When Chen Fengxiao first began speaking, he talked in a calm, measured manner, as if recounting something unrelated to himself. Yet by the end, when he spoke of his mother, he ultimately failed to conceal his emotions, and a trace of unbearable memories surfaced in his eyes.

Hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua also felt a stab of pain in his heart. He thought of his own mother far away in Guo Village. Even if his search for his second brother went smoothly and he could leave the Incense Spreading Sect, that would still be two years from now. Who knew how much his mother would worry!

Then he heard Chen Fengxiao continue: “At that time, I was young and naïve. I believed the promises of Spring Rebirth Valley, thinking that with my own intelligence and diligence, I could quickly leave the Incense Spreading Sect. Alas, I was truly foolish. I clearly knew that among the medicine boys who had left Spring Rebirth Valley, if not tens of thousands then at least several thousand—but who had ever seen any of them return to Spring Rebirth Valley? I thought that as long as one had strength, that would be enough in this world. Only later did I realize that not everyone in this world is born equal.”

“I only knew that once I became an outer disciple, I would gain the qualification to take the assessment. As long as I passed the assessment, I could earn the right to travel the jianghu. So I farmed while diligently practicing martial arts. But how could I have known that martial arts are always taught from childhood? No matter how hard I worked, I could not catch up to the level of those outer disciples. Moreover, I longed deeply for home. Before my martial arts had reached completion, I rashly attempted the outer disciple test. Who would have thought that for each of us in the Tuodan Hall, such an opportunity only comes once? And the result…”

As Zhang Xiaohua listened, he did not know what to feel. Valley Master Nie of Spring Rebirth Valley had indeed treated him quite well. His coming to the Incense Spreading Sect had been entirely arranged by Valley Master Nie. Yet no one is perfect. After hearing Chen Fengxiao’s experience, Valley Master Nie had indeed acted in ways that were far from appropriate. Of course, from another perspective, being able to join the Incense Spreading Sect as a medicine boy, with no worries about food or clothing, and even the chance to practice martial arts, was already an extremely bright future for an orphan and his widowed mother. Alas, Chen Fengxiao did not want such a future—he only wanted to be with his mother. This… such a matter—who could truly judge right from wrong?

Seeing that Chen Fengxiao had finished speaking, Qiu Weicheng asked: “Brother Ren, Boss Chen has already explained the reason. Shouldn’t you also say something now?”

Zhang Xiaohua ignored him and only asked softly: “And after that, there was no more news of your mother?”

Chen Fengxiao gave a bitter smile. “What news could there be? At first, I was young and insignificant, and Yang Yao paid me no mind. I begged him countless times, wanting to know even a little about my mother, but he refused every time, only saying that sect rules forbade it and he dared not violate them. Later, when I gained a bit of reputation, failed to become an outer disciple, and refused to submit to the hall’s discipline, I was exiled to Tianmu Peak. Only then did that fellow begin to take me seriously, and he brought me a single piece of news—that my mother… sigh, had passed away in sorrow.”

“Sigh~” In truth, even without Chen Fengxiao saying it, Zhang Xiaohua had already guessed such an outcome. Otherwise, Chen Fengxiao would not have shifted his resentment onto Spring Rebirth Valley.

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Xiaohua gave a wry smile and said: “To be honest, since Boss Chen does not treat me as an outsider and has told the whole story without holding anything back, I naturally cannot conceal anything either. In truth, I am not related to Valley Master Nie in any way. I only have some acquaintance with his youngest daughter, Nie Qianyu. Of course, this acquaintance is not quite as it appears on the surface—perhaps you will have a chance to understand later tonight. What I must make clear again is that I truly will not involve myself in the grievances between Boss Chen and Spring Rebirth Valley. I am not qualified to interfere. I came to the Incense Spreading Sect only to further study pill refining and planting, and, just like Boss Chen back then, I have no intention of staying here forever. I will also walk the same path you once did. So in the future, I ask Boss Chen to give me more guidance!”

Zhang Xiaohua had come to the Incense Spreading Sect under the false identity of Spring Rebirth Valley’s prospective son-in-law. Presumably, Yang Yao would report this to the Hall Master of Tuodan Hall. Chen Fengxiao held some influence in Tuodan Hall and could likely find out a thing or two, so there was no need for Zhang Xiaohua to hide it. However, he was not truly the son-in-law, and this matter could neither be affirmed nor denied. Thus, he could only explain it vaguely while making his stance clear—you and Spring Rebirth Valley have your grievances, and I will not take part.

As for Zhang Xiaohua’s intention to enter the outer sect, pass the assessment, and return to the jianghu, that was something for the future and could not be concealed anyway. Besides, if Chen Fengxiao could attempt the outer sect and return to the jianghu, why couldn’t he, Zhang Xiaohua? So he spoke of it plainly.

On one hand, this told Chen Fengxiao: I am merely a passerby in Tuodan Hall. I have no interest in your Tianmu Peak, nor do I wish to replace you in managing this Herb Division. I only want to farm quietly, so there is no need for you to worry about my movements. On the other hand, it was also a way of laying his cards on the table to gain some goodwill from Chen Fengxiao—so that in the future, when attempting the outer sect, he could seek more guidance, and perhaps even rely on Chen Fengxiao’s influence to receive help in searching for his second brother.

Hearing these few words, both Chen Fengxiao and Qiu Weicheng were inwardly startled. Although Zhang Xiaohua did not state his relationship with Valley Master Nie outright, since he had mentioned Nie Qianyu, it was most likely related to romantic involvement. They were both experienced men—how could they not understand? What shocked them even more was that Zhang Xiaohua did not avoid the topic and openly revealed his purpose in coming to the Incense Spreading Sect. It was not unheard of in the jianghu for someone to go to a more powerful sect to study and cultivate, but coming to the Incense Spreading Sect for that purpose was unheard of. This was, after all, a road of no return.

However, they quickly understood the underlying reasoning. Since this was arranged by Valley Master Nie, and given the relationship between Spring Rebirth Valley and the Incense Spreading Sect, it was not impossible that some accommodation could be made. Moreover, Zhang Xiaohua was still so young, yet he was already able to contend with Boss Chen. Others might not understand the strength of outer disciples, but Chen Fengxiao knew it very well—his own martial arts were already comparable to those of ordinary outer disciples. If Zhang Xiaohua were given a few more years, passing the outer sect assessment and returning to the jianghu would not just be possible—it should be absolutely certain.

“Comparing oneself to others truly makes one furious.” Chen Fengxiao and Qiu Weicheng exchanged a glance and gave bitter smiles.

Chen Fengxiao stared at Zhang Xiaohua for quite a while before speaking sincerely: “Little brother, since you have spoken this way, I will also state my position. Last night, I thought about many things. I even considered setting some traps for you. On the way here with Junior Brother Qiu, we were still discussing how to handle our relationship with you. But since you have been so open and honest, I cannot keep hedging either. From now on, if there is anything you need from me as your senior brother, just say the word—I will certainly do my utmost to help.”

Zhang Xiaohua was overjoyed. He cupped his hands and said: “Then this little brother will thank Boss Chen in advance. In the future, there will surely be many matters that trouble you.”

Chen Fengxiao waved his hand. “We are all our own brothers—no need for such courtesy.”

Only Qiu Weicheng frowned slightly, but when he glanced at Chen Fengxiao, he immediately put on a smile and said: “Exactly so, Brother Ren. If there is anything in the future, our Herb Division of Tianmu Peak—well, even the brothers of the Pill Division—will all be your support.”

“Pill Division?” Zhang Xiaohua was taken aback.

Qiu Weicheng smiled. “Brother Ren finds it strange, doesn’t he? In truth, the Pill Division and Herb Division often have friction, but in the end, we all belong to Tuodan Hall. At the root, we are of the same lineage. Whether it’s Wu Dalang, the Ten Great Vajras of the Pill Division, or the Six Great Arhats of the Herb Division, all of us are brothers who, under Boss Chen’s influence, attempted to break into the outer sect but failed.”

“Alright, alright,” Chen Fengxiao waved his hand. “You make it sound as though I’m some great hero. In truth, we are all merely defeated opponents of those outer disciples. None of us can compare to Lu Lihong. From now on, it will depend on Little Brother’s performance.”

“Lu Lihong?” Zhang Xiaohua was startled. This was the second time he had heard this name. He opened his mouth, about to ask, when Qiu Weicheng cut in: “Boss Chen is right. The waves behind drive those ahead—each new generation replaces the old. From now on, it will depend on people like Brother Ren.”

Chen Fengxiao nodded. “Alright, let’s talk about proper matters. Junior Brother Qiu, explain the current strength of the Pill Division and Herb Division to the little brother, so he has a clear understanding.”

Qiu Weicheng nodded in agreement, cleared his throat, and said: “In the usual gambling matches between our Herb Division and the Pill Division, it’s generally Boss Chen, Wu Dalang, the Ten Great Vajras, and the Six Great Arhats who take part. Since our Herb Division lacks strength at times, we have no choice but to bring in other disciples with more ordinary martial skills to participate. Just from the numbers alone, you can see that our Herb Division is at a disadvantage. Among these eighteen people, only Boss Chen is a notch stronger than the others; the rest are all at roughly the same level.”

Zhang Xiaohua nodded and said: “If it’s only seven matches, or fewer than seven, we should be able to gain the upper hand, right?”

Qiu Weicheng shot him an annoyed look. “If Brother Ren can think of that, the Pill Division can naturally think of it as well. But in these gambling matches, aside from the overall contest between the Pill and Herb Divisions, each round must still produce a winner. The few brothers from our Herb Division were invited over by Boss Chen from other peaks, and to be honest, their martial skills are only barely adequate. The best among them is only comparable to the mid-level fighters of the Pill Division. So in every match, the Pill Division wins more, and our Herb Division loses more.”

“So now, the brothers of our Herb Division all have empty purses—none of us even have any pills left. Even when eating in the dining hall, we can’t hold our heads high.” Chen Fengxiao added. “Otherwise, when you went to the dining hall yesterday, you wouldn’t have been bullied like that by Cheng Shi from the Pill Division, with not a single person from the Herb Division stepping forward.”

Qiu Weicheng continued: “Fortunately, the participants in the matches are fixed, but the order is kept secret. It’s only revealed right before each match begins. So sometimes, our side can still win a few rounds.”

Zhang Xiaohua understood—this was precisely why the Herb Division could still hold on, and why these gambling matches retained some suspense. So he asked: “Then for the gambling matches starting this afternoon, how does Boss Chen plan to arrange things?”

Chen Fengxiao said: “Isn’t that why we first came to see exactly how strong you are, little brother? Only then can we make a decision—and give the Pill Division a surprise.”

Zhang Xiaohua nodded. “This little brother has just arrived and will follow Boss Chen’s arrangements. Everything is fine.”