CHAPTER 37: CHAPTER 37: LUCK

EDITOR: DRAGON BOAT TRANSLATION

Nalan Xin is ten years old this year, and although she hasn’t fully grown into her features yet, it’s clear that her looks will not be any less than Nalan Qing’s. Moreover, her father, Nalan Wang, is the next head of the Nalan Family and dotes on her greatly, which positions her higher than Nalan Qing within the family.

Just earlier, she clamored for grilled meat, and Nalan Qing, wanting to show off as well as get closer to Nan Hua and the others, volunteered to go. As soon as she saw Nalan Qing returning, she hurried to meet her.

"Sister Qing, where’s the grilled meat?" she asked, as she searched Nalan Qing’s person, as if afraid she might have hidden it.

Nalan Qing had already been frustrated by Nan Hua and the others, and she nearly lost her temper with Nalan Xin upon hearing her question. Fortunately, she remembered Nalan Xin’s status and held back, quickly adjusting her expression.

"I asked them, and they said the grilled meat was for their junior sister and that they didn’t want to share it with others. I even offered to buy it with spirit currency, but they refused. Xin, sister tried her best. You won’t blame me, will you?" Nalan Qing said to Nalan Xin with an air of grievance.

Upon hearing that Nalan Qing failed to procure the grilled meat, Nalan Xin was quite disappointed. However, listening to Nalan Qing’s explanation, she looked at her with a hint of surprise, "Sister Qing, how could I blame you? It’s not your fault. It was their property, and if they don’t wish to share, so be it!"

Nalan Qing’s face froze at these words, a trace of resentment flickering in her eyes, yet her smile remained unchanged.

"You’re right, Xin. That’s what I thought too. I’m so relieved you don’t blame me!" Nalan Qing said, holding Nalan Xin’s hand and walking towards where Nalan Jin, who led the Nalan Family’s group, was stationed.

...

After spending a night in the outskirts, the group resumed their journey in the morning.

This time, however, they were joined by members of the Nalan Family. The Nalan Family was also heading to the Zhuo Family for an affair that was not simply about celebrating Zhuo Tingqiu’s birthday but also about confirming the identity of the heir. Therefore, invitations had been sent to other sects and noble families, and the Nalan Family had been invited.

Initially, Gu Qingqing and her group with their Heavenly Qilin Horses could travel faster than the Nalan Family members, yet Nan Hua and the others wanted Gu Qingqing to leisurely tour around and thus did not hasten, causing the two groups to occasionally meet.

Every time Nalan Qing saw Nan Hua and the others, she thought of their cold attitude towards her yet found herself captivated by Nan Hua’s appearance, feeling terribly conflicted.

Nalan Xin, however, openly admired their looks and felt a fondness towards Gu Qingqing.

Eventually, both groups reached the Zhuo Family at the same time. Zhuo Tingqiu had already received the news of Gu Qingqing’s arrival and was waiting at the gate for them. Seeing the two groups arrive together, he was slightly surprised.

He first approached Gu Qingqing’s side. As Nan Hua was disembarking from the carriage, he quickly greeted him with a hands-on salute, "Mr. Nan, welcome to the Zhuo Family."

Nan Hua returned the salute to Zhuo Tingqiu and then turned his attention, extending a hand to carefully help Gu Qingqing down from the carriage while ignoring Jun Wu, who followed Gu Qingqing and alighted on his own.

"Geng Geng, it’s wonderful that you could come," Zhuo Tingqiu said, his eyes lighting up as he stepped forward, filled with joy at seeing her.

Gu Qingqing gave Zhuo Tingqiu a broad smile.

"Let’s go inside quickly, I want to show you the courtyard I’ve prepared for you. I’ve arranged it especially with your tastes in mind," Zhuo Tingqiu said, placing great importance on this good friend and having arranged the room especially upon learning of Gu Qingqing’s visit. He now impatiently wanted to showcase it to her.

Hearing this, Gu Qingqing’s eyes sparkled, and she nodded eagerly, following behind Zhuo Tingqiu.

Nalan Qing and the others watching from nearby were all a bit shocked by the scene.

The Zhuo Family’s representative welcoming them was Zhuo Tingqiu’s cousin, Zhuo Tingye, who, though surprised by the scene himself, managed better than Nalan Qing and her group, assisting Zhuo Tingqiu in explaining.

"Those earlier are Tingqiu’s friends, and he’s been eagerly awaiting their arrival. Today, he’s overjoyed, so please overlook any oversight," Zhuo Tingye explained, bowing.

Though curious about Nan Hua and the others’ identities, Nalan Jin waved it off, showing he was not concerned.

Zhuo Tingye swiftly led them in.

Gu Qingqing and her group followed Zhuo Tingqiu to first pay respects to his father, the current head of the Zhuo Family, Zhuo Zhen Song.

Back home, Zhuo Tingqiu briefed on his encounter with Gu Qingqing and the others, emphasizing the mysterious air around them and their formidable cultivation, suggesting they were no ordinary people.

Zhuo Zhen Song, as the family head, naturally knew more than Zhuo Tingqiu. From his son’s description, it was clear that Nan Hua and his companions were likely disciples of a Hidden Sect and possibly connected to the Upper Realm, thus prompting his full attention.

Upon learning of Gu Qingqing’s group’s impending visit, he advised Zhuo Tingqiu to treat them with care. Meeting them now and unable to discern the cultivation level of any of Nan Hua’s group, he was inwardly astonished but concealed it, maintaining an even more affable demeanor.

Exchanging a few pleasantries with Zhuo Zhen Song, he had Zhuo Tingqiu take them to rest. After Zhuo Tingqiu and the others departed, Zhuo Zhen Song discussed Gu Qingqing and her companions with his housekeeper.

"These people, both in appearance and demeanor, are exceptionally distinctive. Among the young people on the Xuantian Continent, few can compare. Those two young ones, indeed, that young girl is already at the third stage of cultivation and that boy at the fourth; I could not see through the cultivation levels of those three young men!" Zhuo Zhen Song marveled to the housekeeper.

"They must surely be disciples of a Hidden Sect. We are well aware of the prominent forces on the Xuantian Continent. If they were disciples possessed of such impressive prowess, the whole world would have known. Our young master is fortunate to have befriended them!" Housekeeper Lin, who knew Zhuo Zhen Song well and had watched Zhuo Tingqiu grow up, regarded Zhuo Tingqiu as his own child. Thus, Zhuo Tingqiu’s good fortune brought him happiness, too.

"You’re right; it’s Tingqiu’s luck. After his last training expedition, he has clearly matured a lot, and that reassures me," Zhuo Zhen Song responded, unable to hide the pride in his voice when mentioning Zhuo Tingqiu.

Zhuo Tingqiu’s appointment as the heir at the age of ten was not solely due to being Zhuo Zhen Song’s son but also because he was able to earn the approval of other Zhuo Family elders, without which even Zhuo Zhen Song could not have decided alone.

...

The conversation between Zhuo Zhen Song and Housekeeper Lin was unbeknownst to Gu Qingqing and her companions, who, under Zhuo Tingqiu’s guidance, arrived at their designated courtyard accommodations.