Chapter 61: Remedy
Chen Yan strode out of the restaurant, his pace unhurried at first, maintaining an air of calm. But as he reached the street corner, he suddenly broke into a sprint. The moment his feet hit the pavement, he channeled the Escape Command, his body vanishing down the street in a blink, leaving no trace behind.
The rules of the martial world were simple—once you make your move, you retreat before the storm gathers.
And he had no choice but to run…
His Decree: Immobilization Spell was something he had only recently begun to grasp after his cultivation surged. To hold down an opponent of equal level, especially someone like Elder Zi, was uncertain at best. He had no confidence in how long it would last.
If he didn’t flee, he risked losing the upper hand entirely.
—
While making his way through the city, Chen Yan called President Fang, casually inquiring about this “Elder Zi.”
Fang was visibly stunned to hear that Elder Zi had sought him out. Swearing on his honor, he insisted he had never leaked any information about Teacher Chen to her.
Chen Yan dismissed the concern, focusing on extracting information. Fang, having no reason to hold back, relayed everything he knew.
After listening, Chen Yan furrowed his brows, lost in thought.
—
By Fang’s account, the woman named Chu Ke Qing was one of the most esteemed masters of mystic arts in Jin Ling Prefecture. Her name carried significant weight among cultivators.
Yet…
Chen Yan thought back to their brief encounter. He had shattered her talismanic defenses with a single stroke of the Break Command, then bound her with the Immobilization Command.
Her reaction had been one of sheer disbelief—an expression of someone who had just witnessed the impossible.
It wasn’t merely the shock of being trapped or the fear of imminent danger.
Was the direct casting of spells… so unthinkable to the cultivators of this world?
From Chu Ke Qing’s reaction, it seemed that invoking magic without talismans shattered her fundamental understanding of the arcane arts.
She was a Sect Leader of the Cloud Sect, someone whose cultivation was on par with his own. And yet, she lacked the ability to cast spells without external aids.
This was a glaring inconsistency—her level of attainment did not match her skillset.
Chen Yan himself had barely begun his cultivation journey, had not even reached the Origin Stage, and yet he had long since grasped the art of spellcasting. Why hadn’t she?
It wasn’t just her spellcasting that was flawed.
Her Qi-Observing Technique was incomplete.
When Chen Yan observed her, he could see through her cultivation level clearly. Yet, she had failed to discern his own strength.
It seemed Gu Qing Yi had been right—the inheritance of cultivation in this world was utterly fragmented, riddled with missing knowledge.
[Good… this should be enough to intimidate her.]
Chen Yan’s heart settled, confidence returning to his gaze.
—
Back in the restaurant, Chu Ke Qing stood motionless at the table for over ten seconds before finally gasping, her body suddenly regaining movement. She collapsed into a chair, exhaustion not from physical depletion, but from the storm of emotions churning within her.
Shock. Fear. And… something else—an excitement she could not quite name.
Spellcasting!
This enigmatic master could cast spells without reliance on talismans!
In all her years, in all the grand figures she had encountered—including her late master—not one had ever displayed such an ability.
Her thoughts sharpened, her gaze turning icy.
Luo Qing, that damned fool!
He had actually provoked such a transcendent being?
A master like this was the kind of figure her sect had sought for generations—a person of unimaginable ability. Yet Luo Qing had the audacity to offend him?
Thankfully, this mysterious figure had shown no intention of pressing the matter further. After punishing Luo Qing, he had simply left.
But that wasn’t enough.
Chu Ke Qing hadn’t survived in Jin Ling Prefecture by mere luck. The title of Elder Zi wasn’t earned through reputation alone—she was sharp, resourceful, and decisive.
Meeting such a master… she wouldn’t be satisfied with merely avoiding his wrath.
[If there is a rift, I shall mend it. If there is distance, I shall bridge it.]
Her mind was set.
—
Chen Yan, for his part, had barely touched his meal at the restaurant. The four dishes and soup remained nearly untouched. Even his rice bowl had only seen a couple of scoops.
Two streets away, he wandered into a noodle house and ordered a simple bowl of ramen.
His encounter with Chu Ke Qing had put an end to his plans for the afternoon. The thought of meeting Lu Si Si now felt tiresome—his mood no longer suited for a leisurely rendezvous.
Instead, he would fulfill his duty as a filial son.
After finishing his noodles, he made his way to the woodcarving shop, where his custom-ordered ancestral tablet awaited him.
The engraving on the polished wood read: “Ancestral Tablet of Chen Jue, Seventeenth-Generation Heir of the Chen Family.”
Chen Yan examined the craftsmanship closely. The fine detailing and elegant strokes confirmed the artisans’ claim—this was not machine-engraved, but the work of seasoned masters.
Satisfied, he paid the remaining balance. The shop, in turn, wrapped the tablet in a silk cloth of deep gold, placing it carefully into a bag for him to carry.
As he stepped onto the street, his gaze drifted to a vendor’s cart at the corner—
Freshly roasted sweet potatoes, their scent rich with the warmth of autumn.
Chen Yan’s eyes lit up with longing as he stopped to purchase a few roasted sweet potatoes. He peeled one open, savoring its warmth while waiting by the roadside for a carriage. The rest he tucked into a cloth bag.
Returning to the secluded Cloud Lodge, he had barely reached the entrance when he caught sight of yet another moving carriage outside the neighboring villa.
But this time, the flow was reversed—furniture was being carried inside.
“They just moved out yesterday, and someone’s already moving in?”
Chen Yan’s curiosity was piqued. Was this villa district truly in such high demand? Hadn’t the real estate market been in dire straits?
Still, it was nothing more than idle speculation. He lingered only for a moment before turning back to his own home.
Stepping through the courtyard gate, he immediately saw the familiar figure of Gu Qing Yi. As always, she was reclining in a wooden chair, basking in the sun’s warm embrace.
The young mistress had her eyes closed, seemingly dozing, yet the moment the gate creaked open, her lashes fluttered, and she cast him a languid glance.
“You’re back already?”
“Mm.” Chen Yan replied absentmindedly, strolling over and tossing the bag of roasted sweet potatoes into her lap. “Fresh off the fire. Feels cool to the touch on the outside, but the insides are scalding. Eat with care.”
Gu Qing Yi’s eyes widened as she caught the bag. She picked out one sweet potato, examined it, and gently cracked it open.
Golden-red flesh gleamed under the sunlight, sending forth waves of rich, caramelized fragrance.
Unable to resist, she swallowed a mouthful of saliva before taking a bite. Instantly, her eyes brightened.
Still leaning back in her chair, she devoured the entire sweet potato in one breath before standing up, grinning as she carried the remaining bag inside.
Chen Yan, meanwhile, stood in the living hall before a cabinet, scrutinizing something with a contemplative air.
“What are you staring at?” Gu Qing Yi asked as she entered.
“I need to find a proper place for my father,” Chen Yan sighed, patting the wooden plaque wrapped in a yellow cloth. “There are still many days left until the ghost marriage, and his spirit tablet ought to be enshrined properly. I can’t just toss it into some random drawer.”
“That’s true.” Gu Qing Yi nodded solemnly. “Chen Jue may have been a man of ill repute, but he was still your father.”
Chen Yan rolled his eyes. “Listen to yourself. Is he my father, or your husband?”
The wall cabinet had a hollowed-out niche where a few decorative pieces sat. He and Gu Qing Yi worked together to clear the space, making room for Chen Jue’s spirit tablet, which they carefully positioned at the center.
“Don’t we need an incense burner as well?” Chen Yan mused, surveying the setup.
Gu Qing Yi’s brow twitched. “Why are you asking me?”
“Well, I’ve never been a widow.”
Gu Qing Yi refused to back down. “And I’ve never been fatherless!”
A twenty-two-year-old stepson and a twenty-one-year-old stepmother locked eyes, neither willing to concede.
—
“Chu Ke Qing!”
President Fang had barely connected the call when his voice turned sharp with fury. “Is this how you conduct business?!”
On the other end, Chu Ke Qing remained silent for a moment before responding in a measured tone, “President Fang, there has been a misunder—”
“Spare me the nonsense! I let things slide out of respect for you, but you people have no regard for proper conduct!
It was I who sought out an eminent master—what of it? If you have a grievance, take it up with me!
I’ve spent years in Jin Ling, poured fortunes into this city! You think I’m made of clay, easy to mold and break?
If you want a fight, then we’ll set our pieces on the board and face off properly! Let’s see if I’m the one who should fear you!
Why did you go after Teacher Chen?! If you have an issue, come straight to me! I was the one who hired him!”
Fury surged through President Fang, his words now bereft of formality. The respectful “Elder Zi” he once used had been discarded; now, Chu Ke Qing was nothing but “that woman named Chu.”
Yet on the other end, Chu Ke Qing remained unruffled. She let him vent his anger, allowing the torrent of words to run its course before calmly saying, “President Fang, we mishandled this matter. Give me two hours. I will come to apologize in person.”
With that, she hung up.
President Fang was momentarily stunned.
Come to apologize in person?
—
When Chu Ke Qing promised two hours, she meant it.
Watching the time, President Fang noted that around an hour and fifty minutes after his call, his assistant, Yan Zhao Xing, knocked on the door and entered.
“Boss, uh… Elder Zi is here. She requests an audience.”
President Fang scowled but gave a gruff nod. “Let her in.”
This time, he did not bother to rise, remaining lounged in his grand chair, body leaning slightly back, as he watched Chu Ke Qing enter through the door.
Something about her demeanor felt… off.
As a seasoned veteran in this world, President Fang could tell at a glance—something was not right.
Normally, Chu Ke Qing exuded a quiet, unfathomable depth, like a river running still and silent. Today, however…
Upon stepping through the doors today, she sensed something amiss. The woman before her carried an air of unease between her brows, a restlessness that, though masked with effort, still seeped through like the flustered eyes of a traveler who has missed their train.
Yet she did not feign composure. As soon as Chu Ke Qing entered, she strode directly to President Fang’s desk, withdrew a bank draft from her bag, and placed it gently upon the table.
“President Fang, I have unraveled the matter. It was Luo Qing who reneged on his word and defied the rules. I have brought the money—double the amount previously discussed. A token of sincerity. I implore President Fang to be magnanimous, for all faults rest on me, Chu Ke Qing. I failed to restrain my senior brother.”
With that, Chu Ke Qing took a step back and, in an astonishing display, offered President Fang a shallow bow.
President Fang: “…………”
This woman… what heavy misfortune has befallen her?
To yield so easily, to bow without resistance?
No, something was off!
In all of Jin Ling Prefecture, the name of Elder Zi carried weight. She was no stranger to the dealings of the powerful, and she commanded a presence steeped in the arts of the Xuan Sect. When had she ever bowed so low?
That could only mean one thing—
She had sought out Teacher Chen today, and as a result…
President Fang’s mind worked swiftly, drawing a conclusion with ease: she must have struck an immovable wall in Teacher Chen!
Still, seeing her so subdued disrupted the momentum he had gathered for battle. His anger, poised like a blade ready to be drawn, found itself dulled.
Suppressing his own displeasure, he let out a heavy breath and muttered, “Luo Qing is the one who crossed me, and it was I who sought out a master to deal with him. If you wish to settle matters, you should be looking at me, not elsewhere.”
“All faults are mine alone.” Chu Ke Qing shook her head, not the slightest hint of resistance in her voice. “I will compensate, I will apologize—I, Chu Ke Qing, do not flinch. If President Fang still finds this inadequate, state your terms, and I shall see them fulfilled.”
Hmph… She must have suffered quite the setback at Teacher Chen’s hands!
President Fang’s eyes flickered, thoughts racing, before he finally shook his head. “Between us, this matter is settled. You have atoned for Luo Qing’s actions on his behalf. That will suffice.”
“But Luo Qing himself—how have you dealt with him?”
Chu Ke Qing wordlessly reached into her bag, took out her phone, and placed it before President Fang. She tapped on the screen, revealing a photograph.
President Fang’s expression shifted immediately.
The image displayed Luo Qing sprawled upon the ground, his face twisted in agony. His legs… bent at grotesque, unnatural angles.
“His legs are broken.” Chu Ke Qing’s voice was calm, devoid of emotion. “He took one of yours—I took both of his.”
“I did it with my own hands, just before coming here.”
This woman… was ruthless.
President Fang raised a brow. There was little else to say.
An apology. Compensation. And now, shattered limbs.
She had done all that could be done. To demand more would mean demanding Luo Qing’s life—and that was unnecessary.
“This entire ordeal, today’s events included, were our mistakes.” Chu Ke Qing’s tone softened slightly. “I ask that President Fang extend his mercy. And… if possible, speak a few words to Senior Chen in my favor. Tell him that I, Chu Ke Qing, acted rashly, but now only seek to make amends…”
She sighed, shaking her head. “That is all I have to say. I shall take my leave.”
Ignoring President Fang’s stunned silence, she turned on her heel and departed.
Downstairs, she slipped into a car where her assistant awaited in the driver’s seat. The young woman turned and asked in a low voice, “Elder Zi, where to now?”
“The three who beat Luo Qing—aren’t they the ones running an internet café?”
“Take me there.”
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation