https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-553-Truly-Can-t-Forget-About-Qiu-Ruoshuang/13058701/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-555-Requesting-Qiu-Ruoshuang-s-Help/13058703/
Chapter 554: He Doesn't Need to Associate with the Qiu Family
Chapter 554: He Doesn't Need to Associate with the Qiu Family
January 17, 2025
Qiu Xi Yu spoke with a playful tone.
She didn't mean it seriously.
It was just a casual remark.
However, unbeknownst to her, this casual statement was indeed true.
Su Chen's visit to the Qiu family was indeed to meet Qiu Ruoshuang.
After her playful comment, Qiu Xi Yu proceeded to answer Su Chen's question.
"Ruoshuang's courtyard is on the westernmost side.
She prefers tranquility, and her cultivation cannot be disturbed easily.
So the family has arranged for her to stay at the edge of the manor.
Usually, there's no one coming and going, and unless it's something urgent, no one disturbs her."
As Qiu Xi Yu spoke, Su Chen's gaze also turned westward.
After a brief pause, Qiu Xi Yu continued, "I'm not sure if Ruoshuang is at home.
She has courtyards in many places across Jin State.
Whenever she gains new insights, she leaves the family manor to cultivate in seclusion."
Hearing this, Su Chen's expression froze slightly.
"Didn't you say that your cousin returns home every year during the New Year?
Hasn't she come back this year?"
If Qiu Ruoshuang wasn't there, Su Chen felt like his trip would be in vain.
Seeing Su Chen's anxious expression, Qiu Xi Yu, who hadn't been concerned before, started to feel something was amiss.
"Why are you so concerned about my cousin, Su Chen?
I'll send someone to ask. If possible, we can go and see Ruoshuang together.
Her strength has improved again, and I haven't had the chance to congratulate her yet.
This is a good opportunity to do so."
Qiu Xi Yu still thought that Su Chen admired Qiu Ruoshuang.
She knew that Su Chen was quite obsessed with martial arts.
Despite his exceptional talent in array formations, after the array formation assessment, Su Chen insisted on pursuing martial arts cultivation.
Wanting to meet his incredibly talented cousin made sense to Qiu Xi Yu.
Moreover, most men wouldn't dare to have any thoughts about Qiu Ruoshuang.
They couldn't compare or match her.
Only those with thick skin like a city wall would dare to entertain such ideas.
Anyone with a sound mind would know that they had no chance with Qiu Ruoshuang.
Admiring her and wanting to meet her for guidance was normal.
Qiu Xi Yu sent someone to inquire if Qiu Ruoshuang was at home.
If she wasn't, then when would she return.
By this time, it was around dinnertime.
After the initial test, Qiu Xi Yu's elders didn't conduct any further assessments.
Su Chen was treated to a simple yet refined meal.
Only four members of Qiu Xi Yu's family attended, including her father, Qiu Xingchuan, her paternal aunt, Qiu Yinan, Elder Ding, and Qiu Xi Yu herself.
They didn't make a big fuss, and the entire Qiu family wasn't notified.
Su Chen preferred this low-key approach.
A small group of them chatted and conversed casually.
Qiu Xi Yu's elders asked Su Chen many questions, including details about his family and other specific matters.
Su Chen felt a bit uncomfortable, thinking they were being overly meticulous.
Aside from that, everything else was fine.
There were no excessive demands, and they were all appropriate and well-mannered.
Qiu Xingchuan even apologized again for the previous test and asked Su Chen to stay longer at the Qiu family manor to provide more guidance to Qiu Xi Yu.
He also requested Su Chen to examine some of the Qiu family's current array formations the next day.
Around 7-9 PM, the simple dinner came to an end.
The person Qiu Xi Yu had sent out returned with an answer.
Qiu Ruoshuang was not at the family manor.
She hadn't returned for the New Year.
Hearing this, Su Chen felt slightly disappointed.
His plan to stay longer at the Qiu family manor was also canceled.
Night had fallen completely.
Su Chen rested in the guest room of the Qiu family manor for the night.
The next day, after chatting with Qiu Xi Yu, he took the opportunity to observe some of the array formations set up by the Qiu family.
Su Chen understood why the Qiu family focused on researching array formations to counter humans.
Within the Qiu family's manor, array formations were scattered everywhere.
Places that were off-limits were guarded by these formations.
As Su Chen examined these formations, he noticed a strong personal touch in their design.
As expected, they were likely arranged by Elder Ding, who had tested him the previous day.
The techniques used were very similar to the test array.
Based on the habits in the formations, Su Chen was almost certain they were set up by the same person.
During his conversation with Qiu Xi Yu, she confirmed this.
Around noon, Su Chen informed them of his departure.
Upon hearing these words, Qiu Xi Yu's initially bright expression instantly clouded over.
"Su Shixiong, you've only been our guest for a day, why are you in such a hurry?" Qiu Xi Yu asked.
Su Chen, in response to Qiu Xi Yu's question, gave a rather vague answer.
He had his cultivation to attend to and couldn't afford to waste too much time on leisure.
While he said this, in his heart, Su Chen was reluctant to linger any longer without Qiu Ruoshuang's presence.
Such a reason would sound absurd to anyone, clearly not a sincere one.
As a member of the Qiu Clan's younger generation, Qiu Xi Yu was perceptive enough to sense this.
However, her thoughts didn't lead her to consider Qiu Ruoshuang.
She felt that there must be another issue.
Most likely, it was her father's attitude towards Su Chen.
And from the moment Elder Ding arrived, he had been testing Su Chen relentlessly.
This would undoubtedly make anyone feel disrespected and rejected.
Qiu Xi Yu searched for various reasons to persuade Su Chen to stay at the Qiu Clan for a few more days.
But Su Chen was resolute in his decision, and even after hearing several reasons from Qiu Xi Yu, he remained unmoved.
After having lunch with Qiu Xi Yu, he departed ahead of her.
At noon, Qiu Xingchuan and the others were busy with their own matters.
As dusk fell, Qiu Xingchuan returned with some attendants.
As soon as he entered the courtyard, Elder Ding approached him with a frown.
"Xingchuan, please go and talk to Xi Yu.
She's been in a foul mood since returning at noon and hasn't spoken to anyone.
She doesn't even want to eat and won't look at me."
Elder Ding felt a twinge of regret, wishing he hadn't helped Qiu Xingchuan test Su Chen.
Now, Qiu Xi Yu was ignoring him.
"What's going on? Doesn't she want to eat with us and only wants to eat with Su Xing?" asked Qiu Xingchuan.
He was unaware that Su Chen had already left the Qiu Clan.
As members of the Qiu Clan, almost all the younger generation had experienced numerous suitors.
Not to mention Qiu Xi Yu, who was a core member of the clan and a beautiful fairy.
Even the more ordinary members of the Qiu Clan's younger generation, who were average in various aspects, would attract many suitors.
If any of these suitors were invited to the Qiu Clan, they would be overjoyed.
They might even say they were thrilled.
Any tests or trials were considered basic and normal.
Therefore, the elders of the Qiu Clan usually treated these suitors indifferently.
In Qiu Xingchuan's opinion, his attitude towards Su Chen was already quite amiable.
He thought Su Chen would stay at the Qiu Clan for seven or eight days.
If the Qiu Clan didn't urge him to leave, Su Chen wouldn't have departed on his own.
At the earliest, he would leave when Qiu Xi Yu went out for training.
Su Chen would be forced to follow her.
Every suitor who came would want to stay at the Qiu Clan's manor for a while longer.
To observe, to admire, and perhaps even to gain some other benefits.
Hearing Qiu Xingchuan's words, Elder Ding sighed.
"Xingchuan, that young man, Su Xing, has already left.
That's why Xi Yu is angry with us."
"He left? Really?" Qiu Xingchuan was incredulous, finding it hard to believe.
He wondered if it was some sort of delaying tactic, a strategic retreat.
Elder Ding noticed Qiu Xingchuan's confusion.
"He did leave. I asked Yun Cai to follow and observe.
Yun Cai said that Su Xing didn't hesitate and left directly.
The others followed behind, and soon we received word that he was truly on his way."
Elder Ding had the same doubts as Qiu Xingchuan at first.
Having lived in the Qiu Clan for so many years, he had seen it all.
When Su Chen said he wanted to leave, Elder Ding thought it was just a ploy to gain an advantage.
But now, it seemed different.
"Xingchuan, go and see Xi Yu.
She's blaming me now, and she doesn't even want to talk to me.
If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have arranged those tests yesterday."
Elder Ding regretted his decision, feeling that it was inappropriate to test Su Chen on their first meeting.
However, such situations were quite common in the Qiu Clan.
Initially, he hadn't objected.
Hearing Elder Ding's words, Qiu Xingchuan's eyebrows furrowed.
He hadn't expected Su Chen to leave so abruptly, displaying such arrogance. After a moment of hesitation, Qiu Xingchuan made his way to Qiu Xi Yu's small courtyard.
The maidservant, upon hearing Qiu Xingchuan's voice, promptly opened the courtyard gate.
But Qiu Xi Yu, with the door closed, remained in her room.
"Xi Yu, it's your father. Open the door."
"Qiu Xingchuan arrived at Qiu Xiyu's door and knocked gently.
He had always been rather indulgent towards his daughter, Qiu Xiyu.
Moreover, Qiu Xiyu was obedient and never willful since childhood.
Now, with such remarkable achievements, she had earned the title of an Eighth Rank Array Master before turning thirty.
It could be said that Qiu Xiyu already possessed the capability to stand on her own.
As a father, he naturally had to respect his child.
Hearing Qiu Xingchuan's voice, she hesitated for a moment.
But Qiu Xiyu still opened the door.
She wasn't the type to be willful; if her father wanted to talk to her, she was willing to listen.
However, Qiu Xiyu's mood today was indeed a bit off.
After opening the door, Qiu Xiyu remained silent and turned to sit in a chair.
"Xiyu, yesterday's tests were just a joke.
A true man shouldn't be so petty.
If he's really that small-minded, then what's the point of having him around?"
Qiu Xingchuan's first words were to shift the blame, placing it on Su Chen and faulting him.
Hearing this, Qiu Xiyu's expression darkened as she looked at him.
"Father, what you're saying is unreasonable.
When we went to Great Wu Pavilion as guests, and they showed a slight neglect towards you, why did you immediately leave?
You're a man too, so why can't you be petty?"
"That's a different matter. The situation I faced back then was different."
Qiu Xingchuan felt a bit uneasy, but as a core member of the Qiu family, he wasn't easily flustered. He found an excuse to deflect.
This excuse, however, held little weight with Qiu Xiyu.
It was unlikely to convince her.
In fact, not just Qiu Xiyu, but others would probably find it hard to be convinced by such words.
"Xiyu, you are my daughter, Qiu Xingchuan's daughter, and one of the younger generation in the Qiu family.
With your current achievements, you will be a pillar of the Qiu family in the future.
He's so arrogant now, as if he's something special.
If you ask me, I'm truly dissatisfied with him.
He wants to marry my daughter, and even before he's succeeded, he's so full of himself. If they were to marry, wouldn't it be like reaching for the heavens?"
Qiu Xingchuan expressed his true thoughts.
He wanted to suppress Su Chen; how could he allow Su Chen to overshadow Qiu Xiyu?
The Qiu family didn't have a tradition of accepting men who married into the family.
But for men like Su Chen, without a powerful background, they would enter the Qiu family after marriage to handle affairs.
Not just Su Chen, even those with impressive backing.
After marrying a Qiu family daughter, the Qiu family's influence would be significant.
Of course, many families welcomed the Qiu family's strong presence.
Because they would bring many Qiu family resources and gain numerous cooperation opportunities with the Qiu family.
Qiu Xingchuan, following his usual practice, wouldn't allow his daughter to be in a weak position.
However, upon hearing her father's words, Qiu Xiyu's eyebrows furrowed even more, and she immediately stood up to refute him.
"Father, what are you talking about? Su Shixiong doesn't have such thoughts at all."
"Impossible. I can guess what a young man is thinking with my toes."
Qiu Xingchuan clearly didn't believe Qiu Xiyu's words.
He had long believed that Su Chen had designs on his daughter, but now, by acting this way, he was raising his own status to avoid being constantly suppressed.
Hearing this, Qiu Xiyu shook her head again.
"Father, your daughter isn't foolish. I've encountered suitors over the years.
These suitors have used all sorts of tactics, both cold and warm, to attract my attention.
I've seen it all.
Whether they have intentions towards me is clear in my heart.
At least from what I've seen so far, Su Shixiong indeed has no romantic intentions towards your daughter."
Qiu Xiyu's explanation was straightforward.
It diminished Qiu Xingchuan's confidence significantly.
He also knew that his daughter must have had many suitors over the years.
Every member of the younger generation in the Qiu family had a pile of suitors.
Not to mention the women, even the Qiu family men were often pursued.
Having gone through so much, Qiu Xiyu should be able to discern whether someone had designs on her or wanted to get close to her.
"Father, Su Shixiong doesn't need to cling to our Qiu family.
He's so young and has already achieved the status of a Sixth Rank Array Master.
If he weren't so indifferent towards Array Formations, Su Shixiong might have become the next Alliance Master.
Why would he need to rely on our Qiu family? He can live well on his own."
Qiu Xiyu's words hit the mark.
Su Chen, at such a young age, had already attained the status of a Sixth Rank Array Master.
With such talent and without the backing of a major power, the Array Alliance might very well groom him as their successor.
The core members of the Array Alliance were already qualified to negotiate with the Qiu family's upper echelons.
Why would he need to lower himself and become an insignificant son-in-law in the Qiu family?
(End of Chapter)"
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