In the dining hall of the residence, the family gathered around a modest wooden table for dinner. The meal was simple: steamed rice, stir-fried bitter greens, pickled lotus root, and a small clay pot of spirit-infused fish soup. Nothing extravagant, just enough to warm the stomach and replenish Qi after a day of cultivation. Arthur had barely made it in time, slipping into his seat with a respectful nod.
As they ate, his father broke the silence. "Tian'er," Liang Zheng said evenly, though his sharp eyes betrayed concern. "Do you feel any discomfort? I could sense your breakthrough. But you were relying on the Origin Tempering Elixir — its side effects are not so easy for an individual to endure."
Arthur lowered his chopsticks, bowing his head. "Your son is fine, Father." His voice was calm, respectful.
Liang Zheng said nothing more, but the faint shadow of shame passed through his eyes. A father who could not help his son. He hid that ache in silence.
Arthur's mother, Mei Lian, broke the stillness. "How is your alchemy, Tian'er? I heard from Elder Yan that you've been working harder than ever." Her tone softened, then her brow knit as her voice sharpened. "But tell me, why didn't you come for dinner last night?"
Arthur hesitated only a moment. "I was working on something, Mother."
"Working…" his mother frowned. Her gaze was piercing him now. "You do know what day it was, don't you?"
"Yes, Mother. I've prepared the Spirit Stones to contribute to our household. After dinner, I'll bring them to your room."
"Hm." She set down her chopsticks with a faint click. "And what about you?" Her eyes shifted to Liang Zheng. "You were here yesterday. Where is your contribution? You haven't spent it all, have you?"
Liang Zheng's composure faltered; sweat dotted his brow. "Of course, Mei'er. I have it in my residence. How about… we both bring it to you after dinner?"
Her gaze lingered on him, sharp as a blade. But she said nothing further.
Arthur looked at his father curiously. Why was he so worked up? He thought to himself that tonight, he would pass on the Immortal Lotus Sutra. That was more important than the Spirit Stones.
Dinner ended quickly. The maid came, clearing the bowls. Mei Lian lingered, her voice calm and steady. "These people don't work for free. You two do know I have to run this big household properly. If you two delay their payment, then who would stay loyal? And what will I do at Tian'er's wedding? What gift would I give the bride when she comes? You two take no responsibility. I hope the stones reach my hands before I sleep tonight."
"Yes, Mother," Arthur and his father said in unison, chuckling lightly.
"Hmph." Mei Lian rose, sweeping from the hall.
Arthur and Liang Zheng exchanged glances. Both opened their mouths at once.
"Father—"
"Tian'er—"
They looked at each other, waiting for one to speak.
"You speak first, Xiao Tian," Liang Zheng allowed.
Arthur shifted uneasily. "Father… I… I've been scammed."
Liang Zheng stiffened. "What?" His gaze flicked around the hall before lowering his voice. "Not here. Follow me."
The two moved through the corridors, then finally into Arthur's small courtyard. Moonlight bathed the paving stones. Liang Zheng turned, his expression grave. "What is the meaning of this?"
Arthur swallowed. "You know how I sometimes roam the sect after alchemy sessions, right? Yesterday I passed by Drifting Reed Alley. There I saw an old man with a roadside stall. He looked mysterious. Different. I thought he was no ordinary seller. I approached. One thing led to another, and I bought something from him."
"How much?" Liang Zheng judged that he was done for good.
Arthur's voice lowered. "Forty Solar Ascendance Spirit Stones."
Liang Zheng's face blanched. "Oh heavens… what have you done, boy?"
"Father, wait — look." Arthur hurried inside and brought out the book.
He handed it over. The nameless tome exuded an old, weathered aura, though at a glance it was nothing more than a dull tale written in archaic script.
Liang Zheng flipped through a few pages. He got a different feeling about the book. After a breath, he put it quickly inside his sleeve with a secretive approach. "Oh boy… what have you done indeed."
"Father, please. I thought I had something. I spent the last night studying it, but I didn't find anything. Now I know it is worthless, but hear my final request."
"Speak." Liang Zheng spoke with resignation, feeling a little hopeless.
Arthur bowed his head. "Could you lend me ten Solar Ascendance Spirit Stones? Just enough to contribute to Mother. I'll repay you by next moon."
Liang Zheng stared, then suddenly laughed. "Now you're scamming me, Xiao Tian."
Arthur fell silent.
His father reached into his sleeve and withdrew a small lacquered pill box. "Don't worry, Lian'er." He calmly put a hand on Arthur's shoulder.
Arthur accepted the pill box carefully with both hands, opening it. A rich, sweet fragrance spilled out. Inside lay a single gleaming pill — the Longevity-Defying Marrow Pill.
Arthur was caught off guard. "Father… this—!"
"This thing in Tianyu is worth a fortune — I got this at a bargain for a hundred Solar Ascendance Spirit Stones. I had thought of asking you to contribute twenty Spirit Stones in my stead, but it seems that's impossible now. Take this, and leave the rest to me."
"But Father, the scammer — shouldn't we try to track him?"
"It's useless. He'll be long gone by now. Go rest. Don't worry about your contribution. Keep the remaining Spirit Stones with you. I will handle everything."
"Yes, Father."
Arthur watched his father's back retreating into the night.
Back in Liang Zheng's study, the man closed every window and door with deliberate calm. He set the book on his desk. Slowly, he pressed his palm against the cover and let his Holy Wood Qi seep inside.
The ink shimmered, the false pages writhing. Words bled away into lines of light. The cover's plain characters reformed, shining with green radiance.
Immortal Lotus Sutra.
Liang Zheng's eyes sharpened. A faint smile touched his lips.
"I was not mistaken." He muttered under his breath.