Chapter 4114 — Establishing Their Own Household

Meanwhile, Zheng Dongjue led Zheng Tianshuo to a secluded, deserted spot, then suddenly halted and said in an authoritative tone, "Chu, do you have designs on Tianchan?"

Zheng Tianshuo was startled out of his wits, his face instantly draining of color. Coveting one's sister-in-law was a grave offense. He hastened to beg forgiveness: "Grandfather, I know I was wrong! I was only momentarily led astray. I will never dare again!"

"Never dare? And why should you not dare? Since I have chosen you as my heir, all of this will be yours one day. It is nothing but a single woman—what is there to not dare?" Zheng Dongjue's tone abruptly shifted.

"Huh? Grandfather, what do you mean?" Zheng Tianshuo was left dumbfounded.

"Still don't understand? You are my grandson. Whether or not you set your heart on Tianchan, I will not stop you," Zheng Dongjue said, patting him on the shoulder.

Zheng Tianshuo was overjoyed at these words. He had never imagined Zheng Dongjue would take such an attitude. On second thought, though, in the world of cultivation, strength was king; he was destined to be a great figure who would inherit the Zheng family, and coveting a mere Tianchan was, well, really no great matter.

"However, for the time being, do not provoke her. Back in the day on Middle Island, Di Xingdao was a domineering and troublesome presence. Until we are certain whether his strength has fully recovered, we must not act rashly. As for the matter of Tianchan, I will find a way to grant you your wish later. Understand?" Zheng Dongjue cautioned.

"Yes, yes, your grandson understands. From now on I will act entirely on Grandfather's orders." Zheng Tianshuo nodded repeatedly, beside himself with delight.

In a quiet private room of the Five Elements Merchant Guild, Wei Zhao and the others sat around a table. With no outsiders present, Wei Zhao could sit beside Tianchan without worry; on his other side sat Di Xingdao, and across from them were Hou Guanqi and Cai Zhongxuan.

Wei Zhao had originally wanted to invite Xueli as well, but when he reached the door he found she was in secluded cultivation, so he did not disturb her. No matter—everyone was here now; he could introduce her later.

Once the food and wine were ready, Di Xingdao was the first to raise a cup to Wei Zhao. "Brother Wei Zhao, since you and my sister Tianchan are dao companions, I will presume upon our closeness and call you brother."

Wei Zhao was startled and quickly said, "Elder Tian, you are my senior—I could not presume to such a title."

"I say you can bear it, so you can bear it!" Di Xingdao waved a hand. "You cured me of a terminal illness; the debt of gratitude is nothing short of a rebirth. Without you I would still be a cripple. So for me to call myself your elder brother now is already borrowing Tianchan's prestige."

Hearing this, Wei Zhao could only smile and nod, saying nothing further. After all, the cultivation world revered the strong; age had never mattered—strength and ability were what counted.

At this point Cai Zhongxuan also raised his cup to toast Wei Zhao, putting on a show of complaint as he laughed, "Come to think of it, Young Hero Lin, you are hardly fair. To possess such superb medical skill and breathe not a word of it to us—we worried ourselves sick over you for nothing..."

"Exactly! Little Friend Wei Zhao, you truly led us a merry chase!" Hou Guanqi chimed in with a laugh.

Wei Zhao could not help laughing. "I have always known medicine—I already did back in the mortal world. It was only that I had not seen Brother Tian's injury before and had no confidence. Once I saw it, I dared to try. I never meant to keep anything from you two."

"Oh? You mean you did not know beforehand that Brother Wei Zhao's medical skill was so profound? Then why did you seek him out to heal me?" Di Xingdao was surprised.

Cai Zhongxuan and Hou Guanqi exchanged a glance, then explained, "Elder Tian, the truth is, Young Hero Lin went to the Pill Hall this time only to see Tianchan. As for the story that an apothecary would heal you, that was merely a pretext at first. We never expected that by a strange twist of fate, he would actually cure your injuries."

Di Xingdao burst into hearty laughter and clapped Wei Zhao on the shoulder. "This is fate! Come, come, come—to fate, let us all drink!"

They were all among friends, gathered to drink and talk, and the mood was high and joyous.

Yet as the meal drew to a close, Wei Zhao voiced some concern: "That Zheng Tianshuo harbors ill intentions toward Xiaoshan. Leaving her to stay on in the Pill Hall like this—I am not easy about it."

"Have no fear—I am here. Tianchan is my sister. That boy, no matter how bold, would not dare do anything," Di Xingdao said, thumping his chest.

"A spear in the open is easy to dodge; an arrow from the dark is hard to guard against. One look tells you this fellow is a treacherous snake. With Brother Tian present, of course he would not dare act openly, but I fear he may resort to petty tricks," Wei Zhao said, shaking his head.

"Quite right. Zheng Tianshuo is a thoroughly despicable sort. Back when Zheng Tianjie was still alive, he did not dare be too brazen, but he often got up to sordid business. Now that he has Zheng Dongjue's backing, we must be all the more on our guard," Hou Guanqi nodded in agreement.

At this, Di Xingdao too was somewhat at a loss. He could look after Tianchan, but he could not watch over her every moment. After all, his injuries had only just healed, and this was precisely the time he needed to recover his strength; he could not be showing his face outside all the time.

"With your standing, Brother Tian, could you not take Xiaoshan out to establish a household of her own? At the very least, could you keep her from having to stay in the Pill Hall?" Wei Zhao suddenly asked.

With Zhang Lifeng absent, Zheng Dongjue held absolute sway in the Pill Hall. Even if Di Xingdao had declared that he would protect Tianchan, Di Xingdao was not, after all, one of the Pill Hall's own. If Zheng Dongjue truly meant to do something, the words of an outsider might not carry any weight.

The best course was naturally to get Tianchan out of the Pill Hall as soon as possible. Once she could establish her own household, Zheng Dongjue's reach would fall short, and should something happen then, Di Xingdao could intervene directly without any scruples.

"That should be no problem. Since Tianchan is my sister, if I take her out, even that old dog Zheng Dongjue would not dare say a word. Brother Wei Zhao, just wait for my good news!" Di Xingdao said after a moment's thought.

Di Xingdao was a man of resolute action. Once his mind was made up, he rose at once and took Tianchan back to the Pill Hall. After all, this was a decision made on Tianchan's behalf; even with Di Xingdao speaking for her, Tianchan herself still had to go back and declare her position.

This leader of a brother was certainly confident enough! Wei Zhao sighed inwardly. Anyone else, contemplating dealing with a deputy hall master of the Pill Hall like Zheng Dongjue, would have to steel themselves and hesitate a good while first.

That Di Xingdao dared to charge ahead so boldly was itself proof of his formidable strength. Even if his power had not yet fully recovered at this stage, a man's name casts a tree's shadow—a legendary figure who had once held the post of deputy island master of Middle Island would scarcely give a mere Zheng Dongjue a second thought.