Chapter 133: Old Ties and New Plans
After leaving Su Huiqing's chambers, Su Tianhao headed straight for the family library on the first floor.
His steps were measured. Deliberate. His mind churned inward, reeling through strategies.
'Since the Ye Family is trying to play smart, I'll be smarter.'
A calculative smile played at his lips.
'Apart from being a formidable sword cultivator, Mother is also a genius alchemist. There should be strategies or techniques lying dormant in my inherited memories that could help me navigate this situation... I just need to find them.'
With that thought, he quickened his pace—eager to settle down and devise the perfect plan using the vast knowledge passed down to him.
'One hour is enough time.'
---
Soon, Su Tianhao arrived before the library doors, his golden eyes gleaming with quiet nostalgia.
It was exactly as he remembered—double doors marked with brass plaques bearing classical inscriptions. This was the place where he had spent the majority of his childhood within the Su Family, working through countless books in his relentless pursuit of knowledge.
"Even as a child, my thirst for knowledge was never small," he murmured with a faint smile.
Without ceremony, he pushed the doors open and stepped inside—entering the vast library for the first time since his retreat into Fei Wu Quarter.
Towering shelves stretched from floor to ceiling, packed with books and scrolls arranged in neat, orderly rows. Reading tables and chairs filled the study areas, filling the space with a quiet atmosphere of accumulated learning.
Su Tianhao's nostalgic gaze swept the room—and landed on the central reading desk.
Empty. Unoccupied.
Su Yuan's desk.
"Looks like this alchemy crisis is taking a toll on everyone," he murmured. "Even Uncle Yuan hasn't visited the library as usual."
Though his voice was low, it echoed across the silence like a whisper in a long-abandoned temple—stirring memories that had long settled into stillness.
The room was eerily quiet. So silent one could hear a pin drop.
Su Tianhao moved through the archive, his footsteps echoing softly as he made his way toward the study area.
Then he froze.
Seated at one of the study chairs was a young woman dressed in an elegant green robe that highlighted her natural grace. Her attention was entirely absorbed by the book in her hands—so deeply that she hadn't even noticed him standing there.
"Ling Ling," Su Tianhao murmured, the name leaving his lips before he could stop it.
This young woman was none other than Xie Ling—his old friend and former personal assistant, now serving as Su Jian's personal aide.
"Ling Ling."
His voice hung in the air like a gentle breeze on a summer's day—soft and unhurried.
"That voice..."
Xie Ling's eyes snapped up from the page. Her gaze locked onto Su Tianhao's, and surprise flickered across her expression.
"Young Master!" she exclaimed, her voice slightly husky from the sudden interruption. "I didn't hear you come in."
"You... what are you doing here?" Su Tianhao asked, a slight frown forming.
Xie Ling paused, taken aback. "Reading..." she replied after a moment's hesitation.
"No, that's not what I mean." Su Tianhao shook his head. "You once told me that only the Patriarch, Elders, and direct descendants of the Su family are allowed into this private library."
He repeated the words she had told him years ago—back when he was still a nine-year-old boy finding his footing in a world that wasn't his.
Xie Ling's brow furrowed slightly. "I said only they are allowed in without special permission."
"So," Su Tianhao said, his voice gaining an edge, "did you receive special permission?"
"Of course. From the Patriarch himself, under Young Master Su Jian's request," Xie Ling answered calmly.
But inwardly, she was anything but calm.
She had waited years for a moment like this. A chance to have this private conversation with her former young master. To tell him how sorry she was. To seek his forgiveness and finally clear the guilt that had gnawed at her ever since.
And now, standing before him—after witnessing his sudden rise in strength and status—that remorse had never felt heavier.
How could she possibly remain calm?
"Su Jian, huh..." Su Tianhao said, a smile tugging at his lips—one that didn't reach his eyes. "Looks like you've been enjoying his favor ever since you left, Xie Ling."
He used her full name this time. Not the affectionate nickname from the past.
He didn't hold a grudge against her—but that didn't mean he was unaffected by the memory of being abandoned by someone he had once considered not just a friend, but an elder sister. Someone who had been part of his life for six long years.
His heightened perception swept over her quietly. "4th level Martial Adept, huh? Looks like you made the right choice that day."
"I'll leave you to your studies," Su Tianhao added flatly, already turning to go. "I'll find another spot."
"Wait!"
Xie Ling's voice rang out—strained, desperate. Her fists clenched at her sides. Her eyes shut tight as she summoned every shred of courage she had left.
"What is it?" Su Tianhao paused mid-turn, his tone sharp with impatience.
He had less than an hour to devise a strategy capable of turning the tide for the Su Family. He couldn't afford distractions—not even from the past.
"I... I didn't make the right choice," Xie Ling stammered, her head lowered, unable to meet his eyes.
Su Tianhao's gaze sharpened—not with anger, but with quiet attention. He studied her closely, searching for the truth beneath the words.
She drew a shaky breath. "That day... I made a mistake. I should have stayed with you, Young Master. I'm sorry."
"I was so afraid of losing everything—so focused on securing my own future—that I never stopped to think about yours," she continued, her voice cracking. "You treated me like family. And I left you behind as if you meant nothing."
Her body trembled as the words came loose. "I was selfish. Too selfish."
Tears spilled down her cheeks—silent, unrestrained—years of buried guilt pouring out all at once.
"Although I've received favor from Young Master Jian, it came at a price." Her voice dropped. "While you treated me like family... to him, I'm nothing but a puppet. If he ever found out I spoke with you like this, he wouldn't hesitate to cripple my cultivation."
Xie Ling trembled, fists clenching tighter with each word.
Su Tianhao's frown deepened.
"Cripple your cultivation?" His voice was cold—quiet, but carrying the edge of something dangerous beneath.
No matter what had passed between them, Xie Ling was the one who had helped him find his footing when he first came in off the streets. He owed her that. And he had never been someone who could stomach watching those he owed suffer in silence.
Xie Ling nodded. "But you don't have to help me. This is something I brought upon myself."
Her voice steadied, resolute even through the tears. "I just need you to forgive me."
Su Tianhao's expression softened.
"You don't need to apologize, Xie Ling," he said, his voice calm and sincere. "You made your choice. I respect that. It's in the past."
Xie Ling's eyes snapped up, flooded with emotion. "It's not just that, Young Master. I've been wanting to talk to you for so long. To explain. To ask for your forgiveness..."
"You don't owe me an explanation," Su Tianhao said, his golden eyes steady and unreadable. "I never held a grudge. I forgave you long ago."
A brief pause. "You just need to forgive yourself."
With that, he turned and walked away, his quiet footsteps fading into the stillness of the library.
Xie Ling's shoulders slumped. A shadow of emotion crossed her face—relief tangled with something unresolved. But she nodded faintly, whispering after him.
"Okay, Young Master..."
---
Su Tianhao settled into a chair at a separate study area, his mind drifting back to Xie Ling's words.
"So Su Jian's been keeping her in chains," he muttered quietly. "I, Su Tianhao, won't let that continue."
He leaned back, exhaling softly, golden eyes narrowing with quiet resolve.
"Maybe today is the day I settle all past debts. Return what I owe the Su Family. Free Xie Ling from her chains. And leave the old ties behind me for good."
With that final thought, he turned his focus to the real reason he had come.
Finding a solution to the Su Family's crisis.