Chapter 508: Little Uncle-in-Law

Seeing Zhang Xiaohua turn “ashen-faced”, Steward Yang felt extremely pleased with himself and laughed as he said: “Virtuous Nephew Ren, don’t be afraid. What your uncle here just said was merely talk. As long as you behave properly and work steadily within the Incense Spreading Sect, doing your duties honestly, your future path has already been planned out by your prospective father-in-law and me. You only need to follow it. A bright and open road lies right before your eyes. From now on, everything concerning you in the sect will be looked after by your uncle here. Isn’t that a hundred times better than those people with no backing or support?”

“Fine.” Seeing the look on Steward Yang’s face that clearly said ‘let’s see whether you know how to play along’, Zhang Xiaohua could not help but grumble inwardly. First came the big stick and a round of warnings, and now it was time to offer the carrot—did he really think Zhang Xiaohua was a clueless fifteen-year-old? Still, he maintained his respectful demeanor, listening with nothing more than his two ears.

Seeing Zhang Xiaohua remain deferential, Steward Yang grew even more pleased and patted his chest. “True, it’s rare for a mere medicine boy to rise to prominence—but isn’t your Uncle Yang still here? I’ll certainly put in a good word for you in front of the Hall Master and create the best possible conditions for you, so that you can quickly reach the threshold of becoming an outer sect disciple. Mm, then I’ll find some disciples I’m familiar with to properly instruct you, so you can pass the trials and go down the mountain as early as possible!”

Hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua was just about to ask what this “passing the trials” meant when Steward Yang suddenly changed the subject again. “But all of this must be under the care of the Pill Expansion Hall. Even if it’s an inner sect disciple… mm, if she has any matters for you, you… you mustn’t pay her any heed. Or… find some excuse to put her off. Still, you look like someone in his twenties, yet you’re really only fifteen—a mere medicine boy. How could that Kong… possibly take a fancy to you? Hopefully I’m just worrying for nothing…”

The more he spoke, the weaker his tone became, as though he himself could not find any better justification.

Zhang Xiaohua was already laughing himself silly inside. Judging from Steward Yang’s reverence toward Lady Kong, the difference in their status within the Incense Spreading Sect was self-evident. Yet he stubbornly dragged the Pill Expansion Hall out as a shield, trying to persuade and instruct Zhang Xiaohua, terrified that he might “branch out like a red apricot over the wall”. In truth, if Zhang Xiaohua really had any intention of currying favor with the powerful, given Steward Yang’s fear of Lady Kong, all he would need to do was claim some connection with Lady Kong—and even if Steward Yang dragged out Elder Zi Shen (Purple Ginseng) of the Pill Expansion Hall, he still wouldn’t dare touch so much as a single hair on Zhang Xiaohua’s head.

But did Zhang Xiaohua have any need to do that?

He didn’t even have the slightest such thought.

Zhang Xiaohua clasped his fists, feeling both amused and exasperated. “Uncle Yang, please set your mind at ease. I will remember every word you’ve said today and will certainly not give you cause for worry. Promises are easy to make, but even if your nephew were to speak until flowers bloomed from the sky, Uncle Yang might not fully believe me. Rather than words, it’s better to let Uncle Yang judge me by my actions in the future.”

Steward Yang nodded with satisfaction, thinking to himself, That’s exactly it. Even if you spoke perfectly now, the moment you lean into Lady Kong’s embrace later on, what could I possibly say? Not resorting to empty flattery—this kid is interesting. No wonder Little Yu values him.

“Hm.” Steward Yang put on a stern face. “Then from now on, I’ll be watching your actions. I’ll keep you right under my nose and supervise you closely.”

“Ugh!” Zhang Xiaohua was startled inwardly. If you keep that close an eye on me, how am I supposed to look for Second Brother?

Still, he smiled and said aloud: “That would be best. Following Uncle Yang will save me no small amount of trouble, won’t it?”

Steward Yang nodded happily. Just as he was about to urge his horse forward, he added another reminder. “Oh, right—this way of addressing each other as uncle and nephew should only be used in private. You must not let others see the connection between us. Otherwise, even if I want to make things convenient for you later, people will notice.”

“Oh, come on.” Zhang Xiaohua was helpless. I was hoping to rely on you, you know. No matter how you put it, I sound like someone living off others.

All he could do was smile and say: “This junior understands. Steward Yang may rest assured.”

“Good. Let’s go. Ren Xiaoyao, the Spring Rebirth Valley carriage you’re on is currently at the back of the convoy. There are six carriages in total. Three of them carry supplies for the Incense Spreading Sect and were sent ahead long ago to be handed over to the sect’s disciples. The carriage carrying ten people is at the very end. Heh—Valley Master Nie took good care of you, letting you ride with Qiang Shi in one carriage, while the other eight are squeezed into two.”

Zhang Xiaohua laughed. “Isn’t that all thanks to Steward Yang’s consideration?”

Steward Yang burst into laughter. “No wonder Little Yu took a liking to you—your mouth is quite sweet too.”

With that, he spurred his horse forward, feeling thoroughly pleased with himself. Damn it, lecturing people feels great. No wonder Old Gu scolds me whenever he’s in a bad mood. Watching this kid Ren Xiaoyao get lectured until he’s all dazed—what a rush.

How could Zhang Xiaohua possibly know what he was thinking? He merely shook his head from behind, patted Huahuan’s bald horn, and chased after him.

The Incense Spreading Sect’s convoy had already numbered over a dozen carriages. With the addition of Spring Rebirth Valley’s wagons, the total had risen to more than twenty. From front to back, the line stretched out in a long, winding column. The sect’s escort disciples were somewhat thinly spread, and when a disciple riding toward the rear saw Steward Yang and Zhang Xiaohua catching up, he shouted loudly: “Steward Yang, I hear this kid’s got a couple of tricks up his sleeve?”

Steward Yang laughed. “Ren Xiaoyao managed to knock the Sword Young Master of Soaring Dragon Villa off the arena—of course he’s got some skill. You knew that already, didn’t you?”

“Heh heh. I also heard he got slapped by Lady Kong yesterday and spat blood all over?”

The disciple spoke with more than a hint of schadenfreude.

“And what level is Lady Kong at? No matter how capable this kid is, he can’t possibly be compared to her esteemed self. Why, even you are several times stronger than he is, aren’t you?”

The disciple was clearly pleased by this and laughed. “Still, I wonder how serious his injuries are?”

Zhang Xiaohua felt rather baffled but clasped his fists and answered, “I took some injury medicine and am still recovering. It’s nothing serious.”

“Heh heh, that’s good to hear. Still… that Jade Restoration Pill is really good stuff…”

The disciple let his words trail off.

Zhang Xiaohua immediately understood and secretly curled his lips. Frowning, he said: “Is that so? I didn’t realize it was that precious. What a pity—I only took one pill yesterday. The rest were taken away by Valley Master Nie. If I’d known it was so valuable…”

The disciple sneered. “If you’d known it was that precious, would you really have handed it over? Heh.”

Zhang Xiaohua sighed and said nothing. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he raised a hand and reached toward his robes. “Oh! I nearly forgot—before we set out, Valley Master Nie gave me some blood-nourishing pills made by Spring Rebirth Valley itself. If senior brother here is also injured, this junior would be happy to offer you a few.”

“Don’t…” The disciple waved his hand arrogantly. “Drop the senior brother this, senior brother that. You’re making it sound like we’re close. I asked you only because we’re short-handed on convoy guards, and knowing you have a bit of martial skill, I thought you could keep an eye on the rear. The way you’re talking now makes it sound like I’m coveting something of yours. Those blood-nourishing pills from Spring Rebirth Valley may be famous in the jianghu, but to people like us, they’re nothing more than ordinary medicine. Don’t think you can use them to curry favor—and don’t go around jinxing me by talking as if I’m injured!”

Zhang Xiaohua put on an obedient, chastened expression and repeatedly said he wouldn’t dare.

The disciple continued: “Since your injuries are no longer a problem, we’ll leave the tail of the convoy to you. Don’t be afraid—we’ll be clearing the way up front. You’re really just there as a formality. If anything happens, shout once, and we’ll rush over immediately.”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled. “That’s for the best. Please rest assured—this one will keep a strict watch. At the slightest sign of trouble, I’ll raise the alarm at once.”

Seeing Zhang Xiaohua pledge his loyalty so earnestly, the disciple secretly laughed to himself. This rogue really thinks he’s something. Doesn’t he know his own place? Just a medicine boy, that’s all.

With that thought, he waved his hand, lifted his chin, and urged his horse forward.

Once the disciple had gone some distance away, Steward Yang chuckled. “Ren… Xiaoyao, don’t take it to heart. People in our sect all have lofty eyes and look down on others. Even an outer sect disciple is like this…”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled faintly. How could he possibly take such contempt to heart? Steward Yang then edged closer and lowered his voice. “That… virtuous nephew Ren—the Jade Restoration Pill…?”

Zhang Xiaohua nodded. “That’s indeed the case. I didn’t know the Jade Restoration Pill was so precious. I thought it was just an ordinary healing pill. Once Uncle Nie mentioned it, I handed all of it over to him. As for my injuries, I’ve only been taking blood-nourishing pills.”

Steward Yang glared at him, wearing an expression of hating iron for not becoming steel. “You—! No wonder your injuries still aren’t fully healed. I was wondering just now—after taking the Jade Restoration Pill, how could you still not be better? So it turns out you’ve only been taking blood-nourishing pills. That old bastard Nie Shuai—he actually pulled a move like this. Had I known yesterday, I would’ve asked him for it myself…”

Steward Yang let something slip unintentionally. Then he looked at Zhang Xiaohua and laughed. “Don’t look at me like that. Just how precious the Jade Restoration Pill is—you’ll naturally find out once you reach the Incense Spreading Sect. When that time comes, you’ll regret handing it all over to that prospective father-in-law of yours!”

The more Steward Yang spoke like this, the more Zhang Xiaohua felt he had made the right choice. Had he gone around currying favor and handed pills to both of them, it wouldn’t have been long before every outer sect disciple escorting the convoy came asking for some as well. There weren’t many Jade Restoration Pills to begin with—who should get one, and who shouldn’t? Before even stepping through the gates of the Incense Spreading Sect, he would have already offended a whole crowd of people. Cough, cough. Better to keep them himself. Even giving them to Second Brother or to people of the Piaomiao Sect later would be better than making enemies.

Having finished lecturing Zhang Xiaohua—and having gained no extra benefit—Steward Yang said: “Ren Xiaoyao, stay at the rear and keep watch. If you get tired, go rest briefly in one of the carriages. I’m heading to the front to attend to Lady Kong. If you have any business, just come find me.”

Zhang Xiaohua clasped his fists and thanked him.

Steward Yang did not linger. He urged his horse forward, passed through the convoy, and headed toward the middle.

Zhang Xiaohua released his divine sense and looked ahead. In the center of the convoy, Lady Kong occupied a carriage alone, sitting cross-legged inside. It was unclear whether she was cultivating or deep in thought.

After a moment’s consideration, Zhang Xiaohua urged his Sibuxiang forward as well, following the convoy.

He dared not waste a single moment. He had yet to fully comprehend the incantation of the [Guiding the Spirit]. Perhaps he could temporarily conceal it from Lady Kong’s perception, but once they reached the Incense Spreading Sect, who could say what would happen? If one of the sect’s elders or the sect master noticed something amiss, he would truly be lamb meat delivered straight into the tiger’s jaws. Forget about finding news of Second Brother—even his own freedom would be hard to preserve.

When Zhang Xiaohua reached the rear of the convoy, he casually glanced over the last few carriages, pondering which one Qiang Shi was riding in. Just then, the curtain of the final carriage was lifted, and a fair-skinned, red-lipped young lad poked his head out and called respectfully: “Little Uncle-in-law!”