Chapter 278: Chapter 260: The Past [Thanks to Changbai Fengxuesheng for the monthly ticket reward]

Senior Han’s healing was finished by the morning of the next day.

At that time, Lin Jing and Chen Xing had just rested well and were chatting idly inside the house.

Just then, the two heard some noise coming from the bedroom.

Soon after, Senior Han walked out.

At this moment, Senior Han’s complexion was rosy, his eyes sparkled with vigor, and it was clear he had recovered.

Seeing Senior Han approaching, Lin Jing and Chen Xing went up to greet him.

“Senior Han…”

“Senior Han, you’re alright…”

Han Jing nodded at the two.

“I’m alright…”

“Thanks to the Pure Body Restoration Pill from Junior Brother Lin, I am now unobstructed. Even participating in the disciple martial arts competition in a few days won’t be a problem.”

“That’s really great…”

Chen Xing was extremely excited.

The reason for Han Jing’s condition was entirely due to his own negligence in saving him, so Chen Xing had always felt very guilty.

Now seeing that Senior Han was unharmed, Chen Xing was naturally more excited than anyone.

If this incident had delayed the martial arts competition and affected Senior Han’s future, Chen Xing would have likely been guilt-ridden for life.

Following that, Senior Han turned to Lin Jing and said:

“Junior Brother Lin, that secret box, have you opened it?”

Lin Jing nodded and replied:

“I’ve opened it, and inside was a book on alchemy.”

Senior Han, with one hand on his chin, nodded and said:

“Your father once mentioned something to me, that your ancestor from the Lin Family was a very powerful alchemist.”

“It seems that’s indeed the case.”

Lin Jing then spoke up and continued to ask:

“Senior Han, can you tell me about my father’s past…”

“And what’s the deal with this secret box?”

Han Jing nodded, then began to explain:

“Actually, it’s quite simple to tell…”

Han Jing then recounted the story to Lin Jing.

…

…

Lin Jing’s father chose to join the Qingyuan Sword Sect as a disciple because of the family’s decline.

Regrettably, he trusted the wrong people, and in a bout of drunken indiscretion, he accidentally revealed the existence of the family’s secret box, inciting covetous intentions in a fellow disciple he was close to at the time.

That disciple, through conspiracy and planning, took the secret box from Lin Jing’s father and caused him to suffer serious injuries which resulted in a fall in his cultivation.

Lin Jing’s father, knowing he couldn’t contend with his adversary, became disillusioned and, as arranged by the sect, went to Qingtian Peak to work as a spirit farmer.

What happened next, Lin Jing understood without needing to be told.

After listening, Lin Jing further inquired:

“Senior Han, is the reason my father didn’t tell me about this because of what you said before, about the quality of my Spiritual Root?”

Han Jing nodded and replied:

“That’s right…”

“According to your father, your family was once very glorious, but after the fall of that extremely powerful Pill Master ancestor, your family gradually declined.”

“And since then, it’s as if your family has been cursed, with each generation’s talent in the Alchemy Dao growing worse and worse.”

“Even with a very formidable alchemy technique, the standard of alchemy has been declining from one generation to the next.”

“Until your grandfather’s time, he spent his whole life and only managed to become a Second-Grade Alchemist.”

“Even your father practiced alchemy at one point, but his talent for the Alchemy Dao was too poor; despite decades passing, he never even reached the threshold of a Second-Grade Pill Master.”

“Fortunately, his cultivation talent was passable.”

“Later, when you were born, he placed all his hopes on you.”

“But after it was discovered that you had Five Elements Mixed Spirit Root as your talent, your father became even more despondent.”

“That’s also why he kept everything from you.”

“He didn’t plan to tell you about the inheritance secret box, either; he just wanted you to live a peaceful life.”

“Initially, I had the same thought…”

“`

“But a few years ago, someone was still unwilling to give up and wanted to take action against you again, and so you were expelled from the sect.”

After thinking for a moment, Lin Jing replied:

“I remember Senior Han telling me about this.”

Han Jing nodded and said:

“Yes…”

“That man’s surname was Xu, and he had a deep connection with the brother who took your family’s secret box.”

“It was also then that I suddenly realized.”

“If this man was not removed, you would never live in peace.”

“So, I began to devise a plan to get rid of him and had Chen Xing go undercover at his side, waiting for the opportunity to strike.”

“But now you don’t have to worry anymore; he has been taken care of by a plan of ours, and this secret box was obtained from him.”

“It was also fortunate that Chen Xing was there; otherwise, it would have probably taken many twists and turns.”

“Thank you, Brother Chen.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Jing quickly gave a bow of thanks to Chen Xing.

“Disciple Lin, you’re too polite…” Chen Xing waved his hands in refusal.

Having said this, Senior Han looked at Lin Jing with satisfaction and spoke again:

“However, you have managed to advance to a Second-Grade Alchemist in such a short period.”

“This shows that your talent in the Alchemy Dao is no small matter.”

“Now, with the alchemy book from the secret box, maybe you really can restore the glory of your ancestors and become a highly renowned Alchemy Master.”

“If your father knew, he would surely be extremely comforted.”

As for the matter of restoring his ancestors’ glory, Lin Jing actually didn’t care.

After all, he wasn’t the real Lin Jing.

……

Afterwards, Lin Jing asked Senior Han:

“Senior Han, will there be any danger for you guys after getting rid of that man surnamed Xu?”

Han Jing pondered for a moment before replying:

“It was necessary to get rid of the man named Xu, as he had already learned the secret of the secret box and was planning to make his move on you…”

“Rest assured, our actions were covert; there shouldn’t be any problems for the time being.”

After finishing, Senior Han even explained with a laugh:

“And, after returning this time…”

“I am ninety percent confident of winning the disciple martial arts competition.”

“As long as I become a core disciple, even if this matter comes to light, they can’t do much to me, at most I’ll face some punishment.”

However, as Senior Han laughed while explaining,

Lin Jing noticed Chen Xing’s expression seemed somewhat unnatural.

It seemed that the matter was not as simple as Senior Han made it sound.

Given Senior Han’s demeanor, Lin Jing estimated that even if he asked, he wouldn’t tell.

Lin Jing discreetly took note of this and remained impassive.

Afterward.

The three had another round of conversation.

In the midst of it, Lin Jing suddenly said:

“Senior Han, now that you have recovered, why don’t we have a drink together? How about it?”

“We don’t need to go out; we can just stay here and it will also give the two brothers a chance to taste my culinary skills.”

After Lin Jing finished speaking, Chen Xing was the first to agree.

Senior Han thought for a while and then nodded in agreement.

Then, Lin Jing proposed to Chen Xing:

“Brother Chen, how about you and I go together to buy some ingredients in the inner city later? Senior Han has just recovered, let’s allow him to rest more, shall we?”

Chen Xing readily agreed to Lin Jing’s suggestion:

“Good…”

Unable to dissuade the two, Senior Han agreed to this.

Afterward.

Lin Jing and Chen Xing left the small courtyard and headed toward the inner city.