https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-48-Issues-with-Our-Information-Gathering-Disciples-/12988664/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-50-Yunyang-Sect-s-Withdrawal-from-the-Front-Lines/12988668/
Chapter 49: Returning Home
Chapter 49: Returning Home
This time, Su Chen brought a little more money with him when he returned to Jiang'an City.
In Tiangang City, they were indeed much more generous.
After two months of assistance, the contributions he earned were more than double that of Yunyang Sect.
Furthermore, with his current cultivation progress, he no longer needed to spend contribution points on cultivation techniques.
Tiangang City undoubtedly had profound cultivation techniques, and after establishing the sect for so many years, they must have their own unique heritage.
But at this moment, Su Chen genuinely had no interest in exchanging for cultivation techniques.
In his possession was the Profound Heaven Heart Sutra, a profound cultivation method of the sages.
There was no need to waste contribution points on anything else.
With the surplus contribution points, Su Chen now had two uses for them.
One was for medicinal resources, and the other was to bring them home for his mother and younger sister's household expenses.
Without the expense of cultivation techniques, things became much more relaxed.
On his way back, Su Chen directly rented a horse carriage at the post station.
With sufficient funds, traveling by carriage made the journey much more comfortable.
After two days of travel, Su Chen returned to Jiang'an City.
Checking the time, it was just past noon.
In the spring, various farming activities were starting to pick up.
As soon as he reached the city gate, Su Chen saw several familiar uncles and aunties carrying hoes and other tools, presumably preparing to go to work.
"Uncle Zhong, Auntie," Su Chen greeted them with a smile.
The two turned to look at him, originally with a faint smile on their faces.
But the next moment, when they realized it was Su Chen, their smiles immediately faded.
They even rolled their eyes at Su Chen.
Their attitude made Su Chen feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Uncle Zhong and Auntie were actually very kind people.
In the past, whenever Su Chen's family needed help in Jiang'an City, Uncle Zhong and Auntie would always lend a hand.
They had a good relationship with each other.
But today, when Su Chen greeted them, their expressions showed obvious disgust.
Su Chen naturally understood why this situation occurred.
Chen Xia had been spreading rumors in Jiang'an City, claiming that he had been greedy and sought credit in Yunyang Sect, which led to his expulsion.
With such a reputation, it was no wonder that the common folk would treat him with disdain.
Compared to the sect members, the common people might value reputation even more.
Before entering the city, Su Chen already had a vague idea of his mother and younger sister's situation.
Since he rarely returned home, he didn't mind their cold faces.
Out of sight, out of mind.
But his mother and younger sister lived in Jiang'an City.
Every day, they might have to endure these cold faces.
As Su Chen entered Jiang'an City, he made his way towards his home.
Along the way, he passed by a shop selling cooked vegetables.
These were ready-to-eat dishes; when customers bought a portion, the shopkeeper would wrap it in oil paper for them to take home.
Su Chen's younger sister loved these cooked vegetables, and whenever he bought them home, she would eat much more than usual.
But when he went to buy the cooked vegetables, the shopkeeper looked up and recognized Su Chen.
A disdainful expression appeared on his face.
"Eight coppers for one portion," he said coldly.
"Eight coppers? Wasn't it four coppers before?" Su Chen frowned and couldn't help but ask.
"It's still four coppers for others, but for your family, it's eight coppers.
After all, you've claimed so much credit and contribution from others; you shouldn't be lacking these few coppers."
Su Chen frowned but still paid eight coppers to buy a portion.
"You're really rich~"
The shopkeeper seemed reluctant to sell at eight coppers per portion.
But seeing the money, he couldn't bear to refuse, so he wrapped up a portion and handed it to Su Chen.
Holding this cooked vegetable, Su Chen's heart felt even more irritated.
It's not a matter of a few coppers.
Currently in Tiangang City, there's no evidence of contribution deduction.
As his strength gradually improves, he won't feel as stifled as he did in the Yunyang Sect.
They increased prices three to fourfold, but the contributions I earn are enough to cover it.
However, his mother and younger sister at home are usually frugal.
Even if he earns more money, with prices so much higher than before, his mother will definitely be more reluctant to spend.
He doesn't know how they are managing at home, living a frugal life.
Thinking of this, Su Chen's feet felt a little heavier.
Walking back home, he finds his mother and younger sister in the backyard, seemingly weaving something.
Upon seeing Su Chen, they both froze for a moment, then a smile blossomed on their faces.
"You should have at least mentioned it in a letter before returning. Look, we haven't prepared anything at home," his mother said with a gentle smile.
"A child returning home is always a happy occasion.
Why did you choose this time to come back? After the arrival of spring, won't there be even more tasks?" his younger sister asked.
His younger sister's smile quickly faded as she seemed to think of something.
His mother, standing beside her, also understood and her expression turned slightly worried.
"Is something wrong in Tiangang City? Is it related to the Yunyang Sect's slander against you?"
Seeing their worried expressions, Su Chen quickly laughed.
"Even if something happened, it's good news. The elders in Tiangang City are reasonable.
I didn't encounter any mistreatment there, and I earned even more contribution points than before."
As Su Chen spoke, he was pulled into the house.
In the midst of his explanation, Su Chen also showed them his new weapon.
A good-grade long saber obtained from a senior.
Compared to his previous weapon, it was significantly better.
His mother and younger sister glanced at it, unsure how to differentiate the weapon grades.
But the long saber before them displayed a vast difference in quality, visible to the naked eye.
With the ability to afford a new weapon, they trusted that Su Chen hadn't encountered any trouble.
He placed the bought cooked dish on the table.
Inside the house, his mother started preparing a meal while his younger sister assisted.
Watching their busy silhouettes, Su Chen felt a knot in his heart.
"Mother and younger sister have both become thinner."
"We ate too much rich food during the New Year, and now our bodies are having a hard time digesting it.
We'll just take care of our stomachs for a while, and we'll gain the weight back."
His mother smiled and replied, her hands not stopping their work.
"When I returned, I bought a cooked dish. Others sell it for four coppers, but for us, he wanted eight coppers."
Hearing these words, his mother's movements slowed down.
"Because of my reputation, Mother and younger sister have suffered in Jiang'an City.
Others look down on our family, treating us with disdain and mistreatment."
"It's not that bad. We do our own things, and it doesn't affect us much."
His mother tried to explain, but her words lacked conviction.
"Let's live in another city. My ability to earn contributions is much stronger now.
Changing cities, we'll live better.
No more cold eyes, just like before."
Hearing Su Chen's words, his mother shook her head.
"Your father is buried in the hills behind our home. If I leave, what about him?
And there are so many ancestors; during festivals, we need to pay respects to them."
As she spoke, his mother also turned to look at Su Chen.
"Moreover, if we leave, the taint on your name will be even harder to wash away.
The slanderous words against us will only intensify."
(End of Chapter)
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