Liu Sanlang, You Shameless Traitor!

Fifty miles north of the east gate, outside the outskirts of Wu City, following a stream upstream, lay a lush, verdant forest. Within the woods, celestial light shimmered and exotic fragrances permeated the air. There stood jade towers and elegant buildings with emerald tiles reaching toward the clouds—a scene that was entirely the atmosphere of an immortal abode.

Yet, such an extraordinary place was merely the secondary estate of the Liu Family, the head of the aristocratic clans in the prefecture.

In the northwest corner of the estate stood a tall building that captured the spiritual essence of the mountains and rivers, absorbing the marrow of heaven and earth. It was the location where the spiritual veins were most vigorous and abundant for dozens of miles around.

On the top floor of this building was a small room specifically designed for cultivation. Inside, a spirit-gathering array was laid out with five-colored spirit jade. Sitting in the center of the array was a youth of about fifteen or sixteen years old, possessing a dignified and exceptionally handsome appearance. He was none other than the third young master of the Liu Family, Liu Qi.

At this moment, Liu Sanlang was not using the spirit-gathering array to practice breathing exercises. Instead, with an anxious and restless expression, he silently recited a complex incantation. A Red Cloud Talisman in his hand shrank accordingly until it was the size of a bean, at which point he hurriedly placed it in his mouth and tucked it under his tongue.

The next moment, a series of hurried footsteps echoed from outside the room, followed by two knocks on the door.

Knock, knock.

Inside the room, Liu Sanlang hurriedly straightened his posture, began his breathing exercises, and slowly circulated the spiritual energy beneath him, guiding it through a full cycle to feign deep meditation.

However, before he could complete the cycle, the knocking sounded again, followed by a woman's slightly impatient call.

"Liu Qi, how is your breathing cultivation coming along?"

"Have you encountered any obstacles?"

"Liu Qi!?"

The repeated calls forced Liu Qi to open his eyes in resignation. He dispersed the unrefined spiritual energy and replied, "Replying to Mother, I was just about to complete a full cycle when you called out to me... If there is nothing else, I am going to restart the cycle."

He heard the woman outside the door, her voice sounding even more dissatisfied.

"How... an hour has passed, and you still haven't completed a single cycle? The Lijin Dingqi Technique you are practicing is our family's introductory masterpiece, with excellent efficiency in refining qi. You are a direct descendant of the Liu Family, and your Spirit Root aptitude is of the highest grade. How can your cycle be so slow?!"

Liu Qi felt his scalp tingle slightly, but fortunately, the other party did not pursue the matter of the Red Cloud Talisman, so he hurriedly replied, "It was just a momentary lapse in my state. Mother, please do not worry. Once I adjust my mind and blood, I will return to normal..."

"How can 'returning to normal' be enough!?"

The voice outside the room suddenly turned stern.

"Your state was terrible this morning; you must work twice as hard this afternoon to make up for the lost progress! Only then can you live up to your surname! Don't forget that your surname is Liu, not Li!"

Hearing this, Liu Sanlang's expression changed instantly, but it shifted back into a smile in the blink of an eye.

"Please rest assured, Mother! I will never let down the family's cultivation!"

"Hmph, I hope you truly have that intention! The immortal destiny of the Taiyi Dharma Sword was clearly laid out before you, yet you let it slip through your fingers... Afterward, the family even lost three elders for it, yet you not only show no remorse, but you have become indulgent and lazy! It is truly disappointing!"

Liu Sanlang could not help but retort in a low voice, "Mother, don't you think that if it could be missed even when placed right before one's eyes, and if trying to seize it afterward resulted in such a disastrous backlash, then it simply means there was no fate for it?"

"Insolent!"

Accompanied by a SHOUT, the wooden door of the small room was struck with force, shaking the entire room and causing the spiritual light to surge.

Liu Sanlang, inside the room, bore the brunt of it. His vision went black instantly, as if his chest had been struck by a heavy hammer... Fortunately, a moment later, the sound of footsteps came from outside.

It was an old servant who tended to the villa.

"Madam Rong, the Master has summoned you to Wangyu Terrace to discuss an urgent matter."

"Heh, Wangyu Terrace. It seems the people from Dinghuang Prefecture are here to make an issue of that Prefecture Edict again. A bunch of useless trash. They take so much tribute from the Liu Family on ordinary days, yet now that a mere Prefecture Edict has fallen through, they want to turn their backs and repeatedly come to our door to hold us accountable!"

She paused, her tone growing increasingly resentful.

"The clan elders are completely unable to distinguish right from wrong. They don't care at all about my painstaking efforts and even want to hold me responsible... Liu Qi, all of this is because of you! It is all because you were useless that day!"

Liu Sanlang sighed helplessly, "Your son is unfilial. Please punish me, Mother."

The old servant outside said in a low voice, "Madam, the Master, he..."

"I don't need you to remind me about the Master's affairs!"

Thud!

The next moment, there was a dull sound of a palm striking flesh, followed by the old servant's pained groan.

Fortunately, the fierce woman finally departed.

Liu Qi hurriedly stood up, wanting to open the door. "Uncle Yong, are you alright..."

The old servant coughed outside. "This old servant is fine... Thanks to the Master's favor, I still have this copper-skinned, iron-boned body. Young Master, do not let this old servant distract you. You should focus on your cultivation."

Liu Qi was still hesitating when a soft, pleasant voice drifted in from outside.

"Sanlang, if you really come out, Mother will surely punish Uncle Yong severely on the grounds of negligence. For Uncle Yong's sake, you had better stay inside obediently. Uncle Yong, I happen to have a few Blood Pills refined from Mountain Spirit blood here. Take them; they should help you recover quickly, with some potency to spare."

"Thank you for the reward, Eldest Young Master..."

"Alright, it's not a free gift. I have some things to discuss with Sanlang. Keep watch for me; make sure none of Mother's maids see us. Otherwise, I'll have to listen to her nagging again..."

"This old servant understands."

The next moment, the door was pushed open from the outside. A tall, elegant young man in brocade robes walked into the room with a face full of smiles.

"Sanlang, it's been a long time. Have you missed me?"

As he spoke, he opened his arms, as if to give his third brother a warm embrace.

Liu Qi leaned back quietly, returning the gesture with a face full of helplessness. "Eldest Brother, it has been a long time, and you still have no sense of decorum."

This young man in brocade robes was none other than Liu Cheng, the eldest son of the Liu Family. After being politely rebuffed by Liu Qi, he simply laughed, unfastened a silk pouch from his waist, and tossed it in front of Liu Qi.

"I went out to hunt demons a while ago. Although I didn't achieve complete success, I returned with a full harvest nonetheless. I had the accompanying elder pick out some local specialties as a souvenir for you."

Liu Qi frowned slightly and used the Object Manipulation Technique to open the storage pouch. Instead of local specialties, he found only a few pills rich in spiritual energy, a stack of precious talismans, and nearly a thousand Spirit Stones.

Liu Qi remained silent for a long time before offering a bitter smile. "...Big Brother, Eshui River shouldn't produce Spirit Gathering Pills of such high quality, right? These are clearly meant for your own cultivation while traveling away from home!"

Liu Cheng laughed heartily, reached out to pat Liu Qi on the back, and said, "Just take them! You need these pills more than I do right now. These Spirit Gathering Pills are of superior quality, and even with your cultivation at the Qi Refining Stage, you can fully digest them... Use them well, boost your progress, and save yourself from being nagged by Mother every single day."

Liu Qi felt helpless, but he cupped his hands and said, "Then... thank you for your kindness, Big Brother."

Liu Cheng immediately swatted Liu Qi's hand away and said, "Why are you being so formal between us brothers? After our aunt passed away—she who treated me as her own—it is only natural for me, as your older brother, to look after you."

At this point, Liu Cheng's expression dimmed. "It's just that Mother... her temper has become increasingly extreme in recent years, and she is especially harsh toward you. Although I try to reason with her often, it always backfires. You have truly suffered. So, consider this an apology from your brother, and I only ask that you don't hold too much of a grudge against her."

Liu Qi offered a strained smile. "How could I..."

"Haha, saying you wouldn't is just hypocritical! You, kid, have always preferred to treat others with sincerity, so even I can tell when you're lying!"

"Haha..."

Liu Cheng continued, "...And Mother can tell even better. That's why every time you try to appease her, she thinks you're being sarcastic, which only makes her more furious and resentful."

Liu Qi did not want to continue this topic. He smiled and asked, "Did you have any fresh or interesting experiences during your monster hunting trip this time, Big Brother?"

Liu Cheng didn't mind the change of subject at all. He immediately sat down on an empty cushion in the small room and helped himself to Liu Qi's teapot, gulping down the tea.

"Interesting things? Of course. A group of talented youths from noble families gathered together, spending their days scheming and playing power games—it was truly 'interesting'! If you want to hear stories, I could talk for days and nights... But before I tell stories, I want to hear yours. That young man from Wuyang Village—are you serious about him?"

As he said this, a sharp glint appeared in Liu Cheng's eyes. Though there was no aggression in it, it was enough to make one sit up and take him seriously.

Liu Qi had no intention of evading the question. He said solemnly, "Of course I am serious. The depth of that man's immortal destiny is the greatest I have ever seen in my life, and his character is top-tier in this world. Befriending him brings a hundred benefits and not a single drawback."

Liu Cheng asked, "Even if he is just a nameless Desolate People?"

Liu Qi nodded. "It is precisely because he is currently unknown that I have the opportunity to befriend him. I only regret that my actions back then were not decisive enough, which allowed a few of our uncles to act perversely and caused so many complications..."

Liu Cheng shook his head with a bitter smile. "A few uncles... you might as well just say Mother's name directly. Fortunately, she overstepped by using the Prefecture Edict this time, leaving a mess everywhere. Father was also alarmed and furious, so there shouldn't be any more trouble following this... at least not for a while."

After laughing, Liu Cheng picked up the teapot and took another long, deep drink.

"Of course, I will try my best to block her for you, but even without Mother's interference, as a direct descendant of the Liu Family, lowering yourself to befriend a mere Desolate People will inevitably invite criticism."

Liu Qi sighed, "It's not like I haven't been criticized for a day or two, little brother. Let them say what they want."

"Haha, well said! That's the spirit!" Liu Cheng looked quite gratified, though a hint of envy flickered in his eyes. "Sometimes I really envy your ability to freely treat others with sincerity. I ask myself, even if I were as proficient in physiognomy as you and could see a Desolate People with such profound immortal destiny standing right before me, I could never be as proactive in befriending him as you were."

Liu Qi smiled slightly. "Big Brother is open and honest, and your reputation for treating subordinates with courtesy is already a well-known tale within the county city. I am merely undisciplined in my speech and conduct; how could I compare to you?"

Liu Cheng sighed earnestly, "Treating subordinates with courtesy—the underlying implication of that phrase already clearly defines a hierarchy between people... That way of treating others is more than enough to befriend mediocre people, but when you truly encounter extraordinary individuals, you often end up just watching them slip away. I had one such regret in the Grey Needle Forest this time."

"But let's not talk about such disappointing things today. I came to see you because I have some good news. Do you know about the Immortal Guiding Envoy of Luohuang Mountain?"

As they were speaking, a flurry of hurried footsteps suddenly sounded from outside the room.

The door was pushed open forcefully, and a tall woman with an anxious expression rushed in.

"Sanlang, are you alright? I heard the Madam was just here, you..."

Before she could finish her sentence, she took in the scene inside the room.

Looking at the two brothers, both equally handsome and elegant, and the teapot that had clearly been shared, Zhang Miao couldn't help but swallow, a trace of irritation rising on her face.

"...Traitors."

Liu Cheng: "?"

Liu Qi: "(;￣Д￣)"