Chapter 289 Back to Work.
Slowly but surely, they finished breakfast.
Huo Zhenwei leaned back in his chair with a satisfied sigh, rubbing his full stomach.
He Dongmei gave him a slightly worried look. "Senior Brother Huo, you should really take it easy when you eat. You always act like someone's going to steal your food!"
Huo Zhenwei wanted to respond, but all that came out was a heavy burp.
Yang Wei, who had also finished his meal, shook his head in disappointment. "I agree with Mei'er. These days, whenever you eat, it always reminds me of Flame Cauldron. He eats like a thief." He picked up his napkin and wiped his mouth.
Tee-hee!
Huo Yue giggled at Yang Wei's words.
"Zhenwei is always like that with my cooking. Besides that, he's been practicing a unique cultivation technique with Tianyu, and apparently one of the side effects is ravenous hunger."
She stood up and started clearing the plates from the table.
"Oh, Senior Sister, let me help!" He Dongmei offered, already getting up from her chair.
However, Huo Yue held out a hand and waved it dismissively. "No, don't worry about it. I'll handle this, so just rest."
She smiled warmly.
"Mm, okay then," He Dongmei reluctantly agreed, resuming her seat.
Yang Wei looked at Huo Zhenwei and asked, "Is the new cultivation technique you're practicing worth it, though?"
Normally, he wouldn't pry, but he felt it was important to connect more with Huo Zhenwei since he was his brother-in-law. They already had a stable relationship, but now that Yang Wei was about to marry Huo Yue, it felt different.
Huo Zhenwei nodded, still rubbing his stomach. "It's worth it. The technique has great benefits despite the hunger. I just need to manage my eating better."
Yang Wei smiled, feeling reassured. "Good to hear. Just don't overdo it, alright?"
"O-, okay, Senior Brother."
Huo Zhenwei found it a bit surprising that Yang Wei was suddenly showing such concern. While he wouldn't say that Yang Wei didn't care about him, Yang Wei had never put much effort into knowing about his personal life, so this was a first.
He's definitely doing this because of Aunt Zirou and Elder Sister Yue. Hmm, since I'll be the one receiving their bride prices, I don't think I should make things so easy for him, right?
His aunt, Huo Zirou, was perfectly capable of making her own decisions, especially about who she wanted in her life. When it came to his sister, Huo Yue, he thought about making Yang Wei work harder to win her over. However, he couldn't deny that Yang Wei had genuinely earned her affection.
More than that, Huo Yue was lucky to have a man like him.
"Senior Brother?" Huo Zhenwei called out.
"Yeah?" Yang Wei replied.
It seemed like Huo Zhenwei was about to say something, but he chose to hold back instead. He stood up, walked over to Yang Wei, and gave him a small pat on the shoulder.
"Thank you…"
With that, Huo Zhenwei left without another word.
"Huh?" Yang Wei sat there, lost and confused.
Liu Yan looked at him. "What was that about?" she asked, equally curious about Huo Zhenwei's sudden behavior.
Yang Wei shrugged. "I wish I knew."
Shortly after he said that, another thought sprang to mind. He immediately leaned towards the table, perhaps so Liu Yan could see his face better and hear him more clearly. He believed in making ample eye contact when speaking with someone, especially if that someone was a beautiful woman.
"I was wondering, how's Big Sister Ling doing now?"
It had been a while since he asked about her, but it wasn't because he forgot or was too busy. He was certain she would be doing fine since he had spoken with Ling Yue, the Heavenly Moon Goddess, who was also Ling Meiyan's mother.
The Moon Nectar Flower created by Ling Yue would supposedly heal Ling Meiyan's spirit wounds and also restore her cultivation base.
"Oh, Sister Meiyan..." Liu Yan paused briefly, leaving Yang Wei a bit concerned about what she would say next. Adjusting her spectacles, Liu Yan continued, "Well, she's doing very well. I visited her a few days ago."
Yang Wei instantly felt relieved, placing a hand on his chest and gently rubbing it to calm himself down.
He Dongmei smiled teasingly. "Hm~? You looked so worried earlier, Senior Brother." A stifled chuckle followed her words.
"Of course I was." Yang Wei raised an eyebrow. "Meiyan is important to me, you know."
"You say that, but you haven't gone to visit them since you returned," Liu Yan remarked straightforwardly.
Without saying a word, Yang Wei stood up from his chair and smoothed out his pristine white robes. His expression took on a serious, business-like demeanor as he left the dining table and quickly exited the room.
"Hm?" Liu Yan looked a little surprised, glancing at He Dongmei who was seated across from her. "Is he upset about what I said or something?"
He Dongmei shook her head in response. "No, not at all. Yesterday, he gave me the day off because he has some things planned with Patriarch Bloodflame."
"Bloodflame, the patriarch of the Blood Demon Clan, right?"
"Yeah, that's right."
"Did Junior Brother happen to mention what he and Bloodflame were up to?"
Sigh~n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
Feeling a bit let down that she hadn't been informed, He Dongmei shook her head. Although she appreciated the break Yang Wei had given her, she still enjoyed helping him with his daily tasks because it was a kind of leisure time for her.
"I see..." Liu Yan's gaze shifted towards the large door through which Yang Wei had left.
━ ◦ ❖ ◦ ━
Yang Wei left the Grand Elder Hall and sighed as he headed towards the Blood Demon Clan's territory.
Some disciples from Grand Elder Peak thought he favored the clan because of his demonic cultivation background. In reality, he allocated them a large territory because their size demanded it for survival. Even if there was favoritism, any resentment would be directed at Patriarch Bloodflame, not him.
In the martial world, the only way not to be wrong is to be strong.
Yang Wei nodded to himself, satisfied with his reasoning.
Along the way, disciples greeted him with clasped hands and bows, showing respect and awe. Yang Wei enjoyed the attention. It reminded him of his days as a clan head in the magic world.
He waved and greeted them warmly, acknowledging their hard work and offering encouragement.
"Keep on cultivating hard, perhaps you'll become as great as me someday."
"I'm glad to see you're all working so hard!"
"Such diligence will welcome awards for you in the future!"
Although he could have reached his destination in a matter of two or three steps, Yang Wei lingered to enjoy the respect that came with being grand elder.
Finally, Patriarch Bloodflame appeared and respectfully clasped his hands, bowing his head. "Greetings, Grand Elder!"
Yang Wei frowned slightly, feeling annoyed.
Hrmm~~
It seemed Bloodflame's presence had dampened his mood. "I instructed you to be at my abode at dawn. Yet here I am, meeting you instead. This should not happen again." He felt his authority was being undermined by having to make extra effort.
Bloodflame bowed lower. "Forgive my tardiness, Grand Elder!"
"Raise your head," Yang Wei commanded.
Patriarch Bloodflame flashed a bright smile at his esteemed grand elder, eager to rectify any lingering displeasure. "So, what task do you have for me next, Grand Elder?" The forced, exaggerated grin on his face revealed his desperation to ensure his superior didn't stay angry with him for long.
He was eager to please.
Interestingly, Yang Wei had already brushed off Bloodflame's tardiness and was now puzzled by the elderly man's strange smile.
Hm? Is he touched in the head?
He found himself comparing whether a crying Bloodflame would be easier to handle than the one before him now.
The silence stretched uncomfortably, prompting Bloodflame to break it. "I… I…"
Yang Wei cut him off with a sharp sigh and a raised hand, signaling for silence.
Bloodflame dared not open his mouth, much less speak while the grand elder gathered his thoughts.
"Listen…" Yang Wei began wearily. Dealing with Bloodflame's constant pleas for cultivation resources and support always left him mentally drained.
Bloodflame leaned in eagerly, making the young man instinctively step back.
"Gather your most capable clan members in one location within your territory. I'll attend to it when I return," Yang Wei instructed briskly, already turning to leave.
Bloodflame hastily asked, "May I ask where the Grand Elder is heading?"
Yang Wei paused briefly before answering, "To see a friend…"
I need to speak with Yurong.
With that, he disappeared in a flash of red light.