Chapter 144
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Chapter 144: Old Hu
“Senior Brother Zhao!”
“Junior Brother Wang?”
Zhao Huai’an was clearly unprepared for Wang Chen’s sudden visit.
With a mix of surprise and confusion, he politely invited Wang Chen to sit in his living room.
However, his expression remained aloof: “Junior Brother Wang, what brings you here?”
Wang Chen retrieved the Dual Mirrors and the message crane from his storage bag, showing them briefly to Zhao Huai’an before putting them away again.
Zhao Huai’an frowned, puzzled by the gesture.
Wang Chen cut straight to the chase: “This pair of Dual Mirrors was sent to me by Senior Brother Lu Hong…”
He recounted the details of Du Yuan Kui’s recent visit to Zhao Huai’an.
The price of Dual Mirrors ranges from five hundred to fifteen hundred spirit fragments.
The Ten-Time Mirror is the most expensive, not only due to its extended duration but also its superior quality in transmitting images and sounds.
If the Dual Mirrors Wang Chen previously owned were akin to 1080P, then the Ten-Time Mirror would be comparable to 4K resolution!
By simply hanging the brass mirror on the large tree in his back courtyard, Wang Chen could easily monitor Zhao Huai’an’s activities.
To confront Zhao Huai’an, Senior Brother Lu Hong had indeed spared no expense.
Yet, despite Wang Chen’s nickname being Doggie, he would never stoop to being anyone’s subordinate!
Sometimes, however, trouble finds you even when you least expect it.
With the issue now unavoidable, Wang Chen had no choice but to confront the source of the problem.
“Senior Brother Zhao, I bear no ill will toward you.”
Wang Chen said, “But I cannot afford to cross Senior Brother Lu Hong. What do you suggest I do?”
Zhao Huai’an fell silent.
Wang Chen’s approach was forthright and beyond reproach.
Had it been any other disciple from Sunset Peak, they might have been overjoyed by such an opportunity, hardly likely to risk offending Senior Brother Lu Hong by coming to inform him.
After all, Lu Hong was the chief true disciple!
“I understand.”
After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Huai’an took a deep breath, his eyes filled with determination: “Junior Brother Wang, I won’t put you in a difficult position!”
Wang Chen expressed his gratitude: “Thank you for your magnanimity, Senior Brother!”
Though their interactions had been few and their conversations brief,
Wang Chen could discern that this young cultivator from the outer domain was a man of inherent pride.
Even in the face of adversity, he sought to uphold his dignity.
Thus, Wang Chen felt justified in shifting the responsibility to Zhao Huai’an—after all, it was he who had tied the knot, and so it was he who must untie it.
Wang Chen would not assist Lu Hong in scheming against Zhao Huai’an, nor would he help Zhao Huai’an shoulder the blame.
He had a clear conscience!
Zhao Huai’an responded with gratitude: “Thank you, Junior Brother.”
By sharing this matter with him, Wang Chen demonstrated his trust.
Zhao Huai’an was not truly devoid of human sentiment.
However, surrounded by enemies on all sides, he had to protect himself like a porcupine raising its sharp quills.
After Wang Chen departed, an aged voice suddenly echoed in Zhao Huai’an’s mind: “This little guy is quite intriguing.”
Zhao Huai’an instinctively pressed the jade pendant hanging on his chest.
Unfazed by the voice in his mind, he focused his thoughts and asked, “Old Hu, what should I do now?”
The jade pendant, concealed within his robes, was a damaged artifact Zhao Huai’an had bought from a marketplace stall for twenty-one spirit fragments.
At the time, it felt extraordinarily peculiar to him, prompting him to empty his storage bag to acquire it.
Little did he know that this jade pendant would become the greatest opportunity he would ever encounter.
When Zhao Huai’an was captured and faced a life-or-death crisis, a wisp of residual spirit hidden within the pendant suddenly emerged and saved his life.
After his escape, this residual spirit, who called himself “Old Hu,” imparted a technique to Zhao Huai’an and guided him to uncover a secret storehouse, yielding a wealth of cultivation resources.
Under Old Hu’s meticulous guidance, Zhao Huai’an’s cultivation level advanced rapidly in a short span of time!
Not only that, but Old Hu also crafted the memory stone that served as evidence and aided Zhao Huai’an in intercepting the True Master of the Yunyang Sect’s flying chariot, successfully seeking justice.
Ultimately, he toppled several Purple Palace masters, avenging his family!
After entering the inner sect, Old Hu helped Zhao Huai’an evade several hidden schemes, ensuring he did not fall into traps.
Thus, Zhao Huai’an placed immense trust in Old Hu!
“Leave this place.”
Old Hu advised, “Farming holds no future. Accept a sect mission in the outer domain; perhaps I can recall the cave where I once resided. You can cultivate there and return in time for the small competition at Sunset Peak.”
“Understood!”
Zhao Huai’an clenched his fist tightly, a fiery determination igniting in his dark eyes.
Old Hu continued, “Your first goal is to claim the top position at Sunset Peak and then compete in the sect competition to secure a place among the top ten true disciples!”
Zhao Huai’an couldn’t help but ask, “Old Hu, is becoming a Grandmaster’s disciple truly that significant?”
Old Hu had always urged him to aim for the position of Grandmaster’s disciple in the Yunyang Sect.
The prerequisite for becoming a Grandmaster’s disciple was to rank among the top ten true disciples of the inner sect!
While being a Grandmaster’s disciple symbolized immense honor and status equivalent to that of inner sect elders, Zhao Huai’an had little interest in authority; he preferred to cultivate in solitude.
“To master your own destiny,” Old Hu replied softly, “you must possess formidable strength!”
“In the Yunyang Sect, only Grandmaster’s disciples are qualified to learn the Nine Transformations of Yunlong.”
"This technique, which directly leads to Yuan Ying, is perfectly suited for you."
"So you must strive for it!"
"As cultivators, we are destined to challenge the heavens and seize our fate. If you do not strive, you will merely become a stepping stone for others!"
"Is that what you desire?"
Zhao Huai’an shook his head without hesitation.
Yet, he lacked confidence: "The current Top Ten true disciples and the Grandmaster’s disciples are all from prestigious families. Can I truly compete with them?"
Though proud, Zhao Huai’an was self-aware.
His beginnings were humble, and his talent was not extraordinary. Without Old Hu’s assistance, he wouldn’t even qualify to stand within the inner sect.
Aiming to become a Grandmaster’s disciple seemed overly ambitious.
"With me by your side, what is there to fear?"
Old Hu declared proudly, "Do not underestimate those from privileged backgrounds; the current Grandmaster of the Yunyang Sect, Ji Guandao, rose from humble origins. If he could achieve greatness, why not you?"
Speaking of the Golden Core true master, Old Hu showed no reverence.
Zhao Huai’an clenched his fists involuntarily.
Old Hu continued, "In fact, there is another way to learn the Nine Transformations of Yunlong besides becoming a Grandmaster’s disciple."
Zhao Huai’an asked with curiosity, "What is that method?"
"It’s quite simple."
Old Hu replied, "Ji Guandao’s beloved daughter is just nineteen, as beautiful as a blossoming flower. If you can win her favor, then…"
Before he could finish, Zhao Huai’an’s face flushed red: "Old Hu, I, Zhao Huai’an, am a man of honor! How can I rely on a woman to challenge the heavens and seize my fate?"
"This method is not for me!"
Old Hu chuckled softly, his laughter tinged with a peculiar tone.
He advised, "Then prepare swiftly. A wise man does not linger beneath a crumbling wall. I fear some may soon lose patience."
Zhao Huai’an nodded in agreement.
Lu Hong!
He was aware that the top disciple from Sunset Peak was not his only adversary.
But among his foes,
Lu Hong was the most active and the most arrogant.
Zhao Huai’an was resolute; he was determined to claim the position of top true disciple at Sunset Peak!
At that moment, Zhao Huai’an suddenly recalled Wang Chen.
As Old Hu had mentioned, this junior brother was indeed an intriguing individual.
And Wang Chen remained unaware of the profound impression he had made on Zhao Huai’an.
For the next two days, Wang Chen stayed at home, waiting.
He never saw Zhao Huai’an again; the spirit fields he had been tending were left half-plowed.
Convinced that Zhao Huai’an had fled, Wang Chen sent out a letter of crane paper.
Soon, Du Yuan Kui arrived in haste.
Upon meeting, he immediately said to Wang Chen, "It’s no longer your concern; return the Dual Mirrors to me."
Wang Chen was taken aback: "Didn’t you say they were mine?"
"In your dreams!"
Du Yuan Kui sneered, "Do you know the value of those Dual Mirrors in spirit stones? You couldn’t afford them even if you sold yourself!"
"Hand them over quickly; stop wasting time!"
Wang Chen, expressionless, retrieved the Dual Mirrors and returned them, remarking, "Someone once took a few chickens from me."
Du Yuan Kui was puzzled: "What are you talking about?"
Wang Chen shook his head: "Nothing."
"Tsk!"
Du Yuan Kui turned and left, unwilling to engage further with Wang Chen.
A mere fifth-level Qi Trainer and a spiritual plant farmer; even as an inner sect disciple, he was still a lowly peasant!
If he acted ungratefully,
Du Yuan Kui had numerous ways to deal with him!
Wang Chen silently watched as Du Yuan Kui disappeared from view.
The authorities had repeatedly stressed that no one should withhold wages from laborers.
This man not only refused to pay for his hard work but also reclaimed what he had previously given.
Such a heartless act was surely a violation of Heavenly Merit resources!
