Chapter 60: The Path of Perseverance
"Boom!"
With a forceful punch from Lin Jiang, a big hole appeared in the surrounding wall. Both yards of the houses merged together, making it look much more spacious. Lin Jiang walked out through the hole, and Cao Ying, Zhang Ruifang's daughter, saw him. She smiled and opened her arms, wanting a hug. She really likes Lin Jiang, the uncle who always brings her delicious treats whenever he visits.
Lin Jiang effortlessly picked up Cao Ying, played with her for a while, and gave her some jerky to nibble on. Zhang Ruifang also came out from the room.
"Are you really planning to stay indoors for a whole year?"
Zhang Ruifang asked Lin Jiang, who came to her next door yesterday, telling her that he won't be going out for the next year, he wants to hide first and then decide.
Zhang Ruifang found it somewhat unbelievable, is there really someone who can stay at home for a whole year like in the Qi Refining Period?
"Not going out, it's too dangerous outside. Let's hide for a year first, we don't have to worry about food and drink, it doesn't matter."
"What about your income?"
"It's alright, I can still make money by drawing talismans. I have paid the rent for three years. I will make plans after one year."
Lin Jiang said, it's too dangerous outside, even the Dark Night Organization has come looking for him. He can only endure and wait, endurance is the way of a king.
As for income, Lin Jiang thinks it doesn't matter. His annual expenses are just a bit over 20,000. If he saves a little, doesn't use the Spirit Gathering Formation, and takes fewer elixirs, several thousand spirit stones are enough. His savings can last him for a few more years.
Besides, he has bought a large amount of talisman paper and talisman paint. He can continue to draw spiritual talismans and sell them slowly later on. If things don't work out, he can sell them to the shops. At worst, he'll make a little profit, he won't go bankrupt or starve to death.
"I'm sorry for involving you."
"No need to say that, if you say it, it will count as paying back Cao Yang, don't go out anymore, call me if you need anything, the kids can visit each other, give them more space to play."
"I know, I won't go out."
Zhang Ruifang said. Now it's very dangerous outside, for the sake of the children, she won't go out either.
Lin Jiang nodded, didn't say anything else, put the child down, tidied up some bricks, then went home.
······
"Bird, I want to ride a bird, fly ····"
Half a year later, Cao Ying chased Big Bird and Small Bird all over the yard, Big Bird and Small Bird ran ahead, she chased after them, and when she caught them, she climbed onto the back of the bird, pretended to be riding a horse.
"Chirp chirp ···"
This time, Cao Ying caught Big Bird, it came to Lin Jiang's doorstep, kept making noise, and looked quite dissatisfied, as if saying, "Hurry up and take care of the child, if you don't, I'll throw her down."
"Here's some jerky as a reward. Don't bother me anymore."
Without looking back, Lin Jiang threw a piece of jerky. Big Shadiao opened its mouth to catch, but Cao Ying also reached out her hand, trying to snatch it with her beak. Big Shadiao got scared and swallowed it in one gulp.
Big Shadiao missed the old days when it couldn't finish eating all the jerky and had a variety of other foods to add some flavor. But for the past six months, its main food has been the Inedia Pill, and the jerky has become just a way to add some flavor. Its quality of life has dramatically declined, it's just too miserable.
"Bad bird, not giving me meat to eat."
Unable to get the jerky, Cao Ying got angry and tried to pluck Big Shadiao's feathers. But second-tier monster's feathers are not easy to pluck. She used all her strength, but it didn't budge.
"Cao Ying, come quickly, it's time to learn to read."
When Zhang Ruifang saw Cao Ying, she let out a loud roar like a lion. She knew her daughter well, at the age of just over three, it was the age when children can be quite stubborn and playful, and they can't be disciplined yet because they are too little. Big Shadiao and Small Shadiao would often get so angry that they would jump up and down.
At first, Cao Ying was afraid that the big bird would hurt her. But later, she found out that the big bird could understand people and knew that Lin Jiang had given strict orders not to harm Cao Ying. So, she became braver and even wanted to bring Big Shadiao and Small Shadiao to her room to sleep together.
Cao Ying would bother Big Shadiao and Small Shadiao, and Zhang Ruifang would bother Cao Ying. Even at such a young age, Cao Ying had to start reading and learning to recognize words. If she couldn't do it, she would be punished and made to stand. So, sometimes the mother and daughter would have chaotic moments.
"Big bird, run fast and take me to fly."
As soon as Cao Ying heard Zhang Ruifang's words, she became hairless and begged Big Shadiao.
Big Shadiao raised his head and walked towards Zhang Ruifang with a disinterested stride. It's impossible to take you flying, but I can take you home.
"Big bird, I don't want to go back."
Cao Ying looked shocked. She grabbed Big Shadiao's neck and shouted. She didn't want to read, she didn't want to go home, she wanted to play with the big bird.
"Roll back to me."
Zhang Ruifang walked forward a few steps, squeezed Cao Ying's back clothes, and lifted her up directly.
"Let my taoist friend taste the pastries I made today."
Zhang Ruifang turned around and said to Big Shadiao, then took out three plates of pastries. One for Big Shadiao and Small Shadiao, and one for Lin Jiang.
Big Shadiao's eyes lit up, and Small Shadiao also rushed over from the corner. The two brothers almost fought over the pastries.
But they didn't dare to eat Lin Jiang's portion. The master-servant relationship was clear. It was okay to snatch from each other, but snatching from the master was suicide.
Lin Jiang took a plate of pastries from Shadiao's side and took a bite, giving all of them to Shadiao as a reward.
"Hands that hold a sword are not suitable for holding a spatula."
Lin Jiang sighed. Zhang Ruifang's cooking skills were unbeatable. Only Big Shadiao and Small Shadiao didn't mind. Lin Jiang always felt that Zhang Ruifang's hands were better suited for holding a sword.
This was also why Lin Jiang never ate at Zhang Ruifang's place, even if she insisted multiple times. One, to avoid suspicion, and two, her skills were not good at all. He would rather cook for himself.
"It's been six months, I wonder how it's like outside."
Lin Jiang put down the writing brush and blew on the spiritual talisman in his hand. He didn't have much blank talisman paper left. He had been diligent for the past six months, doing the work of eight months.
The main reason was that there were no smartphones or computers in this world, and no various games. When idle, apart from practicing, all he could do was draw talismans. The work efficiency was remarkable, making it hard to feel lazy.
"Alright, let's endure for another six months."
After considering for a long time, Lin Jiang finally decided to endure for another six months. Compared to his life, what's a bit of boredom and loneliness?
·······
One year passed quickly. Lin Jiang disguised himself, quietly went out, and first went to a store where he sold two hundred spiritual talismans to fill up his empty storage bag.
After exchanging the money, Lin Jiang found a nice restaurant and had a big meal. Once satisfied with food and drink, it was time for something else.
Don't get the wrong idea, Lin Jiang just wanted to go to Spring Coming Tower or Baihua Tower to discuss the true meaning of life, important matters in the human world, and the principles of the heavens.
It wasn't until two days later that Lin Jiang walked out of the gates of Spring Coming Tower, while complaining, "The chairs in Spring Coming Tower are too hard, my back hurts. I'm never coming back."
Lin Jiang took a stroll in South City Market. He couldn't see many familiar faces anymore, but he didn't have the intention to set up a stall for now. Lin Jiang's distinctive features were too obvious. He only set up his stall for less than four hours a day, afraid of being recognized.
After buying some meat and snacks, Lin Jiang returned home. He gave the meat to Big Shadiao and Small Shadiao. They had a tough year, not only did they not eat much good food, but they were also tortured by Cao Ying.
The snacks are for Cao Ying. The little one has grown a lot in size and has become more lively. The closed environment hasn't affected her personality at all.
"What's happening outside?"
"I haven't heard from any of our old acquaintances. I still haven't found any news about them."
"Are you still going to set up a stall?"
"I'm not going for now. Let's decrease the quantity for now. We'll supply to the store in the future."
"If you're looking for a store, I know a few with a good reputation. They have been run by several generations. I can introduce them to you."
"Sure, reliability is the most important. Half of the small stores in Yunzhong City are dishonest."
Lin Jiang said, "The life of the common people in the cultivator world is extremely difficult. It forces them to resort to unscrupulous methods. I estimate that at least half of the stores are involved in illegal activities."
"I know, the ones I'm recommending won't be like that. They have a great reputation."
"That's okay, what about you, what will you do in the future?"
"I want to go and look for Cao Yang."
"I'll take care of this, and give him a proper burial."
"Thank you very much."
"What will we do in the future?"
Lin Jiang asked again, there were some things he couldn't say face to face, it would seem selfish because he wanted to get rid of Zhang Ruifang and her daughter.
He didn't have any improper thoughts about them, he also promised Cao Yang, staying by his side would become a burden for Lin Jiang, and it might attract the attention of the Dark Night Organization again. Dark Night Organization already had one of their Building Foundation Period members die at his hands, maybe next time a more skilled person would come.
"I'm not sure, but I should leave Yunzhong City. The Dark Night Organization operates near Yunzhong City, and I don't want to provoke them."
Zhang Ruifang said, if she was found by the Dark Night Organization, it would be certain death for her, and her daughter would also suffer. They would be adopted by the Dark Night Organization, and if they didn't have Spiritual Roots, they would be disposed of. Even if they had Spiritual Roots, their future would be filled with tragedy.
"Hide for a while longer, I will gather some information for you. Once you decide where to go, I will take you there. The Aurora falcon is very fast, and it's not easy for the Building foundation to catch up."
Lin Jiang said, "The Aurora falcon is at the mid-stage of the second level. Unless someone has practiced a special body technique, within the Building Foundation Period, I'm afraid no one can catch up. The Aurora falcon is famous for its speed."
"Alright, I'll think about it."
Zhang Ruifang said, with the help of the Aurora falcon, things would be much easier. With increased speed, she could quickly escape from Yunzhong City.
