Chapter 418: Liang Gou'er

Xu Sanyan finished his tasks while recalling the events. Wiping his hands, he headed toward the County Magistrate’s Office.

Yu Huisheng was already waiting at the entrance. He hurried forward to greet Xu Sanyan, “Junior Brother, news from the Prefectural City! I’ve been ordered to personally escort Hong Di’s remains back. We must depart tomorrow. What do you think…?”

“Senior Brother, speak slowly. Let’s go inside first.”

Xu Sanyan noticed several people standing nearby. He immediately plastered on a warm smile and followed Yu Huisheng into the Inner Hall, feigning utmost respect.

Yu Huisheng shifted uncomfortably. “Y-yes, let’s go.”

As they entered the Inner Hall, Xu Sanyan shoved Yu Huisheng aside and sprawled in the main seat, blowing on the tea before taking a sip. “Now, tell me everything slowly.”

Yu Huisheng remained standing, not daring to sit. “My father-in-law learned of Hong Di’s death and ordered me to personally escort his remains back without delay. I must also bring Madam back with me. I fear he intends to hold me accountable.”

“Accountable? This wasn’t your fault. How can he hold you accountable?”

Xu Sanyan already knew the details. Yu Huisheng’s brother-in-law’s death was an accident, and he couldn’t be blamed. It seemed unlikely he would face severe consequences.

Yu Huisheng, his heart heavy with worry, took a deep breath and sighed, “Ah, we’ll just have to take things one step at a time. But with this incident, I fear my path to advancement has been blocked. I’ll likely be stuck in this remote backwater for the rest of my life.”

“Heh,” Xu Sanyan chuckled softly, slowly setting down his teacup and fixing his gaze on Yu Huisheng. “As long as you perform your duties diligently, I might even elevate you further. Even your father-in-law’s position isn’t beyond your reach.”

“Junior Brother, do you mean that?”

“What, you don’t trust me?” Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow, his face impassive.

“Thank you, Junior Brother!” Yu Huisheng’s hope rekindled.

Indeed, he thought, this nominal Junior Brother—my true master—is a great cultivator of the Soul Refining Realm. With his support, it might actually be possible.

Xu Sanyan rose and walked toward the door. “Go now. Return swiftly.”

“Yes, sir.”

As Yu Huisheng left the room, Xu Sanyan’s lips curled into a disdainful sneer. Still clinging to dreams of advancement?

Just focus on surviving the present. It won’t be long before I send you to join your brother-in-law.

To reunite them sooner, Xu Sanyan diligently continued carving formation patterns.

Truly, he was doing good deeds without seeking recognition. Who would ever know of his efforts hidden in the shadows?

Pressing his finger against the city wall, a crimson light flared briefly before vanishing, completing another formation pattern.

Each pattern contained Xu Sanyan’s spiritual essence and power, a process that drained his energy. Once he began, he had to remain completely focused.

As dusk settled, the townsfolk returned home. Some noticed him still working and waved from afar, which he returned with a smile.

The lingering glow of the sunset bathed Xu Sanyan’s slender figure, making him appear even more striking. From a distance, he exuded an aura of warmth and admiration, prompting silent sighs of appreciation: What a handsome young master.

His reputation had grown considerably in recent days. The city had been plagued by frequent disappearances, leaving the populace in constant fear, afraid to even venture outside the walls. It was thanks to Xu Sanyan’s extermination of the demonic cultivator that Zhangzhi City had finally regained its clear skies.

This news had spread from the three survivors. After Chang Yulian’s death, the young men had escaped the cave in a panic. Finding the guards gone, they had descended the mountain together and returned home.

Later, one of the survivors happened to encounter Xu Sanyan outside the city while he was drawing a formation. Recognizing him, the survivor approached to thank him, and the news gradually spread.

Now, most of the residents of Zhangzhi City knew that this young master, whose business remained a mystery, possessed unparalleled cultivation and a kind, righteous nature—a stark contrast to the aloof, condescending cultivators who looked down on ordinary people.

Just then, a voice called out, “Brother Liang!”

Xu Sanyan turned to see a grimy young man running toward him. The young man’s ash-gray clothes were patched in numerous places, and he wore straw sandals. His small hands were pressed tightly against his chest, and his dark face was etched with anxiety.

Xu Sanyan’s gaze drifted downward, noticing the bulge beneath the young man’s shirt, as if something were hidden there.

“Gou’er, what’s wrong?”

This young man shared a peculiar connection with Xu Sanyan. Also named Liang—Liang Gou’er—he was an orphan who had lost both parents. After his grandfather passed away, he became completely alone.

Liang Gou’er’s grandfather’s remains were never recovered, likely having been killed by Chang Yulian. Since Xu Sanyan had killed Chang Yulian, Liang Gou’er harbored deep gratitude toward him.

“Huff… huff…”

Liang Gou’er ran all the way, panting heavily. He planted his hands on his hips and plopped down on the ground, forcing a swallow to moisten his parched throat.

Xu Sanyan didn’t rush him, his face showing no impatience. Instead, he pulled a handkerchief from his storage pouch and gently wiped Liang Gou’er’s grimy face.

As the setting sun cast its crimson glow at the foot of the city wall, a handsome young master bowed slightly, disregarding the dirt and chaos around them, and smiled as he wiped the face of the beggar boy beneath him. The scene was breathtakingly beautiful, leaving a deep impression on the hearts of many who witnessed it.

No one was more deeply moved than Liang Gou’er himself. He stared blankly up at Xu Sanyan, his mind completely empty.

In Liang Gou’er’s eyes, Xu Sanyan was the epitome of perfection: handsome, dashing, powerful, and kind. If immortals existed in this world, then Xu Sanyan was undoubtedly the immortal in Liang Gou’er’s heart.

“Brother Liang…” Liang Gou’er murmured unconsciously, his heart overflowing with emotion. He could never have imagined that one day an immortal would wipe his face!

“Slow down, what’s the rush?”

Xu Sanyan’s tone carried just the right amount of gentle reproach, like a kind elder caring for a younger member of the family.

The handkerchief, now soiled, had been carelessly tossed to the ground, landing right beside Liang Gou’er. He watched the once-pristine cloth become stained and dirty, a strange feeling stirring in his heart. His small hand reached out, secretly clenching the fabric.

“Brother Liang, look what I found!”

Liang Gou’er snapped out of his daze and hurriedly pulled something from his chest, presenting it like a treasure with a mix of anticipation and excitement in his voice.

Xu Sanyan took the object and examined it closely. It resembled a lingzhi mushroom, about the size of two fists, entirely white, with tangled roots still caked in thick mud, as if freshly pulled from the earth.

This looks like an ordinary plant, Xu Sanyan thought.

He sensed no spiritual energy emanating from it, confirming it was merely a mundane object, not a spirit plant.

Wait!

Xu Sanyan’s pupils constricted sharply, his heart leaping with sudden shock, followed by overwhelming joy. He had realized what was wrong.

A divine soul!

Ever since Liang Gou’er had approached with this thing, Xu Sanyan’s divine soul had been unusually active, as if drawn by some invisible force. It had to be this object.

This thing actually benefits the divine soul?

Xu Sanyan turned to look at Liang Gou’er, his mind racing. This child truly possesses extraordinary luck!

Because this object would also benefit Liang Gou’er—and greatly so!

(End of the Chapter)