Chapter 5: Hidden Bloodline
Walking into the restaurant, Nie Tian realized he had wasted some time. Nie Lin and the Shopkeeper were currently standing in a private room, bowing and scraping before two young men seated inside.
He had seen both of these men in his past life. They were none other than Feng Xiao and Nie Liu, the son of Nie Shengyuan, the Patriarch of the Nie Long Branch! 'I didn't expect them to get here so quickly.'
"I told you to check the surroundings, what took you so long! Hurry up! If Young Master Nie Liu gets upset, you couldn't bear the blame even if it cost you your head!"
The moment he entered the room, he was met with a harsh rebuke. A man who looked like a steward glared at him furiously. Apparently, his prolonged absence had annoyed the man.
"Yes, this subordinate was wrong!" Nie Tian, currently in his disguise as a waiter, played his part perfectly, quickly lowering his head to admit his mistake.
"Hmph, hurry up and take this pot of wine over! I shouldn't have to tell you what to do, right?" the Steward snorted coldly.
'No need to tell me? As if I'd know what to do if you don't say anything!' Nie Tian grumbled internally. Outwardly, however, he showed no sign of this, scratching his head with an embarrassed look. "I'm afraid I'll get nervous… Could you explain it one more time…?"
As he spoke, Nie Tian deliberately stuttered, making himself look flustered and helpless.
"Useless trash! How did I end up with a subordinate like you!" The steward had no suspicions. After cursing at him, he lowered his voice and said, "When you pour for our Young Master, twist the lid to the left. When you pour for Young Master Feng Xiao, twist it to the right. Make sure no one notices, or I'll chop you into pieces and throw you in the river to feed the fish!"
"This servant understands!" Nie Tian nodded hastily.
'So it's one of those "mandarin duck" pots. Just a common trick used by swindlers!'
'These pots are divided into two compartments on the inside. Twisting the lid to the left makes it pour from the left side, and twisting it to the right makes it pour from the right. It sounds mysterious, but it's actually just a simple mechanism!'
"What are you waiting for? Go!" the Steward snorted.
"Yes!" Nie Tian picked up the pot of wine and walked toward the private room.
As he walked inside, he deliberately suppressed his aura, making it seem as if he had no cultivation whatsoever.
"Hehe, with Brother Feng's talent, once your Bloodline Factor is awakened, your cultivation will definitely advance by leaps and bounds. You'll probably be able to reach the Fifth Layer Body Emergence Realm of the Qi Sea Nine Heavens directly. This is just a case of good things taking time, no need to worry!"
Nie Liu's laughter rang out just as Nie Tian entered the private room.
"Sigh, I wish that were the case! But never mind, let's not talk about it." Feng Xiao seemed to have something on his mind and shook his head.
'Awakening his Bloodline Factor?' Hearing their conversation, Nie Tian's thoughts immediately jumped to the "useless young master" incident from three hundred years ago, and he instantly understood.
Based on the information he knew from his previous life, this Feng Xiao was no hedonistic silk-pants; on the contrary, he was an incredibly diligent person. At only twenty years old this year, he had already reached the Qi Sea Fourth Layer True Qi Realm Mid Stage!
By all rights, reaching such a level at his age should have marked him as quite talented. Unfortunately, his body's Bloodline Factor was naturally blocked, preventing him from forming a Dantian! Without a Dantian, the disadvantage wasn't obvious before the True Qi Realm, as one could still rely on medicinal materials and external forces to compensate. But once one reached the True Qi Realm, it was a different story!
In the True Qi Realm, one refines the Spiritual Qi in their body, purifying it to the extreme. No matter how great the external aid, without a Dantian to purify it, one's cultivation speed would immediately plummet. Feng Xiao began his Qi Sea cultivation at the age of eight and reached the Qi Sea Fourth Layer Heaven by fourteen. But because he lacked a Dantian, in the full six years from age fourteen to twenty, he had only advanced from the Early-Stage to the Mid-Stage True Qi Realm!
Such a rate of progress was impossible for any side-branch disciple whose Bloodline Factor had been awakened! To be honest, it was absurdly slow!
Because of this, a bona fide genius had become a piece of trash in the eyes of others, subjected to no small amount of doubt and ridicule.
However, having lived a past life, Nie Tian knew that this perception would be shattered before long. It wasn't that Feng Xiao's Bloodline Factor was blocked and couldn't be awakened; it was that he possessed the very famous [Hidden Bloodline]!
A [Hidden Bloodline], as the name implied, meant the Bloodline Factor was recessive and would not awaken easily. It required consuming an elixir with the Pure Yang Attribute to be activated!
Of course, everything has its pros and cons. A Hidden Bloodline was difficult to awaken, but once it was and transformed into a Dantian, one's cultivation speed would improve by leaps and bounds. In his previous life's memories, Feng Xiao had a fortuitous encounter and successfully awakened it. In just half a year, he leaped to become the leading figure of Luoshui City's younger generation, even winning the championship in the upcoming tournament of talents and obtaining the Luoshui Golden Shield!
However, all of that was something that would happen a year from now. For now, at least, Feng Xiao was still just a piece of trash in everyone else's eyes.
'I can refine an elixir with that Pure Yang Attribute. I might as well use this opportunity to have him owe me a favor...'
Thinking of this, a plan slowly began to form in Nie Tian's mind.
Even if he didn't help Feng Xiao, the man would get his opportunity in half a year anyway. He might as well seize the chance to put him in his debt and gain some benefits in the process!
The sole heir of the Feng Family! Once he awakened his Bloodline Factor, he would wield power second only to the Clan Leader! That status alone was worth the effort for the current Nie Tian.
"Hehe, that's right. Brother Feng, you came out today to relax. Don't think about these unpleasant things anymore!" Nie Liu laughed.
The two of them chatted casually for a bit more. Although Nie Tian couldn't yet figure out the exact nature of their relationship, no matter what Feng Xiao said, Nie Liu would flatter him, using it as a chance to talk more. Feng Xiao was already depressed, and after chatting for a while, both host and guest seemed to be enjoying themselves.
'This Nie Liu is no simple character!'
He listened for a while. Since they hadn't asked for wine, Nie Tian just stood quietly to the side, his mind on high alert.
For a young master from a declining branch to be able to connect with the young master of the Feng Family and chat so "amiably" with him... it had to be said that this Nie Liu was no simple character. 'No wonder in my past life, he drove my sister to her death, and I never even realized the Nie Long Branch was behind it!'
"Young Master, Young Master…"
While the two were talking, a servant came over.
"The Young Master is with a guest. What is it?" Steward Nie Lin stepped out. A moment later, he returned with a solemn expression.
"Young Master…"
"What is it? Can't you see I'm busy?" Nie Liu's eyebrows shot up.
"Nie Xiaofeng of the Nie Tian Branch is here to see you…" Nie Lin hesitated for a moment before cupping his fist and speaking.
'So, it's getting to the main event, is it?' Seeing this, Nie Tian, who was standing off to the side, sneered inwardly.
'Honestly, seeing them put on such a show, I've already figured out Nie Liu's plan. My sister came to see him this morning and was definitely kept waiting. Making her appear now is obviously a move to make sure Feng Xiao doesn't find it strange, paving the way for the next steps!'
'"My cousin is here to borrow money, so of course she must eat with us." Then, at the right moment, you'll let your beastly nature run wild... Even if Feng Xiao is clever, he probably won't realize he's already fallen into their trap!'
"This… What is she doing here at a time like this? Just tell her I'm entertaining a guest and have no time to see her!" Nie Liu waved his hand dismissively.
"But she said it's urgent, Young Master. No matter what, Nie Xiaofeng is your cousin. To just refuse to see her… it wouldn't look good if word got back to the clan!" Nie Lin said, looking troubled.
"If I say I won't see her, I won't see her… So what if she's my cousin! Today, I'm relaxing with Brother Feng. Nothing else matters!" Nie Liu deliberately furrowed his brow.
Nie Tian had seen this kind of good cop, bad cop routine, designed to lure someone into a trap, countless times in his previous life. He saw through it at a glance. However, while he could see it, Feng Xiao could not. Hearing Nie Liu's words, he not only fell for the ploy but also felt that Nie Liu was being extremely righteous. He quickly waved his hand and said, "Your cousin is here at this time, perhaps something has happened. You don't need to mind me!"
"This… Well, since Brother Feng has spoken, very well. Let Xiaofeng in," Nie Liu ordered, feigning reluctance.
"Yes!" Nie Lin replied and headed out. A moment later, he returned with a girl following behind him.
The girl was dressed in simple clothes. A trace of sorrow lingered between her brows, and coupled with her delicate, frail frame, she gave off a feeling that made one not have the heart to harm her.
'Sister… It really is my sister!'
Even though he knew his sister was coming, when Nie Tian saw her before him, he still couldn't stop the storm of emotions surging in his heart.
Although his sister was only a year older than him, she had always taken special care of him since they were little. On the day she was forced to commit suicide, he had wept himself hoarse for an entire day. Every time he recalled the matter, his heart felt like it was being twisted by knives, and he was filled with endless regret.
He often thought that if he had been more resolute back then, his sister might not have died, and he wouldn't have been left with such a regret.
Besides, why was his sister forced into that situation? Wasn't it all because her good-for-nothing younger brother had caused trouble and couldn't pay the fine!
But despite the tempest in his heart, Nie Tian's face remained as still as an ancient well; no one could detect anything unusual.
"Cousin Nie Liu, I… I came this time hoping to borrow some money from you…"
Upon entering the room, a blush couldn't help but creep onto Nie Xiaofeng's slightly pale face.