6: Opening the spirit

He looked at the sky outside, which was showing a bit of light; unknowingly, dawn was already about to break.

Chu Shengyuan looked a bit dazed. "Ancestor Chu? Is he an ancestor of our Chu Family?"

Chu Jingyu laughed heartily and pinched Chu Shengyuan's dough-like cheek. "This title means that you should respect him as if you were making offerings to an ancestor."

After bouncing Chu Shengyuan a bit, he set the little fellow on the ground and then said to them:

"Having been busy all night, you all should hurry and get some rest. We'll talk about anything else after you've rested well."

Chu Shengyuan muttered the words 'Ancestor Chu' as his elder brother, Chu Shengfan, pulled him away to rest.

Because the door to Chu Shengyuan's room had been kicked broken by Chu Jingyu, the two went to Chu Shengfan's room to sleep.

Jiang Nian glanced at her husband and then silently led her daughter, Chu Shenghan, out of the room.

Only the father and son, Chu Jingyu and Chu Qinhui, remained in the Main Hall.

Chu Qinhui covered his lips with his fingers and coughed twice. He glanced at the stone book, which had returned to its ordinary appearance, and asked in a low voice:

"Father, that Spirit of the Source Artifact probably isn't something that originally existed within the Origin Artifact. Is he truly harmless to our Family?"

Chu Jingyu paused, secretly sighing. Indeed, with his strange behavior just now, it was only normal for Qin Hui to notice this; after all, he had been exceptionally intelligent since childhood.

Chu Jingyu glanced at the adjacent room, signaling Chu Qinhui to talk there. He then walked out of the Main Hall first, with Chu Qinhui following closely behind.

Chu Mu, silently watching the scene in the Main Hall from within the Nameless Book, shook his head slightly. This sickly member of the Chu Family was quite observant.

But this was fine as well; at least a smart person could recognize the situation and wouldn't do anything that harmed others without benefiting themselves.

Side Wing Room.

Chu Jingyu looked at the frail Chu Qinhui, a hint of pity flashing in his eyes.

He had originally wanted to give this opportunity for Spirit Opening to Chu Qinhui to see if he could take the chance to remove the curse within Chu Qinhui's body.

But perhaps as a reprimand for his distrust of Chu Mu, Chu Mu's words had consistently favored his grandson, Chu Shengfan.

Although there was no intention of forcing a choice, if he didn't satisfy Chu Mu's first request, then subsequent tasks might lead to extra complications.

"Before... that Family's Origin Artifact did not have a Spirit of the Source Artifact, and I've never heard of such a situation from the families in the surrounding prefectures. He claimed to be a higher-grade Origin Artifact, but I have no way of judging the truth."

Chu Qinhui frowned slightly. He had fled that Family when he was in his teens, and most of his youth was spent in a small courtyard, so he didn't know much about Origin Artifacts and Contract Masters.

He softly asked his father, "Then... what is Ancestor Chu's personality like?"

"He appears easygoing, yet there is a sharp edge within. However, he always gives me a feeling that is both young and weathered." By the end, Chu Jingyu's expression also carried a hint of confusion.

Thoughtfulness flashed in Chu Qinhui's eyes. "According to what Father says, perhaps this Ancestor Chu can be trusted for the time being. Besides, given our Family's current situation, there shouldn't be anything left to plot for."

Chu Jingyu nodded. "I think so too. The world is so vast; the existence of such a miraculous Origin Artifact might not be too rare. We'll just have to wait and see."

Chu Qinhui nodded and stood up, intending to leave, but then he looked at Chu Jingyu as if remembering something. "Did Father let him see the Golden Jade Beast? Can the injuries on its body be healed?"

"I didn't ask. I'll bring it up later once we've spent more time together."

Chu Jingyu looked at Chu Qinhui's pale cheeks and sighed, saying, "Ancestor Chu promised to perform Spirit Opening for one member of our Family in three days. From his words, he seems to favor Xiao Fan."

Hearing this, Chu Qinhui pulled a sincere smile. "Fan'er is twelve years old now, just the right age. This choice couldn't be more appropriate."

Seeing the sigh on Chu Jingyu's face, Chu Qinhui seemed to understand something.

"Father, I have been a burden to the Family for a long time. Even if you forced this opportunity on me, I wouldn't accept it. Besides, only when the Family prospers will there be a greater chance of curing this illness of mine."

Compared to Chu Jingyu's melancholy, Chu Qinhui appeared much more open-minded.

Chu Jingyu watched as Chu Qinhui's thin figure disappeared outside the door.

Just then, a ray of morning light shone through the door onto Chu Jingyu's overly aged face.

...

Three days passed quickly.

During this time, only on the first day did the Chu Family Members rest for a bit longer during the day, then they lived their lives as usual, as if contracting the Origin Artifact hadn't brought any changes to their home.

However, Chu Jingyu went out once during these three days, following the village's Mining Team to the back mountain. He only returned after a night, and his spirit was clearly quite exhausted upon his return.

After a day of rest, Chu Jingyu's spirit improved significantly, and all the members of the Chu Family gathered together once more.

No one spoke, only quietly waiting for time to pass.

Chu Jingyu's expression was calm, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.

Chu Qinhui's face held a hint of expectation as his gaze rested on Chu Shengfan.

Twelve-year-old Chu Shengfan's expression was much more varied, containing expectation, nervousness, and a bit of fear.

When a large patch of sunlight shone into the room from the doorway, at a certain moment, the stone book placed on the square table emitted colorful radiance.

Chu Mu's voice drifted out from the book.

"Clan Chief, have you decided on the candidate?" The voice was young, but the tone was flat, revealing no underlying emotion.

With a quiet sigh, Chu Jingyu led Chu Shengfan to the square table.

"I ask Ancestor Chu to perform Spirit Opening for Chu Shengfan."

He didn't know that Chu Mu already knew the ages and names of all the Chu Family Members perfectly, so he didn't call him Xiao Fan as usual, but formally addressed him by his full name.

"As you wish."

These four words revealed a certain lightheartedness, allowing Chu Jingyu to clearly hear Chu Mu's satisfaction.

A thread composed of white fluorescence emerged from within the stone book and shot straight into the center of Chu Shengfan's brow.

Chu Jingyu's raised hand lowered again, while the eyes of Chu Qinhui and Jiang Nian were filled with worry.

On the other hand, the two children, Chu Shenghan and Chu Shengyuan, were full of curiosity.

The faint white fluorescence spread from the center of Chu Shengfan's brow to his eyes, neck, and body, and then his entire being glowed with a soft radiance.

The whole process lasted for about ten seconds, and then the radiance was seen to completely recede.

Chu Shengfan opened his eyes, a sharp glint hidden deep within them.

Chu Jingyu squeezed Chu Shengfan's shoulder and then nodded. "Good, good."

Then Chu Shengfan bowed toward the book and thanked excitedly, "Thank you, Ancestor Chu, for the Spirit Opening."

"No need for thanks. As long as you diligently contribute your strength to the development of the Family, that will be the best repayment."

Chu Mu's voice sounded a bit tired, as if he had overexerted himself just now.

Chu Jingyu, being observant, cupped his hands. "Then we shall not disturb Ancestor Chu's rest for now."

"Withdraw." Chu Mu naturally treated the entire Main Hall as his own private domain, even though as a Mortal Weapon, he could not yet leave the Nameless Book.

In the courtyard, Chu Jingyu stared at his Family members and instructed:

"I'm going to take Xiao Fan to town to select the first Source Beast he will contract. Stay at home and don't go out before I return, and don't breathe a word about Ancestor Chu's existence."

Chu Qinhui nodded. "Father can rest assured about the home; however, you must be careful on the road."

Chu Jingyu nodded, and then he felt a sudden weight on his thigh as an extra 'object' attached itself.

It turned out to be Chu Shengyuan hugging his thigh. "Grandfather, I want to go to town too. Take me with you!"

Chu Jingyu showed a wry smile and patted the head of the 'Meatball' on his leg. "Xiao Yuan, Grandfather has urgent business to attend to this time. How about I take you to town to play next time?"

But Chu Shengyuan was clearly not someone who could be persuaded by a single sentence; he hugged the thigh and wouldn't let go.

"I know that after 'next time' there's always another 'next time.' Adults always like to trick children like this."

Jiang Nian stepped forward and grabbed Chu Shengyuan's back collar, threatening softly, "Get down."

Chu Shengyuan's body stiffened. No matter how much he threw a tantrum in front of his grandfather, it didn't matter, but this tactic absolutely would not work in front of his mother.

Chu Jingyu stroked Chu Shengyuan's head. "Then how about I bring back some delicious food and fun toys from town for you this time?"

With his grandfather's promise, Chu Shengyuan knew when to stop and obediently let go of his hands. Otherwise, if his mother settled the score after his grandfather left, it would truly be unpleasant.

Chu Shenghan stood silently by her father's side, a hint of envy faintly visible in her gaze as she looked at her younger brother.

...

Chu Mu couldn't observe what was happening in the courtyard; his attention was now focused on the page of the book for Chu Shengfan, where information changes had appeared.