No taboos

Chapter 330 Second Uncle (Three-in-One)

"Oh, I see," Xu Yuan replied casually.

Lang Xiaoba was taken aback. He looked at the adult, and Xu Yuan asked in return, "Is there anything else?"

"No, that's all. I'll take my leave now."

Xu Yuan's reaction was indeed beyond Lang Xiaoba's expectations.

Anyone who has been to Yujing Village with Lord Xu can guess that the relationship between the Lord and that dragon is quite close.

Therefore, upon hearing the relevant news, Lang Xiaoba immediately came to report to the adults.

Unexpectedly, the adults acted as if it were none of their business.

Have we all been wrong?

It wasn't that they guessed wrong, but rather that Lord Xu had his own ideas.

Lord Xu had searched for the dragon before, but it didn't show itself—it was hiding from him… There must be a reason for this.

The relationship between Xu Yuan and Jiao is based on Xu Yuan's appreciation for Jiao.

In a world teeming with evil spirits, such a "righteous demon" is all the more rare.

That's why Xu Yuan chose it to partner with him in business.

Lord Xu will certainly provide any assistance he can, as long as they ask.

But if Jiao "fails to maintain his integrity in his later years," then their "friendship" will come to an end.

Lord Xu would even fulfill his duties as an inspector of the Purification Division without hesitation.

The dragon was seriously injured and fell into the canal, which was actually a very bad outcome.

The canal is that person's territory.

That one utterly despised anything in the world that wanted to transform into a dragon.

Except for those who practice the "Dragon Transformation Method" passed down by the plant itself.

Jiao knew this very well, so he never went near the canal.

Xu Yuan was no longer in a hurry. You deliberately avoided me, and now what?
If you're so capable, why are you hiding? Get through this on your own!
With the "evidence" in hand, Xu Yuan waited in vain for the "buyer" from the Grand Canal government to come out with him, so he asked Fu Jingyu to accompany him. Song Lu naturally went along as well.

Lord Xu's target is the Mountain and River Division.

Miao Yu is reviewing a pile of official documents.

On the table in front of him, various files were piled up three feet high.

Miao Yu was having a headache when he saw Xu Yuan arrive, so he immediately pushed the things away, saying, "We'll deal with these things later."

He was just looking for an excuse to slack off.

“Brother Xu must have something very important to tell me.” He pulled Xu Yuan along, “Come on, let’s go have some tea.”

Zhu Zhanmei stood to the side and couldn't help but roll her eyes.

The valiant female inspector, unusually, revealed a touch of coquettishness.

“These official duties still need to be done no matter how long you hide,” Zhu Zhanmei said. “I need these official documents from you to close the case of the Ghost King and return to Luo City.”

Zhu Zhanmei suddenly smiled mischievously and said, "If I keep an eye on you in Zhancheng, you and my little brother won't be able to go to Baiyue Pavilion. You'd better finish these official documents quickly and send me away, hehehe."

Miao Yu's face flushed, and he stammered, "I didn't go very often... The Shanhe Division is under a lot of pressure dealing with strange cases, so I always need to relax... Even when I did go, I just drank and chatted. I always drank too much and didn't do much else..."

Xu Yuan chuckled to himself: "I've taken care of the Ghost King's body for you, but what about the clue you promised me?"

Miao Yu led him to a side hall on the other side, where Inspector Zhang came to serve him.

Xu Yuan couldn't help but ask, "You really don't have anyone else under you?"

Miao Yu scratched his head.

I don't know how, but I ended up all alone in Champa.

Elsewhere, I am clearly very good at "recruiting talented people".

He recalled that when he arrived in Champa, his first target for "recruiting" was... Xu Yuan!
I was full of confidence at the time.

After the setback, he became even more disdainful of the scoundrels in the Shanhe Division.

Now I have no one to rely on.

“Alas—” Miao Yu sighed deeply, unwilling to discuss the matter further, and instead said, “Some time ago, my caravan learned something by chance: a special acacia tree has grown under the Pig-Calling Rock in Ghost Witch Mountain.”

It blossomed six months ago and bore fruit three months ago—among which there might be one genuine seed.

"True Seed" is originally a concept from the Taoist school.

Two hundred years ago, Taoist practitioners used the phrase "a pearl the size of a millet grain" to describe the true seed.

The "true seed" came first, followed by the inner elixir.

It is formed through one's own understanding and enlightenment.

However, the alchemy and Taoism of this era were different.

The first step in alchemy is to cultivate the inner elixir.

The true species are mostly "external objects".

It doesn't necessarily have to be a "seed"; it could be some kind of "treasure" or good material from an evil spirit.

But there is one requirement: it must be "pure".

Moreover, there must be no "contamination".

Some highly skilled alchemists, when preparing true seeds for their students or offspring, would need to find a way to cleanse them of any contamination if they were made from a particular "material".

The natural, genuine seed—like the fruit of the evil mimosa tree that Miao Yu mentioned—is a natural, genuine seed—and is extremely precious and has the best effects.

Xu Yuan knew about Pig Calling Rock; that place was right next to Guanghuo Street!
Otherwise, that mimosa tree would probably have been cut down long ago.

Miao Yu continued, "I learned of this news five days ago, when the mimosa tree was still there. I can't guarantee what might have happened in the past few days."

So if you want to get your hands on that genuine seed, you'd better act quickly.

Xu Yuan nodded, pondering for a moment.

Zhu Zhanmei asked curiously, "Lord Xu is preparing to advance to the fifth-rate alchemy cultivator? Lord Xu has more than just alchemy cultivation, right?"

Xu Yuan nodded: "They even revised the Commercial Code, which is all sixth-rate."

Zhu Zhanmei nodded and said, "Young and promising."

Xu Yuan then laughed and said, "Inspector Zhu, your way of speaking makes you sound old-fashioned, but it makes you look old yourself."

Zhu Zhanlei, who was standing to the side, casually said, "My third sister is much older than you."

Zhu Zhanmei glared fiercely at her underling, then awkwardly explained to Xu Yuan, "It's... not that much bigger."

Xu Yuan smiled, deciding not to dwell on the topic.

Fu Jingyu asked, "How can you be sure that there might be a genuine seed on that tree?"

Xu Yuan brought him here because he was from a prominent family and had a wealth of knowledge, so he could offer some advice.

Miao Yu said, "Some people saw from afar that five-colored thin clouds gathered above the tree canopy, like a light veil, and did not dissipate for many days."

A large patch of exotic flowers and rare herbs grew in the soil beneath the tree.

Fu Jingyu nodded: "This is an unusual phenomenon, and it is indeed possible that a true seed is being condensed."

Song Lu couldn't help but say, "I'm afraid... this true seed was cultivated by some great evil spirit in the mountains."

Fu Jingyu said, "It's highly likely. Those naturally occurring true seeds in the uncivilized lands are basically cultivated by evil spirits."

On the contrary, our seven major sects still haven't figured out how to cultivate the true seed.

Xu Yuan knew that obtaining this genuine seed would be very difficult.

If it weren't for the fact that every step after the sixth rank is difficult, then mid-to-third-rank alchemists wouldn't be so rare.

The number of alchemists at the lowest level is extremely large, while the number at the middle level has plummeted.

“Okay,” Xu Yuan stood up to say goodbye, “I’m going back now, you can continue with your official duties.”

"Sit a little longer..." Miao Yu stood up to try and persuade him to stay, he really didn't want to deal with those documents—but Zhu Zhanmei pressed him down.

Xu Yuan chuckled to himself and left.

Back at the South City patrol post, Lang Xiaoba reported, "Sir, someone came looking for you just now. Although he was dressed in plain clothes, he seemed quite dignified and was very secretive, refusing to reveal his identity."

Lang Xiaoba whispered again, "But Aunt Wang knew him and invited him in for a long talk."

"Where is he?" Xu Yuan asked.

"Just left."

Xu Yuan found it strange. Did Aunt Wang have some old acquaintances outside?

"Auntie?" Xu Yuan knocked on the door, and Aunt Wang opened it with one hand.

Aunt Wang sat in the armchair, looking somewhat dazed.

"It's your second uncle," Aunt Wang said directly. "Your second uncle has returned from the demon-slaying army."

Xu Yuan immediately thought of Zheng Rongkui.

"He wanted to talk to you about something, but he wouldn't tell me," Aunt Wang said wistfully. "I watched this child grow up. He's been away for twenty years, and his personality... has changed."

Aunt Wang is only a little younger than Uncle Shen.

According to age, Xu Yuan should call her grandma.

However, according to the seniority system in the alley, Aunt Wang is only one generation higher than Xu Yuan, and is considered to be of the same generation as Xu Huanyang.

Therefore, she has been calling him Aunt Wang ever since.

Xu Yuan had already guessed what his second uncle was coming back for.

"The Demon Extermination Army has a very keen sense of smell," Xu Yuan thought to himself, but upon further reflection, something seemed amiss.

My second uncle must have arrived in Luocheng a long time ago.

Otherwise, if I had only released the news in the last two days, he wouldn't have been able to rush back from Siam so quickly.

"He came to Luocheng but didn't even go home to visit. Now he only shows up because he wants to buy this piece of evidence. Haha."

Even though she had no real affection for her nephew, Lin Wanmo, her "sister-in-law," Aunt Wang still said that she had watched him grow up.

And what about Uncle Shen and Uncle Mao? Don't you deserve to come back and visit them?

Aunt Wang said, "I told him you would definitely be back tonight, and he said he would come over again at dinner time."

Xu Yuan nodded: "Don't worry, Auntie, I'll handle it."

"Sigh—" Aunt Wang sighed, "He has been away from home all these years, he must have suffered a lot."

She still felt sorry for the child she had watched grow up.

Xu Yuan assured him, "Don't worry, I know why he came back. I... won't make things too difficult for him."

I can sell it to your demon-slaying army, but the price can't be too bad for me.

For Aunt Wang's sake, you can have slightly less than the Grand Canal government, but not too much less.

Xu Yuan felt his "business law" was stirring within him.

If this deal goes through, I might just get promoted to a fifth-rate position!

But it's only "maybe," there's no absolute certainty.

The thought of this made Xu Yuan very angry with Jiao and Tian Jing.

Without the commercial law training from Guanghuo Street during this period, Xu Yuan's "legal training" level stagnated.

Otherwise, with this deal, I'm almost certain to be promoted to the fifth tier!
Aunt Wang clearly felt more sorry for my son, Ayuan, and specifically instructed, "I can't let you be too troubled. If he goes too far, just tell me, and I'll kick him out!"

Xu Yuan smiled and quickly massaged Aunt Wang's shoulders and back to show his filial piety: "I knew you were the best, Aunt. You care about me even more than Uncle Shen does."

"Of course!" As soon as that old geezer was mentioned, Aunt Wang's eyes widened immediately, because she felt that he was not good to the children.

But Aunt Wang wasn't easily fooled, and suddenly asked, "You wouldn't say that to Old Man Shen, would you?"

Although Xu Yuan had never done it before, he felt guilty for some reason and shouted, "Absolutely impossible!"

With a smile on her face, Xu Yuan then told her about the real seed.

After hearing this, Aunt Wang said cautiously, "You should try to get your hands on it first, and then I'll take a look when you get back. Some genuine seeds might not be suitable for you." "Okay, you must give me your opinion."

Aunt Wang started nagging: "When will you bring your wife back so I can check her out? Then I can die in peace! Even if she goes into that coffin, I'll have something to say to my ancestors."

“Uh…” Xu Yuan was stuck.

……

Before dinner, the middle-aged man with a bronze complexion and strong build appeared once again in front of the South City patrol post.

Lang Xiaoba carefully ushered him inside: "My master is waiting for you."

The middle-aged man snorted coldly: "This brat, he's got quite the attitude!"

Lang Xiaoba's ears twitched, then he pretended not to hear.

Xu Yuan waited in Aunt Wang's room.

Outside, a head chef, two assistant chefs, and two waiters from Wuweilou were waiting.

A makeshift stove was set up in the yard, and all the ingredients were prepared.

As Uncle entered the door, Aunt Wang smiled and said, "A-Yuan, this is your second uncle."

"Second brother, this is your nephew, your eldest brother's own flesh and blood."

This was the first time the uncle and nephew had met.

Xu Huanyang had been married for a short time when his second uncle passed away.

Xu Yuan wasn't born yet.

Xu Yuan, following the etiquette of a junior, greeted him and said, "Second Uncle, please take a seat."

Xu Yuan then instructed those outside, "Start the feast."

The chef immediately began cooking.

Before long, the eight cold and eight hot dishes were prepared and served.

Xu Yuan opened a small jar of lotus-themed wine, aged for thirty years.

"Second Uncle, I salute you."

After three cups, Xu Yuan put down his glass and said, "Second Uncle, have some food."

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, the second uncle was the first to put down his chopsticks and carefully examined Xu Yuan.

There was a hint of appreciation in his eyes.

"Not bad, you can keep your composure."

Xu Yuan smiled slightly: "Thank you for your kind words, Second Uncle. However, there are some things that need to be clarified first." Xu Yuan tapped the table with his finger and said, "Zheng Rongkui."

My second uncle readily nodded: "I know him. We've been on two missions together."

We were once friends who had risked their lives for each other, so I knew his background very well, and I had also told him about my family situation.

later……

We're no longer on the same path. The two masters we follow are rivals in the demon-slaying army.

I only learned of his visit to Shanhe County after his death.

Xu Yuan nodded, choosing to believe him and not pressing the matter further.

"You came back for this?" Xu Yuan took out the piece of material.

Second Uncle nodded: "Name your price."

Xu Yuan said, "I have to wait for the offer from the Grand Canal Administration."

My second uncle didn't criticize me. He drank a glass of wine before saying, "I know you have resentment in your heart."

“I have no resentment towards my second uncle.” Xu Yuan shook his head: “It’s just that my second uncle has refused to come home to see the elders for so many years, and I have some contempt for his character.”

The second uncle sneered, "Your father knows perfectly well why I won't come back!"

Xu Yuan frowned, wondering what his second uncle meant.

Aunt Wang sighed and said, "Second brother, those are all your suspicions. Your eldest brother never thought that way."

Uncle Er placed a piece of food on Aunt Wang's plate before saying, "Auntie, you don't need to speak up for him. When I left, my sister-in-law had just become pregnant with A-Yuan. My brother's thoughts couldn't be kept secret."

Aunt Wang was about to say something more, but Second Uncle raised his hand to stop her, and said, "I won't say anything else, but the fact that he suddenly married his own apprentice tells me that I didn't wrong him back then!"

Aunt Wang opened her mouth, but in the end she let out a long sigh. She felt sorry for Lin Wanmo and didn't want to defend Xu Huanyang.

The second uncle looked at Xu Yuan and found that the other looked completely bewildered.

"Auntie, Yuan doesn't know anything yet?"

Aunt Wang said sullenly, "Xiao Mo won't let me tell him."

The second uncle drank another cup: "This girl is kind and loyal. My brother has really hurt her."

Xu Yuan said with a stern face, "Second Uncle, please speak frankly."

"Why are all the people in Hegong Lane criminals? Because they rebelled when the canal was being built!" Uncle Er also had some things on his mind that he had kept to himself for many years: "But why didn't the court exterminate them all, and instead allowed our ancestors to have descendants who still live in Hegong Lane?"

Because the imperial court needs us to be punished for generations to come!

This punishment must be borne by the descendants of the Xu family. At least one person in each generation must take on this responsibility.

They suffer terribly while alive, and after death... they can no longer enter the cycle of reincarnation.

However, they do not necessarily have to be direct descendants of the Xu family; any close relative is acceptable.

My older brother didn't want his own son, Xu Yuan, to continue suffering, so after my sister-in-law got pregnant with you, he set his sights on me.

After I left, he married Lin Wanmo before he died.

This responsibility can also be shared by husband and wife!

Do you understand? My brother saved Lin Wanmo and buried her family, showing her immense kindness. He only wanted to take advantage of her kindness!

"So you can live a normal life! The responsibilities you should bear are being imposed on Lin Wanmo."

Xu Yuan's face remained calm, but he was not particularly surprised.

Although no one has told him about family matters over the years, people always let things slip sometimes.

Each time I hear just a few words, piecing them together gives me a vague idea.

The fact that Lin Wanmo refused to tell him must mean she was protecting him.

She was afraid that if she found out, she would feel guilty and refuse to accept her father's arrangement.

The second uncle took a breath and said, "I didn't dare to come back before my eldest brother died."

"I didn't dare come back when he was buried, afraid that he might have some scheme to trick me before he died!"

This time, Xu Yuan didn't entirely believe his second uncle and turned to Aunt Wang to ask, "Auntie, is what he said true?"

Aunt Wang sat with her head down, motionless.

Xu Yuan didn't urge him, suppressing his intense emotions and patiently waiting.

Uncle said, "Auntie, you watched Lin Wanmo grow up! She has no parents, isn't she pitiful?"

Aunt Wang finally slowly raised her head: "I'm not protecting Xu Huanyang, but I have a lot of opinions about him agreeing to let Xiao Mo take over this matter."

I hesitated because there were other things I didn't want to talk about.

Aunt Wang looked at Second Uncle: "Your surname isn't Xu, it's Liang. You and Xu Huanyang aren't blood brothers, so you can't take over the Xu family's responsibilities at all."

Regardless of your initial reasons for believing Xu Huanyang had those kinds of intentions, you've misunderstood.

Uncle was taken aback and blurted out, "Aunt Wang, you're not making this up..."

Aunt Wang waved her hand, ignoring him: "Xiao Mo proposed taking over the Xu family's responsibilities himself. Xu Huanyang initially strongly opposed it, but gradually accepted it."

My wife could tell from the beginning that Xu Huanyang's refusal wasn't sincere enough, so she eventually accepted it half-heartedly.

There were some things that Aunt Wang couldn't explain more clearly.

Xu Huanyang felt sorry for his apprentice, but he still chose his son over his apprentice.

Xu Huanyang has not been able to walk out of the "Road to the Underworld" since his death, and he has entered that box because of the guilt in his heart.

Aunt Wang guessed that he might never get out of there and would be trapped on the road to the underworld forever.

There are other things, such as the reasons and process of the river workers' rebellion back then, the "divine gamble" between the Xu family ancestors and the imperial court, and the things the Xu family secretly needed to do for the imperial court; Aunt Wang doesn't want to talk about them yet.

Let Xiao Mo tell Xu Yuan herself in the future.

Now that it's been said, Xu Yuan will strive in that direction, which will definitely affect his development.

If Aunt Wang says it, Xiao Mo will complain to her.

My second uncle's brows furrowed deeply: "Why didn't he just tell me?"

Aunt Wang said coldly, "The failure of the river workers' uprising back then was because your Liang family ancestor betrayed everyone. Do you want this old woman to continue?"

My second uncle fell silent.

Aunt Wang gently shook her head. The Liang family was wealthy for a time, but in the end, they didn't have a good ending.

Decades later, his family was destroyed and he died.

By the time it came to my second uncle's generation, he was the only orphan left.

His mother was seriously ill and near death, so she shamelessly placed him, still an infant, at the entrance of Hegong Lane.

The room fell silent for a moment.

After a while, Xu Yuan suddenly picked up his chopsticks and began to eat and drink heartily.

The wind and the remaining clouds.

Second Uncle stood up, swaying slightly: "I... I live in the inn in the city. No matter how much the Grand Canal government offers for that item, we will definitely offer a higher price."

"Mmm." Xu Yuan kept eating, only making a sound through his nose.

My second uncle left with heavy steps, a far cry from his vigorous stride when he arrived.

Xu Yuan didn't see him off. As if he was starving, he ate all the food on the table and drank all the wine in one go.

Aunt Wang sat quietly to one side, looking at the child with heartache.

"Someone come here!" Xu Yuan shouted, "Clean it up."

The staff from Wuweilou immediately came in and quickly cleared away the dishes and wiped the table clean.

Xu Yuan said to Aunt Wang, "Auntie, I'm going back to sleep," and then turned and left.

Aunt Wang sat alone in the room and sighed softly.

……

In the middle of the night, Xu Yuan suddenly sat up in bed, rubbing his stomach in pain, feeling bloated and uncomfortable.

He used the "Five Cauldrons Cooking Technique" to refine the food in his stomach.

Xu Yuan sat there blankly, his father and stepmother had taken care of everything for him.

They were all his closest relatives, and although Xu Yuan felt a little guilty, he was mostly grateful.

They would not be rebellious and ungrateful, thinking that they had "arranged" their lives and would live with guilt.

"Commercial law is almost at the fifth level."

"There's no problem in this world that a third-rate person can't solve!"

"I'm sixteen years old this year, and I have at least several decades left. I refuse to believe that I can't rise to the top three ranks!"

Xu Yuan suddenly flopped down, pulling the blanket over himself: "Go to sleep. Tomorrow we'll definitely use that piece of material to fleece the demon-slaying army!"

"What kind of damn second uncle is he? He's always making things up about my dad!"

"He misjudged people and revealed my family situation to Zheng Rongkui, which almost killed me."

"You are a member of the Liang family!"

“I don’t expect you to repay the Xu family for raising us, but a business is a business, and we should trade according to market prices and in a fair manner.”

(End of this chapter)