Chapter 146: Farewells (Part 2)
After leaving the main residence, Su Tianhao set out to find Su Lei before departing the Su family estate for good. His first stop was the martial arts arena—the most likely place to find someone with Su Lei's obsession for training.
He arrived without issue. The platform was lively as always, filled with disciples spectating spars or cheering on rivals. Su Tianhao's golden eyes swept the crowd, his cultivation and aura masked behind Illusory Flow, giving him the appearance of an ordinary visitor.
'He's not here,' he confirmed after a thorough scan.
With no other choice, he approached a male disciple standing apart from the rest of the crowd.
The disciple remained completely oblivious to Su Tianhao's presence even as he came to stand right behind him.
"Hey," Su Tianhao voiced.
"AAAH!"
The disciple spun around with a yelp, startled as a rabbit flushed from cover. His expression quickly shifted from shock to wariness—and then to recognition.
"Y-You're Young Master Tianhao!"
Su Tianhao's brow furrowed slightly. He raised a finger to his lips.
Shush.
The disciple nodded immediately, sealing his mouth shut. He was only a 6th level Martial Apprentice. Su Tianhao was the number one genius of Oakwood City—the one who had conquered both Su Jian and Ye Wenjie. The principle of the strong over the weak was something every cultivator understood, and this disciple was no exception.
"No need to be tense," Su Tianhao said with a faint smile. "I just need your help with something."
The disciple blinked, surprise overtaking his wariness. "Of course, Young Master. What do you need?"
"I'm looking for Su Lei. Do you know where he might be?"
He kept his tone easy and even—no airs, no condescension. In Su Tianhao's view, everyone deserved basic respect. The strong preying on the weak was a reality of the cultivation world, but not a philosophy he lived by.
The disciple, visibly thrown off by his politeness, responded with genuine enthusiasm. "Ever since your battle with Su Jian a few weeks ago, Su Lei has barely set foot in the arena. He's most likely gone into seclusion at the Third Elder's residence."
"The Third Elder's residence?" Su Tianhao's eyes narrowed slightly. "Where is that?"
The disciple looked mildly surprised—as a close friend of Su Lei, surely he would know—but he answered without pressing the matter. "The Third Elder's courtyard is on the east side of the estate, ten blocks from the main residence."
"I see." Su Tianhao's eyes brightened. "Open your hand."
The disciple's expression turned questioning, but he obediently extended his palm.
Su Tianhao glanced at it—bruised and calloused from months of hard training.
Shing!
The golden ring gleamed, and a single crystalline spirit stone materialized in the air before dropping into the disciple's palm.
"Consider it gratitude," Su Tianhao said.
The disciple stared at it, then at Su Tianhao, then back at it.
"A spirit stone!" he breathed, eyes wide with disbelief. A single spirit stone was nothing to the current Su Tianhao—but to this disciple, it was an astronomical sum. Enough to purchase multiple high-level grade two pills, the kind typically reserved for the clan's most favored talents. With access to those, his cultivation could surge ahead of his peers by leaps and bounds.
"Thank you, Young Master—truly, thank you!" His voice cracked with emotion, eyes glistening.
Su Tianhao acknowledged him with a brief nod. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, azure robes drifting behind him like a leaf borne on an autumn wind.
---
He made his way to the eastern section of the estate, counting blocks as he went.
'Ten blocks east of the main residence,' he noted, moving at an unhurried pace.
After a few minutes, he arrived at a fenced courtyard nestled in a secluded corner of the estate. Despite its hidden location, the space within was surprisingly wide and open.
The iron gates were already ajar.
Su Tianhao stepped up and looked in from the entrance. The courtyard held no refinements. Towering trees filled the space, but they looked ancient and neglected, their leaves dry and withered. Jagged boulders lay scattered across the uneven ground—some completely shattered, others split cleanly in half—silent testament to years of dedicated training. At the courtyard's center stood a grand building, its condition a stark contrast to the rugged surroundings.
'This is the Third Elder's residence?' Su Tianhao thought, frowning faintly.
"Elegant?" a voice cut through the courtyard—finishing the thought he hadn't spoken aloud.
Su Tianhao's eyes sharpened immediately.
Whoosh!
The wind stirred without warning.
BOOM!
A figure appeared before him in a crack of purple lightning—materializing like a phantom from old myth.
Su Tianhao stepped back instinctively, Shadowfang clearing its sheath and settling in his grip in a single fluid motion.
"Who are you?" His voice was cold and level.
"You come to my house and don't know who I am?" The figure let out a quiet chuckle.
Su Tianhao studied the man again—sword-like brows, robust frame, silver-streaked black hair, and sharp, penetrating eyes.
"Third Elder," he said, the tension easing from his posture. "My apologies for not recognizing you sooner."
Su Minghe smiled faintly at the sword still in Su Tianhao's hand.
"I'm here to see Su Lei," Su Tianhao said.
"Let me guess," Su Minghe mused, voice deep and even. "You're here to say your final goodbye before you leave the Su family."
Su Tianhao raised an eyebrow. "How did you know?"
"You've never visited Su Lei even once since the two of you became friends. Yesterday, you announced your separation from the Su family." Su Minghe shrugged. "What else would bring you here after all this time if not a farewell?"
"..."
Su Tianhao had no response to that.
"Su Lei is here," Su Minghe continued, before Su Tianhao could ask. "But I'd like to speak with you first."
Su Tianhao's brow rose. "With me?"
"I won't take much of your time. How about we share some wine while we talk?" Su Minghe said, a friendlier tone settling over his features.
Su Tianhao considered it briefly. He wanted to decline—but couldn't find a reason that held up.
'Most people would offer tea. Looks like Su Lei wasn't wrong when he said his master has a fondness for wine,' he thought to himself.
"Alright," Su Tianhao said. "But brief."
Su Minghe's expression lifted. "My manners have grown as neglected as this courtyard. Please—come inside."
He gestured toward the building with an open hand.
Su Tianhao nodded—but didn't return Shadowfang to the spatial ring. Instead, he sheathed it and secured it at his waist.
Su Minghe watched the motion and smiled knowingly.
"A true swordsman is never parted from his sword," he said, "nor is his sword ever from his heart."
"Thanks for the advice," Su Tianhao said evenly, and stepped through the gates.
---
Su Minghe led Su Tianhao into the grand building. The interior was surprisingly elegant and refined—a stark contrast to the neglected courtyard outside. Candlelight glowed softly across polished surfaces, and the rich aroma of aged wine filled the air.
Su Tianhao took in the sight quietly, his gaze settling on the wine-stained table at the center of the room. Su Minghe gestured toward a seat and began pouring.
"I apologize for the humble surroundings," Su Minghe said. "I'm afraid I'm not much of a host."
They sat. Su Minghe raised his cup in a silent toast. Su Tianhao met his gaze—a faint wariness lingering in his golden eyes—and raised his own.
Clink.
He brought the cup to his lips without hesitation. The wine was rich and smooth, with a quiet bitterness that lingered—complex and layered, much like the man who had poured it.
"You must be wondering why I brought you here," Su Minghe said, breaking the silence.
Su Tianhao set his cup down carefully. "I'm listening."
"I'll get straight to the point." Su Minghe's tone shifted—steady, deliberate, his eyes locking onto Su Tianhao like a hawk on its mark. "It's about your master."