Chu Zhou was also surprised, quietly remarking to Qu Yanning, “You really can’t judge a book by its cover. Even Second Master Xie’s random driver can afford a private jet. 666.”
Qu Yanning: “…”
Zhang Ren glanced back at them, saying nothing, the scar on his face exuding a kind of nouveau riche energy.
Xie Qi called Qu Yanning over.
Qu Yanning, confused, walked over and looked at Xie Qi with wide, questioning eyes.
Xie Qi fiddled with the Fozhu on his wrist. This set was newly given by his family, and he still wasn’t used to wearing them.
“Did you bring the Jade Token I gave you?”
Qu Yanning nodded, showing the red string around his neck, from which hung a Jade Token and a Red Brocade Pouch.
Xie Qi: “And the Fozhu?”
Qu Yanning rolled up his sleeve to show the wooden Fozhu wrapped several times around his slender wrist.
Xie Qi was satisfied. “Good. Don’t take them off.”
Qu Yanning nodded in a daze.
Xie Qi led him away. “Come on, I’ll tell you some basics later. There’s still a lot you need to learn.”
“Oh.” Qu Yanning quickly followed.
The forgotten Chu Zhou: “…???”
Zhang Ren cleared his throat and walked over to him, saying gently, “Let’s go.”
……
Jiaoshi is in the northwest of Yisheng Province, bordered by the Tianmu Mountains to the north and the Huangqu River to the south.
Rich in mineral and underground water resources, it’s a renowned agricultural and industrial province.
The Zhang Family in Jiaoshi made their fortune from mining.
Several generations back, Zhang Ren’s ancestors had been miners.
Thanks to their intelligence and courage, they managed to build a family business from nothing in those days, laying the foundation for future generations.
By the time it reached Zhang Ren’s generation, the Zhang Family had become the dominant force in Jiaoshi, controlling half the city’s lifeblood— a textbook nouveau riche family.
The Zhang Family was large and prosperous, but each generation had few children. When Zhang Ren was born, he was practically raised in the palms of their hands, so it was no surprise he was a bit wild in his youth.
If he hadn’t gotten into trouble later, nearly implicating the family, his grandfather wouldn’t have called in favors from their ancestors and begged Xie Qi for help.
Without that, both Zhang Ren and the Zhang Family would be toothless old tigers by now, barely hanging on.
Afterward, the Zhang Family followed Xie Qi’s advice to give away wealth and ward off disaster. Zhang Ren was left with a scar on his face, but his personality became much more subdued.
To thank Xie Qi and temper Zhang Ren’s character, the family sent him to stay by Xie Qi’s side.
So even though Zhang Ren took care of Xie Qi’s daily needs and did the work of a nanny and driver, he was truly a rich second-generation heir.
Zhang Ren walked ahead of Chu Zhou, letting him sit down first, then had a flight attendant bring over a glass of warm milk, gently urging Chu Zhou to drink it and rest. “Once we reach Jiaoshi, we’ll rest at my place first. The mountains there are complicated—we’ll need a guide.”
“Thank you.” Chu Zhou took a sip of hot milk, his parched throat feeling much better.
His face was still pale and he looked drained, wearing no makeup and dressed in neutral sportswear. The black hair hanging down his neck gave him a fragile, sickly beauty.
Zhang Ren sat beside him, draped a blanket over him, and then fell silent, guarding him like a mountain.
Up front, Qu Yanning, who had wanted to ask about Chu Zhou’s condition, quietly turned back around.
In his heart, a thousand wild horses thundered, but after glancing at the icy Second Master Xie beside him, he could only swallow his words.
Xie Qi noticed his gaze and turned slightly. “What is it?”
Qu Yanning shook his head. “Nothing.”
Xie Qi asked, “Tired? Want to nap for a bit?”
Qu Yanning replied, “Not tired. Weren’t you going to teach me?”
Xie Qi said coolly, “It’s only a few hours’ flight, not enough time to teach you much. I’ll tell you a few stories about feng shui.”
Qu Yanning’s eyes lit up, and he agreed quietly.
So Xie Qi began to tell him stories.
……
The plane soared above the clouds. In the cabin, there was soft conversation, followed by a tense question, “And then?”
Xie Qi smiled faintly, continuing, “Later, that youth escaped from the mine and, following the Master’s instructions, plunged a bronze knife into the evil ghost’s chest.”
“Did the evil ghost die?”
“Mm.” Xie Qi slowly turned the Fozhu, recalling the scene. The youth, covered in wounds, staggered out of the mine, saying he’d killed the evil ghost and begging Xie Qi to save the Zhang Family.
Moved by his courage, Xie Qi finally helped resolve the Zhang Family’s crisis.
Qu Yanning let out a long sigh. “This world is really dangerous.”
Xie Qi smiled, his eyes glimmering. “You’re still young. Sometimes, people’s hearts are scarier than evil ghosts. If not for someone’s scheming, how would a young Zhang Ren have ended up exploring such a hidden mine with his companions, only to provoke a once-in-a-century fierce spirit?”
But he didn’t tell Qu Yanning this. Though the human heart could be treacherous, he hoped Qu Yanning could keep his current innocence.
The flight lasted over four hours before landing. Qu Yanning stretched lazily and followed Xie Qi outside.
At the airport, the Zhang Family’s driver was already waiting. Seeing Zhang Ren at the head, he respectfully called out, “Young Master.” Zhang Ren nodded and motioned for Xie Qi to take the first car, while he and Chu Zhou got into the second.
The car sped all the way to the Zhang Family Mansion.
At the gate stood a group of people, led by an elderly man with graying hair. Beside him was a middle-aged man in his forties. Both were plainly dressed, but carried an air ordinary people lacked.
Seeing Xie Qi get out, they warmly greeted him, “Second Master Xie, it’s been a while. How have you been?”
Xie Qi nodded, giving them a once-over, apparently satisfied. “Looks like you’ve both followed my instructions over the years.”
Zhang Old Master grinned. “We have. Though the Zhang Family isn’t as powerful as before, we’re thriving and harmonious, all thanks to your guidance.”
Xie Qi shook his head. “The causes you sowed were different, so your results are different. This is the path you sought yourselves.”
Zhang Old Master seemed moved, sighing a few times before inviting Xie Qi inside.
Qu Yanning nervously followed Xie Qi, completely baffled by the cryptic conversation.
Once inside the living room, a servant brought tea. Xie Qi was given the seat of honor, and everyone else sat down in turn.
Only then did the stern-faced Zhang Father speak. “My son has benefited greatly from Second Master Xie’s guidance all these years.”
Beside him, Zhang Ren kept his face tense and serious.
Xie Qi replied, “I wouldn’t call it guidance. In fact, Zhang Ren has helped me quite a bit. However…”
The Zhang Family members looked at him nervously.
Xie Qi finished, “However, the bond between us is nearly at its end.”
The Zhang Family didn’t understand, but the usually solemn Zhang Ren fidgeted with his fingers and stole a glance at Chu Zhou.
After the small talk, Zhang Father arranged for them to rest in the guest rooms. Zhang Ren escorted Chu Zhou to his room, gave him careful instructions, and then went to the study to see his father.
They rarely had a chance to meet, so there would be much to discuss.
Qu Yanning’s room was next to Xie Qi’s. The Zhang Family had prepared thoroughly; the house was already heated, and the moment he stepped inside, the chill from outside vanished.
Qu Yanning stretched, put away his things, and flopped onto the soft bed.
Next door, Xie Qi hadn’t brought any gifts. He paced his room a couple of times, picked out a few books, then composed himself and went next door to knock.
Qu Yanning opened the door. “Second Master, is something up?”
Xie Qi raised the books in his hand. “Found a few books for you.”
Qu Yanning hurriedly let him in. He’d just showered and changed into thick clothes, looking even rounder than usual.
Xie Qi fiddled with his Fozhu and sat down on the sofa.
Qu Yanning poured him some water and sat up straight across from him, looking like a good student waiting for a lesson.
Xie Qi cleared his throat, resisting the urge to pat his head, and handed over the books. “Take a look.”
Qu Yanning accepted them. The books weren’t thick, not even as thick as a coin. He glanced at the cover, which had the words “Yizhuan” on it.
When Qu Yanning opened the book, he found its contents completely different from any Yizhuan he’d seen in bookstores before.
The first chapter was a simple introduction. Qu Yanning read on in amazement.
The book said that in this world, there were not only Humans, but also Gods, Ghosts, and Demons.
Humans are the leaders of all beings, favored by the heavens, and have thrived for countless years.
But the other three races have dwindled over time, with the Gods becoming mere legends.
“Is all this in here true?” Qu Yanning asked.
The world in the book was so fantastical and strange, like another world he’d never seen.
Xie Qi looked at him gently. “At least, it once was true.”
Qu Yanning made a sound of acknowledgment and kept reading, his face full of wonder.
Xie Qi lowered his eyes to watch him, thinking that bringing over his junior’s primer for him to read had indeed been the right choice.
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