NOVEL NEXT Chapter 81: Extra 1, Cousin
The multi-root technique shook the Greenwood continent. I had made copies and sent them everywhere secretly thanks to uncle Qin’s caravans. A powerful sect could attack a city for this technique but could not do it if it was publicly available everywhere. Luckily, my technique was created for those with multiple roots - AKA poor cultivation abilities - so it was useless for geniuses.
The trip I planned was also to hide from the repercussions and protect my loved ones1MC had enough of seclusion. Due to my cultivation level and numerous protection artifacts, I was not concerned about my safety and chose to travel low key. Well… as low key as I could.
I got my independence from uncle Huai after he made me learn some swordsmanship. I was not a genius in the area but I was smart enough to also use tricks like arrays, potions, drugs, poisons and talismans during emergencies. However, I had to take with me bodyguards despite them having lower cultivation levels than mine.
“They have more fighting and life experience than you” was uncle Huai’s answer to my complaints
In the end, I negotiated to have no more than 5 guards with the Core Formation stage. AnNan city has gained a lot of experienced cultivators and officers since its increase in reputation. It could be managed well even with five less experienced city guards.
It was hard to say my goodbyes to everyone. I knew that this trip would take a minimum of a year. I had to hold my tears when hugging grandma Li and aunt Yan and it took a lot of coaxing to disengage from Xie-er.
Thankfully, Li Bo and Li Yao were old enough so I got a smile from them. I was gifted with a painful slap on my back from uncle Huai. He was still in the late stage of Nascent Soul but his cultivation base improved since he was poison free.
I hopped on my brand new ship and was on my way to new adventures...
My first stop was not too far from AnNan city. I changed my face and went to secretly watch Yu JinLi2 The former she-wolf cousin.
I hated her but she was pitiful being manipulated by her fake mother and not so fake grandmother. After my enlightenment almost 6 years ago, I sent someone to spy on her and I chose to help her break free from her grandmother who, unsurprisingly, stole her inheritance. I anonymously helped her regain the stolen assets then let her live her life as she wished.
This time, I planned to see her to check how she turned out to be without the bad influence. A year ago, she moved to another low level city to restart her life. She opened a clothing shop and was busy with day to day operations.
“Welcome to NanBai shop. What are you looking for?” she asked me when I entered with my disguise
“I want a set of low key clothes” I replied
Yu JinLi smiled “I think green would suit you best, what do you think about this set cousin?” she asked while showing a pale green robe with delicate bamboo embroidery on the hem
“How did you know it was me?” I asked while removing my disguise
“The way you talk, walk and expression did not change” she replied “I never had the chance to talk to you since that scandal. How about a tea break? Don’t worry, I don’t want to hurt you, and you are too strong for me anyway. You can choose the tea shop and eat your own food while we talk” she offered
I had nothing to lose and I was curious how much she changed in more than half a decade so I accepted. My guards suggested the only restaurant in the city for cultivators. From a low level cultivator point of view, it was decorated ostentatiously but all decorations had no spiritual energy and even their food had only a sliver of it. “The meat here is from farmed animals and most farmers are non-cultivators” said Yu JinLi “This city is too far from areas with beasts to get anything better”
I nodded and let her order some dishes then I added mine. I took out the analyzer to check the tea we got while waiting for the food before drinking it. Yu JinLi said nothing while drinking hers
“Why did you come to see me?” asked my cousin eventually.
“I came to see how you are doing to make a decision” I replied
“What kind of decision?” she asked with a frown
“No worries, I don’t plan to hurt you, cousin”
…
“Yu JunLi, why did you leave your grandmother?” I asked first
“Didn’t you help me break ties with her after she stole everything from me?” she asked
“You knew…”
“Yes, I knew. I thank you for helping me at that time. I had to wait until I was old enough to leave that city and start anew elsewhere. By the way, it is our grandmother, not only mine. Blood ties never disappears with a piece of paper”
“Customers, here is your food! Enjoy” said the waiter while putting the steaming dishes on the table. I used the analyzer again to check the food for poison and it was fine.
“Don’t bother us from now on” I ordered the waiter and the guards. Then I set an isolation and sound array around my cousin and I before continuing
“Blood wise, she is not my grandmother. My father was adopted, he was originally your grandfather’s nephew” I replied. My cousin’s eyes widened, she seemed genuinely shocked and I smiled sadly “This was why your grandmother hated me and used you and the others to slander me”
“I am sorry for that, Bai YuShin. My childhood mistakes will follow me forever. My number one regret was not the stupid cheating but being jealous of you and hurting you all the time” She put her hand on her cheek and leaned on the table while smiling sadly “It was only when I experienced the bad reputation and the betrayal from my own grandmother that I understood what you experienced. The difference is that, contrary to you, I earned that reputation”
It was the first sad smile but not a fake one I saw on her face. She could be acting though, my instinct told me it was not the case.
“Whatever happened is in the past. From now on, I will judge you based on your current actions” I replied “Your mother is dead and I am sorry about it”
“She died 6 years ago for poisoning the city lord and his wife” replied Yu JinLi. With her last words being stressed, I knew she hated uncle Huai and aunt Yan and would try something for revenge if she ever had the chance. For the sake of her real mother, I had to set things straight
“She did not. Your real mother died years earlier by the hand of the one who took her place to poison the city lord, and hurt me”
“What?” asked Yu JinLi confused
“She was replaced before I met her, I am not sure when exactly but it was after you were born and before I came to live with you. This is the reason I helped you break ties with your grandmother. Your mother was a victim so I helped her daughter have a better life despite what she did to me.
However, from now on, if you ever hurt anyone around you, I will not protect you. If you ever touch my loved ones, directly or indirectly, I will retaliate” I threatened.
“Are you sure?” she asked with tears. Before I replied she held a hand up to stop me “No… I believe you… my nanny told me that my mother changed when I was two years old. She was truly kind and gentle before but she changed after a fight with father… was it at that time that she…”
“Maybe, maybe not. You might never know. At the end, the murderer was executed but no evidence could be found to clear your mother’s name and I am sorry about that” I said while my cousin started crying. It was easy for her to believe, maybe she saw some signs but refused to acknowledge them. I decided this talk went long enough so I stood up removing the arrays.
“It seems I ended up hurting you despite my promise but I hope the truth would help you be free from any resentment. Farewell cousin”
I went to the reception area and paid for the meal before leaving. Unless fate made us meet again, I would not see her from now on.
I went out with my guards and boarded the ship once again for our next stop.
