The Ancient Strengthening Technique

AST 2423 - Giving Heartmatched Fruit, Magical Wonderland in the Nine Star Mountain

Lan Hechuan headed to Qing Shui's courtyard after leaving. All these years, that woman and that useless son made countless troubles. That woman said their son had no talents in training, so it was unwise to waste his time on training knowing that he was going nowhere.

Having a fierce wife at home, Lan Hechuan was upset to even think of it. After she became part of the family, the house had been under an unpleasant atmosphere.

As he walked to the courtyard, he bumped into Qing Shui in the compound. Lan Hechuan sensed that this young man was not easy from the first glance. He was really not easy, and he should be the leader of these people. Besides, this young man had a righteous aura and clear eyes. Hechuan was rather good in judging a person. He reckoned this young man was not bound and would be a great person in the future.

"I'm Lan Hechuan, welcome to the Lan clan. Previously my son offended you, I hope you will forgive him," Lan Hechuan smiled and said softly to Qing Shui.

Qing Shui was judging the man while the man was judging him. This was a middle-aged man, learned and educated. It was easy to like this man from his looks. Qing Shui looked at him strangely, "Hello, sorry to disturb you, Lord Lan."

"No, you're not bothering me at all. Can I get you a drink?" Lan Hechuan smiled.

He saw Qing Shui's smile earlier. It was strange but not malicious. He reckoned Qing Shui saw something. This kept him wondering but he never asked about it.

"Let me get you some drinks. Lord Lan, let's go there," Qing Shui pointed at a stone desk and stool not far away.

"Call me Elder Chuan or Elder Lan, don't call me lord. I feel extremely close to you the moment I saw you," Lan Hechuan smiled. It sounded forthright when he said something like this.

Qing Shui smiled at Lan Hechuan, "You're being too formal, elder brother."

"I know my useless son insulted you. I'm not afraid if you make fun of me. I have good strength and I'm a city lord, but I've been living like a coward," Lan Hechuan sighed.

Qing Shui was stunned, but he understood at once after realizing the woman's identity. He felt Hechuan and nodded, "You can't pamper a woman too much."

Lan Hechuan looked at Qing Shui and shook his head helplessly, "You don't know the exact situation. I can't reason with her and I can't hit her. She even bullies my other women sometimes."

"You can neglect her," Qing Shui said with a smile.

"It's pointless, if I neglect her, she will let her anger out on the others. For example, when I visit a certain woman more frequently, that woman will be unfortunate. They can not afford to go against her of course," Lan Hechuan was apparently not afraid of getting embarrassed. Perhaps, he felt that Qing Shui was reliable.

Qing Shui indeed had no bad feelings towards this man. He smiled and said, "Does she love you?"

"No, why would she treat me this way if she loved me? The Ice Emperor made her marry me. I know she actually had someone in her heart," Lan Hechuan sounded upset.

"Do you like her then, elder brother?" Qing Shui got curious.

"Frankly, I do, although she is behaving like this, I still like her. I liked her since those days and she is now my woman. After so many years, we also have such a grown-up son now," Lan Hechuan said seriously.

"Elder brother, do you know about the Heartmatched Fruit?" Qing Shui smirked.

"Heartmatched Fruit? Mm, I know, this is a magical object. Although it cannot increase strength, it can make a couple like each other and their love will last forever. This is a legendary item," Lan Hechuan said, sounded confused.

"I have two, I'll give them to you."

Qing Shui had stored his Heartmatched Fruit for too long and there were two Heartmatched Fruits hanging on the tree in the Realm of Violet Jade Immortal. They had been ripe for some time now, but Qing Shui did not pluck them. He actually resisted these items and felt reluctant to use them. He always felt like it was against his own desire.

"This is too valuable. I can't take it," Lan Hechuan said hastily.

"Elder brother, there's no use if I keep it. If you were to do bad with this, I wouldn't give them to you. It's most suitable for your situation. These two Heartmatched Fruits can make your life complete," Qing Shui smiled.

"They are really too valuable."

Qing Shui placed both of the Heartmatched Fruits in his hands, "I only give this to the destined one."

……

Qing Shui just felt that Lan Hechuan was a good person. Besides, he heard more news from Nuo Lan that this lord was great. There was one thing bad about him which was his failure to handle his woman. This woman pampered Lan Yewei so much that he did a lot of evil things.

Lan Hechuan often sent gifts and compensation to others on behalf of his son. If he killed someone, Hechuan would lock him down and smack him hard. However, he did not change despite several attempts and lessons taught. Soon, Lan Hechuan had no other ways. Hechuan dared not to kill his son in the cause of justice. Not only was he the son of the woman he loved, the woman would probably fight desperately if he killed the son. If the woman died, the Lan clan would probably be finished.

The next day, Lan Hechuan came to see Qing Shui again. His cheeks appeared rosy and his expression was different. The current him seemed a lot younger. He hugged Qing Shui happily and tightly when they met, saying, "Thank you, little brother!"

"Done!" Qing Shui was happy too.

"Done, she seems to be a different person now. Although she still pampers our son, she is no longer as reckless and arrogant as before. She seems to be more kind. This is the woman I used to know before this," Lan Hechuan had a contented look.

"This shows that she loves you. She loves you now, so of course she will make considerations on behalf of you," Qing Shui understood.

"Hmm, little brother, you filled my emptiness and regrets. I don't know how to thank you," Lan Hechuan said sincerely.

"Elder brother, I think you're sincere too. It might sound unpleasant to you, but if it weren't for your actions, I would have been fighting with you by now," Qing Shui sounded emotional.

"I know, little brother, you are not an ordinary person. I have no confidence in fighting against you," Lan Hechuan giggled.

"Hmm, oh yeah, where is your son?" Qing Shui asked.

"That useless guy, I sent him to his grandfather's place. Let his grandfather teach him for two years, at least let him learn how to be a man," Lan Hechuan shook his head and said.

Something was expected to happen initially, but nobody ever thought that a fight would end up in peace eventually. Perhaps, it was not even so. After staying for three days, Qing Shui and his men left. In these three days, he gathered some news. Besides, he was given a token with a 'Lan' word on top, so that Qing Shui could use it in case anything happened when he arrived at the Emperor City.

Qing Shui knew it was a token of appreciation from Lan Hechuan and kept it. As for whether it would really come handy, Qing Shui did not think about it.

Lan Hechuan was a strong warrior, he was very powerful and belonged to the highest rank in the Ice Star Nation. Of course, there were many people on that level. It was tough to be ranked in the top hundred of the Ice Star Nation.

Next, Qing Shui wanted to check out the Emperor City straightaway. He gathered some news from Lan Hechuan and he knew the Emperor City was near the Nine Star Mountain. It was said that many magical wonderlands appeared around the Nine Star Mountain lately, so many people headed there one by one.

Qing Shui wondered if he could make it in time. After all, there were already people in the area now. Yet, Lan Hechuan warned Qing Shui that it was very dangerous, extremely hazardous. Hence, it would not be too late even if he stayed for half a year before heading there. Lan Hechuan advised Qing Shui to be careful if he wanted to go. Not only should he beware of the dangers inside, he should also be cautious of his surroundings too.

Qing Shui did not know the meaning of Lan Hechuan's words. He was not going there…