Chapter 94: Chapter 85: Departure

「The next day. Early morning.」

The wind and snow had just subsided, and the Chen Family Courtyard on Changping Street was bathed in the crisp morning light.

Chen Qing watched his mother, Ms. Han, bustling about. After a moment of contemplation, he finally spoke.

“Mom, I’m planning to go to the Prefecture City.”

Ms. Han’s hand, which was wiping the table, froze. She jerked her head up, her eyes filled with shock and reluctance. “The Prefecture City? That’s so far… When are you leaving?”

Her voice carried an imperceptible tremor.

“I’ll set out in three days.”

Chen Qing said slowly, “I might be gone for a while, but I’ll take good care of myself. I’ve left enough silver coins at home, so please don’t worry. If you run into any trouble, go find Cheng Ming or my master.”

Ms. Han’s eyes instantly reddened. A thousand words caught in her throat, finally escaping as a long sigh. She turned away to wipe the corners of her eyes. “I understand. Your father… Sigh, just be safe.”

She understood her son’s ambition and knew that to get ahead in life, the farther he went, the better.

But Chen Qing had never left her side since he was a child. The thought of it made her feel an instant emptiness, as if something was now missing.

After reassuring Ms. Han, Chen Qing headed to the Zhou Institute as usual.

The disciples in the courtyard were still murmuring about the recent, tremendous changes, but the atmosphere was no longer as heavy and tense as before.

The great tree that was the Gaolin Commerce Association had fallen, and the shadow that had been hanging over the Zhou Institute dispersed along with it. The disciples could finally take on jobs to earn a living again, just like before.

Zhou Liang was also much more relaxed. He was sitting under an old tree in the courtyard, slowly sipping a cup of hot tea.

Just then, Chen Qing glimpsed two familiar figures.

It was Zhengzi Bridge and Luo Qian, who had been a rare sight in the courtyard until now.

Seeing him enter, Zhengzi Bridge walked up to greet him. “Junior Brother Chen.”

Luo Qian also took a step forward, a hint of apprehension on her face. “Junior Brother Chen…”

Remembering how distant she had been before, she couldn’t help but feel a little awkward.

These two were like the institute’s barometer—they appeared when prospects were good and vanished when they were not.

Chen Qing gave them a simple acknowledgment before walking toward Zhou Liang.

Chen Qing cupped his fist. “Master, there is something I would like to discuss with you.”

Zhou Liang opened his eyes and said in a gentle voice, “What is it? Go ahead.”

“I plan to…”

Chen Qing was just about to speak when he was interrupted by the crisp sound of horse hooves and a carriage from outside the courtyard.

A black carriage, drawn by two magnificent, sturdy horses, had quietly stopped before the gates of the Zhou Institute.

The driver was a middle-aged man in his thirties, dressed in a dark cyan brocade robe.

The disciples all looked over, their curiosity piqued.

’An expert!’

Chen Qing’s gaze sharpened, a thought stirring in his mind.

The man’s eyes were as placid as an ancient well, yet sharp as a needle’s point. His posture was relaxed but as still as a deeply rooted tree. His spine was like a great dragon, and though his steps were silent, each one seemed to plant him firmly to the ground.

An invisible pressure washed over them, like that of a crouching tiger ready to pounce.

Zhou Liang had already risen to his feet. He looked at the man, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back. In the end, he simply said, “…It must have been a long journey.”

The middle-aged man’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. His voice was flat. “Where are my sister and Xiaoyu?”

This man was none other than Mrs. Li’s younger brother, Li Yuan.

“Ah Yuan!”

Hearing his voice, Mrs. Li hurried out from the back courtyard. Her eyes lit up the moment she saw him.

Zhou Yu followed closely behind her, standing demurely by her mother’s side.

“Sister, I’m here.”

Li Yuan nodded at Mrs. Li, his expression softening slightly.

His gaze fell upon Zhou Yu, and a rare, gentle smile touched his lips. “Xiaoyu has gotten so big.”

After exchanging a few pleasantries, they moved into the inner hall.

Watching this, the disciples of the Zhou Institute began to whisper amongst themselves.

Judging from the conversation, the visitor was their master’s brother-in-law. They had never heard of him, but from his bearing, he was definitely an expert.

One disciple ran to ask Sun Shun, but he too just shook his head in confusion, saying he’d never heard their master mention him.

Seeing this, Chen Qing decided to hold his tongue for now and report to his master later.

Before long, a disciple in charge of serving refreshments ran out in a panic. He lowered his voice and told the others, “This is huge! I overheard it when I was delivering the fruit platter! Our mistress’s uncle is going to take Senior Sister Zhou to the Haisa Sect! That’s one of the real Major Sects!”

“What? Senior Sister Zhou is leaving?”

The news was like a boulder dropped into a calm pond, instantly sending shockwaves through the disciples.

Zhou Yu held a special place in the hearts of the Zhou Institute’s disciples; she was the object of admiration for many of the younger students.

Hearing that she was about to leave on a long journey, they were all stunned and filled with a deep sense of reluctance to see her go.

“The Haisa Sect… That’s a real Major Sect! Senior Sister Zhou is so lucky!”

“Sigh, who’s going to dress our wounds when we get injured now…”

“With Senior Sister Zhou gone, it feels like there’s an empty space in my heart…”

Their murmurs were filled with both envy and a sense of loss.

A look of shock and melancholy also appeared in Sun Shun’s eyes. “Junior Sister Zhou is leaving?”

Chen Qing was also surprised. He had clearly heard the two words, “Haisa Sect.”

Just then, Zhou Yu walked out of the inner hall.

Her gaze swept across the courtyard and finally rested on Chen Qing. She said softly, “Junior Brother Chen, Father wants you to come inside.”

Chen Qing stopped his Fist Momentum, grabbed a nearby outer shirt and casually draped it over his shoulders, then followed Zhou Yu into the inner hall.

In the reception hall, Zhou Liang and Li Yuan were seated on either side of the host’s seat.

Li Yuan held a celadon tea bowl, his posture perfectly composed.

Mrs. Li was in the inner room, packing their luggage.

Chen Qing cupped his fist in a salute. “Master!”

“This is my disciple, Chen Qing. He is not yet eighteen and has already reached Transmutation Force.”

Zhou Liang introduced him with a smile. “This is Yu’er’s uncle, Steward Li of the Haisa Sect.”

Chen Qing cupped his fist. “Chen Qing greets Elder Li.”

Li Yuan sized Chen Qing up with a single glance and said indifferently, “Your foundation is solid enough. To break through to Transmutation Force in a place like Gaolin is a rare achievement.”

His tone was flat, making it clear that such talent was not uncommon in the Haisa Sect.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep