Second Brother, I've Wronged You!

"Second... Young Master, is this really okay?"

On the road, Yu Dashan asked in a low voice while warily observing their surroundings.

He felt extremely uncertain about impersonating a direct descendant of a Qi Refining Realm family. What if they were discovered?

"Shut up and protect this Young Master properly," Yu Ershan snapped arrogantly.

He also lacked experience in impersonating a direct descendant of a Qi Refining Realm family, but he had observed a lot these past few days. Setting aside cultivation realms, some things were immediately apparent.

Due to their upbringing and perspective, disciples of Qi Refining Realm families, while rarely committing evil deeds or causing trouble for their families, exuded an undeniable confidence.

Simply put, they had backing and weren't afraid of anything. To put it plainly: "I won't provoke trouble, but you'd best not provoke me either."

In contrast, many ordinary people without background, who had finally scraped together some Spirit Stones to buy cultivation resources, often appeared timid and pained, reluctant to part with them.

These two types of people were easily distinguishable.

To make himself seem more convincing, Yu Ershan had even spent a whole Spirit Stone to get them both new outfits.

Of course, the majority of the cost was for him, as he was the Young Master and Yu Dashan was just the Guard.

Even though the single Spirit Stone made Yu Ershan's heart ache immensely, it was completely worth the current cost compared to being targeted and causing a series of troubles.

However, even after successfully purchasing the Blood Replenishing Pills and Tendon Strengthening Bone Strengthening Grass, their troubles weren't over.

The crucial part was how to safely return to Area D and get back home.

Yu Ershan's method was simple: borrow influence.

Glancing at the figures stealthily following them in the distance, Yu Ershan knew his plan was already half successful.

The other party clearly couldn't ascertain his identity but was unwilling to give up. Thus, they planned to observe discreetly, at least to figure out which family's disciple he was, so they wouldn't be caught unaware if they met again.

Yu Ershan led Yu Dashan back to Miss Xiaoxiao's family's location and presented a New Moon Coin, stating his purpose.

Perhaps because he had changed his attire, and the guard on duty wasn't the same person as last time, the guard couldn't immediately determine his identity and invited him into the 'settlement'.

The houses in Area B were similar in style to those in Area D, but noticeably taller and larger.

Qiu Xiaoxiao's family, having cultivators in the Qi Refining Realm, received different treatment. A small section of houses belonged to her family.

By blocking both ends of the entrance, they formed a simple settlement entirely belonging to her family, with guards posted to prevent any unauthorized entry.

From afar, the follower saw Yu Ershan and Yu Dashan enter and understood that this place must belong to a Qi Refining Realm family.

After all, who would dare to be so overbearing as to block the road in the middle if their family didn't have a Qi Refining Realm cultivator?

A quick inquiry in the vicinity revealed whose family owned this block of houses.

The slightest suspicion he had harbored vanished instantly, and without a second thought, he turned and left.

Since his identity was confirmed and they had already returned 'home', why would he continue following? Was he waiting to be discovered and interrogated?

"What are you doing here?"

Inside, Yu Ershan met the middle-aged man who had delivered Spirit Stones to him at the Ox Ridge Settlement last time. The man recognized Yu Ershan at a glance and asked with a frown.

At the same time, he was sizing up Yu Ershan's current attire. As if realizing something, a hint of disgust appeared on his face.

"Apologies for the intrusion. I know Miss Xiaoxiao isn't here, and I'm not here to disturb her. I merely purchased some resources earlier and was being targeted, so I had to seek refuge here. Please forgive me."

Yu Ershan did not hide his purpose, speaking with a hint of shame.

The middle-aged man was clearly taken aback. After a moment's thought, he understood the reason.

He had personally delivered the Spirit Stones to Yu Ershan, so he naturally knew that Yu Ershan would buy resources at the Blessed Land once he had Spirit Stones. Being targeted was inevitable.

However, he hadn't expected Yu Ershan to come up with such a plan, and his expression softened slightly.

Before he joined the Qiu Family and became one of Qiu Xiaoxiao's Followers, he had also gone through a period of hardship and understood the difficulties faced by ordinary people.

From the Qiu Family's perspective, they should severely punish such a minor figure who dared to borrow their influence. But he wasn't the Qiu Family patriarch, and he was aware of Miss Xiaoxiao's feelings for Yu Ershan.

Compared to Yu Ershan meeting with misfortune and disturbing Miss Xiaoxiao's cultivation, borrowing some influence for safety was a minor matter.

The key was that Yu Ershan's displayed cleverness, and his frank confession just now, had somewhat changed his impression.

"Since you've bought your resources, go back and cultivate properly. Try not to come here unless it's necessary in the future," the middle-aged man said stiffly.

"Alright, we'll leave now," Yu Ershan said immediately.

His purpose had been largely achieved after staying for this short while.

"Wait."

The middle-aged man stopped Yu Ershan and continued dryly, "Miss Xiaoxiao instructed me before she left that if you came looking for her, I should tell you to stay put at home for the time being. No matter who approaches you or what they promise, do not agree. Also, you can stay for another half an hour."

After speaking, the middle-aged man turned and left.

Cold exterior, warm heart.

This was Yu Ershan's assessment of the middle-aged man.

However, it made sense. Since Miss Xiaoxiao had asked him to bring one hundred Spirit Stones to her, it was enough to show that the person was trustworthy and one of her close associates.

As a disciple of a Qi Refining Realm family, one couldn't have everything they wanted.

A family was passed down from generation to generation, and there were no small number of disciples. The cultivation needs of so many people were undoubtedly a huge amount of resources.

An equal distribution was definitely impossible; there had to be a hierarchy.

To obtain resources, one had to compete with their own aptitude, connections, and strength.

Therefore, a family was also divided into small circles.

This was also unavoidable because there were only so many resources. If you didn't compete, you would get fewer resources, which could easily delay your cultivation.

Based on Yu Ershan's understanding of Miss Xiaoxiao, she should belong to the core sequence of the family.

Naturally, some people would form small circles around her. For example, the middle-aged man just now was most likely a Follower.

As a Follower, one had to protect their master's interests.

In the other party's eyes, Yu Ershan was a pretty boy who was useless except for his good looks, so it was normal for them to dislike him.

It was already quite considerate that they didn't drive them away directly this time and instead let them stay for an extra half hour.

The key was that he had also relayed Miss Xiaoxiao's message, which was equally important to Yu Ershan.

"Second brother, I've made you suffer."

Yu Dashan patted his second brother's shoulder with a pained expression.

In his opinion, his second brother had swallowed his pride and come here seeking protection, all for his sake.

Based on his understanding of his second brother, he must have felt terrible inside.

So, he secretly vowed that he would not let his second brother's efforts be in vain and would complete the second Blood Change as soon as possible.

"Don't worry, when the time comes, I will definitely let you marry gloriously..."

"Shut up!"

As soon as Yu Dashan spoke, Yu Ershan knew that nothing good would come out of his mouth. The facts proved that his guess was correct.

If the location weren't inappropriate, he would have severely beaten Yu Dashan's mouth until it was bruised.

Yu Dashan saw Yu Ershan's gloomy expression, his eyes seeming to spew fire, and wisely shut his mouth.

His second brother had already sacrificed so much for him, so as the elder brother, it was only right for him to indulge his second brother a little.

The two stayed there for half an hour before taking their leave. They took a large detour and quietly returned to their home in the Ding-class Settlement.

At this point, both of them heaved a sigh of relief, as if by unspoken agreement.

The first step of the plan had been successfully completed, and the next step was to begin.

However, Yu Ershan's thoughts were on the matter that Miss Xiaoxiao had asked the middle-aged man to relay.