Worldwide Awakening: My Soul Kinds Are Lost-Chapter 417: Picked up another chance at the door_1
Three days passed, and the Liu Family swiftly withdrew from Baihe County.
"I owe you a great deal for this, Cousin Cheng Li. If not for the main family’s intervention, I fear my Baihe Cheng Family would have had its lineage severed," Cheng Xun said with self-deprecation, finally understanding the vast gap between his branch family and the main one.
Cheng Li was a young man, slightly older than Cheng Xun. However, at his young age, he was not only already a Spirit Master but also possessed a Child’s Title. It was said he aimed to advance further this year by taking the examination to become a Scholar.
"We are of the same roots; how could I stand by and watch an outsider bully you?" Cheng Li’s words were pleasant, but if Cheng Xun hadn’t produced the *Bright Heart Treasure Mirror: Exhortation to Study*, which the main family desired, Cheng Li wouldn’t have been so willing to come.
The main family already possessed seventeen parts. They only needed three more to complete the entire *Bright Heart Treasure Mirror*. This was the primary reason they had helped Cheng Xun. Otherwise, no matter how much was offered, they might not have bothered.
"This is a small token of my esteem. Please accept it, Cousin Cheng Li," Cheng Xun said. Housekeeper Zhou stepped forward, holding a tray covered with a red cloth.
Cheng Xun took it and passed it to Cheng Li.
Cheng Li didn’t take it immediately. Instead, he lifted the red cloth. Seeing the tray laden with gold, a faint smile touched his lips. He quickly covered it again and then accepted the tray.
"You are too kind, Cousin. The main family has always been concerned about you all. We’ve simply been too busy and haven’t had a moment to come and offer our condolences."
"This occasion provided a good opportunity." Cheng Li’s attitude shifted immediately.
The *Bright Heart Treasure Mirror: Exhortation to Study* was for the family; he personally gained nothing from it, so that was official business. But the gold Cheng Xun gave him was his own. Having accepted this benefit, if he still acted officially and wore a stern face, it would mean he lacked any understanding of worldly etiquette. Cheng Xun was also perceptive enough to offer this, but it was clear there would be nothing more forthcoming from him.
"Outsiders always imagine us Great Families live in opulence every day, but they don’t know the hardships we face behind the scenes. We’re so busy it’s dizzying; what time is there for leisure?" Cheng Xun naturally continued the conversation.
With this tray of gold as a foundation, the conversation naturally warmed up, no longer as stiff as before.
"It’s getting late, and I must return to report. If there’s a chance, I hope we can meet again," Cheng Li said, intending to leave.
"Cousin, you’ve come in such a rush. Why not rest for a few more days? Although Baihe County is small, it has its own unique scenery," Cheng Xun suggested, hoping to foster a closer relationship by having Cheng Li stay longer.
However, Cheng Li declined.
"I have urgent matters to attend to. I’ll visit again when I have time," Cheng Li naturally refused. He had received his payment and had no intention of staying longer. Who knew what tasks he might be asked to do? Besides, he had a perfectly good reason to leave.
"Very well, official duties are important," Cheng Xun did not insist, instead advancing by retreating. "Cousin, after you return, please speak favorably of us to the main family’s clan head and the Elders."
"I wouldn’t dare say ’speak favorably,’ but I will truthfully report the matter of the Liu Family using their power to bully others." Cheng Li implied he could help, but not too obviously; after all, he couldn’t risk implicating himself for Cheng Xun.
"That’s enough, that’s enough." Cheng Xun didn’t ask for too much.
Afterward, Cheng Xun escorted Cheng Li to the main gate of the Cheng Mansion. Having also arranged various things for him, Cheng Li then mounted his horse and departed.
Traveling by carriage was too slow. Cheng Li naturally wouldn’t choose such a method. He was an Aristocratic Family Member, not some dissolute fop; being skilled in both scholarly and martial arts was no empty boast.
As he rode through the streets, his peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of a medical hall.
It was precisely the Health Medical Hall that Cheng Xun had previously mentioned.
He saw the doctor in charge dozing at the counter, and a smile touched his lips. This medical hall probably won’t last much longer.
Just as this thought crossed his mind, his treasured horse suddenly twisted its hoof with a sickening CRACK, and he was thrown forward. If he weren’t a Spirit Master, that fall would have been serious.
He scrambled up from the ground. His treasured horse lay struggling in agony, and he himself was quite disheveled from the fall.
"Damned luck!" he muttered, his face ugly. This incident was truly embarrassing.
Then he saw that doctor glance over, then sit back down again.
He swiftly dispatched the horse, then brushed the dust from his disheveled clothes.
The horse’s hoof was broken; it had no value left. It was better to kill it for meat. As for treatment, never mind that a veterinarian likely couldn’t fix it, hiring a Spirit Master would be far too costly. Killing it would at least end the horse’s suffering.
Looks like I’ll have to return to the Cheng Mansion for now, Cheng Li muttered under his breath. He retrieved the gold, ignored the horse’s carcass, and headed towards the Cheng Mansion. The sky was dimming, he had no horse, and he’d taken a tumble, so he could only stay there for the night.
However, what he didn’t see was that as he retrieved the gold, the unique page of the *Exhortation to Study* had fluttered out.
Compared to pugilists from the martial world, Cheng Li was merely a third-rate expert. A Spirit Master without an official title was naturally considered beneath notice.
The memory clone in the medical hall, however, had sharp eyes and spotted it instantly. Only after Cheng Li had left did it pick up the page.
The look on Wang Linchi’s face was priceless.
"HOLY CRAP! Someone actually delivered this to my doorstep?!" Wang Linchi, who was still tinkering with the combat armor, was stunned when he saw the *Exhortation to Study* page.
This was something he had absolutely not expected.
After stowing it away, Wang Linchi absorbed the memory clone. From the family crest on the horse (seen through the clone’s memory), Wang Linchi recognized the man as a member of the Cheng Family.
What a saint! I can’t believe he delivered it right to me!
But since he lost the *Exhortation to Study* page, he’s bound to come back looking for it. I’ll have to deal with him.
Wang Linchi wasn’t worried about the man finding it; he tucked it into his storage space. If the man could find it even there, Wang Linchi would have no choice but to silence him permanently.
What else could I do? Actually return it? I picked it up, so it’s mine now.
Sure enough, less than an hour later, a knock came at the door.
"Coming, coming! Don’t rush me!" Wang Linchi went to remove the door planks and open up.
He saw Cheng Li standing outside.
"Excuse me, may I ask if you saw anything I might have dropped when I left earlier?" Cheng Li asked, his attitude humble, not arrogant or disdainful.
If you come asking for something with an air that implies they should feel honored to help, even the most good-natured person would lose their temper.
"It was dark at that time; I didn’t see anything," Wang Linchi said, shaking his head.
"Please, try to recall. This item is extremely important to me. If you can provide any clue, I will reward you generously," Cheng Li began, attempting to entice him.
"I truly don’t know. If I had seen it, why wouldn’t I say so?" Wang Linchi said, appearing helpless.
"This... Do you have any idea where it might be? This item belongs to the Cheng Family. If it cannot be found, I’m afraid a major search will have to be conducted." When enticement failed, he resorted to threats, trying to trick Wang Linchi into revealing if he had it.
"Huh? That serious? Then you should report it to the authorities quickly! If it’s really lost, that would be a big problem," Wang Linchi feigned shock.
Seeing this, Cheng Li felt somewhat hopeless. It seemed Wang Linchi truly didn’t know.
Reporting it to the authorities was impossible. This *Exhortation to Study* page was a unique copy. If the Court learned of it, they would certainly confiscate it; how could it possibly fall into his hands?
"No matter. My Cheng Family will resolve this. It’s not yet at the stage of reporting to the authorities."
"Since you are unaware of this matter, Doctor, I hope you will not speak of it, to avoid causing a stir in the city," Cheng Li requested Wang Linchi keep it secret.
"Rest assured, this matter will not be leaked by me," Wang Linchi said, patting his chest in assurance.
Seeing no results, Cheng Li could only hurry to the Cheng Family’s residence.
Such a great meritorious deed... how did it end up like this? Cheng Li felt a bitter taste in his heart.
He didn’t suspect Wang Linchi had taken it. If he had, the man would surely have shown some flaw in front of a Spirit Master like himself. How could an ordinary person deceive him?
It seems it really was blown away by the wind. I’ll have to ask the clan to bring out the seventeen parts of the *Bright Heart Treasure Mirror* and use Spirit Law to trace it.
Giving up was out of the question. Such a precious item had to be recovered.
Spirit Law tracing had a limited range; the more complete the original text (i.e., the more pages one possessed), the greater the tracing range. However, as long as it hadn’t left Baihe County, seventeen parts were enough to cover the area.
This matter had to be kept secret. Otherwise, if other Great Families found out, they would surely try to intercept it.
Eighteen parts of the *Bright Heart Treasure Mirror*... the benefits were immense. They only needed to find the remaining two, currently lost, parts to complete the whole set. It might be difficult, but it would be enough to serve as a family heirloom.
Great Families, Great Families... they rely on their inherited skills and treasures to ensure their lineage continues, constantly cultivating talent. This is the foundation of a Great Family’s continuity.
