Volume One, Chapter 8: The Han Family: Is There Some Kind of Misunderstanding?

Reborn into this life, Jiang Heng finally understood one truth: having things of one's own is far better than relying on anyone else.

In his previous life, he had exhausted everything he had to help Han Jingyue become a Foundation Establishment cultivator. And what did he get in return? A pair of cuckold’s horns and three children that were not his own.

Heh. Now that he had awakened, that pair of adulterers would never again receive even the slightest benefit from him.

After consolidating his cultivation for a short while, dawn soon broke.

The porridge Luo Bo cooked with spirit rice, paired with pickled side dishes made from snow-ridge purple buds, was truly delicious. In the past, for the sake of convenience, he had always neglected his own breakfast, instead rushing to the market to buy five portions of food and riding his Clear Spirit Crane to Xiaohan Village to pick up Han Jingyue.

Right, the money spent on breakfast over the last two years must have totaled dozens of spirit stones! Hmph, he had actually forgotten to calculate that.

Forget it, it didn't matter. He would just treat it as having fed a stray dog.

Unfortunately, the omens were poor today. Upon descending from the sky, he not only encountered Han Jingyue but also her father and mother.

"Haha, Nephew Jiang, you've arrived! Hahaha, this Clear Spirit Crane is truly magnificent; it’s one of a kind in the entire Alchemy Institute, wouldn't you all agree?" He laughed, desperately trying to make conversation.

Madam Han spoke up directly: "Jiang Heng! Is there some misunderstanding between you and Little Yue? Why haven't you come over these past few days? I even specially prepared green-ridge goat soup for you, but you never showed up."

As she spoke, she produced a wrapped soup pot. "I brought it specifically today. It’s been simmering over a low fire all night, and it’s still hot. You should drink it while it's warm."

Seeing their posturing, Jiang Heng realized they were still trying to force him and Han Jingyue together.

Hmph. If this were the past, he would have been so overjoyed he wouldn't know which way was north.

But now? It’s just goat soup—could he not afford it himself? Why would he want to eat something of such dubious origin?

"Since both of you happen to be here today, I will repeat myself in front of everyone. I am finished with Han Jingyue!" Jiang Heng declared with a sullen face, his voice loud and solemn. "From this day forward, we go our separate ways. What we do—marriage or otherwise—is no longer the other's concern."

"Ah!" Madam Han shrieked. "You can't! This absolutely cannot happen! Everyone knows about you and Yue’er. If you reject her, who will ever marry her?"

"Exactly! Do you intend to discard her after defiling her?" Han’s father added fiercely.

"Defile? What a distasteful thing to say!" Jiang Heng waved his hand in front of his nose, signaling that the father's words were foul-smelling.

"I spent two years and hundreds of spirit stones on your daughter, and I didn't even get to hold her hand. Yet, behind my back, she kissed another man until their mouths were practically raw. Do you think I would want a woman like that? Do you want me to be a living cuckold?" Jiang Heng asked coldly.

"You're spouting nonsense!" The father was trembling with rage. "My daughter is not that kind of loose woman."

"True, she just becomes 'not human' when she gets loose," Jiang Heng nodded.

A crowd from the Alchemy Institute had already gathered, and finding Jiang Heng's remarks amusing, they couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Some began to look at Jiang Heng with new eyes. He had a decent appearance, a solid family background, and respectable talent; he could easily find someone better than Han Jingyue. Yet, he had acted as if possessed, showing such deep devotion to her, seemingly willing to die for her without regret. Now that he had finally awakened, it was a case of a prodigal son returning—a rare and valuable change.

"You..." Even though the father’s fists were clenched in fury, he dared not cause trouble or strike anyone in this place. Besides, as long as there was the slightest possibility, they did not want to give up such a wealthy son-in-law.

"Jiang Heng, nephew, this must be a malicious rumor. My Little Yue is so well-behaved, how could she do such a thing?" the father said, swallowing his pride.

"I saw it with my own eyes!" A single, languid sentence from Jiang Heng silenced them.

Madam Han tried to speak again, but Jiang Heng cut in: "If you don't want her sordid affairs heard by more people, then by all means, continue!"

The Han family clearly did not want that, and they immediately fell silent. Han Jingyue had already run inside to hide, afraid to look at anyone.

The couple eventually left. Jiang Heng walked into the Alchemy Institute under a flurry of gazes—surprised, contemptuous, and disgusted.

He entered the room, found his seat, and began to flip through his books. Although he knew all this material, he was afraid that some details might have been forgotten over time. After all, the alchemy exams didn't just test the ability to refine pills; alchemy formulas and pharmacology were also tested, and every exam contributed to the final grade. As an alchemist, consistency was also part of the assessment.

Han Jingyue was full of resentment, but with things having reached this point, there was nothing more to say.

At lunch, Jiang Heng continued to order the best food. Han Jingyue could only go to the free area and eat the rations of commoners.

The food was one thing, but Han Jingyue was now worried about how she would pay for next year's tuition. Learning at the Alchemy Institute cost thirty spirit stones annually. Judging by the situation with her parents, there was no way they would provide that money for her.

For young cultivators at the institute, the first three years were free, but after that, fees were charged until the age of twenty. Once they turned twenty, they had to leave the institute and find their own way. Generally, if one could stay for ten years, they could obtain a First-Level Alchemist badge, which was enough to make a living. But Han Jingyue knew that she didn't have much talent for alchemy, and she feared she would never earn that badge.

The temporary instructor announced to the group at the end of class: "The upcoming assessment will take place on the 24th of this month, lasting for three days. It will be held in the Ten-Thousand Forest Plains. Everyone will have different tasks, and the questions will be announced then. Do not think about cheating! If caught, you will be expelled immediately, no exceptions. Do you hear me?"

The instructor said this sternly. The students hurriedly replied: "Yes, we will strictly follow your instructions."

The content of the annual assessment was generally the same: gathering spirit herbs or mining spirit materials. However, the Ten-Thousand Forest Plains were vast and filled with vicious beasts and monsters. It was very dangerous to be alone.

After class, Jiang Heng went to the Spirit Beast Yard to retrieve his mount.

Han Jingyue could only wait for Gu Lan to leave together, but Gu Lan’s expression was poor today.

"What's wrong?" Han Jingyue asked in a low voice.

"I failed at drawing talismans today, so we don't have any extra ones to use," Gu Lan sighed.

The rule at the Talisman Institute was that if one used the institute's provided materials, the first five finished talismans of the day belonged to the institute. Only the remainder could be kept for oneself. Gu Lan had slept late last night and his spiritual energy hadn't recovered well. When drawing talismans today, he lacked the energy; after barely finishing four, he couldn't succeed again. Not only did he fail to draw the talismans they needed to get home, but he also owed the class one more, which he would have to make up for later.

Seeing Han Jingyue looking at him silently, he could only hang his head. "Jingyue, my Speed Talisman is used up. We'll have to walk home."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the cry of a crane rang out. A white shadow shot into the sky, flying toward the direction of the Xuanyuan Sect.

It was Jiang Heng!