Within the main courtyard of the Sun Residence, Li Changsheng stood quietly inside the ancestral hall.
His eyes rested upon the memorial tablets in the center, finally stopping at the name Zhou Zhi.
Zhou Zhi had long since passed away from old age. She had lived more than fifty years. It was said that years of overwork had worn her down until illness claimed her life.
Time flowed like water. In the blink of an eye, more than fifty years had slipped past. It all felt unreal, like a dream fading at early dawn.
In that dream, the familiar faces had departed one by one. Yet he remained, as though he alone had awakened. Everything had turned into memory. It felt as if he were the only one left in the world.
That hollow, drifting sensation always followed Li Changsheng.
A mortal’s lifespan was short and fragile. As someone who did not age or die, he sometimes wondered.
If mortals knew their lives were fleeting, why did they still struggle for fame and profit while they could?
After fighting and scrambling for it all, what remained in the end? Nothing. Like dust scattering in the wind. Like emptiness swallowing everything. Without meaning.
Perhaps even knowing it was empty, they could not help but chase it anyway.
“Hey, how dare a servant walk into the ancestral hall so casually?”
A sharp, indignant voice cut through the silence. Li Changsheng paused, then turned. A young girl stormed in, her face flushed with anger.
She bore a faint resemblance to Zhou Zhi.
“Get out.”
Her tone was imperious. She glared at him and pointed toward the door.
“Yes.”
Li Changsheng returned to himself and lowered his head, stepping out without protest.
“No manners at all,” she muttered disdainfully.
A moment later, she knelt upon the prayer cushion and began to pray.
Outside, Li Changsheng swept the courtyard. From time to time, he glanced inward. With his keen hearing, he could clearly make out her soft murmurs.
“Grandmother, please bless my brother. Let him recover soon. Let the Sun Family rise again.”
“Grandmother, Grandfather doesn’t dote on me anymore… sob…”
“Grandmother, Grandfather married a new wife again. She’s about my age. I don’t even know what to call her.”
“…”
The girl’s name was Sun Shan. She was a granddaughter from Zhou Zhi’s lineage.
Zhou Zhi’s son was now over fifty years old. He had married and had children, and Sun Shan was the youngest of them.
She had an older brother named Sun Lu. He was gravely ill, and it seemed to be an incurable disease.
Sun Shan had wanted to ask Sun Xing to invite a cultivator to treat her brother, but the cost was far too high. Sun Xing refused.
So every day, Sun Shan came to the ancestral hall to pray for him.
Watching her, Li Changsheng felt a quiet stirring within.
Zhou Zhi had died, yet her descendants still remembered her. Perhaps that was another form of continuation.
Back then, Zhou Zhi had investigated and found out who had killed his daughter, then passed that information to him.
He had never repaid that kindness. Now that he had come to the Sun Family, he intended to repay it to Zhou Zhi’s descendants. If anyone of her bloodline faced hardship, he would protect and assist them.
It was just a pity that Zhou Zhi never lived to see him return the favor.
“Hmph.”
After a while, Sun Shan came out. Seeing Li Changsheng still sweeping the courtyard, she snorted coldly and left.
Li Changsheng paid it no mind. From that day on, he came daily to clean the courtyard.
There was not much work in the Sun Family. Moving goods, sweeping yards, pulling weeds, chopping firewood. He did it all.
Each time he worked in that courtyard, he would often see Sun Shan passing by. Gradually, they became familiar faces to one another.
Half a year passed in a flash. Li Changsheng had become an old employee in the Sun Family. Because he was hardworking and had some strength, most of the heavy tasks inevitably fell to him.
As for Sun Shan’s brother, he had not survived. He passed away from illness last month.
Now, of Zhou Zhi’s bloodline, only Sun Shan remained.
Zhou Zhi’s daughter had married elsewhere long ago and had passed away a few years back.
Zhou Zhi’s son was still alive, but he was already over fifty and approaching retirement age. Having been carefree and indulgent in his youth, he now lay bedridden and gravely ill.
All things considered, among Zhou Zhi’s descendants, only Sun Shan remained dutiful and driven.
Over these six months, Li Changsheng had also learned why Zhou’s Restaurant had collapsed years ago.
The reason seemed to be connected to him.
When Zhou Zhi asked Sun Xing who had killed Li Changsheng’s daughter, Sun Xing had been an official at the time. He knew many inside secrets and did not conceal them. Later, Zhou Zhi learned that Sun Xing had frequented Spring Moon Pavilion. From that day on, Zhou Zhi’s spirit broke, and Sun Xing grew distant toward her.
In the end, Zhou Zhi died in sorrow. Soon after, Sun Xing was dismissed from office. Zhou’s Restaurant was swallowed by other official forces and gradually declined until it closed.
A restaurant built through decades of hard effort vanished just like that.
In truth, Zhou Zhi had been implicated because she investigated his daughter’s death. Perhaps she had wanted to help him seek justice. But in offending other powers, Sun Xing was dragged down as well.
The debt Li Changsheng owed was heavy.
He wished to take revenge immediately, but the Great Shang Empire was filled with cultivators. If he dared to slaughter openly in the Imperial Capital, he likely would not even escape the city gates.
With his current strength, he possessed only a single divine ability. He was not a cultivator and could not control the broader situation.
Without absolute certainty of victory, he would not risk his life recklessly.
He had endured for decades already. A few more years meant nothing.
As for his enemies, in his heart they had expanded to encompass the entire Great Shang Empire. Until he overturned the empire itself and eradicated Spring Moon Pavilion, the Northern District Yamen, the Wu Family, and all related forces, he would never rest.
To obtain new divine abilities, he needed to take on disciples.
Back at Zhou’s Restaurant, he had once accepted several apprentice cooks. But that had been meaningless. He had not devoted real effort to cultivating a true successor.
Perhaps he needed to accept a final, closed-door disciple like Liu Chiyao had been, in order to trigger system rewards.
Yet taking disciples seemed to depend on some unseen probability. It was not simply a matter of choosing anyone. Fate had to align.
When that opportunity would appear, even Li Changsheng could not predict.
As for Liu Chiyao, she had only been an ordinary mortal. Fifty or sixty years had passed. If she were still alive, she would now be seventy or eighty. She was likely gone.
In this world, everyone he had known, and everyone who had known him, was probably dead.
Unless they were cultivators. But he had never associated with cultivators.
“I won’t marry. I won’t…”
Smack!
A crisp sound echoed from inside the house. Li Changsheng, standing in the courtyard, froze.
“You unfilial granddaughter, this is not up to you!”
Moments later, Sun Shan ran out, tears streaming down her face.
From the room, an elderly figure stepped out. His brows carried the bearing of an official. His features were dignified, his spirit sharp.
He was the Sun Family’s only cultivator, Sun Xing.
To serve as an official in the Great Shang Empire, the first requirement was Spiritual Root Aptitude. Without it, one would never enter the court.
Sun Xing possessed a Spiritual Root. Through effort and talent, he had passed the imperial examinations and stepped into officialdom.
But after offending other bureaucrats, the Sun Family declined.
The Sun Family had risen because of Sun Xing. It had also fallen because of him.
He had taken several wives, yet none had borne a descendant with a Spiritual Root. As a result, the family slowly consumed its own wealth and sank into decline.
If Sun Xing were to die, the Sun Family would be swallowed by other clans in an instant. They would fade from noble house to wealthy household, and eventually to commoners.
Li Changsheng did not linger. After finishing his tasks with the other servants, he left.
One month later, Sun Shan was forced to marry into the Liu Family of the Western District. Li Changsheng was included as part of her dowry and followed her into the Liu Family.
The Liu Family was also an official household with some influence in the Western District.
The head of the Liu Family, Liu Shan, was like Sun Xing. He was the family’s only cultivator.
The difference was that Sun Xing had been dismissed, while Liu Shan remained in office. The contrast was obvious.
Sun Shan married Liu Shan as a concubine.
The Liu Family in the Western District was prosperous, with many members and numerous servants. Li Changsheng and several accompanying servants were assigned to guard a single courtyard and attend exclusively to Sun Shan.
After marrying into the Liu Family, Sun Shan grew withdrawn. She rarely interacted with others.
One year later, she conceived. Her status rose noticeably.
Li Changsheng received a reward as well.
Ten months later, Sun Shan gave birth to a son.
“Heaven has blessed me. Heaven has blessed me! Hahaha…”
That day was one of great celebration for the Liu Family. Not only had Sun Shan borne a son, the child also possessed a Spiritual Root.
Even Sun Xing from the Northern District came personally to offer congratulations. His concern for Sun Shan deepened. Looking at the infant, he seemed as though he wished to carry him home immediately.
No matter what, this child carried the blood of both the Sun Family and the Liu Family. He had become the hope of both houses.
Even if Sun Xing had to sell everything he owned, he would raise this child into a pillar of support for both families once more.
The boy was named Liu Qi. As the saying went, a mother’s status rose with her son. Because of him, Sun Shan’s standing increased dramatically. Within the Liu Family, her influence was second only to the lawful wife, Madam Chen.
Madam Chen was an elderly woman with several children. None possessed a Spiritual Root. However, her natal family, the Chen Family, held influence in the Western District, securing her position.
Behind Sun Shan stood the Sun Family for support.
Though the Sun Family had declined, it still surpassed most noble households.
Liu Qi lived up to expectations. Gifted and diligent, he could compose essays fluently by the age of ten. Coupled with his cultivation talent, he quickly stepped into the ranks of spiritual practitioners.
In this world, cultivation levels were not divided into Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Divine Transformation, Void Refining, and so on.
Instead, they consisted of four great realms: Spiritual Practitioner, King-level Spiritual Practitioner, Saint-level Spiritual Practitioner, and Emperor-level Spiritual Practitioner.
All cultivators with a Spiritual Root began in the Spiritual Practitioner realm upon entering the path.
Liu Shan was a Spiritual Practitioner. Sun Xing was also a Spiritual Practitioner. The depth of spiritual power differed, and thus their strength varied.
Roar!
A furious howl erupted from the Liu Family’s rear courtyard plaza.
At the center of the plaza, a ferocious wolf bared its fangs inside a cage.
Its crimson eyes burned with savagery and bloodlust.
Servants stood around it nervously, gripping wooden staffs. In front of the cage stood a boy of about ten, his expression tense.
Beside him stood two men around fifty years old: Liu Shan and Sun Xing.
“My son, this is your tenth fusion attempt. Do not be afraid. Once you succeed, you can pass the examinations and bring honor to our ancestors.”
“Mm!”
Liu Qi nodded heavily. Liu Shan and Sun Xing exchanged a glance.
In the next instant, spiritual power erupted from their bodies. Before everyone’s astonished eyes, faint phantoms appeared around them.
One phantom resembled an ox. The other resembled a hound.
As the phantoms merged with them, terrifying spiritual pressure spread outward. A violent wind surged across the plaza.
The cage suddenly sprang open.
Roar!
The wild wolf’s body flickered with spiritual light as it charged forward at astonishing speed.
The wolf was already gravely wounded, blood dripping from its mouth, yet its ferocity had not diminished in the slightest.
Liu Shan and Sun Xing stepped forward at the same time, pressing down on the wolf’s body. Liu Shan moved like an ox, throwing a punch forward. Like a raging bull crashing into its prey, a thunderous boom echoed out. The ground cracked apart, and the wolf’s spine snapped instantly.
“Quick!”
Liu Qi’s expression changed drastically. He immediately formed hand seals and pressed his palms onto the wolf’s body.
In an instant, the wolf’s soul was forcibly extracted. Liu Qi’s face turned deathly pale, and his entire body began trembling violently.
The wolf’s soul transformed into a phantom of spiritual power and lunged toward Liu Qi, biting savagely.
At that moment, Liu Qi felt dizzy and disoriented. His fragile spiritual sense in his mind felt as though it was about to be torn apart by the wolf.
Seeing this, Liu Shan and Sun Xing were horrified. Sun Xing’s heart hardened. Suddenly, his hand formed a claw. A phantom of a dog’s head gathered and manifested. With a wet tearing sound, the wolf’s body was pierced through, and blood sprayed everywhere.
As the wolf’s life force was severed, the violent soul phantom instantly weakened.
Seizing the opportunity, Liu Qi focused his mind and began fusing. Before everyone’s astonished eyes, the wolf phantom slowly merged into Liu Qi’s body.
An indescribable energy enveloped Liu Qi. Faintly, the wolf’s howl echoed from within him. A weak aura gradually began radiating outward from his body.
From afar, Li Changsheng watched this scene with curiosity. This was the fusion stage of a cultivator.
Only by fusing with the soul of a spirit beast could one become a true Spiritual Practitioner. At the same time, their strength would increase dramatically.
After successfully fusing with the wolf’s soul, Liu Qi obtained the wolf’s innate power. From that moment on, he officially became a qualified Spiritual Practitioner.
In the distance, Liu Qi collapsed unconscious from exhaustion. Beside Li Changsheng, Sun Shan’s face was filled with worry. Seeing her son faint, she immediately ran over.
“Qi’er, Qi’er, are you alright?”
“He’s fine. He just finished fusing and is too exhausted. He’ll recover after resting for two days,” Sun Xing reassured her gently.
Sun Xing looked at Sun Shan with softness in his eyes, but also with regret in his heart.
If Sun Shan had been born male, then the child would belong to the Sun Family lineage. Instead, the Liu Family had gained the advantage.
In the following years, Liu Qi officially stepped onto the path of cultivation. Both families poured all their cultivation resources into him.
However, starting at age eleven, Liu Qi began taking the imperial examinations. He took them for ten years straight. By the age of twenty-one, he still had not succeeded.
The competition in the Great Shang Empire was simply too fierce. Every year, there were not less than 100,000 candidates across the empire.
Yet these 100,000 Spiritual Practitioners competed for fewer than 100 positions.
On average, each city could only produce one or two successful candidates.
In the Imperial Capital, the quota was even harsher. Only three positions were available each year.
For Liu Qi to rank among the top three out of 100,000 Spiritual Practitioners was nearly impossible. There were far too many competitors with superior talent and aptitude.
Even so, he had to continue. This was called accumulating seniority.
Both Liu Shan and Sun Xing had possessed average talent. They had endured and waited for one hundred years, taking the exams repeatedly, before finally entering officialdom.
The Great Shang Empire had such a rule. Once one accumulated one hundred years of seniority, they would be admitted as an exception.
In other words, one had to wait in line for one hundred years.
Unless one possessed extraordinary talent and stood out among countless candidates, thereby shortening the waiting time.
“So this is Summer Moon Pavilion…”
In the Northern District stood Spring Moon Pavilion. In the Western District stood Summer Moon Pavilion. In the Eastern District stood Autumn Moon Pavilion. In the Southern District stood Winter Moon Pavilion.
These four Moon Pavilions were similar in nature. They shared the same owner behind the scenes and possessed immense power.
Each pavilion had its own unique style, but the services were largely the same.
“Young Master, this is a pleasure house. It would be best if you did not go inside,” Li Changsheng advised cautiously.
At the entrance of Summer Moon Pavilion, a middle-aged man stood beside a handsome young man.
“Steward, I’m already grown. What’s wrong with going to such a place? Come in with me and broaden your horizons,” Liu Qi said casually, fanning himself with a folding fan.
The middle-aged man was Li Changsheng. After more than twenty years in the Liu Family, he had finally risen to become the steward.
The guards at the entrance recognized Liu Qi. After a brief inquiry, they allowed him inside.
Li Changsheng followed. This was only his second time entering such a place.
The moment Liu Qi stepped inside, he was captivated by the environment.
Beautiful women filled the hall, too many to count. A middle-aged madam approached, greeting Liu Qi warmly.
By the time they reached the second floor, Liu Qi was already dazzled. It was his first time seeing so many stunning beauties gathered in one place.
Though the prices were extremely expensive, Liu Qi had money. Under the teasing and companionship of the women, gold coins flowed from his hands one after another.
He only managed to reach the third floor before he could barely walk straight. By the fourth floor, his gold coins were completely spent.
As the steward, Li Changsheng could only wait on the second floor, then later outside in the carriage, where he waited the entire night.
It was not until early morning the next day that Liu Qi emerged, his face glowing with satisfaction.
“Steward, don’t speak of this when we return,” Liu Qi said lightly.
“Yes,” Li Changsheng replied calmly.
He drove the carriage back to the Liu Residence. Soon after, he was summoned into a room by a middle-aged woman.
“Li San, tell me. Where did my son go last night?” she demanded.
“He went to Summer Moon Pavilion,” Li Changsheng answered truthfully.
Sun Shan, now forty years old, had long lost the beauty of her youth.
“Summer Moon Pavilion? What kind of place is that?” she asked, frowning.
“It is a brothel,” Li Changsheng said plainly.
Sun Shan’s eyes widened in shock.
“What? You dared to take him there? How could you allow him to go to such a place?” she shouted angrily.
“I did not take him. He insisted on going,” Li Changsheng replied calmly.
“Hmph. You went inside too, didn’t you?” she accused coldly.
“Yes,” Li Changsheng answered honestly.
Sun Shan sneered coldly. Of course. There was not a single decent man in this world.
This steward had followed her for over twenty years. Childless. Alone. Who knew how many women he had secretly sought out.
Now she had grown old and lost favor. If not for Liu Qi, she would not have maintained her standing in the Liu Family.
After Madam Chen’s death, she had become the official wife. With Liu Qi as her support, her position was unshakable.
Now that Liu Qi had begun visiting brothels, she dared not scold him. Instead, she vented her anger on Li Changsheng.
Li Changsheng endured the scolding without complaint. Afterward, he continued serving the Liu Family diligently.
After that first visit, Liu Qi became obsessed with Summer Moon Pavilion.
The women there were breathtakingly beautiful.
He visited once or twice every month. If he had more money, he would have lived there permanently.
Naturally, Li Changsheng accompanied him each time, waiting outside in the carriage.
Rumor had it Liu Qi had fallen deeply in love with one of the women. He spent money recklessly for her.
Soon, he began borrowing money. High-interest loans.
Within a few months, Liu Qi seemed richer than ever, visiting Summer Moon Pavilion more frequently.
Li Changsheng initially thought Liu Qi had stolen money from the Liu Family. Only later did he discover Liu Qi owed several thousand gold coins.
“Steward, what should I do? I owe too much. I can’t repay it,” Liu Qi said, panic filling his face.
“Young Master should confess to the Patriarch. He will forgive you,” Li Changsheng advised calmly.
“No. Absolutely not. I cannot let the family know. Steward, help me think of a solution,” Liu Qi pleaded desperately.
Li Changsheng fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly, “Young Master, if you cannot repay it and refuse to tell the Patriarch, then borrow more from the Northern District.”
“The Northern District?” Liu Qi asked, startled.
“Borrow 10,000 gold coins there. Use it to repay here. Then borrow here to repay there. As long as you repay monthly, there will be no interest,” Li Changsheng explained.
“Brilliant! Let’s go to the Northern District immediately!” Liu Qi exclaimed excitedly.
Half a day later, they arrived. Using his status, Liu Qi successfully borrowed 10,000 gold coins.
He repaid over 4,000 gold coins in the Western District and still had more than 5,000 left.
“Young Master, the remaining gold coins could be used for business…” Li Changsheng suggested.
“What business? This is free money. Here, take this as your reward,” Liu Qi said generously.
Li Changsheng accepted 5 gold coins but declined further invitation.
Liu Qi laughed and returned to Summer Moon Pavilion once again.
Watching his back, Li Changsheng’s expression remained indifferent.
Time passed. Liu Qi’s debts grew.
Three years later, he could no longer repay them.
“Beat him! Beat him to death!”
In an alley of the Western District, over one hundred thugs chased a drunken Liu Qi, iron rods in hand.
They struck him repeatedly. He stumbled and fell.
Yet despite the beating, Liu Qi showed no fear.
He was a Spiritual Practitioner. Protected by spiritual power, ordinary mortals could not easily kill him.
Even so, Liu Qi had already been beaten until he was covered in wounds and could not get back up.
“Damn it! Surnamed Liu, we’re giving you three more days. If you still don’t repay the money, we’ll break your legs and wait for your family to collect you.”
“Bah! You think you’re some big shot? Borrowing money just to visit brothels. Aren’t you ashamed?”
More than a hundred men kicked Liu Qi one after another, cursing without restraint.
Liu Qi, still drunk and muddled, listened to their insults. A poisonous resentment began to grow in his heart.
“Young Master.”
At that moment, Li Changsheng stepped forward. He pushed through the crowd and stood in front of Liu Qi.
“Oh? Another helper? And you’re holding a blade. What, you want to kill someone?” the thugs mocked, laughing with open contempt. They had numbers on their side and felt no fear.
Liu Qi slowly rose to his feet. His drunken haze had mostly cleared.
“Young Master, leave first. I’ll hold them off,” Li Changsheng said firmly.
“Heh. Useless young master. Useless servant. Neither of you are going anywhere,” one of the thugs sneered.
Liu Qi’s eyes turned dark. In the next instant, ferocity burst from him. Spiritual power surged outward, and the phantom of a hungry wolf erupted around his body.
He formed claws with his hands and lunged forward, seizing one thug. His fingers tore into the man’s chest like blades, ripping it open.
Li Changsheng’s heart jumped at the sight, but in the next breath, he raised his knife and struck. One swing. A head rolled across the ground.
The sight froze the remaining thugs in terror.
“Kill!”
Liu Qi grabbed another man. One punch shattered the man’s heart. His legs broke under the force. A final kick snapped his neck, ending his life on the spot.
Li Changsheng struck again, killing another man.
“Run!”
Within moments, the remaining dozens of thugs fled in panic, leaving behind corpses and blood-soaked ground.
Liu Qi had not yet regained full control of himself. Li Changsheng seized the moment and dragged him away.
Only after they hid in a remote corner did Liu Qi come to his senses. His entire body trembled.
“I… I killed people. What do I do now? I killed so many. I’ll never become an official now.”
He was utterly panicked.
If a cultivator killed in the Imperial Capital, his future would be ruined. Before even passing the examinations, killing openly was madness. No cultivator with a functioning mind would personally dirty his hands. They always had others do such things.
Li Changsheng looked at Liu Qi solemnly.
“If you don’t want to be implicated, then pass the examinations within one year. Go back and tell the Patriarch. It’s not too late.”
In Li Changsheng’s mind, even if Liu Qi had killed, someone else could take the blame. With enough compensation, there would always be a scapegoat willing to die.
Liu Qi had no idea what to do. He was not afraid of prison. He was afraid of losing his future.
Following Li Changsheng’s advice, the two returned to the Liu Residence.
Liu Qi went directly to Patriarch Liu Shan and confessed everything he had done over the past years.
Inside the room, Liu Shan listened in silence. His face grew darker with every word.
He never imagined his son would be so reckless.
Liu Qi had borrowed 50,000 gold coins from each of the four major money houses. Each one 50,000. With compound interest, he could no longer repay.
For seven or eight years, he had squandered the money in brothels, living extravagantly.
50,000 gold coins. The Liu Family earned at most 2,000 to 3,000 gold coins per year. Even saving for more than ten years might not accumulate that much.
Now, including interest, the debt had grown to 60,000 to 70,000 gold coins.
Liu Shan trembled with rage. This wastrel intended to bankrupt the entire Liu Family.
Murderous intent flickered in Liu Shan’s eyes, but when he saw Liu Qi’s terrified expression, he suppressed it.
Now Liu Qi did not merely owe money. He had blood on his hands. Fortunately, it had happened within the Western District. If it had occurred elsewhere, Liu Qi would not have returned alive.
“Get out. Face the wall and reflect!” Liu Shan roared.
Terrified, Liu Qi scrambled out of the room.
That night, Sun Xing from the Northern District arrived.
After lengthy discussion, they found solutions.
The money house issue could be resolved by using their reputations as guarantees. They could repay a small portion of interest and negotiate for more time.
As for the killings, Liu Shan could go to the yamen, spend more money, smooth things over, and find a scapegoat.
Li Changsheng had anticipated this outcome. What he had not expected was that he himself would be the scapegoat.
“Master, you summoned me?”
Late at night, Li Changsheng was called to the rear hall. He now appeared to be in his forties.
“Li San, how many years have you served the Liu Family?” Liu Shan asked.
Inside the room were Liu Qi, Liu Shan, Sun Xing, and Sun Shan.
“Reporting to Master, I have served the Liu Residence for 28 years. I am nearly fifty years old,” Li Changsheng replied.
Hearing this, Liu Qi felt deep guilt. This man had watched him grow up. Now he was to become his scapegoat.
Sun Shan’s expression dimmed. Li Changsheng had married into the Liu Family with her. For 28 years he had been loyal and tireless. At times irritating, yet never disloyal.
Now he was to take the fall. She felt a flicker of guilt. He had no wife, no children. He was the ideal choice.
“I know you have always been loyal to the Liu Family,” Liu Shan said slowly. “The Liu Family faces trouble. Liu Qi acted rashly and killed in the streets. The only solution is for someone to serve prison time in his place.”
“Li San, you watched Liu Qi grow up. He is like half a son to you. Can you bear to see his future destroyed?”
Li Changsheng’s heart stirred. He looked at Liu Qi and the four family members. He understood.
“Master means… but I have served the Liu Family…”
“Li San, do not forget. You also killed someone. Even if you do not take his place, you cannot escape,” Sun Xing said in a low voice. “Do not worry. It is only prison. Once inside, I will arrange for a woman to bear you a child. When you are released, your life will be complete.”
“Li San, it will only be a few years. For my son’s sake, I beg you,” Sun Shan added softly.
She could not allow her son to go to prison. If he did, he could never pass the examinations.
“How many years?” Li Changsheng asked after a long silence.
“At most ten. You will be well fed. Afterward, you will remain the Liu Family’s steward.”
Seeing Li Changsheng relent, their expressions eased. They were certain he would agree. This man had always been loyal beyond doubt.
“Very well. I agree. But before taking the blame, I wish to leave an heir. May I have two days?”
Liu Shan and Sun Xing exchanged a knowing look.
After 28 years of loyal service, two days were nothing. If he wished to choose a maid from the Liu Residence, he could.
Li Changsheng returned to his small private room under supervision. As steward, he had long had his own quarters. He had lived there for over twenty years.
Outside, servants stood guard to prevent escape.
Lying on the bed, Li Changsheng contemplated.
Prison meant death. He would never be foolish enough to truly go.
He would not surrender his life and freedom.
Everything had unfolded according to his design.
Sun Shan, forgive me. From the moment Liu Qi stepped into Summer Moon Pavilion, he had guided him step by step toward ruin.
His first goal had been to bankrupt both the Liu Family and the Sun Family protecting Liu Qi.
He would not be a scapegoat. He would flee.
If Liu Qi proved useless and failed the examinations, he would be discarded.
If Liu Qi rose and passed, he could still be used.
“Steward, this servant is coming in,” a maid said softly as she pushed the door open late that night.
But when she entered, trembling at her fate, Li Changsheng was gone.
“Something’s wrong! The steward is missing!” she screamed.
Servants rushed inside. Li Changsheng had vanished.
The Liu Family was stunned.
No one expected that the man who had served faithfully for over twenty years would betray them at the final moment.
Liu Qi was shocked. The steward who had always favored him had abandoned him.
Sun Shan could not believe it. For 28 years he had followed her, and now he was gone.
It felt as if she had never truly known him.
They could not understand why a man nearing the grave would suddenly cling to life at the last moment.
The Liu Family searched every corner of the residence.
By then, Li Changsheng had already changed his appearance and escaped the Imperial Capital.
…
One does not enter a temple alone. Two do not peer into a well together.
More than 100 kilometers outside the Imperial Capital, in a desolate wilderness, stood a dilapidated temple.
Li Changsheng fled through the night and arrived there. He stopped, frowning at the structure before him.
A faint scent of blood lingered in the air.
Holding his blade, he stepped inside.
Just past the entrance, he saw a corpse lying in a pool of blood.
The temple was in ruins. An ancient Buddha statue hung heavy with dust and cobwebs.
The smell of blood was thick. The ground was smeared red.
Rats, insects, and blood-sucking mosquitoes buzzed and crawled about.
Further inside, Li Changsheng’s pupils contracted.
A giant python more than 100 meters long lay crushed beneath the broken stone hand of the Buddha statue.
The python was dead, blood flowing freely. Several corpses lay nearby, some dismembered, others decapitated.
Clearly, a brutal battle had taken place between these people and the python.
Li Changsheng approached the python. Suddenly, he paused.
There was a bloody tear in its belly.
Through the ripped flesh, a foot protruded.
Frowning, he examined it closely.
There was indeed a figure inside the python’s abdomen.
Without hesitation, Li Changsheng tore the python open.
Inside lay a young girl, drenched in blood, unconscious.
She was still alive.
He looked around. No other survivors.
He quickly deduced that she had been swallowed by the python. When the statue’s giant hand crushed the beast, it had been trapped and died here, allowing her to survive without being digested.
…