Courteous and Kindhearted

"Have you heard? That young master of the Si Household went straight to the third level of Qi Refining during his very first secluded cultivation session."

"Three levels in one day? Tsk, the Si Household has produced another Qilin Prodigy."

As word spread, some marveled, some soured with envy, and others withheld judgment. Those who believed it praised him with, "A tiger father never sires a dog of a son." Those who did not merely thought the Si Household was building momentum for its next generation.

Three levels in a day? Perhaps. An ancient Aristocratic Clan had deep reserves; even piling up resources could produce a genius. As for how much truth lay beneath the claims, outsiders could hardly judge.

Things did indeed turn out as the Si Household wished, without causing too great a stir. After all, he was only a child at the Qi Refining stage. However gifted he might be, the road ahead was still long.

The Si Household welcomed this outcome. Such hazy rumors were the best camouflage.

Fine as the Lineage's blessed land was, with its abundant spiritual energy and countless beautiful vistas, after looking at it long enough, it began to feel rather like a gilded cage for a canary. Beautiful, certainly, but lacking the charm of the wild and the unknown.

Si Chen temporarily set cultivation aside. To him, the supposed bottleneck of Foundation Establishment was as thin as window paper, easily pierced with a poke.

Reading through ancient texts, he learned that a "genius" in the usual sense generally needed a month to reach Foundation Establishment, so he decided to follow this less-than-pressing schedule.

For now, what he wanted more was to see beyond the blessed land: the broader, more tangible world of cultivation recorded in ancient books and described by his clansmen.

"Mother, I want to go outside and look around."

Si Chen tugged at his mother Ye Fu's sleeve, tilting his head up to make his request. His reasoning was sound, too: "The books say that reading ten thousand volumes is no substitute for traveling ten thousand miles."

Ye Fu and Si Kai exchanged a glance, each seeing the same worry and helplessness in the other's eyes.

A child could not be kept shut away forever, especially this son of theirs, whose mind worked so differently from ordinary people's. Refusing might only cause more trouble. After repeatedly confirming the arrangements for his protection, they finally nodded their consent.

And so his third uncle, Si Shuo-Si Chen's "personal bodyguard"-gloriously returned to duty once again.

He sighed in resignation, muttering constantly, "Boy, when we're out there, you'd better spare your third uncle some worry."

Naturally, the young heir of the Si Household's first official excursion could not lack ceremony.

On the day of their departure, a Mystic Boat made entirely of azure mystic wood hovered quietly above the square before the Si residence.

The boat's qualities were understated rather than ostentatious, yet it was far more comfortable and dignified than any flying sword or ferocious beast mount, and better suited the Si Household's standing as a first-rate Aristocratic Clan.

Si Chen wore a snow-white, fur-collared cloak that made his little face look all the more exquisite, like carved jade. Unlike the bewildered eyes of ordinary children, his were clear to the bottom, yet unfathomably deep.

His third uncle, Si Shuo, carefully lifted him aboard the Mystic Boat and settled him into a seat lined with soft beast pelts.

The Mystic Boat slowly rose into the air, passing through the barrier around the Lineage's blessed land, and the view before them suddenly opened wide.

Below stretched the sprawling Si estate, its pavilions and towers half-hidden in spiritual mist. Ahead lay an endless sea of clouds and magnificent mountains and rivers.

Si Chen watched quietly. This scenery was nowhere near as majestic as the Stellar Vista, yet it held a warmth of everyday life he had never experienced before.

Of the cultivators they encountered along the way, whether lone travelers riding flying swords or groups aboard other flying artifacts, most voluntarily gave way from afar or cupped their hands in greeting across the distance upon seeing the Si Household's emblem.

The Mystic Boat did not fly for long. Their destination was Cloud Brocade City, the bustling hub nearest the Si Household.

Cloud Brocade City was jointly governed by several great cultivation Lineages. Its walls towered high, runes flowing across them to form the faint outline of a great defensive formation. The Mystic Boat slowly descended at a designated berth, and before it had even settled, several richly dressed figures of distinguished bearing came forward to greet them.

"Third Master Si honors us with his presence! Forgive us for not welcoming you sooner!" The middle-aged man at their head smiled warmly, though his gaze unobtrusively swept over the child Si Shuo kept close beside him.

"This must be the Si Household's young master? Truly, the grace of a dragon and phoenix, with an extraordinary bearing!"

"Upon learning that the young master wished to visit Cloud Brocade City, our head of Household prepared a modest banquet. We hope you and the young master will honor us with your attendance..."

His third uncle, Si Shuo, clearly commanded considerable prestige here. He waved a hand casually. "I appreciate your kindness. My nephew is taking his first steps into the world today; we're merely getting acquainted with the roads and broadening his horizons. There's no need to muster such a grand reception."

He easily scooped Si Chen up with one arm and strode toward the city. Though the welcoming party looked somewhat disappointed, none dared say more. They merely stepped respectfully aside, repeatedly saying, "Please, make yourselves at home."

Si Chen curiously surveyed everything around him.

Whatever expressions people had worn before, most immediately replaced them upon seeing the pair with almost identical smiles of respect and courtesy.

As they went along, this held true of everyone, from roadside vendors to patrolling guards, and even several cultivators whose auras seemed quite strong.

Si Chen looked up at his third uncle, whose calm expression showed how accustomed he was to all this, then at those "friendly" people, and felt understanding dawn.

So the humans of this world were all so courteous.

He solemnly added this observation to the "human behavior template" he was building.

Thus, when a shopkeeper enthusiastically introduced his wares, Si Chen recalled the "friendly" smiles and "polite" manners he had seen along the way. In a voice still soft with babyish sweetness, he earnestly cupped his hands in return. "Thank you, shopkeeper. I'll look around a little more."

The shopkeeper was clearly overwhelmed by the honor and hastily bowed deeply. "You're far too kind, young master. Please, take your time, take your time!"

His exquisite appearance, paired with his earnest imitation of adult etiquette, created an unusual contrast. Several female cultivators watching from a distance could not help covering their mouths and chuckling, finding this young master unexpectedly... adorable, despite his noble birth.

Si Chen interpreted this as positive feedback for following the "politeness" template, and became even more meticulous.

Watching from the side, his third uncle, Si Shuo, felt the corners of his mouth twitch, a little amused and a little helpless.

This boy was certainly a quick learner. Naturally, he was happy to see his nephew leave a good impression, so long as he did not suddenly pull off another astonishing feat like making "spiritual energy walk on its own."

Just then, a commotion at the street corner ahead shattered the harmony of the main thoroughfare.

"Are you blind? How dare you block my way?"

A finely dressed young cultivator with an arrogant expression was harshly berating a plainly dressed man. Apparently, the man had failed to dodge in time and nearly collided with him.

The man bowed over and over in apology. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention..."

"You think a simple apology settles it? You've dirtied my robe. Can you afford to pay for it?" The young cultivator refused to let the matter go, and several attendants beside him closed in menacingly.

The surrounding crowd instinctively backed away, leaving a ring of empty space. No one dared step in.

Si Chen stopped, unmistakable confusion appearing in his clear eyes for the first time. He looked at the young cultivator, then back at the "polite and friendly" street behind him.

He tugged at Si Shuo's sleeve and pointed over. "Third Uncle, why aren't they observing proper manners?"

Proper manners?

Si Shuo froze at the question. Then he recalled all those deferential smiles along the way, and his heart gave a sudden jolt.

Had this boy mistaken everyone's fear and courtesy in the face of power for heartfelt politeness?

He lowered his head to look into his nephew's clear eyes and swallowed the explanation on the tip of his tongue. Instead, a somewhat helpless thought arose. Never mind. Even if I explained now, he might not understand.

A little innocence... was rather endearing.

Then he glanced at the center of the conflict and gave a dismissive snort. "He's probably used to throwing his weight around because his family has a little influence. You find that sort everywhere. Pay him no mind."

"Does having influence mean you don't have to be polite?" Si Chen was even more puzzled. In his understanding, once rules were established, they ought to apply universally.

Before Si Shuo could answer, Si Chen was already moving his short little legs toward the center of the conflict.

Si Shuo frowned, instinctively preparing to release a trace of pressure and send that blind fool packing.

Yet just as he was about to act, his gaze fell on Si Chen's tiny back. Suddenly, he wanted to see what this little fellow, whose thinking differed so greatly from ordinary people's, intended to do...

He raised a hand and made an extremely discreet gesture behind him, signaling the hidden guards to hold their positions, then quickly followed.

The young cultivator was in the midst of his tirade when he suddenly felt a tug at the hem of his clothes. Looking down, he saw an exquisitely carved little child draped in a snow-white cape.

The child tilted his face up, those clear eyes fixed on him, then spoke in a babyish voice with utter seriousness:

"Please be more polite."

The young cultivator froze, then grew even angrier. "Where did this meddling little brat come-"

Before he finished, he made out the faint embroidered pattern on the inside of Si Chen's cape, along with Si Shuo approaching behind him, arms folded, his expression placid yet inherently oppressive.

The arrogance on his face instantly froze, then was replaced just as swiftly by a "polite" smile identical to those of everyone else on the street.

"Oh, it's Third Master Si! And this is... the young master? I failed to recognize you. How rude of me, how rude!"

Having said that, he did not dare linger. He shot the rogue cultivator a vicious glare, then slunk away through the crowd.

A conflict neither large nor small dissolved into nothing, just like that, for no apparent reason.

The rescued rogue cultivator stood stunned for a moment before coming to his senses. He hurriedly bowed to Si Chen and said gratefully, "Th-thank you for helping me out, young master!"

Si Chen looked at him, recalling the young man's transformation and the return of "friendly" expressions to the surrounding faces. He felt that everything was back on track, and he had gained another "successful experience."

Imitating the shopkeeper from earlier, he cupped his hands with convincing formality and said, his little face solemn:

"You're welcome. Please observe proper manners yourself in the future."

The rogue cultivator: "...???"

Utter bewilderment immediately covered his face. He completely failed to grasp the logic behind this little noble's words, but still nodded hastily. "Yes, yes, of course. I'll certainly observe proper manners. I'll certainly be polite!"

Si Chen nodded in satisfaction, then turned and walked back to his third uncle.

Watching his nephew's whole performance, Si Shuo nearly failed to hold back his laughter. He ruffled Si Chen's hair, his tone faintly teasing. "Well done, boy. You already know how to win people over with reason."

Feeling the pressure atop his head, Si Chen sorted through what he had just witnessed.

Humans were mostly friendly and polite.

Occasionally, though, an exception appeared. But after a reminder, they would promptly correct themselves...

This discovery added another measure of confidence to his complex task of "learning to be human."

Meanwhile, the Si Household's young master's reputation for being "courteous and kindhearted" had already begun quietly spreading through Cloud Brocade City.