Gifts and Apologies (2)

Shui Jie?

What was the brother of the man who orchestrated the attack on me doing here? Was he coming to claim revenge by attacking me so recklessly in my home?

Surely he was not this stupid?

Feng Tai looked at me after the mention of the new guest's name. I looked rather pale considering how coolheaded I was during the whole conversation with him.

Jie was a master of refining. Meaning, he had enough artefacts to disintegrate a weakling like me in the blink of an eye should he wish it.

"Ha, young friend doesn't need to worry" he broadened a massive grin and closed his eyes as he raised his thumb up. "While this elder is here, no one can hurt you!"

Although this man had just used his daughter to try and seduce me with a technique, his presence was nothing less of beneficial. I would let it slide if he defended me effectively.

"Then I will have to bother elder Tai with it."

"A trivial matter, pay it no mind young friend."

I gave my mother a nod and she opened the door wide for the man to enter.

Last I saw the refining master, he was all cheery and red from working the forge all day. The man that walked inside my room today had eyes bulging, a runny nose and broken fingernails. The shock of losing his brother must have rendered him somewhat ill and perhaps mad.

"Mister Lei Ba?" his voice was trembling and fading. "May I be allowed to sit with you at the table?"

"Uhm" I looked towards the elder and he nodded. "Of course, have a seat."

Shui Jie was definitely not trying to avenge his brother. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if he pleaded me to have him revived if I was capable of it, now that I had a profound eye on the state he was.

Even as he sat, I could inwardly hear him groan in pain and perhaps sob.

Master Jie was somewhat broken now. I wonder if he will be fine later on.

"I am terribly sorry for barging in without prior notice. It's just…" his eyes watered slightly and his lips shook as well, "i-it's just that I have a favour to ask of young mister."

"A favour?" my head spun sideways, accustoming myself to this.

I sincerely wonder why everyone came to me with favours listed. First Lady Kun, then Chu Qiang and his master, now Shui Jie…who's next…Demonic God?

(Gods, I would never do it!)

"Indeed" Jie nodded slowly, wiping his tears.

"But—"

"Please" he stopped with his hand, Feng Tai was going to react but master Jie retracted it quickly, "before you make a decision, I would like to offer this small item of mine as an apology for what my brother Cai has caused you to suffer."

I was going to say that I would hear him out first. But when he puts it that way, then why the hell should I?

After saying his words, Shui Jie raised his hand over the table and made something appear out of the white ring on his finger.

It resembled a miniature chest only the size of a rice bowl and seemed too small to be called a container. Perhaps it was to put some kind of small jewellery in it.

"This is an artefact I made capable of infusing qi and the energies of the world into whatever item that can fit inside it" he flicked the lock open and showed us the small hollow space. Something the size of an apple would probably fit. "You can infuse qi into fruits, herbs, pills, small items or artefacts."

Jie closed the top and slid it towards me smoothly after Tai had given him a grunt in the form of a warning.

I slowly reached out my hand after making sure it was not rigged with any kind of trap or other types of ambushes. Who knows, the refiner could be looking to take me down and everyone inside the room with him in order to exact his revenge.

"Thank you" I finally told him after making sure of the safety. "But I won't accept it until I hear what you wish to say."

"Naturally, naturally" he repeated in murmurs.

Jie adjusted himself and sat outright, as if to make an appeal. He cleared his throat and lowered his head pleadingly.

"I would be grateful if young mister…no, young master Lei Ba could allow me to take back my brother's remains so I could properly bury them!"

"H-his remains?" my mouth twitched horribly, wincing.

"I know this might be a difficult request since you probably hold resentment towards him."

Seeing my reaction, he assumed the worst and got up from his seat, kneeled and slammed his head ten times upon the flooring.

I had never seen such actions of pleading before during my lifetime and it definitely moved my heart even if I was planning on giving him what he wanted in the first place. I shrugged and stopped him from injuring himself any more than this.

"Master Jie…" I grabbed his hand to lift him up. "No need to beg me, so please sit comfortably."

"V-very well" his tears were down to his cheeks.

"Calm down for now."

He was shivering and clenched himself tightly.

The death of Shui Cai must have taken some toll on him in the end. That was one of the chances I had in order to redeem myself for my past mistakes. Right here and right now, I could do something I would have laughed at back in the day.

As I had slipped it to Chu Qiang that I would have a use for it later (I was going to blackmail the poor guy…I know I'm horrible…) I had the urn with Cai's ashes resting atop my end table.

I pondered before the container, my back to them, a bit emotional. Then I faced them and passed it to Shui Jie.

"I'm sorry for the state he is in. I didn't know if you cremated the bodies or not and took the liberty myself."

"Young master…" his hands clapped on his mouth. "This is more than he deserves and yet you showed him such leniency."

"This is really nothing to thank me for—"

"Of course it is" he interrupted me. "I have caused you grievance and though I had to pay for it, I was actually rewarded in this way."

He kept sobbing in his seat.

I looked at the Fengs and none were actually, not even remotely, moved by his display of sadness and mourning. They were only fixated on the gift he gave me, that they probably forgot what they came here for in the first place.

Now that I was free to think about it, the chest I received was no small thing at all.

Anything that condensed or infused with qi was important to a martial artist. It was either something that could be used to nourish yourself or defend yourself and both were arsenals in the hands of cultivators.

Jie said that I could put anything that fits inside it and leave it to consume surrounding qi. He mentioned fruits, herbs, pills, small items and artefacts. Not a few minutes before he came, the Fengs offered me a pill and what better to infuse it with the energies of the world and increase its efficiency.

More than that, I had not disregarded the fact that I lived on a massive farm by itself. Everything ranging from spirit herbs, fruits and medicinal plants beneficial to a cultivator were found here.

This small chest was tailor-made for me.

(Jackpot!)

Shui Jie calmed down after I had finished my brainstorming and he looked cheerful in a gradual manner. He kept sniffing for the remainder of his stay, grabbed a cup of tea and even poured himself a drink before I offered him one.

"Oh. Young master, I think will have to excuse myself now" I didn't sigh in relief, but boy was I glad he was not going to tarry any longer. "I need to prepare the burial."

With a single gulp, he finished his drink and got up to the door with haste.

"Don't worry, I will see myself to the exit so you can keep your other guests entertained. I apologise for taking up your time."

"Pay it no mind, master Jie!" Feng Tai appeased him. "In fact, I think we should be on our way too."

All three of them got up instantly, ready to step out after the refining master.

I followed them to the exit, accompanied by mother and then my father to bid them farewell and a safe journey back to the clans.

It was nearing noon when we stepped outside. I was not worried about them arriving late and was at ease that Jie would be accompanied by the three of them to protect him should any unforeseen event arise.

"Take care of yourself young master Lei Ba and thank you again!" he bowed a final time.

"No need, I also received a generous gift on your behalf so it's not necessary" the box was in my hands and made sure to emphasize it.

"It is called a Lesser Refining Box, I hope it serves you well."

He made his way and waved goodbye.

Shuai, Ai and Tai all cupped their fist as the martial way demanded. The girl still tried to fix me with her eyes from behind the metal blade fan in her hand. I spared her no glance and returned the farewell.

"I thank you for your visit."

"It is us who thank you instead for granting us the privilege of your presence."

The elder turned around and followed the master.

Shuai smiled before leaving too. Ai stood idle and tried one last time but I looked at the others' backs.

(How persistent that girl is…)

She finally decided to turn and take her leave as well.

I was not the most perceptive of children, but I was not blind to the clouds of anger surfacing around her. It wasn't the result she was expecting and I laughed to myself knowing I was able to fool her so easily.

Mom and dad waited for me by the door, so I joined them in without further ado.

"What happened? Was it successful?"

There was silence between the three family members as they walked back and behind the leading master, whispering about the meeting.

Feng Ai shook her head. Her efforts were proved in vain.

"He knew and didn't look at me the whole time."

"What!" her brother jumped and raised his voice.

Jie looked back but saw nothing worth.

"This is not good" their father bit his lip. "We just made him our enemy. Do not engage him anymore and pretend nothing happened."

"But father—" Shuai insisted.

"Enough. Ai keep trying to get close to him without the use of the technique."

"Very well, father."

"We don't want to make enemies of Gudu Xing Chen" his tone was scorning and spitting curses. "Not now at our weakest!"

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*Check the very first chapters at the very beginning for the Index*