Chapter 8: Third Uncle's Helplessness

The Mystic Vessel crafted from Azure Mystic Wood glided smoothly through the sea of clouds, leaving far behind the Yunjin City that had drained Third Master Si of every last drop of energy.

Inside the cabin, Si Shuo let out a long breath and plopped down onto a cushioned seat, feeling more exhausted than if he had fought three hundred rounds against a cultivator of equal rank.

He glared at his nephew sitting across from him — perfectly calm, utterly unruffled — and felt a surge of irritation he couldn't quite place.

"Come here, brat," Si Shuo said, doing his best to sound authoritative.

Si Chen obeyed, walking over and tilting his small face upward, his eyes clear and bright, the very picture of a student humbly awaiting instruction.

"Sit." Si Shuo patted the spot beside him.

Si Chen sat down obediently, his two short legs dangling in the air, his posture perfectly upright.

Looking at the boy's well-behaved manner, Si Shuo felt the last of his irritation inexplicably drain away by half — yet what needed to be said still had to be said.

He cleared his throat and tried to assume the bearing of a proper elder. "Chenchen, do you know why Third Uncle was in such a hurry to take you away?"

Si Chen thought back over the things Third Uncle had said these past few days and answered earnestly, "Because the feng shui of Yunjin City clashes with Third Uncle?"

Si Shuo nearly choked on his own breath. He gave the back of the boy's head an exasperated pat. "Clashes with nothing! It's because of you!"

He pointed at Si Chen, his expression pained. "Of all the things to learn, why did you have to learn to scatter your wealth like that? Do you have any idea how many generations an ordinary family could live off those 'modest little gifts' of yours?"

Si Chen rubbed the spot that had been patted and answered honestly, "I don't know."

Si Shuo was momentarily stumped. Remembering that this nephew truly had no concept of money, he changed tack. "Then let Third Uncle ask you this — why did you give away so many Spirit Stones?"

"Third Uncle, didn't you say that 'generosity, helping those in need — these are the greatest virtues'? I was practicing virtue."

"I..." Si Shuo was at a loss for words, feeling as though he had dug a pit and fallen into it himself.

He rubbed his temples and tried to explain the distinction to this little mind of his. "Virtue is virtue! But that doesn't mean you hand things out to everyone you meet and turn yourself into some Wealth-Scattering Boy! That's called being a pushover — do you understand? True generosity is offering coal in the dead of winter, not giving to whoever cries the loudest. Do you get it?"

Si Chen listened quietly. He didn't fully grasp the nuance of what Third Uncle was saying, but his mother had told him that when outside, he should listen to Third Uncle and let Third Uncle make the decisions.

He thought it over. Since Third Uncle said it was wrong, he had probably misunderstood something.

So he nodded. "I understand. I was in the wrong. I've caused Third Uncle to worry."

Watching his nephew admit his mistake so meekly, Si Shuo felt the last ember of his frustration gutter out entirely — and in its place came a faint twinge of guilt, wondering if he had been too harsh just now.

He sighed and ruffled Si Chen's hair with a broad hand. "All right, all right. As long as you know. You... sometimes you're frighteningly clever, and other times you're... Ah, forget it. Go play by the window. Let Third Uncle have a moment of peace."

He needed to think carefully about how to explain this trip's "glorious achievements" to his Elder Brother and sister-in-law when they got back.

Si Chen did as he was told and moved to the window, sitting quietly and gazing out at the churning sea of clouds in a daze.

Third Master Si watched the boy's small silhouette and felt equal parts amusement and helplessness.

This kid — scold him, and he admitted fault faster than anyone, his attitude so good it left you with nothing to be angry about. But who knew what new trick he'd come up with next time?

The Mystic Vessel passed through layer upon layer of mist, and the outlines of mountains and rivers gradually emerged below. The familiar Si Clan's Blessed Land was already visible in the distance.

* * *

Passing through the familiar barrier, the familiar pavilions and towers came into view.

Before the vessel had even come to a full stop, Si Shuo spotted Si Kai and Ye Fu already waiting in the plaza before the main courtyard below.

He drew a deep breath, scooped up Si Chen, and in a flash of movement landed on the ground.

"Elder Brother, Madam, we're back." Si Shuo did his best to keep his expression natural.

"Chenchen!"

Ye Fu pulled her son into her arms and looked him over carefully from head to toe, as though he hadn't been out on a journey but had ventured into some dragon's den.

"Let Mother look at you — have you lost weight? Were you mistreated out there?"

Si Chen leaned into his mother's warm embrace, feeling that wholehearted, unconditional concern wash over him. This feeling of being cared for... was deeply reassuring.

He shook his head gently. "Mother, I'm fine. Third Uncle took very good care of me. The people out there... most of them were very kind."

Beside them, Si Shuo's mouth twitched at those words. He thought to himself: "Kind" is right — they practically treated you like a little ancestor to be worshipped, while trying to empty out your Storage Ring at the same time.

Si Kai walked over as well. He gave Si Shuo a nod in greeting, then let his gaze settle on his son. He noticed that the Spiritual Energy around the boy was smooth and contained, his foundation so deep and solid that it far surpassed that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator. His heart gave an involuntary jolt.

He knew his son could not be measured by ordinary standards, so he simply reached out and gave Si Chen a light pat on the shoulder. "Good to have you back."

However, when his gaze shifted to Si Shuo, there was a distinct note of inquiry in his eyes.

Si Shuo felt a faint prickling at his scalp. He knew there was no escaping this.

* * *

Sure enough, once they were back in the hall, before the tea had even been served, Si Kai spoke. "Tell me. This trip — it sounds like it caused quite a stir."

Third Master Si steeled himself and began his report on the "results" of the Yunjin City excursion.

From the sensation caused by "Foundation Establishment at age seven," to the earth-shattering "I, this old one, cannot help but feel ashamed" at the banquet, and finally to the glorious deeds of the "Wealth-Scattering Boy..."

Si Shuo talked until his mouth ran dry, all the while carefully watching his Elder Brother and sister-in-law's expressions.

Ye Fu listened and couldn't hold back her laughter, pulling her son even closer. "Our Chenchen has a kind heart — just like me."

Second Master Si Che slapped his thigh and roared with laughter, rocking back and forth. "Hahaha! 'I, this old one, cannot help but feel ashamed'? 'A modest little gift, hardly worth presenting'? Elder Brother, this son of yours will be someone remarkable one day! That mouth alone could choke an opponent half to death!"

Si Shuo shot his Second Brother a disgruntled look. Just wait until it's your turn to take the kid out — then you'll understand!

Si Kai listened with an expression caught somewhere between laughter and exasperation.

He looked over at Si Chen, who sat quietly beside his mother as though the entire discussion had nothing to do with him, and after a moment's thought, spoke. "Enough. It's only a few Spirit Stones. Chenchen is still young — going through all this is not necessarily a bad thing."

"Chenchen, now that you have established your Foundation, you have officially set foot on the path of Cultivation. The Spiritual Energy within the clan's Blessed Land is abundant, but shutting yourself away and studying alone is not the best approach."

He paused, then continued. "In a little while, perhaps we should find a suitable Sect or Academy for you — somewhere you can see a broader world, and spend more time with... peers your own age."

He phrased it diplomatically, but the meaning was plain enough.

If the boy stayed home all the time, or only kept company with Second Uncle and Third Uncle, he would never learn how to navigate ordinary human relationships. He needed to be thrown in among children his own age and have some of the rough edges worn off.

The experience in Yunjin City was the clearest proof of that — the clan's protection and the reverence of others had actually skewed his understanding of the real world.

Si Chen raised his head.

A Sect? An Academy?

Would such a place be more complicated — and more interesting — than Yunjin City?

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Edited by Fat Goose