Sheng Kuo did not want to confront Sheng Xuan directly, so he went straight to the logistics area of the Southern Pagoda. Thinking normal stewards would not be enough, he aimed for the higher one.
A worker took him to an inner chamber where the Chief Steward handled business. Knowing Sheng Kuo was the grandson of a strong elder, he did not make him wait for long.
"Greetings, Senior Ze." Sheng Kuo cupped his fist, bowing respectfully.
Steward Ze put down the teacup. A subtle smile curled his stern features. He gestured with his hand. "Junior Kuo, take a seat."
"Thank you, Senior Ze."
After he sat down, Steward Ze asked, "What brought you here today?"
Sheng Kuo acted hesitant, as if the matter was serious and problematic. Steward Ze's face turned more serious.
"Senior Ze, I am afraid someone might have stolen things from the ornamental ponds."
Steward Ze's face was expressionless. He asked, "Which one?"
"I believe it's the large one between the Southern and Northern Pagodas."
Steward Ze's expression remained flat. Inwardly, he already took it more seriously. That pond was more than just an ornamental pond. It had a fish farm too under the Pagoda Overseer. Luminous fishes were one of their profitable commodities. This was troublesome.
"Do you have proof?"
"Yes, I do, Senior Ze," Sheng Kuo said. "You can confirm with Caretaker Bing and Kan. They can tell you more details."
"Do you know the stolen amount?"
"I am not clear on it but I believe it's a large amount."
Steward Ze's eyes focused on him. He smelled something fishy. Remembering who stood behind Sheng Kuo, he could only indulge him as long as it was not too much.
"Okay, I will ask them about it," he said. "Now, do you know who did it?"
Sheng Kuo acted even more hesitant. He said, "I believe for our clan to thrive, we must adhere to the rules. When someone breaks a rule, no matter how small, if they are not punished, then it would only erode people's trust in the clan's authority. Don't you agree, Senior Ze?" As he said the last line, his eyes locked with the steward's, calm and firm.
Steward Ze's face was still flat. Internally, he was annoyed. Not even a cultivator yet and already engaging in political maneuvering, these scions were just too troublesome. He just wanted to do his work in peace.
"Of course, Junior Kuo," Steward Ze calmly said. "So, who is it?"
Sheng Kuo put on a struggling expression. "I consider him a brother, so it's difficult for me to say it but I believe it will only make him a better person in the long run, so I have to. Do you know Sheng Xuan?"
"Master Bo's son?"
"Yes."
Steward Ze's face twitched. It was a hot summer day but he suddenly felt cold. If he did not handle it properly, he would be done for. Having been in the clan for so long, he was deeply aware of Sheng Bo. Compared to a lot of masters, he was one of the better ones. That was, as long as it did not concern his family. But if it did, his old bones could not handle the consequences.
Sheng Kuo blinked at him, waiting for his response.
Steward Ze took a sip of the tea, his mind spinning.
"Let me look into this first, Junior Kuo. This matter is serious."
"No problem. Please do relay it to Overseer Kang."
Steward Ze did not confirm or deny. He gestured with his hand. "I still have some matters to handle, so I can not accompany you any longer, Junior Kuo."
"Thank you for listening to me, Senior Ze. I will come to see you later."
Steward Ze watched his back disappear past the door. He did not want to see him again.
...
Passing ornamental rockeries, streams, trees and clean roads, Sheng Xuan walked back home. He went to his parents' courtyard first, adjacent to his. Off-white walls, black pillars and red doors and windows. Wei Rou opened the door for him, her face blooming with joy. She had watched him grow up from a child and thought of him like her own child.
"Welcome back, Xuan'er!" Her smile was bright. Unlike Wei Lan, her eyes were black and her face mature. Her hair was olive-green.
"Auntie Rou," Sheng Xuan smiled. "How have you been? I missed you."
"I should be asking you that. I have been well. How have you been? Did you have any issues?" she asked, concerned.
"I am good. I just felt homesick after a while."
"Aw. It's good you are here now. If you want to eat anything, you can tell me. You can also just ask Lan'er."
"That reminds me. I actually wanted to try your stuffed bread again. You know that's my favorite."
"Yes. Yes. Come find me then or I can send it over with Lan'er."
Sheng Xuan nodded. "Auntie, where is Mom?"
"Right. She is refining some pills right now."
"Ah. I will just wait for her then," he said. "What about Lan'er?"
Wei Rou was amused. "She went out to gather some herbs. She should return in a few hours."
"Ah, okay. I will wait for her too."
Wei Rou smiled and said, "Are you hungry? I will cook something for you."
"I don't need to eat food anymore, Auntie," he said mysteriously.
Wei Rou did not understand it at first. She realized it a step late.
"You are a cultivator now?" she asked.
"Could not you tell?" he said. "I am."
Her lips curled into a bright smile, the crow's feet beside her eyes deepened. She said, "That's so wonderful. Congratulations! I knew you could do it. I am not surprised."
"Hehe. Of course."
"But that does not mean you don't have to eat. There is still a long way before that. I still have to eat. So, you need to eat something. Or you don't like my cooking?" The last line was tinged with sadness.
"What are you saying, Auntie! I love your cooking. Make me anything. You know what I like."
Smile returned to her face. She said, "That's more like it."
She was about to head into the kitchen when the emerald-green bracelet on her wrist lit up.
"Ah. There is an issue with the herb fields. Sorry, Xuan'er."
"No problem. Let's go take a look at that first."
"Wait, you don't have to come. It could be dangerous."
"Don't worry, Auntie. I have protective talismans. Let's not delay."
She hesitated for a while. Unable to convince him, she agreed, telling him to stay in the back.
The herb fields were behind the house in a large walled yard. There were rows upon rows of colorful herbs, emitting all kinds of fragrance. Some more or less intense.
At the moment, a group of red-eyed black hornets were hitting the tier-one array protecting a plot of Darkdew Flowers.
Wei Rou narrowed her eyes. She did not rush right away, instead turning to Sheng Xuan.
"These are Dark Hornets. They are not particularly poisonous but their stings hurt a lot."
"I see. Can you catch one for me?"
"I will try," she said. "You stay here. I will go handle them."
"Be careful, Auntie."
She hurried toward the hornets, activating her spirit qi for battle.
Sheng Xuan closely observed her, curious what techniques she would use to handle this mess.
"Emerald Blade." Wei Rou muttered under her breath. A translucent, dark-green blade appeared in front of her. As she waved her hand, it shot toward the hornets, slicing through the air.
Chk!
As it landed on a hornet, it was chopped in half, followed by another, then another as it drew a fading green arc.
Buzz!
The hornets buzzed, frenzied. Their eyes glowed red. Their stingers flashed, pointed toward Wei Rou.
Woosh!
Stings shot out one after another.
"Wood Shield." Wei Rou muttered. A translucent green screen appeared in front of her.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The stingers struck the shield, emitting sounds of steel hitting steel.
Wei Rou waved her hand again, moving the blade in another arc, chopping off a few more.
Sheng Xuan enjoyed the battle, itching to participate.
This time, there was no Hornet Lord, so it was easier to deal with.
Seeing repeated deaths, the hornets' enthusiasm waned. They started to run away. Wei Rou sniped each one, knowing an escapee could bring more troubles.
Remembering Sheng Xuan's wish, she shifted to stunning the last one by striking with the middle part of the blade.
A few blunt hits later, it fell to the ground, twitching. Wei Rou quickly captured it in a bottle. Being able to fulfill Sheng Xuan's wish, she was satisfied, not noticing the tiny hornet hiding under a plant leaf, its red eyes pulsing.
The moment Wei Rou was a few steps away, it flew out, rushing toward the vast blue sky.
"Auntie, there is one left!" Sheng Xuan cried out, pointing at it, yellow spirit qi gathering at his fingertip.
Wei Rou snapped her head toward that direction. She hurriedly executed her spirit art. A blade shot out.
Buzz?!
The hornet swerved, its tiny size proving to be life-saving. The blade missed its mark. Wei Rou's heart sank.
The hornet's eyes glowed red. It was about to bolt away when a yellow pellet shot toward it.
Alarmed, it shifted, only for the yellow pellet to hit its iron wings, melting them.
Buzz!
It whirled and fell toward the ground.
Seeing the successful strike, Sheng Xuan's heart swelled with joy. Surely, he was ahead of Sheng Hun now. At least, in ranged offense.
Wei Rou's eyes were wide with surprise. Before she could react, Sheng Xuan urged, "Auntie, please capture it. Don't kill it."
Wei Rou paused. Keeping the blade active, she took out another bottle and caught it.
"Xuan'er, that was really good," she praised with a bright smile.
"I am impressive, am not I?" He lifted his head. The Sun reflected off his fair, sharp facial features.
"Yes. Very," she emphasized.
"Don't I deserve a kiss?" He tapped his cheek.