Chapter 266

Chapter 266: I Believe What You Say

Although Tu Wa didn’t understand what an earth contract was, he held a deep, instinctive trust in Lou Yun. By now, Lou Yun was skilled and practiced in dissolving Contract Symbols. Without causing Tu Wa the slightest pain, he successfully dissolved the earth contract binding the boy.

Naturally, Tu Qingtian now held no doubts about Lou Yun’s assistance. He thanked him profusely over and over again.

While waiting for Tu Wa to wake, Tu Qingtian pulled a small token from inside his robe. Carved with the character "Tu" (Earth), he handed it to Lou Yun, saying, "Benefactor, the kindness you’ve shown our Tu family is beyond our repayment. I swear today, in my name as clan head, that you shall forever be the Tu family’s most honored guest. If ever you require the Tu family’s strength, show this token and you may command any member of our family."

In the past, Lou Yun would have refused. But considering Chang Xiang’s future need for help from five element clan people to restore his body, refusal wasn’t an option now. After feigning polite reluctance, he placed the token inside his ring.

"Very well, thank you for your generosity, Clan Head. The earth contracts within you and Tu Wa are now dissolved. From this moment, you are freed from their backlash. Once Tu Wa wakes, swiftly return to your clan. I have pressing business and must take my leave!"

"Ah!" Tu Qingtian stood, rubbing his hands together. "I had hoped to invite you, Benefactor, to visit our family. But since you have urgent matters, I shan’t delay you. Nevertheless, whenever you have time, please come stay with us for a while."

Lou Yun nodded with a smile. "Rest assured, I will definitely come!"

…

Upon leaving the inn and seeing no one around, Lou Yun leapt onto the Dream Emperor Sword and shot into the sky.

Meeting Tu Qingtian and his son had finally lifted Lou Yun’s spirits, which had been depressed for days. It also made him ponder: had it not been for the troubles with Shui Lingluo, he might never have encountered the Tu family. And if he hadn’t met the father and son today, Tu Qingtian would surely have died. With only the ten-year-old Tu Wa left carrying the earth contract, surviving without his father in this world… the outcome was truly uncertain!

This made Lou Yun marvel at the workings of fate – every action and consequence seemed predetermined!

The rest of his journey passed without incident, and Lou Yun arrived smoothly at the secluded location Shui Lingluo’s aunt had given him for the Shui family.

It was an extremely remote little village, nestled against mountains on three sides, with only one narrow path leading out. Its most striking feature was a vast lake at its center, with villagers’ houses built circling its shores.

Lou Yun had longed throughout his journey to meet the Shui family quickly. Yet now, standing directly above their village, he felt a moment of hesitation.

He remembered vividly, while taking Shui Lingluo away, repeatedly pounding his chest and swearing to her aunt that he would return her home safely, unharmed. Now, not only had he failed to keep that promise, he was here to ask them for help fighting against Shui Lingluo himself!

Hesitate he might, but Lou Yun knew the fault wasn’t truly his. Shui Lingluo’s change from love to hatred had led to this outcome. After a brief pause, he steeled himself and descended directly from the air to the village entrance.

A few children were playing and laughing at the entrance. Spotting Lou Yun descending from the sky, they jumped in surprise. Yet, they weren’t particularly afraid; they just watched him curiously from a distance.

Lou Yun didn’t know who the current Shui family clan head was. He doubted it could be Shui Lingtong, given his youth. Nevertheless, he produced the longevity lock Shui Lingtong had gifted him. Smiling at the children, he said, "Little friends, this was given to me by someone from your Shui family named Shui Lingtong. I’m his friend. I’ve come to find him. Is he here?"

As soon as the children saw the longevity lock in Lou Yun’s hand, the tallest one shouted, "Look! It’s the clan head’s lock! He must be the great benefactor of our Shui family that the clan head told us about!"

With this cry, the children rushed forward excitedly, crowding around Lou Yun. Their attitude was overwhelmingly warm, each vying to lead him into the village.

Lou Yun kept a smile for the children while inwardly astonished. Truly, Shui Lingtong had become the Shui family clan head. What comforted him was that Shui Lingtong hadn’t forgotten his promise – he really had announced Lou Yun as their benefactor to the whole family. For such a young child, he indeed possessed the bearing of a clan head.

By now, adults heard the commotion and emerged from the village. The children chattered to them about Lou Yun’s identity. Seeing the longevity lock in Lou Yun’s hand, these people instantly understood. They hurriedly shooed the children away.

An older elder stepped forward with a kind smile. "You must be Benefactor Lou! Our clan head speaks of you daily. He’ll be overjoyed to know you’ve come!"

The old man warmly guided Lou Yun, while a few younger men sprinted back into the village.

Touched by their warmth, Lou Yun followed them into the village, taking a path that led directly towards the large lake at its center.

Feeling puzzled, Lou Yun wondered why they were heading to the lake if it was Shui Lingtong he was supposed to meet.

Arriving at the lake’s edge however, he understood instantly. The water at the lake’s center began to ripple intensely, and a figure emerged.

This figure was Shui Lingtong, the Shui family’s current clan head.

Possessing unparalleled water control ability, Shui Lingtong spent his training time naturally in the water. Hearing the sounds from the shore, he surfaced to investigate.

His eyes landing on Lou Yun, delight instantly spread across his face. Ripples pulsed beneath his feet, propelling him swiftly across the water to stand before Lou Yun. "Big Brother Lou! Why are you here?"

Though less than a year had passed, Shui Lingtong was noticeably taller than when Lou Yun first met him, and the childishness on his face had receded, likely due to his position as clan head.

In the families bound by the Five Elements Contract, each generation usually had only one member capable of controlling water. Yet, in Shui Lingtong’s generation, two emerged: Shui Lingtong himself and Shui Lingluo. The reason remained a mystery to all, save perhaps Chang Xiang who seemed to have some inkling.

Traditionally, the Shui family revered men over women. Thus, despite his youth, Shui Lingtong had to shoulder the heavy responsibility, becoming the youngest clan head in their history.

Lou Yun smiled. "Clan Head Shui, I’m actually here to seek your help!"

Shui Lingtong grabbed Lou Yun’s arm urgently. "Come on, come on, Big Brother Lou! I’ll take you to see my mother first. Hey… where’s my sister?"

"Naturally," Shui Lingtong’s sister was Shui Lingluo. With so many people present, Lou Yun couldn’t state the truth. He merely gave an awkward smile and changed the subject. Shui Lingtong didn’t seem to mind.

Led by Shui Lingtong, Lou Yun was pulled directly to his residence. At the doorway stood Shui Lingtong’s mother.

"Master Lou! What brings you here?" The sight of Lou Yun brought visible joy to Shui Lingtong’s mother, Shui Xiping, who came forward to greet him personally.

After some pleasantries, Lou Yun was finally seated inside the house. At his hint, Shui Lingtong shooed away the other cln members, leaving only the three of them.

Shui Xiping was of an older generation. Her initial joy at seeing Lou Yun gave way to recognition of his palpable awkwardness; she immediately sensed something significant had occurred.

"Master Lou, I know you don’t visit without cause. Coming such a long way to seek the Shui family must mean important business. You hold a great debt of gratitude from our family. Whatever it is, please speak freely, you needn’t hesitate."

There was no turning back now. Lou Yun had to tell them everything. He recounted the entire journey since parting with Shui Lingluo, focusing on every detail concerning her situation.

Shui Xiping and Shui Lingtong listened patiently, neither interrupting. Only after Lou Yun finished did Shui Lingtong leap up. "Impossible! Sister would never do such things! She told me often how much she liked you, Big Brother Lou! How could she turn around and help your enemies against you?"

Lou Yun felt speechless hearing this, especially learning that Shui Lingluo had confided her feelings for him to Shui Lingtong. He could only remain silent.

Shui Xiping, however, frowned slightly and chastised her son, "Lingtong, hush now. These are matters for adults."

Deeply respectful of his mother, Shui Lingtong merely pursed his lips petulantly but obediently fell silent.

Shui Xiping watched Lou Yun intently for a long moment. Finally, she spoke again, "Master Lou, what you say… I believe it."