Fu Qingshan finally woke up after eight months in a coma.
That day, Fu Shaoping was washing his father's body in a secret room. As he wiped him, he whispered about the things that had happened in the past few months.
"The matters concerning the third and fourth branches have been settled. Fu Shaoyun is very capable and has been a great help. With the Wang family gone, our Fu family is now the dominant force in Qingyang City. I've also arranged for several of the younger generation in the clan to become disciples at the Qingyun Sect. They should be able to make something of themselves in a few years..."
As he was talking, he suddenly felt his father's fingers twitch.
Fu Shaoping was taken aback and looked down.
Fu Qingshan slowly opened his eyes.
His eyes, though somewhat cloudy, remained firm and strong. He looked at Fu Shaoping, his lips trembling slightly, as if he wanted to say something.
Fu Shaoping held his hand and said softly, "Father, don't rush, take your time."
Fu Qingshan took a deep breath, his voice hoarse: "Shaoping...you...did...very well..."
Fu Shaoping smiled, a smile that carried a rare warmth.
"Father, please don't speak, just rest. I'll go get the doctor."
He stood up, but Fu Qingshan grabbed his wrist.
"Shaoping...you...tell...me...how...you...did it..."
Fu Shaoping was silent for a moment, then said, "Father, there are some things that are not the right time to tell you now. I will tell you slowly when you are better."
Fu Qingshan looked into his eyes for a long time before finally letting go of his hand.
He knew that this son was no longer the taciturn, bullied good-for-nothing he remembered.
he's changed.
It has become something that even he, as the father, can hardly understand.
But he believes this change is for the better.
Because there is light in those eyes.
Chapter Twelve: One Year Later
After Fu Qingshan woke up, the situation in the Fu family completely stabilized.
The older generation of elders were either dead or incompetent, and the new generation of young people were promoted to key positions by Fu Shaoping. Fu Shaoyun became the acting elder of the fourth branch, Fu Shaojie was sent to manage the market, Fu Shaohua was in charge of mining spirit mines, and even Fu Shaoying, who had once mocked Fu Shaoping, was assigned to manage the family's library—a seemingly leisurely position that actually had no access to any core power.
Fu Shaoping never holds grudges, but he also never easily trusts anyone.
He knew that people's hearts were complex and their interests intertwined, and that they couldn't be bought off with one or two favors. He needed time to observe, test, and select those who were truly trustworthy.
The person he trusted most was still Fu Qingshan.
Although his father was in a coma for eight months and his cultivation was greatly damaged after he woke up, falling from the late stage of Golden Core to the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, the trust between father and son never changed.
Fu Shaoping would visit his father in the secret room every day, talk to him, and chat about clan affairs. Although Fu Qingshan's cultivation had declined, his experience and wisdom remained, and he could often give Fu Shaoping some pertinent advice.
"Shaoping, your methods for reorganizing clan affairs are even more decisive than I imagined." That day, Fu Qingshan leaned back on the couch and said slowly, "But you must remember, water that is too clear has no fish. Some things are better left unseen."
Fu Shaoping nodded: "Father is right. But what the Fu family needs now is rules. Once the rules are established, then we can talk about personal relationships."
Fu Qingshan looked at him, his eyes filled with satisfaction.
You are better than me.
Fu Shaoping shook his head: "Father, you flatter me. I am just standing on your shoulders to see further."
Fu Qingshan smiled, his laughter tinged with emotion.
"If your mother were still alive, she would be very happy to see you like this now."
Fu Shaoping remained silent.
He knew that his mother in this life had died in childbirth when he was born. He had never seen her face, only knowing from his father's descriptions that she was a gentle yet strong woman.
"Father, there's something I've always wanted to ask about Mother," Fu Shaoping said softly. "How... exactly did she die?"
Fu Qingshan fell silent.
After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice low and somber: "She died trying to save you."
Fu Shaoping was startled.
"When you were born, you were born with a weak pulse and a faint breath, and you almost did not survive. Your mother disregarded her own weak body and used her own blood essence to prolong your life, but in the end... she bled to death."
He looked at Fu Shaoping, his eyes filled with sorrow.
"Before your mother died, she held my hand and said, 'Qingshan, our child, you must live well.'"
Fu Shaoping lowered his head and remained silent for a long time.
He recalled what Ye had said to him when he opened the fifth page—"On the fifth page, there is no turning back."
Perhaps this is why there is no turning back.
Because his mother in this life gave her life for him.
He owes her something he can never repay.
Chapter Thirteen: A Letter from the Qingyun Sect
Three months after Fu Qingshan awoke, a letter from the Qingyun Sect shattered the Fu family's peaceful life.
The letter was addressed to Fu Shaoping, and it was signed with a name that was both familiar and unfamiliar to him—Yuehua Zhenren.
To Fu Shaoping:
I have heard that you, with your naturally weak meridians, defied the heavens and cultivated to break through to the third level of Qi Refining in just one year. Moreover, you single-handedly reorganized your family and eliminated internal troubles. I am very pleased.
When I was traveling the world, I had the pleasure of meeting your father once. I knew him to be an upright and honest man, someone I could befriend. Now, seeing that his son is also no ordinary person, I cannot help but feel a desire to appreciate his talent.
The Qingyun Sect recruits disciples every three years, and the next recruitment exam will be held next March. If you are interested in joining our sect, please bring this letter, and I will be happy to personally introduce you.
Furthermore, I might have a way to resolve the dysfunction in your meridians. However, you will need to come in person so I can examine the specific situation.
Respectfully submitted by Master Yuehua.
Fu Shaoping held the letter and remained silent for a long time.
He had heard the name "Moonflower Immortal" on page four.
That was the senior sister on page four, Yuehua's master. A mid-Nascent Soul cultivator, renowned for her swordsmanship and formations.
Unexpectedly, in this life, she had a past connection with her father.
"Shaoping, do you want to go?" Fu Qingshan asked, looking at him.
Fu Shaoping nodded: "I'd like to."
Fu Qingshan was silent for a moment, then said, "Go. I'll handle the Fu family's affairs."
Fu Shaoping shook his head: "Father, your cultivation has not recovered yet, I am worried about you going alone."
Fu Qingshan smiled: "Although my cultivation has declined, I am still at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment. In this Qingyang City, no one dares to bully me. Besides, I have Fu Shaoyun and the others. Go with peace of mind, don't worry about things at home."
Fu Shaoping looked at him for a long time before finally nodding.
"it is good."
Chapter Fourteen: Leaving Home
Before leaving, Fu Shaoping visited his mother's grave.
It was a secluded corner behind the Fu family's mountain, a small earthen grave with the words "Tomb of the Lin Family of the Fu Clan" inscribed on the tombstone.
Fu Shaoping knelt before the grave and respectfully kowtowed three times.
"Mother, I'm leaving. I'm going to the Qingyun Sect to become an apprentice and learn martial arts." He said softly, "Don't worry, I will live well and not let you and Father down."
The wind blew, and the grass in front of the grave rustled, as if in response to him.
Fu Shaoping stood up, took one last look at the small grave, and turned to leave.
Down the mountain, Fu Qingshan, Fu Shaoyun, and others were waiting for him.
"Senior brother, take care!" Fu Shaoyun, with red eyes, handed him a bundle. "There are some dry rations and spirit stones in here for the journey."
Fu Shaoping took it and patted him on the shoulder.
"I'm entrusting the Fu family's affairs to you."
Fu Shaoyun nodded vigorously.
Fu Qingshan stepped forward and stuffed a storage bag into his hand. "Here are some spirit stones and pills. Use them sparingly. When you get to the Qingyun Sect, don't be stingy with money. Take care of things that need to be taken care of."
Fu Shaoping took it and looked at his father's increasingly aged face, a pang of sorrow welling up in his heart.
"Father, please take care of yourself."
Fu Qingshan nodded, patted him on the shoulder, and said nothing.
Fu Shaoping took a deep breath, turned around, and stepped onto the already prepared flying boat.
The flying boat slowly rose into the air and flew towards the Qingyun Sect.
He stood at the bow of the boat, watching Qingyang City gradually disappear into the distance, looking at the small town where he had lived for sixteen years, and a complex emotion welled up in his heart.
In this life, he was born here and grew up here.
His father, his clansmen, his enemies, and his friends were all here.
Here are his memories of sixteen years, the hardships of his defying the heavens in his cultivation, his decisiveness in reorganizing his family, and the tenderness of him kneeling before his mother's grave.
he's gone.
But he knew he would come back.
Because this is his home.
Chapter Fifteen: On the Road
Qingyang City is 30,000 miles away from Qingyun Sect.
The flying boat that Fu Shaoping was riding was one of the best magical artifacts in the Fu family. It was extremely fast, but it still took half a month to arrive.
He didn't stop working along the way.
Every morning, he would meditate and cultivate at the bow of the ship, absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to strengthen his meridians. During the day, he would study various classic texts he brought from home, especially those concerning the Way of Contracts. At night, he would continue his cultivation in the cabin until late into the night.
In the past half month, his cultivation level has broken through from the third level of Qi Refining to the fourth level.
Although the speed is still pitifully slow, it is much better than before.
On this day, the airship passed through a dangerous place called the "Misty Forest".
This forest is shrouded in thick fog year-round, limiting spiritual perception, and is said to be inhabited by Foundation Establishment stage demonic beasts. Fu Shaoping originally wanted to take a detour, but that would add three days to his journey, and not wanting to waste time, he decided to go straight through.
The airship slowly sailed into the mist.
The fog was very thick, with visibility less than ten feet. Fu Shaoping spread his divine sense to the fullest extent, cautiously observing his surroundings.
Halfway there, a fierce fighting suddenly broke out ahead.
Fu Shaoping frowned slightly, hesitated for a moment, and then decided to go and take a look.
He parked the airship behind a large tree and quietly approached.
The sounds of fighting came from an open space.
On the open ground, three cultivators dressed in black were besieging a woman in white.
The woman was stunningly beautiful, with a cool and aloof demeanor, and was surrounded by a faint moonlight. Her cultivation level was at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, but the three black-clad cultivators were also at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, and they cooperated perfectly, forcing her to retreat step by step.
Fu Shaoping looked at the woman in white, and a thought suddenly struck him.
Moonlight.
The senior on page four, the old friend on page five.
Unexpectedly, we ran into each other here.
He didn't act immediately, but observed for a while first.
The three black-clad cultivators were using the Blood Fiend Sect's techniques. The Blood Fiend Sect was the Azure Cloud Sect's mortal enemy, known for its bloodlust and brutality.
"Why would people from the Blood Fiend Sect appear here?" Fu Shaoping wondered.
He thought about it and decided to take action.
It wasn't because he was trying to save a damsel in distress, but because Yuehua was a member of the Qingyun Sect. He was on his way to become a disciple of the Qingyun Sect, so naturally he couldn't just stand by and watch him die.
He took out a talisman from his pocket, a "Thunderfire Talisman" given to him by Fu Qingshan for self-defense, whose power was comparable to a strike from the late Foundation Establishment stage.
He aimed at one of the black-clad monks and shot out the talisman!
"boom!"
The Thunderfire Talisman exploded, catching the black-clad cultivator off guard. He was blasted backward, spitting out blood!
"Who goes there?!"
The other two black-clad cultivators were shocked and turned to look at Fu Shaoping.
Fu Shaoping didn't give them time to react; he drew his sword!
That was a low-grade magic weapon called "Qingfeng Sword," which Fu Qingshan had used when he was young. Although it was not of high grade, it was lightweight and sharp.
He thrust out his sword, the sword light like a rainbow, aiming straight for the throat of one of the black-clad cultivators!
The black-clad cultivator hurriedly tried to block, but was forced back by Fu Shaoping's sword!
"Qi Refining Level 4?!"
His eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief.
How could a mere Qi Refining Stage 4 brat be able to repel a Foundation Establishment Stage 4 cultivator with a single sword strike?!
How can this be? !
Fu Shaoping gave him no time to think, and thrust out the second and third swords in quick succession!
His swordsmanship, seemingly simple, actually contained the swordsmanship experience accumulated from his previous lives. Each strike precisely targeted the opponent's weaknesses, forcing the black-clad cultivator into a state of panic.
Seeing that someone was helping her, Yuehua's spirits lifted, and her swordsmanship became even more ferocious. A moment later, she had killed the remaining two black-clad cultivators.
Seeing that things were not going well, Fu Shaoping's opponents turned and fled.
Fu Shaoping did not pursue.
He sheathed his sword and looked at Yuehua.
Yuehua also looked at him, her eyes filled with curiosity.
"Who are you?"
Fu Shaoping cupped his hands and said, "I am Fu Shaoping, a member of the Fu family of Qingyang City. I am on my way to Qingyun Sect to become a disciple."
A strange light flashed in Yuehua's eyes.
"The Fu family of Qingyang City? You are Fu Qingshan's son?"
Fu Shaoping nodded.
Yuehua smiled slightly: "Your father and I have a history. He saved my life back then, and I've always wanted to find a chance to repay him. I never expected that you would save me today."
Fu Shaoping shook his head: "You're too kind, senior. I just did what I was supposed to do."
Yuehua looked at him with a hint of approval in her eyes.
"You, a mere Qi Refining Level 4 cultivator, dared to save me, a Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator. You have quite the courage."
She paused, then continued, "The sword technique you just used looks familiar. Who taught you?"
Fu Shaoping said, "Our family's swordsmanship is nothing to mention."
Yuehua didn't press further, but simply said, "Since you're going to the Qingyun Sect to become a disciple, why don't you come with me? I'm also heading back soon."
Fu Shaoping nodded: "I would be honored to accept your offer."
The two boarded the flying boat and continued their journey.
Chapter Sixteen: Moonlight
On the flying boat, Yuehua asked about Fu Shaoping.
Fu Shaoping didn't hide anything and recounted his situation in detail. Born with a crippled meridian, he defied the heavens to cultivate, reorganized his family, and eliminated internal troubles... He told them everything he could. Only the matter of the Hundred Lifetimes Book and his memories of his past life remained a secret.
After listening, Yuehua remained silent for a long time.
“You are even more extraordinary than I imagined,” she said slowly. “Born with a crippled meridian, yet you were able to cultivate against the heavens. You single-handedly reorganized an entire clan. In all my years of life, I have only ever seen one person like you.”
Fu Shaoping shook his head: "Senior, you flatter me." (End of Chapter)
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