Chapter 120: Loosening
After lunch, the younger generation of the Hua family went to Hua Changxi’s room, either to ask about cultivation confusion or to discuss what skills to learn.
In the main hall, Old Master Hua frowned as he looked at Hua Minghe and Madam Yao: “Jiu Niang has too many opinions about the Great Clan Elder’s family and the He family. You should try to persuade her more on a daily basis.”
“I know, Jiu Niang is capable now, and the family has benefited from her help, but a person’s life is long, who can guarantee that they will always be in smooth sailing?”
“No matter what we do, we need to manage relationships and social interactions. If one day we stumble, it’s these relationships we’ve maintained that will help us up.”
“Jiu Niang’s personality is too arrogant and stubborn. You can’t just indulge her. Remember, too much rigidity leads to breakage.”
Hua Minghe did not heed Old Master Hua this time. When he married his wife, he had faced immense pressure from the Earl’s Mansion and the clan. Although he gritted his teeth and endured it, the price was that their family was marginalized by the clan for over twenty years.
In the matter of Wu Niang, the family could not withstand the pressure from the clan, which resulted in Wu Niang becoming a concubine to the He family, and her child almost having an accident during childbirth.
As a concubine, she almost died in difficult childbirth. The pain and suffering Wu Niang endured were real, and it might even extend to the child she gave birth to.
These things cannot be overcome.
“Father, Jiu Niang is not ignorant of social etiquette. Her temper is a bit fiery, but she knows how to conduct herself. As for Uncle Hua Tai and the He family, let her follow her own heart. We shouldn’t interfere.”
Upon hearing this, Old Master Hua, Old Madam Hua, Second Uncle Hua, and Second Aunt Hua in the main hall were all stunned.
Even Madam Yao did not expect her husband to so directly refuse his father-in-law.
Old Master Hua recovered from his shock and then became furious, saying coldly: “Fine, you are all capable now, and my words no longer matter to you, is that right?”
Hua Minghe looked at Old Master Hua helplessly: “Father, if what you say is reasonable, I will definitely support you. But it was wrong for the clan to make Wu Niang a concubine to the He family in the first place. Let alone Jiu Niang, even I am filled with resentment.”
Hearing this, Old Master Hua was not appeased but became even angrier: “Then are you still blaming me in your heart, blaming me for agreeing to the clan back then, blaming me for fawning over the clan?”
Hua Minghe felt that Old Master Hua was being unreasonable and, worried that saying anything more would make him angrier, remained silent.
Unexpectedly, his silence made Old Master Hua think he had acquiesced. He stood up abruptly: “Who am I doing all this for? Isn’t it for this family?”
“Da Lang and the others are growing up. Without the clan’s support and assistance, how can they establish themselves in the Capital City?”
“Rely on you, a constable of the Six Doors, or your second brother, a patrol officer of the Five City Military Command, or your fourth brother, a jailer in the Ministry of Justice?”
“I rack my brains for this family, and I debase myself to flatter the Great Clan Elder’s family. Now, all I get is your blame. I might as well die.”
Hua Minghe had a terrible headache: “Father, what are you talking about? When did I ever say I blamed you?”
Old Master Hua: “You are blaming me, that’s what you’re thinking in your heart.”
Seeing the old master’s chest heaving with anger, Old Madam Hua, Second Uncle Hua, and Fourth Uncle Hua quickly stepped forward to persuade him.
Fourth Uncle Hua even stated: “Father, Wu Niang becoming a concubine to the He family was a decision made by me and Madam Liu. It has nothing to do with anyone else in the family. This is Wu Niang’s fate, and no one can be blamed.”
Hua Minghe glanced at his fourth brother and said nothing.
Old Madam Hua waved her hand to dismiss them: “Alright, stop standing here. Go do what you need to do.”
Hua Minghe knew that the old master was angry with him and didn’t want to see him, so he followed the old madam’s words and left the main hall.
As soon as he left, Second Uncle Hua and the others followed.
When only Old Master Hua and Old Madam Hua were left in the main hall, Old Madam Hua spoke: “Your reaction just now was excessive.”
Old Master Hua had calmed down and said obscurely: “Eldest son looks down on me as a father.”
Old Madam Hua glanced at him: “Alright, don’t go on and on. Of your three sons, Eldest is the most capable. He’s just a bit too upright.”
“But being upright isn’t a bad thing. That’s what makes him a man of integrity.”
Old Master Hua looked at Old Madam Hua with a sigh: “Do you also look down on me, who fawns over everyone?”
Old Madam Hua rolled her eyes speechlessly: “You’re really getting more and more worked up. If I looked down on you, would I have been with you for so long? Would I have had children with you?”
Old Master Hua said somewhat aggrievedly: “But my back is not stiff.”
Old Madam Hua: “You had no parents and raised yourself, and you raised a family. That’s already strong enough. Eldest was able to develop such a strong character because you, as his father, stood in front of him and withstood all the pressure.”
Old Master Hua lowered his head upon hearing this.
Old Madam Hua sighed: “From now on, let’s not hold onto family matters too tightly; we can’t hold onto them anyway. Eldest, Eldest’s wife, San Lang, and Liu Lang have been cultivators for a long time without telling us. Have you forgotten?”
Old Master Hua did not respond, only let out a long sigh.
On the other side, in Hua Changxi’s room.
Hua Changxi, who had already reached the Nascent Soul Realm, had her five senses enhanced by several levels. She could clearly hear everything the people in the main hall were saying.
She could understand Old Master Hua’s current disappointment and distress. A large family like theirs could be seen as a small company.
The old master was the CEO of the company, and everyone had to follow his instructions.
Now, his CEO could no longer command his subordinates, and might even have to step down from the CEO position, handing over the company he had built and was about to develop for the better to others. It was no wonder he was upset.
“Jiu Niang, what are you thinking about? I’ve called you several times.”
Hua Liulang waved his hand in front of Hua Changxi.
Hua Changxi smiled: “Nothing. What did you call me for?”
Hua Liulang lowered his voice: “Didn’t you say you had something to tell me just now? What is it?”
Hua Changxi looked at him: “Didn’t Fourth Brother say that the Earl’s Mansion asked you and Third Brother to go cultivate with the clan members? Why aren’t you going?”
Hua Liulang: “We’re not stupid. If we go to the Earl’s Mansion, we’ll be controlled. Of course, we’d rather cultivate freely at home.” He then lowered his voice again.
“The Earl’s Mansion provides cultivation resources to the clan members, and they will definitely want to recoup their costs later. Third Brother and I don’t want to be their thugs.”
Hua Changxi smiled: “As expected of my brother, so smart.”
Hua Liulang smiled proudly: “Of course.” Then, his smile faded, and he looked at Hua Changxi, “We can choose not to cultivate at the Earl’s Mansion all thanks to you. If it weren’t for the cultivation resources you gave us, we would have had to bow to the Earl’s Mansion.”
“Jiu Niang, if you need anything in the future, just tell Third Brother and me. We’ll go through fire and water for you.”
Hua Changxi smiled: “I know. I’ll definitely ask you if I need anything. You are my family, and of course, I hope you all get better and better.”
“However, cultivation is not something that can be done in isolation.”
“Third Brother has been working in the family’s apothecary shop since he was young and still helps out often. I’m not worried about him. But you, staying at home and cultivating diligently all day, is absolutely not acceptable.”
Hua Liulang didn’t understand: “Why not? Because I’ve cultivated for a long time, my cultivation is higher than Third Brother’s. I think cultivating at home is quite good.”
Hua Changxi shook her head: “Cultivators don’t just improve their realm; they also need to temper their state of mind. If you don’t do things, don’t interact with people, and don’t go out for experience, how can you temper your state of mind?”
She didn’t know this point before. It was only when she advanced to the Nascent Soul Realm and was struck by heavenly lightning that she suddenly understood.
Each bolt of heavenly lightning struck her with the intent to obliterate. The first few bolts could be endured by brute force, but the later ones truly required immense mental fortitude to persevere.
If one faltered even slightly during the tribulation, the consequence would be death under the lightning tribulation.
At the same time, she seemed to understand why, at the Core Formation Realm, the Inner Core would sometimes disappear, but after the journey to Five Finger Mountain, the Inner Core never disappeared again.
Because after returning from Five Finger Mountain, she returned to the Medical Affairs Department and encountered all sorts of things daily, interacting with people and matters.
Only by doing things, interacting with people, and gaining experience could one temper their state of mind and gradually understand what they truly wanted.
When one clearly knows what they are doing, the Inner Core will stably reside above the Qi Sea.
Impatience and indecisiveness will cause the Inner Core to become unstable.
“Sixth Brother, the higher one’s cultivation goes, the more important their state of mind becomes. If you don’t value this, your cultivation will either stagnate in the future or you will suffer severe injuries.”
Hua Liulang saw that Hua Changxi spoke so seriously and hesitated: “Is it that serious?”
Hua Changxi nodded affirmatively: “Core Formation Cultivators must undergo tribulations when advancing to Nascent Soul. Think about it, when all external resources can no longer help you, what will you rely on to resist the heavenly lightning?”
Hua Liulang swallowed his saliva: “To improve cultivation, one must also undergo tribulations? Is the heavenly lightning powerful?”
Hua Changxi: “Every bolt of heavenly lightning is aimed at obliterating you. Do you think it’s powerful or not?”
Hua Liulang became a little anxious: “Then what should I do? Go cultivate at the Earl’s Mansion? Or help at the apothecary shop?”
Hua Changxi gave him a look: “I’m telling you this not for you to act rashly. Do you remember Three Forked Medicine Valley?”
Hua Liulang nodded: “Of course, I remember.”
Hua Changxi: “If you’re willing, you can go cultivate there from now on. I have a Fire Spirit Mine there, guarded by Elder You and his three companions.”
Hua Liulang gasped, his eyes widening like copper bells: “You have… a Fire Spirit Mine? Really? You’re not lying to me, are you?”
Hua Changxi couldn’t be bothered to waste words with him: “Just tell me if you’re going or not?”
Hua Liulang nodded vigorously: “I’m going.”
Hua Changxi: “Elder You and his three companions, who guard the Fire Spirit Mine, were all Grandmasters before. They have rich life experience, and they have their own little schemes regarding the distribution of Spirit Stones from the Fire Spirit Mine. When you go there, learn from them humbly. How much you can learn depends on your own abilities.”
Hua Liulang looked serious: “If you’re not there, won’t the Spirit Stones produced by the Fire Spirit Mine be distributed by them?”
Hua Changxi: “That’s why I’m asking you to go and watch over it for me.”
Hua Liulang’s expression immediately became solemn: “Jiu Niang, don’t worry, I will definitely guard the Fire Spirit Mine for you.”
Hua Changxi’s expression of “I believe you” made her not too worried about sending Sixth Brother to Three Forked Medicine Valley to interact with Elder You and his companions.
Although Elder You and his companions’ Spiritual Meridians were shaped by consuming Creation Fruit, their Cultivation Methods were very ordinary. Even though Sixth Brother started cultivating later than them, his cultivation was higher.
Sixth Brother’s Strength was above Elder You and his companions, so there would be no danger. At most, he would face their combined ostracism, which would be good for tempering his state of mind.
Afterward, Hua Changxi told Hua Liulang about Elder You and his companions. Hua Liulang listened attentively until Hua Changxi was pulled away by Hua Shierniang to ask about cultivation problems, and then it ended.
After dinner, Hua Changxi stayed at home for one night. The next morning, she returned to the Medical Affairs Department. Hua Liulang also left the Hua family with her.
Originally, he didn’t have to rush, but knowing that his sister’s Spirit Mine was being guarded by outsiders, he was very uneasy and wanted to go and see it himself to feel at ease.
The other members of the Hua family didn’t know the inside story, but they guessed that Hua Changxi must have entrusted Hua Liulang with something.
Old Madam Hua, who had just advised Old Master Hua yesterday, looked at Hua Minghe and Madam Yao and couldn’t help but say sarcastically: “Can’t you just say what you have to say openly? Jiu Niang is guarding against the family.”
Hua Minghe: “Mother, you’re overthinking. If she really wanted to guard against the family, she wouldn’t have told Liu Lang.”
Second Uncle Hua heard this and chimed in: “Jiu Niang is guarding against the second and fourth branches. For any good things, she only thinks of the eldest branch.”
As soon as he said this, before Hua Minghe and Madam Yao could react, Old Madam Hua flew into a rage and threw the rag in her hand at Second Uncle Hua.
“Second Brother, have you had too much to drink this early in the morning? What drunken nonsense are you spouting?” she said, glaring fiercely at Second Uncle Hua.
Although Hua Minghe and Madam Yao were a little unhappy, seeing that Old Madam Hua had scolded Second Uncle Hua, they couldn’t say any more.
Old Madam Hua: “It’s broad daylight, and you’re still not going to work? Standing around at home, waiting for me to serve you.”
After Hua Minghe and his two brothers left, Old Madam Hua entered the main hall and said to Old Master Hua: “Second Brother has only grown older in recent years, not wiser. He’s just a clueless blockhead.”
Some things, she and the old man could say, but the people from the second and fourth branches couldn’t. If they did, the eldest branch would truly drift away from them.
Old Master Hua looked at his wife: “Do you still think I’m too controlling? If I don’t manage them, what will happen to Second Brother and Fourth Brother’s families?”
“Second Brother seems smart, but it’s all petty cleverness. This petty cleverness might even make him miss real opportunities.”
“As for Fourth Brother, he’s too honest and swallows everything.”
“As parents, should we really not care about them anymore?”
Old Madam Hua knew these things too. She sighed: “Eldest son will definitely take care of his two younger brothers, but the children of the eldest branch…”
Old Master Hua quickly said: “Da Lang is a good one. He is the future helmsman of our Hua family. He knows that the family must work together to develop and grow. He will not abandon the second and fourth branches.”
“San Lang is also quite obedient. He manages our family’s apothecary shop in an orderly fashion.”
“Liu Lang… if you explain the principles to him, he will listen.”
“As for Jiu Niang, she’s rebellious. In her actions and dealings, she only cares about herself. Of the family members, she only thinks of the eldest branch, with no sense of the bigger picture.”
“As for Shi Niang… she’s been away from home for so many years, yet she still made time to personally bring Pills home for her family. This shows that she has always had this family in her heart.”
“Our family’s direction of thinking as one and working together, sharing prosperity and adversity, has not changed. It’s just that with Jiu Niang, there’s an added variable.”
Old Madam Hua spoke a fair word: “You are too harsh on Jiu Niang. If it weren’t for Jiu Niang, could those in our family without Spiritual Meridians start Body Refining?”
“No matter how capable Shi Niang is, she can’t produce too many Pills to allow everyone in our family to cultivate.”
Old Master Hua: “I haven’t denied Jiu Niang’s contributions to the family. I just feel her personality is too unlikable. I don’t know how she manages in the Medical Affairs Department?”
Old Madam Hua said with a sigh: “Jiu Niang was just born with the wrong gender. If she were a man, with her personality, she would definitely be capable of great things.”
Old Master Hua: “But she is a Young Woman. A Young Woman will eventually get married. With her personality, what kind of family do you think would dare to take her?”
He paused, then looked at Old Madam Hua in confusion: “Didn’t you also look down on Jiu Niang’s personality before? Why are you speaking up for her now?”
Old Madam Hua looked somewhat bewildered: “I can’t say for sure. I still don’t like Jiu Niang’s personality, but seeing her live as freely as you men, I feel a bit envious.”
