LAVW – Chapter 20 Feeling Sorry for the Younger Brother

Long Ye followed Wang Chunping’s gaze but didn’t see anything.

Wang Chunping explained gently, “It’s a giant fur beast. It scared itself unconscious.”

Feeling relieved that her brother’s medicine had been found, Wang Lianzhi asked curiously, “Is the giant fur beast really that timid? I must see it for myself someday.”

Due to its cowardice, the giant fur beast was adept at escaping and hiding. She had never seen one before.

Shi Qian immediately realized they were probably talking about the same giant fur beast whose cave he had stolen.

He turned back and tugged on Long Ye’s pant leg. “Squeak Squeak.”

Let’s go, let’s go. I’ve had my fill of petting cats.

Long Ye picked him up and, after a moment’s thought, released the black cat.

The moment he moved, Wang Chunping and Wang Lianzhi lost interest in the giant fur beast. After confirming their intentions with him, they immediately set off back to the Wang family estate.

Although there was still ample time, waking Wang Xingzhi as soon as possible would put his family at ease. Once Long Ye’s final request was fulfilled, Wang Chunping soared into the sky on his sword to rush home.

Flying over the dense jungle, they ascended into the azure sky.

The vast Beiwang Demon Mountain rapidly shrank below them, and the cultivators and demon beasts on the ground became as small as ants, scurrying through the forests, insignificant from above.

Soon, even those tiny details disappeared. Only a jade-like river could be seen winding through Beiwang Demon Mountain, snaking toward distant mountains, lakes, and seas. It carried a pure, cleansing aura that washed away the gloom in the hearts of those who beheld it.

Long Ye was mesmerized by the sight.

Wang Chunping’s kind voice sounded. “This river is called Changqing. It is the first river of our homeland.”

“It truly carries a pure aura,” Long Ye agreed, stepping forward past the others to align with Wang Chunping’s perspective.

Wang Lianzhi was puzzled. She didn’t sense anything special. Assuming her father was simply introducing the river to Long Ye, she remained silent, tilting her head slightly to sneak a glance at Shi Qian.

This little beast was truly adorable and lively. His personality was unique too—he actually liked such a huge cat.

Shi Qian, meanwhile, tilted his furry little face upward, looking utterly content, as if enjoying the breeze on his face.

Wang Lianzhi: ?

She extended a slender jade-like finger and secretly poked the protective spiritual barrier her father had set around the sword. It was still there. Then she glanced at the other disciples of the Wang family. Like her, they hadn’t noticed anything unusual.

At the Wang Estate.

Long Ye and Shi Qian were accommodated in the finest guest courtyard, waiting for the apothecary to prepare the medicine so they could retrieve the lotus seeds for maturation.

This preparation period also allowed them to rest, while the Wang family prepared their gratitude gifts and gathered more information about Long Ye.

The return gift, of course, could not be limited to just the secret realm entry and the Foundation Establishment Pill Long Ye requested—it wouldn’t reflect well on their reputation. Moreover, they felt such gifts were not enough to match the value of Wang Xingzhi’s life.

In addition, they sent people to inquire about “Long Ye” at Tingfeng Pavilion, a renowned intelligence-gathering organization.

The information they received back shocked many.

“Long Ye actually killed his own uncle?”

“How could someone at the fifth level of Qi Refining advance to the ninth level in just a few days? Could he have turned to demonic cultivation—”

“That’s impossible. Elder Chunping traveled with him. If there was a problem, he would have noticed.”

“Have you considered that even a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator shouldn’t be able to defeat a Foundation Establishment cultivator? That’s the real issue here.”

“It’s said that his grandfather and uncle treated him poorly. There must be more to the story.”

“Others have spoken highly of him. I had the same impression when I met him today. He may be a bit quiet, but he treats those close to him well. He’s extremely kind to his spiritual beast.”

“That spirit beast only appeared recently.”

“But the fact remains—he did kill his uncle. This information has been verified by Tingfeng Pavilion.”

“And his fiancée broke off their engagement… He’s really going through a rough time lately.”

Discussions filled the room. Wang Lianzhi frowned slightly.

She finally spoke. “Since he dared to give his real name, he clearly isn’t afraid of us knowing. If he isn’t afraid, then the information we gathered may not tell the full story. So let’s not speculate. Just treat him as a respected guest. Everything else can wait.”

The Wang family members agreed. The buzz of conversation stemmed from the shock of a Qi Refining cultivator killing a Foundation Establishment cultivator, as well as the shocking revelation of family betrayal.

Some had already begun contemplating how a Qi Refining cultivator could possibly defeat a Foundation Establishment cultivator—a tricky puzzle for any cultivator.

Wang Lianzhi took the information back to report to her father, Wang Chunping.

Wang Chunping said, “You handled this well. The truth is certainly more complex than what we’ve heard. Since Long Ye was able to draw upon the pure aura of the Changqing River, it proves he is no ordinary individual.”

“The Changqing River’s pure aura… I don’t think I’ve heard of it before?”

“Because it’s rare. Your brother once drew upon it too.” Wang Chunping smiled faintly, his fatigue easing somewhat. “I still need to discuss the medicine with the apothecary. You continue looking after Long Ye. Fulfill any of his requests. He is the one ensuring your brother can make it to the secret realm in time—he is a great benefactor to the Wang family.”

Wang Chunping appeared young, but he was already two hundred years old.

He had only reached the Golden Core stage at 120, an average talent. However, his children were exceptional. Wang Xingzhi had achieved Golden Core at just 30 and was now an inner disciple of the Sword Sect, with a bright future ahead.

If not for unexpected incidents at the Sword Sect limiting the number of secret realm entries—and the Wang family securing several entry rings—Wang Chunping wouldn’t have called his son home. Who could have predicted he’d encounter demonic cultivators on the way and almost perish? It was a miracle he could still be saved.

Wang Lianzhi had already suspected the rumors were misleading, and her father’s words further convinced her that Long Ye had suffered great injustice.

A seventeen-year-old boy, motherless since childhood, lost his father a few years ago. His grandfather and uncle mistreated him, his fiancée broke off their engagement, and in the face of overwhelming odds, he still fought a much stronger opponent in a life-and-death battle…

With these thoughts swirling in her mind, Wang Lianzhi entered the guest courtyard and saw Long Ye mending his clothes at the table. The sight moved her deeply.

She spoke softly, “Long Ye, what are you sewing? Let me help you.”

Shi Qian had been watching curiously but immediately sensed something was off—Wang Lianzhi’s tone was different from before.

He perked up and observed closely, noticing that her expression practically screamed: “Feeling sorry for the younger brother.”

Long Ye, seemingly oblivious, shook his head. “Thank you, but that won’t be necessary. I can do it myself.” He added, slightly embarrassed, “I’m just not very skilled at it.”

Shi Qian glanced between Wang Lianzhi and Long Ye, comparing her beauty to Li Qingqian’s.

Li Qingqian was a cold, glamorous beauty, while Wang Lianzhi had a warm, girl-next-door charm with a hint of playful elegance. She might not have the immediate impact of Li Qingqian, but she was undeniably the type to grow more attractive over time.

Shi Qian’s eyes widened. How had he forgotten? Aside from the main plot, an Overpowered Protagonist like Long Ye always had countless entanglements—sisters, female friends, admirers, all as common as free charging stations!

So many Overpowered Protagonists had fallen due to love triangles.

After all, if you truly love someone, how could you share them? Love isn’t a rental battery!

With that realization, Shi Qian suddenly felt that the biggest hidden threat was likely in Long Ye’s romantic entanglements.

Lost in thought, he completely missed whatever conversation had followed.

He looked at Wang Lianzhi, worrying about how to solve the problem of Long Ye having too many admirers while not affecting his career.

Wang Lianzhi noticed Shi Qian’s gaze. She sat down, looked at the fluffy ball leaning against a purple clay teapot on the table, and smiled as she mimicked Long Ye’s way of speaking: “Brother Qian, why are you staring at me?”

The dark purple clay teapot had a big, round belly, and next to it was a fluffy white ball of fur. The contrast made Shi Qian’s snow-white fur appear even more striking.

His ears even twitched. Wang Lianzhi stared without blinking, internally exclaiming how adorable he was.

Shi Qian: ?

Why did he feel like Wang Lianzhi’s voice just got “sweeter” and her gaze more “affectionate”?

Shi Qian’s mind turned quickly. He stood up, Squeaked, and stretched out his arms in a “hug me” gesture.

And then, he saw Wang Lianzhi’s face light up with sheer joy.

Shi Qian: Understood.

This pretty sister loves me even more.

_{T/N: How Cute. I like him more and more. So fluffy and so adorable. Who needs protaganists if you have fluff.}