Bloodline Tree – [Clan Building]

“Jiangxi, are you sure you’re okay?” Linghan asked, looking at her worriedly as they walked down the street.

“Yeah,” Jiangxi answered, her voice a little dry. “Just nervous.”

“Nervous about what? Are you finally going to reveal what you’ve been doing for the past months?” Linghan asked.

“Is it a good thing, Mom?” Her son, Yeshen, asked, looking up to her with an excited expression.

Jiangxi smiled and ruffled his hair. “I believe it’s a very good thing. But…”

“Jiangxi. What’s going on?” Linghan asked, grasping her hand and pulling her to a stop.

Jiangxi hesitated. “Nothing. You’ll see soon. Let’s head over to the Song Tea House down the street; I’ll explain everything there.”

Linghan paused for a second and then nodded. “Alright.”

They continued to walk, and Jiangxi’s nervousness grew as they got closer to the tea house.

She hadn’t told her husband about the letter she received. She hadn’t told him why she went to Shenchu Immortal City every two weeks. She hadn’t told him why she decided to bring him and their son along this time. 

She actually hadn’t decided what to do. All this time, she had just gone to the tea house, hoping to meet with Shu Yang and hear him explain everything himself. It sounded a bit too good to be true in the letter he sent, but then again, from what she had heard, there really seemed to have been an impressive figure of the Sword Sect here, and apparently, he helped Shu Yang and Tianyi get away.

But why would he agree to take them all to the Sword Sect? Jiangxi wanted to hear all the details from Shu Yang before she started thinking about her future actions. 

Unfortunately, there wasn’t any more time. She woke up today and heard the news that the Song Family had received visitors. One name she heard mentioned was Bian Fenglin; another Shu Yang. 

Jiangxi knew that there was no more time to think. Shu Yang had come, just like he said, and he really seemed to be accompanied by that Sword Sect cultivator. 

She had considered going alone, but she was afraid to leave her son. Perhaps they would need to leave in a rush, or perhaps their meeting would be exposed, and the Qing Family would refuse to let go of Yeshen. 

She knew she might be overthinking, but she didn’t want to let her son out of her sight at the moment. 

As for her husband, Jiangxi had actually considered sneaking away. Linghan was a good man. A good husband, and a good father. But there had always been a bit of a divide between them. It was only natural, considering the circumstances in which they got together. 

It had gotten a lot better over the years, as Jiangxi got accustomed to her life within the Qing Family. As her status rose. As her son became valued. As time passed.

But that had all changed with that letter. Jiangxi was once again reminded that this wasn’t her home. It never had been. 

In the Qing Family, they were a united small family of three. They shared their hopes and dreams. Their views aligned. 

But once the opportunity to leave came into play, to start life anew in the Sword Sect’s territory. They would inevitably stand on opposite sides once more. Linghan would certainly not want to leave his home, and he certainly wouldn’t want their son to leave either. 

So, Jiangxi thought of just leaving quietly with Yeshen. Better to end it on good terms than to fight and perhaps cause a whole mess for Shu Yang.

‘Maybe that would have been the better choice.’ Jiangxi thought as she saw the tea shop up ahead.

In the end, she had invited Linghan to come along. She couldn’t just abandon him without an explanation. After all they had been through, she felt she owed him that much. 

Besides, there was a chance that he chose to come with them. 

Jiangxi really hoped that’s what he would choose. 

They arrived at the tea house, and Jiangxi took a deep breath before stepping inside.

“Oh? Shen Jiangxi, you’re here early this time. It’s only been a week since your last visit. And I see you brought people. Husband and son?” A servant girl working in the tea house asked as soon as she entered. 

Jiangxi knew her somewhat, as she had come there many times over the past few months. She always stayed for a few hours, and never shared her table with anyone, so she was sometimes approached for a chat by the tea girls there, which she appreciated.

“Yes,” Jiangxi said, smiling. She looked around, but didn’t immediately see Shu Yang there. 

‘He might be in a private room. Or maybe he hasn’t gotten here yet.’

She thought it was more likely he hadn’t arrived, as staying in a private room would be pretty stupid if he didn’t want to miss her.

‘I guess it gives me time to explain a few things.’ Jiangxi thought, looking at her son and husband. 

‘Might as well. So they can prepare.’

—

“Don’t you think we should just go to the Qing Family? This waiting around seems a bit unnecessary to me,” Shen Ye said to Shu Yang as they made their way to the tea house.

This was the fourth day in a row that they headed there to wait for Lady Jiangxi, and so far, there had been no luck.

“It’s still early. Like I said, she is supposed to go there once every two weeks,” Shu Yang said. “If she still hasn’t shown up after two weeks, we’ll go to the Qing Family. But it’s an unnecessary risk right now. What if they won’t let her go? Or won’t let her son go?”

Shu Yang doubted they’d be so stupid, considering they were traveling with Bian Fenglin, but there was no need to test them unless necessary.

“If you’re worried, we can go to the Yide Pavilion later,” Shu Yang added.

“What’s that?” Shen Ye asked.

“A place that sells information. They should know if anything has happened to your sister. Perhaps they even know the last time she visited the tea house,” Shu Yang answered.

“Is it very expensive?” Shen Ye asked.

Shu Yang shook his head. “Unless she has advanced to the Foundation stage somehow, it should be very affordable. We’ll head over there if she still doesn’t show herself today.”

“Okay. Thank you,” Shen Ye said, nodding.

“Can’t we just send her a letter? Tell her that we’re here?” Tianyue broke in and asked.

“I suppose,” Shu Yang said, nodding. He hadn’t really thought about it, since he didn’t know how long it would take for a message to reach her, and she might have already met up with them by the time it arrived.

‘Then again, maybe Jinagxi has a plan of her own. I don’t know what her situation is. If she leaves with us and the letter arrives after we leave, someone else might read it. I don’t really see how it could cause her any trouble, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.’

‘Hopefully, she comes over today, and I don’t have to consider these things.’

“We’ll see,” Shu Yang added. 

“I really hope she is there today, or I will start to feel stupid,” Tianyue said.

Shu Yang rolled his eyes and chose not to respond. 

Tianyue was the only one besides Shen Ye and Shu Yang himself who was still coming over to the tea house. On the first day, Tianyi, Xiaoshi, Tianhu, Xinmo, Xinxi, and Xinjiang had all come along.

But Tianyi felt that her day was wasted after Jiangxi never showed up, and instead chose to spend time with Song Hongchi before it was time to leave, thinking she would have all the time in the world to spend with Jiangxi once they met up.

Tianhu, Xiaoshi, and their kids had similar thoughts, but mostly chose not to come because Xinxi and Xinjiang just couldn’t sit around all day without losing their minds from boredom.

Only Tianyue had nothing else going on, and wanted to see her old teacher as soon as possible.

“Here we go again,” Shu Yang said as they arrived at the tea house. He was about to suggest playing a game of chess to Shen Ye when he stepped inside, but froze slightly when he saw his benefactor sitting at a table in the corner, next to a man and a young boy.

‘Are they arguing?’

Shu Yang overheard something about ‘abandoning the family’ as the man raised his hands in exasperation.

“Jiangxi!” 

“Teacher!”

Shu Yang didn’t have time to think about it, though, as his two travel companions rushed forward.

Shen Ye composed himself after a few steps and slowed his pace. But Tianyue didn’t have any such concerns, directly embracing Lady Jiangxi.

“Tianyue? Brother? Shu Yang? You’re actually here?” Lady Jiangxi asked, seemingly taken aback.

“Didn’t you expect us?” Shen Ye asked, looking at his sister with a fond smile.

“I did, I just…I guess I didn’t dare to completely believe it until I saw you,” Lady Jiangxi said, her shocked face gradually making way for a smile.

“Mom, are these the people who will take me away?” The boy, presumably her son, Qing Yeshen, asked from beside her.

“Yes, yes,” Lady Jiangxi said. Tianyue let go of her, stepping back a bit, and Lady Jiangxi started introducing everyone. “This is my brother, Shen Ye, who I’ve told you about. He’s the one you’re named after. This is my student, Shu Tianyue. This is my old friend, Shu Yang.”

She then looked over at them all and smiled. “It’s so good to see you. I can’t believe you actually made it here. We’re an entire world away from home.”

“We’re about to travel another world away,” Shu Yang said with a smile. “You’re not going to miss out on visiting the Sword Sect, are you?”

Before she could answer, Shen Ye stepped forward and spoke. “I assume this is your son? And your…husband?”

“Yes. This is my son Yeshen. And this is my husband, Linghan,” Lady Jiangxi said. After a brief pause, she added, “He’s been very good to me.”

Shen Ye seemed to hesitate slightly but still gave Qing Linghan a friendly nod. “I’m Shen Ye, Jiangxi’s brother. Thank you for taking care of her.”

Qing Linghan finally reacted now that someone addressed him. “What? Oh, no. The pleasure is mine.”

“Pfft,” Tianyue burst out laughing. “Your husband is actually so funny, teacher. And your son is so cute!”

Lady Jiangxi shook her head with a smile and turned to Shu Yang. “When do we leave?”

“We only stopped here to pick you up. So pretty much straight away,” Shu Yang answered.

“Is everything okay? We aren’t as powerless as we used to be. If there is something, we can solve it for you,” Shen Ye said with concern as he noticed Lady Jiangxi’s hesitation.

‘Since when did you grow powerful?’

Shu Yang was pretty certain that Jiangxi’s small family wasn’t a united front on this, considering what he saw when he first stepped inside, so he spoke up before Lady Jiangxi could answer.

“Qing Linghan, right?” Shu Yang asked.

“Yes,” Qing Linghan said, nodding, looking a bit lost.

“I’m sorry, but Jiangxi has no choice but to come with us,” Shu Yang said. “You see, she has done me a huge favor, and I need to repay it. Unfortunately, I also need to go to the Sword Sect, so she has no choice but to come along.

“As for how I will repay her…How about I guarantee that your son Qing Yeshen will reach the Foundation stage? I will provide him with all the resources he needs until he has reached that level. I give you my word.”

“Shu Yang, it’s…too much,” Lady Jiangxi said.

“It’s too little, but it’s all I can guarantee,” Shu Yang said, smiling. 

“You can really make Yeshen a Foundation expert?” Linghan asked.

“I promise,” Shu Yang said solemnly. He knew it wouldn’t be easy if he wanted to guarantee Yeshen’s successful advancement. But anything less would be inadequate, considering what Lady Jiangxi had done in order to keep Tianyi safe.

Besides, he had heard about Yeshen’s talent from Tianyi. Advancing to the Foundation stage shouldn’t be impossible.

“Linghan,” Lady Jiangxi said, her voice serious as she turned to her husband. “I am leaving. I am.”

Linghan’s face fell slightly.

“I want you to come with me. Will you? Please?” Lady Jiangxi asked.

Surprisingly, Linghan’s face changed completely at those words, and he smiled warmly. “Then I will come with you. Of course, I will.”

Shu Yang met his daughter’s eyes, and she also seemed confused by the sudden turnaround.

‘Oh, well. As long as everything is solved.’

There was no use in staying any longer, so Shu Yang suggested they should head back to the Song Family so she could see everyone.

As they stepped out of the teahouse, Lady Jiangxi asked. “Is Xiaoshi with you?”

Shen Ye smiled and was just about to answer, but Tianyue beat him to it.

“Of course she is,” She said, smiling brightly. “You don’t know, but she married Tianhu, and they have three kids already!”

“Seriously?” Lady Jiangxi asked, turning to her brother.

“It’s true. Those kids are pretty good, too,” Shen Ye said, raising his head proudly. “They’ve all been accepted as disciples of the Sword Sect.”