Retirement begins with summoning Yuan Tiangang

When Zhao Mingxuan returned to the Zhao family mansion, the sun was already high in the sky.

He slipped in through the side door and bumped right into the butler, Zhao Fu.

Zhao Fu was taken aback by his attire, but quickly regained his composure and bowed, saying, "Young Master is back."

"Um."

Zhao Mingxuan responded and walked straight to his own courtyard without stopping.

"Young Master,"

Zhao Fu followed behind him, his voice kept low.

"The master wants you to go to the study after you return."

Zhao Mingxuan paused, then asked, "Now?"

"Yes."

Zhao Mingxuan frowned, feeling a little uneasy.

Did his father know he had sneaked out? Or was he caught eavesdropping outside the study?

But he quickly calmed down—if his father really wanted to pursue the matter, he would have already lost his temper.

"Okay, I'll change my clothes and go."

Back in her own courtyard, her personal maid, Qiuyue, had already prepared hot water and clean clothes.

Zhao Mingxuan hurriedly bathed and changed his clothes, putting on a moon-white brocade robe and tying up his hair before heading to the study.

In the study, Zhao Dechang was sitting behind his desk, resting with his eyes closed. Hearing footsteps, he opened his eyes and saw his son walk in.

"Father," Zhao Mingxuan bowed.

Zhao Dechang sized him up for a few moments, then suddenly asked, "You just went out?"

Zhao Mingxuan's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm: "Yes, my son went out for a walk to clear his head."

"Where did you go?"

"...The back mountain," Zhao Mingxuan answered honestly. There was no point in lying to his father.

Zhao Dechang was silent for a moment, then suddenly sighed: "Mingxuan, do you feel that your father is too strict with you?"

Zhao Mingxuan was taken aback, not expecting his father to ask such a question. He hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Son... wouldn't dare."

"It's not that I don't dare, but that I don't dare."

Zhao Dechang shook his head, stood up, and walked to the window.

"You're fourteen this year, there are some things you should know."

A surge of excitement welled up in Zhao Mingxuan's heart.

Is my father about to tell me about cultivation?

"Our Zhao family has been able to establish itself in Hexi Town for a century, and that's not just because of our business acumen."

Zhao Dechang said slowly,

"In your grandfather's generation, the Zhao family produced a cultivator. Although he only reached the Grandmaster realm, he still accumulated some connections and resources for the family. In my generation, although my talent was limited and I was unable to embark on the path of cultivation, I managed to gain a foothold in Qingyang County thanks to the legacy of my ancestors and your second uncle's hard work outside. I even made some connections in the cultivation world."

Zhao Mingxuan held his breath and listened attentively.

"But the cultivation world is not so easy to enter."

Zhao Dechang turned around, his gaze sharp.

"That place is a dog-eat-dog world, where strength reigns supreme. Without qualifications, backing, or resources, going in is suicide. That's why I've been paving the way for you all these years."

He took out a small brocade pouch from his pocket and handed it to Zhao Mingxuan: "Open it and take a look."

Zhao Mingxuan took the brocade pouch; it felt heavy in his hand. He untied the rope and poured out a jade pendant.

The jade pendant is made of the finest mutton-fat white jade, carved into the shape of a coiled dragon with its body spiraling and its head raised. The carving is exquisite and lifelike.

But what's most special is that there's a faint blue luster flowing inside the jade pendant. When you hold it in your hand, you can feel a warm, smooth sensation that spreads from your palm, instantly invigorating you.

"This is..." Zhao Mingxuan looked up in surprise.

"Concentration Pendant".

Zhao Dechang said,

"There's a simple spirit-gathering array engraved inside. Wearing it for a long time can nourish the soul and benefit future cultivation. My father went to great lengths to get this from a deacon at Qingyun Temple."

Zhao Mingxuan gripped the jade pendant tightly, a surge of warmth coursing through his heart. So this was what his father had been doing for him all along!

"But this is just the beginning."

Zhao Dechang said in a serious tone, "The real challenge is the Marrow Cleansing Pill. Without the Marrow Cleansing Pill to improve your aptitude, your cultivation speed will be as slow as a tortoise. I have heard that Qingyun Temple will be refining a batch of Marrow Cleansing Pills this year. There are only three pills, and the line for those who want them will stretch from Qingyang County to Zhongting."

"That……"

Zhao Mingxuan became nervous.

"I've already taken care of everything."

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Zhao Dechang's eyes.

"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, you will receive a Marrow Cleansing Pill within three months."

Zhao Mingxuan was so excited that his hands trembled slightly: "Thank you, Father!"

"Don't thank me yet." Zhao Dechang waved his hand, his expression becoming serious.

"Mingxuan, you must remember, once you embark on the path of cultivation, there is no turning back. You will see a wider world, and you will also encounter more dangerous enemies. And your greatest reliance is not your father, not the Zhao family, but your own strength and... wisdom."

He paused, looking intently at his son: "So, from now on, you must learn to conceal yourself, to observe, and to judge. Who you can befriend, who you shouldn't mess with, what you can do, and what you shouldn't touch—you'll have to figure these things out for yourself."

Zhao Mingxuan nodded emphatically: "Son understands!"

"it is good."

A hint of relief appeared on Zhao Dechang's face.

"Wear this Concentration Pendant close to your body and don't show it to anyone. Focus on your studies and martial arts practice as usual, and don't show anything unusual. Especially... don't provoke those Lin family kids again."

Zhao Mingxuan was taken aback: "Why?"

"Because it's unnecessary."

Zhao Dechang said calmly,

"They and you are from different worlds. On the path you will walk in the future, they are not even stumbling blocks, at most roadside weeds. Would you stop to step on a weed?"

Zhao Mingxuan thought for a moment, then slowly shook his head.

"That's right."

Zhao Dechang patted him on the shoulder.

"You need to broaden your horizons. Hexi Town is too small, and Qingyang County is just a starting point. Your future lies in Zhongting, in a much wider world."

These words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing the complex emotions Zhao Mingxuan felt towards Lin Feng and the others.

Yes, he is someone who is about to embark on the path of cultivation. In the future, he will become a cultivator, or even a grandmaster, and will have a slight chance to touch the scenery of the Innate Realm.

What about Lin Feng and his friends? They spent their entire lives fishing and climbing trees in Hexi Town.

In their old age, they become ordinary villagers like Zhang the Hunter and Chen Jing'an's father.

There is an insurmountable chasm between them.

"My son understands."

Zhao Mingxuan gripped the jade pendant tightly, his gaze regaining its firmness and arrogance.

"From now on, your son will no longer stoop to their level."

"very good."

Zhao Dechang nodded in satisfaction.

"Go. Remember, the matter of the Concentration Pendant must never be known to a third party."

"Yes."

Zhao Mingxuan left the study and walked down the corridor. The warm touch of the jade pendant in his palm filled him with confidence.

He raised the jade pendant and looked at it in the sunlight. The pale blue luster flowed within the jade, breathtakingly beautiful.

This is what he deserves.

Exquisite, precious, and imbued with extraordinary power.

All Lin Feng and his friends possessed were wild persimmons from the mountains, mudfish from the river, and bird eggs from the trees.

He suddenly had an idea.

If... if Lin Feng and the others were to see this jade pendant, something they could never have in their lifetime, what would their expressions be?

Would you be envious?

Would you be jealous?

Still feeling...inferior?