At noon that day, the chief steward of the carriage personally escorted the carriage and brought a sumptuous banquet. When he learned the result, he immediately returned to the Che family to report. Master Che was so happy that he hurried over quickly.
He saw that Chen Xiao had come for a day and not only restored Shen Yanxing to normal, but also found a place in one fell swoop, so he felt that Chen Xiao's ability was unfathomable. So, as to why they were not building a house but moving the ancestral grave, although he had doubts in his heart, he obeyed without hesitation.
Fortunately, Chen Xiao finally gave him an answer, telling him that this was to use the power of the ancestors to protect future generations. This reason sounded very profound and mysterious, and the Che family's eldest master said that he had no more questions.
Shen Yanxing had made some success in finding dragons and locating acupoints, but he was still a little off in calculating the auspicious time. So Chen Xiao took charge of it himself and calculated that the next day would be a good day to start construction and move the grave.
Chen Xiao reminded Shen Yanxing of the things that he should pay attention to at that time. He himself did not plan to stay until that day. Shen Yanxing could handle the rest, so he decided to return to the county city first and meet up with Shen Yanxing after he finished his business.
That afternoon, Chen Xiao and Xi Yunting returned to the county town along the same route. When they entered the inn, someone came to greet them and said that a girl named Chen had been waiting for them for a day.
Chen Xiao was very surprised, but after thinking about it he understood that Er Shun must have waited for no chance and came to find him on his own initiative.
"That girl said she was your sister, so I took the initiative to arrange for her to wait in your courtyard. There are so many people coming and going in the hall, I'm afraid it's not convenient for the girl." This matter was arranged by the shopkeeper himself. He said this to Chen Xiao, but the implicit meaning was very clear. Er Shun was too beautiful, and the hall of the inn was open to the public. If such a beautiful girl met, it would be easy for trouble to arise.
Chen Xiao was very grateful for the shopkeeper's subtle praise. He nodded to the shopkeeper kindly, "You did the right thing." He raised his hand and threw a spirit coin to the other party, "Thank you for your trouble, shopkeeper."
The shopkeeper clasped his hands together to receive it, opened it and looked down. He didn't recognize this kind of coin, but he had heard that it was used by those immortal cultivators and was said to be very valuable!
The shopkeeper was delighted and became even more humble. "If you need anything, just tell me."
Entering their courtyard, Chen Xiao immediately saw Ershun walking back and forth anxiously in the living room.
"Er Shun." He called her.
Er Shun turned around and saw him, and breathed a sigh of relief, "Brother Xiao, you're finally back." The girl had been worried that Chen Xiao would leave without saying goodbye, and then she would have nowhere to look for him.
Chen Xiao smiled and said teasingly, "Are you getting impatient?"
Ershun's face turned red and he could not utter a word.
Seeing her face turn red, Chen Xiao didn't dare to joke anymore and quickly coughed: "Don't stand, sit down and talk."
The courtyard where they lived was considered a VIP treatment. Not long after Chen Xiao sat down, a waiter brought him hot tea and fresh snacks.
Chen Xiao glanced at the coffee table next to Er Shun. The two plates on it had just been taken away by the waiter and replaced with new ones.
He then understood that the girl must have been waiting since morning and had not even had lunch.
Based on Chen Xiao's understanding of Ershun, she is shy and must not want to trouble the store to prepare lunch, and would rather fill her stomach with snacks.
Chen Xiao called the waiter and asked him to prepare six dishes and a soup and serve them up shortly.
Ershun didn’t know whether Chen Xiao had noticed that she didn’t have lunch, so she lowered her head in embarrassment.
Chen Xiao didn't want Er Shun to be embarrassed, so he took the initiative to bring up the topic: "Go ahead, you must have something to ask me."
Er Shun raised her face, her shyness faded away. She frowned, twisted her hands nervously, and mustered up the courage to say to Chen Xiao: "Since Brother Xiao has guessed my intention, please tell me, how is Brother Wu doing now?"
Although she was talking to Chen Xiao, her eyes were looking at Xi Yunting expectantly.
Xi Yunting looked at her calmly and said, "Although I have been back to the mountain gate before, I was in seclusion practicing and rarely left the room, so I don't know what happened to the outer disciples in the front mountain."
With just one sentence, he killed all of Ershun's hopes. The light in Ershun's eyes dimmed in an instant, and Chen Xiao felt sorry for it.
She slowly lowered her head, her fingers clenched until they turned white, and her shoulders trembled slightly. Crystal clear water drops fell on her clothes, wetting them into a dark color.
"Ershun." Chen Xiao stood up and walked over, wanting to comfort her, but he felt that all his words were empty.
"I'm sorry, silly brother, I lost my composure." She wiped away her tears firmly, raised her head and looked at Chen Xiao, forcing a smile, "I just... I just waited for too long, and there was no news from Brother Wu, and for a moment... I couldn't control myself for a moment."
Chen Xiao looked straight into her eyes and said gently: "I understand. It's not your fault."
Ershun's lips trembled. She took a breath, held back the tears that were welling up again, and said in a dissonant voice, "I just can't, can't understand why Brother Wu hasn't sent back a single letter in all these years."
Chen Xiao frowned. He also couldn't understand it, but what was even more regrettable was that he couldn't give Ershun an explanation at this moment.
"I think it's not that Wu Xinzhi doesn't want to, but that he can't do it." Xi Yunting said at this time.
Chen Xiao and Er Shun turned to look at him at the same angle, and found that their facial features were somewhat similar.
Xi Yunting was surprised by this discovery for a moment, but he was very strong inside, so he just paused for a moment. "If an outer disciple wants to leave the mountain gate, he only needs to reach the body refining stage. But if he wants to return to Dai Country from the upper realm, he can only be promoted to the golden elixir stage without external help."
Er Shun straightened his back and stared at Xi Yunting.
"Wu Xinzhi's spiritual roots are only ranked in the middle, and his comprehension is average. Without a great opportunity, it will be difficult for him to cultivate to the Golden Core stage." Xi Yunting said slowly, "So, if he wants to pass the message back to Dai Country, he has to ask someone to deliver the message on his behalf. Whether he leaves the mountain gate to personally go to Zhishi Hall to entrust him, or spends his merits to ask fellow disciples in the mountain gate, it will cost a lot of money. With his qualifications, he must ensure that he can keep up with the outer sect's cultivation and save enough money. It will take more than ten years of effort."
Er Shun sat there in a daze, never expecting that it was all because of lack of money.
Chen Xiao walked back and sat on the chair, and asked in confusion: "Are the outer disciples of Chongxuan Sect so poor? They can't even save enough money to send a letter in ten years?"
Xi Yunting turned his head and said to him, "Inside the Chongxuan Sect, outer disciples receive benefits every month, including food and cloth, to ensure that they have enough food and clothing. In addition, they will be given certain rewards based on the monthly assessments, which are some supplies to assist in cultivation. In addition to their own use, they can use the excess to trade with others. As long as they perform well, it is easy to get rewards. And to ensure that they always rank among the best, they must invest more in cultivation, and basically they can't save any extra money."
Chen Xiao didn't expect that the pressure on disciples of the Chongxuan Sect would be so great.
But if you think about it, you can understand that these people go there as apprentices. Any regular sect is not a charity, and they will not give generous treatment to these people who can't see any contribution right away. It is compassionate enough to ensure that they have enough food and clothing, and then implement a scholarship system.
Wu Xinzhi was unlucky because he was an out-of-town student, so he couldn't even send overseas letters, let alone express delivery.
"Then if outer disciples want to save money, there is no way at all?" Chen Xiao asked doubtfully.
Xi Yunting shook his head gently: "Not really. Disciples with low cultivation can take on some tasks issued by the inner hall and earn a little merit. These tasks are often light work such as guarding the medicinal fields and picking and harvesting crops. Disciples with higher cultivation, in addition to more difficult tasks, can also enter the back mountain for training, obtain prey or herbs, and if they are lucky enough to catch someone issuing a task, they can make a fortune."
Chen Xiao nodded. They provided work-study opportunities, and the management of these large sects was very humane.
Although Ershun felt relieved after getting the answer, she was even more worried. She was absent-minded during the whole meal. Chen Xiao talked to her, but she only responded to one of the three sentences.
Seeing her condition, Chen Xiao was really worried, so he personally sent her back to the Chen family.
He quietly called Zheng aside and told her in detail what their conversation had contained, and asked Zheng to pay special attention to Ershun in the next two days.
Chen Xiao told Zheng that there was almost no possibility that Wu Xinzhi would come back to marry Ershun. If Ershun could come to his senses this time, he could find her a good marriage. With a family, she would no longer be so worried.
It is known that no one knows a girl better than her mother. When Ershun didn't know anything, she still refused to get married. After finding out why Wu Xinzhi didn't send back his letters, Ershun insisted on waiting even more.
Ershun was a gentle person with a strong character. Ten years had passed, and perhaps the hazy and sweet feelings of youth had long faded with time. What she was persisting in now was just to wait for the result of the original engagement.
Until Wu Xinzhi's clear intention came out - whether he wanted her to continue waiting or to break off the engagement and get married separately - she was determined not to be the first to break his promise.
After hearing Zheng say this while wiping away tears, Chen Xiao remained silent, but in his heart he couldn't help but respect Er Shun's character.
After a while, Chen Xiao sighed and said to Zheng: "Aunt, don't worry too much. Now that I know about Er Shun's matter, there is no reason for me to ignore it. My ceremony with my elder brother will be held in his sect. I will go to Chongxuan Sect within a year. When the time comes, I will definitely find Wu Xinzhi and ask him in person what he means."
Zheng didn't expect that things would take such a turn! She grabbed Chen Xiao's hand, excited and grateful, "Silly boy, no, Chen Xiao, then auntie will thank you here!"
Chen Xiao did not hide, but let her grab him, and said half-jokingly and half-seriously: "If you are really not used to calling me that, you should just call me silly boy. Calling me that now is not only something you are not used to, but it is also uncomfortable for me to hear."
Zheng felt the same way, but she still refused to change, and even said, "It's just a matter of speaking now, I'll change over time."
Chen Xiao did not mention the matter again. He only told Zheng to remember to comfort Ershun and told her that he would personally find out Wu Xinzhi's intentions, then left.
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