Hearing Chu Bai’s words, the Clan Chief felt a measure of relief, and his smile grew a little more sincere.
’As long as Immortal Master Chu still recognizes his family ties and acknowledges the favor, then all my past investments won’t have been for nothing.’
However, seeing Chu Bai return home at such a young age, the Clan Chief couldn’t help but feel a flicker of doubt.
’Logically, the Daoist School’s program is three years. Why is he back after only one?’
’Could it be... he got into some trouble at the Daoist School? Or was his aptitude lacking, and they asked him to leave?’
The moment the thought surfaced, the Clan Chief’s heart skipped a beat, and a cold sweat trickled down his back. But how could he possibly voice such a question?
’This is a Cultivator!’
’Even if he was expelled from the Daoist School, with his abilities, crushing me would be as easy as crushing an ant. If I ask the wrong thing and push his buttons, making him fly into a rage out of humiliation, I’ll really be asking for it.’
In this world, a gap in Cultivation was a natural chasm. Even though he was a clan elder, in front of Chu Bai, he could only address him respectfully as "Immortal Master," not daring to put on the slightest air of a senior.
"Clan Chief, please come in. Father, Mother, we have a guest. Would you please make a pot of tea?"
Chu Bai’s expression remained placid as he led the Clan Chief and his entourage into the main hall.
Seeing Chu Bai’s composed and unhurried bearing, the Clan Chief felt an even greater mix of reverence and awe. He could only force a careful smile, set down the gifts he had brought, and offer some flattering pleasantries about how Chu Bai’s presence honored their humble home. He didn’t dare ask a single prying question.
The fragrance of tea curled through the air as steam rose in the simple hall.
After a few pleasantries, the Clan Chief set down his teacup. His expression grew hesitant as he seemed to weigh his words.
He glanced at Chu Xianglin and his wife sitting nearby, then back at the serene Chu Bai, before finally speaking tentatively.
"Immortal Master Chu, there is one other matter this old man must trouble you with."
"Your second uncle, Chu Huaiyuan, has often mentioned wanting to come to the village to visit your parents recently, but I have managed to dissuade him each time."
At the mention of his second uncle, the atmosphere in the room grew subtly tense.
Although he had done them the favor of lending money for the tuition, everyone was well aware of his later scheming and the very real rift that had formed between them, even if no one had openly acknowledged it.
The Clan Chief watched Chu Bai’s face as he continued cautiously, "His cloth business in the city is doing quite well now, but... he’s been borrowing your influence to get ahead."
"He tells everyone he meets that the top candidate from the Daoist School trials is his own nephew, and he constantly uses your name to attract business. I’m not sure what to make of it, so I wanted to know what Immortal Master Chu thinks of this."
The Clan Chief’s question was very tactful.
He was afraid that Chu Huaiyuan’s actions would one day stir up trouble and implicate the Chu Family Village. He was even more afraid that if Chu Bai harbored ill will toward his second uncle, he, the Clan Chief, would be blamed for not intervening.
If Chu Bai were to give so much as a disapproving nod, or even just a frown, the Clan Chief would lead men to tear down Chu Huaiyuan’s shop sign the very next day to vent the Immortal Master’s frustrations for him.
Chu Bai didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he turned to look at his parents.
His father, Chu Xianglin, had his head bowed as he smoked his dry pipe, while his mother, Mrs. Li, sighed in resignation. They were blood brothers, after all, and there was still the matter of the emergency loan. Even though his uncle had been calculating, as parents, they found it difficult to be the ones to tear through that last veneer of civility.
As for Chu Bai...
An image surfaced in his mind: the faint presence he had sensed hiding in the courtyard, secretly watching, as he left after repaying the debt.
’There was a favor, but there was also calculation.’
Chu Bai shook his head with a wry smile, finding the whole situation faintly ridiculous.
In the past, he might have felt indignant.
But now, looking back at such petty family squabbles, it was like watching ants fight over crumbs. He simply couldn’t bring himself to care.
’The path of Cultivation is long. If I waste my energy on every trivial matter like this, how will I have any left to pursue the Great Dao?’
"Let him be."
Chu Bai picked up his teacup, his tone even. "What happened before is in the past. I hold no grudge."
Hearing this, the Clan Chief and Chu Bai’s parents all let out a visible sigh of relief.
"However..."
Chu Bai’s tone shifted, and a glint of unquestionable clarity entered his eyes. "What’s past is past, but from this day forward, using my name for his business must stop."
"And why is that?" The Clan Chief was taken aback.
Chu Bai set down his teacup, the porcelain making a soft CLINK against the wooden table.
"Because I have already passed the Daoist School’s assessment. In a few days, I will be formally taking up a post with the Anping County Evil Suppression Department."
Chu Bai looked at the Clan Chief and spoke slowly. "If he continues to solicit business in my name or accept favors from others, on a small scale, it’s just borrowing my authority. But on a larger scale... it borders on soliciting and accepting bribes."
"That’s an accusation he cannot afford, and I don’t have the time to clean up his messes."
"What?!"
The Clan Chief’s hand shook so badly that the tea he’d just lifted nearly sloshed onto his trousers. His eyes bulged, and his mouth fell open, staying that way for a long moment.
’The Evil Suppression Department?!’
’Just moments ago, I was still fretting, worried he’d been expelled from the Daoist School, racking my brain for a way to politely send this deity on his way without causing offense.’
’Who would have thought! Not only was he not kicked out, but he’s gone and become a Lord Official in the Evil Suppression Department?!’
’That’s the Government Office that handles all demons, ghosts, and monsters—they hold the power of life and death!’
"This... This is wonderful news! A truly momentous occasion!"
The Clan Chief was so excited his voice cracked. Without a moment’s hesitation, he thumped his chest and declared, "Immortal Master Chu—ah, no, Lord Chu, rest assured! I understand the gravity of the situation!"

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