Grandpa Xuanzi Has Arrived

"Grandpa, why are you sleeping here? The ground is cold; you'll catch a chill and get sick."

The girl's voice was sweet and soft, clear and pure, like morning dew that had yet to disperse, untouched by even a trace of dust.

Chen Xuan slowly lifted his eyelids, pretending to have just woken from a deep sleep.

He feigned confusion as he looked around, his gaze finally settling gently on the little girl before him. He deliberately lowered his voice into an aged rasp.

"This old man has neither a home to return to nor a place to stay. I can only lie here and hide from the cold wind."

Zhang Lexuan tilted her head slightly, her delicate brows gently knitting together.

She lowered her gaze to the half piece of dry, cracked hard bread in Chen Xuan's hand.

Then she looked at his dust-covered, weary, downcast appearance, and her clear almond eyes immediately filled with deep pity and concern.

"Grandpa, are you very hungry?"

Chen Xuan coughed softly, his tone weak. "A... a little."

Before he had even finished speaking, Zhang Lexuan reached without hesitation for the small purse at her waist and took out several Copper Soul Coins.

She hesitated slightly. Seeing how pitiful the old man looked, her heart softened completely, and she simply stuffed the entire purse into Chen Xuan's palm.

"Take all of this and buy some hot steamed buns. Don't keep eating those cold flatbreads. They'll upset your stomach."

Chen Xuan lowered his eyes to the soft pale-blue cloth purse in his palm, embroidered with tiny flowers. His fingertips stiffened slightly, and he froze where he stood.

A violent turmoil rose in his heart. His earlier deliberate test, his calculations to approach her, were utterly shattered at that moment.

I really deserve to die, testing a child like this.

He looked at the little girl before him and gently squeezed the soft purse in his hand.

Sure enough, the purest kindness in this world had always existed in children.

Clean, openhearted, without calculation, and carrying not the slightest trace of self-interest.

He was merely a ragged, impoverished old beggar she had never met before.

She did not ask about his background or his name. With nothing more than a moment of compassion, she gave him all the pocket money she had.

Chen Xuan was deeply moved, yet his face still maintained its aged, gentle expression as he hoarsely declined. "Girl, I can't accept this!

"You've given all your money to this old man. What will you use today?"

Zhang Lexuan lifted her little face, her eyes clear and resolute, carrying the pure kindness unique to a child.

"I'll be fine. My home is just ahead, so I can go back and get more. Grandpa, please take it quickly."

No matter what he said, she refused to take it back. Before Chen Xuan could decline again, she turned and lifted her skirt as she ran away.

That bright goose-yellow figure was bathed in the warm morning light, running farther and farther away. Her two black braids bounced lightly behind her, until she turned a corner and quietly vanished at the end of the alley.

Chen Xuan stood silently beneath the shade of the tree, lightly holding the small purse that still carried the lingering warmth of the child's body.

Looking in the direction the girl had left, the corners of his lips slowly curved into a gentle yet certain smile.

"This first meeting was truly worthwhile."

He slowly straightened up and carefully tucked the purse close to his body. All the idleness in his eyes faded away, leaving only deep solemnity.

By the time Chen Xuan returned to the residence, the sun was already high in the sky.

He changed back into his dark elder's robe, washed the dirt from his face, and became once more the imposing Taotie Douluo of the Sea God Pavilion.

Yet the pale-blue purse Zhang Lexuan had given him was still tucked against his chest. He did not take it out, but neither did he throw it away.

"That girl truly is good material."

He sat beneath the osmanthus tree in the courtyard, poured himself a cup of clear tea, and slowly took a sip.

"She is kind-hearted, pure, without a shred of distracting thought. Only someone like her is worthy of becoming my personal disciple."

But Chen Xuan also knew that he could not accept a disciple based on a momentary favorable impression alone.

Zhang Lexuan was indeed a good child, but he knew nothing at all about the Zhang Family's circumstances.

The scattered details in the original novel had ultimately been words written in a book. They might not perfectly match the living reality before him.

If he did not investigate clearly and acted rashly, who knew what trouble might arise later?

"Looks like I'll have to put Lu Yun to work." He set down his teacup, having made up his mind.

Just as he was thinking this, Lu Yun's voice came from outside the courtyard gate. "Elder Xuan, are you awake?"

Chen Xuan said, "Come in."

Lu Yun pushed open the door and entered, carrying two boxes of steaming breakfast, his face full of smiles.

"I figured you drank last night, so you might sleep in this morning. I specially brought some light food.

"This is Azure Mist City's famous lotus leaf porridge. Please give it a try."

Chen Xuan did not take it and merely looked at him. "There is no rush to eat. Lu Yun, I have something for you to do."

The moment Lu Yun heard there was business, he immediately became serious. "Please tell me."

"How much do you know about the Zhang Family in the south of the city?"

Lu Yun paused. "The Zhang Family? Do you mean that Soul Master family in the south, Old Master Zhang Yuanshan's family?"

Chen Xuan nodded. "That's them."

Lu Yun placed the breakfast on the table and pondered for a moment. "The Zhang Family is an old established household in Azure Mist City.

"One of their ancestors produced a Titled Douluo. They declined afterward, but their foundation remains.

"Zhang Yuanshan is currently the head of the family. He is a Soul Sage, a notable figure in the city.

"He has a granddaughter, I think her name is... Zhang Lexuan? She awakened earlier this year with Innate Full Soul Power. I heard it alarmed half the city."

"I already know all that," Chen Xuan said. "What I want investigated is something deeper."

Lu Yun understood. "Elder Xuan, do you mean you want to see whether someone has set their sights on the Zhang Family?"

"Not just that." Chen Xuan looked at him, his tone becoming indifferent.

"I received word that something may happen to the Zhang Family soon.

"Someone in Azure Mist City should have their eyes on them.

"Go investigate for me. Find out exactly who has a grievance against the Zhang Family, and what force stands behind them."

Lu Yun's expression changed slightly. "You mean someone intends to make a move against the Zhang Family?"

"Most likely." Chen Xuan said, "I have taken a liking to that girl Zhang Lexuan and intend to accept her as my disciple.

"But before accepting her, I need to figure out her family's mess.

"First investigate whom the Zhang Family has offended over the years, and who wants to move against them.

"If the Zhang Family is at fault, I will handle it differently; if they are not..."

He paused, and a cold glint flashed through his eyes.

"If the Zhang Family has done no wrong and someone is merely bullying them with power, then don't blame this old man for being ruthless.

"Find out who it is. I will handle the rest personally.

"I'd like to see which blind fool dares lay a hand on the disciple I have chosen."

Lu Yun felt a chill in his heart, then promptly clasped his fist in salute.

"Congratulations, Elder Xuan, on gaining a beloved disciple.

"Rest assured, Elder Xuan. I will investigate this at once.

"Within two days, I will definitely give you an answer."

"Don't take too long," Chen Xuan said. "I do not want anyone affecting my mood."

He could not be bothered to wait until the men in black arrived before making a move. For him, suspicion alone was enough.

Lu Yun nodded. "Understood. Then this lotus leaf porridge..."

Only then did Chen Xuan reveal a faint smile. "Leave it. You should eat with me as well."

Lu Yun did not stand on ceremony. He pulled over a chair, sat down, and served Chen Xuan a bowl of porridge.

With the fragrance of morning osmanthus around them, the two ate and chatted for a while.

Chen Xuan did not mention Zhang Lexuan again, only asking about some trivial matters in Azure Mist City.

Lu Yun was tactful as well and did not pry any further.