Chapter Eleven: Conspiracy

“Ah?” Chen Lan stared at Chen Jin in shock.

“One stormy night, Dad carried you home from a garbage heap by the door and raised you as his own. Sigh, you were bound to learn this someday,” Chen Jin said, sighing deeply.

Chen Lan looked even more bewildered.

“I’m going to have breakfast first.”

Seizing the moment while Chen Lan was still in a daze, Chen Jin made his escape.

“You lied to me again!” Chen Lan watched Chen Jin disappear into the distance, knowing full well she had been tricked. Chen Jin was lying; their blood relation could not be closer. His story was nothing but a fabrication, meant to distract her so he could slip away.

Chen Jin sped off toward the old district of Xiahu County, intending to have breakfast at Wang Family Restaurant and perhaps reserve lunch and dinner as well.

Since Zhang Hui had mentioned that the dishes at Wang Family Restaurant helped to refine essence and transform energy—and Chen Jin indeed needed plenty of essence at this stage to nourish his body, maintain a balanced spirit, and prepare for a metamorphosis, crossing from Intent to Qi Consolidation—he decided this was the best place to eat.

A single meal at Wang Family Restaurant cost around a thousand yuan, and that was just for one person. Chen Jin’s monthly income was only twenty thousand, so if he ate there regularly, his salary wouldn’t suffice. He would need to apply for funds from his parents—about a hundred thousand per month would be just enough.

Unfortunately, his parents were strict. If they found out he was spending that much at Wang Family Restaurant, they would be furious, and he’d be left with nothing. However, Chen Jin had a stash of private savings—about two million—which would allow him to eat there for more than a year. He refused to believe that, with his golden finger, he couldn’t break through to Qi Consolidation within a year.

Since he had a cheat, he must live up to the momentum of a cheater.

Upon entering Wang Family Restaurant, he immediately spotted the manager, Qin Yang.

Qin Yang was as enthusiastic as ever, her smile even warmer.

“Master Chen, here for breakfast?” Qin Yang asked with a smile.

“Yes,” Chen Jin nodded.

“Zhang Hui and the others are in the True Colors private room. Would you like to join them?” she continued.

“Sure,” Chen Jin nodded.

Qin Yang led the way, and Chen Jin entered the True Colors private room.

The room was on the second floor, and its decor was nothing like its name—no garish colors, only a quiet elegance. Ink paintings hung on the four pale gray walls.

A redwood writing desk stood in the room, with brush, ink, paper, and inkstone neatly arranged on it.

The setup made the room seem less like a dining area and more like a gathering space for calligraphy enthusiasts.

There were no dining tables, only a few tea tables placed against the walls, each with two chairs. The arrangement was distinctive, resembling a meeting of painting and calligraphy lovers.

Inside, three people sat—one was Zhang Hui, the other two, a young man of seventeen or eighteen and a woman in her twenties, bore some resemblance to each other; they looked like siblings.

“Oh, you’ve arrived,” Zhang Hui greeted, raising his hand.

“Good morning,” Chen Jin replied appropriately.

“So you’re the new member who joined last night,” the young man said, squinting with a smile.

“Yes, it seems you both are my seniors,” Chen Jin replied with a smile.

There was no hostility or disdain—just the polite conversation of strangers introduced by a friend. None knew much about the other, so everyone spoke courteously, avoiding sensitive topics.

“These two are Hao Lian and Hao Lian, brother and sister. And this is Chen Jin,” Zhang Wei introduced everyone by name.

“Hm?” Chen Jin looked at Zhang Wei, puzzled by the repeated names and the sibling reference—the woman was clearly older than the man.

“I’m Hao Lian, as in lotus flower. He’s Hao Lian, as in ‘link’ or ‘connection,’” Hao Lian said with a laugh.

“Sister, you’re at it again. What do you mean ‘link’? It’s ‘layered clouds and peaks,’” Hao Lian replied, looking at his sister in exasperation.

“Is there any difference between ‘layered clouds and peaks’ and ‘link’?” Hao Lian retorted disdainfully.

“Of course there is—”

Hao Lian tried to argue, but Hao Lian flicked a ray of clear light to silence him. His words were stuck in his throat.

Hao Lian was quick, though—he swiped his mouth, dispelling the clear light, and sent a ray back.

Hao Lian was ready. She sent out her own beam, and the two collided.

Puff—

Both rays dispersed simultaneously.

Just as they were about to continue, Qin Yang placed her hands on the siblings’ backs. “Enough, don’t wreck my restaurant.”

Chen Jin watched, his eyes wide.

It was like witnessing a short film with special effects, only this was real, not a 3D movie on a screen.

Truth be told, Chen Jin had seen Wu Song, an ancient cultivator, use his powers before, but he hadn’t seen clearly then and thought it was just his imagination. Now, he saw everything clearly. The siblings’ technique matched Chen Jin’s vision of cultivators, unlike Wu Song’s, which resembled martial arts. These siblings embodied the true style of a world of immortals and heroes.

“How do you feel?” Zhang Hui suddenly asked.

“…It’s incredible,” Chen Jin replied.

“In time, you’ll be able to do this too,” Zhang Hui said.

“What realm are they in?” Chen Jin asked.

“The same as me—refining essence and transforming energy,” Zhang Hui replied.

“You’re also in that realm. Only your essence hasn’t reached the fullness we have,” Zhang Hui added.

“I see.” Chen Jin nodded.

He knew he practiced the ancient method, which was quite different from theirs.

Besides, Chen Jin felt his physical body was much stronger, since he had absorbed a ball of primal energy and undergone a small transformation.

However, his spirit was far ahead of his body’s energy, so they believed he was in the process of transitioning from spiritual transformation to refining essence.

“After about three months of Wang Family Restaurant’s dishes, you should truly step into the realm of refining essence and transforming energy,” Zhang Hui said.

“I’ll give Master Chen a ten percent discount,” Qin Yang said. Having subdued the siblings, she released them and joined the conversation.

“Then I won’t be polite. Thank you, Sister Qin.” Chen Jin smiled and switched to a more familiar form of address, making their relationship appear closer.

“Master Chen, please support us often,” Qin Yang replied with a smile.

Chen Jin then placed an order for a month—spending ninety thousand, originally meant to be a hundred thousand.

After breakfast, Chen Jin left Wang Family Restaurant.

In the True Colors private room, the Hao siblings and Zhang Hui remained.

“Is his fate really suitable?” Hao Lian’s voice was joyful and excited.

“There’s no mistake,” Zhang Hui replied, his face radiant with happiness.

But Hao Lian’s brother, Hao Lian, showed no expression at all.

……