Bang, bang, bang…
In the howling cold wind, a thinly clad little boy shivered as he knocked on a courtyard gate.
It was New Year's Eve, and cheerful laughter echoed from inside the courtyard from time to time.
Bang, bang, bang…
After waiting a long time with no response, the little boy lifted his hand again and gently rapped the door ring a few more times.
"Huff…"
It was freezing. As soon as he finished knocking, he brought his hands to his mouth and blew warm air onto them.
It wasn't just his hands—his feet, clad only in straw sandals, were nearly numb from the cold.
"Who is it?"
Finally, someone inside responded. The little boy's face lit up with hope.
"Uncle, it's me."
He quickly answered.
"Squeak…"
Before long, the gate creaked open, and a kind-faced middle-aged man peeked out through the crack.
"Oh, it's Taiping. What brings you here so late?" the man asked.
"Un-Uncle… We've run out of charcoal at home. I… I was wondering if I could borrow a few pounds from you. When spring comes and I can gather firewood again, I'll pay you back."
The little boy avoided eye contact, speaking somewhat awkwardly.
"Charcoal isn't worth much! Wait here—I'll get some for you right away."
The man waved his hand and agreed without hesitation.
"Taiping, have you eaten yet?"
After taking a few steps, the man suddenly stopped and turned back to ask.
"I… I have… but Grandpa… Grandpa hasn't…"
The little boy clenched the hem of his clothes tightly, his voice growing so faint it was almost inaudible by the end.
The middle-aged man sighed softly at this, then smiled warmly and said,
"Wait here, Taiping. I'll be right back."
"Okay."
The little boy nodded gently.
Another gust of cold wind blew, and the boy shivered all over, but somehow, he felt a little warmer inside.
---
"Taiping!"
Not long after, the middle-aged man came out holding a winnowing basket.
"Here."
His breath visible in the cold air, the man hurried to the gate and shoved the basket into the boy's arms.
Looking down, the boy saw that besides a few pounds of charcoal, there were also four steaming white steamed buns in the basket.
"Uncle, I…"
Seeing the buns, the boy felt uneasy, but his stomach betrayed him—he couldn't help but swallow hard at the sight of them after not having eaten all day.
"Just take them!"
The middle-aged man gave a warm, honest smile.
---
"Er Niu! Why are you still dawdling in the yard?"
Just then, a rather stout woman hurried to the gate.
At the sight of her, both the little boy and the middle-aged man tensed up.
"Taiping… Taiping came to borrow some charcoal."
The man forced an awkward smile, his eyes shifting nervously, full of fear.
"Auntie."
The little boy greeted the woman.
She first shot a glare at the middle-aged man, then turned her gaze to the boy, finally settling on the basket in his hands. When she saw the steamed buns placed on top of the charcoal, her face instantly darkened.
"These steamed buns were for Xiao Hu! I didn't even dare eat them myself, and you just give them away like you're so generous!"
She glared fiercely at the man, then snatched up two of the buns angrily.
---
"Mom, is the roast goose ready? I want roast goose, not steamed buns!"
A chubby boy wearing a new cotton-padded jacket walked out of the house. When he saw the steamed buns in the woman's hands, his face immediately soured.
"Son, why are you out here? It's cold—hurry back inside before you freeze!"
The woman anxiously rushed toward the chubby boy.
"Mom, I don't want steamed buns! I want roast goose!"
The chubby boy stomped his feet unhappily, on the verge of tears.
"Okay, okay, okay! The roast goose is almost ready. These buns are for Ah Huang."
Coaxing him with extreme doting, the woman casually tossed the two steamed buns into a dog cage under the eaves.
---
"Sigh…"
Watching this, the middle-aged man frowned but could only sigh helplessly.
The little boy bit his lip as he watched the dog gnawing on the steamed buns. Then, clutching the basket of charcoal tightly, he looked up at the man and smiled:
"Thank you, Uncle. I'll be going now."
"Be careful on your way. Remember to crack a window when you burn charcoal tonight, and make sure your grandpa's blanket is tucked in well."
The man waved his hand.
---
"Xu Er Niu! If you don't get inside now, don't even think about sleeping in my bed tonight!"
The woman's scolding voice rang out from inside the house again.
"Coming, coming!"
The man quickly responded with an awkward smile at the little boy, then closed the courtyard gate.
As the gate shut, the last glimmer of light on the snowy ground vanished, and the world was once again swallowed by the darkness of night. Only a faint, flickering lamp could be seen glowing from a small thatched cottage not far to the east.
"With this charcoal and two steamed buns, Grandpa will definitely get better."
The little boy wasn't afraid of the darkness. He tucked his head down, smiled softly, and murmured to himself. Clutching the basket of charcoal and the two steamed buns tightly, he skipped cheerfully toward a small earthen house illuminated by a faint light in the distance.
In front of the small earthen house...
Creeeak…
The little boy pushed the door open.
"Taiping… is that you?"
As soon as he stepped inside, a weak, hoarse, and aged voice called out from the dimly lit room.
"It's me, Grandpa."
The little boy rubbed his frozen face vigorously, forcing a smile, then quickly walked to the room's entrance, lifted the curtain, and stepped inside.
As he entered, the strong scent of herbal medicine filled the air. Without a fire in the hearth, the room was just as cold as outside.
At the far end of the room was a makeshift bed pieced together with wooden planks. Under a tattered quilt, its cotton stuffing spilling out, lay an emaciated old man, so thin he was little more than skin and bones, curled up beneath the covers.
"Grandpa, Uncle lent us a few pounds of charcoal and gave us two steamed buns. We can roast them and eat in a little while."
With a joyful expression, Taiping poured the charcoal into the stove as he spoke to the elderly man on the bed.
"Good… good…"
The old man nodded gently, a faint smile on his face.
Though his entire body exuded an aura of frailty and decline, the moment his clouded, weary eyes fell upon little Taiping, they instantly regained a trace of warmth and light.
"Taiping… all these years… following Grandpa… you've suffered so much."
The old man gazed at the boy with deep affection, his voice trembling with effort as he spoke.
"Grandpa, I'm not suffering. Not at all."
Taiping, who had just lit the charcoal stove, looked up, shook his head, and grinned at the old man.
"Silly child, such a silly child… If it weren't for you taking care of me these years, Grandpa would have long since passed…"
The old man reached out and gently patted Taiping's head, sighing with both tenderness and sorrow.
"Grandpa, don't say such unlucky things. You're going to live a long, long life."
Taiping shook his head firmly as he carefully roasted the steamed buns over the stove.
"Taiping… have you ever heard of immortals?"
The old man suddenly asked, his voice soft but curious.
Chapter 2: At the Sickbed, Receiving Grandpa's Final Gift
The old man suddenly asked Taiping.
"I've heard of them."
Taiping nodded, a look of wonder flashing across his face as he continued:
"Uncle Zhao from the village entrance said there are immortals living on Mount Yunlu, not far from our village. A few years ago, a serpent demon terrorizing Qingshui Town was slain by an immortal who descended from the mountain. They soared through the skies and moved like the wind—so majestic."
The old man chuckled softly upon hearing this, then asked:
"Then, Taiping, would you like to be like those immortals—to live forever, soar through the clouds, and travel between heaven and earth?"
"Of course I would! Without a doubt."
Little Taiping nodded without hesitation, but then he scratched his head somewhat sheepishly and added:
"But Uncle Zhao said that to cultivate, one must be born with a spiritual bone. If you have a spiritual bone, your name will automatically appear on the Immortal Register. Then, an immortal will personally come down the mountain to take you up for training. Otherwise, if you're just an ordinary mortal, you can't cultivate immortality."
There was a hint of disappointment in Taiping's tone.
"Taiping…"
The old man hesitated for a moment, then looked at the boy seriously and asked in a hushed voice:
"If there were an opportunity… a chance for you to obtain a place on the Immortal Register, but it came with the risk of losing your life… would you be willing?"
"A chance for me… to get on the Immortal Register?"
Little Taiping was stunned at first, then fell into deep thought.
"Grandpa, if such an opportunity really exists… I would like to try."
A moment later, he lifted his head and looked firmly at the old man on the bed.
"Why? You know… it could cost you your life."
The old man gazed gently into Taiping's clear, bright eyes.
"If I became an immortal, I could heal you, Grandpa!"
Taiping replied as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
The old man was taken aback at first, then a warm smile slowly returned to his face.
"Taiping… take this."
With great effort, he raised his hand and passed a somewhat worn wooden box to Taiping.
"Grandpa?"
Taiping looked puzzled as he accepted the box.
For as long as he could remember, his grandfather had guarded this box carefully, never allowing anyone to see inside.
"O-open it."
The old man's voice was weak and strained.
"Okay…"
Although confused, Taiping obediently nodded and opened the box.
Inside, he saw a single crimson wax pill and an ordinary-looking soybean seed.
"This red wax pill," the old man began, not waiting for Taiping to ask, "was given to me by a Taoist priest I met by chance ten years ago. It's called the Spirit Bone Elixir. If taken, it can transform mortal bone into spiritual bone… and make your name appear on the Immortal Register."
Could such an immortal medicine truly exist?
The boy's expression was full of disbelief.
"The world is vast and full of wonders. A Spirit Bone Elixir is but one of them," the old man affirmed with a serious nod.
"But Grandpa, if this elixir has such miraculous effects, why didn't you take it yourself?"
A question suddenly occurred to little Taiping.
"The Taoist said the elixir only works on children between nine and eleven years old. When I received it, I was already sixty-three. Your father, your second uncle, your third uncle—they were all past forty. It would have been useless for any of us." A trace of bitter regret tinged the old man's smile.
It was clear this missed opportunity still pained him.
If it had been possible, who would willingly give up a chance at immortality?
"Moreover," the old man continued, "after taking the Spirit Bone Elixir, the effects only last six months. If you fail to reach the Qi Transformation realm—what the immortals call the first major stage of cultivation—within that time, the sect will discover you were originally mortal. Your name will be erased from the Immortal Register. At best, you'll be expelled from the mountain. At worst… your soul and memories will be wiped, and you'll be left a mindless fool."
The old man furrowed his brow as he continued.
Taiping was startled by his grandfather's words.
Yet after thinking it over carefully for a long moment, he finally nodded. With a look of sincere determination, he met the old man's gaze and said:
"Grandpa, I still want to try."
In his mind, if he could enter the immortal sect and learn immortal arts, he would be able to heal his grandfather's illness.
That made the risk worth taking.
"Good."
Seeing Taiping's unwavering resolve, the old man nodded with deep satisfaction. He then took the wax pill from the boy's hand, peeled away its waxy coating, and gently brought it to Taiping's lips:
"Swallow it."
Without hesitation, little Taiping consumed the Spirit Bone Elixir.
As the pill reached his stomach, a warm current spread through his body, like a tender hand soothing every part of him.
But aside from that… nothing particularly unusual happened.
"So… is that all?"
A somewhat surprised Taiping looked questioningly at his grandfather.
"In just a few days, an immortal from the mountain will come to take you away."
The old man smiled and nodded.
His expression was complex—filled with both joy and worry.
The joy needed no explanation: Taiping was his most beloved grandson, and the thought of him embarking on a path toward immortality brought him genuine happiness.
Yet he also worried, for this path was sure to be treacherous. There was a real possibility that little Taiping might not survive beyond six months—he could be expelled from the sect, stripped of his memories, and left a broken soul to live out his days in misery.
"The mortal world stretches vast and uncertain;
With ordinary bones, one seeks immortal fate.
Unless one braves a thousand mortal dangers,
How could the gates of heaven swing open?"
The old man was suddenly reminded of the wandering Taoist who had given him the elixir. Just before departing, the mystic had spoken these words softly, almost carelessly.
Recalling this, the old man's eyes once again grew firm—
"I was right to set Taiping on this path."
"Grandpa… what is this bean for?"
Feeling both anxious and curious, Taiping carefully picked up the single soybean seed from the wooden box.
"This was also left by that old Taoist," the grandfather replied weakly. "But he didn't explain its purpose—only that if one day you were fortunate enough to enter an immortal sect, you should plant this soybean in spiritual soil from the mountain. When the time comes… you will receive yet another great opportunity…"
He broke into another series of harsh, wrenching coughs.
"Grandpa, please drink some water. Don't speak anymore."
Worried, Taiping stepped forward to support the old man.
"Taiping… keep that bean safe… What I've told you tonight… you must… must never tell… anyone…"
The old man gripped Taiping's wrist with surprising strength.
"Don't worry, Grandpa. I won't tell a soul."
Little Taiping nodded earnestly.
"Taiping… you've always been wise beyond your years… but the world is full of dangers… You must be extremely careful…"
Suddenly, the old man—now coughing up blood at the corners of his mouth—clutched Taiping's shoulders with both hands. His eyes burned with intensity as he gathered the last of his strength and spoke in a fierce, trembling voice:
"Taiping… I spent my whole life searching for the path to immortality… but I was always trapped by this mortal body… You must strive… Strive not just for yourself… but for all mortal-kind! Prove that ordinary bones too can touch the heavens!"
With these final words, the old man's body stiffened, and he fell back onto the bed, motionless.
"Grand… Grandpa?"
A cold dread seized Taiping's heart.
Trembling, he reached a small hand to his grandfather's nose—there was no breath. The light in the boy's eyes dimmed.
"I… I have no grandpa now…"
He stood there in stunned silence, tears welling until they overflowed. Finally, a heartbroken cry burst from him—a raw, aching wail.
He hadn't cried when his parents died years ago.
He hadn't cried when he fell down the mountain while gathering herbs.
He hadn't cried when he was trapped in a cave for days by wild beasts, with nothing to eat or drink.
He had always told himself he wasn't alone—he still had his grandfather.
But tonight… little Taiping had no one left.
That same night, a new name quietly appeared on the Spirit Bone Tablet of the Qingxuan Sect atop Mount Yunlu:
Xu Taiping.
"A youth named Xu Taiping from Qingniu Village at the foot of Mount Yunlu has developed a spiritual bone. Notify the Peak Master of the Seventh Peak immediately—send a disciple to bring him to the sect."
The elder guarding the Spirit Bone Tablet slipped a letter into the beak of a white crane standing by the gate.
"As you command, Elder."
The crane spoke in a human voice, then spread its wings and soared into the night.
Chapter 3: On the Seventh Day, the Cruel Aunt Sells Her Nephew into Slavery
Six days later.
At the home of Xu Taiping's second uncle.
"What? You're going to sell Taiping?!"
Xu Ernian, Taiping's second uncle, stared in disbelief at his wife.
"Shh! Keep your voice down!"
His stout, fierce-looking wife raised a finger to her lips, signaling him to be quiet.
"Sell him? It's not 'selling'—it's an opportunity to serve the Bai Manor as a house attendant. Most people can only dream of such a position!"
She rolled her eyes at her husband.
"I know, but… that would mean registering him as a servant… a slave…" Uncle Ernian hesitated, his voice uneasy.
"At the Bai family, he'll eat well, dress well, and want for nothing! What's so bad about that? I've already accepted the deposit. The matter is settled." She waved her hand dismissively, making it clear there was no room for discussion.
"Alright then."
Unable to argue with his domineering wife, Uncle Ernian sighed softly and finally nodded.
"Where is Taiping now?"
The aunt asked impatiently.
"He's still in the mourning hall. Today is the seventh day since the funeral—he wanted to keep vigil for the old man."
Ernian, dressed in mourning clothes, wiped his mouth as he replied.
"The people from Bai Manor are already waiting at the village entrance. Go bring him back. Now."
She shot him an impatient glare.
"They're here already?" Ernian was surprised.
"The young master of the Bai family is starting private lessons next month. They happen to need a pageboy. Otherwise, do you think it would happen this fast? Stop wasting time and go drag that boy back from the hall."
She glared fiercely before adding, "Hurry up!"
"But… but today is the seventh-day rite. Can't we let him stay until after tonight?"
Uncle Ernian scratched his head uneasily.
After the death of Taiping's grandfather, the couple had been discussing how to deal with what they saw as a burden—young Taiping. Still, Ernian had some shred of conscience left; he didn't want to send the boy away before the seventh-day rituals were finished.
"Seventh day, seventh day—what does it matter? Is it more important than silver? You fool!"
Frustrated, the aunt poked her husband hard on the forehead. Then she leaned in and whispered mysteriously:
"Do you know how much the Bai family is offering? Thirty taels of silver. Thirty!"
Her eyes gleamed with greed.
Hearing that, Uncle Ernian froze for a second, then nodded firmly.
"I'll go get Taiping right now."
Half an hour later.
Qingniu Village entrance.
Xu Taiping gazed reluctantly in the direction of the mourning hall, then turned to his uncle and aunt to make one final request: "Uncle, can't I leave tomorrow?"
"Taiping, working at the Bai Manor is a rare opportunity! If you don't go now, you might miss your chance forever!"
The aunt smiled insincerely as she spoke.
"Auntie, you're just worried that if we wait until tomorrow, you won't get your silver, aren't you?"
Taiping gave her a cold look.
Although he had been keeping vigil all these days, he was no stranger to hardship and shrewdness. He knew exactly what his aunt and uncle were up to.
The reason he hadn't resisted was simple: he had no power to refuse, and part of him thought that going to the Bai Manor might not be so bad. After all, with his grandfather gone, he had no one left in the village who truly cared for him.
"How dare you speak to your aunt like that? She only wants what's best for you!"
Uncle Ernian glared at him angrily.
"Stop wasting time. Get on the carriage now. There have been rat demons spotted around here at night—we need to reach Qingzhu Ridge before dark."
The Bai family steward seated in the carriage behind Taiping urged impatiently.
"Coming, coming!"
Without another word, the uncle and aunt each grabbed one of Taiping's arms and forcefully dragged him toward the carriage.
Taiping didn't resist. He only felt a deep, bitter chill in his heart.
"Listen carefully, boy. This is your indenture contract with the Bai family. From this day forward, you are a servant of the Bai household. You have no more ties to Qingniu Village or the Xu family."
In front of the carriage, after Taiping pressed his thumbprint onto the document, the steward lifted the contract and waved it in the air.
"Mm."
Taiping nodded expressionlessly.
It seems the elixir Grandpa gave me didn't work after all. Six days have passed, and no immortal has come for me.
As the steward finalized matters with his aunt and uncle, Taiping silently lifted his head and gazed up at the sky.
He wasn't terribly disappointed about missing his chance to become an immortal. His biggest motivation had always been to heal his grandfather.
"Hey! Look! There's a white crane in the sky—bigger than a buffalo!"
"Where? Where?"
"Wait… there are… two people standing on it!"
Just then, villagers gathered at the entrance began pointing and exclaiming in astonishment.
Hearing the commotion, Taiping, the steward, and his uncle and aunt all looked up. Sure enough, a giant white crane soared overhead, and on its back stood two faintly visible figures.
"Im… immortals?"
After a few stunned seconds, the words escaped Taiping's lips softly.
"They are immortals! They must be!"
More villagers began shouting in excitement.
"Screee—!"
A clear crane cry echoed above as two figures descended gracefully from the sky, landing lightly before the crowd at the village entrance.
One was a young man in a light blue robe, the other a woman dressed in striking red. The man had sharp, handsome features and an aura of noble elegance; the woman's beauty was so ethereal it seemed to dim the world around her.
"Forgive our intrusion," the young man spoke courteously, cupping his hands in greeting. "We are disciples of the Qingxuan Sect from Mount Yunlu. My junior sister and I have come today in search of a youth."
The villagers murmured in awe—they had heard of immortals from nearby Mount Yunlu, but few had ever seen one.
"Might anyone here know a young man named Xu Taiping?"
The female disciple in red also stepped forward, smiling warmly as she addressed the crowd.
Her smile was captivating enough to make anyone's heart skip a beat.
"Xu… Xu Taiping?"
"That's him! He's Xu Taiping!"
After a moment's hesitation, several villagers pointed toward Taiping standing beside the carriage.
Most people in Qingniu Village knew each other, and the Xu family, with their uncommon surname, were especially familiar to everyone.
"Are you Xu Taiping?"
The woman in red took a step closer, looking at the boy with visible delight.
"Yes."
Taiping nodded.
He had already guessed who these two must be.
"Senior Brother."
Seeing his confirmation, the woman turned eagerly toward the young man.
"The jade slip is reacting. He's the one we're looking for."
The man nodded, holding up a faintly glowing green jade slip for her to see.
"E-esteemed Immortal… has my nephew… done something wrong?"
Uncle Ernian finally gathered the courage to ask.
"Who asked you to interfere!"
Before he could say more, his wife yanked him backward, putting several feet between them and Taiping.
Not only them—the other villagers also quickly stepped back, leaving a wide circle around Taiping.
It was clear most shared Uncle Ernian's fear: that Taiping must have committed some offense, attracting the attention of the immortals.
After all, Qingniu Village was close to Mount Yunlu. Even if they hadn't seen it themselves, everyone had heard stories of immortals descending to punish evildoers or eliminate monsters.
Chapter 4: Thirty Taels of Silver — Little Taiping Severs His Ties to the Mortal World
"Done something wrong?"
The female disciple in red couldn't help but laugh softly at the question, then waved her hand dismissively.
"We haven't come to punish anyone. We're here to take this young man, Xu Taiping, up the mountain with us."
"Up the mountain?"
Everyone, including Xu Ernian, still looked completely bewildered.
"Xu Taiping has awakened a spiritual bone, and his name has been entered into the Immortal Register. We are here today to bring him back to Qingxuan Sect so he may formally become one of us."
The young male disciple spoke calmly, his expression unchanging.
"Join the… Qingxuan Sect? Then… does that mean he'll become an immortal? My Xu family… is going to have an immortal?"
As the words sank in, Xu Ernian stood frozen as if struck by lightning, muttering to himself in disbelief.
Ignoring the stunned villagers, the two Qingxuan disciples turned their attention fully to Taiping, both extending a hand toward him.
"Little Taiping, come with us. From today onward, you'll be the youngest junior brother of our Seventh Peak."
The female disciple in red smiled warmly, her voice gentle and inviting.
Hearing her tone, Taiping felt an unexpected warmth spread through his chest—for a moment, it was almost as if he had found family again.
"Wait!"
Just as Taiping was about to take her hand, his aunt abruptly grabbed his arm and pulled him back.
"Y-you two Immortals… you can't just take our Taiping away like this! He's the pillar of our Xu family! He's meant to become a top scholar, bring glory to our ancestors!"
The plump aunt put on an exaggerated show of reluctance, her eyes filled with false concern as she smiled ingratiatingly at the two disciples.
Hearing her words, Taiping felt even colder inside.
Since he was a child, this aunt had always treated him as a burden, a jinx—when had she ever expressed any hope that he would bring honor to the family?
Unaware of the true situation, the Qingxuan disciples initially assumed her reluctance was genuine.
"How can a mere imperial scholar compare to being a disciple of Qingxuan Sect? Still, since you are his aunt and uncle, please accept this golden bowl as a token of our gratitude."
The male disciple retrieved a small golden bowl from his sleeve and offered it to the aunt.
"No—"
"Honored Immortals!"
Just as Taiping was about to explain the truth, the Bai family steward jumped down from the carriage. He grabbed Taiping's arm with one hand and held up the indenture contract with the other, declaring loudly:
"This Xu Taiping has already been sold by his aunt and uncle to the Bai family! It's written clearly in black and white—he is now a servant of the Bai household! That golden bowl should rightfully belong to us!"
Who wouldn't covet a gift from an immortal?
Hearing this, the two Qingxuan disciples frowned simultaneously.
"You're lying! I only sent Taiping to work for the Bai family—I never sold him into servitude!"
The aunt, flustered and furious, tried to snatch the contract from the steward's hand.
"That's right! My nephew is an immortal disciple now! This contract with the Bai family is void!"
Uncle Ernian joined in, and a chaotic struggle over the document broke out.
"Enough!"
Seeing the situation devolve into disorder, the male Qingxuan disciple raised his voice sharply.
As he spoke, an invisible pressure radiated from him—like an angered tiger ready to strike—immediately silencing both the aunt and the steward.
"Taiping," the female disciple in red stepped closer, her voice full of concern, "is it true that you were sold into servitude with the Bai family?"
Taiping met her gaze, then nodded quietly.
"Yes."
As he spoke the word, he suddenly felt as if heavy chains had been unlocked—a sense of relief and freedom washed over him.
After receiving Xu Taiping's reply, the female disciple in red looked at him with noticeably increased pity and compassion in her eyes.
"You little ingrate! How dare you lie like that? After all these years we—"
"Let him go."
Just as the plump aunt was about to grab Taiping, the red-clad young woman flicked her sleeve, releasing a powerful gust of wind that sent the hefty woman stumbling backward.
"Y-you… you may be immortals, but you still have to be reasonable, don't you? I… I…"
Clearly frightened by the display of power, the aunt continued to mutter excuses but kept retreating.
"Honored Immortals, I have the signed contract right here—black ink, white paper, red thumbprint. Xu Taiping is now a servant of the Bai family. These two can't deny it!"
The Bai family steward, eyes fixed on potential profit, quickly stepped forward and handed over the indenture document.
The young Qingxuan disciple took the contract, glanced over it, and then smiled coldly as he turned his gaze toward Taiping's aunt and uncle.
"A disciple of our Qingxuan Sect… is worth only thirty taels of silver to you?"
Hearing that the couple had sold their own nephew for such a meager sum, the red-clad young woman beside him clenched her fists, her face flushed with anger.
"You sold your own flesh and blood for thirty pieces of silver, and now you have the nerve to ask us for rewards? It seems what you really deserve is a lesson!"
Fiery and righteous by nature, the young woman raised her sleeve as if to strike.
"Spare us, Immortal! Have mercy!"
The couple immediately fell to their knees, begging for forgiveness.
"Junior Sister, remember our master's instructions."
The blue-robed young man placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a meaningful look.
Although still visibly angry, she reluctantly lowered her hand.
"Since this contract is genuine," the young man turned back to the steward, "how much silver would you consider fair for Qingxuan Sect to buy back his freedom?"
"Th-this…"
The steward stammered, hesitating for a long moment before finally gritting his teeth and holding up three fingers. "Th-three hundred taels!"
"A disciple of Qingxuan Sect is worth only three hundred taels?"
The young man laughed coldly once more.
Without another word, he drew a heavy, bulging pouch from his sleeve and tossed it casually to the steward.
"This…!"
The steward's eyes widened in shock as he opened the pouch and saw that it was filled with pure gold ingots.
The villagers, including Taiping's aunt and uncle, gasped collectively at the sight of the gold.
"Is that enough?"
The young man smiled faintly.
"Y-yes, more than enough! This gold… it could be exchanged for three thousand taels of silver!"
The steward clutched the pouch excitedly, nodding repeatedly.
Upon hearing this, the faces of Xu Ernian and his wife turned deathly pale.