Chapter 40

Chapter 40: Meeting Xu Feng

One look at Lookout’s End Cliff was enough for Zhao Chun to get a sense of Xu Feng’s temperament.

The cave dwelling clung to the cliff face, jagged stone spearing upward while harsh winds whistled through the gaps. It was austerity made real.

Xu Feng had chosen it as his home. That choice alone spoke volumes about his resolve.

A square-faced man greeted them outside. His manner was neither fawning nor rude as he said, “Greetings, Immortal Master. Our Family Head is waiting in the main hall. Please follow me inside.”

Zhao Chun nodded, and the three of them followed him into the Outer Sect cave dwelling.

Hu Wan Zhi and Fang Er Lang—the menial who’d taken the bribe—were already waiting beyond the main hall. Their status made it difficult to meet Xu Feng directly; Zhao Chun would have to explain first, then formally introduce them.

Xu Feng’s residence was as spare as its owner. The main hall held almost nothing—only a few tables and benches for receiving guests. Even the folding screens had been stacked and set aside beside one of the tables.

With nothing to hide him, the moment Zhao Chun entered, she saw Xu Feng seated at the far end. Even sitting, he looked tall and straight-backed, his posture disciplined and unyielding.

“Inner Sect Disciple Zhao Chun pays her respects, Senior Brother Xu.”

By status, they were both Inner Sect, neither above the other. In terms of generational seniority, Zhao Chun was only one generation below the Sect Master, higher than most. But Xu Feng had already reached the Foundation Establishment Stage, while she was still at the Qi Refining Stage. Calling him Senior Brother was the safest choice—and could not be faulted.

Xu Feng wore a short beard, but his features were still striking—clean-cut and handsome. In a plain cloth robe, he looked all the more upright, fitting perfectly with the bare, unadorned hall. Zhao Chun gave a small nod. His presence matched the place.

“Junior Sister Zhao,” Xu Feng said, his expression mild and unreadable. He lifted a hand toward the chair across from him. “Please sit.”

“I’ve long heard that Senior Brother has reached the Foundation Establishment Stage, yet I never had the chance to meet you. I only came to visit today, and I fear I’ve imposed.”

Xu Feng, it turned out, understood courtesy. He replied warmly, “No need to say that. I was delayed outside the sect and kept Junior Sister waiting.”

Many Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators considered themselves above those still in Qi Refining and treated younger disciples with cold arrogance. Xu Feng did not. He spoke to her as if she were an equal, and Zhao Chun found herself relaxing, as though a spring breeze had brushed past.

“This Lookout’s End Cliff is plain and harsh,” Xu Feng said. “Most people avoid it; few ever come by. Did Junior Sister have something important to discuss?”

Zhao Chun smiled. “Senior Brother has just achieved the Foundation Establishment Stage. I’m sure there’s no shortage of congratulations. How could anyone call it ‘avoided’? That Senior Brother was willing to make time to see me is an honor in itself.”

He had gone straight to the point, so she did as well. “I did come today with a matter to discuss.”

“Go ahead.”

Xu Feng lifted his brows slightly, unruffled.

“It concerns your son.”

The air in the hall seemed to shift. Xu Feng’s expression did not change, but his gaze cooled in an instant, the warmth tightening into something sharp and restrained.

Zhao Chun explained the conflict between her and Xu Kuang Rui, as well as the punishments each of them had received. When she finished, Xu Feng sighed.

“My son is unruly,” he said. “I was absorbed in cultivation and neglected to discipline him. He’s caused trouble in the sect more than once. I knew the result of his confinement, but I didn’t realize he harmed Junior Sister in the process. A child’s faults are the father’s. I owe Junior Sister an apology.”

Zhao Chun shook her head. “Senior Brother doesn’t need to blame himself.

“In the end, this was a private matter between the two of us. We were both punished, and that should have been the end of it…” If Xu Kuang Rui stopped there and did not stir up further trouble, their grudge really would have ended at that point.

She paused, then continued evenly, “Even in the mortal world, people say calamity should not fall on a man’s wife and children. Cultivators may cut off worldly ties, but there are always those we still care about. If your son has a grievance with me, he can settle it with me. Dragging the people around me into it only leaves me… ashamed.”

She stopped there, but the meaning was clear.

Xu Feng did not need further explanation. His son was notorious for picking on those he could bully. If he did not dare touch Zhao Chun, then he would surely vent his malice on her friends instead.

Xu Feng himself came from the Small World. Burdened by mortal kin, he had been compelled—out of affection and obligation—to father a child. Putting himself in Zhao Chun’s place, he understood exactly where her anger came from. Shame flickered in his eyes.

“Something like that happened?” he asked quietly. “Then I truly have been closed off and inattentive. What, precisely, did my son do?”

“Junior Sister brought the people involved,” Zhao Chun said. “Senior Brother should ask them directly.”

Xu Feng considered for a moment, then nodded. He gestured, and the square-faced man went to bring Hu Wan Zhi and Fang Er Lang inside.