Xu Meng and Jiang Feng held each other in a sobbing embrace. Seeing them, the senior sectmaster was seized by contradictory feelings. As a sectmaster, her chastity was still intact to this day. Sheâd previously held little interest for the feelings between husband and wife. But at the sight of Xu Meng, of her husband who loved her so very much, of her oh-so-outstanding son and remarkable daughter...
Despite her lofty status as sectmaster, perhaps she wasnât as successful in life, comparatively speaking!
Jiang Chen shared in the happiness of his parentsâ reunion. With a smile, he handed a list of gifts to the senior sectmaster. âSenior Sectmaster, you can accept these betrothal gifts now, right?â
The senior sectmaster glanced at the second sectmaster. Seeing the latter pale but showing no signs of active opposition, she realized with delight that her peer had finally swallowed her prejudice.
With a polite smile, she accepted Jiang Chenâs list. Astonishment flickered on her face when she glanced at it. The items written on it almost made sent her into a faint. The first was a pair of Pinecrane Pills.
Pinecrane Pills!
Was there anyone in the human domain who didnât know of this pill? Without contest, it was currently the number one pill under the heavens, whether in price or actual value. The third sectmaster had told her that one of them had been auctioned for more than ten billion during the Dragon and Tiger Meet.
The Moon God Sect dreamed of that pill. It was a wonderful guarantee for someone near the end of their life.
The second was a pair of Emperor Ascension Pills. The list also made note of the pillâs use. A cultivator could unconditionally gain a level in the emperor realm. The list specified that one of the two pills was reserved for Holy Maiden Xu Qingxuan.
The third item...
The fourth...
Reading the list made her dizzier. It seemed to scorch her hand when she realized the value of the gifts.
Veluriyamâs young lord was famous for his generosity. Experiencing it personally today, she finally realized exactly how lavish the kid was. Even great emperors at the very peak of Upper Eight Regions might not be as generous. But for this young man, it was mere trifles he dispensed with a wave of the hand.
She very much wanted to present a calm and dignified front, or she and her sect might be mocked for being inexperienced in the ways of the world, scared by simple gifts. She sifted through the items back and forth several times before finally realizing sheâd forgotten her manners. She handed the list over to the second sectmaster.
âNumber Two, take a look.â
The second sectmaster was still peeved, but sheâd at least realized the Moon God Sect might be brought to ruin if this matter was handled badly. Although she was reluctant, she had to admit they would be the ones to suffer if Jiang Chen turned hostile.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
But if everything ended well, then rather than shame, her Blue Moon could boast of having a holy maiden with a son as celebrated as Jiang Chen.
After weighing the pros and the cons, sheâd finally come to see reason. Only, her great sense of pride wouldnât allow her to discard her indifferent facade. But when she saw the gifts, her almond-shaped eyes twitched with amazement.
Pillcrane Pills?
Two of them at that?
Just like the senior sectmaster, the list instantly subdued her. No matter how obstinate, she couldnât refute his sincerity when she took in his generosity. The list even noted that some pills were a special gift for Xu Qingxuan. Naturally, this was favorable to her faction.
Her thoughts whirled at top speed.
This Jiang Chen is rich and ostentatious. These gifts are enough to express his sincerity. Even the senior sectmaster might run out of patience if I keep protesting. Qingxuan must also be aware of the truth. If I alienate her, wonât I waste the painstaking efforts of half a lifetime?
Pondering back and forth, she finally decided not to oppose any further. Xu Mengâs matter had indeed once been her greatest taboo and her greatest shame. If not for Xu Qingxuan, she would have executed her after bringing her back.
But when Xu Qingxuan became a holy maiden of Blue Moon, the young girlâs talent had won her over. Sheâd pinned all her hopes on this disciple.
Sheâd planned on brainwashing Qingxuan and make her reject Xu Meng. However, no matter how obedient the girl was otherwise, she remained stubborn as a mule when it came to her mother.
Qingxuan never clashed with her head-on, but the girl always plied her with soft words, acted like a spoiled child, or perhaps threw a small fit and stopped cultivating properly. The second sectmaster was helpless when the girl reacted like this.
It was fortunate the matter wasnât irreversible yet. If sheâd truly killed Xu Meng, Jiang Chen wouldnât have left things alone with his current position. She heaved a soft sigh.
âYoung lord Jiang Chen, this list is worth its weight in gold. I wonât be unreasonable. Iâve always seen your motherâs matter as a personal affront. Iâve never been able to see past this prejudice of mine. If not for Qingxuan, I might have ordered your mother executed.â
For some reason, she suddenly confessed her inner feelings. âI must admit itâs partly out of personal bias, and partly out of the sectâs longstanding rules. Fortunately, no lasting regrets have been created. With a son like you, Xu Mengâs gained unparalleled karma in the mundane world. Is that what they called mixed blessings? Itâs a profound lesson for me...â
With everyoneâs eyes fixed on her, she suddenly thought her lengthy monologue was a little inopportune.
She nodded. âI will no longer involve myself with your mother. From today on, she is a married woman and no longer part of Blue Moon. You and your father should take her back to Veluriyam.â After a pause, she added, âHowever, Qingxuan is Blue Moonâs holy maiden. I wonât back down on that front. If you want to take her away, youâll have to go over my dead body!â
Despite making some concessions, this old womanâs attitude was as tough as ever.
Jiang Chen smiled. As long as she didnât oppose his parentsâ reunion, he didnât mind a little impetuousness.
As for Qingxuan, she followed the Moon God Sectâs martial dao. It would be detrimental for her cultivation to take her away. And judging from the little girlâs attitude, severing the relationship between master and disciple seemed out of the question.
âYoung lord Jiang Chen, it seems the conclusion is to everyoneâs satisfaction. What do you think?â A faint smile clung to the senior sectmasterâs lips.
âQingxuan, what do you say?â Jiang Chen looked at his sister. If she didnât have any affection for her sect, heâd also take her away, no matter the hurdles.
Xu Qingxuan bit her lower lip, forcing back her tears. She walked up to Jiang Feng and Xu Meng. âFather, Mother, I swear I will repay you for giving birth to me. But I canât simply cut the bonds between me and the Blue Moon faction, or forget my masterâs kindness. I would like to keep sides happy. I donât want to turn my back on either my parents or my master.â
After reuniting with his wife and seeing Qingxuanâs beauty and talent, Jiang Feng only felt tender affection for his daughter. How could he force her to do anything?
âQingxuan, stay here. Although Iâm no cultivation expert, I still know itâs the best choice for you. Youâre our daughter. No matter how high the sky or how vast the earth, youâll always be our daughter.â
Xu Meng gently stroked her childâs cheek. âQingxuan, youâve stayed by my side all these years. I know youâre a kind and good-hearted girl. I do bear resentment towards your master, but itâs gone now that Iâm reunited with your father. Although the Moon God Sect drove away my son, it raised my daughter. The kindness and resentment cancel each other out. I wonât hinder your future path. Stay here and cultivate well with your master. If you ever miss your parents or your elder brother, youâre welcome in Veluriyam at any time. Your daddy, your brother... everyone cherishes you very much.â
Xu Qingxuan could no longer fight back her tears no matter how strong she tried to act. Sobs racked her body.
âSilly, why are you crying? You should be happy for your parents.â Xu Meng softly stroked her daughter with boundless tenderness.
Jiang Chen cupped a fist at the senior sectmaster and the second sectmaster. âQingxuan is my younger sister and a holy maiden of the Moon God Sect. It is indeed more suitable for her to remain here. However, I also hope she will be happy in the sect and wonât suffer anything, or else I might take her away one day. Sectmasters, please take this as your warning.â
Afraid of her masterâs short fuse, Qingxuan hurried to clarify, âMy master is very good to me. I wonât suffer here.â
Jiang Chen smiled gently. âLittle sister, itâs true your master values you. However, you can also rely on me from today onwards. If one day a bastard or some skirt-chaser makes you unhappy, just say the word and Iâll teach him a lesson.â
His sister laughed despite her tears. âWho needs your help? I can beat them off by myself.â
Xu Meng berated, âQingxuan, donât be so cheeky. Chenâer is your big brother, why do you talk to him like this?â
Xu Qingxuan knew her mother was feigning anger, but she still murmured, âIâve already said he needs to beat me if he wants me to call him big brother. Otherwise, Iâll call him stinky brother.â
The crowd roared with laughter at her adorable words. Those present sighed with emotion at the warmth of their family. The senior sectmaster, in particular, felt a twinge of yearning.
Xu Qingxuan rolled up her sleeves, exposing arms as white as jade to challenge Jiang Chen. âWant to give it a go? I want to see if Veluriyamâs young lord is stronger than a holy maiden of the Moon God Sect!â
Even the second sectmaster had trouble sitting still at these words. Xu Qingxuan was a little too spoiled!
âQingxuan, donât cause trouble. Even Emperor Shura was helpless against young lord Jiang Chenâs talent. How dare you challenge him with your little bit cultivation?â Despite her short temper and her pig-headed character, the second sectmaster wasnât entirely blind yet.