Chapter 6, Suspense

Tian Maoping cleared his throat lightly: "Cui'er, you seem distracted"

Alright, young master, everything outside is safe. Hehe, it is still thanks to your thorough consideration.

Oh? Has my elder brother Ouyang Beichen returned? Did the master not summon me?

"Yes, the child remembers it deeply." Given Tian Maoping's character, he is too lazy to concern himself with other matters; it is best for him to have a secluded place for self-cultivation, where no one should disturb him.

Yes, my lord

The ancestral worship began. It was unclear who shouted, but Ouyang Yue stepped forward in a measured pace towards the ancestral hall, which housed the spirit tablets of all the ancestors of the Ouyang family. Tian Maoping's heart suddenly contracted, and he felt a chill emanating from his pores, feeling somewhat uncomfortable for reasons he could not understand. He looked up and was momentarily taken aback, sensing that there was something particularly awkward about the layout of the hall. Recalling what Cui'er mentioned last night, that Ouyang Haotian and his mother had been incoherent after returning from the ancestral hall, could it be that there truly is a concept of the immortality of the soul? He felt a chill again, still unable to shake off the discomfort. He looked up again, still feeling that the layout of the hall was particularly awkward. He recalled what Cui'er had mentioned last night, that Ouyang Haotian and his mother had been incoherent after returning from the ancestral hall, could it be that there truly is a concept of the immortality of the soul? Those were strange tales passed down from the era of cultivation, but in today's world where the spiritual energy of heaven and earth has diminished, is it really possible?

"What a discovery? Could it be adultery? Ouyang Yue has been away from home for years, and a woman who has ripened is most likely to make the mistake of having an affair with a man. However, what does this have to do with me, Tian Maoping?" He patted Cui'er on the shoulder and said half-consolingly, "No matter what happened three years ago, I am alive now and will live well in the future. You are just worrying for nothing, do you understand?"

I am sorry, young master. Cui'er has noticed that you have changed; you have become very mature, which brings great comfort. Since you already have your thoughts, everything will be done according to your wishes. However, once we part, who knows when we will meet again? My heart feels like it is being cut with a knife. Will I, will I be able to see you again, young master?" Tears fell like scattered pearls, and Cui'er knelt before the couch, unable to speak through her sobs. "Will I, will I be able to see you again, young master?" Tears fell like scattered pearls, and Cui'er knelt before the couch, unable to speak through her sobs

The maid Cui'er was not beautiful; she was quite tall and had some pockmarks on her face. Excitedly, she said: "Young Master, are you leaving? Please don't... No, it is better to leave, but do not go to Tianyi Gate, because the Second Madam..."

Cui Er blinked her eyes, looking at Tian Maoping with surprise. In her memory, Ouyang Haotian was somewhat timid yet very straightforward, lacking an understanding of self-preservation. She carefully observed the young master, who appeared even more handsome than before, exuding a spirited charm. His eyes were remarkably bright, as if he could see through everyone's thoughts at once. Could it be that three years of torment had brought about such a significant change

The second item is a jadeite belt, inlaid with five cat's eye stones. Its surface appears quite ordinary, yet its actual value is extremely high. This is the most precious storage device; although it was merely a very common tool during the peak of cultivation, its current existence is quite rare. Nowadays, practitioners forge their own spaces for storage, which can only be used by themselves

After quite a while, there was finally some movement outside: "Young Master, the food has arrived." Behind the tall steamer stood a little girl, drenched in sweat.

Returning to his own small courtyard, Tian Maoping finally breathed a sigh of relief. In order to complete the mission for the Heavenly Demon Sect, he had exhausted all his means. Fortunately, Ouyang Haotian had no close acquaintances, allowing him to continue playing this role. Leaving the place of turmoil as soon as possible and changing his environment would alleviate many of his worries.

Is this Ouyang Beichen? A typical scion of a prominent family, arrogant and overbearing. Such a person has not experienced many setbacks; it seems he is still somewhat inexperienced and relatively easy to handle

Cui'er, come inside. I have something to say to you

Cui'er, what happened to the Second Madam? You seem to be concealing something.

There is nothing more delightful than a pile of treasures laid out before one. Tian Maoping felt that Ouyang Haotian's identity was not so bad after all; at least, it was undeniably strong in economic terms. He possessed extensive experience in the appreciation of antiques, and with just a cursory glance, he imprinted the characteristics and properties of the items in his mind. He repeatedly conducted comparisons and selections to compile a list, categorizing the items into three general levels: upper, middle, and lower.

Lost in thought, a voice came to my ears: "Haotian, your elder brother is returning in a hurry. He will set off back to Tianyi Gate in three days. Your father has kept you here to give you some advice. First, do not get into disputes with others. Nowadays, young people love to show off; they flaunt their abilities and even compete for attention. Your elder brother seems to have never had peace; he has caused quite a stir over a certain senior sister. Do not follow his example, do you understand?"

Looking back, I said: "Cui'er, I heard that you took great care of me while I was unconscious, thank you for your hard work! There are many things that I have forgotten, but I can still see my position in this family. Therefore, I have chosen to leave. In a few days, I will go to Tianyi Gate with my elder brother to seek a new beginning. Since I cannot remember the past, I will let it go. The only thing I am worried about is you."

"Alright, Cui'er, you must be obedient. Two mountains can never meet in this lifetime; can two living people not see each other? Go to Wenchang Star, 'Rongcheng.' It is a famous trading city. Start with handicrafts, be cautious and careful. After six months, open a small shop, and no matter what you name it, it must be called 'Warm Little Abode.' If the time is right, I will come to find you. Do you remember? This is a secret that belongs to the two of us." In recent days, Tian Maoping has not only been busy eating. The habit of planning before acting has been cultivated over many years. One must know that a cunning rabbit has three burrows. In a situation with limited time, one must first pave the way, regardless of success or failure, multiple preparations must be made.

No, young master, Cui'er only hopes for your safety. The Ouyang residence is very unsafe; it is said that strange things have been happening. Since you have recovered, you should leave as soon as possible, but do not go to Tianyi Gate, as that is the maternal home of the second madam. She does not want you to live, and I do not know why, but I always have a bad feeling.

"Ancestors above, I kneel in reverence!" As I pondered matters in my heart, I mechanically followed the motions. Suddenly, as I bent down, I was jolted awake. This grand hall evidently has a history; over time, its original appearance has faded. Although it has undergone human modifications, certain remnants of its mechanisms remain visible. For instance, the bizarre pillars surrounding me are merely enlarged versions of the central axles of gear transmission systems. It is no wonder I felt somewhat uncomfortable, as it evokes a sense of awe towards the ancient, colossal mechanical creations. Although it has undergone human modifications, certain remnants of its mechanisms remain visible. For instance, the bizarre pillars surrounding me are merely enlarged versions of the central axles of gear transmission systems. It is no wonder I felt somewhat uncomfortable, as it evokes a sense of awe towards the ancient, colossal mechanical creations

As soon as the second lady left, Tian Maoping's courage immediately grew, and he began to look around, not overlooking even the smallest ornaments, searching for clues to open the secret chamber. He was eager to see the internal structure of the Thunder Warship, as this would provide unparalleled benefits for the study of mechanical beasts, and perhaps he could even find some fragments of original components

Oh? Tian Maoping suddenly stood up. This little maid has some cunning; she forcefully pulled up the bedding, and for a moment, she was stunned by the dazzling array of exquisite small items. It was undoubtedly an unprecedented shock. She had never realized how wealthy a merchant family could be until today. Compared to the gifts Ouyang Yue gave to his concubine, the rewards for the servants and the books worth tens of thousands of Nayan were hardly worth mentioning, and one could even say it was extremely stingy. Even coming from a family of demonic lineage, she had never seen so much wealth before. She had never realized how wealthy a merchant family could be until today. Compared to the gifts Ouyang Yue gave to his concubine, the rewards for the servants and the books worth tens of thousands of Nayan were hardly worth mentioning, and one could even say it was extremely stingy. Even coming from a family of demonic lineage, she had never seen so much wealth before.

After the ceremony, Ouyang Yue insisted on enforcing the punishment for the young master’s tardiness, leaving only the two of them, father and son, in the grand hall

Upon receiving the Nayuanyu Bi, which is capable of storing one million points of high-grade goods, the level of wealth among merchants no longer astonished him. After merging with the identity of Ouyang Haotian, he felt guilt for the first time. Perhaps he truly was not suited to be an undercover agent; the feeling of being a pawn was quite unpleasant. He secretly vowed: "I, Tian Maoping, will one day break free and take control of my own destiny, no longer to be manipulated by others"

Cui'er, why have you only just returned after such a long time? Have all the master chefs gone to sleep?

Frustrated by the steward's deliberate difficulties, Tian Maoping could only lower his head and respond, "Yes, father." Out of the corner of his eye, he couldn't help but scrutinize the young man standing in the center. This individual had a sharply defined face, prominent temples, and a subtly glowing forehead. He was quite robust, and his gaze radiated boundless arrogance, completely disregarding those around him.

"Young Master, I am sorry, Cui'er is too foolish, I will take them all out now." The young girl was completely captivated by the striking figure before her. Although the young master was only sixteen years old, his demeanor and gaze were quite unique. After racking her brain, she finally recalled the most fitting word to describe him: "wise"

His mind was in a state of chaos. Tian Maoping's obsession with mechanisms had reached a frenzied level. For many years, he had dreamed of finding a relic of ancient mechanisms from the prosperous era of cultivation. This wish unexpectedly came true, but the most regrettable part was that he could not conduct a thorough study. He could only observe but not partake, which was truly unbearable.

The lighting is bright, and the herbal scent accumulated over many years has yet to dissipate. The room is not particularly large, with a row of low nanmu cabinets placed beside the bed, piled high with books. I casually picked one up and flipped through it; it was a work on astronomy and calendars. I did not expect Young Master Ouyang to have such an interest. For nineteen thousand years, many people have tirelessly explored the world they inhabit, seeking to uncover the ancient, lost starry skies. This has led to the emergence of numerous astrologers, and the imperial court has specifically established the Astronomical Bureau to recruit talents in this field. However, the various schools of thought trace their origins differently, and even today, there is no definitive explanation.

If I am not mistaken, this is a 'Thunderous Warship' that is rarely seen even in the era of cultivation. The main hall is merely the tip of the iceberg; the substantial part lies buried underground. The Second Madam hails from the Tianyi Sect, and there must be some extremely important secrets involved. I had suspected that with her beauty and status, she would not marry a merchant; it turns out she is not after this substantial family fortune but has other schemes in mind. However, twenty years have passed, and has she not succeeded yet? What exactly is hidden beneath the Grand Ancestral Hall?

The ancestral worship process continued until around 1 or 2 PM, during which various prayers were recited, beseeching heavenly blessings. The lengthy and elaborate rituals could be quite tiresome. However, Tian Maoping felt no fatigue at all; his eyes were busy with excitement as he measured the width and length of the main hall, estimated the positions of various residual machine pivot bases, speculated on the bearing spacing, calculated the operational modes of the transmission techniques, and etched various ratios into his mind, determined to conduct research through simulation even after leaving. Yet, Tian Maoping felt no fatigue at all; his eyes were busy with excitement as he measured the width and length of the main hall, estimated the positions of various residual machine pivot bases, speculated on the bearing spacing, calculated the operational modes of the transmission techniques, and etched various ratios into his mind, determined to conduct research through simulation even after leaving.

Ouyang Yue, dressed in plain clothes with her hair styled high, appeared quite serious. She glared at Tian Maoping and said: "With such a significant matter at home, Haotian, you actually arrived late. You will kneel for an extra quarter of an hour in front of the ancestral spirit later, do you understand?"

After a night of silence, on the following day when the sun was high in the sky, the Ouyang family was engaged in fasting and bathing. Tian Maoping was the last to arrive at the ancestral hall. Cui'er, having risen early to sell some jewelry, encountered some difficulties; the steward was unwilling to let her go due to a severe shortage of manpower. This fellow even disregarded the young master's authority. After much persuasion, he finally relented slightly, but insisted that she must return within two hours to be at their disposal, which caused her to be delayed by a quarter of an hour. Due to the severe shortage of manpower, this fellow even disregarded the young master's authority. After much persuasion, he finally relented slightly, but insisted that she must return within two hours to be at their disposal, which caused her to be delayed by a quarter of an hour.

There are three particularly interesting discoveries. First: The dome of the main hall employs advanced mechanical armor techniques, which enhances the building's durability and defense. Second: Based on spatial structure calculations, there should be a hidden chamber behind the wall of the spiritual platform, although the location of the entrance mechanism buttons has yet to be determined. Third: The entire warship is approximately between 330 meters and 360 meters in length, which is quite an impressive scale! Just imagine what it would be like for such a behemoth to roam the azure sky; it is even more thrilling than counting treasures last night.

No, young master. Everyone in the residence is currently busy. Young Master Beichen has returned early, and since the Second Madam dotes on her son so much, she naturally has to arrange a feast at the last minute, with fine wines and delicacies to reward him. I managed to persuade the young chef to prepare a few baskets of buns, and I hope you find it sufficient to eat

Cui'er, do not speak those words again, as they bring no benefit, unless you wish to bring about my demise. Help me prepare my belongings; in a few days, when the eldest son returns, we will leave immediately. Do not concern yourself with matters that do not require your worry. You will receive a sum sufficient for a lifetime of living expenses. Quickly seek refuge with relatives and friends, preferably leaving Ziwixing. Remember, never return.

Tian Maoping was taken aback; the person he least wanted to interact with these days was Cui'er. Among everyone in the household, she was the most familiar with Ouyang Haotian, having been responsible for attending to the young master during his coma, including all his bodily needs and personal care. This level of familiarity was too dangerous. Before leaving, Physician Chunyu had mentioned that this little girl was very persistent and stubborn, insisting on staying by the sickbed until she felt at ease, which nearly disrupted the plan for the swap.

The young girl stopped her tears and, with wide eyes, said, "Young Master, will you really come to find me? Cui'er is so happy; I want to serve you for a lifetime... By the way, the mistress left behind many belongings, and the birthday gift that the master gave to the young master has not been burned. I am afraid that the two stewards might covet these possessions, so I have carefully hidden them, right within your bedchamber."

Having immersed himself in the study of mechanisms for many years, Tian Maoping has long been an expert in this field. Perhaps there are a dozen renowned individuals in contemporary times who can surpass him, but when it comes to cognitive ability and the speed of spatial simulation design, no one can compare to the brain that has been tempered through countless trials. In just a few hours, he achieves what a master of mechanism would take two years to comprehend in the ancestral hall.

After carefully organizing everything and finding no omissions, I placed two high-quality items and twenty-five medium-quality items into the black jade belt. The remaining items were wrapped and packed in batches, leaving them for Cui'er to handle

The quantity of inferior goods is quite substantial, totaling as many as seventy-seven items, mostly consisting of women's accessories. However, even a casual selection of one item is worth several tens of thousands of Nayan.

The matriarch is very kind to Cui'er; since my mother passed away, no one has treated me so well. It is a pity that she was harmed by treacherous individuals. If it were not for the need to take care of the young master, Cui'er would have long since risked her life to seek revenge and avenge her grievances.

Try to suppress the surging emotions: "Is this all left by mother? Good, very good. With so many assets, many matters will be resolved easily. Cui'er, first take all the items out and place them on the ground. We cannot take everything, so we need to distinguish them. Over the next few days, you will exchange most of them for Nanyuan. Remember, it is better to sell for less money than to attract father’s attention"

Upon hearing these words, Cui'er cried exceptionally sorrowfully, staring blankly at Tian Maoping and muttering to herself: "Relatives and friends? After my mother passed away, those beasts would have sold me for money if they could. If it weren't for the heavens showing mercy and having the mistress pass by, I would have long since died in the mud. Does the young master no longer want me? Is it because I spoke out of turn? Rest assured, Cui'er is very understanding."

"Pudang," Cui'er knelt on the ground and cried out, "Young Master, have you truly forgotten everything? Cui'er owes her life to the great kindness of the Mistress, what is this life worth? Even if these legs are rendered useless, I must say that the Second Madam is more vicious than a snake or scorpion. Back then... back then, it was only because the Mistress seemed to have discovered something that she acted ruthlessly. You should know this as well."

Young Master, this is not appropriate. These are all the late Mistress's belongings. Some of these items were very dear to her during her lifetime, and they contain her memories of the Master

"Pa!" Tian Maoping slapped Cui'er hard. This little girl was too agitated. If she truly knew certain secrets, it would only bring disaster upon herself. He angrily said, "Get lost, the farther the better. The more you speak, the more absurd it becomes. Remember your identity, a maid of the Ouyang residence; do not say what you should not say."

Tian Maoping fell into deep thought, pondering what attitude he should adopt towards this elder brother

There are only three items of the highest quality, and it is these three items that Tian Maoping clutches tightly in his arms, panting heavily as if afraid of losing them. The first item is the Spirit Jade, which has been cultivated for millions of years. This object stands about half a foot tall, surrounded by turquoise, and resembles a stout little ginseng, looking quite fresh and adorable. In ancient texts, it is mentioned that practitioners of cultivation were skilled in nurturing jade ginseng deep within mineral veins, consuming countless amounts of jade essence, but its exact usefulness is not specified, only noting that there is a liquid within called "Dust Cleansing." Upon closer inspection under the light, there is indeed a thumb-sized purple area at the center of the jade ginseng, which, based on the refraction of light, appears to be a liquid.

"Young Master, you have returned?" The maid Cui'er slightly bowed, interrupting my thoughts

Tian Maoping used the excuse of asking Cui'er to prepare some pastries for him, and after sending her away, he directed the energy into the belt's insertion point. This item must be infused with spiritual energy to be functional; otherwise, it is useless. By pressing the cat's eye stone, a hazy one cubic meter space was revealed, and he was quite satisfied with this result. He had initially thought he could only store five items, but it seemed that most of his possessions could now be carried.

The third treasure, a heart-shaped blood diamond necklace, is purely expensive, with an estimated value of no less than 5 million Nayan. Entering the Tianyi Sect, the subsequent consumption will be exceptionally large. Tian Maoping is well aware that the allocation of points by the sect is merely a drop in the bucket. In this day and age, sufficient capital is essential for cultivation, and when the time comes, this item can be sold.

"Hush," Tian Maoping had no choice but to make a shushing gesture, pointing to the ceiling and outside. Cui'er understood and hurriedly ran out, only to return half a day later, looking dirty. She was indeed a straightforward person, stubbornly setting up a ladder to carefully inspect the roof. Such a person was almost endearingly obstinate. Thinking back to that slap earlier, although he had controlled his strength, it was still quite harsh for a little girl, and he couldn't help but feel a bit regretful.

Tian Maoping furrowed his brow slightly, wondering if the Second Madam had deliberately set a trap to test him. With a hint of displeasure, he coldly snorted and said, "A mere maid dares to speak ill of her master behind her back. Get out! Considering your three years of hard work, I am unwilling to pursue this matter. But if you dare to say again that the Second Madam has harmed me, I will not hesitate to break your legs."

Looking at the girl in front of him, who was clenching her fists tightly and burning with endless hatred, Tian Maoping truly felt overwhelmed. He lowered his voice and said: "Since your mother cares for you, you must understand that she does not wish for us to have any mishaps, nor does she want to see you unhappy. I am doing this in gratitude to her. Your sincerity, your three years of enduring humiliation and hardship, all of this is enough to repay the kindness your mother showed you when she saved you back then. Furthermore, going to Tianyi Gate is merely a delaying tactic. If conditions permit, the young master will also leave, departing from this sorrowful place, leaving behind Ziwixing, because I know that this family fortune cannot be contended with by the elder brother. It is better to take enough wealth to protect oneself. Do you understand?"

There are a total of 25 items of medium quality, purely luxurious objects. However, Tian Maoping, from the perspective of materials, still intends to keep them, such as the Nanhai purple gold hairpin, the aurora pearl produced in Yongcheng Island, the auspicious clam shell salvaged from the Golden Lake of Tianfu Star, and the bracelet carved from the teeth of the beast from Jumen Star, among others, which will not be listed one by one here

Cui'er was indeed very stubborn. Despite the burning pain on her face, she got up and was about to leave. However, she felt it was inappropriate to just walk away, so she knelt down in the room and pleaded earnestly: "Young Master, Young Master, what I said..."

Tian Maoping sighed: "Once a person dies, they cannot come back to life. Moreover, we are fleeing for our lives. Do you think Second Lady would leave my life to inherit a large portion of the Ouyang family fortune? The Tianyi Sect is so powerful that a small arm can never twist a big thigh. Furthermore, I did not say I would sell everything; I would keep a portion as a memento."

"Wuwu, young master. Cui'er has been worried day and night for your safety. I remember three years ago when you and grandmother returned from the ancestral hall, you were incoherent, saying that the ancestors were angry, and that the second lady had summoned many experts to suppress the main spirit. Then that night..."

"The master has sent word that you are unwell and need to rest early, so that you can pay respects to the ancestors together with the young master tomorrow morning. I believe it is the second madam who finds you bothersome, as it would disturb the tender moments between her and her son, and she has forced the master to convey this message, hm." Cui'er spoke candidly in front of Ouyang Haotian, expressing her thoughts without any reservations.

"Well, you are a good child who listens well. I believe that our Hao Tian will not be as reckless and combative as his elder brother. As for the issue of Na Yuan, the extraction of spiritual energy from heaven and earth is not easy. Although the Tian Yi Sect is large and prosperous, it cannot support so many disciples. Besides bringing some from home, you will also need to do some work within your capacity to earn extra points. I do not want you to face any risks, so I have arranged for you a very leisurely job. There are 800,000 Na Yuan available for your expenses, which should be more than enough for a newcomer! If you miss home, you can come back to visit next year; do not put yourself in a difficult position. " After a slight pause, he added, "If you are really bullied, it is better to ask your elder brother for help, after all, he is a direct disciple of Ge Qingyun." Like most fathers, Ouyang Yue continued to speak for a while before finally stopping.

Tian Maoping found it difficult to calm his emotions; the stubborn girl before him was filled with determination. Could it be that she harbored thoughts of ending her life? Had he known that the Ouyang residence was so complicated, he would not have come. Now, he was in a situation where retreat was impossible. Moreover, at that time, he had been wrapped up like a zongzi and was in a state of unconsciousness, lacking any decision-making power. In a daze, he had become Ouyang Haotian, and now it was too late to extricate himself. He sighed and said, "Cui'er, I ask you, how does your esteemed mother treat you?"