In the city of Shuoxia, at the residence of the Shen family, Shen Zhiguo had been wailing in the main hall for half an hour. Normally, those outside the nine branches couldn’t even step into the main hall of the Shen family, but Shen Zhiguo, as the legitimate eldest son of the thirty-six branches, held a more prestigious status and often interacted with the direct line of the Shen family.
“So, you’re saying that a wandering Nascent Soul stage cultivator came to Shuoxia and bullied you within our territory?”
Seated in the main hall was an elegant, white-haired old woman, calmly skimming the foam off her tea. Two young men in their late teens stood beside her.
Upon hearing her speak, Shen Zhiguo hastily knelt down, sobbing, “Aunt Concubine, that young man is truly formidable. My guards at the Foundation Establishment stage said he exuded the aura of the mid-stage of Nascent Soul. He didn’t even need to make a move; he just overturned them. He wasn’t just beating my guards; he was slapping the face of our Shen family!”
The old woman, addressed as Aunt Concubine, was none other than the seventh wife of the Shen family, Shen Fei.
Shen Fei sneered coldly, speaking indifferently, “The face of the Shen family doesn’t rely on the legitimate son of a side branch.”
At her words, Shen Zhiguo trembled, his face quivering in fear. He quickly acknowledged, “Yes, yes, the face of the Shen family naturally rests on the shoulders of the young master of the main branch.”
The Shen family had thirty-six side branches, and he was just the last legitimate son, hardly worthy of being compared to that young master.
Setting the tea cup aside, Shen Fei, seemingly troubled by the mention of that young master, lazily remarked, “The young master is currently cultivating in Rongyun Sect. I heard he contracted some ailment from the demonic clan and is undergoing treatment. Not sure if the millennium ginseng has been delivered by now.”
The young man beside Shen Fei respectfully poured her tea and whispered, “The young master is blessed; he will surely be safe. Aunt, no need to worry.”
As they shifted the conversation, Shen Zhiguo, with another burst of tears, exclaimed, “The young master is blessed, but pity my newly wedded Lady Wei. She’s four months pregnant, craving for some bayberries. Yet, we encounter such a situation. If I suffer this humiliation again, how can I face them both?”
Bothered by his complaints, Shen Fei pointed to the young man beside her, saying, “Shen Bing, don’t you have a guest cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage in your area?”
Shen Bing bowed and replied, “Aunt, indeed we have one.”
“Take him along. Let people know that the dignity of the Shen family is inviolable.” Shen Fei waved her hand casually, fatigued, “I’m tired; you all can leave now. Don’t bother me with such matters in the future.”
Shen Zhiguo paid no attention to what happens later. He was eager to take Shen Bing and the Nascent Soul expert to seek revenge against Bai Long.
As long as that Nascent Soul expert stood by his side, once news of this incident spread, who would dare to challenge him in the future?
Leaving the Shen residence, Shen Bing walked ahead of Shen Zhiguo with the Nascent Soul expert. Nonchalantly swaying the folding fan in his hand, Shen Bing casually remarked, “What a hassle. Can’t believe I have to personally handle such trivial matters.”
Shen Zhiguo eagerly caught up, fanning him with the fan, “Cousin, do you remember me? Six years ago, at the family banquet, I sat behind you.”
At his words, Shen Bing glanced at him, sneering, “Don’t remember.”
Managing to infiltrate a family banquet, Shen Zhiguo indeed had some skill in currying favor.
Under the scorching midday sun, Shen Bing impatiently asked, “Are you sure that wandering cultivator is still in the city?”
Anyone with a bit of sense, after offending the Shen family, would know to run far away. It wouldn’t be surprising if the person had already gone hundreds of miles away by now.
Shen Zhiguo was anxiously pondering the situation. Sweat formed on his forehead as he nervously scanned the surroundings, praying that Bai Long hadn’t left yet. He glanced into the crowd and indeed spotted Bai Long, who was currently buying crimson plums.
“It’s him! It’s him!” Shen Zhiguo shouted loudly. The people on the street immediately scattered, except for Bai Long, who stood in place, holding a purplish-red plum in his hand.
Bai Long raised his gaze and, with just one look, recognized the Nascent Soul cultivator behind Shen Zhiguo.
It seemed reinforcements had arrived.
Spotting Bai Long, Shen Zhiguo was more excited than if he had seen his own father. Pointing at Bai Long, he started yelling, “Cousin, it’s him, this rogue cultivator. He’s truly audacious; he even dared to come back.”
Bai Long remained silent, standing in place. As Shen Bing approached, fanning himself with the folding fan, Bai Long, in a moment of confusion, almost thought he saw Shen Tanqi from before. Shen Tanqi used to enjoy swaying a fan like that. Could it be a traditional hobby in the Shen family?
The thought of Shen Tanqi made Bai Long lose focus for a moment. The arrogant and domineering face of Shen Tanqi seemed to blur in his memory, replaced only by the faint smile at the corners of Shen Tanqi’s mouth and the subtle crimson stains on his lips from eating bayberries.
Looking back at Shen Bing, Bai Long felt that something was off. He didn’t resemble Shen Tanqi in any way.
He calmly said, “There’s no rule in Shuoxia City forbidding people from buying plums.”
Shen Zhiguo couldn’t help but burst into forced laughter at Bai Long’s words. He angrily slapped his thigh, saying, “Facing death and still talking tough. Do you even know whom you’ve offended? I am a member of the Shen family. Insulting me is equivalent to insulting the entire Shen family!”
His exaggeration made Shen Bing raise an eyebrow, but he couldn’t be bothered to correct him.
However, as Shen Bing looked at Bai Long, his eyes deepened, revealing a hint of wariness. Initially, he thought Shen Zhiguo was talking about an ordinary Nascent Soul wandering cultivator, not expecting it to be someone so young. Judging by his age, Bai Long was likely around nineteen, and yet his cultivation talent was remarkable. Even Shen Tanqi, the talented young master of the Shen family, had only reached the late Golden Core stage.
Shen Bing’s eyes lit up, and he casually flicked his fan, saying to Bai Long, “Your innate talent in cultivation is impressive. Being a wandering cultivator is a waste. Why not join the third branch of the Shen family, hold the title of guest cultivator, and we can consider today’s matter settled.”
“This, this won’t work, cousin…” Shen Zhiguo, anxious, interrupted.
“You have no say in this.” Shen Bing coldly rebuked, and Shen Zhiguo immediately dared not speak again.
Bai Long quietly observed the unfolding drama before him, finding it amusing. This visit had turned out to be more interesting than he expected.
The people of the Shen family were indeed different from Shen Tanqi.
Bai Long calmly said, “No, I have other matters to attend to.”
Seeing his swift rejection, Shen Bing’s face slightly darkened. He felt an extreme sense of embarrassment, as no one had ever shown such an attitude after hearing the name of the Shen family.
“Why refuse?” he asked, his face gloomy.
Bai Long responded indifferently, “Those who casually endanger the lives of the common people are not worthy of my allegiance.”
As his words fell, Shen Bing clenched the fan in his hand and unexpectedly burst into laughter. “Common people? Lives of the common people? Do you know that if it weren’t for the Shen family laboring for them, they would have starved to death in the streets, slaughtered like pigs and dogs by the demonic clan? Throughout Shuoxia City, everyone owes their survival to the prosperity brought by my Shen family. When you ask me about the lives of the common people—”
He paused, a sly smile playing on his lips.
“What is that worth?”
This statement hit Bai Long like a cold arrow, piercing straight through his heart. He slowly raised his eyes, and for a moment, the once bustling and luxurious city seemed to exude a chilling aura, more eerie and unsettling than any demonic clan dwelling he had visited.
Closing his eyes briefly, he uttered, “There’s nothing more to discuss between us.”
Shen Bing delicately covered his face with the fan, his eyes sharp as poisoned daggers. He spoke slowly, “It seems you won’t be able to enjoy your carefree life as a wandering cultivator.”
With a sudden wave of his hand, he turned around, not looking back, and commanded, “Kill him.”
The Nascent Soul cultivator by his side swiftly acted, a powerful aura sweeping through the entire street. Helpless civilians collapsed under the overwhelming force.
They didn’t seem to care about the lives of the people in the city at all, openly committing murder in the bustling streets. If they unleashed their attacks, the innocent civilians on the street would likely suffer, and vital organs might be affected soon.
Bai Long’s eyes narrowed, and he coldly said, “Wait.”
Thinking that he had changed his mind out of fear, Shen Bing, who hadn’t gone far, turned around with a smile on his lips and asked, “What? Only now thinking of offering a toast after tasting the bitter wine?”
These people were utterly rotten to the core.
If, one day, Shen Tanqi became the head of the Shen family, would everything in Shuoxia City change?
Certainly.
It would undoubtedly change.
Because he genuinely felt that his senior brother and these cold-blooded creatures, though sharing the same bloodline, were entirely different people. No, they couldn’t even be compared—disgusting.
“I mean, take a look at this.” Bai Long smiled, shaking the bronze coins in his palm. The sunlight illuminated the golden phoenix pattern on the bronze coins, casting light on his icy jade sleeves swaying in the wind. For the first time, he appeared like a living person with vitality, exuding a touch of human warmth.
The onlookers were all stunned, especially when they saw the phoenix-patterned bronze coins, an item only possessed by the direct family head. They doubted their own eyes.
The phoenix-patterned bronze coins were typically owned only by the direct family head, and the sight of them demanded immediate respect.
“The phoenix pattern… these are the young master’s bronze coins. You’re… you’re from Shen Tanqi.” Shen Bing nearly stumbled and fell to the ground. Thankfully, he tightly held onto Shen Zhiguo’s hand, even tearing open the back of Shen Zhiguo’s hand.
Shen Tanqi’s reputation was well known throughout the Shen family. If one offended him, it might be impossible to even preserve one’s life. Being disowned from the Shen family’s genealogy was a real possibility.
In recent years, if it weren’t for Shen Tanqi going to Rongyun Sect for cultivation, the side branches would barely catch a breath. Otherwise, who would dare to be so arrogant?
Upon realizing this, Shen Zhiguo’s legs went weak, and without hesitation, he dropped to his knees.
Bai Long gently caressed the string of bronze coins, finding it somewhat amusing. If it weren’t for Shen Tanqi’s assistance today, although he could handle them, it would have been a lot more troublesome, and he might have sustained injuries. Even if he won, these Shen family members might intensify their oppression of the city’s inhabitants.
Shen Tanqi’s method was both simple and effective. In a family that placed such importance on the distinction between legitimate and side branches, this move hit them where it hurt the most, leaving a lasting impression, ensuring they wouldn’t dare to offend again.
Senior brother, it seems that sometimes…
Being unscrupulous is the mark of a hero.
It wasn’t until the sound of Shen Zhiguo kneeling reached his ears that Shen Bing snapped back to reality. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Impossible! How could you have the young master’s bronze coins?”
Bai Long, indifferent, shook the bronze coins before him and said, “From now on, you must not oppress the common people, arbitrarily exert pressure, cause trouble in the city, or refuse to pay after purchasing something.”
Pausing for a moment to ensure that Shen Bing had clearly seen what was in his palm, Bai Long chuckled lightly and said, “Otherwise, you should be aware of the consequences.”
It wasn’t until Shen Bing meticulously examined every detail of the patterns on the string of bronze coins that he reluctantly and unwillingly confirmed that this was indeed Shen Tanqi’s token, treating it as he would the family head.
He could never have imagined that Shen Tanqi, who had been diligently cultivating in Rongyun Sect, would have any connection with a Nascent Soul wandering cultivator. Moreover, he had even given the most prestigious phoenix-patterned bronze coins to this unknown cultivator.
Why, why did it have to be Shen Tanqi?
If it were any other member of the Shen family, he wouldn’t be afraid in the slightest. But it had to be Shen Tanqi, the young master of the Shen family, who had always oppressed him since childhood.
After a long time, Shen Bing closed his eyes, kneeling before Bai Long as if his heart had turned to ashes. Trembling lips uttered a cold sentence,
“Shen Bing, the third legitimate son of the Shen family, respectfully obeys the family head’s command.”
Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters. (๑>ᴗ<๑)
