Chapter Forty-Three: "Borrowed" Affection

Because the flesh bird burned Qin Heng to death, Feng Ke’er felt guilty towards Qin Jun. Therefore, these days, she deliberately avoided him. She exchanged tasks with Senior Brother Qian mainly to read the jade slips, but partly to avoid Qin Jun.

“No need, big brother. We're cultivators, we're not that fragile!” To prove her point, she raised her arm and struck a pose of strength.

Qin Jun couldn’t help but laugh, and casually slapped her on the back of the head, “What’s with those silly gestures? Ugly! Where did you learn that?”

Feng Ke’er dodged, shrieking, and quickly changed the subject, “Big brother, how did you know I was in trouble?”

At the mention of this, Qin Jun’s face darkened, and he chased after her, grumbling, “You brat, your wings have grown, haven’t they? You actually took it upon yourself to swap tasks and come here to dry jade slips! And when I sent word for you to come see me, you dared ignore it…”

He scolded her all the way as they walked to the new No. 4 courtyard, and Feng Ke’er gradually pieced together what had happened.

It turned out that Qin Jun learned from Senior Brother Qian that his younger brother had swapped tasks privately and gone to dry jade slips. He was shocked, for though no one spoke openly of it, everyone knew—drying jade slips was dangerous. The jade bugs were ferocious, able to devour a person down to the bones in mere moments!

Moreover, Feng Ke’er was avoiding him. He had no choice but to use his connections, asking fellow disciples patrolling near the small side yard to keep an eye on things. Especially since the jade bugs were hatching this afternoon, he specifically switched tasks with another junior and came to patrol nearby.

As expected, something went wrong. That afternoon, with a roar from Elder Chen, the new disciples fled the small side yard howling.

Qin Jun rushed over. Seeing the protective formation activate and not spotting Qin Heng, he was anxious. He grabbed the last female disciple to escape and asked sternly, “Where’s Qin Heng? Did you see Qin Heng?”

This female disciple had been the last one Elder Chen threw out from the west wing. She was injured in many places, terrified and disoriented, escaping purely on instinct. When someone blocked her path, she screamed and fought wildly with Qin Jun.

A fellow patroller struck her unconscious with a chop, frowning as he warned, “Brother Qin, things inside must be bad.”

He was right. Over the years, several incidents of jade bugs devouring people had occurred among the outer sect.

Qin Jun’s cultivation was too low to break the protective formation, so he hurried to seek help. His first thought was the newly emerged Grand Aunt Qin Hanyan. Among the elders, Qin Hanyan was famous for fiercely protecting her kin, unconventional and bold; as for their mother Qin Ruhua, she was at home making buns. Having given birth to three sons, she endured much gossip. Now pregnant again, not only Qin Ruhua but all three brothers hoped for a daughter to balance things. Naturally, Qin Jun dared not disturb a pregnant woman.

He quickly sent a distress signal to Qin Hanyan. When he saw Steward Wen from the Steward’s Courtyard arrive on his sword, he was glad he had called for help: this one, seemingly gentle and harmless, was in fact infamous for being a smiling tiger—ruthless and cunning. Everywhere he appeared, trouble followed.

Fortunately, Qin Hanyan was formidable. Upon hearing someone wished harm upon a Qin family child, she rushed over as well. With her protection, Feng Ke’er escaped disaster.

Qin Jun was still shaken, scolding, “You got lucky this time. In a moment of panic, you broke through a stage. Grand Aunt was pleased and helped settle things for you. Next time, you may not be so lucky. So you'd best behave and stay out of trouble.”

“Got it, big brother. You’ve said that at least ten times on the way!” Feng Ke’er raised her hands in mock surrender, grinning. Since the old director passed away, she hadn’t felt such familial care for a long time. Though it was warmth gained through impersonation, she still cherished it.

Well, let’s just say I’m borrowing it—a little bit, just a little.

Worried about her injuries, Qin Jun wasted no time and sent her straight inside to rest.

Uncle Shen was efficient. By now, the two guardians at the gate had withdrawn, the courtyard was clean and tidy, and no one else remained.

The flesh bird was still secluded inside. Feng Ke’er felt tense and, smiling sweetly, blocked Qin Jun on the porch, “Big brother, hehe, I’ve been busy cultivating lately, so, uh, I haven’t cleaned the room in ages… It’s a mess inside…”

“Messy!” Qin Jun glared at her, touched his nose, and turned to leave.

“Big brother, take care!” Feng Ke’er breathed a sigh of relief, beaming as she waved at his back.

But after a few steps, he seemed to remember something, turned around and came back.

Feng Ke’er’s heart skipped a beat, nervous as she approached, “Big brother, what’s wrong?”

Qin Jun glanced around cautiously, leaned in and whispered, “Qin Heng, tell me honestly—did father secretly give you some magical treasure?”

“B-big brother…” Unprepared, Feng Ke’er was at a loss for words.

Marriage in this world was peculiar, much like the ‘walking marriage’ of certain southwestern ethnic minorities—there was no formal wedding. As long as both parties were willing and not closely related, they could pair up and have children. If they lost interest, they simply parted ways and started anew; there was no blame. However, all children, regardless of gender, took their mother’s surname and belonged to her clan. Fathers rarely interacted with their children, and bonds were not strong.

This was mainly because men had low economic and social status—they were subordinate in the tribe, without authority (they could gain it, but only by remaining celibate for life, to show undivided loyalty to their clan and tribe. The belief here was “men are outsiders”… sigh!). Economically, they had no right to own or control property; everything was granted by the matrilineal clan.

Yet, the situation in the cultivation world was quietly changing. The rising male cultivators were no longer content with their low status. Recognizing their abilities, progressive clan leaders began granting them more power. Some female cultivators, ignoring worldly prejudices, left their clans to join their favored male’s family. As long as these women agreed to let their children take their own surname, clan leaders welcomed fresh blood.

Still, such women were the exception.

Most people, regardless of gender, still considered the father’s clan as outsiders and avoided too much interaction.

Therefore, Feng Ke’er had never bothered to learn about Qin Heng’s father and knew nothing about him.

Seeing this, Qin Jun was finally reassured. He took her hand and reminded, “Good, then. I heard father praised your talent before his clan elders. Now, many cultivators in the upper realm are said to take their father’s surname and follow him. I worry you might believe a few good words and… Anyway, remember, you’re always a Qin. Besides, their Lei family’s Blackwater Sect is far weaker than Cloudsky Sect. You’re not a girl, so joining them wouldn’t offer as much opportunity as here. Qin Heng, do you understand?”

Feng Ke’er realized Qin Jun was only speculating, with no evidence.

“Big brother, what are you talking about? I never met father alone!” She feigned annoyance, subtly withdrawing her hand and pouting.

“Good.” Qin Jun patted her shoulder, laughing softly in her ear, “Honestly, I see through it. A surname is just a symbol—doesn’t matter whose it is. Whoever benefits our cultivation most, that’s whose name we take! Lei family doesn’t measure up, so we’ll stick with Qin.”

This child is the epitome of “milk is mother.” Even though Feng Ke’er had no deep-rooted views on surnames, she was still surprised.

After Qin Jun left, Feng Ke’er passed Bodhi’s room and paused, then pushed the door open. She had long wanted to take a look, but with so many people around and guardians at the door, she had to restrain herself.

Now she finally understood why Senior Brother Qian and the others were so amazed after entering her room: Bodhi’s room was like a snow cave—apart from a shredded meditation cushion, there was nothing else.

Thinking of that childish, bun-like face, Feng Ke’er rubbed her brow and sighed—poor child, all because of her.

Meanwhile, atop Cloudsky Sect’s main peak, in the Sacred Radiance Hall, the sect leader’s furious roar echoed, “Can’t find him! How can it be that a mountain this size, with so many people, and yet he’s nowhere to be found? Useless, all of you!”

“Pfft!”

“Pfft!”

The two stewards of the outer sect could not withstand the wrath of a cultivator at the Void Fusion stage, spat blood and collapsed on the spot.

The sect leader’s rage made her knuckles crack. The chief elder sighed, gestured for disciples to drag the stewards away, then advised, “Sect leader, didn’t you say Feng Ke’er has a younger brother in the sect as well?”

The leader grew even angrier. She pounded her meditation cushion and said bitterly, “He’s already fled! Useless lot.”

The chief elder frowned and leaned forward, “Did he return to the Feng clan at Great Green Mountain?”

The leader paused, then realized, and sprang up, “Guards! Bodhi attempted to steal the sect’s treasure and fled out of guilt—go to Great Green Mountain and bring him back!”

None of this Feng Ke’er knew. After her musings, she took Bodhi’s blue cloth bundle, left behind in haste, into her own room. Bodhi was surely gone for good, so she intended to keep it safe and, if possible, return it someday.

The flesh bird remained deep in meditation, unmoving.

Feng Ke’er stored the bundle, resumed her true form, and examined the changes after her advancement.

++++++++++++ Divider ++++++++++++

Thank you all for your strong support—recommendation votes have hit another thousand. There will be a second update at six this afternoon.

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First, I bow and thank everyone for your passionate support since the story began. This is my first time writing a cultivation novel, and I’ve been crossing the river by feeling the stones—learning and improving as I go. I’m an amateur among amateurs, so this story is quite raw and full of flaws. But with your broad hearts, you’ve tolerated and supported me, accompanying me all this way. I am truly moved—thank you again.

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Tongtian Codex 43_Chapter Forty-three “Borrowed” Affection Updated!