Chapter 77 – Eavesdropping at Qiongtai Mountain Residence

Ye Feng flew in silence, his expression dark and his brows tightly furrowed. Li Guanqi didn’t press him with questions, and they soared through the night toward Ye Feng’s home.

At the Daxia Sword Sect, various peak masters and elders were engaged in a deep discussion inside the main hall. Ultimately, they all left hurriedly while Meng Linhai rushed over to the place where Tu Kui was in closed-door cultivation.

Ye Feng and Li Guanqi flew until dawn, finally arriving above a mountain range of breathtaking beauty. As they descended through the clouds, morning sunlight spilled across the landscape. The occasional bird chirped as while mist coiled around the mountains, and the distant melody of water streams flowing down reached their ears.

Li Guanqi took a deep breath. “The spirit qi here is thick.”

Ye Feng forced a smile. “We’re almost there.”

A large city was nearby, so Li Guanqi was surprised that Ye Feng’s home was among the mountains.

Soon after, Li Guanqi sensed the spirit qi becoming much thicker. They flew around a few tall mountains and soon arrived in a mountain residence that stretched across a thousand zhang.

Li Guanqi smiled. “I didn’t know your family was so rich.”

Ye Feng smiled faintly and said bitterly, “Aside from my mother and little sister, all this place has ever offered me is money.”

He waved a hand. “Come on. This is the first time I’ve brought a guest home.”

They stepped down from their swords and headed to the main entrance. The servants at the entrance quickly bowed upon seeing Ye Feng. “Young Master Feng, you’re back? Come inside.”

Li Guanqi glanced up at the sign hanging over the gate:

Qiongtai Mountain Residence.

Ye Feng nodded and led Li Guanqi inside.

The moment they stepped past the gates, Li Guanqi caught the scent of medicinal herbs. Ye Feng took him straight toward the back of the estate, and along the way, many handmaidens and servants stopped to bow and greet him.

Ye Feng explained, “My family runs an herbal medicine business. They supply spirit herbs to medicine shops. I am the third son, with two older brothers above me.”

Li Guanqi smiled. “Isn’t that good? What’s so bad about that?”

Ye Feng whispered, “I am a bastard child.”

Li Guanqi paused for a moment but didn’t press further. He could now see that Ye Feng probably hadn’t had an easy life.

They passed through many pavilions and buildings until they reached a quiet courtyard in the back of the land. A warm smile softened Ye Feng’s face for the first time since they'd arrived. The morning sun spilled over his features, giving him a renewed brightness. His steps quickened as he called softly, “Mother... I’m home.”

A middle-aged woman with an apron tied around her waist walked out from the kitchen. Time had left fine lines on her face, but a gentle expression remained. She wore a long, light-green dress, and despite not being conventionally beautiful, she radiated a warm aura.

Her eyes sparkled with kindness. When she saw Ye Feng, her almond-shaped eyes lit up, and she hurried over to Ye Feng, wiping her hands on her apron.

Behind Ye Feng, Li Guanqi stopped for a brief moment. He could not help but feel a sense of longing and admiration.

“Feng’er, why are you back?” Ye Feng’s mother asked. Then, noticing Li Guanqi, she blinked in surprise. “And this is... your friend?”

Ye Feng scratched his head and said, “His name is Li Guanqi. He’s a friend I met in the sect. He is a very virtuous person and treats me well.”

Then, he turned to introduce his mother to Li Guanqi. “This is my mother, Su Xi.”

Li Guanqi gave a slight bow. “Auntie Su.”

Her eyes reddened faintly as she pulled him upright. “Alright, alright. Come, let’s go sit inside. My son Feng’er doesn’t have the best temper, so I’m glad he’s made a friend like you. You two haven’t eaten yet, have you? The food’s almost ready. Just wait a bit. Honestly, why are you both so thin?”

She ushered them into the house with motherly insistence.

Ye Feng glanced at her as she discreetly wiped her eyes. He whispered, “I don’t have any friends around here.”

Li Guanqi smiled. “Why not?”

Ye Feng shrugged. “Other people aren’t interested in me, and I would rather not make friends with them.”

He then raised an eyebrow. “Later, I’ll introduce you to my little sister, Ye Qing’er. She’s the beauty of the city! But let me warn you—if you want to be my brother-in-law, you’ll have to get past me first.”

Li Guanqi rolled his eyes. “Who shows their sister’s beauty off like that?”

Ye Feng stood up. “I’m going to help my mother. You

have

to try her cooking—it’s the best. Help yourself to the snacks and fruits on the table. Treat this place like your own home.”

Li Guanqi watched him head to the kitchen, his heart heavy with sadness.

By the time the dishes were laid out on the table, Ye Feng’s younger sister was still not back. Su Xi’s expression grew strained.

Ye Feng noticed and asked gently, “Mother, where’s Qing’er?”

Her lips trembled slightly. She turned her gaze away. “She’s probably... still playing outside. Let’s wait a bit.”

Ye Feng knew that his mother was hiding something from him. He frowned. “Mother, I’ve joined a sect and reached the Foundation Building Realm. I’m no longer a child. You don’t have to bear everything alone. I care about our family very much. Please, tell me the truth.”

Su Xi looked at her son’s frowning face, then she reached out to stroke his tightly furrowed brow. With reddening eyes, she said softly, “You have indeed grown up.”

Then, she sighed. “Qing’er is likely with your father. You should go see her.”

Creak.

Ye Feng rose abruptly, but Su Xi called after him, “Don’t quarrel with your father! He’s not how you remember.”

She continued, “He’s been very busy and stressed lately. If you need to speak with him, speak calmly!”

Before she could finish, Ye Feng had already rushed out the door.

Li Guanqi took a mouthful of the vegetables and said, “Aunt Su, your cooking is delicious.”

Then, he stood up and comforted her, “Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on him.”

Su Xi slightly nodded. Tears streamed down her face, as if her pent-up sadness was finally breaking free.

Li Guanqi walked out of the courtyard and used his divine consciousness to track Ye Feng. He sensed that Ye Feng was rushing toward the main hall at the front of the mountain residence.

Just as he was about to follow, his ear twitched. He heard a man’s voice coming from a building tens of zhang away.

“

Heh...

I’ve pushed the Ye family into a corner this time. Ye Qing’er is mine!”

“

Haha!

You’re really lucky, young master! Who would’ve thought the Ye family’s daughter would be so compatible with you!”

Li Guanqi’s eyes narrowed. Silently, he crept toward the sound, flattening himself against the yard walls. His mind raced as he strained to listen, but the people speaking had already moved inside.

He muttered to himself, “Who were those voices? What happened to the Ye family?”