NOVEL NEXT Chapter 31: The Respected Pei Family
Chapter 31: The Respected Pei Family
“This?”
Xu Lian opened the front door and brought in the clay cup left outside. His pupils contracted sharply as he noticed that the blood in the cup was untouched, not a drop missing.
What was going on?
The night patrol didn’t drink the blood from the clay cup last night!
“Why didn’t they drink it?”
His mind immediately jumped to the creature in the ancient well. Could it have scared the Night Patrol away from approaching this residence? If so, did this house have some kind of warding effect against evil?
Then, he recalled the purple jade token that suddenly emitted light last night. It was given to him by the quarry patrol inspector – did it grant immunity from the blood tribute?
There were two possibilities.
If it was the latter, it was a relief. But if it was the former, did it mean that the Night Patrol had discovered the existence in the ancient well? Could this lead to terrible consequences?
Xu Lian’s eyebrows furrowed deeply. This was a matter of life and death for his entire family and couldn’t be taken lightly.
Skipping breakfast, he mounted his horse and hurried to the quarry.
Upon reaching the quarry, he sought out the leader of the swordsmen, Lu Kan.
Xu Lian took out the purple jade token. “Do you know what this is?”
At the sight of it, Lu Kan’s expression turned solemn. He immediately cupped his hands and bowed deeply. “This subordinate awaits orders from Manager Xu!”
“…” Xu Lian was momentarily speechless at his reaction. “I’m not using this token to order you. I’m just asking – what is this thing?”
Lu Kan looked at him in surprise. “Manager Xu doesn’t even know? Where did you get this?”
Xu Lian’s face darkened. “I’m the one asking questions right now.”
“Yes!”
Lu Kan respectfully explained, “This is one of the identity tokens issued from above. It’s said that there are nine color levels: green, cyan, blue, red, black, white, purple, silver, and gold. This purple jade token is of a high rank, second only to the silver and gold tokens.”
After speaking, he pulled out a green jade token from his pocket. “This green jade token given to me by the granary is the lowest rank. Its only function is to exempt the bearer from having to sacrifice blood to the Night Patrol.”
Xu Lian asked, “Then does my purple jade token have the same exemption?”
Lu Kan gave him a strange look. “Of course. With this purple jade token, you can move around freely at night. The night patrol will avoid you.”
Xu Lian understood now.
The Night Patrol hadn’t drunk the blood placed outside his house last night because of this purple jade token. It had nothing to do with the creature in the ancient well.
This meant that the Night Patrol hadn’t discovered the entity in the well.
Another thing that stood out was that the Night Patrol had avoided the purple jade token? Did that mean they weren’t as scary as they seemed? Or was it the purple jade token that was so terrifying?
Xu Lian decided to clarify. “What other functions does this purple jade token have besides the exemption and night mobility?”
Lu Kan replied, “In addition to those two, it can command holders of lower-tier tokens. As for other functions, this subordinate does not know. My position is low, so I only know these details.”
It can also deliver messages… Xu Lian added silently. This was something the quarry patrol inspector had informed him about.
This made him feel a bit overwhelmed.
Perhaps his advancement to the Muscle Refining Stage and his demonstration of talent had caught the Quarry Patrol Inspector’s attention?
“When Pu Ling arrives, tell him to take care of the quarry’s affairs for the morning. I have some personal business to attend to.”
After giving these instructions, Xu Lian turned his horse around and left the quarry.
Upon returning home, he went straight to bed.
Xu Lian had been completely exhausted the previous night. He spent the first half of the night engaged in four rounds of fierce combat, and the second half nervously conversing with the demonic presence in the ancient well until dawn.
He slept until noon.
Li Xiya woke him up with concern. “You need to eat. You can’t go on like this.”
“It’s fine. I just didn’t sleep well last night,” Xu Lian replied and stood up vigorously. The recovery speed of a martial artist’s physique was indeed remarkable.
Li Xiya rarely lost her temper, but she did so this time. “I said it’s not fine!”
Xu Lian couldn’t help but smile wryly. “Alright, alright. Whatever Sister Xiya says, I’ll listen.”
After lunch, Li Xiya insisted that Xu Lian take a nap.
With no choice, Xu Lian complied and rested for a short while.
After waking up…
Xu Lian was about to head to the mines when he remembered the matter of the old well. He specifically reminded them, “Don’t use the old well in the backyard. I just checked it and found a dead rat inside it”.
This was to prevent any potential danger to them.
After arriving at the mines, Xu Lian made a quick inspection. Seeing that everything was running smoothly, he left.
Galloping swiftly on horseback, he headed toward Han Du’s mine.
When Xu Lian arrived, the overseers and miners looked at him with complex expressions. They all knew that he now had full control over a new mine, becoming one of the town’s rising stars.
From a lowly stone hauler to the manager of a new mine in less than ten days, his rapid transformation was astonishing, like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis in a stunning metamorphosis.
Xu Lian’s appearance had changed. No longer a green and inexperienced youth, he now exuded the aura of a young master from a wealthy family. His every move radiated confidence and nobility.
“Brother Xu, you’re here,” Han Du said, stepping out with a smile as he heard the commotion.
Xu Lian stayed on the horse and said in a low voice, “There is some progress regarding Young Master Pei’s request.”
Han Du’s eyes lit up, and he immediately called for a horse. After mounting it, he led Xu Lian to see Pei Heng.
As the saying goes, “The poor live in the city, the rich live in the suburbs.” This rang especially true for Green Bamboo Town’s wealthiest families.
The Pei family, which controlled 30% of Green Bamboo Town’s land, did not reside in the town itself. Instead, their mansion was located several miles away on a lakeside.
Willows draped gracefully over the area, and patches of white walls and red tiles could be seen faintly through the foliage, resembling an ancient mansion.
As they approached, a large vermilion gate came into view, with a golden plaque bearing two characters: Pei Residence.
Two majestic stone lions flanked the gate, their heads raised high. The entrance was guarded by eight sturdy gatekeepers, each of them armed with blades at their waists and looking ready to fight.
Xu Lian couldn’t help but feel a sense of inadequacy. Compared to this grand estate, his own residence seemed pitiful.
“Manager Han, please come in. The young master is at the archery range,” one of the gatekeepers said, recognizing Han Du as a frequent visitor. Without stopping them, he smiled and gestured for them to enter.
Han Du dismounted and casually tossed the reins to the doorman.
Xu Lian followed suit, imitating his movements and entered alongside him.
Through winding corridors and passages, they arrived at the archery range.
A group of well-dressed young men and women were competing in archery, their youthful exuberance evident in their laughter and occasional cheers.
While the commoners toiled and spilled blood every day to deal with the Night Patrol, these wealthy families lived in an entirely different world, full of leisure and comfort.
“Young Master Pei,” Han Du greeted him as he approached with Xu Lian.
Pei Heng walked over with a smile. “Brother Han and Brother Xu, you’ve arrived.”
“I’m a regular here, no need to entertain me. You and Brother Xu can talk,” Han Du said casually as he picked up a bow and a quiver of arrows, joining the young group in their archery competition.
Noticing Han Du’s deliberate avoidance, Pei Heng realized that Xu Lian must have news regarding the task he had entrusted to him. Gesturing politely, he said, “Brother Xu, shall we discuss this in the sitting room?”
Xu Lian nodded slightly and followed him out of the living room.
A young girl ran quickly after them. Her bright, curious eyes studied Xu Lian as she tugged on Pei Heng’s sleeve. “Brother, who is this? He looks unfamiliar. What secret matter are you two discussing that you need to avoid others?”
Pei Heng frowned and scolded her, “This is Brother Xu, an honored guest of our family. Don’t be rude. Leave us.”
Undeterred, the girl turned her inquisitive gaze to Xu Lian. “Hey, who are you? Why are you here? What’s so mysterious?”
Xu Lian respectfully clasped his hands. “I am Xu Lian. I have some business to discuss with your brother.”
The girl’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. “You’re the Xu Lian everyone’s been talking about? The one who recently took charge of a new mine?”
Xu Lian humbly replied, “That’s me, though the praise is undeserved.”
The girl looked at him again and muttered, “I’ve heard people say that Xu Lian is incredibly handsome, a charming young man. But honestly, you’re just so-so.”
“…” Xu Lian was speechless. He felt an urge to smack her on the back of the head. Can she even speak properly?
Worried about offending Xu Lian, Pei Heng quickly interjected, “Brother Xu, please don’t take offense. My younger sister, Pei Zhaoxi, has a mischievous nature. Unlike the other siblings, who are respectful, she’s spoiled as the legitimate daughter of the family. Even our parents find her troublesome – she’s the little devil of our household”.
Xu Lian waved it off. “It’s okay. She’s… innocent.”
Pei Zhaoxi widened her eyes and glared at him. “Innocent? Are you calling me stupid?”
Since when did innocent mean stupid? Xu Lian shook his head. “You’re overthinking it. That’s not what I meant.”
Pei Zhaoxi refused to budge. “You’re calling me stupid!”
“…” Xu Lian frowned, irritation flaring up in his heart. He coldly said, “If you insist, then so be it.”
Pei Zhaoxi’s expression darkened. “Do you know where you are? This is my house! Believe me, with one word, I can have you thrown out!”
Pei Heng’s face fell, and he shouted, “Pei Zhaoxi!”
What a brat! Xu Lian’s eyes turned sharp as blades as he stared at her and said, enunciating each word, “You’re welcome to try.”
With that, he stopped paying any mind to her and turned to leave instead of heading to the sitting room.
A loud slap sounded behind him.
Pei Heng, his expression grim, had slapped Pei Zhaoxi so hard that she fell onto the grass. He rushed after Xu Lian. “Brother Xu, please wait.”
Pei Zhaoxi sat stunned, clutching her cheek, clearly not expecting Pei Heng to strike her over an outsider. Tears welled up in her eyes and began to fall as she stared at Xu Lian’s retreating figure with burning resentment.