Chapter 11: Beyond Everyone's Expectations

Time flew. In the blink of an eye, eight months passed, and Pace Zorn turned three. At three, a child could have their Spiritual Root measured. That day, Juggins Mansion spent a fortune to invite the famed Spiritual Root Master, Taoist Hayde, to come inside and measure Pace's Spiritual Root. The test mattered. Only by knowing a child's Spiritual Root and constitution could one teach according to their nature. It also determined how to use Celestial Treasures to strengthen their foundation. If you forced someone to practice Martial Arts and Techniques that clashed with their Spiritual Root and constitution, you would not only get half the results for twice the effort, you could cripple them for life. Everyone in Juggins Mansion waited with bated breath for Pace's result. Some even guessed he might possess one of the most legendary Battle Constitution in history. Luna Juggins had always been confident in her son, yet she still could not stop her hands from trembling. Back then, her husband's family had despised her for failing to bear a child with strong innate talent. They had demanded she abort the fetus, demoted her to a concubine, and forced her out of the Southern Marquisate, one humiliation after another. She wanted to slap Parker Zorn and the matriarch of the Southern Marquisate across the face so hard they would regret everything. She wanted them to come in person and beg for her and her son to return. All across White Emperor City, countless people also waited for the result. The gambling dens even opened betting pools for it. A Child Prodigy like that made anyone curious. What kind of Spiritual Root could he possibly have? Inside Juggins Mansion, in a room with the door shut tight. Taoist Hayde examined Pace from head to toe, pinching and pressing, even sending True Energy into him to probe deeper. Luna and Wade Juggins stood to the side, watching without blinking, their faces caught between anticipation and dread. Taoist Hayde's brows knit tighter and tighter, as if he suspected he had made a mistake. He measured again. And again. Only then did he confirm it was not an error. He ended the examination, turned around, and spoke to Luna with genuine regret. "Madam Juggins, your son's Spiritual Root is common. He has a Mortal Constitution." "How could that be?" Luna blurted, refusing to believe it. Wade's expression changed sharply as well. Disbelief flashed across his face. "Taoist Master Hayde, please trouble yourself to measure him once more." The meaning was obvious. He thought Taoist Hayde had tested wrong. Taoist Hayde let out a soft sigh. "I am surprised as well, and I truly pity the young master. But he really does have a Mortal Constitution. I have measured him repeatedly. I stake my reputation of many years on the accuracy of this result." Luna stumbled back two steps. Her body swayed, and she nearly fell. She could not accept that Pace was a Mortal Constitution. Seeing how hard the blow landed on her, Pace hurried forward and steadied her, shame burning in his chest. "Mother…" Luna snapped back to herself. She pulled him into a tight embrace, tears spilling as she soothed him in a shaking voice. "Pace, don't be sad. Mother believes you were born extraordinary. You'll amount to something great. Don't be afraid. You have me. You have me…" Hearing her force that strength for his sake, Pace clung to her even tighter. His eyes reddened. "I'm sorry, Mother." To hide that he was an Ancient Divine Constitution, he could only use "Mortal Constitution" to fool everyone. That included making Luna drown in disappointment and grief. "You didn't do anything wrong," Luna said. "Not to me. Not to anyone." She crouched, cupped his cheek with her delicate hand, and held his gaze as if trying to pour strength into him through her eyes. Her voice steadied, firm and clear. "You're outstanding. You're brilliant. You became an alchemist, a Rune Master, and an Artifact Refiner at such a young age. You never forget what you see. One day of martial practice for you beats years for others. I've always been proud of you." Wade watched his daughter and grandson, his heart twisting. Heaven felt unbearably unfair. Why did it have to torment his daughter like this? He spoke gently to Luna. "Luna, a Mortal Constitution might not be a bad thing. At least he can live safely and peacefully." Luna swallowed her emotions and rose. "Father is right." Wade turned to Pace. "Pace, even if you have a Mortal Constitution, you're gifted and your comprehension is extraordinary. A Mortal Constitution can still learn martial arts and cultivate. If you work hard, you'll achieve something one day. So you must never give up on yourself." Pace answered seriously, "Grandfather's teaching is understood. Pace will remember it." Seeing how calmly the child accepted the verdict, Wade felt a surge of relief, and an even sharper ache of tenderness. At that moment, Taoist Hayde spoke up. "Actually, you don't have to make his Spiritual Root public. I will keep my mouth shut." "No need," Pace cut in. "It is what it is." He looked at Wade and Luna. "Grandfather, Mother, I don't want to hide that I'm a Mortal Constitution." "Alright," Luna agreed, pain flickering in her eyes. "We won't hide it." Taoist Hayde could not help but praise him. "Little Young Master Zhao, you're not only precocious, your temperament is exceptional. Even with a Mortal Constitution, you will surely be extraordinary in the future." "Thank you for the master's auspicious words," Pace said, cupping his hands in salute. His face remained calm, without a ripple. Once they had decided to announce the result, the door opened. Wade and Taoist Hayde walked out first. Luna followed, holding Pace's small hand. The uncles and aunts waiting at the front immediately rushed over, smiles bright with expectation, ready to ask. But the next instant, they saw Wade's heavy expression and Luna's solemn face. Luna's eyes were red, the traces of tears impossible to miss. Their hearts dropped. The questions stuck in their throats. Others in Juggins Mansion crowded forward to hear the verdict. Even the sharp-eyed ones sensed something was wrong. "Taoist Master Hayde, please announce it," Wade said. Facing the dark sea of people in the courtyard, Taoist Hayde spoke clearly. "Pace Zorn's Spiritual Root is common. He has a Mortal Constitution." "What?!" The courtyard erupted in shock. Everyone stared, convinced they had misheard. Even those who had already sensed trouble were stunned. They had thought that, at worst, Pace would have a superior Spiritual Root. Maybe he simply had not reached the Supreme Grade Spiritual Root everyone expected, or the legendary Battle Constitution. But a Mortal Constitution? In the crowd, Easton Casson shouted angrily, "Taoist Master Hayde, did you test wrong? How could the Little Young Master be a Mortal Constitution?" Once Easton voiced the doubt, the rest immediately piled on. "Yeah! Did you test wrong?" "The Little Young Master is a genius. He became an alchemist, a Rune Master, and an Artifact Refiner before he was even two. If he's a Mortal Constitution, then who isn't?" "What Spiritual Root Master? He's obviously a fraud!" … Taoist Hayde had to raise his voice. "I guarantee with my reputation of many years that I did not measure Pace Zorn incorrectly." Unfortunately, the crowd only grew more agitated, curses flying. "Silence!" Wade barked. The noise died at once, leaving a hush so complete it felt like a needle dropping would ring. Wade did not say much. He looked exhausted, as if the strength had been drained out of him. He simply waved a hand. "All of you, disperse." Only then did everyone truly accept it. The Pace Zorn they had pinned their hopes on really was a Mortal Constitution. Just a common child. Not some saint reborn, not even better than many others. Disappointment spread through them like cold water. That very day, the news that Pace was a Mortal Constitution swept through the entire city at a terrifying speed. Everyone assumed it was a rumor. They asked again and again, and each time the answer came back the same. In an instant, White Emperor City exploded with chatter and conspiracy theories. Some claimed the Juggins family had fabricated Pace's Child Prodigy image, that he could not refine pills, draw runes, or craft artifacts at all. Some insisted the Juggins family wanted to keep a low profile, fearing that "the tallest tree catches the wind," so they deliberately released a false message that Pace was a Mortal Constitution. In truth, he might be the most legendary Battle Constitution. Others even said the Juggins family had colluded with the gambling dens. They spread the fake news that Pace was a Mortal Constitution, swallowed all the bets, then split the profit fifty-fifty. Beyond all the conspiracies, Pace became the city's favorite joke. People talked about him on street corners, laughed about him over tea, and used him as easy entertainment after meals. When the news reached the Southern Marquisate, the matriarch of the Southern Marquisate burst into a harsh, delighted laugh. These past two or three years, every time she heard how extraordinary Pace was, she had never truly believed it. Still, a sliver of pressure had always weighed on her. She did not want people whispering behind her back that she had been blind. After laughing for a long while, she finally stopped and ordered the servant woman beside her, "Go call Parker." The servant woman answered at once and hurried away. After the time it took an incense stick to burn, Parker arrived. "Mother, you summoned your son. What are your instructions?" "It's nothing," the matriarch said, sipping fragrant tea and putting on an air of casual indifference. "I heard that Luna Juggins's lowborn bastard had his Spiritual Root measured." Parker's expression shifted slightly. Only then did he remember Pace was already three. He did not immediately ask how Pace's Spiritual Root had turned out. It could not be anything good. The matriarch waited for a long time, yet Parker still did not ask. She could not hold it in any longer. "Common Spiritual Root. A Mortal Constitution." "A Mortal Constitution?" Parker asked, disbelief creeping into his voice. No matter what, it was his blood. How could it be trash? The matriarch straightened and snorted. "A Mortal Constitution, exactly! Back then, I kindly told that lowly woman to get rid of the fetus. She resented me for being cruel. And look at it now. They've become the laughingstock of the entire city!" A trace of anger surfaced on Parker's face. It was not aimed at the matriarch. It was disgust, disgust that Luna and Pace had shamed him throughout White Emperor City. If Pace had been standing in front of him, Parker would have slapped him dead and been done with it. Better that than letting him keep embarrassing the family name. The next day, Delia walked up with a bright, delighted expression to Gemma Scurr, who sat cross-legged on a cloud bed, chanting sutras. Delia bowed and reported, "Miss, this servant already had people seize Taoist Hayde and interrogate him. That wretch truly is a Mortal Constitution, without a doubt." Gemma only lifted her eyes slightly to glance at Delia, then lowered them again. Her lips never stopped their silent recitation. Her beautiful, holy face showed neither joy nor sorrow, serene and detached. Delia continued, "Even if that wretch is a Mortal Constitution, he still has some petty cleverness. Should we send people to 'deliver' him after some time, just to avoid future trouble?" "Amitabha," Gemma said, finally stopping her chanting. Her voice carried a gentle pity. "The Buddha is merciful. Heaven cherishes life. Let him fend for himself." "Yes, Miss." Delia bowed and accepted the order. Then she could not help sighing. "Miss has the heart of a bodhisattva. If that wretch had any sense, he would be grateful beyond words." …