To Raise a Soul 56.1

Yu Zhen’s expressions had always been gentle and there was never any aggression in the way he looked at others. There was only warmth and kindness. He could reasonably be considered a person without any sharp edges. Even when he got angry, the air about him was still gentle.

However, at the moment, he stood expressionlessly in front of Zou Chengjing and his coldness could be seen at a glance. 

Yin Le, who was originally watching Lin Zouwei perform an apology, abruptly stood up from his seat. Frowning, he looked at Yu Zhen in concern, then he walked over to Yu Zhen’s side.

“Yu Ge, you…”

Yin Yan pressed down on his shoulder and motioned for him to remain silent.

“The Yin family?” 

Zou Chengjing returned Yu Zhen’s look, and he kept his gentle and friendly mask on as if he didn’t notice Yu Zhen’s coldness. He wore a puzzled look on his face as he politely asked, “I’ve been out of the country all year, so I’m not very familiar with the situation within the country. I’d heard that the Yin family has two sons. I don’t know about you…”

This Zou Chengjing. He let his son steal something from Yin Le. How would it be possible that he hadn’t investigated the Yin family’s situation and found out that I’m Yin Yan’s partner? 

It was clear that his words were a roundabout way of mocking Yu Zhen as someone who wasn’t a person of the Yin family, and that he didn’t have the right to say harsh words.

Yu Zhen picked out the hidden mocking. He saw the way that Zou Chengjing kept his puzzled mask on while probing and sounding out his opponent. Yu Zhen retrieved the peach wood sword and replied, “There are too many things that you don’t know.”

Zou Chengjing smiled tolerantly and nodded as if he was an elder facing the rudeness of the younger generation. “Indeed, I’m too busy. I don’t pay attention to unimportant, minor details.”

Which was to say that Yu Zhen was an “unimportant, minor detail”, a person not worthy of note. It was him scolding Yu Zhen for thinking too highly of himself when he was nothing more than a simple side dish. 

Clearly understanding his father’s way of disguised provocation, Lin Zouwei couldn’t help but smile, showing his mockery and disdain.

Yin Le’s expression sank and he spat out, “You’re a thief without a decent family upbringing!”

Lin Zouwei no longer smiled. He looked up at Yin Le with clenched fists and a tense body, appearing ready for another fight.

Zou Chengjing’s expression also faded. Yin Le’s words were also aimed at him. 

Yu Zhen wasn’t good at this method of cursing someone out without swear words. His past environments had been too simple, so he had neither the opportunity nor the right place to learn about those methods. All he knew was that he couldn’t let the Yin family be bullied, especially since the reason for the provocation was he himself and his opponent had an unusual circumstance.

With gentle movements of his fingers, Yu Zhen slowly spread out his spiritual energy, wrapping himself and Zou Chengjing in a bubble that isolated them from the prying eyes of unrelated staff. 

“Mr. Zou, there’s a ‘small thing’ that you definitely don’t know about. I made this peach wood sword.” As he spoke, he picked a seed out from his shirt pocket and unhurriedly fiddled with it within his palms. “If I can use it to perform exorcisms and hide from evils, I can also use it to attract calamities and entice ghosts.”

Zou Chengjing’s mask finally slipped, but he quickly fixed it and replied with a smile, “Mr. Yu, what do you mean by these words? Isn’t this just a little ornament? What ‘exorcisms and hiding from evils’? It’s not good to have superstitious beliefs.”

“Is that so?” Yu Zhen’s eyes fell on the man’s neck and he flicked the seed towards it. “If that was the case, why do you need to wear a meritorious tool to conceal your own energy? Or are you saying that this little trinket is also something that you had your son find and ‘substitute’? And you’re only wearing it for fun?”

Whoosh –  

The seed with a golden glow shot out and struck squarely between Zou Chengjing’s collarbones. With a ka sound, a crack appeared on Zou Chengjing’s jade pendant. It broke into several pieces and fell to the ground.

Zou Chengjing’s complexion visibly paled. His anger seemed to have broken along with the pendant. 

“Who are you?!”

Their conflict having reached this stage, there was no longer a need to keep up the act. Zou Chengjing’s expression darkened and he touched the bare, red rope at his throat. The eyes that looked upon Yu Zhen betrayed a restrained fear and something sinister.

He was very clear on the number of cultivators that were in B City, along with their status and state of cultivation. However, the cold-faced Yu Zhen was completely absent from his research.

He’s so young, yet his cultivation is unfathomable. He can even craft cultivation tools. Just who is he? Could he be a skilled master that the Yin family had invited to help them? Or maybe he’s that old man’s disciple?

“Of course, I’m only a nobody that you wouldn’t pay attention to.” Yu Zhen moved his fingers again and the seed which broke the pendant flew up and attached to the red string around Zou Chengjing’s neck. Although there was no way to attach it, the seed affixed itself to the thread.  

It was the first time that Yu Zhen had used the attack and imprisonment method from the Scripture of Floriculture. It was also the first time that he had used a seed in this type of place, leaving him with a sense of discomfort. However, he appeared calm and indifferent. He warned, “Don’t continue doing evil deeds. Otherwise… Now, scram. Go wash away the sins on your body.”

The voice which carried spiritual energy bore into Zou Chengjing’s mind, leaving him dazed. The seed hanging from his neck started heating up, then there was darkness before his eyes and he became unaware of anything else.

After Yin Le spat out the words “without a decent family upbringing”, Zou Chengjing’s attitude changed drastically. Not only did he tear the jade pendant from his neck and smash it to pieces, saying it was to compensate for their peach wood sword, but he also pressed a disbelieving Lin Zouwei down into an apologetic stance. He took the initiative to bring up compensation, then he clearly explained the situation to the police and teacher. 

When he had apologized earlier, it was obvious that he was merely being polite to reduce the big problem into something smaller. However once he smashed his jade, his repenting attitude was the textbook example of “returning to the shore” ^[1] as well as “acknowledging mistakes and being willing to turn over a new leaf”.  

Yin Le was dumbstruck and unable to endure a senior constantly lowering themselves to give him an apology. He had also seen enough of Lin Zouwei’s unwilling appearance, clearly not wanting to give in but unable to go against his father’s intentions.Resentment grew in Lin Zouwei’s heart. After asking for Yin Yan and Yu Zhen’s opinion, Yin Le called Weng Xiping to handle the issue, then he dragged Yin Yan and Yu Zhen out of the school at top speed.

“That was really scary. That is the first time I’ve seen someone’s attitude do a full one-eighty like that. Is scolding someone for being uneducated such a formidable technique?” After leaving the school for some time, Yin Le was still unable to believe what had happened. The image of Zou Chengjing apologizing flashed through his mind and he rubbed at the goosebumps on his arms, unable to bear that image in his mind. 

Yin Yan glanced at him in the rearview mirror and said, “You dealt poorly with today’s problem.”

I’m done for! The score was saved to be settled at a better time! 

Yin Le’s scalp tingled. He looked at Yu Zhen who was seated in the front passenger seat, seeming exhausted, and he earnestly apologized, “Sorry, I was too sloppy and let that despicable guy steal away the peach wood sword. Yu Ge, sorry. I didn’t take good care of your gift.”

As he spoke, he became gloomier. At the memory of the broken peach wood sword, he withered in his seat.

It was only then that he found out there was something within the peach wood sword. It must’ve taken a lot of effort to make the exterior look seamlessly perfect. And I ended up not taking care of this carefully made item…

“Sorry…” He apologized again and withered even more.

Yu Zhen emerged from his thoughts and looked at YIn Le’s wilted appearance. Heart softened, he patted his head and comforted, “It’s alright. Today’s issue can’t be blamed on you. And you did your best to get the peach wood sword back. I was impulsive and broke the sword. Sorry, I’ll make an even better one for you in the future. Also, don’t fight in the future. The wooden sword is only a possession, your health is more important.”

“Yu Ge…” Yin Le looked up at him, moved to tears. 

Sure enough, my family’s Yu Ge is the best and the most gentle. 

As if his words weren’t astonishing enough, Yin Yan sighed and added, “Since you wanted to fight, why didn’t you win the fight?” 

Yu Zhen and Yin Le both looked at him.

“Since you decided to make a move, why didn’t you win the fight? Lin Zouwei only had bruises on him, and they were at unimportant places. You bled. Yin Le, why were you merciful to your enemy?” 

Yu Zhen wanted to clean out his ears. 

Stunned, Yin Le stammered, “I-I just didn’t want him to get away. I wanted to make some noise and hold onto him, s-so…”

“So you let him hurt you?” Yin Yan turned the steering wheel and smoothly drove the car into the neighborhood. He calmly continued, “That is where you made the biggest mistake. Next time, if you encounter this kind of situation again, you don’t need to go easy on them. Fight with your full strength, just don’t beat them to death. If anything happens, I’ll deal with it.”

…Fuck…

Yin Le bounced back up excitedly. With shining eyes, he rushed to behind the driver’s seat, clung to it, and yelled, “Da Ge! You’re my dearest Da Ge! I’ll love you forever!”

I’m so moved. Sure enough, Da Ge really dotes on me. Look at how enthusiastically he’s protecting this little calf. Look at how he’s bursting with the strength of an older brother! Look at – 

“I’ll sign you up for a summer training class. Go learn some real skills. Next time you lose something Yu Zhen gives you, I’ll personally accompany you in your training.” Yin Yan stopped the car in front of the Yin family home, took off his seatbelt and then he left the car after an indifferent glance at Yin Le. He rounded the front of the car and helped Yu Zhen out of the car. Then they entered the family home without looking back.

Yin Le: “…” I want to run away from home! Right now! At once! Immediately!