Chapter 060: Shen Fangxu Reveals the Brothers’ Early Secrets

At that moment, Qinghu and Qingzhen rushed out, followed by the others. Qingzhen darted straight toward his own father, leaving his mother to his younger sister. Watching the two of them hugging, kissing, and calling out in excitement, Qingjin felt deeply that he was the unnecessary one. Luckily, he lagged behind. When it came to being cute and acting spoiled, he had always felt inferior since childhood.

Qingzhen even went over to his second uncle to act adorable, though his aunt constantly glared at him. Yet, Qingzhen was carefree enough to pretend not to notice. In truth, his aunt simply wanted to monopolize his uncle’s attention, and everyone understood that—including his uncle.

Shen Fangxu, seeing his eldest son approach, patted his shoulder with gratification. Qingjin’s brows curved with a smile; well, unlike his younger brother, he couldn’t bring himself to throw himself into his parents’ arms so proactively—it was simply too embarrassing.

“As long as you’re all right,” Shen Fangxu said.

“It’s fine, everyone’s all right,” Qingjin reassured him.

Ning Qi, too, was meeting Shen Qingjin’s parents for the first time. Shen Fangxu, though quite handsome, was at best of above-average appearance. The three siblings took after Madam Feng, but Qingjin’s looks were even more outstanding—better than Madam Feng’s—and he shared some resemblance to the strikingly handsome second uncle.

Upon entering the village, there were already people assigned to settle the newcomers; those involved were familiar with the routine, so leading the group was effortless. Xiao Bai and the others moved their masters’ belongings to three small yards reserved behind the main building, vacating the main hall for Shen Fangxu, his wife, and their servants. The three-story guest house beside it was handed over to the second uncle and his wife.

The bathrooms in the small yards needed remodeling, but that was a task for Jiuquan and the others in charge. Later, Xiao Bai worked with Madam Feng’s housekeeper to arrange the meals.

Everyone busied themselves with their own affairs, and the masters gathered again in the flower hall on the first floor of the main building. Shen Fangxu briefly recounted their journey, “There has been action regarding the poisoning of Qingzhen. The clan dealt with it, and your eldest aunt took poison and ended her life.”

“She was the only one who did?” Qingzhen listened with mixed relief and dissatisfaction.

“All her accomplices have been dealt with by the family,” Shen Fangxu said, gently stroking his son’s head. “As for the clan leader, he remains in his position. But I was too angry, so I brought your mother and your second uncle’s family here to help you develop this territory.”

“Father, did you split from the family?” Qingzhen asked excitedly.

Qingjin rolled his eyes at his younger brother, speechless.

“Well, it’s much the same as splitting from the family,” the second uncle replied with a gentle smile. “On my way here, I noticed your stone fortress is built quite well—spacious, simple, and impressive.”

“Hehe, it’s all right, all right. It was Uncle Zhao who led the construction,” Qingzhen was delighted at the praise, regardless of whether he deserved it.

Uncle Zhao chuckled at this.

“I heard quite a few things happened here. What exactly went on?” Shen Fangxu asked.

Uncle Zhao sighed. “From the start, we suspected the land assigned to young Qinghu was problematic, and it turns out it truly was. In the Lake of Coiling Serpents within our territory, there are many large creatures. But the most astonishing thing is the water palace beneath the ground—a Daoist sanctuary. Your Qingjin somehow won the favor of the Daoist master there and was accepted as a direct disciple.

Moreover, Qingjin, like you and your second son, has attracted the attention of the lunatics from the Dao Court.”

“What do you mean? Father and second uncle were targeted too?” Qingzhen was stunned.

“Father and second uncle were targeted?” Qinghu’s eyes widened in surprise.

Qingjin, too, stared blankly at his father and uncle.

“It’s true,” Shen Fangxu said. “During my travels in my youth, I was targeted. But Qingjin, how did you attract their attention?”

“Well, that’s my bad luck. Two years ago, I befriended someone named Zhou Ji. He was a rising Daoist at Spirit Herb Mountain in the Dao Court. I was chosen by him to serve as a tool for refining his mortal Dao heart.” Qingjin spoke calmly.

Shen Fangxu was speechless.

“Father, are you all right?” Qingzhen hurried over to check on him.

“I’m fine. What happened after that?” Shen Fangxu asked.

“Afterward, someone called Qi Dongxuan began sending secret Dao Court troops to hunt me, starting three months ago. Father, I just received word from Wei Dongting, the guardian of East Bamboo Mountain. He said Qi Dongxuan, after practicing the Fate Transformation Art, determined I possess the destiny of the Black Dragon of Rebellion. He claims I’ll become a great demon who will destroy humanity, and insists on killing me to prevent it.” Qingjin handed the secret letter to Shen Fangxu.

Shen Fangxu swiftly scanned the letter, then said, “The Dao Court is becoming ever more shameless. Back when they competed for treasures, they always claimed, ‘This artifact is destined for the Dao Court, calculated by the Fate Transformation Art, tied to the outcome of future battles, and must be handed over for the Dao Court’s disposition.’”

Ah!

Uncle Zhao nearly spat out his tea. He stared at Shen Fangxu in surprise, knowing some of Shen Fangxu’s history and thus guessing when these events had occurred.

Qingjin was bewildered.

Qinghu, Qingzhen, and the others all stared at Shen Fangxu in confusion.

“What are you looking at? These things happened to your father. The Dao Court pestered me for years. If not for my friends’ help, I might still be troubled by them today,” Shen Fangxu said irritably.

Qingjin secretly laughed. His concerns about his so-called Black Dragon of Rebellion destiny eased considerably.

“Father, I’m not worried about myself. What troubles me is the possibility that if I stray into demonic ways, I might harm you and our family,” Qingjin admitted; that was his only real concern.

“Nonsense. ‘Rebellion’ merely means you can break conventions; ‘Black Dragon’ likely refers to your black-water attribute. Your mutated water element is different from others—you know that. As for the Dao Court’s hostility, and their intent to kill you, I suspect they see you as a threat. Since the Dao Court was established, over the past ten thousand years, in the first three thousand, a few human Dao Masters ascended. In the middle three thousand, none survived over a thousand years. In the last three thousand, not a single new human Dao Master has emerged.

Why do you think that is?”

Qingjin was dumbfounded.

“All seedlings are cut down before they sprout. Unless you join a cult or the demonic path, your Dao journey will be blocked. The Dao Court is essentially preventing any Dao Master from arising outside their ranks.

Your second uncle was almost killed in his youth. If not for your second aunt, you’d be visiting his grave now. Who set him up? Some mysterious figure—we still have no clue. Since your second uncle has never managed to establish his foundation, the culprit probably lost interest.”