Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror-Chapter 254 - 233 Tian Youdao
Tian Zhongqing had not touched a drop of water for three full days; he sat silently in front of the desk, his thoughts crawling in his mind like ants, his lips turning white, sweating incessantly.
He was just over thirty years old, but he had never made such a grave mistake. The more he thought about it, the more terrified he became, murmuring to himself:
"Should I go and confess my fault? But an unfounded rumor like this... wouldn't it make me seem guilty, a laughing stock to others... Yet if I just let it go, who knows what the family head might think? I fear I might plant the seeds of a disaster..."
His heart full of anxiety, fortunately, Tian Zhongqing was not like Xu Gongming, carrying the burden of his family alone; he had elders above him. He quickly took out paper and ink, unfolded the fine cloth, and wrote:
"My dear uncle, I am in trouble and need your urgent aid. I am at the back mountain estate of Huaqian towns. Let no one know of this."
After finishing the signature with his name, Zhongqing, Tian Zhongqing clenched his teeth, used mana to evaporate the ink moisture, carefully rolled up the cloth, and called out:
"Someone come!"
The servant hurriedly came, and after a moment's thought, Tian Zhongqing gave his order solemnly:
"Prepare the finest wine and food right now! If it's not ready in an hour, you will suffer the consequences!"
Seeing the servant hasten away, he then summoned his wife and instructed:
"Keep an eye on the servants for me, let none leave, and make sure they do not disturb me."
His wife, puzzled, left, and as she disappeared outside the vermillion gate of the back courtyard, Tian Zhongqing then jumped down from the windowsill, breaking into a mad dash toward Huaqian Mountain.
A cultivator at the fourth level of Fetal Breathing's speed is astonishing, passing through the dense forest by the edge of the great town in the pitch-black night, charging straight to Huaqian Mountain without daring to rest. Checking the hour and catching his breath, he waited at the base of the mountain for the time it took an incense stick to burn, and sure enough, a young man sauntered over. Tian Zhongqing glanced around and whispered:
"Cousin!"
The young man jerked his head up and called:
"Zhongqing brother!"
Tian Zhongqing quickly gestured for him to lower his voice and asked in a low tone:
"Is uncle in seclusion?"
"Not at all."
The young man realized what was happening, glanced around warily and replied softly:
"He is regulating his spiritual energy, preparing for a breakthrough in Qi Cultivation. It should happen in the next few days when nature's spiritual energy converges." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
"Indeed, he is not in seclusion, hoo, heaven helps me too!"
Tian Zhongqing was instantly overjoyed and knelt down, saying:
"It is crucial that you deliver a message for me on this trip up the mountain."
He stuffed the rolled-up cloth into the young man's hand, and, fearing his negligence, he said in a grave voice:
"This concerns the lives of our whole family; take great care!"
The young man's face immediately went pale, and he nodded with clenched teeth, responding:
"Rest assured, brother Zhongqing!"
Seeing him enter the mountain as usual, Tian Zhongqing didn't dare to relax. He sprang up on the spot and dashed through the dense forest like the wind, quickly returning to the courtyard. He jumped in through the window, smoothed out the wrinkles in his clothes, brushed off the dew, and pretended to read a book.
After waiting for half an hour, Tian Zhongqing heard a click at the window and immediately understood. He left the backyard, carefully locked the door, and instructed his wife to keep watch at the entrance before turning back to the house.
Walking through the clean, pebble-strewn courtyard and stepping up the regular stone steps, Tian Zhongqing pushed the door open and entered the room. At the head of the room sat a middle-aged man with grey hair, his face fixed into a stern expression. He had well-proportioned features and numerous wrinkles, but his demeanor was severe, his eyes fierce as he sat silently.
This person was none other than Tian Zhongqing's uncle, the eldest of the Tian Family's current generation and the only cultivator on the verge of breaking through Qi Cultivation, Tian Youdao.
"Uncle, Zhongqing is ashamed!"
Tian Zhongqing gave a bitter smile, dropped to his knees with a thump, feeling both regret and sorrow. Tian Youdao was a strict man. He picked up a teacup from the table in front of him, drank a sip, and replied:
"I've already scanned the area with my Spiritual Sense, there are no prying eyes. Go ahead and speak."
Tian Zhongqing recounted his conversation with Xu Gongming. With each word, Tian Youdao's frown deepened, and by the end, he spat out a mouthful of tea with a pfft. Tian Zhongqing didn't dare dodge and was drenched head to face.
Tian Youdao's face turned an iron blue as he suddenly flipped the table in front of him, causing it to shatter with a clatter. With his beard and hair sticking out, he roared:
"Damned fool!!"
Tian Zhongqing shuddered and didn't dare to move. Tian Youdao, still not venting enough anger, grabbed Tian Zhongqing, delivering a hefty slap to his face, followed by a backhanded one, that made stars appear before Tian Zhongqing's eyes. Shivering, he turned around and kicked the large desk to pieces, sending porcelain shards flying and gritting his teeth.
"Uncle..."
Tian Zhongqing collapsed weakly to the ground, calling out pitifully. Tian Youdao took a deep breath, helped him up, and, with a wave of his sleeve, swept away the shards. With gritted teeth, he said:
"It would have been alright if it was just idle gossip, but to actually discuss it with the Xu Family, and with Xu Gongming at that, and for an intermediary to overhear it—truly, damned foolishness!"
"With things as they are, what can be done..."
Tian Zhongqing asked in a low and submissive voice, to which Tian Youdao replied sternly:
"Luckily, it's Xuanxuan who's in charge now. If it were Xiangping in power, not even nine lives would be enough to save you from death!"
Watching Tian Zhongqing's submissive demeanor, Tian Youdao's anger slightly subsided as he said in a quiet voice:
"You should know, the character of our main household's people all stem from Uncle Mutian. Those of the younger generation who haven't been disciplined are one thing, but going up from there, aside from Li Changhu, they all share a temperament—be it gentleness, severity, or impetuousness, at their core, they are all ruthless. Which of the prestigious families doesn't know that our main household's Cultivation Techniques are superior? How could you dare let such words slip out?"
Pausing slightly, Tian Youdao continued with a serious expression:
"The main house may appear kind and not mind trivial matters, able to tolerate both people and situations. Otherwise, why do you think there are so few cultivators of other surnames among the Lake Families? Where do you think this flourishing of various towns comes from, to the point where rhymes are composed about the main family's ancestors? But if you truly touch upon the subjects that everyone deeply forbids, the next moment would be a massacre and eradication, ruthless to the point you would think they are not the same person."
Tian Youdao, being Tian Yun's own brother, as well as the uncle of Li Xuanfeng and Li Jingtian, not only had an intimidating seniority, his talent was also exceptional. It was just that he started cultivating too late, which is why it took him until his fifties to reach the Fetal Breathing Peak. Now with an expressionless face, he detailed many secrets:
"Do you think the Liu Clan, being the ancient wife's clan and major matriarchal family, doesn't just have a large Spiritual Field in Jingyang Town, but the Family Head is also rather astute? Why then is Liu Rouxuan, who is clearly still alive, faring worse than our Tian Family?"
Enthralled, Tian Zhongqing couldn't help asking:
"Why?"
"At that time, you and others were not yet born, and Xuanxuan was probably only four or five years old. When the Lijing Mountain Gate was newly established, a member of the Liu Clan spied on our main family's Mountain Gate. It was during Xiangping's reign. He was the Liu Clan Leader himself, who tied up that person and beheaded him in front of the mountain, thus saving the family... Xuanxuan also knows of this incident, and harbors resentment, which is why for so many years the Liu Clan has remained in such lukewarm circumstances..."
Tian Youdao spoke from today's perspective about the events of that year, displaying a hint of emotion. While the speaker might have been unintentional, the listener was keenly interested. These words struck Tian Zhongqing like a thunderbolt, his legs trembling with fear and his eyes brimming with tears as he clenched his teeth and said:
"Uncle... what do you mean?!"
