When Xiao Chen opened his eyes, he saw a huge roof beam carved with lotus scroll patterns. The wood was warm and smooth, and it was clear at a glance that it was made of high-quality rosewood.
He was about to move when a tearing pain shot through his chest, causing him to gasp sharply, "Hiss—"
Propelled by his arms, Xiao Chen slowly sat up, leaning against the headboard. He rubbed his throbbing temples, and the memory of being swatted away by Da Huang filled him with rage. He gritted his teeth and muttered under his breath:
"You damn dog! You hit me so hard, you almost broke my bones!"
"When I get back, I'm going to tell Master on you and make sure you eat three fewer meals of meat!"
As he was complaining, the door creaked open, and a young girl dressed in a light green maid's uniform walked in carrying a black lacquered tray.
Seeing that Xiao Chen was awake, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, and she quickly stepped forward: "Young Master, you're awake?"
Xiao Chen looked up and sized her up—the maid's cultivation was not high, only at the third level of Qi Refining, and her spiritual energy was weak. She was obviously an ordinary cultivator from an ordinary family.
He suppressed his wariness, shook his still-aching head, and asked in a slightly hoarse voice, "Excuse me, did you save me? And where am I?"
The maid placed a tray on the low table beside the bed, on which sat a bowl of steaming medicinal soup with a faint aroma.
It wasn't too pungent. She curtsied to Xiao Chen and replied softly, "Young master is too kind. It was my young lady who saved you. This is the Lu family mansion in Yong'an City."
“My young lady returned from outside the city yesterday and found you unconscious on the riverbank, so she had someone rescue you.”
Xiao Chen nodded, understanding dawning on him. It turned out that it was Miss Lu who had saved him; it seemed he had encountered a kind person.
He glanced at the medicine on the low table, and the maid quickly explained, "This is a healing medicine that Miss had brewed, with Qingxin grass and Ningqi flower added."
"It can help you regulate your disordered spiritual energy and alleviate your injuries. Please drink it while it's hot."
Xiao Chen did not hesitate; he could sense nothing unusual in the medicine.
Moreover, with his current cultivation level, he could detect any problems even if they existed. Besides, since the other party saved him, there was no need for them to tamper with the medicine.
He picked up the medicine bowl, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp. The medicine tasted slightly bitter, but it carried a gentle medicinal power.
After entering the throat, it slowly spread throughout the body, and the originally disordered spiritual energy was indeed calmed down a bit, and the pain in the chest was also relieved.
"Thank you." Xiao Chen put down the medicine bowl and cupped his hands to the maid. Although this medicine was not as good as the pills refined by his master, it was still made with care and would be of great help to his current injuries.
The maid quickly waved her hand: "Young master, you don't need to be so polite. Miss said that everyone has difficulties when they are out and about. If you can help, then help."
She paused, as if remembering something, a look of worry appeared on her face, and her voice lowered, "But... my family is also facing difficulties now, and I'm afraid we can't keep you here for long."
Xiao Chen's heart stirred, and he asked, "Oh? What difficulties has the Lu family encountered? If I can help, I will definitely repay your life-saving grace."
He was never an ungrateful person. The Lu family saved him, and now that the Lu family is in trouble, he would naturally not stand idly by if he could help.
The maid sighed and said in a low voice, "It's the He family."
“The He family has a great deal of influence in Yong’an City, much stronger than our Lu family. A few days ago, they suddenly came to our door, saying that they had their eyes on the Qinglan Mountain Range under our Lu family’s name and wanted us to give it to them. They also said that if we refused, they would take action against our Lu family.”
"The Qinglan Mountains are the foundation of our Lu family. They contain not only spiritual veins but also spiritual herbs that our Lu family has cultivated for generations. How can we give them to them?"
"The He family is powerful, and our Lu family is no match for them. Miss and the head of the family are worried about this."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen frowned slightly. He found the He family's bullying and usurping of others' foundations utterly despicable.
Moreover, the Qinglan Mountains contain spiritual veins and medicinal herbs. It seems that the He family is after these resources. If the Lu family really gives up the mountains, their demise is probably not far off.
He stroked his chin, already having made up his mind. His current training was precisely to hone himself; the He family, such a tyrannical family...
This is a perfect training partner, allowing me to repay the Lu family for saving my life while also gaining practical experience – a win-win situation.
"Thank you for informing me, young lady." Xiao Chen smiled at the maid. "Once my injuries have healed a bit more, I will go and thank your young lady. As for the He family's affairs, perhaps I can be of some help."
The maid paused for a moment, then a glimmer of hope flashed in her eyes—she saw that although Xiao Chen was injured, he had an extraordinary bearing, so perhaps he really had a way?
However, given the power and influence of the He family, she dared not place too much hope on it and could only nod: "Then I will thank you on behalf of Miss, and I will go and tell Miss that you have woken up."
After saying that, the maid took the empty medicine bowl and quickly walked out, leaving Xiao Chen alone in the room.
He leaned against the headboard, circulating his spiritual energy to further regulate the chaotic energy within his body, while his mind was already calculating...
The He family? Perfect, let me show you the skills of the disciples of my Qingyun Sect!
Not long after the maid left, the door was pushed open again, and a young man dressed in a royal blue brocade robe stepped in.
He had a handsome face, but also a hint of arrogance. A fine jade pendant hung at his waist, and he exuded the aura of a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator. He was none other than Lu Duxian, the eldest son of the Lu family.
Upon seeing this, the maidservant quickly bowed and greeted him: "Young Master."
Lu Duxian simply nodded, his gaze falling on Xiao Chen, scrutinizing him from head to toe. He noticed that although Xiao Chen's clothes were tattered, his bearing was extraordinary.
His eyes still held a hint of disdain as he spoke impatiently, "Now that you're awake, you should leave quickly. My Lu family is busy right now and has no time to entertain outsiders."
Xiao Chen sat on the edge of the bed, his expression calm. He was not annoyed by the dismissal, but slowly said, "I heard that your Lu family is being pressured by the He family, and the Qinglan Mountains are in grave danger. I wonder if you need my help?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Duxian frowned, turned and glared at the maid, clearly guessing that the maid had told Xiao Chen about the Lu family's predicament.
He withdrew his gaze, looked at Xiao Chen, and asked with undisguised sarcasm, "Help?"
"You don't even have the slightest fluctuation of spiritual energy; you're just an ordinary mortal. Any guard in the He family is at the late stage of Qi Refining. How can you help me?"
"Don't risk your life! Run for your life!"
In his view, it was already lucky that Xiao Chen survived. A mortal without cultivation could not possibly help the Lu family in any way, and staying in the mansion might only become a burden.
Xiao Chen didn't argue. His spiritual energy had already been calmed down by the nourishment of the pills. He had just deliberately concealed his aura, so Lu Duxian naturally couldn't detect it.
Seeing Lu Duxian's resolute attitude, he said no more, nodded slightly, and got up from the bed: "In that case, I will take my leave."
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