nownovels Chapter 541: It Was Deliberate from the Start
Chapter 541: It Was Deliberate from the Start
Wang Xingsheng pushed his mother toward the alley exit.“Mom, you must remember what Mr. Chen said. Don’t get wet, don’t take off the bandages, and…”
The woman heard his nagging and couldn’t help but smile. She said softly: “I know all that, my son.”
“Mhm.”
Wang Xingsheng nodded. He was eager to see the day his mother could stand again.
Manager Wang said beside him: “At noon, I’ll go find some craftsmen. Since Mr. Chen didn’t charge any money, we should repair the courtyard.”
Wang Xingsheng said: “Mr. Chen loves tea, so also get some good tea.”
“Buy it all, buy it all.”
As they were about to leave the alley, someone approached them.
Looking up, they saw he wore a Daoist robe. A jade hairpin held his hair tight. A Wooden Sword hung at his waist, making him look very special and immortal-like.
After a fast look, they walked past each other.
Wang Xingsheng paused slightly, then stopped to glance back.
Seeing him halt, his mother asked: “What’s wrong, Sheng’er?”
Wang Xingsheng opened his mouth but shook his head.
“Nothing’s wrong.”
He kept walking after that.
A few steps later, he turned back again. He saw the Daoist Priest enter the alley.
It was the same alley they had left.
Wang Xingsheng recognized that Daoist Priest…
Years ago, Xuanchengzi was invited by the Yamen to come down the mountain for rites at a Temple Fair. Wang Xingsheng knew he couldn’t be wrong.
As he walked, he spoke little, thinking quietly in his mind.
That Daoist Priest—could he also be going to visit Mr. Chen?
If so…
Wang Xingsheng didn’t know how to finish that thought.
He couldn’t help but glance at his mother. Suddenly, he felt her healed legs might be a bit strange.
Xuanchengzi arrived at the courtyard gate. Seeing it open, he spotted the Green-Robed Gentleman sitting on a long bench.
Chen Changsheng also saw him.
Lihua stood up at once, its attention sharpened by the Daoist Priest at the door.
Recalling that a Daoist Priest last night had meant to kill it, Lihua unknowingly thought this one also came to cause trouble.
Ruyi turned over too, frowning.
Xuanchengzi stood at the entrance. He coughed lightly and said: “Xuanchengzi greets Senior. May this humble Daoist enter?”
Chen Changsheng spoke: “Daoist Priest, please come in.”
“Thank you, Senior.”
After getting permission, Xuanchengzi stepped inside.
Chen Changsheng said: “Ruyi, serve tea for the Daoist Priest.”
But Ruyi didn’t move. She said: “I know that Daoist Priest. Last night, your junior brother put on quite a show.”
Then she shook her head and added: “Tea? None.”
Xuanchengzi opened his mouth and said: “Miss, please forgive me. This humble Daoist came to apologize.”
“And still no tea,” Ruyi just said.
“Ruyi.” Chen Changsheng called out.
Ruyi glanced at Uncle Chen, then turned away. She picked up Lihua nearby and held it safe in her arms.
Xuanchengzi coughed lightly, embarrassed, and bowed his head slightly.
Chen Changsheng said: “Daoist Priest, please forgive her. Ruyi always speaks quick and clear; don’t mind her.”
Xuanchengzi said: “Of course not. My junior brother did wrong, so Miss Ruyi’s way is fair.”
Chen Changsheng nodded gently and asked: “Daoist Priest, why are you here today?”
“This humble Daoist came, first, to thank Senior for your guidance earlier, and second, to say sorry for last night.”
Chen Changsheng said: “That day, I only said a few words. Even without me, you would have figured it out.”
“Senior, you are humble. This Daoist is not smart. Without your word, I wouldn’t know when I’d see that light. I must thank you.”
As he spoke, Xuanchengzi took the Wooden Sword from his waist and held it out with both hands.
“This sword is wood, but not common. From palace tales, in the Jing Era, the Deputy Chief of the Court of Judicial Review got help from a Celestial Immortal. He was gifted an Immortal Sword. Going north, he fought strong foes with it. Later, the sword fell to the palace, was stolen by thieves, and vanished in Jianghu.”
“Later, this Daoist found it while roaming. After Cultivation, I saw it was special. Though not a big Magical Artifact, it’s my best gift. If Senior will accept it, please take it.”
Chen Changsheng had no interest in the wooden sword. But when Xuanchengzi told its story, he recalled something.
Holding the sword, Chen Changsheng murmured: “How did it become a wooden sword? Wasn’t it a Long Saber?”
Hearing this, Xuanchengzi paused: “A saber?”
Chen Changsheng sensed it briefly and knew for sure. This was the sword he once gave to Chang Shan years ago. His Magical Power lingered in it.
After so many years, how had the original long saber turned into a wooden sword?
Chen Changsheng raised his hand and thought it through. Then he understood.
‘So someone picked it up…’ A wandering magician changed the long saber to a sword, maybe liking swords more.
Chen Changsheng snapped back. He handed the wooden sword back.
“I don’t mean to shame this sword. But it’s been yours for years. How can I steal what you love? Please take it back. That day, my hints—your thanks in words are plenty. No more is needed.”
“Senior…” Xuanchengzi was stuck and unsure. He truly had nothing better to offer.
Chen Changsheng said: “Daoist Priest, please care for this sword well.”
Xuanchengzi heard and rushed to say: “This humble Daoist will remember your words.”
He knew he couldn’t give the sword away. But Xuanchengzi was partly confused. Why did Senior tell him to care for it? Could the sword hide something he couldn’t see? But now was not the moment to dwell.
“Also…” Xuanchengzi began, sighing: “Today, I came to beg mercy for my good-for-nothing junior brother.”
Chen Changsheng heard and shook his head, saying: “Daoist Priest, if you want your junior brother to keep acting like this, I could lift the curse.”
Xuanchengzi seemed to guess this. He was just saying it, not hoping Senior would really undo the magic.
Chen Changsheng said: “Daoist Wuwei still needs Cultivation. If he learns fast, the curse lifts in two or three years. As Senior Brother, you should rein in his ways.”
Xuanchengzi sighed and said: “Since Daoist Wuwei took up Cultivation, he got proud. He acts big and harsh. Before, I ignored it focusing on my own Cultivation. It’s my fault, and I will change.”
Chen Changsheng said: “Knowing so is enough.”
Xuanchengzi then bowed with clasped hands: “I also thank Senior for giving him a chance to change. Sadly, Wuwei might not grasp your kindness now.”
Chen Changsheng laughed: “What I did that day was deliberate from the start, so why demand he understands?”
Hearing this, Xuanchengzi froze. He hadn’t thought Senior would admit it so plainly. He breathed out long, half unsure. It seemed he saw where he himself lacked. If it were him, he couldn’t have confessed like that.