On the vast, desolate ancient road, a unicorn-like horse with limbs flickering like blue flames charged forward at breakneck speed.
Its horn, a striking two-tiered azure flame, glinted in the wind, while it pulled a rustic, bronze-colored carriage that seemed to skim over the ground like lightning.
The speed of the unicorn was so extreme that one could almost see afterimages of its legs in motion. Yet the carriage behind it remained utterly steady, without a hint of bumping or jolting.
Even the flowing tassels dangling outside swayed only ever so slightly, as if reluctant to betray the velocity at which they were moving.
Inside the carriage, two figures, one tall, one short sat facing each other. The taller one leaned casually against the carriage, a book in hand, flipping through the pages leisurely.
The shorter figure held a teacup, sipping carefully while observing the person sitting across from him, reading.
A closer look made it unmistakable: these two were none other than Zhou Hanshan and Lou Xingyao, the recently expelled couple from the Zhou family.
After finishing another sip of tea, Lou Xingyao finally spoke, unable to contain himself any longer:
“You’ve actually wanted to leave the Zhou family for a long time, haven’t you?”
“Hm? My dear, why do you say that?” Zhou Hanshan replied, continuing to turn the pages of his book without a hint of pause.
If before there had been even a shred of uncertainty in Lou Xingyao’s mind about his guess, that uncertainty had now vanished entirely.
Seven days had passed since their grand wedding, and seven days of living together had given Lou Xingyao a preliminary understanding of Zhou Hanshan’s character.
While he wasn’t as vile as the rumors suggested, he certainly was far from entirely upright, perhaps seven or eight parts mischievous, and lacking complete propriety.
Moreover, ever since their first meeting, Zhou Hanshan had never addressed him as “my husband” again.
Now, bringing up the topic of their old marriage hinted unmistakably at a desire for playful teasing.
Lou Xingyao shot him a look of mild annoyance. “Ever since we left Canglan City, your mood has improved considerably.”
This was not just apparent to Lou Xingyao, who had spent seven days with him.
Even a complete stranger could have discerned the change from the faint curve of his lips and the subtle glint of amusement in his eyes.
“Who knows the husband better than his wife?” Zhou Hanshan remarked, neither denying nor deflecting, the corners of his mouth curling slightly.
“So… all those absurd acts you pulled in the past were they just to make the Zhou family lose patience with you, so they would kick you out?” Lou Xingyao asked, though the thought seemed almost ridiculous.
Zhou Hanshan’s current demeanor, however, made such a suspicion almost unavoidable.
“My dear knows me so well,” Zhou Hanshan finally lifted his gaze from the journal he had been perusing, giving Lou Xingyao a definite, confirming look.
Lou Xingyao fell silent. What, exactly, had the Zhou family done to Zhou Hanshan? What could drive him to cause such chaos in the Zhou estate and even in Canglan City itself, simply to extricate himself?
“Nothing major,” Zhou Hanshan said lightly. “Just a washed up loser with the eldest son’s status, standing in the way of others. Eyesore to everyone, that’s all.”
The tone was casual, almost the same as when he had commented a few days ago about how life at home had been less than ideal.
Lou Xingyao understood perfectly. Even Lou Xiaowu, who posed no threat to the Lou family’s inheritance, had struggled within the household due to his inability to cultivate.
Zhou Hanshan, on the other hand, bore the title of eldest grandson of the family’s main line. How could the Zhou family afford to treat him kindly?
Sure, Zhou Hanshan might have fared slightly better than Lou Xiaowu, thanks to his cultivation reaching the eighth layer of Qi, giving him some ability to protect himself.
The Zhou family, invested in quality genetic inheritance, could not bring themselves to strike decisively.
This delicate balance had created the impression outsiders held of Zhou Hanshan as being utterly dominant and unchallenged.
Lou Xingyao quickly offered comfort. “Leaving isn’t a bad thing. A good man has his eyes set on the world; what skill is relying on your ancestors’ favor?”
Unexpectedly, this remark seemed to strike some private amusement in Zhou Hanshan. He laughed heartily, much to Lou Xingyao’s confusion.
After a moment, Zhou Hanshan calmed himself. “Not bad. But even relying on ancestral protection now… we can’t rely on that at all.”
Lou Xingyao was completely at a loss. Zhou Hanshan wasn’t referring to being ousted from the Zhou family, but rather a small incident that had occurred when they had left seven days ago.
At that time, Zhou Hanshan had taken Lou Xingyao and left, only to be intercepted just outside the courtyard by several youths dressed extravagantly.
Lou Xingyao had no idea who they were, but judging by their forms of address and the maids and servants following them, it was clear enough that they were likely the Zhou family’s sons and daughters, Zhou Hanshan’s siblings.
Yet those siblings had shown no respect for Zhou Hanshan whatsoever. Every phrase they spoke carried the subtext: since the eldest son had been removed from the family, he should no longer occupy family resources.
Some even attempted to search Zhou Hanshan’s personal storage.
Although Zhou Hanshan’s intimidating gaze made them retreat in the end, they still sent their maids and servants to thoroughly inspect his residence, ensuring all valuables were accounted for before letting the two of them leave.
In other words, Zhou Hanshan and Lou Xingyao had taken nothing with them but their personal belongings.
Lou Xingyao did not know the exact contents of Zhou Hanshan’s storage, but judging by how lightly those challengers had handled the situation, it was clear that the odds were far from favorable.
Empty-handed, there was no question of relying on ancestral favor.
“Starting from nothing isn’t so bad,” Lou Xingyao offered once more.
“Hm.” Zhou Hanshan didn’t mind. He continued flipping through the journal in his hand. Yet, in the gaps between pages, he seemed to remember something and turned to look at Lou Xingyao.
“Are you still determined to come with me?”
Lou Xingyao paused, falling into deep thought. That question, in fact, had already been asked seven days ago when they had left the Zhou family.
Beyond that, Zhou Hanshan possessed remarkable maturity and foresight in handling matters.
For instance, after leaving the Zhou family, he had acted with lightning speed to purchase the horse-drawn carriage they now rode in, plotting their escape route without hesitation and immediately putting his plan into motion.
Lou Xingyao, while unsure of their final destination, could tell from Zhou Hanshan’s composed and confident demeanor that this wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. He must have already worked out the details beforehand.
The only minor inconvenience was the portable space Zhou Hanshan carried with him. If they traveled together, they would need to exercise caution when using it.
Yet, Lou Xingyao realized that once Zhou Hanshan absorbed his Qi into his body, the matter could be managed.
He could manipulate items within the space using his mind, greatly reducing the risk of exposure.
After analyzing the situation thoroughly, Lou Xingyao concluded that traveling with Zhou Hanshan was far safer and more advantageous than acting alone. Resolute, he looked up at Zhou Hanshan.
“This depends on whether Young Master Zhou is willing to accept me as a companion,” Lou Xingyao said, his gaze steady.
“Are you certain?” Zhou Hanshan’s brow arched slightly, a hint of surprise in his expression.
“Certain,” Lou Xingyao affirmed with a nod.
“Very well, then,” Zhou Hanshan said, pausing only briefly before nodding in agreement.
“Thank you, Young Master Zhou,” Lou Xingyao breathed a quiet sigh of relief internally. He had weighed many benefits of traveling with Zhou Hanshan, but it would only become a reality once Zhou Hanshan consented.
In the next moment, Zhou Hanshan retrieved a scroll from his storage bag. “Since we will be traveling together, these matters must be clarified now. I am naturally distrustful. Without a contract as guarantee, I fear our arrangement cannot last.”
This was the first time in seven days that Lou Xingyao had seen such a serious expression on Zhou Hanshan’s face.
The scroll was laid upon the small tea table between them, and Lou Xingyao could now see it clearly: it was a contract, remarkably similar to the wedding document from seven days ago.
Inscribed on the contract was a single clause: both parties, until the formal termination of this agreement, may not harm each other at any time, in any place, or by any means.
Violation would result in the annihilation of both soul and body, never to enter the cycle of reincarnation.
As Lou Xingyao read, Zhou Hanshan added, “If there is anything you wish to stipulate, you may add it to this scroll.”
Before Zhou Hanshan could finish, Lou Xingyao had already pricked his finger, pressing the blood onto the scroll.
“Not giving it a second thought?” Zhou Hanshan’s surprise was evident, though he restrained himself.
At that moment, he was still troubled by guilt over Lou Xingyao being expelled from the Zhou family, and naturally did not speak of departure.
Zhou Hanshan, while silent, clearly understood Lou Xingyao’s thoughts, hence mentioning the expulsion once more.
Lou Xingyao, however, no longer felt any guilt about Zhou Hanshan’s expulsion and now approached the matter with utmost seriousness.
If he left, where could he go?
The thought had barely formed in his mind before he realized the answer was a complete blank.
The Tianming Continent was not a world he knew. Even with Lou Xiaowu’s memories and the storyline of Dao and Tian Qi to guide him, his understanding of this world remained superficial at best.
Since his crossing over, he had been forced into a proxy marriage, always guided by Madam He, never allowed to act for himself. Even his instincts had been on high alert for his own safety, leaving him no time to contemplate the future.
Now, with time and opportunity, he realized how blank his plans truly were. Even with the portable space and the Ten-Thousand Star Qi Art, Lou Xingyao knew from the original story that cultivation would not be easy.
To cultivate fully, he needed the “Three Pillars of Resources”: Wealth, Companion, and Land. At present, he barely possessed a single “Law” for Wealth; Companion and Land were completely unknown to him.
Moreover, Lou Xingyao faced another issue: his body could not immediately enter the Dao. Even the medicinal Xumai Pill from He Wanqing required preparation before its effects could be safely absorbed.
Until then, he would remain an ordinary, powerless mortal, making this transitional period critical and necessitating a safe environment.
Yet, based on what he currently knew of the Tianming Continent, finding such a place would be far from easy. Even if he succeeded, valuable time would be lost, time that could otherwise be used for cultivation.
This led him to consider another possibility: what if he traveled with Zhou Hanshan?
From the seven days spent together, Lou Xingyao had developed a general understanding of Zhou Hanshan.
Though Zhou Hanshan could be mischievous, his pranks were harmless like teasing him as “my husband” earlier but he had never overstepped boundaries in any meaningful way.
Lou Xingyao had tried to reciprocate with his own playful jabs; Zhou Hanshan had paid them no mind. This reassured Lou Xingyao that Zhou Hanshan’s temperament, while sly, was not dangerous.
“No need. After all, the restrictions apply not only to me, correct?” Lou Xingyao shook his head without a second thought.
Unlike the flawed wedding document from seven days ago, this contract was rigorous, including a clause explicitly prohibiting direct or indirect harm.
Lou Xingyao could find no reason to refuse. With his portable space and much lower combat ability than Zhou Hanshan, having this contract in place was undoubtedly advantageous.
Zhou Hanshan stared at the fingerprint of blood Lou Xingyao had left on the scroll. After a long pause, a small smile curved his lips. He then marked his own fingerprint beside Lou Xingyao’s, pressing it down.
In that moment, Lou Xingyao clearly witnessed the contract take effect. The text blazed with golden light, then dissolved, transforming into two streams of golden light, entering their bodies.
Unlike the vague connection of the previous wedding document, this time Lou Xingyao could feel a powerful binding force, engraving the ironclad law of non-harm between him and Zhou Hanshan.
The contract also stipulated that it could only be revoked if both parties were present and simultaneously expressed the desire to terminate it, using the scroll as a medium to re-sign.
Neither could unilaterally dissolve the agreement. The final loophole had been sealed by Heaven itself.
Zhou Hanshan, too, felt the same clarity, his expression softening considerably.
Lou Xingyao now realized that until this moment, Zhou Hanshan had never truly opened his heart to him. Even the teasing “my husband” words were delivered with a hidden mask. Only now could he perceive the subtle difference.
This was when Lou Xingyao finally understood: Zhou Hanshan’s self-proclaimed “suspicious nature” was no false humility.
Lou Xingyao had no doubt that any hesitation at the moment of signing would have caused Zhou Hanshan to abandon him without question.
“Since we are to travel together, we will inevitably spend long periods in each other’s company. Our marriage was a twist of fate, not to be taken seriously. From now on, we shall treat each other as brothers. What say you?” Zhou Hanshan’s timing was perfect.
Lou Xingyao was delighted. Without hesitation, he nodded. “Then I shall address you as Brother Zhou from now on.”
Unexpectedly, Zhou Hanshan interjected sharply, “Wen.”
“What?” Lou Xingyao blinked, momentarily lost for words.
Zhou Hanshan then calmly stated, “I have been expelled from the Zhou family. I can no longer claim to be a Zhou. From now on, I will take my mother’s surname and be called Wen Hanshan.”
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[Translator]
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← PreviousNext →
ChaptersChapter 1 · Crossing OverChapter 2 · Lu XioaWuChapter 3 · UncleChapter 4 · Substitute MarriageChapter 5 · Travelling Through BookChapter 6 · SpaceChapter 7 · InheritanceChapter 8 · ExplanationChapter 9 · He familyChapter 10 · CompensateChapter 11 · WeddingChapter 12 · LeavingChapter 13 · SuspicionChapter 14 · Change SurnameChapter 14 · Change SurnameChapter 15 · SummaryChapter 16 · Family BusinessChapter 17 · ResettlementChapter 18 · DeterminationChapter 19 · TreatChapter 20 · Enter the TaoChapter 21 · Private TrainingChapter 22 · BreakthroughChapter 23 · ExperienceChapter 24 Part 1 · Questions and AnswersChapter 24 Part 2 · Questions and answersChapter 25 · GiftChapter 25 Part 1 · GiftChapter 26 Part 1 · Sword IntentChapter 26 Part 2 · Sword IntentChapter 27 Part 1 · SelectChapter 27 Part 2 · SelectChapter 28 Part 1 · PastChapter 28 Part 2 · PastChapter 29 Part 1 · ConfessionChapter 29 Part 2 · ConfessionChapter 30 Part 1 · TradeChapter 30 Part 2 · TradeChapter 31 Part 1 · Male LeadChapter 31 Part 2 · Male LeadChapter 32 Part 1 · LuckChapter 32 Part 2 · LuckChapter 33 Part 1 · GuessingChapter 33 Part 2 · GuessingChapter 34 Part 1 · SystemChapter 34 Part 2 · SystemChapter 35 · OpportunityChapter 36 Part 1 · LingquanChapter 36 Part 2 · LingquanChapter 37 Part 1 · Hundred Flowers PartChapter 37 Part 2 · Hundred Flowers PartChapter 38 · Worth itChapter 39 · SaintessChapter 40 · ExperimentChapter 41 · Vampire SystemChapter 42 · NotesChapter 43 · WarningChapter 44 · PlanChapter 45 · Fellow VillagersChapter 46 · AssimilationChapter 47 · IlliterateChapter 48 · Pak WahChapter 49 · Sudden EnlightenmentChapter 50 · Wen ZhiChapter 51 · CarrierChapter 52 · LeavingChapter 53 · Follow UpChapter 54 · OutrageousChapter 55 · OnceChapter 56 · TeasingChapter 57 · Playing aroundChapter 58 · Beast fireChapter 59 · Watching a PlayChapter 60 · Extermination of the entire clanChapter 61 · ChoiceChapter 62 · PossessionChapter 63 · CalculationChapter 64 · GuaranteedChapter 65 · Grand OpeningChapter 66 · Grand OpeningChapter 67 · Protecting one’s ownChapter 68 · Secret RealmChapter 69 · BetrayalChapter 70 · DetailsChapter 71 · FramedChapter 72 · MeetingChapter 73 · KillChapter 74 · MapChapter 75 · FoundationChapter 76 · Strange Phenomenon!Chapter 77 · ExchangeChapter 78 · LetterChapter 79 · ShortcutChapter 80 · God of Slaughter!Chapter 81 · Poison PillChapter 82 · Lou ShuChapter 83 · ProgressChapter 84 · An attemptChapter 85 · Movement and StillnessChapter 86 · Good intentionsChapter 87 · ChangeChapter 88 · Childhood friendChapter 89 · ThoughtsChapter 90 · Old storiesChapter 91 · HeritageChapter 92 · TestChapter 93 · LoverChapter 94 · Heartfelt wishesChapter 95 · MasterChapter 96 · TeachingChapter 97 · IllusionChapter 98 · Mutual RestraintChapter 99 · ObstructionChapter 100 · PalaceChapter 101 · Core TechniqueChapter 102 · OathChapter 103 · Dual cultivationChapter 104 · AccessChapter 105 · VulnerabilityChapter 106 · DensityChapter 107 · WantedChapter 108 · EntrustChapter 109 · RevisitChapter 110 · MonitoringChapter 111 · Secret RealmChapter 112 · NourishChapter 113 · InventoryChapter 114 · Get Rich QuicklyChapter 115 · ElderChapter 116 · Grand FormationChapter 117 · Heaven’s WillChapter 118 · BountyChapter 119 · GainChapter 120 · BlameChapter 121 · ChattingChapter 122 · GuessChapter 123 · Zheng TianChapter 124 · SparringChapter 125 · Sword intentChapter 126 · KenshinChapter 127 · Auditing a classChapter 128 · CoincidenceChapter 129 · ContradictionChapter 130 · RouteChapter 131 · CostChapter 132 · ConfiscatedChapter 133 · Holding a grudgeChapter 134 · SupportChapter 135 · DeteriorationChapter 136 · Unable toChapter 137 · PriceChapter 138 · VariantChapter 139 · Start AnewChapter 140 · ShamelessChapter 141 · Black PotChapter 142 · Benefiting fromChapter 143 · PieChapter 144 · DifferencesChapter 145 · DetoxificationChapter 146 · Current situationChapter 147 · TeasingChapter 148 · IntelligenceChapter 149 · Returned GiftChapter 150 · Old debtChapter 151 · FleshChapter 152 · OpeningChapter 153 · GrudgesChapter 154 · RegretChapter 155 · Gang fightChapter 156 · GentleChapter 157 · ComplaintChapter 158 · ScreamsChapter 159 · GeniusChapter 160 · ConcernChapter 161 · Hidden StoryChapter 162 · StingyChapter 163 · Guilty conscienceChapter 164 Part 1 · StruggleChapter 164 Part 2 · StruggleChapter 165 · Win or LoseChapter 166 · TasteChapter 167 · Shifting The BlameChapter 168 · MoonlightChapter 169 · Past EventChapter 170 · RegretChapter 171 · RetributionChapter 172 · Cause and EffectChapter 173 · BackgroundChapter 174 · FlatteryChapter 175 · HonestChapter 176 · BookkeepingChapter 177 · FarewellChapter 178 · GuidelineChapter 179 · BottleneckChapter 180 · HabitChapter 181 · Casual ChatChapter 182 · Flowing WaterChapter 183 · RumoursChapter 184 · Seeking AdviceChapter 185 · PityChapter 186 · FormationChapter 187 · BasicChapter 188 · Fake TombChapter 189 · BewareChapter 190 · TraceChapter 191 · DiscussChapter 192 · Ancestral preceptsChapter 193 · Loose CultivatorChapter 194 · AllocationChapter 195 · Thank you for your kindnessChapter 196 · ExplanationChapter 197 · ErrorChapter 198 · Culinary skillsChapter 199 · Starry SeaChapter 200 · ComparisonChapter 201 · FrustratedChapter 202 · Don’t watchChapter 203 · LonelinessChapter 204 · NoChapter 205 · Exposing ShortcutsChapter 206 · CraftsmanshipChapter 207 · Bottom LineChapter 208 · StrikeChapter 209 · Ten GoldChapter 210 · Pretentious