Chapter 21: A Change of Ownership

The winding road snaked like a giant python through a dense forest. A carriage traveled along this path, which was entirely made of compacted earth, heading toward the loft at the end of the road.

The driver was a young man dressed in a black robe, his face stern and cold, his eyes gleaming with a sharp, icy light. Only when he glanced at the family sitting inside the carriage did a faint smile cross his lips. This young man was Yu Qi.

After Shi Mingfeng’s death, Yu Qi had already decided where to settle down. The place they were now heading to was their future home: the Ironstone Manor.

Not far ahead, the outline of a building gradually appeared in view. Yu Qi looked back at the three behind him and said, “The new home is here. Get ready to disembark.”

“Brother Yu, this place is all forest. Won’t it be a bit unsettling to stay here at night?” Along the journey, Li Yuelian had been watching the scenery intently. It was nothing but woods, with not a single passerby in sight, which made her feel somewhat oppressed.

“Don’t worry, little Lian. There won’t be any ghosts at night,” Yu Qi said, unusually joking.

Truth be told, he himself didn’t know whether souls lingered after death. He had never heard of anyone coming back to life after dying. Even the great ancestors could only leave behind a faint remnant of spirit, which would dissipate into the world soon after awakening.

Perhaps he had never reached that level, or maybe such powers simply didn’t exist in this world. At least, with his current strength, all of this remained unknown.

Soon, the carriage arrived at the gates of the Ironstone Manor. There was not a single guard in sight, likely because Shi Mingfeng had already led them here to meet Yu Qi.

“Wow, what is this place? So many houses,” Li Yuelian exclaimed as she stepped down from the carriage, overwhelmed by the grandeur of the manor. Born into a poor family, she had never imagined she would one day stand before such luxurious buildings.

“Come on, little Lian, this is your new home,” Yu Qi said with a smile, leading the way inside.

Inside the hall sat Shi Wansan. Hearing the carriage, he thought Shi Mingfeng had returned and excitedly looked toward the door. But when it opened, his expression froze in disbelief.

For the one who stepped in was Yu Qi—whom he had thought was dead.

“Yu... Yu Qi, weren’t you already dead?” Shi Wansan stared in horror, instinctively shifting back in his chair.

Yu Qi’s lips curled into a sinister smile. “Yes, dead—but it wasn’t me who died, it was Shi Mingfeng.”

“What? That’s impossible!” Shi Wansan looked at Yu Qi incredulously. Shaking, he stood up. “No, no way. Father was so strong, how could he die?”

Though he refused to believe it, Yu Qi’s presence spoke volumes.

Anger flared in Shi Wansan’s eyes. Ignoring the pain in his body, he suddenly lunged toward Yu Qi. “Ah... Yu Qi, I’m going to kill you!”

He was no match for Yu Qi, especially with injuries still fresh. With a gentle lift of his palm, Yu Qi blocked the incoming punch and said coldly, “From now on, Ironstone Manor ceases to exist. You have half an hour to leave.”

The Li couple, who had just come in, witnessed the scene. Li Changchu hesitated, “Yu Qi, maybe you should just let it go.”

“Uncle Li, no. Mercy for an enemy is cruelty to oneself. This man tried to kill me. If I weren’t somewhat capable, I would have died at his father’s hand long ago. Letting him leave alive is already very merciful,” Yu Qi’s eyes glinted with a biting coldness.

He was never truly a villain, but neither was he a saint. If others showed him respect, he would reciprocate tenfold. But those who sought his life would find no mercy.

Shi Wansan made no resistance after Yu Qi’s block. His face twisted into a strange expression, laughing and crying intermittently. “Father is dead, how could he be dead? Hahaha, my father can’t be dead!”

His father was gone, his enemy stood before him, forcing him out of the home he had lived in for so long. And most painfully, he had no way to avenge his father.

This cascade of despair clouded Shi Wansan’s mind. After a few staggering steps backward, he fled.

Yu Qi watched him leave, puzzled but unwilling to pursue. Since the man had gone, Ironstone Manor was now his.

“Yu Qi, this...” Li Changchu watched silently, unsure what to say. Deep down, he felt uneasy about the harshness of Yu Qi’s actions. But Yu Qi was right—when an enemy seeks your life, mercy only invites trouble.

“Uncle Li, don’t worry. From now on, this will be our home,” Yu Qi said lightly, beginning to explore the manor.

At that moment, an elderly man appeared in the corridor. Yu Qi’s eyes sharpened with caution. “Who are you?”

Lu Zhengcun had been eavesdropping on their conversation from the corridor. After hearing of Shi Mingfeng’s death, he stepped forward and bowed slightly. “Young lord, I am Lu Zhengcun, the physician of Ironstone Manor. I heard that Shi Mingfeng has died—may I ask if this is true?”

Yu Qi carefully studied the old man’s face. Seeing no threat, he waved a hand dismissively. “Yes. This place is no longer Ironstone Manor. Leave at once.”

“I am but a wandering doctor. When passing through here, Shi Mingfeng forcibly detained me. Now, in my old age, I have nowhere else to go,” Lu Zhengcun said, his eyes filled with pleading.

“Seems Shi Mingfeng did many evil deeds. Well then, you may stay,” Yu Qi said, turning to explore further. Lu Zhengcun gratefully called out to his retreating figure.

Actually, upon hearing that Lu was a doctor, Yu Qi had already formed an idea. He planned to teach Li Yuelian martial arts, and injuries were inevitable. Having a physician nearby would be invaluable, especially since the manor was dozens of miles from town, making travel inconvenient.

Before long, Yu Qi had finished touring the entire estate. It was indeed a fine place, complete with a study, an apothecary, gardens, and training grounds—everything one could need.

He even found some martial techniques, though mostly low-level. The best was an axe technique called "White Light Axe." Though useless to a swordsman like himself, selling them would fetch a good sum of silver.

This was their new beginning.