Chapter 549: Reunion with the Zhu Ming Gong People

Chapter 549: Reunion with the Zhu Ming Gong People

January 12, 2025

After a night's rest, Su Chen departed at dawn.

Peachwood had also resigned from his duties the previous night and was no longer seeking a living in Celestial Vortex Town.

Su Chen took him along as they left, returning to the city area of Jin State.

Before leaving, following the rules, the noble guests who came with an Upper Invitation Token were to be seen off by representatives of the various powers.

Su Chen also received this treatment.

However, the people from the Golden Bell Society wore unpleasant expressions.

Xu Qiming didn't dare look up at Su Chen throughout the entire process.

What he regretted now was no longer about giving his Upper Invitation Token to Qiu Xi Yu.

This matter was no longer the most annoying thing on his mind.

What he regretted the most was scolding Su Chen in front of so many people that day.

Su Chen was clearly speaking up for him.

But Xu Qiming not only failed to recognize the good intentions, but he also turned around and disparaged Su Chen.

He said that Su Chen didn't even have the qualifications to praise him.

Because of Su Chen's praise, he ended up losing face even more.

The result was that Su Chen showed him what it meant to have the qualifications.

What was he compared to Su Chen, who had reached the highest peak, to say that he didn't have the qualifications?

After some polite exchanges, Su Chen left with Peachwood.

As for these people, their speculations about Su Chen became increasingly vague.

They, as representatives of the various powers, didn't believe for a moment that Su Chen was a warrior without any background.

"Being able to receive an invitation token from a member of the Qiu family and having such strength, it's not hard to guess that he's closely connected to the few powers associated with the Qiu family."

A warrior from the Shore Pavilion spoke up, watching Su Chen's departing figure.

Some people around believed his judgment, while others still felt it was wrong.

"The powers associated with the Qiu family have the ability to obtain Upper Invitation Tokens themselves.

Why would they need to ask for it from the younger generation of the Qiu family?"

Xu Shengying from the Golden Bell Society immediately retorted.

The higher Su Chen's status was raised, the more unfavorable it became for them.

Obviously, these five powers seemed to want to unite against them.

When faced with rebuttal and resistance, they couldn't compromise.

Hearing this, the person from the Shore Pavilion beside them smiled.

"Your Xu Qiming gave the Upper Invitation Token to the young master of the Qiu family, which displeased others.

By bringing this Upper Invitation Token here, he's telling you that Xu Qiming should not entertain thoughts about that Miss Qiu."

Upon hearing this, Xu Shengying's face turned even gloomier.

Many people around them found these words very reasonable.

In fact, Qiu Xi Yu herself had a little of this intention.

But Su Chen definitely didn't have such thoughts and had never even considered it.

Even when he saw Xu Qiming, he hadn't thought that Qiu Xi Yu would have such an idea.

After this training, the Golden Bell Society seemed to have calmed down a bit.

But in fact, the pressure they faced might be even greater.

The return journey from Celestial Vortex Town would be much easier.

Because they had already traveled a frequently used path.

Compared to Su Chen's initial journey, where he had to climb mountains and endure hardships, it was completely different.

This wasn't Peachwood's first time traveling this route, and Su Chen only needed to help protect him.

They just had to be alert for any demonic beast ambushes; otherwise, they could simply follow Su Chen's lead.

Within four hours, they would be able to return to Dingjun City.

Upon reaching Dingjun City, the two would part ways.

Su Chen gave him some gold and silver as travel expenses.

He was to go and find Duan Qinglang.

If he regretted his decision along the way, he could choose to give up.

This money would be considered a reward for his diligent service before.

When they arrived in Dingjun City, it was 2 PM in the afternoon.

Su Chen and Peachwood had a meal together at a tavern.

Perhaps because he was used to the prices in Celestial Vortex Town, when he saw the prices of various items outside, he also found them affordable.

Along the way, Su Chen had already told Peachwood a lot.

Now, he was giving him some additional reminders.

Investigating and gathering information was a dangerous job.

Along with the danger came enormous and terrifying rewards.

The earnings could even surpass those of many warriors.

In Zhou State, many people relied on the buying and selling of information and became local tycoons in their hometowns.

For ordinary people, it was almost an excellent way to make a fortune.

Other methods would rarely provide an opportunity for ordinary people to rise above their station.

Su Chen explained both the advantages and disadvantages to Peachwood.

Gathering information often required one's own efforts and demanded a high level of personal capability.

Any mistakes could potentially cost one's life.

After the meal, Su Chen set off on his own.

With this trip back and forth, plus the time spent in between, the year had come to an end.

He hadn't felt a trace of the festive atmosphere nor the joy of family reunions.

But Su Chen didn't find this strange; it was, in fact, a very normal occurrence.

How many Martial Arts cultivators could return home for the New Year?

Even Qiu Xi Yu, a descendant of the Qiu family, couldn't manage it.

She was also busy during the New Year, setting up Array Formations on the border to defend against demonic beast intrusions.

Even the top-tier descendants of major powers couldn't make it home, let alone anyone else. Su Chen looked at the place where he had received the letter.

He scanned through the recent messages he had received.

After the Heavenly Alchemy Expo incident, there should have been significant reactions from Wuluan Mansion and Zhu Ming Gong.

It took him about six days to return.

He hadn't received many letters in the past few months, but now, after just two months, there seemed to be a pile of them.

Among them was a letter from Upper Proclamation True Person from Heaven Pole City, updating him on the recent situation in their sect.

Overall, things seemed relatively stable.

The people from Wuluan Mansion were no longer causing trouble in Zhou Kingdom.

However, Sun Xerong was still stirring up all sorts of trouble in Zhou Kingdom, creating numerous problems.

She was putting in great effort to search for Su Chen and trace his family's whereabouts.

Reading this, Su Chen's heart stirred.

He was just one step away from the Transformation Realm, and once he reached it, his first task would be to deal with her.

There didn't seem to be any issues with Heaven Pole City, so Su Chen continued reading the other letters he had received.

Among them were letters from Elder Wang Shanlin of Tahe Sect and Duan Qinglang.

There was also a letter from Qiu Xi Yu.

The most letters, however, were from Zhu Ming Gong.

In addition to the updates they sent him, there was also a letter from the Second Elder of Zhu Ming Gong, inviting Su Chen to meet.

The letter was brief, not elaborating further.

But Su Chen could guess their intentions.

Elder Wang Shanlin from Tahe Sect was inviting him to visit their sect, but Su Chen thought it was a little early for that. Unless there was a particularly suitable opportunity, he didn't need to make a trip to Tahe Sect.

Qiu Xi Yu's letter was even simpler.

She would likely finish all her tasks by the end of the second month.

Setting up the Array Formation hadn't taken up much of her time.

Afterward, they would meet in Yuexi City.

If she arrived first, she would wait for him there.

If he arrived first, she asked him to wait for her briefly.

After meeting, they would go to the Qiu family together.

Su Chen naturally didn't refuse.

This time, he would also take the opportunity to thank Qiu Xi Yu.

With her help, his Martial Arts strength had taken a significant leap forward.

He was just one step away from the Transformation Realm; breaking through that final barrier would lead him into it.

Additionally, he genuinely wanted to visit the Qiu family.

Perhaps he might even run into Qiu Ruofang. With this in mind, Su Chen wrote back to Zhu Ming Gong, asking the Second Elder to meet him in Yuexi City.

He was going there anyway, and it would be a good opportunity to clarify things between them.

He had helped them, and they had helped him in return.

Although they no longer wanted to invest in him and had underestimated his future, Zhu Ming Gong hadn't betrayed him.

Please...collect...6...9...books...!

Meeting face-to-face, they could clear up some matters directly.

From then on, they would each go their separate ways, with minimal involvement in each other's affairs.

Su Chen had come to a clear understanding of his relationship with Zhu Ming Gong.

He wouldn't ask anything of them, and they wouldn't seek him out in the future.

Mutual trust between them had vanished.

Even if they reunited, it was impossible to restore their previously close relationship.

Even if there were opportunities for cooperation in the future, it wouldn't be based on personal connections.

It would have to be strictly professional, with each side getting what they wanted.

With this in mind, Su Chen immediately took up his brush and wrote a letter, then sent it out.

Only after sending it did he look at the contents of the last letter.

It was from Duan Qinglang, updating Su Chen on their recent situation and their initial planning.

He detailed the difficulties they faced, what had been resolved, and what remained unsolved.

Su Chen wrote down all the solutions he could think of.

Duan Qinglang and his associates weren't Martial Arts cultivators, so they weren't very familiar with the rules and customs of the Martial Arts world.

In his reply, Su Chen provided a detailed explanation of the things they needed to pay attention to.

In the world of Martial Arts, the things one had to be cautious about were different.

He also mentioned Tao Mu to them.

If Tao Mu wanted to find them, they should remember to receive him.

After handling everything, Su Chen prepared to set off for Yuexi City.

Go early and settle the matters with Zhu Ming Gong completely.

Yuexi City is located in the western part of Jin State.

It is not far from Pi Shi City, where the Array Alliance is based.

Su Chen guessed that this place should not be far from the Autumn Family's location.

Zhu Ming Gong is slightly distant from Yuexi City.

But this time, let them walk a little further.

Along the way to Yuexi City, he took a carriage for a while.

On the carriage, Su Chen took out the information sent by Zhu Ming Gong and read it carefully.

The content within barely mentioned the shocking events that occurred at the Heavenly Alchemy Expo, which surprised him.

It seemed they were afraid that he would look down on Zhu Ming Gong even more after knowing the truth.

Among the information provided, there were detailed records about Wuluan Mansion.

After the Heavenly Alchemy Expo, Wuluan Mansion had become even more cautious.

Originally, Wuluan Mansion had intended to use the Odd Tower and Crystal Pavilion to enhance their reputation and cover up their broken promises.

But when Su Chen publicly displayed the Cicada Pupa Pill's refinement process, all their plans were ruined.

Their reputation suffered a further blow.

The temporarily calmed public opinion began to resurface.

It even seemed like an unstoppable trend.

Many people, when mentioning Wuluan Mansion, would say that this sect did not keep its promises and was difficult to associate with.

This was a terrifying label.

Wuluan Mansion could have other issues, and they could be domineering.

But they must not be labeled as untrustworthy.

Due to Fan Chengyan's relationship, Wuluan Mansion had also been called a domineering sect by many in the past.

However, this label did not deter many people.

Wuluan Mansion's terms were indeed domineering.

But as long as the agreed-upon conditions were met, they would honor their promises and keep their word.

If they encountered obstacles during cooperation, this domineering sect would proactively step forward to resolve the issues.

But now, Wuluan Mansion was about to be branded as untrustworthy.

From then on, all forces would be cautious of them.

What's the point of cooperating with a sect that is both domineering and untrustworthy?

This was what Wuluan Mansion feared the most.

They were searching everywhere for someone to speak on their behalf and clear their name.

According to the information sent by Zhu Ming Gong, Wuluan Mansion's current plan was simple: first, find some respected elders to speak for them and explain their situation.

They were still searching, but it was proving difficult.

Wuluan Mansion's reputation had been severely damaged.

Some respected elders had no interest in speaking for them.

They even shared the same disgust as others towards Wuluan Mansion's actions.

Their words were not to be trusted, as they had clearly agreed to put aside grudges, yet the elders still attacked the younger generation.

When Wuluan Mansion sent people to invite some respected elders, they were harshly scolded before even mentioning any conditions.

Many elders, considered by others to be respected, truly had high moral character and virtue.

Such people would not help Wuluan Mansion, regardless of the conditions offered.

They would not go against their principles to speak for them.

At this point, no matter what conditions Wuluan Mansion offered, there would be people willing to speak for them.

Their reputation was at an all-time low.

At this time, anyone or any force that spoke for Wuluan Mansion might face backlash themselves.

Originally, people were just criticizing Wuluan Mansion.

But by speaking for them, they might also be criticized along with Wuluan Mansion.

Other related information was mostly insignificant.

The messages Zhu Ming Gong sent to Su Chen lacked content related to the Heavenly Alchemy Expo, which was surprising for a sect focused on the Martial Dao.

There could only be one reason for this situation: Zhu Ming Gong did not want to reveal the impact of the Heavenly Alchemy Expo to Su Chen.

This further convinced Su Chen of the need to establish his own information channel.

Information is like eyes; without it, one is blind, not knowing if the path ahead is a quagmire or a smooth road.

After two days of traveling by carriage, Su Chen continued the journey on foot.

Yuexi City was only two days away, and he would soon arrive.

It was the end of the second month, and traces of the New Year's atmosphere were still visible.

Along the way, he saw many ordinary families reunited, which made him envious.

The simple happiness of ordinary people was the most beautiful thing at this time.

Upon reaching Yuexi City, Su Chen went straight to the tavern mentioned by Qiu Xi Yu and checked in.

He waited there for her and for someone from Zhu Ming Gong to arrive.

Today, the Second Elder of Zhu Ming Gong had received Su Chen's letter.

Learning that Su Chen was willing to meet him, he immediately went to find his granddaughter.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end