Chapter 38: Changes in the World
Chapter 38: Changes in the World
“I won’t go!”
Zhi Hua remembered that night in the painting world. Her life had shifted—how could she spend it tending to a husband and children?
“What’s wrong with Master Zhu? He’s been admired in the village since childhood, earned scholarly honors at twelve, topped last year’s exams. He’s destined for greatness. Marry him, and you’ll live in comfort forever!” Madam Zhi snapped, yanking her daughter toward the front hall without letting her freshen up.
Zhi Hua held back her refusal, not wanting to upset her mother. She’d meet the Zhu family now and reject them plainly later.
Marriage wasn’t an option.
She’d gained her immortal chance, touched a hidden world. Once her cultivation bore fruit, her parents would gape. When she ascended, she’d even return to startle Uncle Xue—that lazy fish would beg to learn painting from her.
All this flashed through her mind as her mother hauled her into the hall.
“Hua’er, greet your Uncle Zhu.”
Mr. Zhi hurriedly gestured when his daughter entered.
“This is Master Zhu, your future husband.”
Beside Master Zhu stood a blue-robed youth. His polite air masked towering arrogance. At Mr. Zhi’s words, he gave a curt nod and cut in with a bow:
“You overpraise me, Uncle. I’ve heard Miss Zhi learned commerce young, mingling in vulgar trades. She’s unfit to be Zhu Rulong’s wife. But since you ask, we’ll humor you. Not as main wife—a concubine. No ceremony needed. Our family’s reputation matters.”
“A concubine?!”
Mr. Zhi had strained to find his only daughter a good match—first seeking a live-in groom, then fearing mediocrity. This Zhu proposal was supposed to be perfect. Yet they dared treat his treasure as a mere side-wife?
“Is this your stance?” Mr. Zhi glared at Master Zhu.
“My son speaks for our house.” Master Zhu stroked his beard, mockery glinting.
Ridiculous! A toad lusting after swan flesh.
Couldn’t they see? A merchant’s brat, hawking wares since girlhood—useless for marriage!
“Fine! The Zhu ambition impresses me. We common folk overreach.”
“Not entirely. Given Miss Zhi’s looks, if she pleases me after I become scholar-official, I might elevate her to secondary wife. No shame in that.” Zhu Rulong shrugged, certain the Zhis sought to ride his coattails.
“Out!”
Mr. Zhi waved dismissively.
“We’ll take our leave.”
“Brother Zhi, miss this chance, and next year’s exams won’t spare even concubine slots. Don’t say we never offered.” The Zhus swaggered out, Zhu Rulong adding over his shoulder:
“Merchant stock. Never presentable.”
His glance swept Mr. Zhi and the silent mother-daughter pair.
“Wait!”
Zhi Hua shook free and stepped forward.
“What now, Miss Zh—?”
The slap came too fast. Zhu Rulong flinched—
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A slap sent Zhu Rulong flying, tumbling across the ground several times.
“Babbling about lowly trades and social climbing – look at your own wretched self first!” Zhi Hua trembled with rage, Zuo Meng’s words suddenly flashing through her mind.
‘Don’t marry if you dislike it.’
Master Zhu stood dumbfounded nearby, staring at his precious son rolling in the dirt. What had just happened?
“Disgraceful! Disgraceful!!”
The young master finally regained his senses, clutching his swollen face. A loose tooth fell from his mouth as he shrieked: “My tooth!! Guards! Kill this bitch and her entire family!”
A figure burst through the doorway – Zhu Rulong’s personal guard. His clawed hand shot toward Old Zhi’s throat. This guard owed his position to his young master’s powerful patron.
“Don’t touch my father!”
Gray mist enveloped Zhi Hua’s arms as the totem’s power surged through her. She intercepted the attack, grabbing the guard’s wrist. Panic fueled her strength as she hurled the man away.
“Is this immortal power? Incredible!” Zhi Hua marveled at her first victory, heart pounding with exhilaration.
On the stone-paved street, Zuo Meng massaged his temples. Since reaching Foundation Establishment, his enhanced perception let him monitor everything through the enlightened small puppy. What Zhi Hua saw as a desperate struggle, he viewed as amateurish brawling.
“Both guard and girl bear the totem’s legacy.”
Zuo Meng understood the golden shadow’s two-phase plan: first elevating top warriors like Jie Ming to Foundation Establishment Immortal Cultivators, then seeding power through ordinary people. From mighty cultivators to commoners like Zhi Hua, all were pieces in this cosmic game.
“Pathetic.”
Zuo Meng lost interest as the intimidated guard retreated with his masters. With Zhi Hua safe, he turned his attention elsewhere.
That evening, the small puppy returned with two companions – a spotted and a gray pup. Bored, Zuo Meng enlightened both, naming them Xiao Di and Xiao Yue.
Xiao Tian. Xiao Di. Xiao Yue.
Grandiose names for three ordinary dirt dogs.