Chapter Forty-Eight: A Farce

Tang Wei was quietly amusing herself on the side, appearing completely indifferent to the three clowns across from her, though in truth, she was deeply anxious. Although she had finally found the Xuanyuan family as she wished, she could not be sure if Yaya was actually here. The closer she got to her goal, the faster her heart pounded, so much so that she was almost afraid to face the outcome, fearing all her efforts would come to nothing.

Zi Xuan understood Tang Wei well; from the way she clutched at the corner of her clothes from the very beginning, he could tell she was merely putting on a brave front. He walked over to comfort her, saying, “Weiwei, don’t be afraid. No matter what, I promise we will find Yaya.”

Tang Wei bit her lower lip and nodded vigorously. With Zi Xuan’s promise, she suddenly felt as though she truly had some assurance.

Meanwhile, Ouyang Qianru had already arrived at the Ouyang family’s branch in City B, where the man in charge was none other than her own elder brother, Ouyang Qihua. Reliable and prudent in his actions, Ouyang Qihua was deeply favored by the old patriarch and had already been internally designated as the next successor.

This fondness, however, was different from that shown to Ouyang Qianru. For Ouyang Qihua, it was approval of his conduct and style, while for Ouyang Qianru, it was pure indulgence, the spoiling of a beloved junior. In comparison, Ouyang Qianru held more sway in the family. Thanks to the old patriarch’s doting, she could have whatever she wanted; everyone would go to great lengths to fulfill her wishes, fearing to trouble the old man and bring unnecessary complications upon themselves. Thus, she had grown up willful and domineering.

The Ouyang family’s eldest young lady, Ouyang Qianfen, was all but invisible next to Ouyang Qianru. Quiet and obedient, she spent her days tending to her flowers and plants, never involving herself in family affairs. Some new members of the household didn’t even know the existence of this eldest young lady, and Ouyang Qianru never took her elder sister seriously.

Ouyang Qianru burst into her brother’s office and immediately started clamoring, “Brother, help me look up two people, will you?”

“What sort of people? What are their names?” Ouyang Qihua wondered to himself, “By rights, Qianru’s reputation should already be well-known throughout City B. Who would dare provoke her? Isn’t it said that most people avoid her at first sight?”

“I don’t even know their names,” Ouyang Qianru replied, uncharacteristically shy. In a small voice, she said, “I just caught a glimpse of him at the train station today.”

“Just a glimpse?” Ouyang Qihua looked at her in puzzlement.

“One look is all it took! That one look was enough for me to decide I’ll marry no one else in this life! I don’t care. You must help me find him!” Angry and embarrassed by her brother’s expression, Ouyang Qianru started shouting.

Seeing his sister about to lose her temper, Ouyang Qihua quickly placated her, “Alright, alright, I’ll help you. Does he have any distinguishing features?” Ah, who knew which poor soul had caught Qianru’s eye this time. May God have mercy, he thought, silently praying for Zi Xuan.

“No need to make it complicated. Just find out who visited the Xuanyuan family today. I saw them go to the old Xuanyuan residence.”

“Fine. I’ll have someone look into it. Qianru, you ought to go home and see Father. He wants you to report to him in person about the assignment he gave you.” Ouyang Qihua seized the opportunity to try and educate her.

“I’m not going! I’ll wait until Grandfather comes out of seclusion. I can’t stand Father’s disapproving looks.” At the mention of this, Ouyang Qianru’s face darkened.

“How could Father dislike you? It’s just that you went a bit too far this time.”

“That’s enough! Nag, nag, nag—aren’t you tired of it?” Ouyang Qianru replied impatiently, distractedly fussing with her nails as she sat on the sofa. Ouyang Qihua could only shake his head at her behavior.

Suddenly, Ouyang Qianru slapped the sofa and exclaimed, “I remember now, Brother! There’s another bastard I want you to find. He has slanted eyes, a sharp mouth, and a monkey-like face—absolutely lecherous looking. He’s probably at the fifth or sixth layer of Qi Refining. If you find him, have someone chop off his hand for me!”

“Qianru, what did he do to offend you so much that you want his hand chopped off?” Ouyang Qihua dared not plead openly for the man, so he tried to probe for the truth.

He shouldn’t have asked; at the mention of it, Ouyang Qianru fumed, “That filthy lecher dared to grope my chest on the train! I’m furious! And it’s all because of Father, insisting I experience the hardships of the world—he made me lose all my dignity…”

“Alright, enough! I won’t ask. I’ll look into it right away!” The moment she mentioned the Ouyang patriarch, Ouyang Qihua hurriedly changed the subject. Anyone who could molest a woman on a train was surely no good. Chop off his hand? Consider it an act of justice! Having made up his mind, he left the office to set things in motion, and to escape his tempestuous sister for a while.

At the foot of the mountain by the old Xuanyuan residence, a good show was about to begin. From afar, curses and shouts could be heard: “Which fool with no eyes dares stir up trouble at the Xuanyuan family? Tired of living, are you!” Ah, seems another group of idiots has arrived.

“The Xuanyuan family’s hospitality is truly intimidating,” Zi Xuan said with a beaming smile.

A group quickly rushed over. Seeing the burnt-down mountain gate, the mustached man leading them kicked the three gatekeepers and shouted angrily, “Useless fools! How did the gate end up like this? How were you watching the place? Just wait till I report you—you’ll all be thrown out of the sect!”

At the threat of expulsion, the three clowns fell to their knees, begging, “Senior Brother, please, help us! It wasn’t our fault—it was those two outsiders who did it!” The oldest gatekeeper, seeing the real culprits still present, stood up and pointed, “Senior Brother, it was them! Capture them, and the patriarch will surely reward you!”

The mustached man kicked him into the grass and snarled, “Get out of the way! I don’t need you to teach me!”

He then turned to Zi Xuan and Tang Wei, arrogantly declaring, “You’d better surrender now! If things get ugly, it won’t be pleasant for anyone!”

Tang Wei, holding back her anger, said, “We’re here to request an audience with your patriarch. Please announce us.” She had decided not to escalate matters over something so trivial, wary of causing more trouble for what lay ahead.

“Bullshit! Did you need to burn down our gate just to see the patriarch? Enough talk—let us tie you up. Maybe I’ll even put in a good word for you. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being rough!” The mustached man was impossibly arrogant; it seemed that being a senior brother here had made him forget his place.

“I…” Tang Wei wanted to explain, but Zi Xuan tugged at her sleeve and whispered, “Weiwei, burning their gate is a grave insult to their clan. Pleading humbly now won’t do any good. It’s better to make a bigger scene, and then offer something valuable as an apology to the patriarch. But you’d best make sure they strike first.”

Tang Wei shot him a glare and whispered back, “Why didn’t you stop me earlier? Now you’re full of clever words! What should we do? Will the Xuanyuan patriarch hand Yaya over?”

“If he’s as virtuous as his reputation suggests, a sincere apology should suffice,” Zi Xuan replied, though he, too, was unsure how things would unfold.

After stomping hard on Zi Xuan’s foot, Tang Wei turned to the mustached man and said, “Is this how you treat your elders? These three clowns insulted me, and I spared their lives out of respect for the Xuanyuan family. Is this your family’s hospitality?”

“Elders? You barely have higher cultivation than me and dare call yourself an elder? You must be mad! Brothers, let’s get them—tie them up and we’ll share the credit!” In the end, he didn’t dare go alone and called for a group attack.

With a clatter, Tang Wei and Zi Xuan were surrounded. Weapons were drawn, spiritual energy circulated, and talismans were readied—everyone waited for the mustached man’s command to strike.

Zi Xuan pulled Tang Wei behind him and began chanting. Sensing something amiss, the mustached man ordered his men to attack, but it was too late. Zi Xuan’s immobilizing spell was already cast, freezing everyone around them in place, each caught in an odd position.

Tang Wei clutched his hand anxiously and whispered, “Zi Xuan, what should we do now?”

“Don’t worry. Watch me,” Zi Xuan soothed her, then traced a few symbols in the air and declared, “Patriarch Xuanyuan, we, your fellow cultivators, have come with urgent matters to discuss, yet your disciples have repeatedly obstructed and insulted us. Is this truly the Xuanyuan family’s reputation? If word of this spreads, it will surely bring disgrace upon your esteemed name!”