M49S Vol 1 Chapter 29. Relieve Your Worries

Wang Ziling was like a duck pushed up a ramp, inching step by step into the Lion Tower, now filled with cultivators. It felt as if he were walking into a biting cold wind. He kept telling himself to stay calm, trying to figure out the deeper meaning behind the situation, but Wang Wan’nan’s burning gaze made him feel like he was roasting over a fire.

It was like being caught between ice and flame.

Suddenly, he saw Meng Qiqi standing at the second-floor railing. The words Meng Qiqi had once spoken to him in the secret realm seemed to echo once more in his ears. Miraculously, Wang Ziling began to calm down.

It was not because he trusted Meng Qiqi so deeply, but because he knew he had no way out. Even Uncle Chai, the person he relied on most, had gone missing. He had no choice now. He had to move forward.

So Wang Ziling steeled himself and raised his voice to accept the task.

Wang Wan’nan, however, still did not believe it. Though he had fallen out with the Elders and seldom involved himself in family matters, and although his blood ties to Wang Ziling were not particularly close, he had still heard of this so-called young master. Wang Ziling might have a bit of cleverness, but he was not sharp enough to come up with such a well-calculated way to win people over.

And then there was his aunt to consider.

“You really ordered it?” Wang Wan’nan narrowed his eyes. He might look like a harmless glutton, but anyone who could openly oppose the Elder Hall and still live comfortably in Jinling was never simple. The pressure behind his voice was overwhelming, and Wang Ziling nearly dropped to his knees.

“Uncle, I swear it was me,” Wang Ziling said quickly, bowing his head and clasping his hands to avoid meeting his gaze. Then he turned back around, forcing what he hoped was a gracious and confident smile. He addressed the gathered cultivators.

“Everyone, tomorrow night I will be hosting a banquet here. Please accept a modest cup of wine in advance. I wish you all great success in the upcoming competition.”

As soon as he said this, the eyes of many cultivators lit up. Those who had come for the Knock upon the Immortal Gate were rarely unaware of the Lion Banquet. It was held only once every few years and always in high demand. Now that Wang Ziling had announced one, this was nothing short of excellent news.

Wang Ziling gauged the surrounding reactions and felt somewhat reassured. But when he noticed Wang Wan’nan studying him closely, a chill crept into his heart. Thoughts of those Elders and the Wang clan flickered through his mind, and he quickly added a few more lines.

“Everyone, the Knock upon the Immortal Gate is being hosted by my Wang clan, and all branches of the family have done their utmost to make this event a success. But Heaven does not always favor our efforts. Some small misfortunes have arisen. I am too incompetent to ease the burden on the clan leader. All I can do is host this humble banquet as a token of goodwill. I ask for your forgiveness.”

Wang Ziling spoke earnestly, and a cultivator immediately responded, “Young master, there is no need to humble yourself.”

Yin Wuhua laughed heartily and rubbed his bald head. “Exactly. As long as there is wine and meat, all is well.”

With his booming voice ringing out, the atmosphere in the Lion Tower became cheerful. Many began expressing goodwill toward Wang Ziling. For someone who had always lived on the outskirts of attention, it moved him deeply, even though he knew this warmth was driven by personal interest.

Jiang Xie, too, said nothing to interfere. He merely watched Wang Ziling with a deep and pensive gaze. His junior, Zhao Xing, could not hold back and asked, “Senior brother, aren’t we on good terms with the Wang clan? What about Wang Zi’an…”

Jiang Xie shook his head. “Yes, we are on good terms. But remember, that is only a very normal, proper relationship. No matter how fiercely they fight among themselves, it has nothing to do with us. Do you understand?”

Zhao Xing froze for a moment, then nodded. Still, he felt uneasy. He could not help but feel that Wang Zi’an had been wronged. Looking at Wang Ziling now, fat and lacking any real grace, yet being praised by so many, he suddenly recalled what had happened in the secret realm. A wave of disgust rose in his heart.

Wang Ziling, of course, had no idea he was being disliked The flattery surrounding him made his head swell a little, until Wang Wan’nan barked out a grumpy “Come with me,” and he quickly sobered, tail tucked as he followed behind.

This shift in attention worked to Meng Qiqi’s advantage. With the spotlight now on Wang Ziling, fewer eyes were on him. And since Elder Yexin of Beidou had yet to appear for some unknown reason, Meng Qiqi gave a cold snort and walked off. No one found it rude. He was, after all, the Little Martial Uncle of Gushan. He had already shown more patience than expected. Now that he was leaving, most simply assumed Yexin had backed down and dared not show himself.

Though Jiang Xie wished he could go down and beat Meng Qiqi to the floor himself, Elder Yexin’s absence came as a strange relief. He might not admit it, but deep down he was wary of Meng Qiqi’s hidden strength.

Yexin must not lose. At the very least, he must never lose to Meng Qiqi.

Jiang Xie left the Lion Tower with a grim face and his disciples in tow. But when he sent someone to look for Elder Yexin again, the news that came back was even worse.

Elder Yexin had disappeared.

After receiving the message from Chanhua Tower, he had left immediately. Judging by the time that had passed, he could have made the trip between the Wang residence and the teahouse ten times over. Yet the man was nowhere to be found. He had not appeared at Chanhua Tower, nor had he returned to the Wang residence. Jiang Xie’s men had searched both places twice without seeing a trace of him.

When Jiang Xie received the news, his first thought was that someone had set their sights on Beidou. Meng Qiqi crossed his mind a moment later, but that did not make sense either. Gushan Sword had always acted in a forthright manner, and Meng Qiqi had issued the challenge himself. He clearly had neither the time nor the reason to play such tricks.

But if not Meng Qiqi, then who was targeting Beidou? Jiang Xie fell into deep thought. For now, even Meng Qiqi was pushed to the back of his mind.

---

Meng Qiqi returned to Chanhua Tower under the fading light of dusk. He had thought he could finally get some rest, but before he even had a sip of tea, he was already frowning at the news Xiao Xiao had brought.

“You said Xiao Yu’er went into the Wang residence and still hasn’t come out?” Meng Qiqi asked.

“Yes. Yao Guan’s men said they saw Wang Ziqian lead him in,” Xiao Xiao replied, equally concerned for Xiao Yu’er’s safety. “Should I go take a look?”

Meng Qiqi waved him off. “No. Xiao Yu’er went in to investigate. If he’s been discovered, what awaits you is a trap laid in advance. You’re on your own. You wouldn’t stand a chance against the entire Wang clan. But if he hasn’t been found, then he’s safe. No need to worry.”

Meng Qiqi stood up. “Keep mobilizing Cangtian’s people. I want eyes on both the Wang residence and the Lion Tower. And remind Wang Ziling not to forget the invitations for the banquet.”

“Understood.” Xiao Xiao turned to leave, but just as he reached the door, Meng Qiqi called him back.

“Wait. Did you detain Yexin?”

“Yes. I used the Immortal-Binding Pouch. He never saw my face.”

Meng Qiqi finally heard something he liked. “Don’t release him tonight. Let Beidou descend into chaos for a while.”

Xiao Xiao accepted the order and left. Still, Meng Qiqi felt uneasy. At last, he turned his gaze to the third person in the room, Chen Boyan, who had been silent all this time.

“Senior Nephew,” Meng Qiqi said, eyes sharp, “are you willing to ease my worries?”

Chen Boyan did not answer at once. He met Meng Qiqi’s gaze directly and said, “If I take this trip for you, will you promise me one thing?”

“What is it?”

“I can’t say yet.”

“Alright, I promise you,” Meng Qiqi agreed.

Chen Boyan was slightly taken aback but quickly gave his own straightforward response. “I will head to the Wang residence right away and make sure to bring Junior Brother Xiao Yu’er back safely.”

He was from the Chen clan, which had long-standing ties with the royal Wang family. For him to make an aboveboard visit was the safest course of action. Seeing that he had agreed, Meng Qiqi finally allowed the weight on his heart to settle. But his expression remained calm as ever. In fact, he even had the presence of mind to tease him. “Fangjun truly understands me well. I had not even voiced my worries, yet you guessed every one of them.”

“You cherish your disciple. That much is easy to guess,” Chen Boyan replied. He stepped back and said, “I take my leave.”

He left without delay. Meng Qiqi dropped onto the bed with a thud. He would be driven mad by that man one day. Back then, it had clearly been Chen Boyan who came to seduce him first. Not only had he taken his bed, he even wanted to take his body. Absolutely shameless.

Now he had turned into some paragon of virtue? Ridiculous.

The more Meng Qiqi thought about it, the more irritated he became. If, after the Knock upon the Immortal Gate, that Chen Fangjun still could not remember anything, then Meng Qiqi really could not guarantee what he might end up doing.

Sitting alone was a straight path to madness. Meng Qiqi drank a sip of cold tea, then got up to check on his martial nephew who had been tormented for half the day.

Among the three disciples of Gushan Sword, Song Ru, Dai Xiaoshan, and Tu Youqiong, the one who had suffered the most was the youngest, Tu Youqiong. Since everyone thought he was the weakest, he naturally became the main target.

He lay sprawled on the bed, too exhausted to move, yet still refused to yield. “Why me? Why is it always me? Everyone came to hit me! Just me! Only me!”

Dai Xiaoshan reclined at the foot of the bed, leisurely munching on fruit. He teased, “Well, you’re the youngest. And Little Junior Brother, you really are the weakest out of the three of us. Tsk, this fruit’s really good. Senior Sister, next time you talk to Eldest Senior Brother, ask him to plant a couple trees like this on Gushan.”

“All you know is eating.” Song Ru glanced at her two foolish junior brothers, her stern expression beginning to crack.

Tu Youqiong immediately echoed, “Exactly, Senior Sister is right. Senior Brother, all you do is eat!”

Dai Xiaoshan let out a dramatic sigh. “Little Junior Brother, if you keep this up, my white crane won’t let you ride anymore.”

“No no no,” Tu Youqiong cried, immediately surrendering.

“Good boy, my dear junior brother.” Dai Xiaoshan ruffled his hair. “Now that Little Martial Uncle’s three disciples have arrived, you’re no longer the youngest in the sect. From now on, Senior Brother and Senior Sister won’t dote on you anymore. We’ll be doting on the new little juniors instead.”

Tu Youqiong looked as if he had been struck by lightning. He turned pleadingly to Song Ru. “Senior Sister, you’ll still love me the most, right? The most, the most?”

Song Ru looked at him with concern, but that concern was mostly hidden beneath her usual stern demeanor. What Tu Youqiong saw instead was silent approval.

Just then, Mu Guinian returned. Seeing Tu Youqiong collapsed on the bed, clutching his back in pain, complexion pale from the series of sparring matches, he paused for a moment. Song Ru and Dai Xiaoshan stood beside the bed, gazes filled with sympathy and affection, making the scene feel unusually solemn.

Tu Youqiong caught sight of him and immediately saw hope. In a burst of energy, he sat up straight despite being half-dead. “Fourth Senior Brother, you still love me the most, right? I’ve always loved you the most!”

Fourth Senior Brother was cold on the outside and warm on the inside. He would never betray him. That was what Tu Youqiong believed.

Mu Guinian: “…”

At that moment, just passing by outside the door, Meng Qiqi overheard everything. He could not help but sigh inwardly.

His martial nephews… really were a tangled bunch.