Chapter 33

### Chapter 33: I Don’t Owe You

Upon reaching Ninefold Flower Mountain and entering Qian Yue Cave, Chen Ansheng finally understood what a hidden paradise truly meant!

The entrance to Qian Yue Cave appeared to be an ordinary cave, but once he passed through the barrier and entered, the dreamlike fairyland made Chen Ansheng feel as though his entire previous life had been meaningless.

Standing on the edge of a cliff, Chen Ansheng looked out.

The landscape before him was adorned with vibrant flowers, various unknown top-tier spiritual beasts leaped about, and among the strange clusters of flowers, wisps of ethereal light occasionally emerged.

Taking a deep breath, he felt a refreshing sweetness coursing from his nostrils to his heart and lungs.

“So this is a spiritual cave…”

Chen Ansheng was lost in the intoxicating spiritual aura, almost in a daze.

“To be precise, this is a top-tier spiritual cave. How does it feel, little master uncle?” Nan Gong Xiu added from beside him.

“It feels… wonderful.” Chen Ansheng found himself unable to articulate it accurately.

“Hehe.” Nan Gong Xiu smiled and made a gesture inviting him, “I usually stay at the Green Bamboo Studio, where I keep my finest tea. Please join me in tasting it, little master uncle.”

Chen Ansheng was taken aback and quickly cupped his hands, “You’re too kind, just call me by my name.”

Nan Gong Xiu replied, “My master taught me from a young age that there is order in seniority and distinction in status. How could I dare to call you by your name and disturb this order?”

Chen Ansheng awkwardly smiled, realizing that Nan Gong Xiu still cared about this. He didn’t know how to respond.

Soon, Nan Gong Xiu led Chen Ansheng to her tranquil abode amidst the bamboo groves.

Seizing the moment while Nan Gong Xiu personally prepared tea, Chen Ansheng took deep breaths of the spiritual aura, instantly revitalizing himself.

“If it weren’t for that incident outside the mountain gate, staying here would definitely be beneficial and without any harm.”

Due to the incident at the mountain gate, Chen Ansheng had already been having second thoughts. Now that he was experiencing the wonders of the spiritual cave, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of regret.

A quarter of an hour later, Nan Gong Xiu sat opposite Chen Ansheng.

“Little master uncle, I wonder where my master is right now?” Nan Gong Xiu initiated the conversation.

“I was a coworker with Li Da Ge in the mining area, and that day…” Chen Ansheng recounted the events of that day.

After listening, a hint of disappointment flickered in Nan Gong Xiu’s eyes. “He didn’t tell you what he was specifically doing?”

Chen Ansheng shook his head. “No. By the way, before we parted, he mentioned a place called ‘Nye Long Hai’. I wonder if he has gone there.”

Nan Gong Xiu paused for a moment before regaining her composure, already understanding Li Zhengyang’s whereabouts in her heart.

Not continuing on the subject of his whereabouts, Nan Gong Xiu said, “The Wang Family is bullying people with power. If you need any help, I can send a few disciples to seek justice for you, would that be alright?”

Chen Ansheng thought for a moment and waved his hand, “No need to trouble the cave master. Li Da Ge instructed me to seek justice on my own once I’ve made some progress in my cultivation. This is most likely a motivation from Li Da Ge for me, his younger brother.”

Nan Gong Xiu nodded slowly, “That is indeed my master’s way. By the way, besides that letter of introduction, did my master have any other messages for you to convey?”

Chen Ansheng shook his head. “No, that’s all.”

After pondering for a moment, Nan Gong Xiu picked up a teacup and took a gentle sip, saying:

“You saw it at the foot of the mountain just now; my daughter is willful and unruly. If I were to keep you in the cave, I fear she might accidentally offend you, so I ask for your understanding.”

This was her way of giving him the boot, but Chen Ansheng was not surprised.

After all, he and Li Zhengyang were merely coworkers at the mining area, not true sworn brothers.

“I understand. If there’s nothing else, I shall take my leave.”

Chen Ansheng had no intention of staying. Now that she was dismissing him, he naturally prepared to leave.

“Little master uncle, this tea is a treasured brew I have kept for many years. Please indulge a little longer; I can see you off afterward,” Nan Gong Xiu said.

Chen Ansheng raised the teacup and took a sip.

The rich and pure spiritual essence flowed into him, rushing to the top of his head, making him feel extremely invigorated.

This was no ordinary tea; it was clearly spiritual liquid. Chen Ansheng felt excited.

Having made the effort to come to this spiritual cave, not drinking would be a waste. “I have been talking for a while and honestly am a bit thirsty now.”

Chen Ansheng finished the tea in his cup and picked up the teapot, pouring it in with gusto.

Nan Gong Xiu merely smiled internally and did not stop him; after all, he was a miner and it was understandable that he had never experienced such luxury.

After finishing a full pot of tea, Chen Ansheng felt it was worth it.

“By the way.” Before leaving, Chen Ansheng took out a piece of old red cloth and handed it to Nan Gong Xiu. “This is something Li Da Ge asked me to give to you.”

At the instant she saw the red cloth, Nan Gong Xiu immediately stood up, her eyes turning slightly red.

She took the cloth, and memories of the past from the lower realm flooded back, filling her heart with an indescribable mix of sorrow and joy.

“Nan Gong Cave Master, if it’s not too much trouble, could you please send me along for the next leg of my journey? You know I cannot fly,” Chen Ansheng said, noticing Nan Gong Xiu was lost in thought and couldn’t help but remind her.

The sad look in Nan Gong Xiu’s eyes vanished as she replied, “Wait a moment, little master uncle. Before my master gave you this item, did he truly have no further instructions?”

Chen Ansheng thought for a moment and replied, “He indeed did not give any instructions regarding you. He said if someone troubles me, to give this piece of red cloth to you. Now, I don’t know when I will see Li Da Ge again, so I return this to you, Cave Master.”

Nan Gong Xiu’s expression turned emotionless as she abruptly turned away.

With a flick of her spiritual sense, she broke the seal Li Zhengyang placed on the red cloth:

“Xiu’er, considering our bond as master and disciple, please keep him in your cave to cultivate until he finds a better place. From then on, we will be benevolently severed, and our lives will no longer be intertwined.”

This statement was like a poisoned needle piercing through Nan Gong Xiu’s heart. If Chen Ansheng wasn’t there, she would have likely burst into tears.

“Never thought you’d exchange a token for a cultivation opportunity for this mountain country lad. I, Nan Gong Xiu, will naturally obey,” Nan Gong Xiu silently lamented.

She turned back to face Chen Ansheng, her face displaying calmness.

“Nan Gong Cave Master, please send me out of the cave.”

Seeing Nan Gong Xiu silent for a long time, Chen Ansheng reminded her again.

Chen Ansheng had made up his mind to leave today, no matter what, and look for opportunities to cultivate in other spiritual caves later.

“Little master uncle, I’m afraid you cannot leave.”

Nan Gong Xiu’s words made Chen Ansheng momentarily stunned.

Just now, she wanted to send him away, but now seeing that red cloth, she wouldn’t let him go?

“Nan Gong Cave Master, I know I lack the fortune to stay in the cave. I’ve delivered the item, so please allow me to leave.”

Chen Ansheng felt a bit frustrated, but as a commoner, he didn’t dare to lose his temper at a cave master.

“No!” Nan Gong Xiu changed her previously calm demeanor, her tone growing firm.

Chen Ansheng felt a chill in his heart, wondering if Nan Gong Xiu would turn against him?

Before he could ponder further, Nan Gong Xiu spoke again:

“Not to hide anything from you, little master uncle, I have a prior oath with my master regarding this red cloth. I must fulfill a task for him using this token. He offered this item as a trade for you to stay in the cave. Whether you wish to or not, I must keep you here. Unless you have a better place to go, or my master personally asks you to leave, so… I hope for your understanding.”

Chen Ansheng: “…”

She intends to keep him here by force?

After pondering for a while, Chen Ansheng said, “Nan Gong Cave Master, if you let me leave, when I eventually reunite with Li Da Ge, I will explain that it was my voluntary departure, and it won’t count as you breaking your oath.”

“Hehe.” Nan Gong Xiu forced a smile, saying, “Little master uncle, oaths are not mere words; they are not something that can be casually undone.”

Chen Ansheng became a bit anxious. “Nan Gong Cave Master, if you force me to stay and I get killed by your daughter, wouldn’t that violate the oath even more?”

Nan Gong Xiu understood the predicament Chen Ansheng was in and reassured him, “Little master uncle, you needn’t worry; I will keep a close eye on my daughter. Additionally, because of your special status, it is inappropriate for you to train with others. You will remain within my Green Bamboo Studio, unrelated to the outside world. How does that sound?”

Upon hearing this, Chen Ansheng couldn’t help but sigh internally, forcing a smile. “I seem to have no choice, so why bother asking?”

Nan Gong Xiu, in her heart, was also reluctant to keep Chen Ansheng. However, her oath with Li Zhengyang had been established long ago, and even if she was stronger than him now, she could not break it and had to comply.

Seeing Chen Ansheng’s troubled expression, Nan Gong Xiu said, “I’ll send a disciple to arrange for your meals and accommodations for cultivation shortly. If there is any offense, I hope you will forgive me, little master uncle.”

What else could Chen Ansheng do?

They wanted to keep him, so could he just fly away?

Seeing Nan Gong Xiu turn around, Chen Ansheng called out, “Nan Gong Cave Master, please hold on!”

Nan Gong Xiu paused, still with her back to Chen Ansheng. “What else does little master uncle have?”

Chen Ansheng said directly, “I am bold enough to say this upfront. Staying today is not of my own desire, but due to your oath with Li Da Ge. I will certainly not forget his kindness, but as for you, I believe I owe you nothing, is that correct?”

Nan Gong Xiu was taken aback, understanding Chen Ansheng’s meaning and realizing he was right. She responded, “Yes, I do not have any kindness toward you; rather, you helped me fulfill the oath.”

Chen Ansheng nodded to himself. “In that case, I feel a bit more at ease. I hope you won’t hold it against me, Cave Master.”

Nan Gong Xiu did not say anything further and flew away on her own.