Chapter 56: Preparations for Relocation

Handing over the two bottles of Qi-nourishing Pills to his mother, he briefly explained their usage and cautioned her about certain matters. Cao Chengyu then spent another half hour chatting with her about family affairs before finally taking his leave.

He still needed to visit Lin Yunjiao at the Rose Pavilion. Though their relationship was long established, he could sense that Lin Yunjiao still harbored some reservations. Having not seen her for some time, it was only proper to make some preparations.

Crab soup was his best choice. Their bond began with a bowl of crab soup—“A gentleman keeps his distance from the kitchen,” so goes the old saying, but cooking with one’s own hands is a gesture of sincerity.

In the late afternoon, inside the familiar kitchen, Cao Chengyu simmered a pot of crab soup and made his way to the Rose Pavilion.

At the entrance, the familiar rose bushes were still a deep shade of green; he had never seen them bloom.

Meow~

A small spirit cat suddenly cried out, slipping from his bosom and pointing its paw at the rose bushes.

“Are you suggesting there’s something valuable beneath them?”

“Meow meow~”

“We’ll talk about it later. I have things to attend to.”

He pressed the cat’s head back in with his finger and entered the pavilion. Upstairs, on the second-floor window seat, was the familiar figure, wrapped in a sable cloak, gazing into the distance as if lost in thought.

“Are you thinking of me?” Cao Chengyu ascended the stairs like a shadow, lightly tapping Lin Yunjiao’s fragrant shoulder.

“Who’s there?!”

Lin Yunjiao’s brows furrowed as she struck backward with her palm.

“It’s me!”

Cao Chengyu deftly neutralized her magical attack and laughed softly.

“Chengyu! You’re back,” Lin Yunjiao’s joy was fleeting, quickly replaced by composure.

“To think, in less than a year, I can no longer discern your cultivation level,” she said.

Lin Yunjiao was currently at the early stage of Spirit Refining. She had been severely wounded in the past, her cultivation dropping from the late stage to the early stage. Her talent was already ruined, and now recovery seemed impossible.

Such a pity.

“How are things in the capital? Have you encountered anyone from the Lin family?”

Cao Chengyu shook his head. Among the four great immortal clans of the capital, there was no Lin family, nor had he heard of any medium-sized immortal clan with a Purple Mansion ancestor bearing that name. There were a few Lin families among the lesser clans, but since they didn’t match his expectations, he hadn’t investigated further.

The strongest of the lesser clans was only at the Dao Body stage. Even now, he could contend with late-stage Dao Body cultivators, perhaps even defeat them. His magical power was five times greater than peers of his realm, he possessed the Jade Pure White Lotus Platform to reserve power, his techniques were exceptional, and aside from lacking combat experience, he had no weaknesses.

Ordinary Dao Body cultivators were no match for him unless they were extraordinary talents.

“It’s just as well you haven’t met them. It saves you from trouble with those petty people.”

“Aunt, why do you say that? Is the Lin family so vengeful?”

“All small clans are like this. Thinking themselves natives of the capital, they are full of rules and pride, but lack compassion. If they knew you had ties with me, they’d certainly try to eradicate you.”

So it was.

Cao Chengyu understood. If he had known this earlier, he would have dealt with it before leaving the Celestial Monitoring Pavilion.

For now, it was better to wait until the family withdrew from the Dayue Dynasty.

The yin energy here was growing heavier. Sometimes, when calculating with the Minor Six Ren Palm, the chill was so biting it could freeze a mortal to death.

The situation was dire.

After chatting with Lin Yunjiao for a while, Cao Chengyu took out a healing pill he had concocted and handed it to his aunt.

During his time at the Celestial Monitoring Pavilion, he had completed many alchemy tasks and acquired numerous recipes. This particular pill, Hundred Herb Pill, was of mid-grade first rank and had healing properties. It was suitable for Spirit Refining cultivators.

Lin Yunjiao accepted it without much comment. Her injuries were longstanding, and with no resources for cultivation in Immortal Palace City and no skill in alchemy, she could only continuously refine spiritual energy to heal her wounds.

Over the years, there had been no improvement.

Even with the Hundred Herb Pill, it would take time for her to recover; her internal injuries had become a chronic affliction, requiring gradual care.

In their conversation, Cao Chengyu shared a rough outline of his recent experiences, though he omitted mention of Luo Yuzhu, Ning Wenjun, and others for now.

“A first-rank high-grade alchemist is welcome anywhere. By the way, you said you wish for the Cao family to leave Dayue and develop in Wu Dynasty. Why?”

Cao Chengyu smiled bitterly.

“There are many reasons. Great events are about to unfold in the Dayue Dynasty, likely affecting the five provinces and their mortals. The Cao family will not be safe here.”

“Moreover, I’ve left the Celestial Monitoring Pavilion and plan to seek refuge in Wu, join the Five Elements Sect, and seek protection.”

As Lin Yunjiao listened, she suddenly realized something was amiss. Her voice leapt several octaves.

“You left the Celestial Monitoring Pavilion?!”

“Yes.”

Seeing Cao Chengyu’s earnest expression, Lin Yunjiao nearly collapsed. He supported her, and she struggled to stand.

“This won’t do. We need to inform your father and move immediately.”

“No need to panic. I have someone in the Pavilion who will handle these matters for me. There shouldn’t be any pursuit, but we cannot remain in Dayue.”

The person he referred to was naturally Luo Yuzhu. Beyond matters of affection, her role as his human pill furnace for the past year was reason enough for her to help him.

Moreover, when Cao Chengyu left, he was being pursued by the Willow Snake Guard, and his escape was so pitiful that fleeing was only natural.

The blame must fall on Xiangliu Yan; she drove him away, so the issue wasn’t his.

Furthermore, Master Miaodan was Luo Yuzhu’s teacher, making a pursuit unlikely.

At most, there would be a token public wanted notice; otherwise, the Pavilion would lose face.

Regardless, the family must relocate.

“Someone in the Pavilion?”

Lin Yunjiao paused, confused.

“If you have someone who can help you in matters like these, why leave?”

“It’s complicated, related to my path. Staying in the Pavilion would be detrimental to my future. Moreover, the higher-ups in Dayue are secretly plotting something. I have no ability to protect myself from such catastrophe, so I must go.”

Lin Yunjiao listened, half understanding, but calmed herself.

“Then I’ll follow your lead. What level is your cultivation now?”

“Early Dao Body stage.”

“! (◎_◎;)”

Cao Chengyu couldn’t help but laugh at Lin Yunjiao, giving her nose a gentle flick.

“I’ll stay home for a while. When the relocation begins, I must make a trip to Luo Prefecture.”

“As you wish, all as you wish.”

She brushed his mischievous hand aside and shot him a glare. The distance from their long separation was slowly fading, and their familiarity returned to what it once was.

That night, the family gathered for dinner.

He took the opportunity to explain their plan to seek refuge in Wu Dynasty to his parents.

True to his nature, Father Cao asked for details. Upon learning the gist of the situation, he resolved to move.

But the vast Cao family’s relocation would require the liquidation of their assets, contacting acquaintances in Wu for a place to settle, arranging guards from the escort bureau for protection, and preparing for any issues at the border between the two countries.

There was much to do, and all the responsibility fell upon Father Cao's shoulders.