The Dynasty of Cultivating Immortality

C19 – Shock Everyone

Upon overhearing their conversation, Ni Situo hurried to the Martial Hall.

Ni Huibo was in the Martial Hall! His father had actually allowed Ni Huibo to go there!

Ni Situo was seething with anger. He had always regarded Ni Huibo as nothing more than a waste, but now he realized he had been mistaken. He couldn’t fathom how Ni Huibo had deceived the mayor. And why had his father, who had once strictly forbidden Ni Huibo from pursuing cultivation, suddenly permitted him to enter the Martial Hall?

Ni Huibo was a cunning individual!

But what good would Ni Huibo’s cunning strategies do now? With the mayor taking such a keen interest in his calligraphy, what was Ni Huibo to do?

If Second Uncle found out about all this, he would surely be infuriated to death by Ni Huibo.

In no time at all, Ni Situo arrived at the Martial Hall and made his way swiftly to the book room in search of Ni Huibo. He spotted him immediately.

Ni Situo reached out to grab Ni Huibo.

Ni Huibo’s keen awareness allowed him to snap his eyes open and swiftly evade the grab. Looking up, he realized it was Ni Situo.

With a frown, Ni Huibo inquired, “What do you want?”

“Come with me and you’ll find out. Father has called for you in the great hall; there’s a wonderful opportunity awaiting you,” Ni Situo said mockingly, a sneer plastered across his face.

“The big uncle wants to see me?” Ni Huibo, upon hearing this, carefully placed his book aside and followed Ni Situo out.

As Ni Situo and Ni Huibo entered the hall, they were immediately noticed by the mayor.

“Ni Huibo, I’ve been admiring the two pieces of calligraphy you wrote these past few days. The more I look at them, the more I enjoy them. I even tried my hand at a few pieces, but they’re quite poor in comparison. Come, write some more for us,” the mayor said, beaming with joy as he stood and approached Ni Huibo.

It was only then that Ni Huibo realized the mayor had arrived. He quickly stepped forward and performed a respectful bow, saying, “If you insist, I will certainly oblige.”

The mayor chuckled heartily, “Excellent, the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone are all yours to use!”

Ni Huibo approached the mayor and accepted the brush handed to him. Closing his eyes, he reflected on all that he had encountered in the recent days. With a clear mind, he channeled the insights he had gained into his calligraphy with fervor.

​The mayor observed Ni Huibo’s posture and aura as he wrote, and upon examining the finished characters, he was once again astonished. After a moment of contemplation, he expressed his admiration, “Such exquisite calligraphy! Previously, your work largely echoed the style of the prime minister. Now, you’ve infused your own understanding into your writing, bringing it to life. You may very well reach the prime minister’s level one day!”

​The mayor’s words left the audience in disbelief. Wasn’t this the moment when the mayor should have exposed Ni Huibo’s deception and held him accountable?

​Ni Situo stepped forward, scrutinizing the calligraphy in the mayor’s hands. As a cultivator, he was familiar with the prime minister’s script. The resemblance shook him to his core. Could this truly be Ni Huibo’s own writing? Ni Situo looked up at Ni Huibo, his eyes filled with incredulity. Ni Huibo had been concealing his true abilities!

​”Ni Situo, step back. The mayor is present, and such disrespect will not be tolerated,” Ni Xianjian interjected, alarmed by Ni Situo’s behavior. He quickly pulled Ni Situo away, well aware that Ni Situo’s intent was to embarrass Ni Huibo.

“Mayor, please accept my apologies for my son’s impertinence. I assure you, he will be disciplined,” Ni Xianjian said, his voice tinged with embarrassment.

The mayor, with a discerning gaze, considered the visibly upset Ni Situo. As the son of the patriarch, why did Ni Situo seem to harbor such animosity towards Ni Huibo?

With a smile, the mayor spoke, “Ni Huibo is my friend. I trust you will look after him.”

His tone was mild, yet it carried an implicit warning. Ni Huibo was the sole heir of his second brother; the mayor would not allow him to be wronged. The mayor’s words were a clear expression of his displeasure with Ni Situo. Ni Xianjian quickly reassured him, “Mayor, rest assured. Huibo is my child as well, and I will take good care of him.”

“Some people seem skeptical that Ni Huibo can mimic the prime minister’s handwriting. Come take a good look,” the mayor said as he displayed the items on his desk. The crowd pressed in for a closer view.

Ji Fanwei, who had been restless with impatience, rushed to the table only to be struck speechless. Had he not witnessed Ni Huibo writing with his own eyes, he would have sworn the calligraphy was the prime minister’s original work.

Ni Huibo, a mere sixteen-year-old, possessed such remarkable talent for calligraphy. What heights could he reach in another decade, two, or even three? His potential was boundless.

It’s no surprise that the mayor himself suggested Ni Huibo might one day rival the prime minister’s achievements…

​The mayor was clearly pleased with everyone’s reactions today. His visit wasn’t just about discussing calligraphy with Ni Huibo; he intended to show the Ni family that Ni Huibo was a calligraphic prodigy, a talent he held in high regard. Those plotting against Ni Huibo would now have to think twice, considering the mayor’s esteem for the young man.

After the mayor and Ji Fanwei departed, only Ni Xianjian, Ni Situo, and Ni Huibo remained in the Ni family hall.

Ni Xianjian turned to Ni Situo and bellowed, “Ni Situo, kneel down! It appears you didn’t heed a word I said the other night. What grudge do you hold against Ni Huibo to frame him so?”

“I feared he would deceive the Ni family, that he would bring us trouble!” Ni Situo retorted defiantly.

Enraged, Ni Xianjian hurled his teacup at Ni Situo’s head, exclaiming, “The mayor’s wisdom runs deep. Do you really think Ni Huibo could fool him? Your pettiness knows no bounds. I refuse to let the Ni family fall to ruin at your hands. Today, I will inform the clan that your position as the young patriarch is revoked. I hope you learn to be more magnanimous in the future!”

Ignoring the blood trickling down his forehead, Ni Situo fixed a furious gaze on Ni Xianjian.

“Get out!” Ni Xianjian’s voice was laced with extreme disappointment. He was well aware of the mayor’s true intentions for visiting, which only intensified his anger towards Ni Situo’s behavior.