From Paper Craftsman to World-Suppressing Immortal

At the Zhao family mansion, Zhang Zhixuan took the initiative to visit his uncle, Second Master Zhao. After a heart-to-heart talk, Second Master Zhao was moved that Zhang Zhixuan had finally turned over a new leaf, and that his many years of help had not been in vain.

"Zhixuan, as the ancients said, 'No one is without fault, but to err is human, to forgive divine.' You have recognized your past mistakes and are finally on the right path, which is better than anything else." Master Zhao held his nephew Zhang Zhixuan's hand, sighing with emotion, finally finding some comfort.

"I'll accept these gifts, but you can keep this money. Live a good life from now on. If you can revive the Zhang family's paper craftsmanship, your parents and grandfather will be at peace in heaven." As he spoke, Second Master Zhao pushed the bag of silver dollars that Zhang Zhixuan had given him back.

Old Master Zhao had worked as a farmer, a porter, and an apprentice in his early years, so he knew all too well how hard it was to make money. Now that his nephew had seen the light, he was comforted and felt that his love for Zhang Zhixuan as an uncle had not been in vain.

Seeing that Master Zhao was adamant about not accepting the money, Zhang Zhixuan didn't insist: "Then consider this money as an investment from my uncle. If I make a lot of money in the future, I'll repay you..."

Before Zhang Zhixuan could finish speaking, a well-dressed noblewoman adorned with gold and silver suddenly emerged from the inner courtyard: "Master, quickly put aside what you're doing. Our Qingzhi is returning from her studies in Japan; the ship will dock this afternoon!"

The middle-aged noblewoman walked over from the inner courtyard, talking and smiling.

Just as he stepped out of the inner courtyard, he happened to see Master Zhao push the money bag in his hand to Zhang Zhixuan.

Her previously beaming expression instantly darkened. The middle-aged woman raised her hand and shouted angrily, "Zhang Zhixuan! You spendthrift! Are you coming to our house again to ask for money? Zhao Xinzheng, if you dare give this good-for-nothing any more of our money today, I'll never forgive you!"

After speaking, the wealthy woman stormed over and snatched the money pouch. She opened it and became even more furious: "So much money! Zhao Xinzheng, do you know what it means to throw a meat bun to a dog—it's gone forever! This gambling-addicted spendthrift, how dare you give him so much money!"

"Madam, please listen to me, this money isn't ours, it was Zhixuan who gave it to me."

"Fine! You're siding with outsiders, lying to me like this? He can't possibly have that much money? Who are you trying to fool! I don't care, Zhang Zhixuan, you won't get a single penny of our money!" The wealthy woman put her hands on her hips, practically pointing her finger at Zhang Zhixuan and cursing him. After saying that, she tightened the purse and put it away.

"Wang Qing! You..."

Master Zhao's temper flared up instantly. Seeing that the couple was about to argue endlessly, Zhang Zhixuan quickly tried to smooth things over: "Uncle, Aunt is right. This money was originally meant to be a gift to you, so it's not wrong for Aunt to accept it. Isn't my cousin coming back soon? Let's hurry to the dock to pick her up."

"Right, right, right! Business comes first!" After Zhang Zhixuan finished speaking, Second Master Zhao suddenly realized. He glared at his wife and said, "Go pick up Qingzhi first, I'll settle accounts with you later."

"Zhixuan, it's perfect that you're here too. Come with us to pick up your cousin. I remember when Qingzhi was little, she loved playing with you the most."

Master Zhao, his memories stirred, shook his head with a smile: "Oh dear, in the blink of an eye, things have changed. You and Qingzhi haven't seen each other for years, have you? Come on, let's go pick him up now."

"Okay, Uncle, I'll do as you say."

After finishing his sentence, Master Zhao ignored Madam Wang and left with Zhang Zhixuan.

"Zhao Xinzheng! Who am I doing this for, you blockhead!" Aunt Wang scolded angrily and quickly followed.

In those days, due to limited roads and transportation, the rate of car ownership was not high. Someone like Master Zhao, who could afford to travel in his own horse-drawn carriage, was already considered wealthy.

The family rode in a carriage along the official road towards Weigukou Wharf. Even on the way, Aunt Wang didn't give Zhang Zhixuan a friendly look. Her gaze swept over Zhang Zhixuan from head to toe, and she curled her lip, saying sarcastically, "Zhang Zhixuan, you're dressed like this to pick up your cousin?"

Zhang Zhixuan knew she was deliberately picking a fight, so he closed his eyes and pretended not to hear. After all, she was his aunt, and even if he was unhappy, he had to consider his uncle's feelings.

"Oh dear, speaking of our Qingzhi, she is truly a remarkable and talented young woman! At such a young age, she was able to study in the capital and also travel to Japan for further studies, seeing all sorts of things." Madam Wang's tone was filled with undisguised pride.

After saying that, she glanced at Zhang Zhixuan again, curled her lip in disdain, and said, "Unlike some people, who live a cowardly life, haven't studied for many years, haven't seen the world, and can only crawl on their relatives like bedbugs to suck blood, destined to be good for nothing!"

Zhang Zhixuan remained silent, but Master Zhao couldn't stand it any longer: "Alright, look at your mouth chattering away. If you can't stay still, I might as well send you to a teahouse to practice tongue twisters."

"Hmph!" Madam Wang rolled her eyes, turned her face away, took out a plate of fruits and snacks, and started eating by herself.

The carriage traveled on the official road for almost two hours before finally arriving at Weigukou Wharf.

The dock was bustling with people, carrying loads, sacks, and pulling carts. All sorts of people were crammed together. Several laborers, shirtless, had sacks weighing down their backs, and sweat dripped down their spines.

The tea-selling woman pushed her cart through the crowd, shouting at the top of her lungs, "Tea soup, hot tea soup!"

Zhang Zhixuan followed Master Zhao and his wife through the crowd and found a conspicuous spot to wait.

The group didn't have to wait long before a huge steamship slowly docked. The ship's horn sounded deep and long, raising a cloud of white mist on the dock. The boatman jumped ashore, swung the mooring rope twice around the pier, tied a knot, and the iron hull creaked as it scraped against the rubber fenders of the dock before finally coming to a stop.

"Oh dear, it's been half a year since I, as her father, last saw that girl. I wonder if she'll be able to get used to the food at home after staying in Japan for so long?" Master Zhao rubbed his hands, his expression expectant yet also showing a hint of nervousness.

Aunt Wang, also filled with anticipation and trepidation, said, "That's right. I heard that people in Japan eat raw fish with wasabi. They can really eat things that aren't even cooked properly."

Zhang Zhixuan didn't interrupt, but simply stared quietly at the cabin.

Soon, groups of passengers began to disembark, including country folk carrying bedding and holding children, as well as respectable people in suits and ties carrying suitcases.

The crowd surged onto the dock in a noisy uproar, so many heads jostled that it was impossible to tell who was who.

Finally, Master Zhao spotted his daughter and quickly waved and shouted, "Qingzhi, over here! Over here!"

"Dad! Mom!"

A clear and crisp young female voice immediately responded. Zhang Zhixuan looked in the direction of the voice and saw a beautiful young woman wearing a small hat and a light gray dress waving excitedly in their direction.

The girl, carrying a small brown leather suitcase, walked briskly toward them.