Chapter 81: Stirring of the Heart |
During dinner time, Zhou Liang sat at the table, eating without tasting, his brow furrowed with insoluble heaviness.
The increasingly difficult situation of his disciples weighed on him like a stone.
Continuing this way was no good strategy. He had to find a way out for them, for this household.
His wife, Lady Li, gently set down her chopsticks and said softly, "Eat your meal."
Zhou Liang remained silent for a long moment, finally lifting his head, "That matter you mentioned last time about Xiao Yu."
He paused, then said, "At the time, I didn't consider it thoroughly enough."
Lady Li was startled, then a complex expression flashed in her eyes, "You've agreed? But you always..."
Zhou Yu was eating when she heard this. A trace of confusion appeared in her eyes, "Mother, what matter?"
She keenly sensed the atmosphere between her parents.
Little uncle!?
In Zhou Yu's memory, her mother indeed often mentioned this little uncle.
When she was young, he had come to Gaolin County and treated her extremely well, always bringing sweet pastries but as the years passed, contact had become infrequent.
Zhou Liang knew what his wife wanted to say.
He and his wife's younger brother, who held an executive position at Sea Sand Sect, had been estranged for years due to ideological differences and old grudges from their early years but now, for his daughter's future and to protect her in the turbulent Gaolin County, he had to set aside that pointless stubbornness and pride.
"Times change. Gaolin has become a place of trouble, with storms approaching. Though her uncle... he is still her blood uncle after all, childless, and has always been fond of Yu'er."
After hearing this, Zhou Yu first stared in amazement, then irrepressible joy lit up in her eyes.
Sea Sand Sect!
To her, that was like another world entirely.
She struggled to suppress the excitement in her heart, but deep reluctance and worry surged up, "Father, what about you and Mother..."
"Don't worry about us."
Zhou Liang waved his hand, showing a relieved smile on his face, "Your uncle's place has a good environment and is safe. When you go, listen to your uncle, work hard, and don't be willful. Father has his own arrangements for matters at home."
Looking at his daughter's delicate face, that thought that had been circling in his mind for so long surfaced again.
He considered his words carefully, speaking with a barely perceptible probing tone, "Yu'er, what do you think of the boy Chen Qing?"
In Zhou Liang's view, Chen Qing had a clean family background, was well-known to him, and was a disciple he had personally taught.
Moreover, he valued relationships and loyalty, had a steady character like a mountain, and was a good man worthy of trust.
If he could facilitate this matter and have Chen Qing accompany Zhou Yu to Sea Sand Sect, firstly they would have each other for support, and secondly Chen Qing could enter through this marriage connection, avoiding many detours.
This was almost the best path he could think of laying out for his daughter and his promising disciple.
Lady Li also looked at her daughter without speaking.
Zhou Yu's heart suddenly jumped, and two red clouds instantly flew across her cheeks. She immediately understood her father's meaning.
This sudden topic caught her off guard. Amid her shyness, a nameless resistance also rose in her heart.
Chen Qing's figure flashed rapidly through her mind, silent, resilient, reliable as a mountain.
He had passed the martial examination and defeated a transforming strength expert like Qu Yaohui at the Blue Scale Assembly.
He was a reliable junior brother, a trustworthy fellow disciple.
But Zhou Yu asked herself honestly, apart from their fellow disciple relationship, she seemed to... not have that feeling of accelerated heartbeat and flushed face?
What young man doesn't have romantic feelings, what young woman doesn't harbor spring dreams?
Her ideal companion was that kind of radiant, heroically spirited figure...
"I was just speaking casually."
Zhou Liang sighed inwardly, feeling somewhat regretful, though he also knew that matters of the heart could never be forced, as forced melons are never sweet.
The next day, at Zhou's courtyard.
Zhou Yu emerged from the back courtyard, her father's words from last night still lingering in her heart.
Her gaze inadvertently swept across the training ground and saw Chen Qing instructing a disciple in correcting his stance work posture.
His form was steady, showing focus in his guidance.
Yet Zhou Yu's heart inexplicably stirred with an unusual feeling.
Chen Qing seemed to notice her gaze. He stopped his movements, turned to look at her, his gaze calm as water, "Senior Sister Zhou, is there something?"
Zhou Yu hastily averted her gaze, her tone carrying a panic she herself hadn't noticed, "No... nothing! Father wants you and Senior Brother Sun to go to the study."
After speaking, she turned and led the way almost as if fleeing, her steps faster than usual.
Chen Qing watched Zhou Yu's somewhat hurried retreating figure, not understanding but not probing deeply either. He called over Sun Shun, who was organizing equipment nearby, and together they went to the back courtyard.
"Master!"
"Master!"
Chen Qing and Sun Shun entered the room and cupped their fists in salute.
Zhou Liang looked at the two disciples he relied on most and spoke directly, "The waters of Gaolin are becoming murkier and more dangerous. The merchant guild grows powerful, and their suppression will only intensify. Zhou's courtyard faces an uncertain future. My old friend Zhang Shitong at Far Seas Escort Agency in Shuangye County is now the chief escort master. He's short of manpower there, especially those with real skills and reliability. Sun Shun, Chen Qing, Far Seas Escort Agency follows the proper path, and Chief Escort Master Zhang is righteous. Are you... willing to go there? At least it would provide a stable livelihood."
Upon hearing this, Sun Shun's body trembled, his face instantly filled with struggle.
Previously, he had received sponsorship from the Guo establishment and held a position at the weapon forging shop, making his finances relatively comfortable but since the Gaolin Merchant Guild began applying pressure, both the sponsorship and position were gone. Now all medicinal supplements had to be purchased with his own money.
He knew in his heart that the transforming strength realm was already beyond his reach.
Now a stable salary would be like a lifeline for him and his family.
Sun Shun cupped his fists heavily, his voice filled with gratitude and deep guilt, "Master, this disciple is willing to go! Thank you, Master, for securing this path for your disciple!"
Going to the escort agency as a manager and escorting ordinary goods was the best future he could grasp at present.
Zhou Liang nodded and turned his gaze to Chen Qing with an inquiring look.
Chen Qing raised his head, cupped his fists toward Zhou Liang, "Master's great kindness, this disciple remembers in his heart. But this matter concerns my future, so this disciple still needs a few days to consider."
He didn't refuse directly, leaving room for consideration.
Leave Gaolin County for the unfamiliar Shuangye County and Far Seas Escort Agency?
Countless thoughts instantly flashed through Chen Qing's mind.
Shuangye County might be stable, but it was ultimately an escort business where he couldn't learn the internal cultivation methods he dreamed of.
To learn internal cultivation methods, he still needed to go to a sect.
Moreover, Toad Fishing Force would soon reach the third realm. The urgent priority was to seize this opportunity and first improve his own strength.
Time, what he needed most now was time!
"This matter indeed requires careful consideration."
Zhou Liang nodded slowly. Then he gave a few more instructions about trivial matters before waving his hand, indicating the two could leave.
