Cultivation Daddy

Chapter 197: Chapter 196: A Relative Came to Visit

"Thank you, Senior. But I like to think I have slightly better timing than he does," Li Xinyue replied, walking over and taking a seat on a nearby bamboo chair without being asked: "My grandfather is a high-ranking cultivator, but when it comes to social matters, he has the intelligence of a child."

The Third Master’s brow twitched slightly, a hint of amusement in her icy eyes: "He is sloppy, that’s for sure. He promised a quiet evening to exchange knowledge, which I agreed to after much consideration, yet his residence was breached by common thieves. If he cannot even secure his own courtyard, how can he protect anything else?"

"That’s exactly my thoughts." Xinyue said, leaning forward: "But you know, the thieves were not after my grandfather. They were after my brother, Li Jain, who has just reopened his restaurant here in the city, the Spiritual Tavern. Have you heard of it?"

"The restaurant that claims to trigger instant breakthroughs?" The Third Master snorted softly: "An exaggeration to trick foolish cultivators out of their spirit stones."

Li Xinyue shook her head: "It’s not an exaggeration. Many late-stage Spiritual Sea cultivators have already tried it and broke through to the Soul Palace Realm yesterday. The entire city is in an uproar. The thieves were sent by rival factions desperate to steal the recipes. They took a wrong turn in the dark and ended up in my grandfather’s yard."

The Third Master remained silent, but her pale blue eyes narrowed in thought. A dish that could force a breakthrough was unheard of. If it was true, it would change the power dynamic of South River City entirely.

"Yes, I knew it was an accident," the Third Master remained unimpressed.

Li Xinyue knew she had to try harder: "My grandfather was so focused on making sure everything was perfect for you that he didn’t realize my brother’s success would bring such chaos. He didn’t set a trap, and he certainly isn’t sloppy. I will say, he was just... incredibly unlucky."

She paused, before adding with a playful smile: "Of course, he is still an idiot for letting them ruin the mood. But he is currently tearing his hair out in regret. Please give him another chance. I don’t know what you two got going, but he really is sincere."

The Third Master looked at Xinyue for a long moment and chuckled: "You are very defensive of him, despite calling him an idiot."

"He is family, Senior. We are allowed to call our family idiots, but we still have to clean up their messes," Xinyue laughed: "So, how about we make a deal? I will personally bring a portion of our Soul-Calming Jade Custard that’s suitable for your level, to your pavilion tomorrow. It relaxes the mind and stabilizes spiritual consciousness far better than any tea. In exchange, you give the old man another chance to finish that conversation about exchanging knowledge."

The Third Master closed her eyes, and sighed: "Tell Li Shenzhou to schedule another meeting."

Li Xinyue stood up and bowed: "Thank you, Senior. I will have it delivered tomorrow."

As she walked out of the pavilion into the misty mountain, Xinyue let out a breath of relief: ’Old man, you owe me the biggest favor of your long life.’

...

It was night time. Inside the Li family residence, the atmosphere was peaceful compared to the liveliness of the street. The lanterns along the paved pathways were lit, casting long shadows across the stone walls.

In his courtyard, Li Jain sat by a small stone table, playing a board game with Li Yujian. The other children were already asleep. A rustle of footsteps broke the silence.

A guard at the door stepped into the courtyard, bowing low: "Young Master Jain, you have a visitor from the North Branch. Lady Li Meirong has requested to see you."

Li Jain raised an eyebrow in slight surprise. The North Branch of the Li family was somewhat distant, and they rarely interacted: "Meirong? Let her in."

A moment later, a young woman stepped through the gateway. Li Meirong is the daughter of the North Branch of the Li family. She and Li Jain are cousins. She was dressed in an elaborate robe of violet silk, embroidered with delicate silver threads. She carried herself with an air of high-born dignity, though there was restlessness in her eyes as she looked around the relatively simple courtyard.

"Cousin Jain," Meirong spoke in a sweet voice as she walked forward: "It has been so long. I hope I am not disturbing your rest."

"Not at all, Cousin Meirong," Li Jain replied politely, gesturing toward the empty stone seat opposite him: "Please, sit. Would you like some tea?"

"Thank you, that would be lovely." she said, smoothing her skirt as she sat down. She took the small jade cup he poured for her, taking a sip before placing it back down: "My, you have changed so much, Cousin Jain. I remember when we were younger, you were always so playful, not staying still for a moment. And now look at you, the entire city is talking about your Spiritual Tavern. Even the great ancestor is backing you! It is truly impressive."

Li Jain smiled faintly, sensing the underlying purpose behind her sudden visit: "I am merely doing business, trying to provide a good life for my children. The ancestor was kind enough to offer his protection."

"Oh, don’t be so modest," Meirong giggled, waving her hand: "To create dishes that can help cultivators break through instantly... It is a miracle. Everyone in the city is talking about it. In fact, that’s why I came to visit today. As your cousin, I wanted to congratulate you personally. And, well..." She leaned in slightly, her expression turning into one of earnest pleas. "I was hoping we could discuss the Instant Breakthrough dish."

Li Jain did not change. He saw this coming: "The Instant Breakthrough is indeed a very special dish, but it is highly limited. We only prepare four portions a day."

"I know, I know," Meirong said quickly, reaching out to lightly touch his sleeve: "That is why I wanted to ask you directly. I am currently trying to progress my cultivation, and having that dish would make all the difference. Since we are family, from the same Li bloodline, surely you can help me out? I was hoping you could sell one to me... perhaps with a generous discount?"

Li Jain thought about it for a moment. Although the North Branch was distant, maintaining family harmony was generally useful, especially with the tavern just opening: "Since you have come all this way, Cousin Meirong, I can offer you a twenty percent discount on a portion. It is the most I can do, as the ingredients are incredibly rare and expensive to procure."

Meirong’s smile stiffened slightly. She clearly wasn’t satisfied: "Twenty percent? Cousin Jain, surely you can do better than that. We are family! Blood is thicker than water, isn’t it? Besides, you are making so many spirit stones every day now. A single dish is nothing to you. I was thinking... you should just let me have it for free. As a gift to your cousin. It would show how much you value our family bonds."

Li Jain’s frown slightly: "Cousin Meirong, the Instant Breakthrough requires rare spiritual herbs and precise preparation. Giving it away for free would..."

"It wouldn’t hurt your pockets at all!" Meirong interrupted, her tone was losing some of its sweetness: "You are being far too stingy, Cousin. It’s just one dish. If word gets out that you’re charging your own family full price for something you make in your kitchen, what will people think of you? Cousin Jain, did you become rich and forget your family? I came all the way here after hearing about your dish. You own the tavern. Is giving one portion to your cousin so difficult?"

Li Jain hesitated. Giving away one portion was not impossible. But the Instant Breakthrough dish was limited because the ingredients and preparation were troublesome. If he gave one away casually, what about others? If one cousin came today and another came tomorrow, it would quickly become endless.

Still, Li Jain did not want to make this a big deal, before he could come up with an answer, a cold voice sounded from the side: "The tavern operates on strict rules, Aunt Meirong."

Both of them turned towards Li Yujian.

Li Meirong looked at him. Only then did she truly pay attention to the boy who had been sitting there the entire time.

"You are Yujian?" Li Meirong asked. She had heard a lot about Yujian, especially in the context that he was the one that had been making things difficult for Fan Ruyin.

Li Yujian nodded: "Yes."

Li Meirong’s eyes swept across his face. The young boy was dressed in a simple blue robe, his dull, lifeless eyes were fixed on her with lack of emotion. Despite his young age, there was a heavy, mature presence around him that made her feel strangely uncomfortable.

She frowned: "Adults are talking. Children should not interrupt. Has no one ever taught you that’s rude behavior?"

Li Yujian looked at Meirong flatly: "Even the great ancestor does not demand free dishes from my father. If the North Branch wishes to enjoy the fruits of the Spiritual Tavern, they must follow the same rules as everyone else. We do not give away priceless treasures for free to satisfy lazy demands."

Li Meirong’s face darkened: "You are quite sharp-tongued for a child."

"If Father gives you one portion for free today, tomorrow the East Branch, South Branch, Central Branch, and West Branch relatives may all come asking for the same. If he refuses them, they will think he favors the North Branch. If he agrees, Spiritual Tavern will no longer be a restaurant. It will become a free kitchen for relatives."

Li Jain slowly nodded. That made a lot of sense. His tavern is for his little family alone. He doesn’t want it to become the whole Li family business.

Meirong’s face flushed with embarrassment and anger. She stood up abruptly, pointing a finger at Li Yujian, then at Li Jain: "You... How dare you let a mere child speak to me like this! Is this how you raise your children, cousin? To be disrespectful to their elders?"

"Yujian is only stating the truth, Meirong, The rules of the Spiritual Tavern apply to everyone. I cannot make an exception. If you don’t have the spirit stones yet, come back another day, I will still give you the twenty percent discount. "

"Unbelievable!" Meirong hissed, her polite facade completely shattering. Her eyes glared with venom: "I came here in good faith, trying to reconnect, and you treat me like some common beggar! Everyone said you changed, and I thought you became capable. It turns out you only became selfish. Arrogant and selfish! You think just because you opened a successful shop, you can look down on your own flesh and blood? You have forgotten where you came from!"

Without waiting for a reply, she swept her sleeves furiously, turned on her heel, and stormed out of the courtyard. Her heavy footsteps echo angrily off the stone pavement.

Li Jain smiles at his eldest son: "You did the right thing, Xiao Jian."

Li Yujian waves his hand nonchalantly: "If you give too much because you feel guilty, others will not be grateful. They will only ask for more."

Li Jain nodded: "Xiao Jian really has grown up, I can’t keep up."

Li Yujian lowered his eyes back to the game board: "Father should also grow a little."

Li Jain was stunned for a moment, then he started to laugh heartily.

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