**Section 22: Atonement**
2014-06-18 Author: Gu Zhenren
The fact that the Hu Family Patriarch personally recruited an unknown young man quickly caused a stir throughout the Hundred Families Pill Conference. People were naturally surprised and suspicious, making inquiries everywhere. Soon, the dispute between Chu Yun and the Chen, Gongsun, and Zhao families became widely known.
That afternoon, the Chen Family Patriarch immediately led Chen Yuqing and other family high-ranking officials to the Hu family’s encampment to beg for forgiveness, carrying branches of thorns. Following closely behind was the Gongsun Patriarch, who bound his daughter Gongsun Wan’er with ropes and publicly declared that she would be handed over to Chu Yun for judgment, stating he would not bat an eye no matter how she was dealt with.
The Zhao Family Patriarch was the last to find out. After listening to the entire story, he immediately spat out a mouthful of old blood, wishing he could strangle Zhao Fei with his own hands. What was this rebellious son thinking, getting involved in a dispute? Why did he have to meddle in the affairs of the Gongsun and Chen families and drag the entire Zhao family down with him? He immediately ordered Zhao Fei’s hands and feet to be broken. Then, leading the limp Zhao Fei, he rushed to the Hu family’s encampment.
The three patriarchs wished to see Chu Yun, but were blocked by the guards. “Young Master Wuming is cultivating and does not wish to be disturbed,” the guard said expressionlessly. It didn’t matter who the three family patriarchs were; he had received direct orders from the Hu Family Patriarch.
Chu Yun was indeed cultivating. He sat cross-legged on the deck of the Blissful Joy Ship, surrounded by a thick layer of Enlightenment Stones. During the Emperor Dark Meeting, he had bought Enlightenment Stones in large quantities. While others might have had five or six, he possessed forty to fifty. With the amplification of so many Enlightenment Stones, his comprehension efficiency of the Net of Law had increased by several tens of times. Previously, with Emperor level spirit light, he could comprehend one law in seven days. Now, he could master six or seven in a single day. As he continued to comprehend, his control over the Net of Law gradually strengthened, and his understanding of the World’s essence became more profound.
For a Monster Tamer to reach the Jun level, they need to seek their own Dao. For the Marquis level, it is about development. The King level signifies accomplishment. After breaking through the King level and reaching the Emperor level, one must center their Dao and learn other Daos to achieve the realm of embracing all rivers and tolerating all things. Upon returning from the Emperor Dark Meeting, Chu Yun not only refined the fifty-five formation eyes into a perfect state but also, with the help of the Enlightenment Stones, truly mastered one hundred and twenty laws within the Net of Law.
However, although one hundred and twenty laws sound like a lot at first glance, they are, in fact, only a small portion of the Net of Law in Chu Yun’s Immortal Pouch World. The creation process of Chu Yun’s Immortal Pouch World was too unique. During this process, figures like the Wine King, Immortal Pouch King, Night Emperor, and Underworld Emperor had lent their assistance. The Night Emperor and Underworld Emperor were veteran Great Emperors who had collected a vast amount of Dao threads and principles. Later, a Star Saint’s Will was consumed. All of this combined resulted in Chu Yun’s Immortal Pouch World’s Net of Law possessing nearly six thousand laws. This number is quite terrifying, as Chu Yun understood that the Net of Law in White Emperor’s Immortal Pouch World only had a little over five thousand laws. For ordinary Emperor level powerhouses who had just been promoted, having a Net of Law with a few dozen laws in their Immortal Pouch World would already be remarkable. Chu Yun’s number of laws was hundreds of times greater than that of Emperor level powerhouses in similar circumstances. The abundance of laws brought him both pain and joy. Only by comprehending all the laws would he truly control the Net of Law, at which point a mere thought would bring down heavenly tribulations, allowing him to slay gods and demons alike, possessing supreme power of judgment.
Chu Yun was unwilling to waste even a sliver of time. He possessed the Innate Body and could now go without sleep, always full of energy. Even after continuously creating Innate Original Essence for a hundred cycles, he would not feel sore or tired, remaining invigorated. This enlightenment cultivation lasted for an entire night. It wasn’t until dawn the next day that, due to needing to attend the Hundred Families Pill Conference, he reluctantly emerged from his Immortal Pouch World.
As he opened the door, he saw a beautiful young girl standing by the entrance. She possessed a beauty no less than Chen Yuqing or Gongsun Wan’er, being both pure and endowed with a hint of natural allure. Her eyes sparkled with a charming glint, and her skin was as smooth and white as frost. Upon seeing Chu Yun, she immediately bowed and introduced herself as the Hu Family Patriarch’s third daughter, sent by her father to specifically receive Chu Yun and escort him to the main hall to gather.
Chu Yun glanced at her faintly, finding her somewhat interesting. He smiled and said, “It’s quite a feat for Eight Glory King, such a stern-looking man, to have such a beautiful daughter.” These words were spoken with great confidence. The third daughter of the Hu family was startled. No one had ever commented on her father like this before. Even the patriarch of the top family would maintain respect towards the Eight Glory King. Yet, this young man before her casually commented on him with such ease that, upon reflection, the third daughter of the Hu family couldn’t help but feel her heart pound. Her father’s words echoed in her ears: “My dear third daughter, you must serve this Young Master Wuming well. If Young Master Wuming fancies your appearance, you must not put on airs of a young lady. This is your fortune and an honor for our Hu family. If you truly gain his favor, you will have rendered a great service to the family.” Afterward, the Eight Glory King had also revealed some inside information about the reclusive families, leaving the third daughter utterly captivated. She hadn’t slept well all night and had come here early. To show her sincerity, she had waited outside for over an hour. Chu Yun was unaware of this situation. After commenting on the third daughter of the Hu family, his thoughts turned to the reclusive families. Entering the reclusive families through the Hundred Families Pill Conference was a suggestion from White Emperor. It was a good plan, and Chu Yun had been acting on it, now with results. Chu Yun was now certain that the young man he saw in the crowd yesterday must be from one of the reclusive families. His performance had already attracted the attention of that person, who had arranged for the Hu family to keep him at the Hundred Families Pill Conference to continue observing him. However, Chu Yun did not know which of the eight great families this young man belonged to.
“My father has fallen in the Ghost Continent, and only my mother remains in the Yun family in Danzhou. If I want to join, it’s best to join the Yun family. If that young man is from the Yun family, it would be perfect. However, I cannot place my hopes on such a possibility. I must continue to implement my plan. Today, I will display my full capabilities and take this crucial step,” Chu Yun pondered in his mind as he walked out of the courtyard.
“Young Master Wuming!”
“Young Master Wuming, you’ve come out.”
“I am the Zhao Family Patriarch, paying my respects to Young Master Wuming.”
As soon as Chu Yun stepped out of the courtyard, he was immediately surrounded by three middle-aged men, bending their knees and wearing fawning smiles. They were none other than the patriarchs of the Chen, Zhao, and Gongsun families. They dared not return and had waited outside the courtyard all night, finally seeing Chu Yun appear. Chu Yun paused and swept his gaze over his surroundings. Seeing Zhao Fei lying on the ground like a puddle of mud, Gongsun Wan’er bound tightly, and Chen Yuqing with her head bowed, he immediately understood.
“Young Master Wuming, I, on behalf of the Zhao family, come to offer our apologies. Zhao Fei, this disobedient son, has acted against heaven and earth and incurred universal wrath. I have already broken his limbs and expelled him from the Zhao family. I have brought him here to be dealt with as you see fit,” the Zhao Family Patriarch said decisively, his face etched with remorse.
“Young Master Wuming, I am guilty!” As soon as the Zhao Family Patriarch finished speaking, the Gongsun Patriarch began beating his chest and stomping his feet. “Failure to host Young Master properly is one offense. My daughter’s insolence towards Young Master is the second offense. Not recognizing your greatness is the third offense. As you can see, I have brought my daughter. I am willing to gift my daughter to Young Master to be your servant, to serve you wholeheartedly and atone for her sins.”
Upon hearing this, the Zhao and Chen family patriarchs cursed the Gongsun Patriarch’s shamelessness in their hearts. Sending Gongsun Wan’er to Young Master Wuming as a servant, could something not happen between the young man and young woman over time? Atone for her sins wholeheartedly, how beautifully put. Such malicious intent! The Chen Family Patriarch, after brewing his apology for an entire night, swallowed his words and replaced them with a different speech: “Young Hero Wuming, a father knows his daughter best. At this moment, my daughter Yuqing is filled with regret, wishing she could turn back time and meet you again. On the way here, she voluntarily told me that if possible, she would willingly serve you tea, fetch water, or give you a back massage.” His voice was heavy, almost tearful, each word resonating with emotion. This left the third daughter of the Hu family watching with wide eyes.
“Shameless!” the Gongsun Patriarch immediately cursed in his heart. The Zhao Family Patriarch gritted his teeth, wondering why he hadn’t given birth to a beautiful daughter like that? Sending a daughter to be a “personal” maid was turning a bad situation into a good one! Chen Yuqing and Gongsun Wan’er bit their lips, their hearts a mix of emotions as they heard their fathers personally promise to give them away as personal maids. There was shame, sadness, regret, and fear. They were both proud daughters of heaven, and never in their lives had they imagined a moment where their fates would be manipulated like this, solely by the words of a young man.
“Three family patriarchs, please calm yourselves,” Chu Yun said, his expression as placid as ever. “It’s merely a small matter, human nature, and understandable. In my opinion, let this matter be dropped. They are all your children, and I understand your true feelings. I do not need any maids; a small punishment for the young ones is sufficient.”
“Young Master…” the three patriarchs exchanged glances, bewildered and uncertain. Chu Yun did not want to dwell on the matter. To be honest, he had never taken it to heart. He waved his hand gently, “There’s no need to say more. I still need to participate in the Continent Trial. You may withdraw.”
“Yes.”
“Thank you, Young Master, for your magnanimity!”
“The Zhao family will never forget Young Master’s great benevolence!” The three patriarchs retreated obediently.
Watching Chu Yun’s retreating back, Gongsun Wan’er and Chen Yuqing were stunned. They were confident in their looks, yet now they were being given away as personal maids, and he didn’t even want them. Chu Yun’s indifference truly showed them the gap in their realms. Everything they were proud of was not even valued by him. Understanding this, a strong sense of bitterness surged within the hearts of these two proud daughters of heaven.
(To be continued)
