The Quest for Immortality

But if you left evidence and the elder straightforwardly ”reasoned” it out, you would be in big trouble...

Shangguan Xu said a lot, and Mo Hua’s eyes were opened wide.

These were the experiences summed up by the senior brothers!

Mo Hua firmly remembered them.

When it was time to part, Shangguan Xu remembered something and said,

”You can visit the Shangguan Family sometime, my aunt is at home, she’s been thinking about you, worried about whether you’ve been... at the Sect...”

Shangguan Xu’s expression became a bit subtle, ”...whether you’ve been ’bullied’... she always instructs me to take more care of you...”

Mo Hua responded with a smile, ”Aunt Wan is really kind!”

Then he became a bit puzzled and asked,

”The Shangguan Family... where is it?”

He hadn’t seen the Shangguan Family’s estate until now.

It seemed absent in the Qian Xue Academic World.

In Qingzhou City, Aunt Wan had taken him to places owned by the Gu Family.

Shangguan Xu patted his forehead and apologized,

”I forgot to tell you, the ancestral home of the Shangguan family is quite far from the Qian Xue State Boundary. The Shangguan family members, when they come to the Qian Xue State Boundary, usually stay with the Gu Family...”

”The Gu Family is also a major clan, historically intermarried with the Shangguan Family, with profound connections. They are quite close, and it wouldn’t be too much to say they are as close as if they were from the same branch...”

”Aunt brought Yu Er to temporarily rest at the Gu Family’s estate in Qingzhou City. If you have time, you might head there to see them…”

Mo Hua nodded, but suddenly he frowned, ”Resting?”

Shangguan Xu’s gaze turned slightly serious, he hesitated for a moment and then sighed,

”Yu Er has been... somewhat unwell…”

”Unwell?”

Shangguan Xu nodded and hesitated for a moment. He seemed reluctant to continue, but considering that Mo Hua was the one who saved Yu Er’s life, he decided to share,

”Yu Er has... occasionally been having nightmares…”

Mo Hua was taken aback, frowning, ”Nightmares?”

”Yes,” Shangguan Xu sighed, ”I’m not sure about the details. Uncle Yi and Aunt Wan have sought both karma and a Pill Master to diagnose, but they found nothing…”

”Moreover, Yu Er cannot leave Qingzhou City…”

”As soon as he leaves Qingzhou City, the nightmares intensify. Sometimes, even a nap during the day could trigger terrifying nightmares with his body trembling and drenched in cold sweat…”

Shangguan Xu frowned with concern.

Mo Hua felt pained too and asked,

”Has Yu Er been like this since he was a child?”

Shangguan Xu contemplated for a moment and then shook his head, ”I’m not sure about that. Yu Er’s identity is unique. We, the children of the legitimate lineage, avoid probing into his childhood to prevent conflicts...”

Avoiding conflicts...

Mo Hua thought about it and roughly understood.

Within the noble clans, interests were substantial, hence sometimes familial affection became detached.

Kind intentions could easily be twisted...

Shangguan Xu sighed again, continuing, ”I don’t know much about Yu Er’s childhood, but ever since the last time…”

Shangguan Xu paused, looked around to ensure nobody was listening, then lowered his voice and sighed,

”After he was ’kidnapped,’ whatever he went through has worsened his nightmares... and they have become increasingly severe…”

”Aunt is heartbroken and worried sick.”

”And sometimes, when Yu Er experiences nightmares, half awake, he repeatedly mentions your name…”

”It may be the bond formed since you saved him, a feeling of closeness that keeps him recalling you…”

”Aunt also hopes that when you have time, you could visit Yu Er…”

”But since you’ve just joined the Sect and your foundation isn’t solid yet, she didn’t want to distract you from your cultivation by mentioning it…”

…

Shangguan Xu looked helpless.

Mo Hua’s expression grew focused as he nodded,

”Alright, I’ll visit Yu Er when I have time!”

Shangguan Xu sighed in relief, ”Thank you for that.”

Mo Hua smiled, then reminded,

”Senior Brother Xu, you should also take care of your health.”

Shangguan Xu was momentarily stunned, then warmed by the gesture and nodded, ”Thank you, junior brother.”

After parting ways, Mo Hua returned to the Disciple’s Residence, laid on the table, and silently pondered.

”Yu Er... nightmares…”

”Cannot leave Qingzhou City…”

”Kidnapped…”

Mo Hua frowned, sensing something odd.

But he couldn’t figure anything out at the moment.

Mo Hua sighed.

He really liked Yu Er, a child so pure and kind, and Aunt Wan had been very kind to him too. Now that Yu Er was tormented by nightmares, Mo Hua felt uneasy.

But his vacation time for this period was already used up.

Mo Hua thought for a bit, then decided he would make time during his next break to visit the Gu Family in Qingzhou City.