Only I am Venerable-Chapter 45: Peculiar

I’ve run into some very stressful things these past two days, so the update is a bit late. My apologies. I hope my friends can cast a few more votes to support Xiaodao; this new book truly needs your support.

---------------------------------

「Three days later.」

Eunuch Li and his entourage left Yellow Sand City in disgrace. He had just received an imperial edict delivered by a Homing Falcon from the palace, fiercely berating him and ordering him to return to the Imperial Capital at once, forbidden from remaining in Yellow Sand City. They had originally come out to curry favor with the princess, but not only had their flattery failed, they had suffered a tremendous loss instead!

The moment his carriage drove out of Yellow Sand City, Eunuch Li lifted the window curtain. He stuck his head out, his one eye glaring back at the city’s majestic and solemn walls. The terrifying scar that ran down his face made him look as vicious as a demon, utterly savage and horrifying.

"Qin Li, you mark my words! One day, I will tear you to pieces! And the Shangguan Family... I’ll be waiting for the day your daughter falls from favor, and then I will personally ’take good care’ of her! ...Go!"

The driver cracked his whip, and the luxurious carriage kicked up a cloud of dust, swiftly disappearing from sight.

...

"Reporting to the Patriarch, they’ve left." The Black Armored Knight, who had appeared so domineering that day, now stood before Shangguan Tie with a deferential expression, speaking in a low voice. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Hmph. A mere eunuch, and he dares to be so arrogant! So what if he’s an Earth Level expert? Defying an imperial edict is a capital crime—he wouldn’t dare!" Shangguan Tie said leisurely. "Alright, Qin Li and the others are safe now. Let them go."

"Master, aren’t you going to see Young Master Qin?" the Black Armored Knight reminded him.

Shangguan Tie hesitated for a moment, then gave a wry smile. "That kid... he responds to neither carrot nor stick, and he hates owing people favors more than anything. I suspect that this time, if it weren’t for those Hunter companions of his, he wouldn’t have stayed at our residence for three days! Forget it. Just let him go."

The Black Armored Knight was slightly taken aback and bowed. In all his years of service, he had rarely seen such an expression on his master’s face—one filled with affection, yet also a hint of helplessness. He was secretly astonished and couldn’t help but see Qin Li in a much higher light.

’Originally, given Qin Li’s status, almost no one in the entire Shangguan Family, from top to bottom, thought much of him. Even though Shangguan Shiyu had her hidden ailment, Qin Li’s own status was even more disgraceful! As a result, even the Guards held him in some contempt, though they never dared to show it due to the family’s strict rules. But I, the Knight Leader, can clearly see from the Patriarch’s face that there’s more to the story. With the Patriarch’s standing, why would he need to show so much deference to a mere bastard son? The very idea is laughable! Therefore, I must get on good terms with Young Master Qin.’

...

As soon as he reached his front door, he saw Qin Hanyue and Qin Xue in the courtyard, hanging up washed clothes. He then noticed that the once-dilapidated fence was now brand new, and the broken-down gate had been replaced as well. Although the new additions clearly weren’t expensive, it was a huge improvement over before.

Qin Li looked up and discovered that the green tiles on the roof had also been replaced. His heart stirred. ’I’ve only been gone for a little over ten days,’ he thought. ’How could the house have changed so much?’

"Mother, I’m back!" Qin Li said softly to Qin Hanyue, who was walking over to greet him.

"My dear son! I’ve missed you to death! Quick, let your mother see, are you hurt anywhere?" Qin Hanyue didn’t know about the incident with Eunuch Li and assumed her son had just gotten back from his trip.

Of course, Qin Li didn’t want his mother to worry, so he didn’t mention it at all. He just smiled and said, "Mother, in your eyes, am I really that fragile?"

Qin Xue then walked over, gave Qin Li a slight bow, and said softly, "Young Master, you’re back..."

"Sister, we’re family. Why be so formal?" Qin Li said with a smile. "You can call me Qin Li, or even Li. Just don’t call me Young Master!"

A light blush appeared on Qin Xue’s pretty face. Over the past ten-odd days, her bond with Qin Hanyue had grown stronger, and she had truly come to see herself as a member of the family.

Qin Li pointed to the green tiles on the roof and the fence outside the courtyard. "What’s... all this?" he asked.

Qin Xue smiled slightly. "Miss Shangguan had people come and fix all of this after she visited," she explained. "We couldn’t stop her, so we just had to let her do it!"

Qin Li was taken aback. He had seen Shiyu a couple of times over the past two days, but that girl hadn’t said a word about this! ’Was she trying to give me a surprise?’ A smile touched Qin Li’s lips as he recalled his experience at the Shangguan Family’s estate these past few days.

His treatment at the Shangguan estate these past few days had been excellent. Thanks to their association with him, Hu and the others also got to experience life in a powerful clan. Notably, the Shangguan Family purchased the Iron Armor Crocodile for a hefty forty thousand taels of silver. Of course, everyone was well aware that a large part of that price was a show of respect for Qin Li. As such, when the silver was divided, Qin Li received a full ten thousand taels! They had originally wanted to give him twenty thousand taels, but he flatly refused. They finally lowered the amount to ten thousand, and Qin Li only accepted reluctantly after Hu threatened to end their brotherhood if he didn’t.

When he saw Shangguan Shiyu, she was standing serenely by a pond, feeding the koi within. She looked like a figure in a beautiful painting. Upon seeing Qin Li, she showed no surprise. A faint smile graced her beautiful eyes, but she didn’t speak and simply continued to feed the fish.

Qin Li walked to her side, eyed the plump carp in the water, and said, "They’re so fat. They’d make for some delicious braised carp!"

Shangguan Shiyu shot him a glare, her clear, cool, and pleasant voice finally breaking the silence. "You are not to eat them!"

Qin Li rubbed his nose and chuckled. Breathing in the faint, pleasant fragrance coming from Shangguan Shiyu, he felt a sense of peace settle in his heart. Suddenly, he felt the Innate Purple Qi within him begin to stir restlessly. When he tried guiding it slightly with his Cultivation Technique, it immediately began to absorb with frantic speed.

Qin Li was profoundly shocked. ’This cultivation speed... it’s even faster than when I absorb the wisp of Innate Purple Qi from the sky on a clear morning!’

Meanwhile, Shangguan Shiyu, standing beside him, suddenly felt a comfortable languor spread through her body, accompanied by a faint itching sensation. A blush crept onto her face as the itching intensified. ’How strange,’ she thought. ’I bathe every day, why would I be itchy?’ Sensing Qin Li’s somewhat invasive gaze, Shangguan Shiyu scoffed softly and stepped a little farther away from him. The moment she did, the itching sensation vanished, and so did the pleasant, languid feeling.

The instant Shangguan Shiyu moved away, the Innate Purple Qi in Qin Li’s body immediately calmed down, returning to its normal speed. A sudden flash of memory struck him. He recalled the very first time he met Shangguan Shiyu—the moment they passed each other, his Innate Purple Qi had stirred restlessly then, too. He just hadn’t paid any attention to it at the time!

’Could it be... that I can cultivate faster when I’m near her?’ Filled with this question, Qin Li moved closer to Shangguan Shiyu again.

"Ah!"

The moment Qin Li drew near, Shangguan Shiyu felt that sensation return! Meanwhile, Qin Li was staring at her, utterly dumbfounded. Their eyes met, and each saw the astonishment reflected in the other’s gaze.