Heaven’s Shadow

Chapter 157: Closer Than Family

Su Qingjun’s eyes brightened, and she asked, “What idea?”

Lu Chen looked at her and said, “Just don’t meet those people.”

“Huh?” Su Qingjun was taken aback and then replied irritably, “How is that possible? They…” She paused, seemingly realizing something, and looked thoughtfully at Lu Chen, asking, “Do you mean you will…”

Lu Chen responded straightforwardly, “I’ll intercept them. You stay hidden in the cave dwelling and pretend you don’t know about these issues.”

“This…” Su Qingjun was momentarily stunned. Her expression showed some interest, but she also seemed uncertain. Seeing this, Lu Chen felt a bit emotional. This renowned genius from the Su family was unexpectedly conflicted. Indeed, people can’t be judged by appearances.

However, this deep familial bond she had was something he had never experienced in his life. What did such affection feel like?

Lu Chen shook his head and said to Su Qingjun, “Think it over. I’ve said all I have to say, and the final decision is yours.”

Su Qingjun’s expression changed multiple times. After a moment, she gritted her teeth and said, “Alright, let’s do it your way.”

“Hmm?” Lu Chen was a bit surprised at how quickly she made up her mind. “Have you thought it through?”

Su Qingjun nodded resolutely. “Yes, I’ve thought it through. What you said earlier is true. No one has ever spoken to me so frankly, or maybe I just couldn’t admit it to myself. Anyway, I think it’s time to prioritize my cultivation and set aside family matters for now.”

Lu Chen nodded, “Good, since you’ve made up your mind, it’s straightforward. But there’s something else I need to say first.”

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Su Qingjun said, “Go ahead.”

“First, you must not be soft-hearted. You know what your relatives are like. When they beg and plead, you have to act like you don’t see or hear them and stay hidden in the cave dwelling.”

“Okay.” Su Qingjun nodded firmly, clearly determined this time.

Lu Chen continued, “Second, your Su family is a prestigious clan. The members are proud and arrogant. If they get angry because a nobody like me blocks them, they might want to teach me a lesson. If I’m in the wrong, I deserve it, but if I’m in the right, will you back me up?”

Su Qingjun paused and said, “If they bully you for no reason, of course, I’ll stand up for you.”

Lu Chen smiled, then suddenly slapped his own cheek and asked, “If they hit me and I can’t or don’t want to fight back, what will you do afterward?”

“Will you just scold them lightly, or will you hit them back the same way?” Lu Chen stared at Su Qingjun, asking this seemingly light question that hit deep.

Su Qingjun fell silent again, but this time, her gaze remained on Lu Chen, her eyes growing colder.

“Why do I suddenly feel like you’re trying to drive a wedge between me and my family?” Su Qingjun asked quietly.

“We’ve only known each other for a short time. As the saying goes, ‘outsiders can’t break close family bonds.’ Do you think I could do that?” Lu Chen countered.

Su Qingjun stood up and asked, “Then how can you ask me to go so far for you?”

Lu Chen also stood up slowly, looking at the beautiful woman before him. “And why should I do something so thankless for you? Am I crazy?”

Su Qingjun was at a loss for words.

※※※

Their shadows stretched long and thin under the setting sun.

Su Qingjun looked at the slender shadow, seemingly lost in thought, wanting to speak but holding back.

“You see, the principles of this world are pretty much the same,” Lu Chen said calmly. “If you can’t do this, I can’t help you. I know you’ve probably always thought people should be happy to help you without expecting anything in return. And you’ve treated your family with the same care.”

“But I’m different,” Lu Chen said with a steady and determined tone. “For something like this, I need you to firmly and clearly stand by my side before I dare to help you.”

“I’m just a small person, the weakest and lowest servant disciple on Kunlun Mountain. Anyone can bully me, right?”

“But even ants have their way of living.”

Su Qingjun’s expression flickered, showing some emotional turmoil, but she remained silent. Lu Chen said nothing more and turned to walk towards the hut, saying over his shoulder:

“It’s late. Go get some rest. I’ll call you when the hawk fruit ripens tomorrow.”

※※※

The moon rose and set, stars moved across the sky, and the quiet night passed unnoticed.

A new day began.

As Lu Chen stepped out of the thatched hut, he stretched leisurely in the morning sun and took a casual walk around Feiyan Platform before returning to the spiritual field to continue his work. He glanced towards the cave dwelling once, noticing the stone door remained closed with no activity all morning. He merely smiled and continued with his tasks.

Around half an hour before noon, while preparing to take a break, Lu Chen suddenly caught a whiff of a strange fragrance. He immediately looked up, searching around the field, and quickly spotted a ripe hawk fruit on one of the trees. With a mix of admiration and amusement, he clicked his tongue and pulled out the yellow stone talisman from his pocket. A unique flame ignited with a “whoosh.”

He then turned towards the stone door of the cave dwelling. Initially, it was quiet, but soon, a loud rumble shattered the silence. Moments later, Su Qingjun shot out like an arrow, stopping at the edge of the field. “Did you use the Burning Heart Talisman? Is a hawk fruit ripe?” she asked urgently.

Lu Chen was momentarily taken aback, then pointed towards the ripe hawk fruit. Su Qingjun leaped gracefully into the air, easily picking the fruit. It was only about the size of a thumb, and she quickly swallowed it in one gulp. After a moment of relief, she sat cross-legged on the field’s edge, seemingly meditating to absorb the benefits of the rare fruit.

Lu Chen watched her with interest, noticing her appearance. Although not disheveled, she wasn’t in her usual neat attire. Her hair was slightly messy, with a few strands hanging down, and her clothing was loose and casual, resembling sleepwear. Her face was free of makeup, and there was a hint of fatigue in her expression. Lu Chen found this sight amusing.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Su Qingjun exhaled deeply and stood up, saying, “Indeed, fresh hawk fruit is different. It’s very helpful for stabilizing my Golden Core stage.”

“Of course. Your master, Real Person Mu Yuan, is an experienced Nascent Soul cultivator and wouldn’t lie,” Lu Chen replied.

Su Qingjun nodded, “Thank you.” She then turned to leave for the cave dwelling. However, as she walked away, Lu Chen suddenly asked, “Um, Senior Sister Su, if I may ask, were you… still asleep just now?”

Su Qingjun stiffened, her face briefly showing a mix of embarrassment and irritation. “Nonsense, of course not!” she retorted and quickly walked away. Lu Chen watched her retreating figure, deep in thought. While it’s normal for cultivators to rest and sleep, the issue was that Su Qingjun had a reputation for being a diligent and hardworking disciple, always up early and training late. She was often cited as an example of exceptional effort combined with talent.

But here she was, potentially sleeping late in her secluded cave dwelling while the sun was already high in the sky. It was quite surprising and unexpected!

Something seemed off!

Lu Chen could hardly believe his eyes. He started piecing together earlier events, wondering if she hadn’t heard him knocking that morning because she was asleep, not meditating. The time taken to freshen up and appear as composed as usual might explain the delay in her response. And her strict rule against anyone entering her cave, not even her closest family members, seemed curious. Was she hiding a messy bed inside?

Feeling slightly confused, Lu Chen shook his head, thinking he might be overthinking things due to recent preoccupations with finding demonic cult spies. “Forget it, whether she sleeps in or not has nothing to do with me,” he muttered, heading back to the hut. Meanwhile, Su Qingjun had already entered her cave dwelling, and the stone door closed behind her, sealing the entrance once more.

This was their only meeting and conversation that day.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was Lu Chen’s fourth day at Feiyan Platform. That morning, no hawk fruit ripened, but as the sun rose, three people suddenly appeared outside the cave dwelling. They were Su Mo, Su Qian, and Su Wen, all looking battered and bruised. They rushed to the stone door, fell to their knees, and cried out, “Sister Jun, Sister Jun, you must stand up for us…” (To be continued.)