Chapter 122: Changes Within Expectation (2)

Ye Zheng did not speak to Yu Zidu in overly direct terms; instead, he offered subtle, gentle persuasion, urging the young man to let go of his past and strive to embody the true stature expected of a Young Lord of the Heavenly Boundary Pavilion.

The stature he spoke of was not necessarily what others demanded, but at the very least, it meant being seen as excellent and diligent in the eyes of others, rather than a name that invoked nothing but scorn whenever it was mentioned.

Change—he had long sensed that it was coming. Yu Zidu should have been the one to observe and discover these shifts for himself. Regardless of whether these changes were good or bad, he ought to have understood the reasons behind them, rather than allowing external factors to drag him recklessly down an undesirable path.

"Hey, if it’s possible, can I be your friend?" Yu Zidu was fascinated by the transformed Ye Zheng; it was his first time encountering such an arrogant and unbridled soul. He had always believed himself to be sufficiently haughty, but he realized now that there was always someone greater, a mountain beyond a mountain. Such a person was worthy of being his friend, perhaps even his brother-in-arms, unlike the idiots and wastrels who constantly surrounded him.

Deep down, he understood many things, but due to the neglect of his family, he constantly acted out to attract their attention, only to have his efforts backfire every time.

"A friend? You aren't qualified. You are too weak and too useless." A mocking sneer curled onto Ye Zheng’s lips, piercing straight into Yu Zidu’s heart.

This man who had appeared out of nowhere was not only arrogant, he was damnably infuriating—yet, Yu Zidu realized with a sting that he truly was no match for him.

"When your cultivation reaches the level of your father’s, I might consider whether to be your friend. For now, forget it." The little brat had quite an imagination. Friendship was not something just anyone could claim with Ye Zheng, especially not the decadent Yu Zidu of today.

"Then you must wait for me! I’m going back right now to work hard. I will become your friend, and I will be even stronger than you!" As if swearing a vow, he finished his words and sprinted toward his home.

Effort was not merely a matter of lip service; it required concrete action. Hard work would yield results, and he refused to miss the chance to stand alongside someone truly powerful.

Watching Yu Zidu depart, Ye Zheng shook his head. He wondered how many days this enthusiasm would last. To reach his father’s level of cultivation, even with day-and-night training, would require at least a century or two of secluded meditation. Did the boy truly think a little effort would suffice?

***

"This is the compensation from the Young Lord. Divide it among yourselves as you see fit." Ye Zheng handed some silver to the nearby stall owners, as Yu Zidu and his companions had damaged quite a bit of property.

He wondered if these pampered playboys could ever amount to anything. Could anyone truly be content to remain a wastrel for their entire life?

After compensating the merchants, Ye Zheng continued to roam the streets. He wanted to see what changes would come over Yu Zidu during his stay at the Yu household. Although he had long sensed that everything would shift, that fool Yu Zidu certainly wouldn't be observant enough to notice it himself, so he would have to keep a watchful eye. If the boy proved capable, he could bring him along when he returned to Misty Brow Mountain; if not, he could simply remain at the Broken Sky Boundary and continue his life of dissipation.

"My Lord, here is a letter. It appears to have been sent from the Chu family." A man suddenly appeared before Ye Zheng, offering the letter with both hands.

"Hmm. I suppose that old immortal in the Chu family is celebrating a birthday next month, so he’s sent an invitation." Taking the letter with a sense of weariness, he tore it open.

After reading it, he found the contents were exactly as he had suspected: an invitation to a banquet. He didn't really want to go; the Chu family members were far too calculating, and he couldn't be bothered to deal with them. But then, he considered that if he went, he might see that little girl, which would be a pleasant turn of events. He decided to attend.

"Go back and tell Gu Mojiang to come here on the second day of next month. He will accompany me to the Chu family banquet."

Life-and-death tribulations and trials of the heart were all interconnected; he needed to set everything in motion early. Once he crossed these tribulations, he would be reborn, and his journey of traversing the three lower realms would come to an end.

Chu Xingran—the little one who had managed to captivate him at a single glance. He truly could not bear to hurt her. Yet, it was all fated, and he had no choice but to do what must be done.

"Oh, and prepare a gift—any gift will do. Also, have the pile of spirit cores in the warehouse sorted and prepared as a separate gift. Bring them with you." He wanted to give Chu Xingran a welcoming gift; those glittering spirit cores would do just fine.

"My Lord, to give away that entire pile as a gift… isn't that a bit too extravagant?" Ling Feng looked at Ye Zheng with confusion. Who was this person, that the Lord would go to such lengths?

***

"I am giving it to someone I like. What, is that not allowed?" The Ling family members were always too talkative. He would have to find someone else to handle his affairs soon; he had always found the Ling family unreliable.

"In the future, when I ask you to do something, just do it. I do not require anyone to question my actions." His gaze turned sharp and cold as he glanced at Ling Feng.

Do not think I am unaware of your little schemes, he thought. I have simply been turning a blind eye, not deeming them worth my time. Having lived for so many years, what kind of schemes and machinations had he not seen? The petty tactics of the Ling family were nothing to him.

"Yes, Ling Feng understands." Bowing, Ling Feng retreated quickly. He knew that everything he had done was already known to the Lord. And of course—given who the Lord was, how could their petty thoughts ever escape his notice? They had been too arrogant, believing that by following the Lord, they had become something more. Looking back at what had transpired, they were nothing but fools; they had thought themselves clever, while in the Lord’s eyes, it was all merely the performance of a clown.

"Why, when did you start caring about such things? You’ve always been one to ignore them, haven't you?" A bell-like laugh echoed behind Ye Zheng, and he offered only a faint smile.

Indeed, when had he started to care? It seemed he hadn't even noticed the change in himself. He had been so irritable lately due to the tribulations, spending his days either drinking or sleeping. Had he remained as he was before, perhaps he would have noticed the change from the very beginning.

Precognition—it seemed he had none. He was simply following his own heart in all of this.

"Jing Shushu, as the matriarch of the Red-Tailed Fox clan, running off to play outside—I have every reason to punish you for this." Glancing back at the delicate and charming woman, Ye Zheng reached out and flicked her forehead.