Liang family - Rose Kingdom
When Yun Nian opened his eyes, he was greeted by a luxurious room, made out of precious wood. He looked around, while admiring every detail of the room. From the intricate designs carved on the wall to the beautifully crafted stands and furniture that were present in the room. This was his personal cultivation room.
He stood up from his silk cushion and walked towards a nearby table. At first he had asked for a room that had no decorations or furniture but his master had insisted he took one fully decorated. Now that he was part of the Liang family he had to live like a Liang and not like a normal citizen of the Rose Kingdom.
Obviously he had done as his master wished, but he had never managed to fully adapt to the luxury and splendor that surrounded him in the family headquarters. In the end he couldn't hide his discomfort from his master that gifted him a table. A simple table with no decoration, nor intricate craftsmanship made from common wood.
He passed his hand on the smooth table surface, taking comfort in the absence of decorations. He had decided to put this table in his cultivation room to remind himself of his humble origins, even if he lived like a rich man he was still Yun Nian a poor farm boy who grew up in a small village.
The sound of a chime echoed in the silent room, someone had arrived and was waiting for him at the entrance.
Yun Nian moved his gaze away from the table and exited the room, his master had probably arrived to check on his cultivation progress. As he walked before the various rooms and corridors of his house he put on a cheerful smile, he had recently achieved the fourth stage of the Qi gathering realm and couldn't wait to show it to his master.
He hasted his walk, which by the time he reached the main door had turned into a small run.
However when he opened the door he found that his master wasn't waiting for him alone, but was accompanied by a noble looking young man. As he bowed towards his master he noticed a satisfied smile on his face. His master had already noticed his progress. However he didn't compliment him on his progress, instead he presented the man that accompanied him.
"Nian, this is Liang Wei the young master of the Liang family"
His master's tone was extremely respectful, and he made a small bow towards Liang Wei before continuing
"Young master Wei, this is Liang Nian my disciple"
Yun Nian hurriedly bowed down towards Liang Wei, he had heard of him. Young master Wei was acclaimed as an extremely accomplished master of array that with his skills had brought glory and fortune to the family in multiple occasions. It didn't matter who spoke of him; every member of the Liang family only spoke well of Liang Wei: golden generation member, main inheritor of the Liang family.
As Liang Wei signaled him to stop bowing he used the occasion to take a good look at him. Liang Wei had long black hair, and a small almost gracile physique like that of a fair woman. His face was also delicate looking like that of a beautiful and young woman, however a few rough lines along his nose betrayed his true gender. Beside this, the way Liang Wei moved seemed to irradiate elegance and precision as if every move was carefully studied and analyzed before being taken.
Yun Nian had never seen anyone that looked like him, but he would never dare to be disrespectful to young master Wei. There were many reasons people respected him and one of them was strength, even if he looked gracile Liang Wei had reached the Soul wandering realm and could easily kill an ant like Yun Nian with just a thought.
Yun Nian briefly paused for a second before realizing they were all standing in front of his entrance, he hurriedly bowed inviting them in. Luckily it seemed they didn't mind instead he could even notice a fond look from his master. He guided them to a room he used for welcoming guests.
Even if the room was extremely well decorated and furnished he couldn't help but think it was inadequate to host someone as important as Liang Wei.
If my house is this luxurious, young master's house must be something even more extravagant and beautiful.
When Yun Nian started brewing tea for his guest, his master broke the tension that was slowly forming between them.
"Nian you should get some servants around the house. You can't live alone like this forever."
Yun Nian wanted to protest telling his master that he didn't like to have servants around the house, that he was used to living alone or that he felt he was being spied on when he was around them.
But he couldn't say stuff like that in front of Liang Wei. All of the servants he would receive were servants of the Liang family, complaining about them now was indirectly insulting the young master.
He put on a distressed expression while making up some excuses.
"Well it's just that I don't know how I should behave when I'm with them. What if I ask too much stuff and they work too much or think that I'm rude."
The things Yun Nian said were true, however they were a far cry from his true complaints and objections about having servants.
Liang Wei chimed in, his voice sounding gentle and kind like a senior giving advice to a junior.
"There is no need to worry, I can pick up some servants for you. I'm sure they will understand that you are not used to them and will do their best to not bother you."
Even if he was outwardly calm, Yun Nian was crying inside, since the young master had offered his help he couldn't refuse him without sounding rude and risking offending him.
"Ah.. Then I thank the young master for the help."
He started pouring the tea in three small cups while trying his best to steady his hands. As he was pouring the drinks he glanced at his master. The old man was playing with his long beard, a satisfied smile clearly written on his face.
Did they come just to convince me to take some servants?!
Liang Wei must have noticed his glance since he spoke again, explaining the reason for their arrival.
"Don't worry I didn't come to convince you about having some servants around the house, even if they would definitely help with your protection."
He took the cup Yun Nian was offering him.
"The reason I have come here is to give you our family secret technique for soul training."
He took out a small book from his ring and gave it to Yun Nian.
"This is a technique that our family improved and optimized since it was established. It will let you cultivate your soul at the same speed as someone with an average soul quality, regardless of your soul quality."
Yun Nian looked at the book, with a doubtful look. Wouldn't it be better to cultivate another method, if someone had a high quality soul?
He voiced his doubts. This time it was his master turn to talk; he had an "I expected this" kind of expression. He probably had received this question multiple times during his long life.
"Yes, you are right, if you have a high quality soul then this method will only slow down your cultivation. However there is no way to measure soul quality. I suggest you try cultivating your soul with this method."
His master put another book on the table.
"If you don't make a minor stage within four months, you can switch to the Liang family's secret method. The soul stages are the longest ones to cultivate, there is no need to waste too much of your time on other methods."
Yun Nian bowed and put both books in his space ring.
"I will do as master says!"
The trio then started drinking tea, occasionally his master would ask him about his cultivation, while showing off his progress to Liang Wei. Together they spent about an hour before it was time for them to leave. Even if Yun Nian wanted to spend some more time in their company Liang Wei and his master weren't idle people and couldn't stay there forever.
Before they left Liang Wei thanked him for the tea then added.
"Liang Nian, if you need anything, you can come to me. You are our family's most important disciple. Don't worry about bothering me. Like your master, I will always be ready to help you."
Yun Nian was instantly delighted by this. Receiving the young master's favor wasn't something someone could get easily.
My master must have put in a good word for me
He inwardly thanked his master for it. His master had probably pulled some strings behind the scenes to make him look better than reality.
"I thank the young master!"
He bowed, Yun Nian voice sounded extremely excited like that of a kid unwrapping presents during festivities.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries the duo left him alone.
After a brieft moment of pause Yun Nian started running towards his cultivation room whie barely containing his excitement. During the last hour he had received two soul cultivation methods and Liang Wei's favor.
To him a young man who had left his village a little less than a year ago it was like a dream come true. He could barely believe it.
The Liang family really cares about me!
As he entered his cultivation room he threw himself on the ground, his head hitting the soft cushion he used while meditating. He couldn't contain his excitement.
Even when lying on the ground, he constantly kept moving; swinging his legs up and down while rolling side to side, shifting his pillow as he moved.
In that moment of happiness, his mind started to wander, constantly creating small and big fantasies about his future as a cultivator. In some, he was the governor of a city; in others, he was at the head of an army; and in some, he was an elder of the Liang family, comfortably living life surrounded by both his old and new families.
This last thought made him pause for a second.
Maybe I should ask young master if he can give my old family some money? Dad and Mom could definitely use them.
Oh and Mei too, maybe I can ask him to test her talent before she reaches the age of fifteen. If she has a good talent she can live with me, like when I still lived in the village!
He suddenly got up and began thinking more deeply about it.
Asking the Liang family to measure Mei's talent was an extremely good idea. If she had good talent, she could join him and live a luxurious life; if she had low talent, she could still join the Skyward Pavilion early and get an advantage in the cultivation world.
In a matter of a few minutes he was completely sold on the idea of getting his sister Mei inside the Liang family. Now the only thing that remained was asking young master Wei about it.
He was about to open the door and search for him when a thought struck him. Even if he had Liang Wei's favor, he couldn't go and ask him directly. Liang Wei had left him because he was occupied; he couldn't go and disturb him now. Besides, the young master had offered his help just a few minutes before; if he went now, Yun Nian would definitely look like a shameless and opportunistic man.
He stopped his hand just before the door pommel, then walked around the room while thinking about how to approach young master Wei.
It didn't take him long to formulate a small plan. He would ask his master about it. If his master had the authority to help him, Yun Nian wouldn't have to bother the young master; and if his master couldn't help him with Mei's matter, he would ask him to go and ask together with Liang Wei.
He walked around a little more before deciding to wait two weeks before asking his master about it.
Yes it seems like a good plan... I did a good job.
He mentally complimented himself for the good plan. Then he took a seat and started reading his master's soul cultivation method.
During the entire process he never thought about his brother who had saved his life two years ago.