Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 217 - 150: Giving Up

Qin Wan felt the same way.

"Who would’ve thought we’d just arrived in the Spirit Realm, only to fall into this awkward mess."

She let out a bitter laugh.

She had thought she’d go straight to the Zhu Family and become an outer disciple, but instead, she was trapped here.

"Master Lu has his eye on us. If you all get a chance to leave, then go," Xu Zhuqing said at that moment.

"If things really come to that, I hope Miss Xu Zhuqing won’t mind too much," Lu Chang’sheng said with a forced smile.

"I won’t. This whole thing is way beyond what you could handle. We understand," Xu Zhuqing replied.

Lu Chang’sheng nodded. "You shouldn’t be too pessimistic. After all, we’ve still got Brother Yu Hai."

"Exactly. And if the Zhu Family really doesn’t do anything, what kind of shameless family would want me to join them anyway?" Yu Hai snorted, voicing his displeasure.

Xu Zhuqing felt a warmth in her heart.

"If we get through this, and there ever comes a day you need Zhuqing, I’d lay down this half-ruined body to help." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Lu Chang’sheng shook his head with a little smile.

"Don’t think like that yet. Maybe we’re wrong about all this."

Lu Chang’sheng said.

But soon enough, the group realized that Lu Chang’sheng and his father’s guess had been spot on.

The next night, the Zhu Family steward walked into the yard, looking utterly exhausted and sighing incessantly.

"We’ve tried a lot, even summoned someone from Supreme Profound Sect, but since it concerns a Foundation Establishment True Man, none of the others want to get involved."

Lu Chang’sheng forced himself to say, "Thank you for your help, fellow Daoist. The Zhu Family has already done plenty for us."

"Sigh, it’s our fault. We should never have tried to save some money and bring you here," Zhu Er said, wringing his hands in regret.

Anyone who didn’t know the truth would find their back-and-forth moving.

But for those in the know, it was simply nauseating.

Still, everyone kept their feelings to themselves.

Just as Lu Chang’sheng had said, no matter what happened, it was best not to offend the Zhu Family.

"Even if the Zhu Family doesn’t help, as long as they don’t kick us while we’re down, they’re not our enemy. One less enemy means more ways out in the future."

These days, Lu Chang’sheng would sometimes chat with the group.

They didn’t have any soundproofing talismans, so they mostly communicated by writing.

It was a bit troublesome, but at least it was safe.

If even this was discovered, well, then they probably deserved whatever came.

"If you both have any thoughts, do let us know. Maybe we can help," the Zhu Family steward looked at Xu Zhuqing and Qin Wan.

"Master Lu really won’t let us go?" Xu Zhuqing asked.

"The True Man said he could see you were new to the Spirit Realm, that your bodies would easily suffer some subtle injuries from the environment, so he wants you to stay here a while longer."

The steward explained.

Clearly, this was nothing but an excuse.

But no one dared say otherwise, because the other side was a Foundation Establishment expert, and people like them were utterly insignificant.

"Did you tell the True Man that Miss Xu Zhuqing and Miss Qin Wan are my wife’s friends?" Lu Chang’sheng suddenly asked.

The Zhu Family steward shook his head and forced a smile. "We did, that’s why you two are even allowed to live here peacefully. Otherwise, with the True Man’s means, there’d be other ways."

All Lu Chang’sheng could do was sigh helplessly.

Right now, his biggest support was this connection to Li Nangua. If even that didn’t work, he was out of options.

"Both of you should really consider it. Honestly, here in Platinum Immortal City, there are plenty of women lining up to be Master Lu’s concubine."

The steward changed but kept his tone earnest, "In cultivation, it’s always wealth-partner-practice-ground, and wealth comes first —it’s so important! Having a big shot as your backer saves you decades of effort."

Seeing the two women’s faces turn absolutely cold, the steward didn’t say more and turned to leave.

For the next half month, he kept coming to chat with the group. At first, he was subtle; later, he just blatantly urged them.

As the two women never gave an answer, the steward lost patience and left the next day.

Along with him went Lu Chang’sheng, Zhu Er, Zhu Qing, and the others.

Given Lu Chang’sheng’s ties to Fuyun Mountain, and the fact that the two women might still become Master Lu’s concubines someday, the relationships weren’t outright broken.

The Zhu Family was a lot smarter than people gave them credit for.

They never let things get so ugly there was no turning back, always leaving a retreat route.

Just in case things changed in the future and the family was affected.

"How could a family that survives in the Spirit Realm be so foolish?"

He left the courtyard with Lu Chang’an, Lu Ziyou, Yu Hai, and the others. Looking back at the two women standing at the door, he couldn’t help but feel stifled inside.

He hadn’t felt this kind of suffocation in a very, very long time.

Not even when evil cultivators invaded Great Yuan had he felt this crushed.

Just then, he saw Qin Wan run over and hand him three Peace Talismans.

"Almost forgot. These are what Qin Ruo got at Lingyin Temple. I forgot to give them to Chang’an earlier, so I’ll leave them with you guys," she said.

Lu Chang’sheng looked at the Peace Talismans in his hand and smiled. "Qin Ruo has a good heart. Next time we return, we’ll bring them up with us."

He didn’t overthink it and handed the talismans to Lu Chang’an.

Lu Chang’an didn’t think too much, either—three talismans were too many for just him, so he gave one each to his father and Lu Ziyou.

Qin Wan watched the father and sons divide up the Peace Talismans, praising Qin Ruo as they did, her face wearing a faint smile.

"It’s really just running in the family, huh? Something so obvious, and the three grown men didn’t clue in at all."

When Qin Wan went back, Xu Zhuqing chuckled softly.

For some reason, as she watched Qin Wan hand Peace Talismans to Lu Chang’sheng, something strange stirred in her heart—but it was gone the next second, crushed by her will.

"How did you get up the nerve to give that to him?"

Qin Wan sighed, "Maybe it’s the last time. I didn’t want to leave with regrets."

Knowing her close friend now had death in her heart, Xu Zhuqing didn’t try to persuade her—because she felt the same way.

"Maybe I shouldn’t have brought you with me after all."

Qin Wan smiled. "That’s not up to you. The books always say the path of cultivation is full of hardship. I never really got that before, but now I think I understand a bit."

"Any regrets?"

"Not really," Qin Wan said, then added, "Back then, things must have been hard for him too, right? Zhuqing, could you tell me again how he made it from outside the West Gate to the Prefecture City?"

Before, she’d always liked hearing about and watching his adventures on Ruilong River, his flashy heroics. But now, she wanted to know more about the struggles and hardships no one saw.

Xu Zhuqing nodded.

······

Lu Chang’sheng, Zhu Er, and the others left Bamboo Elegance Garden in haste, just in case anything unforeseen happened.

Once outside, they stepped onto a huge market street lined with ancient-styled pavilions on both sides.

Every so often, cultivators with uncommon auras could be seen strolling among the shops.

After a while on the street, Zhu Er and the Zhu Family steward finally relaxed and, before long, led everyone into a three-story building.

Upon inquiry, they learned this was a shop the Zhu Family ran in Platinum Immortal City; whenever family members visited, they usually stayed here.

"We’re planning to leave Platinum Immortal City tomorrow and head back to the clan. Fellow Daoist Lu, why not come with us? When my Zhu Family travels to Fuyun Mountain, I’ll let you know ahead of time. Then you can join up!" Zhu Er said with a laugh.

As if he’d forgotten the two women still remained in Bamboo Elegance Garden.

"I’ll pass for now, Fellow Daoist Zhu Er. Just leave your contact info, and let me know then," Lu Chang’sheng had other plans.

"That works too," Zhu Er didn’t push it.

The Zhu Family didn’t really care about Lu Chang’sheng himself—it was his wife Li Nangua they valued. As long as he could make the introduction, that was enough.

Of course, if Lu Chang’sheng stayed in Platinum Immortal City, there’d be chances for more interactions with the Zhu Family.

"Don’t forget about us, Fellow Daoist Lu. If you need anything, just let me know. Unless something unexpected happens, I’ll be managing this shop for a while."

"Then my thanks, Daoist."

Lu Chang’sheng said sincerely.