Chapter 162 - 144: Miasma

Chapter 162: Chapter 144: Miasma

"Good."

Upon hearing this, the old man couldn’t help but sigh in relief.

「A short while later.」

A servant led over a man in blue robes. He had a potbelly and a round, plump face, much like a Civilian Official.

When Li Cheng’an saw the four of them and their exquisitely crafted clothing, he was secretly a little alarmed. He cupped his hands and said, "I am Li Cheng’an. And you are?"

The old man didn’t dare to be disrespectful. He cupped his hands and replied, "I have come to visit Patriarch Li at the behest of Steward Li."

’Steward Li?’

Li Cheng’an was puzzled. He thought back through his relatives but couldn’t recall anyone like that. Confused, he asked, "And Steward Li’s full name is?"

The old man smiled. "Li Changsheng. Steward Li."

Li Cheng’an froze. Color immediately flooded his face as he asked in an excited tone, "You mean Li Changsheng? My son?"

The old man nodded with a smile.

’A Steward?’

At that moment, the face of Ma An, who stood behind the old man, turned ashen.

The position of Steward in the Cyan Yang Sect was one of real power. Even a Nascent Soul Cultivator couldn’t obtain it without some significant backing or ability.

In several hundred years, their Ma Family had only produced a single one.

But regardless of the turmoil raging in Ma An’s heart, Li Cheng’an excitedly asked, "How is Changsheng now? Where is he? When can he come back?"

The old man was very patient. He smiled and said, "Steward Li holds an important position and cannot return home to visit for the time being. That is why he entrusted us to come see you in his stead."

"Oh..."

Li Cheng’an was a little disappointed, but he forced a smile and made a welcoming gesture. "Please, come inside for some tea."

"Sorry for the intrusion."

The group followed Li Cheng’an into the courtyard.

’Hm?’

The old man suddenly frowned, turning his head to look at a wing of the house not far across the central courtyard. He then asked, "Patriarch Li, are those your family members living in that room?"

Li Cheng’an didn’t know what he meant, but he nodded slightly. "That is my wife and child."

The old man said seriously, "I can see a noxious miasma swirling within. If this continues for long, their lives may be in danger."

"Miasma?" Li Cheng’an looked shocked and suspicious.

The old man hesitated for a moment before saying, "There is a Cultivator in Chi City using its people to refine a blood artifact. Your esteemed son was chosen as one of the sacrifices."

’Cultivator? Blood artifact? Sacrifice?’

Li Cheng’an’s expression was one of utter confusion.

’He doesn’t know about Cultivators...’

Seeing his expression, the old man came to a realization. He thought for a moment, then began to explain things to him.

「A few moments later.」

Li Cheng’an snapped out of his daze, his face flushing red with excitement. "My son has become an Immortal?" he asked, his voice trembling.

The old man didn’t comment on the specifics of his question, simply nodding with a smile.

"Hahaha! Excellent, excellent..."

Li Cheng’an was beside himself with excitement. He threw his head back and laughed, waving his arms and stamping his feet.

The old man waited a moment. Seeing that Li Cheng’an had yet to calm down, he waved his hand and sent out a Peace Talisman.

As the talisman’s spiritual light entered his body, Li Cheng’an’s intense emotions melted away like ice and snow, and he quickly grew calm.

"Your son..." the old man prompted.

Feeling the magical effect, Li Cheng’an was now utterly convinced. He quickly cupped his hands and said, "I beg you, Immortal, please save my young son’s life."

"No, no, just call me Elder Ma," the old man said, quickly waving his hands.

The five of them then entered the room together.

This time, Ma An could also feel the noxious miasma swirling in the room, and his expression grew solemn.

Li Cheng’an pushed open the door to the inner room.

A woman sitting by the head of the bed, wiping away tears, looked up with cold eyes. She shot to her feet and shrieked, "Did you just come from the back courtyard?"

"Don’t you come in here! She’s a jinx..."

"She brought misfortune on our son Li Changsheng and got him killed, and now she’s going to do the same to my son!"

Seeing that Li Cheng’an was about to lose his temper, she turned and threw herself onto the bed, wailing, "SOB, SOB... Oh, my poor son, your life is so bitter... How did you end up with such a cursed old hag in the family."

Li Cheng’an’s face was ashen with rage. He wanted nothing more than to slap her, but with the Immortals standing behind him, he suppressed his anger and forced a strained smile. "I must trouble Immortal Master Ma to help my young son and expel this miasma."

The old man frowned, glancing at the woman and the young boy, then shook his head. "There’s no hurry for that."

"Patriarch Li, she isn’t Steward Li’s birth mother, is she?"