Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 216 - 150: Giving Up

Lu Chang’sheng felt a chill in his heart.

Although Zhu Er had apparently changed his attitude toward them, deep down, he still instinctively saw them as nothing but peasants.

That’s why he spoke so bluntly.

And Zhu Er didn’t seem to think there was anything wrong with what he said, not the slightest hint of apology, which made the three women glance at him sideways.

Luckily, at that moment, he seemed to notice their expressions and grinned, "I tend to speak my mind—don’t take it to heart. What matters most is figuring out the reason for all this."

Zhu Er continued, "Fortunately, before we came, I’d already used a Guiding Talisman to notify the clan. Someone should be here soon to negotiate with Master Lu."

But Zhu Er wasn’t particularly hopeful, because the Zhu Family was merely a Qi Cultivation clan; they had no Foundation Establishment Martial Artists.

Master Lu might not give them any face.

Sure enough, five days later, Zhu Er saw the clan’s representative arrive.

The newcomer looked somewhat troubled, glanced around at everyone, then pulled Zhu Er aside to talk.

Cultivators had their own techniques for blocking out sound, so Lu Chang’sheng had no idea what they discussed. It wasn’t until evening that Zhu Er gathered everyone together.

Then, he looked at Xu Zhuqing and Qin Wan in the group.

"I think we’ve figured out the reason. That True Man is indeed keeping us here because of you two."

As he spoke, Zhu Er seemed just as baffled.

After all, while Xu Zhuqing and Qin Wan were still attractive, they did look a bit faded and worn.

Still, thinking the Foundation Establishment True Man might have some method to restore their youth, he let it go.

"Master Lu is interested in both of you, but he’s not great at saying it out loud, so he’s using this... more considerate approach."

Lu Chang’sheng’s brow twitched.

Considerate really was the perfect choice of word.

But how was this sort of coercion in any way considerate?

Xu Zhuqing and Qin Wan had gone pale as a sheet.

"The True Man’s in the Spirit Realm—he can’t possibly be lacking for women. Is there no way to persuade him to let us go?"

The two women did share a bit of history with him.

And earlier, his teacher’s wife had told him to look after Xu Zhuqing whenever he could.

There was no way he’d let Xu Zhuqing walk into that fire right now.

Of course, he was just asking—if there was no way, he’d let it go as well.

You only eat what your hands can earn. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"And who’s this?" asked the Zhu Family member beside Zhu Er.

"This is Lu Chang’sheng, Patriarch of the Lu Family in Great Yuan. I heard his wife cultivates on Fuyun Mountain," Zhu Er quickly replied.

Clearly, this man’s status was higher than his own.

"So, Fellow Daoist Lu! Don’t worry, you’re all friends of the Zhu Family. We’ll do our best to help you resolve this."

Lu Chang’sheng fell silent inside. He knew the two had talked for quite a while earlier, and Zhu Er must have already filled him in—but now the man was pretending he knew nothing.

And strictly speaking, Qin Wan and Xu Zhuqing should be considered Zhu Family people.

Zhu Er had even brought them to the Spirit Realm in hopes of marrying them into the family, making them Zhu Family members.

But now, the man called them "friends," not "our own."

So much for relying on the Zhu Family.

And sure enough, for several days straight, that Zhu Family steward never showed his face again.

At night, Lu Chang’sheng sat with the others.

"Father, I think they don’t really want to help us." Lu Chang’an’s mind was sharper than most, a lot like his mother, Nangua.

Lu Chang’sheng felt a trace of interest and asked, "Why do you say that?"

"You can see the signs in their words, and in Zhu Qing’s low-key distancing of himself."

"Really? I thought everything seemed fine. As for Zhu Qing, well, hasn’t he always been like that?" Lu Ziyou was puzzled, recalling the way Zhu Qing and Zhu Er had acted these three days—nothing seemed off.

Lu Chang’sheng nodded inwardly with approval.

"Chang’an’s right. Ziyou, you should try learning more from your brother, or you’re going to get taken advantage of down the road."

Lu Ziyou nodded earnestly in agreement.

Zhu Er and company hid their intentions well, but a lie always leaves traces.

Especially Zhu Qing.

His acting wasn’t as good as Zhu Er’s or that steward’s, so Lu Chang’an had caught something off in his attitude.

Even Xu Zhuqing and the others hadn’t noticed it.

"Aren’t you guys overthinking things?"

Xu Zhuqing said gently.

"No." Lu Chang’sheng looked at her, sighing inwardly. "If I’m not mistaken, it won’t be long before that Zhu Family steward comes to tell you how hard he tried over these days—but in the end, he failed, and he’ll earnestly hope you’ll reconsider and become Master Lu’s concubine."

"So what do they gain by doing this?"

"Simple. They’re still uncertain about your final choice, so they’ll do whatever they can not to offend you. Because if you really do become Master Lu’s concubine, you’ll become a real headache for the Zhu Family."

Listening to Lu Chang’sheng, Xu Zhuqing chose to trust him.

Because she’d witnessed this man claw his way up from nothing.

He seemed to have eyes that could see right through any mask.

"As unpleasant as it may sound, I still have to ask you: are you truly unwilling to stay here?"

Lu Chang’sheng took a deep breath and asked.

Xu Zhuqing didn’t hesitate for an instant and nodded.

"If I stay here, I won’t make it through a single day."

Lu Chang’sheng nodded in acknowledgement.