Jiang Xun's spoon, filled with porridge, paused in mid-air as he looked up at the dilapidated wooden door.
Who would come at this hour?
Brother Hu's people?
No, debt collectors wouldn't be this polite.
Sang Linger? She had just left, and given her temperament, she likely wouldn't deign to visit.
He set down the bowl, gestured "it's fine" to a tense Jiang Wanxing, and stood up to walk to the door, though he didn't open it immediately.
"Who is it?"
"Brother Jiang, it's me, Zhao Peng." A smiling voice, deliberately lowered and softened, came from outside.
Zhao Peng?
Jiang Xun's brow furrowed.
What was he doing here?
Jiang Xun placed a hand on the door bolt and pulled it open.
Standing outside was a middle-aged man wearing a decent grey cloth jacket and carrying two small jars of wine; it was indeed Zhao Peng.
His face was wreathed in smiles, and as soon as the door opened, he squeezed inside before Jiang Xun could speak, his movements as familiar as if he were entering his own home.
In fact, the Original Owner and Zhao Peng were indeed that close.
Zhao Peng would come looking for Jiang Xun to hang out every few days.
He would take Jiang Xun to gamble.
"Oh, Brother Jiang, why so formal? Asking who it is."
Zhao Peng spoke while his eyes scanned the room.
Jiang Xun didn't respond. He closed the door and turned to look at this uninvited "good brother."
"It's so late. Is something the matter?"
Zhao Peng set the wine jars down on the crooked-legged, broken table with a soft thud.
He rubbed his hands together, a hint of shame on his face.
"Listen to you!"
"Before... before, it was my fault. My heart was clouded by greed, and I dragged you into that gambling business."
"Well, I felt bad about it, so I came specifically to apologize!"
Jiang Wanxing huddled in the shadows by the stove, hugging her knees, not even glancing at Zhao Peng.
She hated this man.
Jiang Xun sneered inwardly, but his face remained calm.
"I can't accept that. If there's something on your mind, just say it."
Seeing that Jiang Xun wasn't as submissive and easy to manipulate as before, a flicker of displeasure crossed Zhao Peng's heart.
But remembering his father's stern instructions from earlier that evening, he immediately suppressed it, and his smile became even more sincere.
"Brother, I have good news for you." He leaned in half a step and lowered his voice, looking as if he were sharing a deep secret.
"That ten-tael debt you owe Zhang Hu? You don't have to pay it back!"
"Oh?" Jiang Xun's eyebrows arched slightly; this time, he was genuinely surprised. "Why is that?"
"Why? Because your big brother here felt bad!"
Zhao Peng slapped his thigh, his tone full of regret.
"You're an honest man; you shouldn't have touched that stuff! It's all my fault! This debt is on me! I'll go talk to Zhang Hu later and have your account wiped clean!"
Jiang Xun said nothing, just quietly watching him perform.
A person like Zhao Peng wouldn't do anything without a profit motive. He wouldn't blink an eye while scamming someone; would he suddenly have a change of heart?
It would be more likely for the sun to rise in the west.
"Zhao Peng," Jiang Xun said slowly.
"If there's something, just say it plainly. Don't play these games."
"Hey! What are you thinking?" Zhao Peng waved his hand, acting as if Jiang Xun was overthinking it.
"I just saw how hard your life is and couldn't bear it! We've known each other for so many years; I can't just watch you be driven to death by some debt, can I?"
As he spoke, he deftly broke the clay seal on a wine jar and took two chipped earthenware bowls from the table. Without a hint of disdain for the room's shabbiness, he poured two full bowls of cloudy liquid.
The scent of wine spread, carrying a low-quality pungency.
Zhao Peng picked one up himself, took a large gulp, and then, exhaling, handed the bowl to Jiang Xun.
"Come on, brother! The past is the past! Drink this bowl, and we're still good brothers!"
Jiang Xun looked at the bowl of wine.
In his past life, even foreigners knew: "Food given by a villain is surely poisoned."
However, since the other party had already drunk first, there was no need to be afraid.
A timely look of being flattered appeared on Jiang Xun's face. He took the bowl with both hands and also took a large gulp.
The wine was strong and harsh, stinging his throat so much that he couldn't help but cough twice.
His face flushed slightly, making him look once again like the naive, easily manipulated "Jiang Xun."
Seeing him like this, a trace of imperceptible contempt flashed deep in Zhao Peng's eyes, but the smile on his face grew even warmer.
He set down the bowl, leaned forward again, and lowered his voice even further, sounding mysterious.
"Brother, besides making amends, I actually have something important to tell you."
Jiang Xun's heart stirred. Here it comes.
He wiped the wine stain from the corner of his mouth, puffed out his chest, and tried to look loyal.
"Brother Peng, tell me! As long as I can do it, I won't refuse!"
"It's not that serious," Zhao Peng waved his hand, but his tone became solemn. "The Immortal wants to see you."
"The Immortal?!"
Jiang Xun's shock this time wasn't faked.
"The Immortal wants to see me? Did I do something wrong?"
His face was instantly filled with confusion.
"Look at you, what are you panicking for!" Zhao Peng quickly reassured him. "If you really did something wrong, would the Immortal have my father come find you so politely? He would have sent someone to arrest you long ago! It's a good thing."
Jiang Xun looked as if he were stunned by this "immense Opportunity," dazed, murmuring, "But I'm just a mere mortal..."
Zhao Peng slapped his shoulder. "The Immortal has ordered you to go to the Deacons Office to see him tomorrow morning. I've delivered the message; make sure you remember and don't be late!"
Having finished, as if his task were complete, he patted Jiang Xun's shoulder again.
"Alright, the wine is drunk and the message is delivered. I won't stay any longer. You should rest early, get your energy up, and handle things well tomorrow."
Zhao Peng stood up, and Jiang Xun quickly followed, seeing him all the way to the door.
Not until Zhao Peng's figure vanished into the night did Jiang Xun slowly close the door.
The panic and simple-mindedness on his face instantly vanished, replaced by a deep calm.
Xue Sheng wanted to see him?
Zhao Peng's sudden shift from arrogance to servility was clearly due to a misunderstanding.
They likely thought he had somehow caught the Dharma Eye of some "Immortal" or perhaps even established a connection, and they feared he would seek revenge once he gained power.
That was why they were so anxious to come and repair the relationship in the middle of the night.
In this place, even exchanging a word or two with an Immortal was a massive deal.
Let alone being personally summoned by an Immortal.
But why did Xue Sheng suddenly want to see him?
Jiang Xun's gaze became profound.
Whether it was a blessing or a curse was hard to say.
"Brother..." Jiang Wanxing moved over from the corner, her small hand gently tugging at his sleeve, her face full of worry.
"It's nothing." Jiang Xun pulled back his thoughts and rubbed his sister's withered hair, his voice steady. "Just a small matter. I'll go to the Deacons Office tomorrow and be back soon."
Jiang Wanxing looked up at him, her lips trembling as if she wanted to say something, but she ultimately lowered her head, her grip on his sleeve tightening. "Then... be careful."
"Mhm, I know."
The next day, just as dawn was breaking.
Jiang Xun changed into his cleanest old clothes with the fewest patches and washed himself thoroughly.
Jiang Wanxing insisted on coming along, but he talked her out of it.
In the end, she still insisted on following him to the vicinity of the Deacons Office, hiding behind an old locust tree and watching expectantly.
Jiang Xun walked alone to the greyish-white three-story pavilion.
He took a deep breath and stepped onto the cold stone stairs.
The door was slightly ajar; he pushed it open gently and walked inside.
The interior was simpler than he had imagined.
A vast hall with a floor paved in bluestone, swept spotlessly clean.
There were a few wooden chairs against the wall, but nothing else.
Light filtered through the high windows, making it feel somewhat cold.
An expressionless servant dressed in grey short-sleeved clothes appeared out of nowhere. He glanced at Jiang Xun and, without a word, simply tilted his head toward the stairs.
"The Immortal Master is waiting for you upstairs."
Jiang Xun nodded and walked toward the deep staircase leading upstairs.