112: Zhuang Kongming has changed

“Alright, I didn't say to fake it, but you need to be mindful of how and where you speak. Don't just blurt out whatever comes to mind. Next time, think about whether it will hurt someone.”

Jiang Hanwen placed a gold bar on the table: “Go pay for these medicine packets. They’re all yours.”

“Ah? Mine?” Zhang Ping stood up in disbelief. These medicine packets were worth a hundred and twenty taels of silver!

“Alright, stop being so jumpy. Go pay quickly. Look at how unpromising you are.” Jiang Hanwen laughed.

“I… I…”

Unable to utter a single word, Zhang Ping stammered again, his fists clenched at his sides.

“Cultivate well. Strength is the foundation of everything.”

“Yes!”

Zhang Ping nodded solemnly, his eyes sharp.

Jiang Hanwen finally understood why his feeling about Zhang Ping was different from others.

Because in this naive and stubborn child, he saw a shadow of his former self.

Buying things for Zhang Ping wasn't for him, but to entertain his younger self.

It’s often said that when poor, one should Cultivate oneself; when successful, one should help the world.

In reality, only those who have been drenched by rain are willing to hold an umbrella for others.

The successful always help themselves, just at different times.

Returning to the mountain, Zhang Ping could no longer stay in the accountant's room, so Jiang Hanwen let him stay in the Medical Hall, which had been closed for many years.

As soon as the young man settled in, Jiang Hanwen heard the gurgling sound of soup boiling, followed by the dull thudding of feet.

The little fellow was very diligent, Cultivating extra hours.

After checking on the qi gathering grass, which was halfway through its transformation, Jiang Hanwen went straight to the Zhuang family's library.

This time, his target was the three hundred and twenty-six volumes of Body Tempering Cultivation Techniques belonging to the Zhuang family.

The library was much livelier than before. Many new guards were there to read, their young and unfamiliar Faces curiously watching Jiang Hanwen, discussing him in low voices.

Unlike him, who could browse freely, these children could only choose Cultivation Techniques based on their descriptions, and only from the fifth and sixth tiers in the side room on the third floor.

But this was already a huge Breakthrough compared to the past.

Visibly, under Zhuang Kongming's leadership, the Zhuang family was undergoing a transformation. Years of accumulated wealth were rapidly converting into strength. Whether they would become a Dragon or an insect depended on this generation.

Jiang Hanwen was about to leave with four books when suddenly, a figure walked into the courtyard. Their eyes met, and the other person turned and walked into the second floor opposite.

Jiang Hanwen's eyes narrowed slightly. It was Zhuang Mingyu.

This Second Master, who was at odds with Zhuang Kongming, lived here, neglecting his wife and children.

As a failure, he built his own cage in search of peace.

Recalling Zhuang Xiao stuffing people into the Medicine Field, Zhuang Kongming's useless son, though released, only caused trouble, spending his days drinking.

In that case, the entire Zhuang family was still being propped up by Zhuang Kongming alone. As for the collateral branches outside the main lineage, at most, they were just minor stewards, of little significance.

After that meeting, Zhuang Kongming, speaking the truth while drunk, exposed his vulnerability in front of him. After that, the two of them tacitly avoided further conversation, and only met three times. He wondered how that fellow was doing?

Jiang Hanwen turned back, looking at the library. He wasn't sure if Zhuang Kongming could reach the other side, but he hoped he would.

This was the last thing he could help with.

Seeing Jiang Hanwen beckon, the young girl responsible for organizing the Cultivation Techniques scurried to him:

“Chief Steward Jiang, what can I do for you?”

“I want a copy of all the Cultivation Techniques on the third floor. Send them to my courtyard.”

As soon as he spoke.

“Ah!”

Not only did the young maid exclaim, but the guards eavesdropping nearby also widened their eyes.

How was this different from outright stealing? Were they even allowed to hear this? This Chief Steward Jiang was too overbearing!

“Chief Steward Jiang, the Patriarch has stipulated that a maximum of five books can be taken out at a time. How about I have them send you five books a day?” The young maid reacted quickly and thought of a compromise.

Jiang Hanwen shook his head:

“I won’t make it difficult for you. Just go and inform them.”

“No need!” A hearty, familiar voice rang out.

Jiang Hanwen turned in surprise. Zhuang Kongming was standing behind him, smiling at him.

“Chief Steward Jiang’s wish is my command. Go and do it.”

“Yes!” The maid quickly agreed.

The guards nearby, seeing Zhuang Kongming, several of them cupped their hands, their eyes full of admiration, and shouted “Teacher” with full vigor.

Zhuang Kongming nodded and waved, then looked at Jiang Hanwen.

“Want to have a couple of drinks?” He pointed to the third floor.

“Drinking at noon, no—”

...“Clink!” The celadon wine cups lightly touched.

“This wine is good.” Jiang Hanwen said.

“Glad you like it.” Zhuang Xian's lips curved into a gentle smile. Since he arrived at the library, this was the first time he had smiled from the heart.

Opposite, Zhuang Kongming put down his wine cup and laughed:

“I originally thought that if he couldn't achieve Qi Induction, I would rather have one less son than let him out. But in the end, I still softened.

I’ve thought a lot during this time…”

Jiang Hanwen listened quietly to Zhuang Kongming's words, occasionally glancing at Zhuang Xian next to him.

Zhuang Kongming has changed!

He no longer just emphasized interests, but began to show human warmth, adding some human tenderness beyond the cold comparison of investment returns.

Letting his son out meant he was no longer forcing his son to succeed, but genuinely treating him as a child, no longer as a tool.

Regardless of whether he was successful or not, a child was still his child.

Drinking with Zhuang Xian, the culprit, was a huge relief, though not a complete reconciliation, between the two generations. The wrinkles around Zhuang Xian's eyes from smiling showed that the old man was truly happy.

This was Zhuang Kongming's self-redemption and rebirth. Jiang Hanwen was genuinely happy for him.

Living in this world, the things one can choose—family, health, luck—are truly too few.

Zhuang Kongming's past was caused by his distorted family, but now, he pulled himself out of the mud by himself.

Within the limited choices, he did not give up, nor was he pessimistic.

Bravely choosing to strive for the life he wanted, under such fierce determination, the ripples of fate were merely a backdrop to the tapestry of life.

Heroism isn't about not being afraid; it's about being afraid and still choosing to act.

To others, Zhuang Kongming's magnificent transformation was, at most, an empty evaluation of 'becoming less fierce.'

But to Zhuang Kongming, what he changed was his life.

“How long until the Breakthrough?” Jiang Hanwen raised a cup and asked curiously.

Zhuang Kongming smiled and shook his head: “It’s not that easy. From the Qi Induction Realm to Condensing Spring, you need to compress Spiritual Qi.

Our family has no Legacy, so we can only take the most difficult path: form the Five Elements ring, and use the Five Qi to forcefully compress it. It might still take four or five years.”

Although he shook his head, the confidence and fire in his eyes shone like bright stars.

From uncertain Breakthrough to certain Breakthrough, with a specific time set, in just one year, Zhuang Kongming was like a different person.

Hate makes hair sharp as spears; love makes one grow flesh and blood.

What made Zhuang Kongming change so much?

Jiang Hanwen guessed it was those disciples and students in the back mountain.

The way they greeted him earlier gave a hint; those little eyes were burning with admiration.

Originally, Zhuang Kongming personally led these young Geniuses, thinking to leave a significant impression in their hearts from a young age, playing the emotional card, so they would serve the Zhuang family in the future.

He didn't know that emotions are never isolated.

He feigned concern, but received genuine concern.

Children are at their most guileless. Heart for heart, how could one person withstand so many sincere feedbacks?

Intentional planting yields no flowers, unintentionalWillow Planting yields shade.

At this moment, fate revealed its charming side.

After a few casual remarks, Zhuang Kongming turned the topic to Jiang Hanwen, staring at him seriously:

“My Zhuang family has a medicinal formula for Breakthrough to Qi Induction, to help Spiritual Qi enter the body. When you are about to achieve Breakthrough, come to me anytime, and I will give you the medicine!”

Next to him, Zhuang Xian's eyebrows immediately shot up upon hearing this, but thinking of something, the old man swallowed the words that were about to come out.

“Good.” Jiang Hanwen nodded, feeling somewhat surprised in his heart.

In the workplace, teaching the apprentice starves the master.

Helping him achieve Breakthrough would not be beneficial for the Zhuang family's management, and even went against ancestral teachings.

He didn't look at Zhuang Xian next to him, who, though old and awakened, still almost spoke out.

Between considering balance and trusting himself, Zhuang Kongming chose the latter.

The other party's smile radiated sincere light, warm and comforting like the winter sun.

At this moment, Jiang Hanwen also lost his light, becoming a historical witness—everyone can live as the protagonist of their own life!

...At their departure, Zhuang Kongming looked at him half-jokingly:

“I'm so tired. Are you really not considering helping me manage things down the mountain?”

This was the first time Jiang Hanwen had heard such a tone from him.

Rather than a test, it was more like a friend's playful plea for help, but he couldn't lose Face.

The other party still wanted him to be the second-in-command, overseeing the mountain and the Medicine Field, almost like a half-Patriarch.

However, this time, it wasn't an order, nor was it blackmail through kindness; it was a sincere request without any additives.