146: Chapter 146 Settling Accounts

At night, a bright moon hung in the sky, its pure moonlight silently blanketing the entire courtyard.

Su Yang was tending to the spirit plants by the Ting Lake. Half of the seeds he had exchanged for in Great Wei had now quietly bloomed or were heavy with green, unripe fruit; the air was permeated with their escaping fragrance and dense Spiritual Qi.

He scooped up a ladle of spirit spring water. Where the droplets fell, the spirit plants seemed to be awakened with vitality, emitting a soft glow as bits of starlight flowed under the moonlight.

Beneath the nearby heavenly spirit fruit tree, Su Xuanheng was focused on sparring with Wei Yan. Their sharp blades clashed with precision, reflecting the moonlight into streaks of cold, shimmering light.

There were no fluctuations of spiritual power or bursts of Sword Qi, only pure sword technique Moves—each strike steady and exquisite.

The siblings Su Xinyao and Su Xinyue stood to the side, watching intently.

In the pavilion, Ruan Ning sat peacefully holding her young son Su Xinrui. She turned her head slightly, her gaze falling upon Qin Jiangmei and Su Xuanling, who were playing the zither.

The melodious notes of the zither were like gurgling water, blending perfectly with the tranquil moonlit night.

At this moment, the intrusion of a figure shattered the silence.

"Grandpa! I want to go too! Take me with you!"

Learning that the Family was sending people to the Yunmeng Ruins, Su Xinyou immediately rushed into the inner courtyard to find his grandfather, huffing and puffing as he ran swiftly.

He wanted to go to the Yunmeng Ruins so badly; he wanted to see the Cultivation World outside.

Since birth, he had always stayed in Qingyuan. Although he occasionally rode a falcon to fly outside, he only wandered nearby and didn't dare to travel far.

Every time he saw his elders return and describe the vibrant colors of the Cultivation World, his heart would be filled with yearning.

He had wanted to go to the Yunmeng Ruins but had always been refused by his elders. Now that he finally had an opportunity, he naturally didn't want to miss it.

Su Yang glanced at him indifferently and continued to tend to the spirit plants in his hands. "If you can Breakthrough to the Qi Refining Second Layer before they depart, I will grant you passage."

"But let's be clear beforehand: once you go, you won't be able to return for a very long time, even if you cry for your Father and Mother, it won't do you any good."

Su Xuanxiao was going to be stationed at the Yunmeng Ruins for a long time and wouldn't have time to take Su Xinyou sightseeing, nor would he bring him back to the Family just because Su Xinyou cried about being bored.

Hearing this, Su Xinyou's small face immediately stiffened.

He immediately realized that if he went to the Yunmeng Ruins, he might not see his Father and Mother for a long time, and he felt a sudden pang of reluctance.

"Grandpa, how long will Fourth Uncle and the others be staying there?" Su Xinyou asked.

Su Yang's smile was playful. "They might come back once every few months, or they might come back once a year."

"If you really get homesick, you can come back on your own. However, to cross this chaotic world with your cultivation, you would need to reach at least the Mid-stage Qi Refining."

Times were different now. In the past, before Great Wei fell into chaos, Su Yang could visit the outskirts of the forbidden zones even with a Qi Refining Second Layer cultivation.

But now, during this chaotic era, Robber Cultivators and demonic cultivators ran rampant within Great Wei. One might be attacked just after leaving the Qingyuan Market; enemies on the road were numerous, and their methods were unpredictable.

Without Mid-stage Qi Refining cultivation and sufficient life-saving means, anyone who dared to wander outside would surely meet a grim end!

Su Xinyou's face filled with worry.

He wanted to go to the Yunmeng Ruins, but he didn't want to be away from his Father and Mother for too long.

While he was hesitating, Su Xuanxiao came to the Ting Lake and said with a serious expression, "Father, I can go to the Yunmeng Ruins, but there's something I want to handle before I leave."

Su Yang looked up and chuckled. "It's about the Yuan Family and Jiang Linyuan, isn't it?"

Su Xuanxiao nodded slightly, his eyes sharp. "They intentionally harmed me in Luoxuan City. I won't feel at ease unless this debt is settled."

Su Yang smiled calmly. "Very well. Father will go with you tomorrow."

...

The next day.

Luo Qian went to the Yuan Family and the Li Family in turn, inviting Patriarch Yuan Chongde and Jiang Linyuan to gather at the Drunken Immortal Tower.

Adhering to the principle that every injustice has its perpetrator and every debt its debtor, the Su father and son had no intention of escalating the conflict to a blood feud between families; thus, they only sought accountability from the individuals involved.

If the other party's attitude was stubborn, then they would have to let their fists do the talking.

"Patriarch Su, long time no see."

Patriarch Yuan Chongde arrived at the Drunken Immortal Tower and took the initiative to greet him, his gaze flickering uncertainly.

Beside him, Jiang Linyuan remained expressionless, merely cupping his hands to everyone before taking his seat.

The intent behind Su Yang and Su Xuanxiao's invitation was more than obvious; both sides understood it clearly.

"Head of the Yuan Family, how do you plan to compensate my son for the matter in Luoxuan City?"

Su Yang got straight to the point, not bothering with pleasantries at all.

The Yuan Family and the Su Family were business rivals. The reason their conflict hadn't escalated into armed combat wasn't because the Yuan Family's business methods were legitimate, but because they were wary of the Su Family's relationship with the Bihai Association.

Without the Bihai Association, the Yuan Family would have found an excuse to act against the Su Family long ago.

"Head of the Su Family, what is the meaning of this?" Patriarch Yuan Chongde frowned, feigning confusion. "At that time, seeing your son being troubled by the Ye Family, I specifically stepped forward to help. Why should my Yuan Family provide compensation?"

After the trip to Luoxuan City, Patriarch Yuan Chongde's wariness had shifted from the Bihai Association to the Su Family itself.

He had originally thought the Su Family was merely an Eighth-Rank Family, but he hadn't expected them to be a deeply hidden, top-tier Seventh-Rank Family with a foundation that even surpassed his own Yuan Family.

Su Xuanxiao sneered upon hearing this. "Intentionally exposing my background is what you call helping? Stop pretending. If you old dog don't provide compensation today, then wait for the Yuan Family to be destroyed!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Patriarch Yuan Chongde's expression changed drastically.

As the head of a Family, when had he ever been humiliated like this?

Bang!

"Is this how Patriarch Su teaches his offspring?"

Patriarch Yuan Chongde stood up abruptly, slamming the table with a loud bang, yet the three people sitting remained calm.

Su Yang ignored him and turned to look at Jiang Linyuan. "What about Fellow Daoist Jiang? Do you plan to play dumb like the Head of the Yuan Family?"

Hearing this, Jiang Linyuan rose and bowed with cupped hands, his tone calm. "The matter in Luoxuan City was indeed my recklessness. I simply wished to befriend the Su Family and thus used some underhanded methods."

"I am willing to compensate Young Master Su with a high-level lightning spell."

After saying that, he took a Jade Slip from his waist and presented it to Su Xuanxiao with both hands.

Jiang Linyuan's response left the three people present stunned.

Patriarch Yuan Chongde, who had originally intended to flip the table along with Jiang Linyuan, felt his rising anger instantly extinguished.

Wait, brother? From the look on your face when you arrived, it seemed like you wanted to have a real go at it!

But just as I was getting ready to flip the table, you've already prepared an apology gift?!

Patriarch Yuan Chongde's mouth twitched, his face darkening; he was now in a very difficult position.

Su Xuanxiao took the Jade Slip and scanned it with his Divine Sense.

Nine Heavens Falling Thunder Method!

It was actually a Foundation Establishment spell. This lightning spell was extremely valuable and rare even in a Cultivation Market, which was enough to represent Jiang Linyuan's sincerity.

Su Xuanxiao's eyes flickered as he handed the Jade Slip to his father.

After checking it with his Divine Sense, Su Yang was surprised, and his wariness toward Jiang Linyuan rose once again.

He had thought Jiang Linyuan would be the most difficult person to deal with, perhaps even coming to blows with the Su Family. Instead, the man had anticipated being held accountable and not only wisely chose to yield but also prepared a valuable gift in advance.

This apologetic attitude was truly beyond reproach.

"Fellow Daoist Jiang has shown great sincerity."

Su Yang had his son put away the Jade Slip, then looked at Patriarch Yuan Chongde, who was frozen in place. "It seems the Head of the Yuan Family intends to be an enemy of my Su Family?"