Chapter Eight: Bring the Knife

The two brothers, along with Tang Yu, went out for a lavish dinner that evening. Roast goose, beef, specially prepared beast meat, and vegetables grown on planetary farms—all served to make the four of them very satisfied. They agreed to start work together in two days.

Jiang Taichu took the opportunity to buy a voice recorder, intending to carry it with him. After all, their parents had once been employees of the Earth Company, and their last words mentioned the Earth Company's mothership. If anything involved someone from the Earth Company and he happened to encounter them, it would be good to have a record.

As for the matter of the last words, the previous self hadn’t told Jiang Taixuan, and he didn’t plan on telling him either. For now, his younger brother’s most important task was to focus calmly on his university entrance exams.

The next day, Jiang Taichu stayed home to cultivate. In the afternoon, he asked Jiang Taixuan to continue explaining knowledge about mechas and firearms. Though the improvement wasn’t as much as yesterday, it still increased by 1.5%.

That evening, Jiang Taixuan cooked as usual while Jiang Taichu bought groceries—and picked up a watermelon. The aroma of the food wafted through the air as Jiang Taichu sat on the sofa, projecting the news onto the wall via the psychic web.

“The Southern 10862 Star Invasion War—our Blue Star suffered heavy losses. The investigation is complete: the Xuanhuang Immortal Realm secretly invaded, killing 3,563 members of our Blue Star gold-mining team. The Earth Company’s mothership was destroyed...”

Jiang Taichu sat upright, his eyes fixed intently on the psychic web.

The Earth Company's mothership had been destroyed? Then why did his parents mention it in their last words?

Just then, Jiang Taixuan rushed out. Southern 10862 Star—the place where their parents had sacrificed themselves!

“Xuanhuang Immortal Realm!” Jiang Taixuan gritted his teeth, his gaze icy.

Jiang Taichu patted his head. “Study hard. Someday, you’ll fight your way into the Xuanhuang Immortal Realm.”

“I will,” Jiang Taixuan replied, his eyes red with resolve.

“For the vile actions of the Xuanhuang Immortal Realm, our Blue Star will retaliate fiercely. Immortal Lord Zhang Bai Nian has issued a statement...” The scene shifted to an elderly man with a head of white hair but energetic spirit, his sharp eyes cold as steel. “Peace in the universe is hard-won. Blue Star has always pursued peaceful development, yet some races recklessly violate the peace treaty and trample Blue Star’s living beings. We will never forgive such actions!”

“The sacrifice of the gold-mining team grieves me deeply. I hope all major companies will handle the aftermath well and not let their employees lose heart…”

Bang bang.

Suddenly, the door was struck violently.

“I’ll get it,” Jiang Taixuan said, rising to open the door. His face instantly darkened. “What are you doing here?”

“Why can’t I come?” A rough, domineering voice rang out as a burly, middle-aged man with a face full of scars pushed open the door and strode in.

Jiang Taixuan clenched his teeth but said nothing, closing the door as he walked in.

Jiang Taichu frowned, a strange look in his eyes. “Uncle, what brings you here?”

He was that shameless uncle, Jiang Yaoxing, who had borrowed plenty of money while their parents were alive. As soon as their parents passed, he’d come to their door under the pretense of safeguarding their funds for the young brothers, trying to take the money—only to be rebuffed. Jiang Taichu had hoped for a respite, but here he was again so soon.

“I came to see you two. Haven’t eaten yet?” Jiang Yaoxing wore a warm, eager smile, seating himself without invitation. “Xuan, go cook. I’ll chat with Chu for a bit.”

Jiang Taichu frowned and waved Jiang Taixuan toward the kitchen, signaling him to take care of it.

Once Jiang Taixuan entered the kitchen, Jiang Yaoxing suddenly sighed. “Your cousin Qingyun’s grades aren’t too good. The school called—his cultivation is just short of qualifying for a top university.”

Jiang Taichu furrowed his brow. “Then, Uncle, you should urge him to cultivate harder.”

Jiang Qingyun was Jiang Yaoxing’s son.

“I’ve been urging him; he works hard. But sometimes you can push too hard and it backfires.” Jiang Yaoxing looked troubled, sighing deeply. “I want to buy some pills for Qingyun, but I’m short on money. Now you’re working, and Xuan’s grades are so good—he’ll get into a top university without pills. If they end up at the same school, they can help each other as brothers.”

“I don’t need anyone’s help,” came Jiang Taixuan’s voice from the kitchen.

Jiang Taichu understood; he was here to ask for money again.

He sighed lightly. “Uncle, you know my parents passed away, and the Earth Company didn’t pay much compensation. Xuan’s about to start university, and cultivation is a bottomless pit—the money isn’t enough.”

“Are you trying to embarrass your uncle? Do you think I’d take the money your parents left behind?” Jiang Yaoxing’s face hardened. “Brothers should help each other. I just want them to look after each other so they’re not bullied.”

Jiang Taichu said nothing, simply watching him calmly.

Jiang Taixuan poked his head out. “If you’re not here for money, then you can buy Qingyun those pills yourself. Aren’t you doing well out there, knowing this manager and that boss?”

Jiang Yaoxing’s expression stiffened but quickly returned to normal.

His real job was as a broker, finding people jobs at various companies. But they were mostly small firms—low pay, lots of work, and the people he placed rarely lasted long. Yet he was always bragging about whom he knew, but when trouble came, he’d disappear.

Seeing Jiang Taichu silent and Jiang Taixuan unfriendly, Jiang Yaoxing grew uneasy.

He dropped the pretense, plastered on a smile. “I heard you found three pieces of ore at the Earth Company and traded them all for pills.”

“Uncle, your information is quite up-to-date,” Jiang Taichu said coolly. “And?”

“We’re all family—just spare a few pills for Qingyun. When he succeeds, he’ll repay you a hundredfold,” Jiang Yaoxing lied glibly.

Jiang Taixuan, hearing this, feared his brother would agree and hurried out of the kitchen. “Brother.”

“It’s alright. Go back to your room—I’ll talk to Uncle,” Jiang Taichu said with a smile, signaling there was nothing to worry about.

“Yes, yes, go to your room. Cooking is easy; Uncle will handle it.” Jiang Yaoxing, thinking things were going his way, eagerly entered the kitchen and took up the knife.

Jiang Taixuan frowned, but Jiang Taichu smiled slightly. “Then take a break and keep watching the news.”

“I’m keeping an eye on him,” Jiang Taixuan said with a snort, standing guard at the kitchen door, worried this man might spit in the food out of spite.

For the sake of the pills, Jiang Yaoxing endured, dutifully finishing the meal and even slicing the watermelon.

Half an hour later.

He grabbed a slice of watermelon and began eating, calling out, “Chu, Xuan, dinner’s ready.”

“Thank you, Uncle,” Jiang Taichu replied with a faint smile.

“No trouble at all! If you like, I can come again tomorrow,” Jiang Yaoxing said with a broad grin. “So, about those pills?”

“How many would Uncle like?” Jiang Taichu asked.

“Not many—six will do,” Jiang Yaoxing said.

Jiang Taichu’s heart grew cold. He’d gotten thirteen pills in total, and this man wanted almost half. How did he know Jiang Taichu could spare six?

“Does Uncle know how many pills I have?” Jiang Taichu squinted at him.

“Everyone’s heard about it—how could I not know your luck?” Jiang Yaoxing smiled.

“Too bad you’re late. I’ve already refined all the pills. If I get more, I’ll be sure to save one for Uncle.”

“You’ve used them up?” Jiang Yaoxing’s smile froze. After all his effort, Jiang Taichu said they were gone?

“It’s old news,” Jiang Taichu said lightly. “If you don’t believe me, go ask around.”

Jiang Yaoxing finally lost his composure, growling, “I don’t care. You have to hand over the pills tonight! I worked hard to cook for you—do you really think I’m here to be your housekeeper?”

Jiang Taixuan jumped, instinctively afraid of this uncle.

“Aren’t you here to look after your beloved nephew?” Jiang Taixuan retorted.

“I’ll look after your mother—!”

Bang!

Before he could finish cursing, Jiang Taichu kicked him in the stomach, sending him flying onto the coffee table.

“You little...ugh...” Before he could stand, Jiang Taichu leaped forward, stamping on his stomach. The coffee table couldn’t withstand the force and collapsed, sending him crashing to the floor. “Say one more word, and I swear I’ll kill you! Xuan, bring me the knife!”

“Brother, brother, there’s no need for that!” Jiang Taixuan panicked; he never expected his brother to be so fierce today.

“You—you—brat, you’re asking for it!” Jiang Yaoxing was furious, unleashing a powerful aura that nearly knocked Jiang Taichu back.

His internal cultivation was, in fact, higher than Jiang Taichu’s.

“My kitchen knife is covered in your fingerprints. You illegally broke into my home and threatened us with a weapon. Do you think your head is harder than a bullet?” Jiang Taichu said coldly.

Jiang Yaoxing’s body trembled, his aura dissipating as he deeply regretted ever cooking that meal.