Chapter 40: Looked Down Upon by Master Su

Chu Tian glanced over the contents of the letter. Its message was simple: it accused the Wei family of breaking their word and embezzling the spirit stone that belonged to Xiao Feng. Tomorrow night, Xiao Feng himself would come in person—not only to reclaim the spirit stone, but to wipe out the entire Wei family.

“To threaten the extermination of the whole Wei clan—such arrogance!” Chu Tian smiled faintly. With a gentle twist of his hand, the challenge letter turned to dust.

“That madman, he really is insane!” Wei Changtian beat his chest in regret. He had already promised to return the spirit stone, so why would Xiao Feng still refuse to let go? Had he known Xiao Feng was so relentless and cruel, he would never have coveted the stone in the first place.

If he had not kept the stone for himself, not only would disaster have been averted, but half of the stone would have rightfully belonged to him anyway. Now, he was about to lose everything—and even bring mortal peril upon himself and his family.

But regret was useless now. The members of the Wei family fell into silence, worry etched on their faces.

“Elder Wei, what do you intend to do?” Chu Tian asked.

“I have already reported the matter to the Ancient Martial Bureau. Now, we can only hope their experts will step in to mediate.” Wei Yuansheng sighed. “But what the outcome will be, no one can say.”

“If mediation is their aim, how do you plan to handle the spirit stone?” Chu Tian mused. The entire conflict between Xiao Feng and the Wei family stemmed from that stone—if its ownership was not settled, Xiao Feng would never back down.

“Mr. Chu, if Xiao Feng is willing to reconcile, the Wei family would rather hand the spirit stone over without protest.” Though a touch of reluctance lingered in Wei Yuansheng’s eyes, he had clearly resolved to give up the stone.

“Father, we struggled so much to obtain it—how can we simply give it away?” Wei Changtian protested anxiously. “Besides, half of it belongs to me. Why should Xiao Feng get it for nothing?”

“Silence! Have you not caused enough trouble already?” Wei Yuansheng rebuked him angrily. “If the price of peace for the Wei family is a single spirit stone, then what is it worth?”

“Grandfather is right,” Wei Qingqiu agreed, nodding. “Precious as it is, the spirit stone is merely an external possession; our family’s legacy must come first.”

Wei Changtian fell silent. Though clearly unwilling to part with the spirit stone, with both Wei Yuansheng and Wei Qingqiu standing firm, he found himself unable to argue.

“Elder Wei, if I help you deal with Xiao Feng, would you give the spirit stone to me?”

At that moment, Chu Tian spoke up, presenting an idea that caught everyone by surprise. Wei Yuansheng’s face froze, then suddenly he understood. The spirit stone was of such value—even Chu Tian would be tempted; it was only natural. Since they would have to give it away anyway, why not give it to Chu Tian instead of Xiao Feng? The question was, did Chu Tian truly have the ability to handle Xiao Feng?

“Mr. Chu, if you can truly avert this crisis, the Wei family will gladly offer the spirit stone to you,” Wei Yuansheng declared, bowing deeply, his tone sincere.

“Chu Tian, please—I beg you, save our family,” Wei Qingqiu pleaded, urgency flashing in her eyes.

“Rest assured, even if you did not offer me the spirit stone, I could never stand by and watch the Wei family destroyed,” Chu Tian replied with a gentle laugh, agreeing without hesitation.

The next night, the Wei residence.

Tonight, every room of the Wei mansion was ablaze with light. They had prepared a lavish feast. Wei Yuansheng sat at the head of the long table, with Chu Tian at his side; an empty seat was left opposite them, followed by the other members of the Wei family.

“Who is that seat for?” Chu Tian inquired.

“That is reserved for Master Su, the expert sent by the Ancient Martial Bureau,” Wei Qingqiu replied after a pause. “We paid a steep price to persuade Master Su to mediate between us and Xiao Feng.”

Chu Tian asked no further. Clearly, the Wei family remained cautious; even with his promise, they had invited a Grandmaster to preside over the matter. But as the appointed hour drew near, Master Su had yet to appear, and Chu Tian’s patience wore thin.

Just then, footsteps echoed outside the door.

“Master Su has arrived!” Wei Yuansheng exclaimed with delight, immediately rising to greet him. The others stood as well, following him from their seats to welcome Su Dingguo.

Chu Tian, however, remained seated, not bothering to stand. Su Dingguo was hardly worth such respect; he did not deserve it.

Moments later, an elderly man clad in white entered the villa. Though eighty years old, Su Dingguo moved with the vigor of a tiger or dragon; half his hair was still black, and his spirit was undiminished.

“Welcome, Master Su!” Wei Yuansheng bowed low, his demeanor utterly humble. Wei Changtian and Wei Qingqiu quickly followed suit.

Su Dingguo nodded, not deigning to look directly at Wei Yuansheng. His gaze swept the room and settled on Chu Tian—the only one still seated, making him conspicuously stand out.

“A Grandmaster?” he mused. “Hmph, nothing special.”

Chu Tian sensed Su Dingguo’s power and was unimpressed. To him, a mere Grandmaster was not worth a second thought.

Su Dingguo’s eyes were sharp as a hawk’s, fixed intently on Chu Tian. Yet Chu Tian was utterly unmoved; the aura of a Grandmaster could not affect him in the slightest. The energy Su Dingguo exuded was somewhat similar to the spiritual force cultivated by practitioners, but vastly weaker—perhaps ten thousand times so.

If this Master Su were placed among cultivators, he would be little more than a novice, an apprentice at best. Yet to the likes of Wei Yuansheng, Su Dingguo was already a figure beyond reach.

Chu Tian shook his head inwardly; he had overestimated Su Dingguo based on the Wei family’s deference. Now, seeing the man himself, those assumptions were swiftly shattered.

“Master Su, please, take your seat,” Wei Yuansheng said, making way and inviting Su Dingguo to sit.

But Su Dingguo did not approach his own seat. Instead, he strode directly toward Chu Tian.

“Who is this boy, daring to occupy such a seat of honor?” Su Dingguo looked down disdainfully at Chu Tian, clearly displeased that he was sitting to the left of the host’s chair.