Path to Heaven
chapter-193

Since nobody recognized him in this city, Wei Suo wasn’t apprehensive at all but still added a disguise over his intentions. “How’s the relationship like between the Jin Clan’s Seventh Aunt and the Fifth Uncle? Since the Jin Clan’s Fifth Uncle is older than the Seventh Aunt, from the looks of it, his cultivation wouldn’t be that low right?”

“I’m not sure about their relationship, but I’ve come across the Jin Clan’s Fifth Uncle before. He looks roughly around 40 years old, and his cultivation should be above the Seventh Aunt.” Wang Tong replied immediately with all that he knew.

Wei Suo’s brows reflexively raised a little as he asked. “Then have you heard of the Jin Clan’s Seventh Aunt’s granddaughter?”

Wang Tong quickly nodded. “The Jin Clan’s Seventh Aunt does indeed have a granddaughter. However, the granddaughter has never shown herself in the city, thus nobody knows about her appearance.”

Wei Suo then asked, “Roughly how many cultivators are there in the Jin Clan?”

Probably after receiving the two spiritual stones yet being unable to answer most of Wei Suo’s questions, Wang Tong replied with a forehead soaked with perspiration. “The Jin Clan has about a hundred plus members in total, and minimally 50-60 cultivators.”

“Where do the important figures of the Jin Clan normally reside in? Is it those two emporiums?”

Wang Tong shook his head. “That isn’t so. There’s a Jin Villa in the eastern part of this city. The Jin Clan’s Seventh Aunt and Fifth Uncle should be staying there.”

“Jin Villa in the east eh?” Wei Suo silently nodded. “Then bring me to the Jin Villa.”

“Understood.” Wang Tong was clear that a mortal like him couldn’t interfere in the affairs of cultivators. Hence without pondering much, he immediately nodded and led the way.

As Wei Suo followed Wang Tong, he scanned around this city of which he hadn’t visited before. Indeed, there wasn’t a sight of any formidable sect around. In addition to the absence of demonic beast threat, Wei Suo realized that although this city was slightly larger than Spirit Peak City, the average cultivation level here was actually lower than Spirit Peak City’s average.

Along the way, he noticed that of every 10 shop attendants, 4-5 were mortals. Heavenly Circuit Stage cultivators were extremely uncommon and the majority were Divine Sea Stage level 3-4 cultivators.

Right now, Wei Suo was employing his Secret Concealment Art to mask a level of his cultivation. Nevertheless, expressions of envy and reverence were still cast towards him whenever cultivators sensed that Wei Suo was a Heavenly Circuit Stage cultivator; one that surpassed level 1 at that.

Perching Phoenix City was built on a flat land. The surrounding sceneries were all exceedingly ordinary to other cities that Wei Suo had visited before. Despite so, the buildings here were tremendously delicate. Every single brick on houses were adorned with marvellous engravings. Many shops displayed decorations that could only be described as splendorous and luxurious.

As for the shop dynamics of Perching Phoenix City, 5-6 out of every 10 shops sold various arrays of gorgeous ornaments and furnitures. Moreover, many ships also sell refined ores and raw materials like essence metals. Shops that sold artifacts were comparatively lesser.

After strolling through several streets while spectating aroud, Wei Suo arrived before Jin Villa.

The Jin Villa commanded an extraordinary grandeur. Similar to the style of Perching Phoenix City, it didn’t look like a cultivator’s monastery but resembled a wealthy aristocrat estate.

Columns of towering 18 metre cyan pillars surrounded a square perimeter of at least 5 km. There were probably hundreds of rooms, if not a thousand in this place. The main entrance was guarded by two dignified stone lions that was roughly half of Wei Suo’s height.

Two tremendous, pure and magnificently glittering gold rings were the handles of the main doors. The signboard attached above, were five large words in pure gold – Jin Clan Balances The East. Nobody could tell what it was meant by ‘Balances The East’.

“Alright, you can leave.” Not far in front of the Jin Villa, Wei Suo nodded and issued.

“Many thanks, senior.” Wang Tong returned his gratitudes and bidded farewell.

“Right.” Wei Suo suddenly questioned. “If I need help with anything, where should I find you?”

“This one normally works at the Jade Wonder Mill. If senior requires my assistance, you can ask anyone for Wang Tong at the Jade Wonder Mill.”

“Good.” Wei Suo nodded. Without saying anything else, he marched towards the main gates of Jin Villa.

Two disciples in black brocaded garments stood by the entrance. They were probably 20 years old. When they noticed a cyan robed Wei Suo marching over, the two disciples revealed a displeased countenance and wanted to obstruct Wei Suo. They seemed to be on the verge of berating him. Yet when Wei Suo approached nearer, they eventually sensed his aura. As Divine Sea Stage level 1 cultivators, their expressions instantly sank and quickly bowed to the incoming Wei Suo, before respectfully asking, “May we know why senior is visiting our Jin Villa?”

“I’m surnamed Li.” Wei Suo emotionlessly declared. “The reason I’m here is for a senior called Granny Jin, entrusting me with a message for her granddaughter, Jin Qiao’er.”

“Granny Jin?” The faces of the two disciples drastically changed. They exchanged a glance before the left one hastily replied, “Senior, please wait as I report your arrival first.”

After a period insufficient to even brew tea, that disciple who went in to report hastily surged back out. Behind him, was a masculine chap in yellow artifact robe.

This middle aged masculine chap had a patriotic face. In his right hand, was a white jade ring and appeared to be of a rather high status in the Jin Villa. Wei Suo intially thought this was the Jin Clan’s Fifth Uncle that looked like a 40 year old male, but after sweeping with his Aura Determining Technique, this masculine male only had a Heavenly Circuit Stage level 1 cultivation.

The masculine male’s eyes squinted a little as he sized up Wei Suo. A serious expression flashed on his face.

After the yellow robed masculine male greeted him, he introduced himself politely, “This one is named Jin Quanji. The Granny Jin that senior has mentioned, is this one’s paternal aunt. May I know what message has senior brought from Granny Jin?”

“Oh?” Wei Suo gazed expressionlessly at this Heavenly Circuit Stage level 1 cultivator. “May I be granted an audience with lady Jin Qiao’er, because I’ve promised Senior Jin to bring this message directly to lady Jin Qiao’er’s face.”

“This…..” Jin Quanji revealed a troubled look on his face. “This one’s little sister is inflicted with poor health since young. Recently, her illness has turned graver, and isn’t convenient to receive guests.”

Wei Suo glanced at Jin Quanji and answered, “This one has heard several unpleasing rumours about the Jin Clan along the way here. Brother Jin, you’re not trying to make excuses eh?”

“Unpleasing rumours? Could it be that senior thinks that this one is purposefully preventing senior from meeting my little sister?” Jin Quanji vacantly smiled bitterly.

“My sister and I only possess an extremely harmonious relationship since young. Our father is currently in secluded training and is unable to welcome senior. The reason I say my little sister cannot receive guests, is for my worry over her health. Since senior is suspicious, this one will naturally escort senior to see my sister. If senior doesn’t believe me, you can ask my little sister directly.”

“I’ve only obtained some benefits from Senior Jin, and therefore brings a message for her. I will leave once delivering it. I have no concerns over the affairs of your Jin Clan.” Wei Suo expressionlessly answered.

“Then senior please follow me.” Jin Quanji offered a wry smile and a welcoming gesture before leading the way.

After winding several corners, Jin Quanji brought Wei Suo before a two storey pavilion slightly towards the west from the centre of Jin Villa.

The pavilion was surrounded by bamboos and a moderately sized pond that faced a fake miniature mountain. It looked extremely quiet and secluded.

“Young master.” A servant girl clad in an emerald gown immediately greeted by the entrance of this pavilion. She bowed subserviently with a hint of fear.

“Tell your young miss, our aunty has entrusted personally a message to a senior for her.” Jin Quanji ordered the servant girl.

After a brief while, a pleasant and gentle voice drifted out from the pavilion. “Big brother, invite the senior in.”

Jin Quanji nodded to Wei Suo and escorted him in.

By the window of the second floor, a young lady dressed in goose yellow palace robe sat on a chair. She appeared to be lacking much energy.

Upon seeing this lady, Wei Suo became slightly stumped.

Her features weren’t really extraordinary and lacked an impressive figure as well. Instead, she was pure and simple, but issued an impression of elegance. In addition to her gentle and fatigued posture, her image could indeed take away one’s breath.

“Many thanks for senior’s journey. This humble lady is unable to rise to afford greetings as I am sick and devoid of energy.” Observing Wei Suo approaching, the young lady forced herself up and offered a bow to Wei Suo. Then, she apologetically issued those words and smiled without strength before sitting back down. Her gentle and fatigued voice seemed to carry a unique taste of comfort to the ear.

“No need for courtesies. This one is just acting on the agreement with Senior Jin.” Wei Suo observed the young lady as his eyes flickered faintly. “You must be Jin Qiao’er, Senior Jin’s granddaughter?”

The young lady nodded and answered, “I am indeed Jin Qiao’er. Since senior has spoken in this manner, then pardon this lady for being discourteous. May I know what message grandmother has for me?”

Wei Suo gazed into her eyes and replied, “She wishes to tell you that she is about to enter closed door training to break through to the Thought Division Stage. Only in approximately a month, will she return to Perching Phoenix City.”

“Oh?” The young lady looked rather disappointed. “Did grandmother say anything else?”

“Regarding other matters, she didn’t mention any to me.” Wei Suo cast an unreasonable looking expression. “Since this one has delivered the words, this one shall take his leave.”

“Since senior is in such a rush, then this lady will not urge you to stay.” The young lady nodded. Without saying much, Jin Quanji then escorted Wei Suo out of Jin Villa.

After Wei Suo strolled out of the entrance of Jin Villa, he appeared rather nonchalant. However, as he headed towards the city centre, his brows became tightly knitted.

Chapter 193: Delicate Beauty