Chapter 54: The Eldest Brother and the Empty City Strategy

Wang Zhongli was dead.

He had died from a reverse flow of blood and qi.

Rumors claimed, however, that Wang Zhongli had overindulged in carnal pleasures and died on top of a woman from Fengyue Tower.

The Wang Family announced to the public that Wang Zhongli had died in a cultivation accident.

The rumors seemed credible.

Since Wang Zhongli had a house full of wives and concubines, he must have been a lecherous man. Dying in a bed of roses made perfect sense.

The funeral was held with great pomp and splendor.

A large crowd of filial sons and daughters made for an impressive sight.

On the day of Wang Zhongli’s funeral, Wang Sandong only went to the mourning hall to kowtow before returning to Anzhi Courtyard.

Her body was too weak to endure the ordeal.

In fact, she looked even weaker than before.

Just a single kowtow, without walking much distance, had left her clearly exhausted.

Seeing this, Wang Zhongli worried that “misfortunes never come singly, and funerals never come in pairs,” so he quickly urged Wang Sandong to return to Anzhi Courtyard to rest.

Wang Sandong was also a bit concerned that she might keel over from exhaustion.

It must be because killing her second uncle and that famed doctor from Xiangcheng had taken a lot out of her, leaving her feeling very tired.

Although Return to Heaven was barely keeping her alive, Wang Sandong didn’t dare take any chances and obediently went back to Anzhi Courtyard.

—It was also because staying in the mourning hall would have put too much psychological pressure on her.

Sitting in the sunlight, after her breathing steadied, Wang Sandong took her own pulse.

The result was somewhat unexpected.

Her current physical weakness and shortness of breath weren’t particularly related to overexertion.

Her pulse was so weak it was almost imperceptible.

From a purely medical standpoint, Wang Sandong could immediately conclude: “This person” doesn’t have long to live.

The conclusion of “not long to live” had been reached long ago.

And “not long” indeed. Today, however, it was even more “not long.”

Combined with the rich experience of that Xiangcheng doctor in acupuncture, Wang Sandong thought: “This person” will surely not see tomorrow’s sunrise.

Yet, she clearly knew she wouldn’t die.

Although her body was weak, her “spirit” was exuberant.

It was like a final burst of brightness before the flame goes out.

Wang Sandong felt her pulse on both sides, then checked her complexion in the mirror.

After a round of observation, smelling, questioning, and palpation, and after careful deliberation, she reached a conclusion she wasn’t quite sure of:

Her body seemed to be maintaining a state of survival with the absolute minimum expenditure of energy.

It was like a small horse pulling a large cart.

It could pull, but it couldn’t run fast, and it consumed little energy.

With any extra burden, signs of “exhausting the little horse” would appear.

“Young Master.”

Wang Tong approached cautiously, interrupting Wang Sandong’s thoughts. “It’s time. What would you like for lunch today?”

Wang Sandong pondered for a moment, then replied weakly, “No need. I’m not hungry.”

She truly wasn’t hungry.

She had barely eaten two mouthfuls of rice that morning.

Wang Tong urged, “You should eat a little, at least. Your health matters.”

Wang Sandong took the advice.

“Then… steam a bowl of egg custard.”

A small bowl of egg custard.

After just two bites, she couldn’t eat anymore.

Closing her eyes, basking in the sunlight, she recalled her second uncle’s last words.

Her nose stung, and tears spilled from the corners of her eyes.

“Hey… you still need to eat.”

Someone sighed beside her.

Wang Sandong opened her eyes and saw a young man with sword-like brows and starry eyes, whose bearing was extraordinary.

“Come on, eat a bit more.”

The man held the bowl of egg custard in one hand and a spoon in the other, bringing it to Wang Sandong’s lips.

Wang Sandong let out a faint laugh, opened her mouth, and ate the spoonful of egg custard.

“When did you get back?”

Wang Sandong asked.

“Before Second Uncle’s burial.”

The man offered another spoonful of egg custard.

“Your body is weak. You shouldn’t grieve too much.”

Wang Sandong frowned.

“I really can’t eat any more.”

The man sighed, and without the slightest bit of disgust, he put the spoonful of egg custard into his own mouth.

“A bit bland.”

Seeing the man continue eating the egg custard, Wang Sandong smiled.

“You haven’t eaten?”

“It’s become a habit.”

The man finished the egg custard in one go, pursed his lips in a smile, and reached out to pat Wang Sandong’s head.

“Heh… feels like we haven’t seen each other in a long time.”

“There are too many people, too many social obligations.”

The man said.

“Tiresome.”

“You’ve become even more beautiful than before, Third Brother.”

With that, he pulled over a chair.

“Yeah, it’s been a long time.”

Wang Sandong sank into the soft chair, facing the dazzling sunlight, looking at this handsome and extraordinary young man before her.

“Brother, have you found a girlfriend?”

This man was Wang Sandong’s eldest brother, the eldest son and eldest grandson of the Wang Family, and the most famous young talent in the Old Capital—Wang Jinghong.

Wang Jinghong smiled and shook his head.

“When would I have time for that?”

As he spoke, he noticed that Wang Sandong’s collar was slightly askew, letting in a draft, so he naturally reached out to straighten it.

He knew that Wang Sandong had always been very sensitive to the cold.

“Busy with cultivation?”

“Yeah.”

Wang Sandong felt a bit dazed.

She looked at Wang Jinghong and hesitated before saying, “Using a finite life to chase infinite things. Is it worth it?”

Wang Jinghong smiled, about to reply, but when he saw Wang Sandong’s eyes—so clear, black and white—he opened his mouth but stopped.

Frowning, Wang Jinghong sighed and reached out to feel Wang Sandong’s forehead again.

“Is this a complaint that your big brother hasn’t been keeping you company?”

Wang Sandong frowned as well, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

“Misunderstanding. I was just expressing my feelings.”

Wang Sandong quickly explained.

Wang Tong had brought a chair, and Wang Jinghong sat down.

“A lot has happened around you lately. Mr. Yi passed away, half the Zheng Clan was slaughtered, Father was ambushed by a demonic cultivator, Second Uncle died in his prime… and you were injured when the horse got spooked… It’s no wonder you’d have such thoughts.”

“Alas, I often ask myself: Is it really worth it—abandoning parents and brothers, distancing from worldly affairs, seeking the transformations of all laws, and pursuing the infinite Heavenly Way?”

Wang Jinghong did not provide an “answer.”

Perhaps he didn’t have one.

Or maybe he didn’t need one.

In Wang Sandong’s view, such a question was like asking a fisherman if spending time fishing was worth it.

Both the question and the answer were meaningless.

“Ah, by the way, I met an expert in artifact forging. He gave me a hair crown, very exquisite. I’m giving it to you, too. There are some other random things packed in a carriage currently on its way from the New Capital. Given the urgency of Second Uncle’s matter, I came back alone on horseback first.”

“There are also some light snacks… a few sets of dresses made from heavenly silk. They’re for my younger brother’s—should I call her sister-in-law?”

After all, Zheng Xiao’s identity was too special.

“She’s already your sister-in-law.”

Wang Sandong smiled.

Wang Jinghong still felt a bit awkward calling the Nine Surnamed King Zheng Xiao “sister-in-law.”

“I also brought you a particularly soft chair.”

Wang Jinghong knew that Wang Sandong liked to sit in a soft chair and sunbathe.

“So many good things? You even hired a special carriage to bring them back?”

“I didn’t hire it specially.”

Wang Jinghong laughed.

“The carriage is a gift for you, too. The entire interior is lined with an extremely soft material, so it won’t be jostled or bumped. The horse pulling the cart is also no ordinary beast—it’s a ‘Cloud Treader’ from the Eastern Province.”

“Cloud Treader? I remember those horses can’t really run.”

“They can’t run fast, not that they can’t run.”

Wang Jinghong said.

“There’s no need for speed anyway. Besides, this kind of horse has a gentle and steady temperament and generally doesn’t get spooked.”

“Oh, I almost forgot. The roof of the carriage is made of a light-transmitting material, so you can sunbathe inside the carriage… Ah, I just remembered, there are two melons from the wildlands in the carriage, especially sweet…”

Wang Sandong listened attentively as her brother spoke.

After a long while, she smiled and asked, “Aren’t you supposed to be focusing on cultivation? It seems like you’re pretty free, actually. You even had time to get all these things for me?”

“It didn’t take much time.”

Wang Jinghong chuckled, looking at Wang Sandong with nothing but tenderness in his eyes.

He had heard from Grandfather Wang Fa and Father Wang Zhongli that his younger brother Wang Sandong’s health was deteriorating, and there was lingering demonic qi in his body.

He probably didn’t have many days left.

He wanted to stay home for a few days and keep his brother company.

Perhaps he should say: accompany his brother on the final journey of his life.

Thinking of this, Wang Jinghong felt deep sadness.

His nose stung, and he almost wept.

He took a deep breath, quickly composed himself, laughed, and said, “I heard you bought a songstress? Where is she? Have her come out and play a tune.”

He was a man devoted entirely to cultivation and had never been interested in songstresses.

But he felt that sharing in his brother’s pleasures was an excellent way to keep him company.

Wang Sandong responded and called out, “Yuanyuan! Come play a tune for my brother!”

Even though she tried her best, her voice was still low and clearly lacking strength.

Wang Jinghong reached out and touched Wang Sandong’s forehead again, then called out for her, “Yuanyuan!”

His voice wasn’t loud either, but it carried far.

Yuan Di came out carrying a harp.

She glanced at Wang Jinghong, and her eyes sparkled with undisguised admiration.

This young man had long, steady breaths, a firm soul, and remarkable cultivation…

And he was Wang Sandong’s biological brother.

She had heard he possessed a rare Ultimate Spiritual Root. If she could “feed” him to Wang Sandong, the gains would be considerable.

The sound of the harp rose, melodious and flowing.

But compared to renowned masters, her skill was still somewhat lacking.

Although Yuan Di was an expert, everyone has their own specialty.

Playing the harp was not her forte.

Wang Jinghong wasn’t surprised, though.

Because Yuan Di was exceptionally beautiful.

A man’s liking for a songstress often had little to do with her musical skill.

His brother might be weak, but he was still a man—how could he be an exception?

Before the song ended, Wang Yunteng arrived.

The three brothers chatted enthusiastically for a long time.

Soon, Zheng Xiao also returned from the funeral.

Facing Zheng Xiao, this “sister-in-law,” both Wang Jinghong and Wang Yunteng stood up politely and greeted her, neither daring to act presumptuously.

Not until weariness appeared on Wang Sandong’s face did the two older brothers take their leave together.

Zheng Xiao made an excuse about going to cultivate and left.

In the courtyard, only Wang Sandong and Yuan Di remained.

Yuan Di had just started a new piece when she cut off abruptly.

Wang Sandong asked, “Why did you stop playing?”

“I’m tired.”

Yuan Di said curtly.

She was a bit regretful.

She regretted not having moved into Anzhi Courtyard as a “concubine” from the start.

At least then she wouldn’t have to play the harp.

Catching a faint, mocking smile on Wang Sandong’s face from the corner of her eye, Yuan Di suddenly grew angry.

Her mind turned, and she said darkly, “Since ancient times, people have upheld justice at the expense of family. A demonic spirit and a true cultivator cannot coexist. Perhaps one day, your two good brothers will also want to kill you.”

Wang Sandong’s expression instantly stiffened.

Two birds swooped by overhead, chasing the clouds into the distance.

Wang Sandong sighed softly.

“Do you think… I should leave this place?”

Yuan Di didn’t answer, instead asking, “How was the harvest from ‘soul-snatching’ your own uncle?”

Wang Sandong closed her eyes and remained silent.

Yuan Di looked at Wang Sandong’s face and could clearly feel her sorrow and worry.

And so, she herself began to feel some sorrow and worry as well.

Though subtle, Yuan Di noticed this slight shift in her own emotions.

Her expression remained calm, but inside she was shocked.

What effect would the modified Return to Heaven have when cultivated by someone with no spiritual root?

Yuan Di actually couldn’t be sure.

Unexpected changes were inevitable.

The so-called “soul hooking” is essentially “empathy.”

Hooking another’s soul, making it empathize with you.

When they grieve, you grieve; when they rage, you rejoice; when they love, you hate…

That’s the nature of it.

Wang Sandong, only at the third grade of cultivation, had already gained the ability of “soul hooking.”

Yuan Di took a slow breath.

Another thought occurred to her.

Since “soul hooking” could have unexpected consequences, then…

Her gaze moved down from Wang Sandong’s face.

“Have there been any changes to your body recently?”

Wang Sandong had been closing her eyes, worrying.

Hearing Yuan Di’s question, her heart tightened.

Asking like that…

Was Yuan Di suspecting that she had already transformed?

Her mind racing, Wang Sandong put on a disdainful smile.

“My strength is sufficient. Any small changes aren’t noticeable.”

That was said rather elegantly and with a lot of bluster.

In truth, it was both vulgar and hollow.

Yuan Di narrowed her eyes and glanced at Wang Sandong’s body.

“Is that so?”

Her tone was dismissive, clearly not acknowledging Wang Sandong’s bragging about her “strength.”

Wang Sandong’s face flushed red, as if humiliated into anger.

She said in a harsh tone, “Don’t believe me? Want me to give you a demonstration?”

Her words were tough, but inside she was extremely nervous.

She was very worried that Yuan Di would actually ask her to demonstrate.

It was like Zhuge Liang using the Empty Fort Strategy—outwardly elegant and composed, but inwardly terrified that Sima Yi would march his troops down.

Fortunately, Yuan Di just snorted, got up, and went back to her room.

Wang Sandong’s anxious heart settled.

Watching Yuan Di’s retreating figure, Wang Sandong frowned, still shaken.

Since Yuan Di was already suspicious, she would probably pull down Wang Sandong’s pants to check sooner or later…

So she had to strike first!

After a moment’s thought, a plan came to Wang Sandong.

Even if it was a bit lewd and underhanded, to keep her transformation secret, there was no other choice.