Chapter 132: The Su Family’s Crisis

Seeing Su Che’s strange expression, Ning Lu burst into loud laughter. Her laughter was hearty and unrestrained, unlike other women who would cover their mouths to appear modest.
“It was just a joke.”
After laughing, Ning Lu spoke seriously, “What I said earlier was sarcasm. I accept the bet—since I lost, I’ll do one thing for you. Of course, it shouldn’t be too difficult; after all, it’s just a small game.”
“Senior sister, there’s no need to be so serious,” Su Che said, finally realizing her unique personality. “We haven’t even finalized the bet yet, so there’s no such thing as losing.”
“That won’t do!”
Ning Lu waved her hand firmly. “I’ve always been like this. It’s just that you don’t understand me yet.”
Seeing her determination, Su Che thought for a moment before nodding. “Alright then. There is indeed one thing—I still haven’t found a solution. I’d like to use your experience to get some advice.”
“Mm, go ahead,” Ning Lu said, raising her hand.
Su Che explained, “One of my friends has been afflicted by a high-level restriction from the Illusion Demon Sect. If it isn’t lifted in a year, her life could be in danger. I’ve investigated, and her restriction is like this…”
He then described in detail the characteristics of the restriction within Fei Yun’s body.
For Su Che, the best way to save Fei Yun would be to seek help from his master, Venerable Xuanji. With his advanced Golden Core cultivation and wisdom, resolving that restriction shouldn’t be a problem. But Su Che didn’t want to bother his master easily and wanted to solve it on his own within a year. If all else failed, he could always ask his master for help later.
Now that he had encountered Ning Lu, he might as well take this opportunity to let her think of a solution. After all, as a direct disciple, she had far more experience than him. Maybe she might stumble upon a solution by chance.
“This kind of restriction…”
Ning Lu was very intelligent. After thinking for a moment, she understood and asked with a smile, “You don’t want to bring her to our sect for help, right?”
“Not for now,” Su Che replied honestly. “If I can’t solve it myself, that’s the only option.”
“Mm,” Ning Lu nodded. “Actually, lifting this kind of restriction isn’t difficult. A Golden Core cultivator skilled in restrictions should be able to handle it. If you can’t find one, I’ll find one for you, but you’ll have to pay a certain fee. You’re not short of money, are you?”

Su Che chuckled and nodded, saying, “If it’s just spirit stones, I can definitely afford them.”
“That’s good.” Ning Lu slapped her thigh, showing determination, “It’s no big deal—easy to handle!”
“It’s fine if this matter can be resolved within the next ten months,” Su Che said.
“I’ll return to my sect in about half a year,” Ning Lu said, taking out a communication jade talisman and handing it over. “Just send me a message then.”
“Then thank you, senior sister,” Su Che bowed.
“You’re welcome!”
Ning Lu waved her hand, then abruptly changed the topic to another matter: “Given your bone age and cultivation level, you must have ambitions to become a true disciple, right?”
“Yes,” Su Che nodded.
“That’s right. Since you beat me, I have high hopes for you!”
With that, she leaped up, mounted her flying sword, and soared into the air, shouting, “If you can catch up to me, I’ll do one more thing for you.”
This time, she played tricks and ran away first.
“Goodbye, senior sister. I’m not going that way,” Su Che called back with a smile.
High in the sky, Ning Lu waved casually to say goodbye, having already guessed this would be the answer.
“That woman is really…” In the Immortal Prison, Lao He rested his chin and commented, “Master, you’d better be prepared. It seems unlikely to find a decent person among the true disciples of Tianxuan Sect.”
Su Che laughed heartily, picked up the jade dish, and flew in another direction.
Sujiang County in the Eastern Jin Dynasty was essentially a county controlled by the Su family, a cultivation family. However, the people of Sujiang County were unaware of the affairs in the cultivation world. In their eyes, the Su family was the master of the entire county, and their family records even clearly stated that Sujiang County was founded by the Su family six hundred years ago.
The Su family was generous; even during the worst famines, no one in Sujiang County starved to death. Thus, their prestige in the area was unmatched. Even the county magistrate had to bow and be polite when meeting them…
In the eyes of the common people, the Su family was like local emperors, but they didn’t know that the Su family also had its own troubles and could face disasters as well.
Half a month ago, a group of rogue cultivators came, nine in total, led by two cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage. They claimed they wanted to capture a vicious dragon in the Sujiang River and stay at the Su family’s residence for a month.

Speaking of which, as a cultivation family, it’s common for peers from the cultivation world to come seeking help from time to time. But this time, it seems the Su family has encountered serious trouble. The two lead cultivators, both at the Foundation Establishment stage, one of whom is extremely lecherous—already entangled with a female cultivator among their group—have now set their eyes on the women of the Su family. At first, they were cautious due to their lack of knowledge about the Su family. As they stayed longer, they discovered that the Su family didn’t have any Foundation Establishment cultivators to protect them. Thus, their audacity grew, and their behavior became increasingly outrageous. If the leaders are scoundrels, their followers are surely no better. Just now, another maid tried to commit suicide by jumping into a well after being touched on the face and grabbed by the buttocks by one of those perverts… “Family head, this can’t go on! If we delay any longer, disaster will surely strike.” At that moment, the core members of the Su family gathered once again in the family hall, all looking worried and anxious. The current family head of the Su family, Su Yunshan—also Su Che’s second great-grandfather—is already 87 years old but only at the ninth level of Qi Cultivation, far too weak to control those rogue cultivators. “The Su family has truly declined!” Su Yunshan, who appears to be just a sixty-year-old man with grayish-white hair, usually full of energy and upright in posture, now wore a worried expression, his eyes somewhat clouded. It seemed he had realized that the Su family was about to face a great calamity—one that would be difficult to overcome. At that moment, Su Che’s father, Su Qinglin, sighed, “I’ve hinted to them repeatedly that my son Su Che is now an inner disciple of Tianxuan Sect. At just 18 years old, he has reached the highest level of Qi Cultivation, with an unlimited future… Yet they still show no restraint. These past few days, they’ve not only been harassing the servants but also… ‘Cheer…’” Family head Su Yunshan murmured, “Cheer is a good boy. It’s a pity that these rogue cultivators, with no roots or ties and wandering around, are not like those from sects who hold deep reverence for Tianxuan Sect.” The others nodded in agreement. Rogue cultivators are a mixed bunch—some are good, while many are reckless outlaws. Some commit crimes in one place and can escape thousands of miles away that very night. Even if pursued by multiple sects, they’re often hard to catch, and most cases end unresolved.

The cultivation world is vast; trying to catch a person is like searching for a needle in a haystack. Thus, for the Su family, such rogue cultivators who show up often present the most difficult situations. Similar situations had occurred before, but none were as severe as today. Su Yunshan continued, “Cultivators can never lack gold, silver, or worldly possessions. If they truly craved women, they would have ways to satisfy their desires without coming to our house and acting like desperate men. Undoubtedly, their lust is just a pretense to test our tolerance limit…” The old man grew more and more angry. After calming himself slightly, he continued, “Their real aim is the wealth that the Su family has accumulated over a thousand years! If no one from our clan steps in to stop them, within a day or two, they will definitely take action!” Silence fell in the hall, the atmosphere heavy with tension. Everyone agreed with the family head’s assessment but couldn’t think of any solution. Su Qinglin thought for a moment before saying in a grave voice, “If all else fails, let’s secretly send the women and children away tonight, leaving only us here to defend the house. If things really escalate to a life-or-death struggle, we won’t have to worry about anyone else.” “There’s another method,” said another old man—Su Che’s grandfather, Su Yuntang, who was also the third brother of the family head Su Yunshan. Su Yuntang narrowed his eyes and said solemnly, “If all else fails, I’ll jump into the Su River and find that Silver Beard Dragon, explain the situation to it, and make it understand that the enemies of the Su family are also its enemies.” “No, Father!” Su Qinglin was shocked and quickly tried to dissuade him, “That Silver Beard Dragon is still in its juvenile stage, with very limited intelligence. It won’t understand you at all. Going there is just asking for death.” “Who says it won’t understand?” Su Yuntang glared fiercely and said in a deep voice, “I’ll use the Soul-Burning Art to communicate with it mentally. I doubt it won’t understand!” “The Soul-Burning Art?” At these words, everyone paled. The Soul-Burning Art wasn’t a sophisticated spell; it was a self-destructive method used in desperate situations to unleash potential. Once used, the consequences were tragic—not just death after the ritual, but according to legends, one’s soul would be incomplete upon reincarnation, preventing them from being human and forcing them to be reborn as an animal… “Third brother, you can’t…” The family head Su Yunshan tried to persuade him, but Su Yuntang raised his hand to stop him.

“To be able to act like an animal is already quite good.” Su Che’s biological grandfather stood up, facing the ancestral tablets. His body trembled slightly, but his words were firm: “If one destroys the Su family out of cowardice, in the next life, they won’t even deserve to be an animal!”