Volume 1, Chapter 218 – The Liu Family’s Concerns

Qingyang City, the Liu family estate.

A day had passed since that calamity.

With the help of the Liu family and the disciples Elder Fushan had brought, the damaged buildings inside and outside the estate had largely been restored.

Yet the air still seemed to carry faint traces of blood and baleful energy, along with the lingering terror of those who had survived the disaster.

On the square outside the estate, the brothers Liu Beichuan and Liu Beihai stood together, their faces heavy with worry.

Though the powerful enemy had been slain, this incident had thrust the Liu family squarely into the spotlight.

Had the Grand Elder of Yaochi Immortal Palace not arrived in time yesterday, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

“Big Brother…”

Liu Beihai looked at his elder brother’s still-pale face, clearly wanting to say something but unable to bring himself to.

Liu Beichuan waved a hand to indicate that he was fine. Yet his gaze remained fixed on the distance, his brow deeply furrowed.

He knew what his younger brother was worried about.

An innocent man may be blameless, but wealth invites trouble.

The resources the Liu family now possessed were enough to rival those of the second-rate sects in the Southern Region that had endured for thousands of years.

But for that very reason, the Liu family’s position had become exceedingly precarious.

After hesitating for a moment, Liu Beihai finally voiced the concern weighing on him.

“Big Brother, although we escaped disaster this time, I can’t help but feel…”

“I understand.”

Liu Beichuan cut him off. He looked toward the freshly repaired walls around the estate, his expression conflicted.

“Our Liu family has received many benefits from the Immortal Palace through Ruyan over the past two years, but…”

He paused, his voice strained.

“That Bloodfiend was only at the Spirit Transformation stage, yet he nearly wiped out our entire family. If someone stronger comes in the future…”

Liu Beihai sighed.

“You’re right, Big Brother. I’ve been thinking about it too.”

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“Yaochi Immortal Palace is simply too far away. It can’t protect us at every moment.”

“Once the heat dies down, there’s no guarantee others won’t set their sights on the Liu family.”

The two brothers exchanged a glance, each seeing profound helplessness in the other’s eyes.

Liu Beichuan clenched his fist, then let it fall limply.

“Unless… unless the Liu family can have a powerful expert stationed here, we’ll never truly be able to rest easy.”

“But how could that be easy? How much time would it take? Can the Liu family even hold on until then?”

He gave a bitter smile and shook his head. What he left unsaid was plain enough.

Liu Beihai fell silent as well.

This was the tragedy of a small family.

They had latched onto a powerful patron and gained immense wealth, yet lacked the strength to protect it.

Either they gave up that wealth and returned to an ordinary life.

Or they lived in constant fear.

“What if…”

Liu Beihai lowered his voice.

“We move the family to the Tianjue Mountain Range? Or perhaps to Wanshan City, somewhere closer to the Wanjue Mountain Range?”

Liu Beichuan slowly shook his head.

“That wouldn’t be wise.”

“The Wanjue Mountain Range and its surrounding regions are a tangled web of competing forces. With the Liu family’s current strength, moving there would only cause Ruyan more trouble.”

Liu Beihai’s lips moved at those words, but for a moment, he did not know what to say.

Just as the brothers lapsed into silence, two streaks of light shot in from the eastern sky above the estate and descended swiftly.

They were Li Hanyi and Liu Ruyan, returning from the Xuanming Sect.

Liu Ruyan had now reached the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, and her divine sense was exceptionally sharp.

Even from a distance, she had caught fragments of her father’s and Second Uncle’s conversation.

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Something deep inside her had been struck hard.

In the end, this disaster had befallen the Liu family because of her.

Over the past two years, she had focused solely on sending resources home, never considering that those same resources might also bring calamity to her family.

She recalled her Master saying, before entering seclusion, that in a few years she would take them somewhere else for training.

Though her Master had not explained further, Liu Ruyan could tell it would be no ordinary training.

It was very possible that they would… not return for a very, very long time.

And when the time came, her Master would surely take all the core disciples and elders with her.

She had even killed the young valley master of Heavenly Fire Valley back then. Once the towering protection of Yaochi Immortal Palace was gone, if Heavenly Fire Valley also sought revenge, the Liu family’s fate would likely be even worse than it was now.

At that thought, Liu Ruyan’s heart sank bit by bit.

“Father, Second Uncle, the Grand Elder and I have returned.”

Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, Liu Ruyan swiftly landed in the square and called softly.

When Liu Beichuan saw them return, he hurriedly hid his worry and forced a smile.

“Ruyan, you’re back? Grand Elder, thank you so much for yesterday!”

As he spoke, he moved to bow.

Li Hanyi raised her hand slightly, and a gentle force supported him.

“Family Head Liu, there is no need for such courtesy. It was simply my duty.”

Her gaze swept over Liu Beichuan and Liu Beihai. Naturally, she had heard their conversation just now.

But she had not taken it to heart. After all, she had just made an example of the Xuanming Sect, and the commotion had been considerable.

Once the news spread, as long as Yaochi remained in the Southern Region, no one would dare entertain such thoughts.

As for everything else, she trusted that the Palace Master and Deputy Palace Master would handle it properly.

Liu Ruyan stepped forward and linked her arm through her father’s. The slight chill of his skin made her heart ache.

She looked at the composure her father was forcing himself to maintain, then at her equally worried Second Uncle. It felt as though something had lodged in her throat.

“Father, Second Uncle…”

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Liu Ruyan’s voice trembled faintly. She drew a deep breath and finally spoke the words she had kept buried in her heart.

“This time… this disaster that befell the Liu family was all because of me…”

She lowered her head, not daring to meet her father’s eyes. Her voice grew softer and softer, thick with self-reproach and bitterness.

“If not for what happened to me in the Tianqiong Secret Realm back then… if I had thought things through more carefully, I would never have brought such calamity upon the Liu family.”

“It was me… I dragged the family into this.”

The moment the words left her mouth, the guilt in her heart only deepened.

She waited for the sigh she expected, perhaps even a reproach.

After all, the family had nearly been destroyed because of her.

Yet the blame she expected never came.

A warm hand gently settled atop her head, ruffling her hair with a familiar, reassuring touch.

Just as it had when she was little, whenever she grew tired from cultivating and her father comforted her.

“You silly girl.”

Liu Beichuan’s voice was gentle yet firm.

There was not the slightest trace of blame in it. Instead, it held a warm, open-hearted smile.

“What do you mean, you dragged us into this?”

“My daughter was fortunate enough to become Her Majesty the Empress’s disciple. That is a blessing for our Liu family!”

He withdrew his hand and looked at his daughter’s still-lowered head, his tone turning solemn.

“Ruyan, remember this. The path of cultivation has its splendor, but it also has its thorns.”

“Your father, your Second Uncle, and everyone in the Liu family have enjoyed the blessings you brought us. Naturally, we should bear the risks that may come with them alongside you.”

“Where in this world can anyone enjoy the benefits without taking on the risks?”

Liu Beihai spoke up from the side.

“Your father is right, Ruyan. If not for you, I might have remained stuck at the Golden Core stage for the rest of my life. How could the Liu family have what it has today?”

“Look at us now. The Liu family has abundant resources, our younger generation has hope in cultivation, and we have gained a foothold in the surrounding area. All of this is thanks to you.”

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He paused, looking into Liu Ruyan’s tear-bright eyes as she slowly raised her head. His voice softened further.

“This incident was by no means your fault. Do not place such a burden on yourself and allow it to hinder your cultivation.”

“Only by cultivating diligently and becoming stronger as soon as possible can you truly repay the Liu family and your Master.”

“As for the family, your father and I are here, along with the clan elders. Everything will be fine.”

As Liu Ruyan listened to her father and Second Uncle, hearing not a word of blame, only understanding and encouragement, her nose stung and tears welled uncontrollably in her eyes.

Her family’s unwavering trust and support eased much of the self-reproach in her heart.

“Father, Second Uncle…”

Her voice caught. Countless words filled her chest, but in the end, they became only one sentence.

“Thank you.”

“We’re family. There’s no need to thank us.”

Liu Beichuan patted her shoulder, his eyes filled with affection and pride.

“Go on. Don’t worry about things at home. We’ll take care of everything.”

“Just remember, no matter what you encounter out there, the Liu family of Qingyang City will always be your home.”

Liu Ruyan nodded firmly and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.

She turned to Li Hanyi, who had been standing quietly to one side, and bowed respectfully.

“Grand Elder, I’m sorry you had to witness these private family matters.”

Li Hanyi shook her head slightly. Her cool gaze rested briefly on Liu Beichuan and Liu Beihai, and a flicker of approval passed through her eyes.

“It’s no matter. However…”

After a brief pause, she swept her gaze around the Liu family estate before looking back at Liu Ruyan.

“Since your clan-protecting grand formation has been destroyed, I’ll set up a new one for the Liu family today.”