Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts-Chapter 352 - Let’s Talk About Cooperation (Two in One Chapter)

“…”

Xu Ming would never acknowledge this person as his mother.

Nor would he acknowledge that so-called grandfather he had never even met.

What a joke! Just because of a blood relationship, she’s his mother? And just because of a blood relationship, that sect’s Ascension Realm expert is his grandfather? Xu Ming would never accept that.

Chen Suya smiled faintly. “I know there are a lot of thoughts in your mind, and I can understand your hostility toward me right now. That’s normal. After all, from your perspective, I almost personally killed your biological mother before.

But no matter how much you deny me, I am your mother, and you are my child. The bond of blood between us won’t change. Child, the blood flowing in your veins has always been mine.”

“Blood is blood; emotion is emotion. I acknowledge you are my mother, but my mother is not you.” Xu Ming spoke calmly.

Hearing Xu Ming’s words, Chen Suya was momentarily stunned, then smiled faintly. “Your personality doesn’t resemble mine; it’s more like your father’s. Honestly, I wish your personality were more like mine. Sigh…”

Xu Ming replied, “I am who I am.”

“Alright, alright,” Chen Suya said, her tone carrying a hint of indulgence, as if she were looking at a rebellious teenage son. To her, no matter what Xu Ming said, he was always right.

“We’ve talked so much about this and that, but you haven’t told me what you wanted to discuss. Let’s get to the main point. What terms did that Wu Emperor agree to?” Chen Suya smiled as she looked at Xu Ming.

Xu Ming didn’t answer immediately but instead studied Chen Suya, trying to figure out what this woman was really thinking.

To be honest, Xu Ming wasn’t sure how Chen Suya saw him. Although she kept claiming he was her son, Xu Ming didn’t believe she truly had much affection for him.

Most cultivators, the stronger their cultivation, the more they valued themselves and the more indifferent they became to blood ties. In the hearts of most cultivators, there was room only for themselves.

“Does the Canglan Sect want revenge?” Xu Ming asked Chen Suya directly.

“…” Chen Suya was momentarily taken aback, then smiled. “What are you talking about?”

“You know exactly what I’m asking.” Xu Ming got straight to the point, not bothering with further pretense. “The Wu Emperor told me that two hundred years ago, your Canglan Sect obtained something, and that led to a siege by ten sects in the Northern Wastelands. So I’m asking you—does your Canglan Sect want revenge?”

Hearing Xu Ming’s words, Chen Suya looked at him with interest. “During that annihilation, nine out of ten cultivators from the Canglan Sect perished. Even your grandfather died in battle. Do you think I want revenge?

I’m not a block of stone; I’m a person. You might not believe me when I say this, but your mother is a very emotional person.

Ever since the Canglan Sect was destroyed, I’ve thought about revenge every single moment. Every single moment, I’ve thought about crushing the bones of those bastards, pulling their tendons out one by one! Those people think it’s all over, but they don’t know—they will definitely pay for what they did!”

Hearing Chen Suya’s words, Xu Ming could tell she was speaking the absolute truth. The kind of deep-seated fury she expressed was impossible to fake.

“If you want revenge, then the two of us can cooperate—or more accurately, the Canglan Sect can cooperate with the Wu Kingdom,” Xu Ming continued. “On your own, it will be very difficult to succeed in your revenge. But the Wu Kingdom can help you. With their help, your path to revenge will be much smoother.”

“Is this all the Wu Emperor’s idea?” Chen Suya asked. “Did he tell you to say this to me?”

Xu Ming nodded. “That’s right.”

“What do I need to do, then?” Chen Suya asked curiously, looking at Xu Ming. “You’re not suggesting I erase myself, are you? That’s not happening. I must take my revenge personally. My other personality knows nothing—she’s just an ordinary woman.

And Ming’er, if you’re thinking of having ‘Mother’ take her own life, I would be very heartbroken.”

Xu Ming shook his head. “I won’t make you take your own life, and I know you wouldn’t do it anyway. That’s an impossible demand for you. So how about we both take a step back?”

Chen Suya smiled. “Sure, but how do we take that step back?”

Xu Ming looked at her seriously. “I want you to sign a contract guaranteeing that you will never erase my mother’s personality in this lifetime.”

“…”

Xu Ming and “Chen Suya” locked eyes.

Silence fell between them.

Xu Ming waited for her response.

To be honest, Xu Ming wasn’t sure if Chen Suya would agree to his request.

But from Xu Ming’s perspective, this was his bottom line. If he couldn’t even protect his mother’s personality, then there was nothing left to discuss.

On the other hand, this was also the only thing he could do right now.

Until he found another solution, this was the best option. For now, at least he could ensure his mother’s personality remained intact, and he’d deal with the rest later.

Chen Suya looked up at the sky and sighed lightly. “It seems the Wu Emperor treats you quite well. I didn’t expect him to go this far for you. He’s acting like he’s your real father or something.”

“The Wu Emperor has indeed been good to me.”

Xu Ming nodded. A gentleman judges by actions, not intentions. No matter what the Wu Emperor’s true motives were, he had undeniably treated Xu Ming well so far.

And to be honest, the Wu Emperor was, in a way, his “father” since Xu Ming had, well… gotten involved with his daughter.

“Hahaha,” Chen Suya chuckled, then continued, “But the Wu Emperor isn’t doing this just for you. The Wu Kingdom has long-standing enmity with the Northern Wastelands.

The Wu Kingdom borders the Northern Wastelands and the Southern Realm’s Demon Kingdoms. Even though the ten dynasties of the Central Plains preach mutual assistance, in reality, they’re constantly tripping each other up, never fully trusting one another.

For the Wu Kingdom to secure the Northern Wastelands, they’d create a buffer zone. If the Southern Realm’s Demon Kingdoms ever acts up, the Wu Kingdom could retreat to the Northern Wastelands, avoiding the danger of being caught between two enemies or betrayed by the Central Plains dynasties.

But your Wu Kingdom doesn’t have a direct path to break into the Northern Wastelands. Our Canglan Sect, however, has existed there for millennia. Even though we were destroyed, we still have connections across the Northern Wastelands.

Not to mention, many of our people escaped, went into hiding, and have been quietly rebuilding their forces. With our help, your Wu Kingdom’s conquest of the Northern Wastelands will be much easier.

Remember, Ming’er, no one besides your mother—me—will ever treat you well without a reason. If someone treats you kindly, they always have an agenda.”

“I know.” Xu Ming hadn’t expected Chen Suya to immediately grasp the heart of the matter.

At first, Xu Ming had been so moved by the Wu Emperor’s kindness that he nearly swore lifelong loyalty. It wasn’t until he was riding the carriage away from the palace that he started to see the bigger picture.

As expected of a cultivator at the Immortal Realm—and a former sect master, no less.

“So, do you accept or not?” Xu Ming asked. “If your Canglan Sect is acting alone, revenge won’t be easy.”

“Emmmm…”

Chen Suya thought about it seriously.

“I accept! Why wouldn’t I? I’ve got nothing to lose, and you’re right—overturning the Northern Wastelands with just the Canglan Sect is almost impossible. There are still many sects supporting them.”

She smiled and added, “Not only will I agree to your terms, but I’ll also promise not to monopolize the body of ‘the mother in your heart.’ How about that? Am I being generous enough?”

Xu Ming: “…”

Xu Ming didn’t expect that Chen Suya would agree to all his conditions so readily.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Chen Suya sighed. “I told you before, even a tiger won’t harm its cubs. I’m your mother. How could I stand to watch you being constantly wary of me, living every day on edge and unhappy?”

Xu Ming: “…”

“I know you don’t trust me, but that doesn’t bother me~”

Chen Suya stood up and looked at Xu Ming. “Let’s go.”

Xu Ming: “Go where?”

“Silly child.”

Chen Suya reached out and flicked Xu Ming’s forehead lightly.

“Where else? The palace, of course. What’s the point of talking to you about all this? I need to speak with your so-called emperor and thank him personally for taking care of my child all these years~”

Xu Ming: “…”

He wanted to say something more, but Chen Suya had already stepped out of the courtyard.

“Madam.”

“Madam.”

The servants she passed bowed hurriedly as they greeted her.

Chen Suya returned their gestures with a polite smile.

The servants in the Xu household were still unaware of what had happened with Chen Suya.

Though the events of that night had caused quite a commotion—and even a few personal maids had learned of it—the Old matriarch of the family had issued a strict order: anyone who dared to gossip would have their tongues cut out.

In a household with such strict rules, most people only knew that something had happened in the Xiaochun Courtyard that night, but they had no idea what it was.

As they walked, Chen Suya encountered the Old matriarch, Xu Shuiya, and Xu Zheng.

When the three saw her approaching, their hearts skipped a beat, and for a moment, none of them dared to speak.

They couldn’t tell if the person in front of them was the gentle, virtuous wife and mother they knew or the unfamiliar “Chen Suya.”

Chen Suya smiled as she approached them, curtsying politely. “This humble one greets the matriarch, the master, and my husband.”

There was something slightly off about her tone, and the Old matriarch and others instinctively turned to Xu Ming for an explanation. Their gazes seemed to ask, What’s going on? Who is she?

Xu Ming sighed. “She’s not my mother.”

He didn’t know how else to explain it, so he left it at that.

That was enough.

The way they looked at Chen Suya grew even more complicated and cautious.

“There’s no need to look at me like that,” Chen Suya said with a smile. “I must thank you all for taking care of Suya all these years.”

“You’re too kind, miss,” the Old matriarch replied, her experience and age helping her quickly regain composure.

“I have some matters to attend to in the palace, so I won’t stay to chat. I ask for your understanding,” Chen Suya said.

“Of course, of course. Your matters take precedence,” the Old matriarch replied with a kind smile, though she seemed as if she feared Chen Suya might suddenly lash out violently.

Chen Suya nodded, curtsied again, and then left the Xu household.

Xu Ming and Chen Suya boarded a carriage headed for the palace.

Xu Ming had already been granted permission to enter the palace without prior notice, so they went straight in.

Upon arriving, Xu Ming led Chen Suya directly to the main hall, while a maid hurried ahead to announce their arrival.

As Chen Suya walked through the grand palace halls, she glanced around as if reminiscing.

“This palace hasn’t changed much in two hundred years,” she said with a smile.

“You’ve been here before?” Xu Ming looked at her.

“Of course I have,” Chen Suya replied with a grin. “Don’t underestimate your mother. I’ve been to many places, you know.”

Xu Ming: “…”

Chen Suya glanced at Xu Ming with a smile and said, “There are some things your mother can tell you, and I will tell you. But there are also things I cannot tell you, and I won’t say them.

“But you need to understand, the reason I don’t tell you is not because I’m guarding against you or anything like that—it’s for your own good. Many things are taboo if your cultivation level isn’t high enough. Once your cultivation level is sufficient, you’ll naturally come to know them.”

Xu Ming felt a bit uncomfortable. “Are you lecturing me now?”

“Yes~” Chen Suya’s smile grew even brighter. “I’m your mother, after all. Isn’t it natural for a mother to guide her child? Oh, and one more thing, Ming’er—this is very important, so remember it well: the prettier the girl, the more likely she is to deceive. When it comes to women, don’t trust everything they say.”

Xu Ming: “…”

Xu Ming chose to ignore Chen Suya and didn’t respond.

Before long, they arrived at the Imperial Study.

Wei Xun was already waiting outside the doors.

“Greetings to the top scholar, greetings to Madam,” Wei Xun said cheerfully, as if he were completely unaware of the situation. His flawless performance only proved why he was such a trusted figure by the emperor’s side.

“Eunuch Wei,” Xu Ming bowed politely.

Chen Suya also gave a slight curtsey.

“You’re both too kind,” Wei Xun replied, straightening up. “Madam Xu, His Majesty is waiting for you inside the study.”

“Understood.” Chen Suya pushed open the doors and stepped inside.

Wei Xun bent slightly at the waist and closed the door behind her.

Xu Ming looked at Wei Xun.

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Though he said nothing, Wei Xun understood exactly what Xu Ming wanted to ask. He replied with a smile, “Top scholar, His Majesty has instructed that only Madam Xu may enter.”