Chapter Forty-Five: Preparations

On her way home, Tang Wei called her family ahead of time, asking them to return as she had something important to discuss. By the time their car arrived at the house, everyone else had already gathered.

Within the valley, Tang Wei relayed the conclusions she and Old Shi had reached to everyone. Zixuan was the first to voice his agreement. He, too, believed that for everyone's safety, their identities should be concealed, and that members of the Tang family should minimize outings, just in case. He had even decided to set up a killing formation he had recently comprehended in the valley to protect everyone.

After much discussion, it was decided that only Tang Wei and Zixuan would venture out this time. The rest, including the Shi siblings, were to remain in the valley for cultivation, and unless absolutely necessary, no one was permitted to leave. Only Shi Jinan would stay behind in the outside building as a caretaker.

Tang Wei and Zixuan would also adopt new names and must not reveal anything related to their home or situation. They had to figure out their own identification, and at dawn, they would set off for the headquarters of the Xuanyuan family in City B.

That night, Tang Wei went to see Old Li, wanting to explain everything clearly to him. She had always admired Old Li, whose passion and dedication to traditional medicine were deeply moving. He was generous, helpful, and when practicing medicine, never concerned himself with gain or loss, always putting patients first. His medical ethics were impeccable.

As for Li Changfeng, he was no longer the man who had first arrived years ago. Tang Wei had witnessed his transformation, knowing he had worked tirelessly, and now, he carried Old Li’s demeanor. In time, he would surely become another Old Li, so she didn’t wish for him to bear such a heavy burden in his heart.

She also admitted she’d been overly emotional the day before. If she didn’t clarify the truth to them now, she feared that throughout their lifetimes, grandfather and grandson would feel indebted to the Tang family.

Tang Wei was certain that once she and Zixuan left tomorrow, the two would immediately descend the mountain and return home, feeling too ashamed to remain with the Tang family.

Upon entering Old Li’s room, she found him silently packing his belongings. Tang Wei quickly said, “Grandpa Li, what are you doing? Everything’s fine, why are you packing?”

Old Li stopped, turned to her, tears streaming down his face. “Wei girl, our Li family has wronged you. Rest assured, even if we go back, we’ll do everything we can to find Yaya.”

Seeing him like this, Tang Wei’s heart ached, but she consoled him, “Yesterday, I was too emotional. It’s not so simple, and you can’t blame Li Changfeng. Besides, Yaya insisted on going with him. If Li Changfeng didn’t care for her, he would’ve avoided her, just like we did. He wouldn’t have taken her to the city to shop.”

Old Li, eyes brimming with tears, waved his hand. “Wei girl, you don’t need to comfort me. I know you’re kindhearted and don’t want me to carry this burden, but I—”

Tang Wei interrupted his self-reproach, “Kindness doesn’t matter right now. If it really were Li Changfeng’s fault, could I speak so gently?” She then explained the cultivation situation and shared everyone’s speculations in detail.

After listening, Old Li kept muttering, “Unbelievable, truly unbelievable!” His eyes brightened as he asked, “So you’re all cultivators?”

Tang Wei smiled and nodded, “Yes. Even you two, once your practice succeeds, can enter the Qi Refining stage. Then I’ll teach you other techniques.”

Seeing Old Li’s skeptical expression, Tang Wei thought of Li Changfeng next door and hesitated, unsure how to begin. Old Li, lost in thought over recent events, didn’t notice her discomfort.

Though the matter wasn’t truly his fault, and she didn’t blame him, Tang Wei still couldn’t bring herself to comfort Li Changfeng personally. Steeling herself, she said to Old Li, “Grandpa Li, could you comfort Li Changfeng for me? Explain everything I’ve told you—I really don’t blame him.” She sighed, “Grandpa Li, I’ll be honest: I no longer hold it against him, but facing him, I still don’t know what to say. Can you understand how I feel?”

Old Li nodded in understanding. Tang Wei continued, “I hope you both won’t rush to leave. Traditional medicine is vast and profound—it needs experts like you to carry it forward, to bring blessings to the people of China. And surely, you both want to see Yaya return home with your own eyes?”

“Don’t worry, I understand. I’ll talk to Changfeng. You must be careful on your journey—ask Zixuan for advice if you need it. That child is much sharper than he appears!” Old Li advised her.

After so many years here, Old Li truly regarded Tang Wei as his granddaughter. Thinking of what she would soon face, he felt only worry.

Tang Wei couldn’t agree with his high praise for Zixuan. “Him? Grandpa Li, are you sure?”

Old Li laughed and tapped her head, “I have a good eye for people. You’ll see—his mind is far from simple.”

Tang Wei pouted, “Grandpa Li, you’re saying I’m foolish!”

Old Li quickly comforted her with a smile, “Nonsense! You’re not foolish, you’re just too kind-hearted, so you see the world as more beautiful than it is. Go, prepare for tomorrow’s early departure.”

“Mm! Good night, Grandpa Li.”

“Good night!”

Returning to her room, Tang Wei entered her space and began organizing the essentials for her journey, storing them in her storage bracelet. She also prepared a few things for everyone else, intending to give them out in the morning—vegetables and fruit from the space, pills for Shi Jinan, and most importantly, several new techniques.

Tang Wei felt that although everyone’s cultivation had improved, they still lacked effective combat moves. She planned to urge her family to practice spells diligently in her absence.

And what was Zixuan doing at that moment? He was instructing Tang Jun on the killing formation he’d set up in the valley, explaining which points could be used to kill, which were the entrances and exits, how to deal with intruders, and how to rescue those who wandered in by accident.

Clearly, Zixuan had made the safety of the Tang family his top priority. Now, even if Tang Wei didn’t marry him, he would treat the Tang family as his own.

The next morning, Tang Wei distributed the items she’d prepared and gave everyone a few words of advice, Li Changfeng included. The boy was moved to tears on the spot. Finally, she kissed the bookworm Chong Chong, then got into He Jianjun’s car alone.

Between men, words weren’t necessary—a glance could convey everything. Both Zixuan and Tang Jun now had people they must protect with their lives.

Zixuan cast a deep look at Tang Jun. The two nodded to each other, then followed Tang Wei onto the car.

Tang Wei and Zixuan thus began their thrilling adventure, side by side, traversing the world together!