Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

“Eldest Aunt and Pangda are here?”

Xu Ming was a bit surprised. He had known that Xu Pangda would return today and figured he might come looking for him, but it was already quite late.

Moreover, even if Pangda were to visit, it was unlikely that Eldest Aunt would accompany him.

This meant that something must have happened.

Xu Ming turned to the maid and said, “Invite them in.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Que’er bowed slightly and withdrew.

Watching the maid’s retreating figure, Xu Ming was well aware that she was undoubtedly one of Emperor Wu’s people, assigned to keep an eye on him.

But he didn’t mind. Let them monitor if they wanted.

Before long, Madam Wang and Xu Pangda entered together.

The moment Xu Pangda saw Xu Ming, his eyes lit up. He quickly stepped forward, smiling happily. “Fifth Brother, you’re back!”

Xu Ming nodded, returning the smile as he looked at Xu Pangda. “Third Brother, long time no see. You seem to have lost some weight over the years.”

He reached out and patted Xu Pangda on the shoulder. Indeed, compared to before, Pangda had shed quite a bit of excess weight.

Clearly, his years as an official had been stressful, keeping him constantly on the move.

Seeing Xu Pangda again filled Xu Ming’s heart with warmth.

There weren’t many people in Wudu whom Xu Ming truly cared about, but Xu Pangda was one of them.

If not for those few people he held dear, he might never have returned to this place at all.

“Xu Ming, I’m sorry for disturbing you so late.”

Standing beside them, Wang Feng finally spoke.

The walk to the Jinyiwei’s command post had given her time to cool down, allowing her anger to fade.

Now that she had calmed down, she understood why the matriarch had tried to dissuade her.

While the assassination of a court official did fall under the jurisdiction of the Jinyiwei, Xu Ming had not officially assumed full control yet.

Furthermore, the guard was still in its early stages, with countless matters requiring Xu Ming’s attention.

At this moment, she should be seeking help from others instead of troubling Xu Ming.

Xu Ming stood up and bowed slightly to Madam Wang and Xu Pangda. “Eldest Aunt, coming here so late—has something happened?”

Under normal circumstances, if Pangda simply wanted to see him, he would have come alone. There was no reason for Eldest Aunt to accompany him.

Moreover, Xu Pangda’s clothes were covered in dirt, even torn in places.

Something had clearly happened.

Wang Feng shook her head. “It’s nothing, Ming’er. We just came to see you.”

Xu Ming chuckled. “Eldest Aunt, we’re family. If something is wrong, there’s no need to hide it. And looking at Third Brother’s condition, I know something must have happened.”

Wang Feng sighed. “Pangda was ambushed on his way back to the capital.”

Xu Ming’s brows furrowed, his expression growing serious.

Leaving aside the fact that Xu Pangda was a direct descendant of the Xu family—he was also a top scorer in the imperial exam, a ranked official of the imperial court!

Who would have the audacity to assassinate a court official of Wu Kingdom?

The last time an official from Wu Kingdom had been sent to investigate a certain sect, he was burned alive.

Upon hearing the news, Emperor Wu had wiped that entire sect off the map!

Everyone knew that officials of Wu Kingdom were not to be trifled with!

“Third Brother, tell me everything in detail. Don’t worry—I will handle this matter.” Xu Ming reassured him before turning to Wang Feng. “Eldest Aunt, don’t worry just yet. Have some tea first.”

“Alright.”

Wang Feng nodded and sat down on a stone stool.

Xu Pangda then recounted the entire incident to Xu Ming, including the part where a female swordsman had saved him.

Xu Ming didn’t dwell on the fact that Pangda had been rescued by a female warrior. He simply thought that Pangda was incredibly lucky to have survived at all.

“Something doesn’t add up.”

Xu Ming pondered for a moment before shaking his head.

“From what you’ve described, Third Brother, if you had offended someone while serving as a county magistrate, they would have had plenty of chances to get rid of you along the way. You wouldn’t have been attacked only after reaching the outskirts of the capital.

And if this was orchestrated by my political enemies, they wouldn’t have targeted you either.

Killing you serves no purpose. If you died, not only would I seek revenge, but even His Majesty would be enraged.

I just don’t understand—what could the mastermind behind this possibly gain, aside from courting death?”

Wang Feng nodded in agreement. “That’s true… Could it be just a coincidence? Maybe the attacker was simply a deranged murderer?”

Xu Ming chuckled. “Whoever it was, they were clearly after Third Brother. They even had someone ready to cover their retreat.

A person like that wasn’t after money, nor were they some random maniac. They were there for one reason only—to kill Third Brother.”

Wang Feng fell silent.

Xu Ming turned to Xu Pangda. “Third Brother, I will investigate this matter, but we don’t have many leads. It’s possible that we may never uncover the truth. I hope you can understand.”

Xu Pangda laughed heartily. “Fifth Brother, don’t say that! I know this won’t be easy to investigate. Even if we never find out, it doesn’t matter. After all, I’m still standing here, aren’t I?”

Deep down, Xu Pangda was, of course, still angry.

Someone had tried to kill him—how could he not be upset?

But on the way here, he had also come to understand that his Fifth Brother, now the Jinyiwei’s Commander, was extremely busy. He really didn’t want to burden him with more trouble.

“Ming’er, just focus on your own matters first. Don’t let this weigh on you,” Wang Feng said.

Xu Ming nodded, then looked at them and asked, “Eldest Aunt, Third Brother, neither of you have eaten yet, have you? I haven’t either. Why don’t we share a meal?

It’s been a long time since we’ve had a drink and a good talk.”

Wang Feng smiled. “You two brothers chat—I don’t need to be here for that. I should be heading back anyway. I still need to apologize to the Matriarch. I was a bit disrespectful earlier.”

“Then let me walk you out, Eldest Aunt,” Xu Ming offered, standing up.

“No need. It’s not like I don’t know the way.” Wang Feng stood up, ever as decisive as before. “I’m leaving now.”

Xu Ming watched as Wang Feng strode away, then chuckled. “Eldest Aunt has always been swift and efficient. Xue Nuo takes after her in that regard.”

“Huh?” Xu Pangda was surprised. “Fifth Brother, you’ve met Xue Nuo?”

“I have,” Xu Ming nodded.

“How is my sister doing? Is she well?”

It had been more than ten years since Xu Pangda last saw his younger sister.

“She’s doing very well.” Xu Ming smiled. “And she’s grown into a real beauty. But… her personality is just as cold as ever.”

Achoo!

Outside the imperial city, perched on a tree branch, Xu Xue Nuo sneezed.