Chapter 2 The Next Day
The following day, after a hurried report from the butler, Qiu Guodong smashed the pine nut wine he was going to bring back for his son and rushed back to Hsiaohsiao Town from Yun Jin City.
The shattered remnants of the broken glass door had already been cleaned up, and everything in the hall appeared normal. However, the moment he stepped into the hall, he could smell a thick scent of blood, and even the lingering sharp killing intent. His whole body felt as if it had plunged into an ice cave, with prickles all over his back.
The butler had already given him a general outline on the phone, such as his son's egregious behavior, Qiu Ruhai's betrayal, and the great benefactor who saved the sole male heir of the Qiu family.
His first choice was to see Qiu Ruhai, who was being held in the water prison. He knew that such a person would never betray him unless his dragon's whiskers were touched. Of course, he received the same answer. Afterward, he went to see his son, who had lost a hand, lectured him directly, and then left.
Now, he stood alone in front of the pond, having sent the butler far away.
He looked at his increasingly aged face in the pond, casually flicked the ash from his cigarette, his face seemingly calm, but his heart was already churning with turbulent waves.
He raised his hand slightly, and the butler hurried over.
"Butler Sun, do you think I've been too lenient with that kid all these years?"
"Do you want to hear the truth or a lie?"
"Old Sun, you've been with me for over ten years. Just tell me what you think."
Qiu Guodong's tone had never been so defeated. His face was haggard, as if he had aged another ten years overnight, reaching the age of imminent death.
"Qiu Yang is indeed too spoiled and unreasonable. To be honest, sometimes I even want to beat this kid. Yesterday's incident escalated, and if it weren't for that brother named Ren who stepped in to help, your precious son would probably have kicked the bucket."
"I hope losing his hand this time will teach him a lesson. Also, in seven days, it will be the town's biennial hunting competition. I want to use this event to make amends for all the grudges I've accumulated over the years. You know what to do, right?"
Old Sun nodded. "I'll go do it now. I'll make sure the event is grand and spectacular, not chaotic like it used to be, thanks to Qiu Yang."
"And one more thing, the prizes for this competition must be generous and appealing. Don't be afraid to spend money. I owe this town too much."
Butler Sun nodded, about to leave, but was called back by Qiu Guodong.
"Also, prepare a car for me. I need to go see this brother named Ren." As soon as Qiu Guodong finished speaking, he seemed to remember something and stopped Butler Sun again. "No, no need to prepare a car. I want to walk there to show my sincerity. Where does this brother live now?"
"At Doctor Shi's house."
"Good."
After taking the walking stick from the butler, Qiu Guodong truly walked leisurely towards Shi Jingtian's house alone.
...
Meanwhile, Shi Jingtian's home was silent.
Shi Jingtian, Shi Kexin, Ren Yuanhao, Shen Lanney, and others sat in the hall, their faces solemn.
"The divine doctor Sha, oh no, Sister Fuqu, she was holding Brother Ren's broken sword, her expression was very anxious, and she kept running outside. I couldn't stop her. I thought she would look for you, but..."
Shi Kexin repeated again, with a hint of shame on her face. "It's my fault for not keeping an eye on her."
"It's not your fault. If she was determined to leave, you couldn't have stopped her," Ren Yuanhao managed to squeeze out a smile.
"Yuanhao, what is that woman's identity?" Shen Lanney was somewhat concerned about the mysterious woman's identity, after all, their group had just escaped from captivity. Any suspicious matter required them to be vigilant.
Ren Yuanhao looked at everyone. They were all people who had gone through life and death together, so he didn't hide anything, even revealing that he was an ability user.
"Cultivators? Are there really such reclusive masters?" Ye Lan and others were full of doubt.
"Yes, the world is vast and full of wonders, but they are different from ability users. They prefer to live in seclusion and cultivate to ascension."
Ren Yuanhao only knew about cultivators from many martial arts and fantasy novels. In reality, he didn't understand much about them. Even though he had encountered the Qingfeng Sect, he was unclear about its system and way of life.
After listening, Ye Lan remained deep in thought, her brows furrowed. Then, she suddenly looked up and said, "Have you considered one thing? You collectively killed her senior brother. If they are truly cultivators, they will definitely find ways to investigate this place. At that time, it might cause unnecessary trouble, even leading to the annihilation of the town."
Everyone echoed her words. Ye Lan changed her tone and continued, "Although I've only met Sister Fuqu once, I can tell from her words and actions that she is the kind of person who would rather sacrifice herself to protect others at critical moments. Therefore, her departure this time, I estimate, is to return to her sect to confess her guilt."
After speaking, Ye Lan looked directly at Ren Yuanhao, because in her mind, Ren Yuanhao and Liu Fuqu had too many similarities.
"But I don't even know where her sect is," Ren Yuanhao's meaning was clear: if he could find the sect, he would likely set off immediately to save her.
Ye Lan shook her head and instead smiled. "I think your concern is a bit excessive. Sister Fuqu is the second saintess of the sect. Even if the sect wants to punish her, it won't be decided in a moment. What's more important now is to conserve strength and gather information."
"Right, right, right, conserve strength. As the saying goes, people are iron, and food is steel. If you don't eat, you get flustered. This young lady is hungry."
As soon as Yang Lingxue said this, it immediately drew a round of laughter. Just then, a person slowly walked in from the entrance of the central courtyard. This person was leaning on a walking stick, dressed brightly but not ostentatiously, exuding the rich heritage of a family.
It was Qiu Guodong, who had come to visit on foot.
"Forgive my intrusion, Doctor Shi. Please don't be offended."
"Humph, I wonder who it is. The junior has just been dealt with, and now the elder comes to question us." Shi Kexin put her hands on her hips, her face full of disdain.
When everyone heard that it was the pillar of the Qiu family, they all stood up and glared angrily.
"No, no, no, Miss Shi, you misunderstand me. I know my bastard son did something foolish, and you all dislike me. However, since I've shamelessly come, I still want to meet my benefactor brother. May I ask who is Brother Ren Yuanhao present?"
Ren Yuanhao did not stand on ceremony. He clasped his hands together and bowed, saying, "I am Ren Yuanhao."
"As expected, you are dignified and heroic. I thank you, Brother Ren, on behalf of my unworthy son."
Qiu Guodong actually bent his waist to a 90-degree angle and performed a standard bow!