now. Let the boy rest. I have my own business to attend to anyway."
In the Xue household.
Cai Jin was still in the bathroom with Ruo Shui and Xue Er when Xue Si came downstairs, little Xue Rou in tow. The girl clung to Xue Si, eyeing Xue San warily. Fluffy on the other hand, rushed to leap onto Xue San lap the moment he saw him.
Seeing the little wolf cub being so playful with Xue San the little girl also wanted to be included
"Um… can I play with him?" Xue Rou asked, pointing shyly at the wriggling fluffball.
Xue Si, who loved exerting her "authority" at the ripe age of thirteen, chimed in. "Xue Rou, you don't have to ask him! If I, your aunt, say you can play with Fluffy, then you can play with him!"
Xue San couldn't help but laugh at the sight of his little sister trying so hard to act grown-up.
"Xue Rou!" Cai Jin's voice suddenly came from the doorway as she walked into the room.
Xue Rou froze momentarily, then her face lit with a dazzling smile. "Mommy, you came back! I knew you would. Daddy said you didn't love me anymore, but I never believed him." The little girl ran and jumped into Cai Jin's arms.
Her words left everyone in the Xue family stunned, especially Xue Er. She couldn't believe her older brother would say such a thing to his daughter. She'd already apologized profusely to Cai Jin, who had graciously forgiven her, but hearing what Xue Yi had told Xue Rou shook her all over again.
Xue San caught the look on his family's faces and felt baffled. What in the world happened to my brother? It can't just be about money—something else must have made him change so much.
"Mommy, look, look!" Little Xue Rou tugged her mother's hand, dragging her toward the small, furry creature in the corner. "This is Fluffy, and Aunt Xue Si says he can stay with us. Isn't he the cutest?"
The little girl practically vibrated with excitement now that her mother was home.
"How about we all have breakfast together," Xue Si suggested with a grin, "and then go shopping? Big Brother has plenty of money!"
"Xue Si, don't be like that," their mother chided. "Your brother needs money for his cultivation. Mister Jin Fu already told us how expensive cultivation can be."
"Mom," Xue Er interjected, "Xue San said he has lots of money. What's the harm in him spending a little on us?"
"Sure, no problem," Xue San said with an easy smile.
He hadn't even inspected the contents of the Tiger Head spatial ring yet, but he had found a substantial sum on the bodies of the other three men at Sakura Palace. Altogether, he had slightly over three thousand gold. He really needed to get a jade card for safer storage and so his family could access funds without relying on his visits.
"See, Mom?" Xue Er said, giving him an approving nod. "Our little brother is a rich cultivator now."
After breakfast, Xue San hired a large carriage so the whole family could travel together. Their first stop, to evryone surprise, was the Royal Bank.
The Royal Bank was the only institution authorized to issue jade cards. Established by the Soul Saint King at the founding of his kingdom, it was a groundbreaking innovation for its time—one that has steadily expanded in power and influence ever since.
It took only a brief process for Xue San to get his new card, and he found himself marveling at how cultivators seemed to have endless ways of making life easier. He alsome made to extra copies for his parents.
Then the family visited various shops around the city. No matter what his sisters asked him to buy, he readily agreed since none of it was particularly expensive.Even little Xue Rou asked him if she could have a dole that she saw on the display of a store
The family enjoyed a wonderful meal at a famous restaurant before finally returning home.
The next few days were the most relaxing Xue San had experienced in a long time. He savored the comforts of a wealthy life with his family, momentarily forgetting all about cultivation—but he knew he would soon have to leave them again.
Amid the recent chaos, Xue San had completely overlooked the alchemy book buried at his old house. He decided he would retrieve it tonight. There was also the looming question of where his family should move next. The influx of cultivators into Dragon Fort City over the past few days had been staggering, and he couldn't help but feel they would be safer elsewhere.
He was still mulling over these concerns, watching as Xue Si and Xue Rou were playing with Fluffy, when a servant appeared to announce that he had a visitor.
"My young friend Xue San," came a familiar voice. "As soon as I returned, I heard you were looking for me. I didn't expect you back from the sect so soon."
"Mister Jin Fu!" Xue San said eagerly, hurrying forward to greet the man who, as far as he knew, had helped his family immensely. "Mister Jin F—"
"Stop right there, boy," Jin Fu interrupted with a light chuckle. "I think we're past all the 'Mister' business. Just call me Jin Fu."
Xue San hesitated, feeling awkward, but then glanced at his father, who gave him a discreet nod. "I don't think I can call you by name alone, but I'll settle for 'Senior Jin Fu.'" he said "I'd like to express my deepest thanks for everything you've done for us." He bowed low, hands clasped.
"It's no problem at all." But then Jin Fu's tone turned serious. "Though, what an unfortunate time for you to have come back."
"What do you mean?" Xue Chang asked.
"Haven't you heard? The city isint so safe anymore, for exemple the White Tiger Merchant Guild was just disbanded. Apparently, someone crushed the skulls of the three guild leaders."
Xue San felt his blood run cold, though he was fairly confident no one knew he was responsible.
Jin Fu's voice remained grave, but inwardly, he was laughing at the change in Xue San's face.
Xue Chang, on the other hand, showed little reaction. "Karma finds us all," he said calmly.
"That's not the only cause for alarm, though," Jin Fu continued. "It seems the Sakura Palace was using its basement for all sorts of illegal and depraved practices. There's talk that even minors were involved."
"What?" Xue Chang exclaimed, his composure breaking at last. He couldn't remain indifferent—his daughter-in-law had barely escaped that very place.
"They must've provoked the wrong person," Jin Fu observed, giving Xue San a pointed look before carrying on. "When the Long Clan's guards arrived, they found a bloodbath. Some bodies were crushed to a pulp, impossible to identify. Others had their limbs torn off. It looked more like the work of a wild beast than a human." Though his tone held a note of horror, Jin Fu was secretly reveling in the retelling. "The only reason people aren't talking more about it is because the Long clan is suppressing the news" he added as an afterthought.
"Xue San, you…" Xue Chang began.
Xue San's heart lurched. Did my father figure it out?
"…You're fortunate you got there for your sister-in-law before that all happened," Xue Chang finished.
Xue San exhaled in relief. He had no desire for his family to know the truth. The cultivation world was cruel enough; there was no reason to burden them further.
So he quickly changed the subject. "Senior Jin Fu, as you know, our family has been through a great deal here, and this city only holds bad memories for us. I was hoping you could give us some advice on where we could go next."