Secluded Garden

"It seems the repayment cost of this Sky-Rending Shadow Flight Technique is even greater than I imagined. Even the gift of the Chaos Divine Order couldn't let me ascend to the heavens in a single step."

But he was not disappointed. Instead, he felt more fulfilled than ever before.

He could clearly feel that his qi and blood were far more vigorous than before. The sounds of his true qi tearing through the air as it circulated had grown clearer, and his physical strength had risen as well, as though every inch of his bones, flesh, and meridians had been reforged.

"Though I haven't reached the Upper Ninth Rank, my current combat strength is enough to crush an ordinary Ninth Rank Peak."

He raised his hand and gently clenched it. The air congealed around his fingertips, and faintly, he felt that his strength moved with effortless ease as it tore through the air.

Chu Ning's fingertips touched the frost flowers that had formed on the window lattice, and a thread of icy coldness exploded into a stabbing pain beneath his skin.

Dawn split open the clouds, yet the golden light could not pierce the ancient well in the center of the courtyard. Moss mottled the well's rim, while a thin layer of ice floated on the water. Beneath it, a twisted human figure was faintly reflected, as though the wronged spirit who had drowned there years ago was still struggling.

He suddenly curled his lips into a smile. Frost lightning spread silently from his palm, and the reflection in the well shattered with a crisp crack. The sound of splashing ice shards startled a cold crow perched on the eaves, whose hoarse cry tore through the tranquility's disguise.

Footsteps sounded outside the door once more.

"Young Master Chu, the food is ready."

The servant's voice carried a trace of hesitation.

At that moment, the door was slowly pushed open. Chu Ning stepped out, his robes fluttering lightly in the wind.

He quietly glanced at the food box that still sat outside the door. The food inside had already gone completely cold.

The servant froze slightly and was just about to speak when Chu Ning suddenly reached out and patted him on the shoulder. With a light laugh, he said, "Thanks for the effort. I'll go get today's meal myself."

The servant's eyes widened.

This Young Master Chu's bearing... was completely different from that of a few days ago!

He stood there like a steel saber fresh from its sheath, its sharpness fully exposed yet its edge restrained.

Chu Ning slowly exhaled a breath of foul air.

He slowly clenched his fists, feeling the transformation brought by the Ninth-Rank realm. As his true qi circulated, his qi and blood surged throughout his body. Every inch of muscle seemed to have been reforged, brimming with explosive power.

After two days of secluded cultivation, he had been reborn from head to toe.

He walked forward with steady, solid steps, preparing to go to the main hall of the residence and ask Xie Mingli how to register for the Azure Cloud Arena.

The moment he crossed the threshold of the side courtyard, he saw someone hurrying toward him.

Qin Henian, the steward of the Marquis of Wu's residence.

Unlike his arrogant, indifferent demeanor of a few days ago, Qin Henian had completely changed his ways. His steps were quick yet steady, and his face held a deferential expression. Even his gaze carried a hint of probing and awe.

He stood where he was, his back slightly taut. A little cold sweat seeped from his temples, while a smile he had forced out hung on his face.

"Young Master Chu..." His voice was slightly strained, as though something had him by the throat.

Chu Ning stopped and looked at him with slightly raised eyes.

This steward had been the one who had made things difficult for him at every turn, both openly and covertly, a few days ago.

Back then, Qin Henian had put on a grand show of authority, every word dripping with contempt and indifference. Yet now he had taken the initiative to come forward, his attitude utterly transformed.

He sneered inwardly, but his face remained calm as an undisturbed lake. He gave a slight nod and said, "Steward Qin, is something the matter?"

Qin Henian gave an awkward laugh. "Young Master Chu, this lowly one was rather neglectful toward you a few days ago..."

Chu Ning smiled faintly, his gaze turning slightly cold. "Neglectful?"

Qin Henian's back stiffened. "You are magnanimous, Young Master. I hope you can forgive me!"

Chu Ning said nothing more. He merely walked forward step by step, forcing Qin Henian to retreat half a step involuntarily. His heart skipped a beat.

If this apology had come a few days ago, he would never have believed it. But the Marquis of Wu's residence had suddenly changed its attitude, and there was surely some deeper meaning behind it.

He did not rush to speak. Instead, he quietly watched Qin Henian.

Seeing this, the steward's temples began to glisten with sweat. He hurried forward another step, his tone growing even more respectful. "Young Master Chu, the Marquis specifically ordered me to arrange new quarters for you."

"Oh?" Chu Ning replied indifferently.

Qin Henian sensed his noncommittal attitude and secretly groaned. He hurriedly added, "Over the past few days, the residence has specially prepared another courtyard for you. The surroundings are elegant, and the scenery is superb. The Marquis said that you are an honored guest, so how could you be made to live in a side courtyard? That was truly an oversight on the residence's part."

Chu Ning let out a soft laugh.

Chu Ning quietly watched Qin Henian without speaking at once.

The air seemed to freeze. Qin Henian stood there, his back already soaked through with cold sweat.

"An oversight?" Chu Ning finally spoke. His voice was light and indifferent, yet it made one feel as though they had fallen into an icy abyss.

"Steward Qin." Chu Ning slowly walked forward, gradually releasing the aura around him. "I still remember every word you said to me a few days ago, as clearly as if it happened yesterday."

"Wasn't this side courtyard specially 'arranged' for me out of your good intentions?"

Qin Henian's expression shifted, and his heart tightened.

"Y-Young Master, you've misunderstood..."

"Misunderstood?" Chu Ning stared at him and slowly repeated the two words.

Qin Henian's heart suddenly clenched.

He finally realized that the Chu Ning standing before him was no longer the young man he could toy with at will.

After the two faced off for a moment, Qin Henian finally lowered his stance. He bent at the waist, clasped his hands, and said sincerely, "This lowly one was foolish and neglected you, Young Master. The residence now knows that you possess extraordinary talent, and the Marquis personally ordered me to make sure all your needs are properly arranged."

Chu Ning gave a cold laugh, already understanding everything in his heart.

Extraordinary talent?

It seemed that news of his defeat of Feng Li, a Ninth-Rank Upper, had already reached the higher-ups of the Marquis of Wu's residence.

He feared that while he had been in seclusion these past two days, no small upheaval had already swept through the residence.

But he did not hurry to take a stance.

He looked Qin Henian straight in the eye. After a moment, he said indifferently, "Since that's the case, lead the way."

Qin Henian looked as though he had received a great pardon and immediately bowed respectfully. "Yes! Young Master, please follow me."

......

Along the way, Chu Ning's pace remained steady and his bearing calm, while Qin Henian cautiously led him from the side.

After passing through several covered corridors and circling around two small gardens, the scene before them suddenly opened up.

Unlike the bleak, dilapidated side courtyard, this separate residence was a luxurious courtyard carved and polished in exquisite detail.

A small bridge crossed flowing water, while pavilions and towers stood amid winding corridors. In the center of the courtyard, an ancient pine twisted upward, its presence rugged and imposing.

Several maidservants were already waiting before the main hall. When they saw Chu Ning arrive, they curtsied and saluted in unison.

"Young Master Chu."

Qin Henian's face was wreathed in smiles as he said respectfully, "This is the residence specially arranged for you. If you need anything, simply give the order."

Chu Ning slowly surveyed the surroundings, his gaze deep.

Such treatment was already no different from that given to a true honored guest of the residence.

Chu Ning sneered inwardly.

The Marquis of Wu's residence had changed far too quickly—so quickly that one could not help but wonder whether some greater scheme lay hidden behind it.

He did not respond immediately. Instead, he slowly swept his eyes over Qin Henian's face, pondering the Marquis's true intentions.

"Steward Qin."

Qin Henian immediately lowered his head. "Please give your order, Young Master."

Chu Ning slightly raised his chin. A cold smile played at the corner of his lips as he cast a meaningful glance over Qin Henian.

"I killed Feng Li, the direct disciple of the Lihuo Palace. Aren't you afraid of bringing trouble upon the Marquis of Wu's residence? Why treat me so generously instead?"

His tone was flat and emotionless, as though he were merely mentioning an insignificant matter. Yet to Qin Henian's ears, it rang like thunder exploding out of nowhere.

The smile on Qin Henian's face stiffened for an instant. He quickly adjusted himself, lowering his brows and smiling obsequiously. "Young Master, you jest. A peerless prodigy deserves the most honorable treatment. Even an entire estate would be unworthy of your bearing."

When Qin Henian bowed, a fresh whip mark was exposed on the back of his neck. Blood still beaded along the scab.

The smile on his face was like a sheet of gold foil, crumpled and then smoothed flat again. His voice was honey-slick as he said, "The Marquis often says that a phoenix will not roost unless it finds a parasol tree."

As he spoke, a red jade token slid from his sleeve. The two characters "Suppress Wu" were carved into it with the force of blades and axes. "If Young Master is willing to roost on the Marquis of Wu's residence's 'parasol tree,' the snow of the Great Qian Dynasty will never fall upon your elder sister's roof."

Chu Ning glanced at him indifferently, a chill flashing through his eyes.

"Tell me the truth." He spoke slowly, his tone carrying a hint of languor yet faintly radiating pressure. "After Feng Li's death, the Lihuo Palace couldn't sit still, could it?"

Qin Henian's heart tightened, but he continued to heap on his smile. "As expected of Young Master. You truly see everything coming."

He stepped forward half a pace and lowered his voice. "On the second day after Feng Li's death, the Qingzhou government sent people to the Marquis of Wu's residence. Officially, they came to ask the Marquis to hand over the culprit, but in truth, they came to test our bottom line. Unfortunately for them, they could not even set foot through the residence's gates before the Marquis's order suppressed them."