The Blood-Restoring Gourd Forged by the Master

After leaving the Half-Leisure Residence, Chu Xingchen first sent his disciples back to the Destiny Pavilion to pack their belongings. Under Li Yingling’s knowing gaze, he casually made an excuse to step out.

The mass grave.

Workers were busy repairing the surrounding area. Since no remains could be found, Zheng Xiaofeng decided to refurbish the entire site and eventually erect a large memorial stone.

This was at least a decent solution—after all, digging up every bone and corpse from the mass grave would have been far too gruesome.

It could be considered a good deed, in a way.

On the ridge where Li Yingling had once stayed, two figures stood silently.

Zheng Xiaofeng clasped his hands toward Chu Xingchen and reported,

"The investigation into the Li Marquis’ estate and Minister Wang’s household is complete. Anyone guilty of abusing power, harming lives, or oppressing others has been arrested and punished according to the laws of the Xuanwu Kingdom."

"Among them, Marquis Li has been sentenced to exile. The steward, who orchestrated most of the crimes, was executed immediately."

"As for the other offenders in the marquis’ estate and their respective sentences, they are all listed here. Senior, please review if there are any omissions or errors."

Chu Xingchen glanced sideways.

Zheng Xiaofeng presented a lengthy list—likely the result of a thorough investigation into the entire marquis’ estate.

Chu Xingchen glanced at it but did not take it.

"The law is the law. They simply acted with impunity because no one held them accountable before. Now that someone does, they must pay for their past deeds."

His tone turned serious as he added, "I only ask one thing—were there any wrongful convictions?"

Zheng Xiaofeng quickly replied, "None. Every case has solid evidence and witness testimonies."

After a pause, Zheng Xiaofeng hesitated before asking,

"Shouldn’t we inform your senior disciple about this?"

"What’s there to say? They broke the law and got caught. It’s not like I deliberately sought revenge—this is the iron fist of justice."

Chu Xingchen’s expression was calm, as if the matter had nothing to do with him.

Zheng Xiaofeng’s face filled with admiration, and he quickly praised,

"As expected of you, Senior. Such nobility! I still have much to learn from you."

"Thank you for handling this."

"No, I should be thanking you, Senior. It’s also thanks to your recommendation that I can join the Tianyan Sect."

Chu Xingchen patted Zheng Xiaofeng’s shoulder lightly before turning to leave.

Zheng Xiaofeng was being too sycophantic—no matter what was said, he’d respond with flattery.

There was no point in continuing the conversation.

Best to spare them both.

With this matter settled, it was time to return.

This trip to the capital had been pleasant—good food, entertaining performances.

But it lacked a certain human touch. Everything felt too calculated.

Chu Xingchen returned to the Destiny Pavilion and pushed open the door to find his rebellious senior disciple looking at him with confusion.

Her gaze drifted behind him as she asked, puzzled, "Master, you didn’t go after our junior brother?"

"Why would I?"

"Then why did you leave? I thought you couldn’t bear to part with him."

"Your master was naturally attending to important business. And why would I be reluctant?" Chu Xingchen crossed his arms and smiled at Li Yingling.

"If you ever want to leave in the future, I won’t stop you either."

Chen Baiqing, reading in a corner of the courtyard, turned around at her master’s words and said earnestly,

"Baiqing won’t leave. Baiqing will stay by Master’s side forever."

Chu Xingchen chuckled, teasing,

"Back in my hometown, the ones who say that are usually the first to run."

The joke took on a different meaning to Chen Baiqing. She hurriedly got up and ran to her master, clutching the hem of his robe.

Her large eyes gazed up at him, her voice soft and slightly nasal as she insisted,

"Baiqing isn’t lying to Master."

Chu Xingchen quickly reassured her, "Alright, I know. I was just teasing you."

"Really?"

"Really." He ruffled her hair gently before turning to Li Yingling. "How are the preparations? We’re heading back."

Li Yingling replied, "Already packed, Master. Let’s go."

Chu Xingchen nodded with a faint smile. "Let’s go."

Chen Baiqing suddenly remembered something and exclaimed, "Wait, Master! I need to get the candied fruits from my room!"

Li Yingling watched as Chen Baiqing hurried inside, then turned to her master and said softly,

"Master… thank you."

"Hm?" Chu Xingchen looked at her in confusion. "Why the sudden gratitude?"

"I went to the mass grave. I know you arranged that for me."

"Touched, aren’t you? Did your master’s move win your heart again?"

Li Yingling nodded, then grinned mischievously. "If you hadn’t said that, I would’ve been very moved."

"Damn it. Next time, I won’t say anything."

Li Yingling burst into laughter. But whether he said it or not, she was genuinely moved.

Wen Qing stood to the side, watching as the master and his two disciples chatted and laughed, boarding the spirit beast-drawn carriage once more. This time, Li Yingling took the reins—though her handling was visibly unsteady as the beast swayed left and right on its way out of the city.

Outside the capital.

Li Xingtian watched as his senior sister drove the carriage away with great inexperience.

He smiled and waved at the carriage once more.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, his master's hand reached out from the carriage window, waving back.

Li Xingtian's eyes widened in surprise…

Huh?

Then he saw his master shake the spatial ring in his hand, as if hinting at something.

Was this…? Had his master left something else for him inside the ring?

Li Xingtian probed the spatial ring with his divine sense, pushing aside the pile of spirit stones, and sure enough, he found something new.

A palm-sized gourd and a dark-red greatsword with a skull-like ornament at the hilt.

It looked… quite intimidating.

Li Xingtian first took out the small gourd.

A note was pasted on it.

【Blood-Restoring Gourd】

Perfect… just these four words carried his master’s signature style, and he instantly understood what was inside.

Li Xingtian gently shook the gourd, hearing the sloshing of liquid within. The sound alone made his heart sink.

Clutching at a last shred of hope, he twisted open the gourd’s stopper.

A faint sniff… and the familiar scent hit him.

His face twisted in discomfort for a long moment before he finally stuffed the gourd back into the spatial ring.

Was his master hinting that he should tread carefully? Otherwise, when pushed to the brink, he’d have to endure the torment of his master’s concoctions?

Hmm… indeed, he hadn’t even set foot on the Central Continent yet, but his courage had already wavered a little.

His master’s farewell was certainly… unique.

Next, Li Xingtian retrieved the dark-red greatsword from the ring.

The moment it touched his hand, an overwhelming surge of killing intent flooded his divine sense.

This was… a spirit treasure?!

Li Xingtian stared in astonishment in the direction his master had departed. Where had his perpetually broke master managed to scrounge up a spirit treasure for him?

He chuckled softly and sheathed the greatsword back into the spatial ring.

Now he truly believed his master’s claim—that they were the best of friends in this world.