Immortality Starts With Generosity

Chapter 131: This Young Master Does Not Explain

Chen Haoran let Xie Jin and Bao Si go as soon as they reached the underground tunnel. No one said anything as Jiang Lei opened the way for them to go back to their own inn. Xie Jin and Bao Si marched up into the room in lockstep. Chen Haoran hung back on the stairwell and watched them go. Best to let them talk among themselves first. Today had been a day of revelations, and Chen Haorans wasnt even the worst. Jiang Lei awkwardly stood next to him, looking as if he wanted to say something but failing to find the words.

It was striking how quickly things could change, and roles could reverse. A few months ago, Chen Haoran had been forced to watch his words and step lightly around Jiang Lei. Now they stood as equals in cultivation, and it was the unflappable and carefree Jiang Lei who was now forced to weigh his words carefully in front of Chen Haoran.

Whats up? Chen Haoran asked. Cat got your tongue?

No, my apologies Jiang Lei hesitated. sir?

Chen Haoran huffed and waved off the respectful address. Dont call me that. Its just awkward hearing it from you.

My apologies.

Chen Haoran rolled his eyes. Bet you didnt see this coming when you decided to follow me that night.

No, Jiang Lei said. I cant say I could have ever imagined this.

That made two of them.

Well, you were the one who was always confused about my background. Now you know, Chen Haoran joked.

Im still confused, Jiang Lei immediately retorted. Your background is clear, but youve become even more inscrutable.

Chen Haoran felt amused. Honest now, arent we?

Jiang Leis face twisted as he apparently judge his words were too informal. Im sorr

Can it, Chen Haoran interrupted. He reached into his storage bag and pulled out a flimsy book. Here. This is for you.

Jiang Lei gingerly took the book with wary eyes and, under Chen Haorans urging, opened to the first page. His eyes went wide. This is

My handwriting isnt great, but I did my best to make it legible. Id give you the original, but you know its not really mine to give away.

Confusion was writ large across Jiang Leis face. This is the Seven-Colored Steps of the Rainbow Stairs.

Yes, Chen Haoran confirmed. What about it?

Why are you giving this to me?

Why not? I said you could learn it too, didnt I.

But that was. Jiang Lei didnt finish his sentence, but he didnt need to. There were plenty of reasons to insert.

Well, at least you can recognize what you were putting me through, Chen Haoran said. At the end of the day, I said you could learn it, and you saved my life. Take it.

Jiang Lei gripped the book tightly. There werent words to describe the various emotions he cycled through in that instant. Eventually, he settled on gratitude. Thank you, Young Master Chen.

Before Chen Haoran could reply, a flash of golden light appeared in his mind, and when he cast his thoughts toward it, he found that the golden light surrounding his second gifting slot was brighter than before.

Chen Haoran masked his surprise with a grimace. Dont call me that. You remind me of another asshole. Besides, you saw my relationship with Xi Wangmu. Its not exactly something you can call close.

Your family is still one of our major backers, Jiang Lei said. Etiquette demands I address you with respect.

Chen Haoran raised an eyebrow. Oh? Were you already aware of my familys involvement? Xi Wangmu must value you a lot.

Its just a little talent thats caught the Queen Mothers interest, Jiang Lei not so humbly said. Even I wasnt aware of the nature of the relationship.

Well, thats Chen Qitao for you, Chen Haoran casually said.

Jiang Lei nodded. Yes, the Southern Dragon King is mighty indeed. He glanced at Chen Haoran. His son doesnt seem far off either.

Chen Haoran snorted and clapped Jiang Lei on the back. Flattery will get you nowhere. Now get. The longer I stay here, the more annoyed that old bat will be.

Jiang Lei shook his head in exasperation. Only you could be so bold, Chen Haoran. He walked down the stairs and paused at the bottom, looking up at Chen Haoran and nodding. Until we meet again.

Oh, believe me, Chen Haoran thought. The next time we meet will be too soon.

Chen Haoran had yet to hear any shouting or any discussion at all as he approached their room. Despite knowing better, he still had the thought that things werent as bad as they seemed. This thought lasted until he actually opened the door, and the sounds that had been blocked from escaping assaulted him in full force.

do you not understand the implications!

I do! Stop treating me as if Im a fool!

Bao Si and Xie Jin cut their shouting short when Chen Haoran entered the room. Their Gu, no doubt the cause of the noise being trapped inside, hovered protectively by their sides. Phelps peeled himself off the bed where hed pressed himself flat and floated into Chen Haorans arms with a distressed squeal.

Chen Haoran patted Phelpss head. Easy there, buddy.

Chen Haoran, Bao Si said. She did not glare or narrow her eyes at him. She did not look angry at all. Yet she did not look happy either. The teasing look in her eyes that hed grown so used to seeing was gone. Her centipede Gu wrapped itself around her arm, and Chen Haoran mourned the precaution.

Before you ask anything. I cant give you the answers you want, Chen Haoran said.

Cant or wont? Bao Si demanded.

Well. Both honestly, but if Chen Haoran said that, he had no doubt things would go from bad to worse. He didnt know enough about the Chen Family or their deal with Xi Wangmu to satisfy Bao Sis questions, and he certainly wasnt going to reveal his total lack of knowledge. Not when there was a chance the information could make its way back to Xi Wangmu. Especially since there was no telling if she could listen in to them.

Im sorry about the Heaven-Rank, he said. I didnt know it was that politically charged.

Is that all you didnt know? Now Bao Si narrowed her eyes. That day, we were wary of the Peach River Swordsmens methods to enter the Basin. Perhaps we should have been paying more attention to yours.

Xie Jin stepped between them. Wait a minute. Theres no way Brother Chen could have come to us with ill intentions. He was already living in the north long before I ever arrived, and I was the one who approached him.

Bao Sis face became terrifyingly blank. Yes. You were.

Xie Jin frowned. Whats that supposed to mean.

Chen Haoran slowly edged over to the corner and tucked Phelpss head into his shoulder. His drama senses were telling him this was going to get ugly.

You were the one who approached him. Bao Si said. You were the one who brought him to Zumulu. You were the one who fought to keep him in our home. Now hes turned out to be in the same bed as the bitch whos dragging our people into a bloody rebellion.

Shock colored Xie Jins features before quickly turning into a scorching glare. Are you implying Im trying to harm our home? Do you think Im some kind of traitor?

Cant I? Bao Si sneered. Even my Master has decided her interests supersede the tribes. If the Grand Shaman can do that, then why not a maverick like you?

Bao Si, how dare you

How dare you! Bao Si shouted. Her centipede tattoo writhed as if it were alive. Xie Jin, you dare act indignant? You dare claim you have the tribe in your heart? You? A shaman that pays no heed to his duties? That wanders away from his village more than the rogues in the Gu Department do? You still have not told us why you left Zumulu and went up north! Yet you demand our trust and faith? Xie Jin!"

The Palace Exams! Xie Jin roared. He let out a heavy exhale, like an angry bull, in the silence following his outburst. I went to take the Palace Exams.

Bao Si froze.

Then she erupted with incandescent rage.

The Palace Exams! Bao Sis voice shook with force and emotion that she had not displayed even when Xi Wangmu strong-armed her with her own Masters permission. Xie Jin! What were you thinking? Joining the Empire? You would really sell your Gu to the faithless bastards of the Gu Department? Is that why you became a shaman?

I was never going to join the Gu Department! Xie Jin protested. I was going to join the Palace School with my own skill. I would never use my Gu to help the Empire.

Bao Si sneered. You think you could join the Palace School without them realizing what you were? How much of a fool can you be? Is that how youd explain yourself in front of your grandfather? You unfilial bastard, is this how you treat Grandpa Xies care for you?

Bao Si, dont you dare bring my grandfather into this. Xie Jins Beetle Gu released a low chitter akin to scraping knives.

Who else will? You? Why do you care now when you never have before? Is it because youre ashamed? Good! Be ashamed! That poor man is always placing his faith in you, and all you do is disappoint him at every turn!

You fucking bitch!

Chen Haoran flared his qi and quickly stepped between Xie Jin and Bao Si. His qi was like a bucket of water atop their heads, dousing their rising qi and emotions. They both shook and stepped back but did not relent in their ugly stares.

Lets take a step back, okay? Chen Haoran asked. Dont forget where we are right now. He turned to Bao Si. Listen. The Palace Exams were canceled before anyone could take them, and Xie Jins only thought was of home. Even if he did pass them, hed never join the Empire. Theres no way hed abandon the Basin for the Palace School.

Bao Sis face had returned to being expressionless, and she addressed Xie Jin directly. Xie Jin, answer me honestly. If the conditions here permitted, were you going to leave Zumulu with Chen Haoran?

Xie Jins silence was loud in the quiet room.

Bao Si shook her head. There were other shamans available. I even argued with Grandpa Xie not to bring you. He wanted to test you, though. It turns out he was right too. Bao Si laughed. It was a hard, bitter sound. I cant believe I ever thought I could marry you. Why did you even become a shaman if you hated it so much.

Xie Jin stood there, his face a twisted mask of grief and smoldering anger. Because I wanted to be like you, he whispered. His Gu flew into his sleeve, and he decisively turned and left the room, slamming the door so hard it rattled in the frame.

Chen Haoran watched him go, tracking his direction with his sense. Bao Si said nothing, and instead collapsed onto the bed and buried her face into her hands.

Chen Haoran, she said. Who are you?

Well, maybe a little cant hurt. He sat down on the bed next to her and set Phelps next to him. Do you know who the Southern Dragon King Chen Qitao is?

Southern Dragon King, Bao Si murmured. She looked up from her hands with dry, clear eyes. Ive heard that title. My Master had mentioned it before. She said it belonged to a powerful warlord in the Splintered Lands.

Again with the Splintered Lands.

What are these Splintered Lands you keep talking about? Chen Haoran asked.

Bao Si was not amused. Will you continue playing a fool Chen Haoran?

He really wasnt. This was a pure, authentic fool. He couldnt help asking. Hed heard the term bandied about far too often to keep being ignorant of it. Thankfully Xi Wangmu had given him the perfect excuse.

I was sent as a hostage to Clearsprings City when I was young by my father, Chen Haoran somberly said. I was weak and otherwise useless to him. I didnt stay that way forever, though. He placed a hand over his heart. You heard Xi Wangmu talk about the foreign spirit in my body. Thanks to it, I was able to become a Liquid Meridian Realm. But sometimes it feels like this body isnt my own. He tapped a finger against his head. Sometimes things I should know, I dont.

Bao Si searched his face for any sign of falsity. For any hint that he was lying to her. Unfortunately for her, there wasnt, and he wasnt. His poker face was the one born out of long hours spent in retail and customer service, and what sort of lie could she find when he didnt speak any?

The Splintered Lands are the shattered remains of territories and kingdoms that lie between the Empire, the Bagmar Republic, and the Eastern Lightning League. Theyre lawless places that only served to be exploited by the superpowers and used as buffer states. There the only rule is by the fist.

I see. Thank you.

If you really wanted to thank me, you would tell me what sort of danger my people are in, Bao Si said.

Its not completely bad, Chen Haoran said. At least Xi Wangmu values you and isnt planning to use you as some soldier. Plus, she cant be too disrespectful now that she knows Im involved. Granted, that was relying on Chen Qitaos prestige more than anything Chen Haoran himself did, so it wasnt the sturdiest threat, but for Bao Si, anything was better than nothing.

So is that it? I must choose between you or her? Bao Si straightened. Her centipede tattoo rippled even as two eyes, not unlike Xi Wangmus, threatened to draw Chen Haoran in and throw in down into the abyss. I do not like being forced to do what I do not want to do. Nor do I appreciate being sold. Her eyes narrowed to snake-like slits. By my Master or by you, Chen Haoran.

Sorry about that, Chen Haoran said. In my defense, though, youve seen that old coot. If I rejected her, then things would have gotten worse before they got better. That does remind me, though. He pulled out the jade box, took the Banquet Peach, and held it invitingly in front of Phelps. Here, buddy. Snack time.

Phelps took one sniff, and his face turned a rosy pink even through his fur. The peach quickly disappeared from his hand, core and all.

Received Hundred-Fold: 80 thousand-year-old Banquet Peach

Bao Sis face featured yet another one he had yet to see, this one of open-mouthed shock.

I hope this shows you just how serious I was about 'selling' you and how little I care for Xi Wangmu."

Bao Si slowly shook her head. I dont know what to make of you anymore.

You never knew what to make of me, Chen Haoran pointed out. Now, would you like a hug or an emotional support sloth before I go find Xie Jin?