Chapter 85: Chapter 81: Heart Flutter

Dinnertime.

Zhou Liang sat at the table, the food tasteless in his mouth. A heavy, unshakable weight was etched between his brows.

The disciples’ increasingly difficult situation was like a stone pressing on him.

Letting things continue like this was not a long-term solution. He had to find a way out for them, for this family.

His wife, Mrs. Li, gently set down her bowl and chopsticks. “Eat,” she said softly.

Zhou Liang was silent for a long moment before finally looking up. “That matter you mentioned last time, about Xiaoyu.”

He paused, then said, “At the time… I didn’t think it through properly.”

Mrs. Li was taken aback. A complex emotion flickered in her eyes. “You agree? But you’ve always…”

Zhou Yu, who was eating, looked up with a hint of confusion. “Mother, what is it?”

She keenly sensed the atmosphere between her parents.

Mrs. Li took a deep breath and said slowly, “Your younger maternal uncle is in the Haisa Sect. He sent a letter a while back, saying he has connections now and can pull some strings. He wants you to go there…”

’Her uncle!?’

Zhou Yu recalled her mother often mentioning this uncle.

He had visited Gaolin County when she was a child. He was very kind to her, always bringing sweet pastries.

But as she grew older, they contacted each other less and less.

Zhou Liang knew what his wife wanted to say.

His relationship with his brother-in-law, a Steward in the Haisa Sect, had been cold for many years due to old disagreements and conflicting principles.

But now, for his daughter’s future, and more importantly, to protect her in the turbulent Gaolin County, he had to let go of his pointless stubbornness and pride.

“Times have changed. Gaolin has become a place of conflict, and a storm is brewing. Although her uncle and I… he is still her blood relative. He has no children of his own and has always been fond of Yu’er.”

After hearing this, Zhou Yu’s eyes widened in astonishment, followed by an irrepressible joy that lit up her gaze.

The Haisa Sect!

To her, it was like another world entirely.

She tried to suppress the excitement bubbling up inside her, but a strong feeling of reluctance and worry arose. “Father, what about you and Mother…?”

“Don’t worry about us.”

Zhou Liang waved his hand, a relieved smile on his face. “Your uncle’s place is a good environment, and it’s safe. When you get there, listen to him, work hard, and don’t be willful. Father will take care of things at home.”p>He looked at his daughter’s beautiful face, and an idea that had been circling in his mind for a long time resurfaced.

He chose his words carefully, his tone carrying a subtle, probing quality. “Yu’er, what do you think of that boy, Chen Qing?”

In Zhou Liang’s eyes, Chen Qing came from a clean background, he knew him inside and out, and he was a disciple he had taught personally.

Moreover, he was loyal and valued relationships, with a personality as steady as a mountain. He was a worthy man to whom he could entrust his daughter.

If he could make this match, Chen Qing and Zhou Yu could go to the Haisa Sect together. For one, they could look out for each other. For another, Chen Qing could use this marital connection to enter the sect, saving him from many detours.

This was almost the best path he could pave for both his daughter and his prized disciple.

Mrs. Li also looked at her daughter, saying nothing.

Zhou Yu’s heart suddenly skipped a beat, and two crimson clouds instantly bloomed on her cheeks. She immediately understood her father’s meaning.

The abrupt topic caught her off guard. Amid her shyness, a strange sense of resistance rose in her heart.

The image of Chen Qing flashed through her mind—silent, resilient, and as reliable as a mountain.

He had passed the Martial Arts Examination and even defeated a Transmutation Force master like Qu Yaohui at the Cyan Scale Association’s event.

’He’s a reliable junior brother, a trustworthy fellow disciple.’

But as Zhou Yu searched her heart, she found that aside from their camaraderie as disciples… there wasn’t that heart-pounding, face-flushing feeling.

What young man doesn’t yearn for love, what young woman doesn’t dream of romance?

Her ideal partner was a dazzling, peerlessly heroic figure…

“I was just making a casual remark.”

Zhou Liang sighed inwardly, feeling a little regretful. However, he also knew that matters of the heart could not be forced. A melon plucked before it’s ripe will not be sweet.

…

「The next day, at the Zhou Institute.」

Zhou Yu walked out from the rear courtyard, her father’s words from last night still lingering in her mind.

Her gaze unintentionally swept across the Martial Arts Arena, where she saw Chen Qing instructing a disciple on correcting his Pile Skill posture.

His form was steady, his instructions focused.

But a strange feeling welled up inexplicably in Zhou Yu’s heart.

Chen Qing seemed to sense her gaze. He stopped what he was doing and turned to look at her, his expression as calm as still water. “Senior Sister Zhou, is something the matter?”

Zhou Yu hastily averted her gaze, her voice laced with a fluster she herself didn’t notice. “N-no, nothing! Father wants you and Brother Sun to go to the study.”

After speaking, she turned to lead the way, almost as if she were fleeing, her steps quicker than usual.

Chen Qing watched Zhou Yu’s somewhat hurried back, not understanding why, but he didn’t dwell on it. He called over Sun Shun, who was organizing equipment nearby, and they went to the rear courtyard together.

“Master!”

“Master!”

Chen Qing and Sun Shun stepped into the room and cupped their fists in a salute.

Zhou Liang looked at the two disciples he relied on most and got straight to the point. “The waters in Gaolin are getting murkier and more dangerous. The Gaolin Commerce Association is powerful, and their suppression will only intensify. The Zhou Institute’s future is uncertain. My old friend, Dai Shitong, from the Four Seas Escort Agency in Shuangye County, is now the Chief of the Escort Agency. He’s short-staffed, especially in need of capable, trustworthy people. Sun Shun, Chen Qing, the Four Seas Escort Agency is a legitimate operation, and Chief Dai is a righteous man. Would you… be willing to go? At least it’s a stable path to make a living.”

Hearing this, Sun Shun’s body jolted, and his face instantly filled with conflict.

He had previously been sponsored by Guo’s and held a position at the Weapon Forging Shop, so he was relatively well-off with silver coins.

But ever since the Gaolin Commerce Association started applying pressure, both the sponsorship and the position were gone. Now, he had to buy all his medicinal supplements himself.

He knew in his heart that the Transmutation Force Realm was already a distant dream for him.

Now, a stable salary was nothing less than a lifesaver for him and his family.

Sun Shun cupped his fists heavily, his voice thick with gratitude and deep guilt. “Master, your disciple is willing to go! Thank you, Master… for finding this path for me!”

Going to the escort agency to be a Steward and escorting ordinary goods was the best future he could grasp right now.

Zhou Liang nodded and turned his questioning gaze to Chen Qing.

Chen Qing looked up and cupped his fists at Zhou Liang. “Master, I will never forget your immense kindness. However, this matter concerns my future. I will need a few days to consider.”

He didn’t refuse outright, leaving room for discussion.

’Leave Gaolin County and head to the unfamiliar Four Seas Escort Agency in Shuangye County?’

Countless thoughts flashed through Chen Qing’s mind.

’Shuangye County might be stable, but it’s just an escort agency. I wouldn’t be able to learn the Inner Cultivation Technique I’ve always dreamed of.’

’To learn an Inner Cultivation Technique, I have to go to a Sect.’

’Besides, my Fishing Toad Force will soon reach the Third Realm. The most pressing matter is to seize this opportunity and improve my strength first.’

’Time. What I need most right now is time!’

“This matter does indeed require careful consideration.”

Zhou Liang nodded slowly. He then gave them a few more trivial instructions before waving his hand, signaling that they could leave.

…

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