29: Identity, meeting, night talk

How much do you know about the Taiyuan Wang Clan?

"The Five Surnames and Seven Clans? The top-tier Families of Prominence in the world?" Qin Chuan said, based on his existing impression.

"Yes, the Five Surnames and Seven Clans have even subtly suppressed the Li and Cui clans in recent years. Do you know why?" When Xuanxu spoke of this, his tone was clearly a bit melancholic.

Qin Chuan recalled the rumors from the marketplace and said, "Because of... Wang Zhongshu?"

"Wang Zhongshu? You're not wrong to say that. He eliminated the Three Religions and Nine Streams, and destroyed a hundred schools of thought, turning the entire world into a one-man show for Confucianism. It's not wrong to say he's the person closest to that realm in the entire Great Zhou. But the Wang Clan's strength isn't just because of him; there's also the Bright Deity Guard, which shakes the world."

At this, Xuanxu suddenly stopped speaking and looked at Qin Chuan with a playful expression.

"Your surname is Wang, and Wang Zhongshu's surname is also Wang. Have you ever thought that you might be his illegitimate son, abandoned over twenty years ago? If so, you could instantly become a top-tier scion of a Family of Prominence in Great Zhou, not much inferior to even the imperial princes."

"Uh, not really."

— To be honest, Qin Chuan had indeed thought about it.

The 'Reincarnation Simulator' clearly stated his origin as 'Taiyuan Wang Clan,' even if not Wang Zhongshu, then it should be...

"Oh, is that so?"

"No matter how much you've thought about it, the result is likely to disappoint you. The two groups who pursued and protected your mother twenty-one years ago, I presume you've guessed them. The pursuers were precisely the Wang Clan's Bright Deity Guard, and the other party was... aliens!"

"Aliens?" Qin Chuan was a bit surprised.

— Could it be that he was a hybrid?

Although he already had two reincarnated identities within Great Zhou, he had heard that beyond the northern borders lay vast lands where countless alien races resided. However, their lives didn't seem to be very good, but now...

Soon, Xuanxu's next words interrupted Qin Chuan's continued speculation.

"That's right! Although their bloodline seemed extraordinary, this world is still a world ruled by humans. How could mountain spirits, demons, and ghosts contend against the great human trend? When your master and I arrived, your mother was already on her last breath."

Qin Chuan: Hmm? Hmm? Hmm?

Mountain spirits, demons, and ghosts? He felt like the narrative was heading in another direction, not cross-ethnic, but cross-species.

"Senior Martial Uncle, are you saying..."

Xuanxu nodded, "You might be a human-demon!"

Qin Chuan: ...

Although he fully understood the meaning of Xuanxu's words, he felt like something wasn't quite right.

Xuanxu, however, didn't give Qin Chuan a chance to refute and directly said, "If you want to know your origins, you need to start from this angle. If I remember correctly, some of those demons and ghosts who protected your mother back then are still alive."

Qin Chuan: "I understand... Is this why Senior Martial Uncle brought me here?"

"Yes, and no. This is a gathering place for the Three Religions and Nine Streams and people from various schools, which can provide great convenience for your goal. Oh, by the way, are you currently following the martial path?"

"...I think so?"

Qin Chuan was a bit uncertain; he wasn't sure if the Taiyi Scripture he cultivated fell within the scope of the martial path.

"Then continue on it. The martial path is not a dead end. Su Zhan's jianghu experience will also be useful to you."

"Senior Martial Uncle, why are you..."

To be honest, Qin Chuan was a bit moved.

Whatever the reason, Xuanxu was doing his utmost for his affairs.

"Don't make that face. If I can cause the Wang Clan some discomfort, I'll be very pleased. Go, but given how dangerous the matter you're investigating is, you should only go after you've broken through to the Innate Martial Master realm.

During this time, help me run some funeral errands! It can also be considered training your jianghu experience! Alas, Senior Martial Uncle is doing this all for your own good!"

"Gak?"

Qin Chuan and Su Zhan returned to the Inn where they were staying, walking in silence the entire way.

Qin Chuan didn't know how to speak; no matter what, Su Zhan had been tricked by him.

As for Su Zhan, he had been inexplicably given a command token, which was truly an unprovoked disaster, and his heart was filled with complex emotions.

In this silent atmosphere, the two walked on in 悶聲.

By the time they reached the Inn, the eastern sky was already faintly lit.

In the Inn's lobby, Qin Chuan looked at the strange atmosphere and knew he had to break it.

He cupped his fists and said, "Senior Su, this matter..."

"This time I've fallen, but boy, don't get too smug. If you want me to do anything villainous, that's out of the question!"

Su Zhan's unyielding demeanor truly left Qin Chuan speechless.

— If you were truly that unyielding, why didn't you say that to Xuanxu earlier?

Helpless, he could only say, "Senior, you've misunderstood. Do I look like the kind of person who walks on the edge of the law?"

Su Zhan looked at him suspiciously, then nodded vigorously, "Yes! Deceiving innocent young girls, and being entangled with secret organizations—"

Qin Chuan: What the hell?

"Those were all misunderstandings... Senior, rest assured, once I have some self-preservation ability, I will go find Senior Martial Uncle to remove the command token from you."

"Hmph!" Su Zhan snorted, noncommittal.

Just then, a 'thump-thump-thump' sound of someone coming down the stairs was heard.

Looking at the graceful figure, Qin Chuan glanced at Su Zhan, his eyes clearly asking—

Aren't you going to hide?

Unexpectedly, Su Zhan leaned against a pillar behind him, looking completely resigned.

"No need, let's just leave it at that."

Qin Chuan shook his head; this was fine too, saving them the inconvenience of meeting later.

Soon, the girl's figure arrived before them.

"Master, you're up so early? I was going to prepare breakfast for you."

Qin Chuan nodded with a smile, "Yes, I woke up a bit early."

Having said that, he subtly glanced at Su Zhan beside him.

— Unfortunately, Su Jun didn't notice the 'stranger' at all.

"Then Master, wait here. I'll go have the kitchen prepare breakfast for you."

With that, she turned and prepared to leave.

At this point, Su Zhan could no longer hold back.

"Cough! Cough, cough, cough!"

Hearing the sound, Su Jun finally looked over: "Uncle, are you sick, Third Uncle?"

Su Zhan looked aggrieved: Good heavens, did she finally notice him?

"Yes, it's me!"

Su Jun was shocked: "It really is Third Uncle! What are you doing here?"

Su Zhan stroked his goatee and said sternly, "I was entrusted by your father and second uncle to bring you home for marriage!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Su Jun immediately bristled.

"No! No, no, no, I don't want to go home!"

Saying that, she hid behind Qin Chuan.

"Third Uncle, look, I found a very, very amazing master... Master, say something! Quickly, chase away my Third Uncle!"

Qin Chuan: ...

Su Zhan: "...Su Jun!!!"

Watching the veins bulge on Su Zhan's forehead, Qin Chuan wisely took a step back.

Watching Su Jun being chased up and down by Su Zhan, the Inn lobby presented a harmonious scene.

Qin Chuan thought to himself: Disciple, this is the first lesson your master is teaching you—some things, you have to bear yourself.

In the end, Su Zhan did not take Su Jun away.

— He wanted to, but fate was not in his hands.

The first midnight after returning from the grave.

Qin Chuan was cultivating the Taiyi Scripture when he suddenly heard a rustling sound in his ear, and his body shot up immediately!

"Who!"

"Young Master, don't be agitated, it's me, it's this old woman!"