Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 1506 - 1506 866 Must Be Returned

Chapter 1506: Chapter 866: Must Be Returned Chapter 1506: Chapter 866: Must Be Returned Chapter 0866: Repayment Is a Must

Qi Tian and Chen Huai had only met once. Although they addressed each other as “Sir,” neither of them had the intention to engage in further conversation. Their paths were not meant to cross extensively; a simple greeting upon meeting was sufficient. Qi Tian nodded towards Chen Huai, ready to bypass him directly.

Unexpectedly, Chen Huai’s eyes gleamed with unconcealed joy as he looked at Qi Tian. Taking a step diagonally, he blocked Qi Tian’s path. With a hint of respect in his tone, he said,

“Last time, thanks to the Great Elder’s benevolence in agreeing to exchange the medicinal pills with us, my cousin and I took the pills back and administered them to our Ancestor. The effects were extraordinarily good and immediately stabilized the Great Elder’s injuries.

Over these three years, our Chen family has been searching for opportunities far and wide. Coupled with the Ancestor’s decent foundation, our Ancestor finally awoke not long ago. We recounted to our Ancestor everything that had transpired over the years. He was extremely grateful for the Great Elder’s timely assistance and insisted, despite our dissuasion, on personally traveling to Wanjie City to express his gratitude to the Great Elder.

However, our Ancestor’s recovery isn’t yet complete; he felt some discomfort traveling here, so he sent me to buy some medicinal pills from a nearby shop to adjust his condition. Unexpectedly, I encountered the Great Elder right here. This must be God’s way of allowing our entire family to express our gratitude to the Great Elder.

I implore the Great Elder to grant our Chen family this token of esteem and visit the place where our Ancestor is staying, just to meet him once.

Of course, I understand that my request may be somewhat presumptuous. It would only be proper for our Chen family to visit you. But as you see, our Ancestor is unwell. I hope the Great Elder won’t mind these minor details.”

After letting Chen Huai finish speaking, Qi Tian said, “I am fully aware of your family’s intentions, but there’s no need to meet with Master Xian Yu. Our interaction was nothing more than a fair transaction. After the transaction was complete, neither party owed the other. I don’t feel as if I did your family a great favor that needs repaying, nor should you feel indebted or compelled to thank me in person.”

Chen Huai hastily responded, “Great Elder, your words are too modest. What you did that day was more than saving our Ancestor from the danger of death; you also saved the future and fate of our Chen family from being devoured alive. No matter what, our entire family will remain forever grateful to the Great Elder. Moreover, setting aside the transaction that occurred between us, you undeniably saved our Ancestor’s life. If not for your help in bringing our Ancestor out of the Fiery Cloud Secret Realm, he might have perished long ago. Great Elder, please consider this. Since our Ancestor has personally come, he insists on expressing his thanks to you in person. Since this meeting is bound to happen, wouldn’t it be better to simply take a step forward to meet with our Ancestor?”

Qi Tian slightly furrowed his brow. With Chen Huai having spoken to this extent, it would seem pretentious of him not to go. After all, the Chen family’s Ancestor, Chen Xianyu, was a Nascent Soul Master. Waiting at home for a Nascent Soul Master to pay a visit would certainly not sound or look good if word got out. Therefore, Qi Tian nodded and said, “Very well, you lead the way.”

Chen Huai was overjoyed and quickly said, “Our Ancestor is staying at the Brocade Inn not far from here, Great Elder. I shall take you there.”

Following Chen Huai towards the Brocade Inn, Chen Huai exhibited great eagerness along the way, continually emphasizing to Qi Tian how grateful their Chen family was to him.

Qi Tian was perfunctorily responding when he frowned in secret. Chen Huai’s display of gratitude seemed a bit excessive. He did not deny the existence of grateful people in this world. Although he had saved the life of Master Chen Xianyu, as a Nascent Soul Master, Chen Xianyu could have very well acted as if nothing happened. At most, upon seeing him, Chen Xianyu could have expressed thanks and quietly noted this debt of gratitude, looking for an opportunity in the future to repay it. There was truly no need for him to go out of his way to come from Sui’an City to Wanjie City, dragging a weak and sickly body just to thank him in person—it was somewhat hard to justify.

What’s more, he had already declared in front of the Chen brothers that from the moment their transaction was complete, the Chen family owed him nothing. The Chen brothers had no reason not to convey his words exactly to Chen Xianyu. Yet, Chen Xianyu still insisted on meeting him. This made everything all the more unusual.

A favor bestowed often comes with expectations.

At this moment, this was the only thought in Qi Tian’s mind. He was certain that Chen Xianyu’s trip to Wanjie City was not merely to express his gratitude in person. There must be some ulterior motive. He had to be extremely vigilant, lest he get entangled in the debts and grudges of Chen Xianyu and other Nascent Soul Masters. Isolated and vulnerable as he was, he had no intention of deliberately taking sides for anyone.

Chen Huai led the way ahead and soon brought Qi Tian to Brocade Inn where he met Nascent Soul Master, Chen Xianyu.

Three years earlier, when Qi Tian first met Chen Xianyu, he had been badly beaten by Huo Yunbiao. At that time, although Qi Tian had saved Chen Xianyu, Chen Xianyu’s face was covered in blood, with countless broken bones, and he was barely recognizable. As a result, to this day, Qi Tian had only a very vague impression of Chen Xianyu’s appearance.

Now that Chen Xianyu was standing alive and well in front of him, Qi Tian could scarcely recognize him. He noticed Chen Xianyu’s poor health—the man was listless, with dull eyes, and appeared weak and debilitated, like someone burdened with a chronic ailment.

Upon seeing Qi Tian, Chen Xianyu managed a weak smile and said, “Great Elder, please excuse my impertinence. Although my life is no longer in danger, it will still take a long time to recover to my former health.”

Qi Tian nodded and found a place to sit down then gestured with folded hands towards Chen Xianyu, “You are my elder, Master. Properly speaking, I should have visited you in Sui’an City. I never imagined that you would come to Wanjie City yourself. I am truly ashamed.”

Chen Xianyu replied, “Great Elder, you have twice saved my life. It’s only right for me to visit you in person. Ideally, if I could visit the National Master Manor personally, it would show my sincerity. Unexpectedly, Chen Huai encountered you on the way and insisted on inviting you over, which inadvertently diminishes the sincerity of my visit. I hope the Great Elder can forgive this misstep.”

Qi Tian said, “Let’s not dwell on these formalities. What is the reason for inviting me this time, Master? If it is merely to express your gratitude, it really wasn’t necessary. The incident in the Fiery Cloud Secret Realm—I just happened to be there and did not do anything significant that you should feel deeply indebted for. You shouldn’t trouble yourself over it. If you find it hard to settle with, then, in the future, whenever there is a chance that catches your fancy, just offer it, and that will be more than enough.”

Chen Xianyu said, “The Great Elder is not someone who has been saved before; you may not fully understand my feelings. It’s not in the style of Chen Xianyu to owe a life debt no matter what. I must repay this debt of gratitude or else I cannot be at peace.”