Standing Tall

The truth was, the real Third Young Master of the Marshal’s household, Xu Jin, had already been quietly handed over to Yi Chengying the previous day. She had taken him to a safe location where he was being well cared for. Qin Gou had delayed his next move until today to craft a plausible—albeit flimsy—explanation for what was about to unfold.

—

In the Marshal’s residence, Xu Chengfeng, the Commander-in-Chief of the Tian Kun Dynasty’s armies, was sitting with his beloved wife, Liu Fuyun, enjoying a morning conversation.

Suddenly, the sound of commotion erupted outside. Xu Chengfeng’s tiger-like eyes flashed with authority as he growled, “What’s all this racket so early in the morning? Have they all forgotten their manners?”

Bang!

A knock came at the door, followed by an excited maid’s voice. “Master, Madam! The Third Young Master—his legs! His legs can move! Just now, they moved!”

“What?!” Xu Chengfeng spat out his tea in shock. He and Liu Fuyun exchanged bewildered glances, their faces filled with disbelief.

In no time, the entire Marshal’s estate was in an uproar. Xu Chengfeng and Liu Fuyun rushed to their son’s quarters as fast as they could.

Inside, Qin Gou, disguised as Xu Jin, sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes red and filled with a mix of shock and joy as he stared at his legs. Beside him, the maid Xiang’er stood frozen, her hands covering her mouth in stunned silence.

“Jin’er, is it true? Your legs can move?” Liu Fuyun was the first to speak, her voice trembling with concern.

Qin Gou’s face flushed with effort as he willed his legs to move slightly, the motion clumsy and unsteady.

“My heavens!”

“The gods have blessed us!”

The couple’s faces lit up with a mix of astonishment and joy. Xu Chengfeng, ever decisive, barked, “Where is Physician Zheng? Something this monumental happens, and he’s nowhere to be found! Does that old fool want me to flay him alive?”

“Forgive me, Marshal! I came as quickly as I could,” said an elderly man with white hair and beard as he entered the room.

Xu Chengfeng waved him over. “Physician Zheng, examine my son immediately. Determine whether his congenital defect has truly healed.”

“At once, Marshal,” Zheng replied, nodding. He approached Qin Gou and gently infused his body with pale green spiritual energy. Moments later, his eyes lit up with excitement as he exclaimed, “Congratulations, Marshal! The Third Young Master’s congenital defect has somehow completely healed. His meridians are now no different from those of a normal person. Moreover, due to his years of painstakingly cleansing his meridians with even the slightest trace of spiritual energy, his cultivation progress will be astonishing once he resumes training. He may even surpass others. This is a miracle!”

“Is this true?!” Xu Chengfeng’s tiger-like eyes widened in disbelief, his voice booming.

Liu Fuyun covered her mouth as tears streamed down her face, her joy spilling over like a string of broken pearls.

Zheng nodded with a smile. “It’s absolutely true! I’d stake my life on it. Not even ten of me would dare deceive the Marshal!”

“Excellent, truly excellent!” Qin Gou, still in his disguise, clenched his fists, tears streaming down his face as he let out a triumphant cry. “Father, Mother! I, Xu Jin, am no longer the cripple everyone looked down on. I can finally stand alongside my elder brother and sister as a cultivator! I will no longer bring shame to our family!”

“Jin’er, how could you say such a thing?” Liu Fuyun, still crying, sat beside him and pulled him into a warm embrace.

Qin Gou’s face turned slightly red, but he obediently rested his head on her shoulder.

Amid the overwhelming joy, a flicker of doubt crossed Xu Chengfeng’s eyes. “But how could Jin’er’s defect suddenly heal? Even the Emperor and the Grandmaster were powerless against it.”

Qin Gou, still nestled in Liu Fuyun’s arms, gently patted her back as he feigned deep thought. “I’m not entirely sure, Father. Last night, I had a strange dream. I dreamt of a celestial maiden who said she was destined to help me. When I woke up, I found that my legs could move.”

“What?” Xu Chengfeng’s expression turned serious. “Could it be that some great cultivator has taken notice of you? But Jin’er, with your congenital defect, what could possibly have caught such a person’s attention?”

“How can you say that about Jin’er?” Liu Fuyun scolded, her beautiful eyes narrowing in disapproval.

Xu Chengfeng sighed. “I’m just stating the facts.”

Qin Gou shook his head, feigning confusion. “I don’t know, Father. But I do remember the celestial maiden mentioning the name ‘Purple Extreme Demon Sect.’ She also said her surname was Zhao…”

Liu Fuyun’s face lit up with optimism. “Perhaps some great cultivator’s disciple has taken a liking to Jin’er. After all, he inherited his good looks from me—naturally handsome and charming.”

“Silence!” Xu Chengfeng snapped, his expression darkening.

“What’s gotten into you, Xu Chengfeng? Jin’er has just recovered from a life-changing condition, and you’re ruining this joyous occasion with your outburst,” Liu Fuyun said, her brows furrowing in annoyance.

“Fuyun, don’t you see?” Xu Chengfeng sighed deeply. “Didn’t you hear what Jin’er just said? Purple Extreme Demon Sect. Zhao. And a celestial maiden!”

Liu Fuyun froze, her expression shifting to disbelief. “Could it be… that person?”

“Based on Jin’er’s description, she’s the only one I can think of,” Xu Chengfeng said, his eyes burning with intensity.

“Then… could Jin’er have some extraordinary talent we’ve all overlooked?” Liu Fuyun asked, her voice filled with wonder.

“Perhaps. That might be the truth,” Xu Chengfeng replied, his gaze complicated, a mix of joy and unease.

“Father, Mother, what are you talking about? I don’t understand any of this,” Qin Gou said, feigning confusion.

Xu Chengfeng and Liu Fuyun exchanged a glance before Xu Chengfeng said, “Jin’er, rest well. Xiang’er, stay with the Third Young Master today and take good care of him. The Marshal and I have matters to discuss. We’ll visit Jin’er again later.”

With that, the couple left, their expressions heavy with thought.

Physician Zheng, who had remained silent until now, suddenly glanced at Qin Gou. A sly smile, completely at odds with his usual demeanor, appeared on his face. It seemed to say, My lord, Little Chair has done all she can for you. Then, without another word, he too left the room.

Turning to the maid Xiang’er, Qin Gou smiled warmly. “Xiang’er, help me up. I want to practice walking like a normal person.”

“Third Young Master, you should rest a bit more. Isn’t this too soon?” Xiang’er said gently, her voice filled with concern.

Qin Gou shook his head, his eyes flashing with determination. “There’s no time to waste. From today onward, I, Xu Jin, will make the entire Tian Kun Dynasty know that the boy they once mocked and pitied has stood up.”