Chapter 49
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Chapter 49: Every Family Has Its Difficulties
For several consecutive months, Xu Wei’s family drama persisted. Their business had already declined to such an extent that Xu Wei ultimately decided to lease out the stall and abandon the business altogether. A trade that had been passed down for centuries vanished just like that, evoking a sense of nostalgia among many.
For cultivators who had grown up in West City, Xu Wei’s buns were an integral part of their childhood. Many would return as adults to relive the taste, but whether they would have the chance again remained uncertain.
In the following days, Lin Jiang frequently overheard gossip about Xu Wei’s family. Since the market stall vendors were close neighbors of the Xu family, their household’s constant disputes made it impossible to remain unaware.
After some time had passed, Lin Jiang happened to see Xu Wei drinking at a market stall. The sight of him left Lin Jiang in shock. How long had it been? Xu Wei had aged dramatically, now resembling an old man in his seventies or eighties.
Though Xu Wei was indeed that age, he had taken Appearance Fixing Pills, which had preserved his outward appearance at around fifty.
“Taoist Friend Lin?”
“Friend Xu, what brings you here?”
“Just feeling frustrated and needed a drink. Sit down and join me?”
“Alright.”
Lin Jiang glanced at the stall but didn’t mind. This was the lowest-tier Ling Feast in Yunzhong City, made from leftover demon beast scraps. Even their spiritual wine was of poor quality, likely diluted with three times the amount of regular wine.
The only appeal of such vendors was their affordability. With a single spirit stone, one could eat and drink to their fill. Most patrons were in the Qi Refining Period, the lowest cultivation level in Yunzhong City.
Lin Jiang had never dined at such a place before, and Xu Wei likely hadn’t either. He had possessed considerable wealth—not just his house, but also a thriving business that brought in a steady income.
After sitting down, Lin Jiang found the spiritual wine unpalatable. He called the vendor over and asked them to fetch a slightly better jar of wine.
“Such extravagance! Many thanks, Taoist Friend Lin.”
“We’ve been neighbors for over a year, yet I’ve never invited you for a drink. Tonight, it’s my treat.”
Lin Jiang smiled warmly, not minding the cost. He had no deep friendships among the market vendors, only casual acquaintances. He rarely dined or drank with them.
“Alright, alright…”
Xu Wei had already consumed a significant amount of alcohol. Unless a Qi Refining Period cultivator actively used spiritual energy to dispel the effects, they could still become intoxicated. Xu Wei was already tipsy.
“Taoist Friend Lin, do you all laugh at my family’s misfortune?”
“No, Taoist Friend Xu, you misunderstand. Every family has its struggles—it’s part of life.”
“Yes, every family has its troubles, but why must mine be like this?”
“Taoist Friend Xu, don’t dwell on it too much.”
“I… sob sob…”
Xu Wei broke down in tears, making Lin Jiang feel uneasy. He regretted taking a seat.
Xu Wei didn’t just cry; he rambled about his current situation. His daughter, Xu Jiaojiao, was simply waiting for him to die so she could fight for the family property.
This pained him deeply. He had always adored his daughter. Before her marriage, he had shielded her from hardship. When she wed, he provided her with a generous dowry. Without it, how could she have maintained her strong position in her husband’s family?
Yet, despite everything, Xu Wei didn’t dare drive Xu Jiaojiao away. First, because she was his daughter. Second, because he knew some of his relatives were scheming to take his house. That house was the accumulation of several generations’ efforts—a legacy of both family and ancestral struggles. It was not so simple to relinquish.
If he expelled Xu Jiaojiao, then Xu Dongyang would be left alone. Xu Dongyang was still young, with weak cultivation and poor talent. His future seemed bleak, and he would stand no chance against the Xu family’s ambitious relatives.
Xu Wei had initially hoped that Xu Jiaojiao and Xu Dongyang could work together to counterbalance those threats. But he had underestimated his daughter’s greed. With her son having joined the Zhonghang Sect and gaining a chance to reach the Foundation Building Period, her entire family was willing to pay any price to support him—even if it meant severing ties with her own father.
Lin Jiang sighed upon hearing this. Perhaps this was the reality of life—everyone had their own interests, their own choices. In the face of personal gain, familial bonds often became fragile and unreliable.
His thoughts drifted to the Lin family. Under Lin Batian’s leadership, the family remained united. The first-generation patriarch was like a founding emperor, commanding immense prestige. But that could change. How much longer could Lin Batian live? After his passing, would the Lin family also face internal strife, ultimately leading to its downfall?
“Grandfather.”
They had been drinking for who knows how long, until darkness completely set in. At that moment, Xu Dongyang appeared, quietly paying respects to Lin Jiang before helping his drunken grandfather leave.
Lin Jiang actually had a favorable impression of Xu Dongyang. The boy was reserved but diligent, hardworking, and sharp-minded. The only issue was his weak cultivation talent. In the world of cultivation, lacking strength was dangerous, especially when inheriting a substantial fortune.
Yet, Lin Jiang had no intention of intervening. Even the most upright official would struggle to mediate family disputes, let alone an outsider like him. If he got involved, others might suspect he had ulterior motives—perhaps even a desire for a share of the property. That would only invite unnecessary trouble.
With Xu Wei gone, Lin Jiang no longer had the desire to continue drinking. He was never particularly fond of alcohol. Tonight was merely a chance encounter with Xu Wei, an opportunity to hear some gossip.
“I am merely a traveler in this world.”
“Right and wrong hold no bearing on me.”
“The world is full of troubles; involvement only invites trouble.”
Lin Jiang took out a special stone to pay his bill, then stood up and left. He reminded himself to steer clear of others’ affairs and personal entanglements. Gossip could be entertaining, a means of unwinding and adding color to life, but he should never become entangled in it.
Staying low-key and minding his own business was the wisest path forward.
