Chapter 348

Chapter 348: Mother, Stop Wasting Your Effort (4000 Words)

After leaving the Imperial Palace…

Neither the Xu Mansion nor the Qin family knew that Ming had returned from the Rootless Mystic Realm, so no one was there to greet him.

But it didn’t matter—Ming simply boarded the princess’s carriage.

“Here, take this.” Wu extended a divine weapon, a pair of gloves.

Examining them up close, the Daoistic essence emanating from the gloves was incredibly potent. It felt like just being near them could grant some form of enlightenment.

Ming chuckled and pushed Wu’s hand back. “This divine weapon suits you perfectly. Keep it—it’ll definitely elevate your abilities greatly. Besides, I already have a divine weapon. Even at the Ascension Realm, I can’t handle two simultaneously. Not to mention, without refining it, it’d be a waste. I’ve already refined a longsword; there’s no way I can refine these gloves too. Plus, they recognize you, not me.”

Wu hesitated but persisted. “You can hold onto this divine weapon for now. When you encounter something worthwhile, you can trade it. I believe no one could refuse a divine weapon.”

As Wu spoke, the divine gloves in her palm trembled slightly, as if protesting.

Ming glanced at the divine weapon and smiled. If he were the divine weapon, he’d probably be anxious too. After all, he’d finally found his master and emerged from the Rootless Mystic Realm, only to discover that his master didn’t value him and wanted to sell him off immediately. Who wouldn’t panic in that situation?

And besides, divine weapons have pride too, don’t they?

“There’s absolutely no need,” Ming shook his head. “If I need anything, I’ll get it myself. And Wu, we don’t need to keep things so formal between us. If I need something, I’ll ask you, and if you need something, I’ll give it to you. There’s no need for debts of gratitude or obligation.”

Wu laughed softly. “You say we don’t need to be so formal, but what do you think our relationship is then?”

Ming froze, rendered speechless by her gaze.

What kind of relationship would make it unnecessary to be so formal? Even siblings settle accounts clearly. The only ones who don’t are parents and children—or couples.

But were he and Wu married? Clearly not.

Yet they had shared intimate moments.

Ming remained silent, not responding to Wu’s question.

Wu’s cheeks flushed red as she turned away, realizing her words sounded like she was asking Ming for recognition of their bond.

She decided against pressing the issue of giving the gloves to Ming further, agreeing internally that they didn’t need to be so formal.

Still, she felt a twinge of annoyance, thinking about Qingwan.

Who would become his official wife eventually?

At this thought, Wu clenched her fists, determined to focus on her cultivation upon returning.

“I must find my path as a martial artist! Otherwise, after a hundred years when I grow old, how will I compete with Qingwan?”

Soon, the princess’s carriage stopped in front of the Xu Mansion. After bidding farewell to Wu, Ming entered the mansion.

The guards noticed Ming’s return and hurriedly reported it.

“Master Xu has returned!”

“Master Xu has returned!”

Running and shouting, they instructed others to inform the Old Patriarch, the master, and Mistress Chen.

Maidservants and attendants scurried about, bringing life to the quiet Xu Mansion.

Seeing the attention given to him, Ming merely smiled faintly, saying nothing.

He’d long understood the people of the Xu family—it was irrelevant anyway. In large families, wasn’t it always the same? You’re treated well when you’re valuable and rising. But when you lose value, or worse, cause trouble, they’ll distance themselves.

Ming headed straight for his mother’s courtyard.

Upon entering, he saw his mother weaving clothes, with Maidservant Chunyan preparing tea beside her.

“Mother,” Ming called softly.

Hearing his voice, Mistress Chen paused, turning around with joy evident in her eyes.

“Master, Master has returned!” Chunyan exclaimed happily. “How did you return so quickly?”

Though time in the Rootless Mystic Realm had passed over dozens of days, in the main world, only three or four days had elapsed.

“Come, come, let Mother take a good look at you, see if you’re alright,” Mistress Chen set down her knitting and rushed forward, touching her son with affection.

“Mother, stop worrying so much—I’m fine. If I weren’t, would I even be able to return?” Ming smiled, finding his mother overly concerned.

“Oh, Mother, here’s something for you, and Chunyan too,” Ming took out several flowers.

“Master, what are these?” Chunyan asked curiously. “They’re so beautiful.”

“These are Renewal Flowers—not for decoration but consumption,” Ming explained. “Brewing them into tea slows aging and nourishes the skin. I picked them in the Rootless Mystic Realm; they aren’t found elsewhere.”

“These are too precious, Master! Such treasures shouldn’t fall into the hands of a lowly servant like me,” Chunyan panicked, trying to return the flowers. To her, the Rootless Mystic Realm was a place for immortals, where everything was treasure.

“Chunyan, if I tell you to take it, just take it. If you insist on being so polite, both me and Ming will be upset,” Mistress Chen pretended to scold.

“Madam…”

“Indeed, Chunyan, please accept it. The efficacy isn’t endless. Once these portions are consumed, that’s it. Drinking more won’t help,” Ming added with a smile.

Of course, he also gave something to Chunyan since he gifted his mother. Chunyan had been loyal to his mother and cared for her well. She’d helped his mother a lot when he was young. Knowing Chunyan likely wouldn’t marry, she would stay with his mother for decades. Treating Chunyan well meant she would care for his mother better. With Chunyan around, he felt more at ease.

Initially, Ming intended to give them better gifts, but most treasures from the Rootless Mystic Realm suited cultivators. Normal people might suffer adverse effects from consuming them.

After hearing Ming’s explanation, Chunyan accepted the gift, moved that the master remembered her.

Ming chatted with his mother about recent events, simplifying his Rootless Mystic Realm experience to mere treasure hunting to reassure her.

His mother mentioned there hadn’t been much happening recently—she slept well, had no headaches, and felt fine.

But Ming wasn’t convinced. He suspected the other soul within his mother might be planning something big, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Half an hour later, a maid arrived, informing them that the Old Patriarch and Master requested their presence for dinner.

Mistress Chen didn’t decline, and neither did Ming.

It was just a simple welcome-back feast, expressing concern and affection towards Ming. He didn’t want to offend them.

Ming presented gifts to the Old Patriarch and others. Though not particularly valuable, they were unique to the Rootless Mystic Realm, with substitutes available outside.

But the Old Patriarch and others didn’t care—they were pleased Ming thought of them. Even common weeds would suffice as long as Ming showed goodwill towards the Xu family.

Ming also gave aphrodisiac fruits to the male elders, who recognized their value and were delighted by Ming’s generosity.

After dinner, Ming returned to his courtyard to rest.

Just as he opened his door and stepped inside, a fragrant breeze blew past, closing the door instantly.

Before Ming could move forward, he caught the scent of rouge.

Looking down, he saw Zhou Wanfeng clinging to his shoulder, her bosom pressing tightly against him, almost deforming under the pressure.

Though Ming wasn’t particularly attracted to Zhou Wanfeng, her body was undeniably soft.

“Master, did you miss me during your absence?” Zhou Wanfeng traced circles on Ming’s chest with one hand.

“I was gone for only three or four days, right?” Ming replied.

In the Rootless Mystic Realm, Ming stayed for over thirty days, translating to merely three or four days in this world.

“Master, that’s what you think! You spent over a month there. Shouldn’t you have missed me?” Zhou Wanfeng nuzzled closer. “Even though I’ve been separated from you for only three or four days, I’ve missed you terribly.”

Lifting her head, her eyes glistened dreamily. “During your absence, I consoled myself with your blanket every night. By morning, it was soaked…”

Ming: “…”

Deciding his bedding was unsalvageable, he planned to ask Chunyan to replace it.

“Miss Zhou, please maintain decorum. If you’re feeling lonely, I know some skilled blacksmiths who might craft a few… toys for you,” Ming suggested dryly.

Had it not been for her protection of his mother during his absence, he would’ve shoved her away already.

“Master Xu, how mean! Saying such embarrassing things—I don’t understand…” Zhou playfully tapped Ming’s chest.

Ming twitched. Didn’t she understand? Probably more than he did.

“Miss Zhou, has my mother been well these days? Any abnormalities?” Ming asked seriously.

Despite his mother claiming she ate and slept well, Ming remained cautious. Many issues weren’t visible on the surface.

Zhou settled into a chair, pouring herself a cup of water. “Your mother’s other soul has been relatively calm lately because I fought it shortly after you left.”

Ming: “…”

“Please elaborate, Miss Zhou,” Ming urged, his tone tinged with anxiety.

In his previous life, Ming was an orphan, unaware of familial bonds. This time around, though his stepfather neglected him, his mother bore, raised, and educated him—a bond he cherished deeply. From her, he first experienced familial love. If Ming had any weaknesses, it was his mother. If he had any taboos, it was her too. No one could harm her!

Zhou, understanding this, dropped her playful demeanor and continued earnestly. “On the second day of your departure, the other soul within your mother gained dominance and controlled her body for the first time. I appeared immediately and engaged it in battle. Its pre-life cultivation level must have been high because, despite your mother never undergoing training or physical refinement, it could still reach the Golden Core Realm through its understanding of the Daoistic principles. For anyone else, I’d have eliminated them outright, but since it was your mother’s body, I couldn’t act rashly. I managed to suppress it temporarily, which kept it subdued for a few days.”

Ming: “…”

“Did it say anything?” Ming asked.

Zhou sighed. “The soul within your mother knows our plans and that we’ve arranged for someone to try removing it. It… has a message for you.”

Ming furrowed his brows. “What message?”

“It says—” Zhou relayed solemnly,

“Son, stop wasting your effort. Mother doesn’t want to leave you. She won’t leave you.”

With her words lingering, Ming slammed his fist into the wall behind him in anger, shattering the wooden door into splinters.

Ming clenched his fists tightly. “Then let’s see about that!”