Chapter 212: This Is About What I Guessed

Chapter 212: Chapter 212: This Is About What I Guessed

Under the same night sky, Liu Chen had gone to rest early, but Ye Linglong and Ji Suyao were both facing a similar predicament.

"Do we really need to bring all the furniture?"

In the courtyard, Ye Linglong watched with a sense of resignation as her parents packed. It was one thing to bring the artifacts imbued with Spiritual Power, and perfectly understandable to pack a few sentimental items. But wanting to bring *all* the furniture? Wasn’t that a bit excessive?

And then there were the tea leaves. In the Imperial City, they could only be sold to Loose Cultivators. Once they got to the Purple Cloud Valley Marketplace, those tea leaves would never sell. In all likelihood, her parents would just have to drink it all themselves.

"You don’t understand. Every single thing here represents our memories. When you and your Senior Brother part ways, you should leave him something that will make him think of you whenever he sees it."

Lady Ye spoke calmly. The furniture remaining here was all tied to her memories, making it difficult to just abandon it all. Moreover, they needed to prepare for the worst upon arriving at the Purple Cloud Valley Marketplace. If they really had to start from scratch, these items could at least keep them from falling into despair.

"Alright, alright, I get it. I don’t understand. You two take your time packing."

Seeing the topic was about to shift to her and her Senior Brother, Ye Linglong quickly made her escape. Over the past twenty days, her Senior Brother had become her parents’ favorite topic of discussion. Ye Linglong’s initial shyness had long since turned into weary resignation.

Ye Hui and Lady Ye watched the slowly retreating Ye Linglong before continuing to pack the things they wanted to take. With Storage Rings, it was just a matter of using a few extra ones to fit everything; they didn’t have to worry about transportation costs at all.

In the adjacent courtyard, Ji Suyao watched her parents sitting on their chairs and grew contemplative.

"Aren’t you two going to prepare anything?"

After a long while, Ji Suyao couldn’t resist asking the question that was bothering her. ’We’re about to leave the Great Xia Imperial City, shouldn’t we be packing?’

"What’s there to prepare? Other than the Spirit Stones we’ve saved up and a few Magical Artifacts we bought ourselves, everything else belongs to the Royal Family. We’re not allowed to take it. Those Loose Cultivators are keeping an eye on us."

Ji Ming shook his head. Although his second brother hadn’t dispatched any assassins, these Loose Cultivators were clearly acting on his orders. They were leaving tomorrow, so it was best not to stir up any unnecessary trouble.

Once they stepped onto the Flying Ship to Purple Cloud Valley, it would all be over. Not even the Great Xia Royal Family could throw their weight around in the Purple Cloud Valley Marketplace.

"How cheap."

Ji Suyao pouted. She felt she had misunderstood the purpose of these Loose Cultivators, but it wasn’t far from the truth. These Loose Cultivators were all sent by her second uncle, and none of them were up to any good.

The night always feels short, especially when you’re trying to rest.

At dawn, Liu Chen opened his eyes. After quickly washing up, he started to prepare breakfast.

This time, Liu Chen prepared four portions of Third Grade Spiritual Cuisine. Three were for his and his junior sisters’ breakfast; the last was intended for Steward Lin.

Approaching Steward Lin after the auction house took off might be a good option, but it would be complicated. If he could settle everything before the auction began, that would change things entirely.

Even if Steward Lin didn’t agree right away, it was important to gauge his attitude. If there was absolutely no chance of him getting directly involved, then they wouldn’t need to sign an Indenture Contract. An employment agreement would be more suitable. After all, he couldn’t allow his junior sisters’ parents to be beholden to someone else.

After breakfast, Liu Chen tidied up the courtyard a little before walking with his two junior sisters toward the station.

Arriving at the station again, Liu Chen felt he had been humbled. The last time he left this place, it was in a carriage from the Royal Family; now, he was returning on foot.

In the square outside the station, he saw a Flying Ship flying the flag of Purple Cloud Valley, its hull covered in engravings of purple bamboo. It was the same ship he had arrived on. In just a few more hours, he would be able to board it and depart.

"Junior Brother, Steward Lin wishes to see you."

Liu Chen had just gotten close to the Flying Ship when a disciple descended from it and gave him a slight bow. Liu Chen was surprised to hear this. He had been planning to go and pay his respects to Steward Lin; he hadn’t expected to be summoned first.

Liu Chen glanced at his two junior sisters behind him. They stopped walking, their intention clear. They had come to the Flying Ship to see if their parents were eligible to board the vessel from Purple Bamboo Peak directly.

If not, they would have to rely on their Senior Brother to arrange passage for their parents on the Yang Family’s Flying Ship.

Liu Chen nodded at his two junior sisters before following the disciple who had delivered the message onto the Flying Ship.

The Flying Ship had three decks. The top deck was where Steward Lin rested, while the two lower decks were filled with cabins that served as temporary quarters for the disciples.

At the highest point of the Flying Ship stood a single pavilion. Outside, in an open area, a table and chairs were set up. It looked less like part of a ship and more like a simple, unremarkable courtyard.

"Master, Junior Brother Liu is here."

The disciple who had led Liu Chen here called out toward the pavilion. An instant later, the door opened and Steward Lin emerged.

"Greetings, Steward Lin."

Liu Chen looked at Steward Lin, slightly taken aback. For some reason, he felt the steward looked much more haggard.

"No need for formalities. There’s something I’d like to discuss with you."

Steward Lin waved his hand, gesturing for Liu Chen to sit. No longer standing on ceremony, Liu Chen sat down directly across from him.

The disciple who had led Liu Chen here brewed a pot of Spirit Tea for them before turning to leave.

"Peak Master Mo’s return to the Mo Family is no secret within Purple Cloud Valley. Your recent actions, however, suggest you neither plan to leave with him nor intend to remain in Purple Cloud Valley."

Steward Lin’s eyes narrowed. He first needed to ascertain Liu Chen’s plans. He had his suspicions and now wanted to confirm them.

If Liu Chen were to remain in Purple Cloud Valley, then all Steward Lin had to do was look out for him a little, which would be enough to repay Peak Master Mo for his past patronage. But if Liu Chen wasn’t staying, he would have to find another way.

"My Master has arranged for me to participate in a trial. I can only return to the Mo Family after it is complete."

Liu Chen chose his words carefully before speaking. It wasn’t a lie; it was the truth. ’It’s just that the trial is one of Realm, which can be undertaken anywhere. And I no longer want to stay in Purple Cloud Valley.’

’Cultivating in obscurity within Purple Cloud Valley has become impossible ever since my identity as a Spirit Chef was revealed. My only option is to find a new place.’

"I see. That’s about what I guessed. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Steward Lin nodded. ’That was what I had figured,’ he thought. ’As a Second Grade Spirit Chef, there was no reason for Peak Master Mo to abandon him. A trial was the only logical explanation.’

’However, this won’t affect my plan to repay the favor. After all, the young man before me hasn’t exactly been keeping a low profile lately.’