Chapter 141: Distracted Little Martial Uncle

This rain continued for two full days before it finally stopped.

During these two days, the most talked-about topic within the Dao Gate was none other than Chu Huaixu’s dual cultivation of sword and body, and how he had flicked his fingers to summon rain upon the arena.

That scene had left an extremely deep impression on all the spectators present.

Even within the Inner Sect, many senior brothers and sisters were discussing it.

That day, the steward’s son, Liu Chengqi, had also secretly gone to watch the match, hiding within the crowd.

Strictly speaking, Chu Huaixu’s 《Jiligulu Bagua Palm》 was something he had taught.

Yet now, the other party was already an Outer Sect prodigy, relying on just one move — Eight Wastelands Wandering Dragon — to sweep through his opponents invincibly in the early rounds!

"And me? I’m still just a cripple with a damaged Spirit Embryo。"

Liu Chengqi was utterly dejected, his heart filled with envy.

He had also once thought: if his Spirit Embryo had not been damaged, with the talent of a Top-grade Spirit Embryo, could he not have also shone brilliantly in this Eastern Continent Grand Competition?

Unfortunately, there were no “ifs”.

Meanwhile, in a small courtyard on Medicine Mountain, Niu Yuanshan watched the drizzling rain outside the window, his mood somewhat complicated.

"Chu Huaixu, to think he has already reached such a level？" He never would have imagined it.

Originally, he had only hoped that this newcomer within the 【Organization】 would show some outstanding performance, thereby making himself known before the Dao Gate’s upper echelons.

But just yesterday, even Situ Cheng, who had been the most favored to win among the Outer Sect, had fallen to him.

In an instant, he had become a hot contender for the championship — a true rising star!

Old Niu had been so excited last night that he could not sleep a wink.

Some thoughts that had once seemed unrealistic, yet were not entirely impossible, kept swirling in his mind.

"If… Chu Huaixu could actually seize the championship title？"

At this thought alone, he felt so thrilled he almost trembled!

In the Moon Country, the champion of the Western Continent Grand Competition would, barring accidents, surely be that Prince Rui’s son.

"His strength is said to be crushing even within his own realm。"

In that case, if Chu Huaixu were to win, then this so-called 【Eastern and Western Continents’ Grand Competition】 would ultimately become a final showdown between two geniuses of the Moon Country!

"Those fools of the Eastern Continent, if they learned the truth, I wonder what kind of expressions they would have! Hahaha!"

The more he thought about it, the more his face flushed red, his heart racing, his breathing turning hurried.

In truth, even now, Niu Yuanshan could not comprehend how the once False Spirit Embryo had suddenly transformed into the most dazzling Dao Gate prodigy.

Ever since Chu Huaixu had entered the mountain, Old Niu had been following Rule 3 of the 《Admonition》, slapping his own face countless times.

Now, he felt a little regretful.

He knew far too little about Chu Huaixu’s current state.

Since the start of the Eastern Continent Grand Competition, he had been gathering all sorts of rumors about him every single day.

The shock Chu Huaixu brought him was different with every round.

For some reason, there was also a faint sense of pride in his heart. To Old Niu, Chu Huaixu was always the most special one, because he was his fellow comrade.

Both of them bore the mission of being spies from the Moon Country. He truly regarded him as if he were a younger member of his family.

Today happened to be the Mid-Autumn Festival. He was even debating whether to invite him over for a meal.

"Mm, that child Shuangjiang could also come along。"

Although the cultivation world did not abide by the mortal saying “marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog”, wasn’t it still ultimately a matter of the man’s own ability?

If handled well, making one’s woman willingly betray her country and serve one’s cause — such glorious achievements had indeed been accomplished before within the 【Organization】!

Just as his thoughts ran wild, a servant knocked on his door.

"What is it？" Niu Yuanshan opened the door and asked.

"Steward, today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. This is a gift of Erlang Wine from Chu Huaixu。" The servant carried two jars of fine wine as he spoke.

"Where is he？"

"Reporting to Steward, he already left. He said he still needed to quietly prepare for the Eastern Continent Grand Competition, and so did not wish to disturb you。" The servant answered truthfully.

"Good, give me the wine and you may go。" Old Niu took the jars.

This was not some precious gift, yet he was still deeply touched by the child’s thoughtfulness.

Old Niu had lived undercover in the Dao Gate for many years, diligent and conscientious, earning himself the nickname of “Ox that toils for the people”. Step by step, he had worked his way up to the position of Steward.

He had no family, no Dao Companion, and no children.

Even Junior Sister Mo Qingmei, who had once confessed to him, he had cruelly rejected.

Niu Yuanshan knew his own abilities were limited, and he did not want to burden her.

During festive seasons, he would often feel a trace of sorrow and loneliness.

Like today — though the Mid-Autumn moon hung high, so what?

No matter how bright the moon in a foreign land, it could not compare to the glow of a single lamp at home.

After all, he was a spy, always out of place in this land.

Yet these two jars of wine made his old heart feel a rare sense of comfort.

He was even reluctant to drink them.

–– Inner Sect, Gentleman Temple.

Xu Ziqing slowly opened his eyes after circulating the 《Sword Nurturing Art》 once.

His days were packed with tasks.

He had to practice the secret techniques passed down by the Little Martial Uncle Ancestor, cultivate the Sword Nurturing Art, train in the Ice-muscle Jade-bone Method, and refine various Techniques…

Each day was fulfilling, and he could feel his strength gradually increasing.

Jiang Zhi, seated to the side, glanced at him and said: "Today you seem a little unsettled。"

Exposed, Little Xu grew nervous, but still dared to ask: "Little Martial Uncle Ancestor, may I be allowed to leave the Inner Sect for a while today?"

"Oh? And why？" asked the white-robed Little Martial Uncle Ancestor.

"Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival," Xu Ziqing replied.

"But as far as I know, you have no family left," Jiang Zhi said bluntly, as always.

Unexpectedly, Xu Ziqing raised his head to meet his gaze, his eyes full of earnestness as he answered:

"Little Martial Uncle Ancestor, I do have family。"

Jiang Zhi looked at him for a while, but remained silent.

After a long while, he seemed to understand something.

"Forget it, you may go. But you have not finished today’s assignments. You only have one hour。" he said.

"Yes! Thank you, Little Martial Uncle Ancestor！" The young man’s face lit up with joy, and he immediately rose, his steps light.

"Wait, leave the sword here. Do not take it with you。" Jiang Zhi instructed.

Xu Ziqing did not think much of it and obediently complied.

Watching the boy disappear like a wisp of smoke, Jiang Zhi also looked somewhat absent-minded.

The sun was about to set, and the Mid-Autumn moon was soon to rise.

He gazed out the window and murmured to himself:

"Senior Brother, Senior Sister, another Mid-Autumn Festival has come。"

The Little Junior Brother of the previous generation of the Gentleman Temple spoke with a lonely tone, his eyes calm.

After saying this, he remained silent for a long while before finally standing up.

"Forget it, I’ll first go see that madman, and then gather with the juniors afterward。"

Jiang Zhi arrived at a separate courtyard, pushed open the door, and said aloud:

"Fifth Senior Brother, Little Junior Brother has come to see you。"

–– On the other side, Outer Sect, Medicine Mountain.

Chu Huaixu, for the first time ever, personally cooked, intending for Han Shuangjiang to taste his handiwork today.

But the lazy fellow only made one dish. Any more, and he would not do it.

While the two were busy, Xu Ziqing hurried back.

As soon as he entered, he called out loudly: "Senior Brother! Senior Sister Han！"

"You’re back。" The two lifted their heads. They did not say much, only smiled warmly.

Just a few minutes ago, they had been muttering to themselves, wondering whether Little Xu would be able to return home.

Chu Huaixu naturally began assigning tasks to Little Xu, and the boy, as always, was sensible and eager, his eyes full of energy.

The rich meal was soon ready, and the three of them sat around the wooden table.

Chu Huaixu even opened a jar of wine, saying: "Since today is Mid-Autumn, why don’t we all drink a little？"

To his surprise, both Han Shuangjiang and Xu Ziqing did not refuse — clearly, both were accustomed to drinking.

Which made sense. Sister Han had been trained at 【Red Sleeves Beckon】 to be a future courtesan; how could she not have learned drinking? It was compulsory.

As for Xu Ziqing, he was a young swordsman. For those raised in the martial world, drinking was commonplace.

The three raised their cups, clinked them together with smiles, and downed them in one go.

They could all be said to be without father or mother, with no blood kin left.

Yet today, there was warmth — a sense of reunion, as though family.

Han Shuangjiang, who had been sold by her parents as a child, had never once experienced familial warmth in all these years.

Chu Huaixu was a lonely transmigrator; even back on Earth, after his mother’s passing, he had no family left.

Xu Ziqing’s family had been struck by sudden tragedy, leaving him rootless and unsupported.

Perhaps, the three of them living their days well together was better than anything else.

Thus the three young ones ate, drank, and chatted.

Unconsciously, they all drank more than intended.

Since Jiang Zhi had given Xu Ziqing only one hour of freedom, the boy rose early from the table, washing the dishes first out of habit.

Chu Huaixu and Han Shuangjiang, however, remained seated, drinking together.

The Big Ice Block’s face carried a slight flush. Resting her chin on one hand, her eyes grew faintly hazy with the influence of wine.

That cold aura vanished in an instant, revealing beauty beyond compare.

Today was the happiest day she had had in years.

She no longer felt that festivals and lively celebrations belonged only to others.

"I too have my own liveliness。" She lifted her eyes, glanced at Chu Huaixu sitting across from her, and said silently in her heart.

Having finished washing the dishes, Xu Ziqing wiped his wet hands, then ran over, saying: "Senior Brother, Senior Sister Han, I must return now. I still have some assignments unfinished today。"

"Mm, go on。" Chu Huaixu waved his hand, not keeping him.

Little Xu looked back three times with each step, clearly reluctant to leave.

Every time he turned his head, he could see Chu Huaixu raising his hand in a wave, until the boy’s figure finally disappeared into the night.

At the table, he looked toward the girl sitting across from him and asked: "Still drinking？"

Tonight’s drink was Spiritual Wine. Although of low grade and not expensive, it was not like ordinary wine. Even cultivators could still get drunk. Chu Huaixu could see that Han Shuangjiang was already slightly tipsy.

The Big Ice Block now seemed melted, her posture relaxed, even a little lazy.

In truth, beneath the table, her toes occasionally lifted, her feet brushing together lightly.

For once, she revealed a trace of girlish playfulness. Raising two slender fingers, she indicated a small gap and said:

"Drink… just this much more？"

But she quickly withdrew her hand.

"Isn’t that a bit too much？" Chu Huaixu replied with a smile, pouring her wine and topping up his own.

After they each took a small sip, she lifted her gaze to the moon.

"Tonight’s moon is truly beautiful," Han Shuangjiang said with unusual cheer, sighing softly.

Chu Huaixu did not reply, only smiled at her.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed him watching her.

And the more it was so, the more she pretended to keep her eyes on the moon.

"Do you need to look that long? Haven’t you had enough？" Chu Huaixu asked with a smile.

"Then have you had enough？" Han Shuangjiang said, with a hint of embarrassed irritation.

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