Chapter 21: Dilemmas
Exiting the meditation chamber, Tang Chun Xi was greeted by a young servant who waited patiently outside. Upon noticing her mistress emerge, the servant quickly bowed in a respectful greeting but couldn't hide her look of astonishment at the imposing aura Tang Chun Xi exuded. Her recently advanced level was evident to anyone with a cultivator's perception.
Still adjusting to the sensation of advancement, Tang Chun Xi gazed at the servant calmly but curiously.
— "How long was I in the meditation chamber? And where are my father and Ah Tao?" — she asked, her voice calm yet imbued with authority.
The servant lifted her face, still somewhat overwhelmed by the pressure of the new aura.
— "Miss, you've been in the chamber for five days! Ah Tao is training in the meditation rooms, and your father left early this morning with Mr. Chen for an inspection of the shops."
The shock was evident in the servant's tone, especially as she noticed that her mistress had reached the 3rd level, a feat she would never have imagined possible in such a short time.
Tang Chun Xi nodded slightly, absorbing the information.
— "Understood. Thank you for informing me."
The servant bowed again, and Tang Chun Xi proceeded toward her quarters. The corridor was silent, and the serenity of the surroundings gave her a moment to reflect on her next steps.
Entering her room, she found Ah Tao already waiting, as if she had been informed of her arrival. The young maid was kneeling, organizing some items on a table, but quickly stood up upon seeing her mistress.
Tang Chun Xi couldn't help but smile at the enthusiasm in Ah Tao's eyes.
— "Ah Tao, you should have stayed training to stabilize your level. Congratulations on reaching the 4th level. I'm proud of you."
Ah Tao blushed at the praise, but there was a determined sparkle in her gaze.
— "Thank you, Miss. But my duty is to be by your side. And congratulations on reaching the 3rd level in such a short time! I can already imagine you surpassing all the geniuses in the city. They won't stand a chance!"
Tang Chun Xi let out a low laugh, appreciating Ah Tao's loyalty and enthusiasm.
— "Very well, Ah Tao. But now let's do something different. Let's disguise ourselves and take a walk around the city."
Ah Tao's eyes widened, her excitement evident.
— "Yes, Miss!"
The two moved swiftly, with an efficiency that showed how accustomed they were to such preparations. Tang Chun Xi swapped her refined cloak for a simple dark-toned masculine tunic that concealed her striking features. With a touch of skill, she tied her hair into a low bun and donned a hat that partially shaded her face.
Ah Tao followed suit, opting for a similar outfit. Though less refined in her choices, her disguise was equally convincing, making her resemble a young apprentice.
They looked at each other, and Tang Chun Xi gave a slight approving smile.
— "Done. Now we're just two curious young cultivators exploring the city."
Ah Tao laughed, already anticipating the fun.
— "Yes, Miss. Let's find out what's happening out there!"
Together, they discreetly left the quarters, descending the stairs and passing through the main gate. With her aura now carefully suppressed, Tang Chun Xi appeared to be an entirely different person. The city streets, bustling with life and activity, awaited their new adventures.
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In the northern part of the city, Tang Wei walked through the busy commercial streets alongside his long-time friend, Liao Chen Wei. Both bore serious expressions as they assessed the businesses around them. The scent of medicinal herbs and the murmur of conversations between merchants and customers filled the air, but the tension was palpable.
Before Liao Chen Wei's arrival, the situation in the city had become problematic. The Shang Family, always known for their business cunning, was becoming increasingly arrogant. Recently, they had begun threatening to cut off the supply of spiritual pills to the hunting teams that depended on them.
Tang Wei stroked his beard in thought. If it were only common spiritual pills, his family's shop and the Treasure Pavilion could meet the demand. However, the real issue lay with the high-quality, rare pills that only the Shang Family could consistently produce. The reason? Their daughter had become an inner disciple of the Spiritual Herb Valley, one of the largest centers for alchemy and medicinal cultivation in the region.
This exclusive support had transformed the Shang Family into a dominant force in local commerce. Other factions in the city preferred not to interfere, coldly and calculatingly watching as the conflict unfolded. None of them wanted to offend the Shang Family, waiting to see how Tang Wei would handle the pressure.
Now, with Liao Chen Wei's arrival, the Shang Family seemed to have slightly retreated. But Tang Wei knew this was only temporary.
"How long will this truce last?" — he wondered, observing his surroundings.
Liao Chen Wei, by his side, remained silent for a moment before saying:
— "Their arrogance only grows because they believe themselves untouchable with the support of the Spiritual Herb Valley. But every position has its price, and they are not without weaknesses."
Tang Wei nodded, though his mind was elsewhere, focused on a matter even more pressing. His daughter.
'She wants to participate in the Four Families' Competition,'— he thought, recalling his recent conversation with her.
The competition was a prestigious event that would determine the allocation of resources from the black spiritual iron mine, a local specialty. Although the extracted ore was low-level, he knew this was a crucial opportunity for her to test herself, even if the outcome wasn't first place. More than that, he had already decided that, regardless of what happened, he would withdraw his forces from Moonlit Grove City and send her to the Palace of a Thousand Daos.
Tang Wei paused for a moment, looking at the sky, now painted in golden hues by the setting sun.
'She will have to forge her own path. In the Palace of a Thousand Daos, she will have a much larger stage to shine. But in doing so, I will have to face old problems that can no longer be postponed.'
The thought brought a shadow of worry to his eyes. He remembered the message Liao Chen Wei had delivered. It was a warning, and one that could not be ignored. To protect his daughter, he would have to leave her on her own, at least temporarily.
Liao Chen Wei noticed Tang Wei's distraction and offered a faint smile.
— "Whatever is weighing on your mind, you will find a solution. Your daughter is strong, Tang Wei, and so are you.".