The area outside the Lü Family Ancestral Hall was a sea of people. On the opera stage, a scene from *The Jade Immortal and the Myriad Maidens* was in full swing. The actor playing the Jade Immortal executed a series of dazzling moves, drawing waves of cheers from the crowd of commoners below.
*The Jade Immortal and the Myriad Maidens* was a well-known legend throughout the Eastern Domain. It wasn’t just the commoners who were enthralled; even Chu Fan found himself completely absorbed in the performance.
In stark contrast to the clamor outside the Lü Family Ancestral Hall, the backyard of the Lü Family Ancestral Residence was far quieter.
The air was filled with the fragrance of golden osmanthus, and daisies bloomed in abundance. In the pond, koi playfully chased one another, while from the pavilion overhead came the sweet chirping of autumn birds.
In the pavilion, a handsome and elegant man sat boldly on a stone stool. Standing beside him was a boy of thirteen or fourteen, who would occasionally refill his teacup.
Across from the man sat a young woman of eighteen or nineteen with exquisite features. She wore a pale yellow gauze dress that accentuated her lithe and graceful figure.
Now and then, the woman would lightly cover her mouth, a charming smile gracing her lips.
"Elder Zou, is it truly impossible for me to practice Cultivation?" the woman asked, a hint of resentment in her voice.
Elder Zou, Zou Tinggui, who sat across from her, chuckled and shook his head. He then turned to the boy beside him and said, "First Grade, you may leave us for now. Your master has something to discuss with your sister."
The boy bowed respectfully and departed.
With only the two of them left in the pavilion, Zou Tinggui said, "Actually, Miss Lü, it’s not entirely impossible if you truly wish to cultivate. It’s just that you’re past the optimal age for Foundation Establishment. If you want to cultivate now, the price you’ll have to pay will be many times greater than it would be for a child."
Upon hearing this, the woman hurriedly said, "I am not afraid of hardship."
Zou Tinggui waved his hand. "No, no, no. The ’price’ I speak of has nothing to do with hardship."
"Then please, Elder Zou, enlighten me."
"In our Cultivation Realm, there is a method known as Yin Yang Harmony. Our Young Sect Leader happens to be an expert in this particular path. Though he is only twenty-one, he is already at the Heartbeat Realm Peak and will form his Golden Core any day now."
The moment Lü Yunxiu heard the words "Yin Yang Harmony," her face flushed crimson. She didn’t register anything he said after that.
She chanced a glance at the man before her. ’If it were with him... it might not be so bad,’ she thought. ’I just wonder if he’s already married.’
"Miss Lü!" Seeing that Lü Yunxiu was in a daze, Zou Tinggui waved a hand in front of her face.
"Ah! My apologies, Elder. Please, continue."
"As I was saying, our Young Sect Leader is an expert in the Dao of Yin Yang Harmony. If you are willing, Miss Lü, I could make an introduction for you."
"No, that won’t be necessary," Lü Yunxiu said hastily.
"Miss Lü, the truth is that both your and your brother’s innate aptitude for Cultivation is well above average. If you were to truly cultivate, you could one day soar to great heights. Furthermore, if you become one of the Young Sect Leader’s partners, then once your brother, First Grade, joins the Red Blood Mansion, resources will certainly be skewed in his favor. You have to understand, the Red Blood Mansion is a massive organization with more than ten thousand disciples. First Grade’s aptitude may be outstanding here in Yunzhou City, but within the Red Blood Mansion, he would be considered Middle Class at best."
"And your Young Sect Leader... is he married?"
Zou Tinggui burst out laughing. "Miss Lü, you worry too much! Forget you—even a princess of your Celestial Qi Kingdom isn’t qualified to be our Young Sect Leader’s principal wife. The Sixth Princess of the great Da Zhao Kingdom is but one of his cultivation partners. How does your status compare to those two princesses?"
"Besides, the Dao of Yin Yang Harmony has nothing to do with love. You would simply be assisting and completing one another on the path of Cultivation. In the future, should you achieve great success and meet your true love, you would be free to leave."
Seeing Lü Yunxiu’s indecisive expression, Zou Tinggui didn’t press further. He already had a plan forming in his mind. "Miss Lü, this matter does not concern you alone. Even if you were willing, our Young Sect Leader might not be! Fortunately, he is currently in the neighboring Chenzhou City. When he heard I took on a new disciple in Yunzhou, he mentioned he would come to see for himself soon. You can think it over. However, if you truly wish to cultivate, at your age, your achievements will be severely limited without the Dao of Yin Yang Harmony."
With that, Zou Tinggui stood up and left the pavilion.
As soon as he stepped out of the backyard, he saw the front courtyard was a hive of activity. The moment Patriarch Lü, Lü Yingliang, saw Zou Tinggui, his face lit up as if he were seeing a revered ancestor. He practically scurried over, bowing and fawning.
"Elder Zou, were you growing bored in the backyard? Shall I have some fresh young things sent to attend to you?"
"No, no, Patriarch Lü. My heart is set on pursuing the Dao; I have no interest in carnal pleasures. Just now, Miss Lü mentioned to me that she also wishes to cultivate. There is, in fact, a perfect solution. Alas, being a woman who has been steeped in old-fashioned dogma all these years, she is letting a golden opportunity slip by. SIGH!"
Lü Yingliang didn’t quite understand what he meant, but he invited Zou Tinggui into the main hall.
After they were both seated, Lü Yingliang finally asked, "Elder, I’m afraid I didn’t quite understand what you said earlier."
Without mincing words, Zou Tinggui repeated the entire conversation he’d had with Lü Yunxiu in the pavilion.
Then he sighed and said, "In the Red Blood Mansion, our Sect Leader’s word is law. Beneath the Sect Leader are the Vice Sect Leader and seven Elders, followed by nine Steward Elders. I am but one of those nine Stewards. If Miss Lü can catch the Young Sect Leader’s eye, and if the Lü Family provides the Red Blood Mansion with some high-quality Spirit Medicines each season, First Grade’s status in the sect will naturally rise. In the future, he’ll be able to protect the Lü Family’s medicinal herb business and help it expand. Isn’t that a perfect solution for everyone?"
Though Lü Yingliang was tempted by the proposition, he still hesitated. "It’s just that... my daughter is already betrothed."
"Oh? And to which young master, may I ask?"
"The Second Young Master Chen of Yunzhou City’s Chen Family. The engagement was arranged by my late father. The Second Young Master Chen went to the capital for the imperial examination this year and was named the Champion Scholar. He’s expected back in Yunzhou City in a few days to discuss the wedding."
Zou Tinggui snorted. "What good is a mere mortal Champion Scholar? Especially one from a minor kingdom like Celestial Qi. When we cultivators reach a certain Realm, our lifespans become immense. The choice should be obvious. Patriarch Lü, you’d best decide for yourself."
Zou Tinggui stood, took a few steps, then turned back. "And another thing—this is merely my own wishful thinking. After all, First Grade is now my disciple, and a master naturally hopes for his disciple to have a boundless future. Rest assured, Patriarch Lü. Now that First Grade is under my tutelage, I will do my utmost to nurture his talent."
"Thank you, Elder Zou!" Lü Yingliang stood and bowed deeply.
Zou Tinggui returned to his guest courtyard and summoned a disciple from the Red Blood Mansion. "Investigate the Chen Family," he ordered. "Then, have someone deliver this letter to the Young Sect Leader."
After the disciple had left, Zou Tinggui picked up the teapot from the table, put the spout directly to his lips, and took a long swig.
Setting the teapot down, Zou Tinggui let out a few cold laughs.
Although Zou Tinggui’s Cultivation had reached the Golden Core Realm, he had no idea that every single word he had spoken—in the pavilion, in the main hall, and in his guest room—had been overheard.
He would never have guessed that he was supposed to die today. The only reason he was being allowed to live a few more days was because he had mentioned the Young Sect Leader.