I Became the Alchemy Master by Picking Up Trash-Chapter 271 - 269: Redemption

"I am a rare Light Elemental Spirit, undeniably chosen to be the Tower Guardian of my generation. Thirty years ago, as the Chu Family faced its centennial deadline, the selection was between Chu Yu and Chu Ying."

"Back then, both of them were around your age, neither were married. We, the old folks, couldn’t bear to see the young enter the cage of torment at such a young age, so Chu Hui took up the banner and became the Tower Guardian for them."

Chu Baili let out a long sigh.

"You probably didn’t know, your ninth uncle weren’t blind initially, and he was handsome, not inferior to you. But because he was also a talisman-array genius like you, he sacrificed too much essence and life force to repair the Great Array, which ruined his eyesight, making him look older than me!"

These old folks sacrificed so much to let the younger generations of the Chu Family enjoy a few more years of free days, yet Chu Yunyi now wants to become the Tower Guardian, how could Chu Baili not be anxious and angry!

"Yunyi, if your mind is set, the ancestor won’t stop you, especially since with your talent, the next Tower Guardian of the Chu Family will undoubtedly be you. But you must wait a bit longer; the next centennial deadline is in seventy years. By then, you will have children and grandchildren, experienced the joys and sorrows of life without regrets, and it will be the right time to serve in the tower and honor the relics of our forebears!"

Chu Yunyi lifted his eyes to meet Chu Baili’s earnest gaze, his heart filled with bitterness. He had no time left to experience all the flavors of life. While his body was still capable, he needed to make decisions quickly.

"Ancestor, I understand what you’re saying. But I enter the tower to redeem someone, and seventy years is too long; Mother cannot wait."

Chu Baili’s eyes widened immediately, murmuring: "Could it be Ning Yu you want to redeem?"

"Yes. Please, ancestor, grant me this favor by seeking a favor from Elder Ji."

The Tower Guardian could be redeemed, but not with money, with another person. As long as someone is willing to replace you as the Tower Guardian, you can leave. However, this replacement must also be a highly qualified expert.

This rule allowed some old and frail Tower Guardians to be redeemed from the Heaven-Reaching Tower by the younger generations, to enjoy a peaceful life before their end.

But since Ning Yu was imprisoned due to a crime, even if Chu Yunyi was willing to replace him as the Tower Guardian, it would require the approval of the Ji Pavilion.

"No! I disagree!"

"Ancestor, Mother and Father had a contractual marriage. Father deliberately concealed the gene of the prime family line’s violet eyes when drafting the agreement, constituting fraud. Their marriage agreement is merely a piece of waste paper, and Mother was never legally Mrs. Chu. You, of all people, should understand this better than I do."

Chu Baili lowered his eyes, his violet eyes full of regret.

Back then, Chu Yu, obsessed with Ye Lan, was passionate to the point of self-harm and suicidal tendencies. Chu Baili had tried to dissuade him, but ultimately, he couldn’t oppose him and personally went to the Ye Family to propose.

As a member of the core family line, the issues in the agreement were glaringly obvious to him. But due to personal interest, Chu Baili chose to remain silent. Silence did not mean he was faultless; after Ye Lan went mad, Chu Baili also suffered from a conscience plagued by guilt.

"I am fully aware of the life Mother led in the Chu Family, and you are not oblivious to it either. Were it not for her lingering affection for me as her son, unwilling to leave me motherless at a young age, she might have taken her own life long ago."

Chu Baili’s shoulders sagged like two collapsed mountains, burdened by guilt, letting out a sigh.

"I am graduating next month. Once I join the army, I might not be able to visit home even once a year, unable to stay by Mother’s side to protect her. I cannot rest assured leaving her in the Chu Family, vulnerable to the insidious tricks of those women seeking power, so I must find her a good place soon."

"Ancestor, do you truly believe that the Heart Relic of the founding Family Head was destroyed by Ning Yu?"

"I..."

Chu Baili didn’t believe it, but if it wasn’t Ning Yu, the real culprit’s identity would indeed bring shame to the entire Chu Family, a thought too frightening to ponder further.

"Unfortunately, I found no evidence to clear Ning Yu’s name. My only choice is to use this method to redeem him and take Mother far away."

"Yunyi—!"

Chu Yunyi raised his hand to stop Chu Baili’s persuasion.

"Ancestor, please, for my sake, spare my mother a chance to live. Your grandson kneels in gratitude for your great kindness."

With things said like this, how could Chu Baili refuse? With a wave of his sleeve, a gust of wind lifted Chu Yunyi to his feet, supporting his knees.

"Alright, the ancestor will comply. I’ll plead with the Great Elder for you, but I can’t guarantee success."

"Thank you, ancestor, for your help!"

Having left Chu Baili’s residence, Chu Yunyi went to the Book Collection Pavilion. Even without Chu Hui’s token, the restrictions in the non-open sections were nothing to him. Without any difficulty, he found Ning Yu.

Since meeting Li Xing, Ning Yu had completely changed from his previous disheveled appearance. He cut off his dirty braids, shaved, bathed, and donned a clean gray robe.

A decade of frustrating life inevitably left its mark on his face, yet his features still retained the handsome outline of the past.

Chu Yunyi’s appearance made Ning Yu somewhat awkward. Ning Yu understood that their tormenting love had left all three of them scarred, but the most innocent one was Chu Yunyi.

Ning Yu resented Chu Yu, resented all the Chu Family, but in his heart, he held a deep guilt towards Chu Yunyi.

Ning Yu believed Chu Yunyi probably resented him as well. Without him, even if Ye Lan didn’t love Chu Yu, their marriage would not have been so strained, and Chu Yunyi’s childhood would have been happier.

"Young Master Chu, why... why have you come?"

Chu Yunyi said nothing, his gaze sweeping across Ning Yu before fixating on his face with undisguised scrutiny.

"Are you looking for information, Young Master Chu? I can help you." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Chu Yunyi spoke coldly, "I’m looking for you."

"Looking for me?"

Chu Yunyi took out an ancient scroll and tossed it into Ning Yu’s arms. Ning Yu opened it, and his face changed immediately.

"This... is—"

"The original marriage contract between Mother and the Family Head. Take care of it."

Ning Yu was shocked, "Why give it to me?"

"The marriage contract clearly states that once Ye Lan gave birth to two pure-blood successors for Chu Yu, their marriage would be dissolved, and they would go their separate ways."

Ning Yu nodded woodenly, he knew this.

When Ye Lan came crying to break up with him, he had already known about this agreement’s content.

He only hated that his own family’s power was too weak, unable to replace Chu Yu and provide Ye Lan and Ye Family with substantial support. But Ning Yu was willing to wait. Once Ye Lan and Chu Yu divorced, he planned to propose to Ye Lan, and they would spend the rest of their lives together.

However, Chu Yu was a hypocrite. Frequently cheating and committing domestic violence after marriage, Ye Lan’s life was described as a living hell. Knowing the truth, Ning Yu was heartbroken and couldn’t bear it, sneaking into the Chu Family to take her away, which led to the disaster.

The marriage document stirred Ning Yu’s painful memories, but what Chu Yunyi said next shocked him even more.

"The Chu Family has an extremely stable dominant gene, passed exclusively among the core descendants. Those with it have violet eyes. Mother and Chu Yu could never have a double-black child; the terms in the marriage document are falsified. You can use it as a case. Once the evidence is irrefutable, Mother’s freedom can be restored."

Ning Yu’s eyes suddenly lit up with hope, only to be extinguished in the next moment.

"It’s no use. I can’t get out."

"I have my means. There will be news in a few days. Once you’re out, know well what to do."

Having said this, Chu Yunyi turned and left without looking back, leaving Ning Yu standing there, lost in thought.

How could Lan Er and Chu Yu not have a double-black child? Then why is Chu Yunyou a double-black? Could it be—

No way! He didn’t remember ever being with Lan Er...

"Plop"

The sound of the marriage document dropping brought Ning Yu back from his thoughts. He quickly picked up the precious evidence and held it tightly in his arms, striving to suppress the storm in his heart.