"O—Oh! Yes, Lady Yao said so. Please come in. I will help her get up first and serve the tea!"

Bai Shijue and Han Shun followed the servant to a spacious room with a small tea table in the middle. There was a garden with a pond filled with Koi fishes. This place was old, but it was still well taken care of. 

Another servant came with a tray of teacups and the pot. She served it for Bai Shijue and Han Shun, then they waited until the old matriarch of the house arrived.

"Oh my, these two vigorous men are the guest today?" An old lady came from the sliding door. She was holding a cane and had a warm smile on her.

Based on her skin and garb, it was apparent that she was born from a wealthy family and lived a prosperous life. 

Bai Shijue got up and helped the old lady to sit beside them, "Thank you so much, young man. I haven't seen your face around here. Are you a new resident in the village?" She asked. 

"Yes, we just came about a week ago. We're staying in the inn," Bai Shijue said, lying to the fact that they just came last night. 

"Ohh, and what you do for a living, young man?"

"We're also landowners. We rent lands in the city. But we don't like living in the city, so we plan to relocate to a more peaceful place to spend our time," Bai Shijue explained again. 

The old woman nodded and looked at Han Shun, probably around 13-15 years old. 

"And who is this young man?"

Han Shun was about to open his mouth, but Bai Gege suddenly interrupted him, "He's my little brother. He is under my care after our parents passed away."

Han Shun was stumped when Bai Gege introduced him as a little brother. 

Of course, he was happy that Bai Gege saw him as a family, and he already said to himself that he didn't want to be romantically involved with Bai Gege.

But he still felt annoyed that Bai Gege always introduced him as his little brother because that meant Bai Gege didn't see him as a man.

Bai Gege saw him as a kid, which he needed to care for.

"I see, well, I heard that you want to buy the house. Honestly, I've been living here alone for the past 20 years. My husband died 20 years ago, and all of my children had married and lived outside of the village. I don't have anyone other than my servants now."

"I'd be glad if this house is sold, so I can live with my eldest son in another village. At least I can see my grandchildren often," the old woman said. She then mentioned a price, expecting Bai Shijue to haggle. 

But to her surprise, Bai Shijue nodded lightly. He took out a bag full of money and put it on the table, "I have the money. I think this is more than enough than the asking price."

The old woman was silent for a moment and then picked the bag of coins. She opened it and saw so many gold coins. These amount of gold coins were enough to buy two of her residences.

"Young man… are you sure that you want to give me this much? I will count it first and return the rest for you."

"No, please take it. I think this residence is beautiful, so I'm going to pay with that amount," Bai Shijue said.

"T—Thank you, then, I will tell my servants to start cleaning the residence. I will leave in 3 days if that's enough."

"That wouldn't be a problem. We will stay in the inn for a while," Bai SHijue said. "Oh, may I know if there is a waterfall or a lake around the village? 

"Yes, yes, there is," the old woman nodded. "It's an old waterfall upwards the village. It's mostly unused now since there is a myth that a giant snake would come and eat any children do dare to swim near the waterfall. The village used the flowing water from the river to do everything, though."

"What do you want to do, young man?"

"Ah, we're just looking around the village. My little brother likes to swim near the waterfall, but we wouldn't go there if there was such a myth. We don't want danger. Thank you for the information."

**

The old woman and Bai Shijue further discussed the house. After making sure everything was in good condition, Bai Shijue said he would return in 3 days. 

Han Shun and Bai Shijue walked to the waterfall that the old woman mentioned. It was far from the village, and they had to traverse through a small forest first. The waterfall was beautiful, but Bai Shijue only stood at the riverside, staring at the waterfall solemnly. 

Han Shun got curious, "Bai Gege, what's wrong? Am I allowed to cultivate here?"

"Not yet. I'm going to clean this area first. The myth is not false. I can sense a strong aura coming from inside the waterfall, somehow," Bai Shijue said. "There is something under that waterfall. I will check it first, stay in here and hide with Chinchin if you spotted any demonic cultivators. You're not strong enough to fight them."

Han Shun gritted his teeth, again, Bai Gege looked down at him. Even if he did it unintentionally, Han Shun was still hurt. He didn't want to be protected by Bai Gege every single time.

"Bai Gege, I want to fight with you. I want to protect you!"

"Stay there, or I will put another paper talisman on your forehead," Bai Shijue sternly warned, much to Han Shun's dismay.

In the end, Bai Shijue walked on the river's surface towards the waterfall. He easily passed the waterfall and went inside, seemingly disappearing under the waterfall. 

Han Shun was watching anxiously. He wanted to help, but Bai Gege would punish him if he acted recklessly.

"Chinchin, what do you think I should do?"

"Squee?"

"Stay still? No way! I will come inside if there I hear something suspicious! I won't allow Bai Gege to get hurt!" Han Shun said. But the moment he said that he felt the earth was shaking for at least 10 seconds before returning normal again.

Han Shun's eyes darted at the waterfall and yelled, "Bai Gege!"

…

…

No answer. 

Han Shun got even more scared. He started thinking that Bai Gege must've been attacked by something inside. Maybe there was truly a big monster inside the waterfall.

"BAI GEGE!" Han Shun screamed again, calling his beloved Bai Gege as he was afraid that the worst would happen to his Bai Gege, such as… getting attacked and killed by something.

The thought of Bai Gege dying triggered something in Han Shun, his body shook from head to toe, and he shook his head, "No, NO! BAI GEGE CAN'T DIE! I WON'T ALLOW IT! NOBODY CAN'T HURT MY BAI GEGE!"

Han Shun screamed. His qi inside his body started condensing by itself, and he jumped to the river.

—

Author Note:

Thank you for reading Homewrecker System. I'm sorry for the slow update. I've been busy with my Master's Degree Thesis. But I will try to update as much as possible.

Thank you for supporting me. The money I earned from this novel is really important for continuing my study. Thank you so much.

—Cheers, Pupa