Volume 2 Chapter 3

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Volume 2 Chapter 3: Seeking a Mentor

"So, how much do you think this compensation should be?" Xu Qingfan asked with a faint smile.

Seeing Xu Qingfan’s composed and unflustered demeanor, Zhang Long suddenly felt a faint sense of unease, but before he could figure out what was wrong, the bald man beside him shouted, "Whatever amount of money you have, give it all to our boss as compensation."

"Not leaving any behind?" Xu Qingfan asked softly.

Zhang Long saw Xu Qingfan’s cool demeanor, and his sense of unease grew stronger. The expression of this "Walking Sheep" was just too calm, as if he had nothing to fear. But before Zhang Long could say anything, the bald man interrupted again, "Of course, not a single coin left behind!"

"Then I’m relieved," Xu Qingfan said with a smile.

"Relax about what?" Zhang Long asked instinctively.

"Since you’ve gone this far, I won’t feel guilty about taking all your money," Xu Qingfan said coolly.

"Just you?" The bald man scoffed, but before he could finish, his mocking eyes suddenly filled with fear. Xu Qingfan had suddenly vanished before his eyes and then just as suddenly reappeared right in front of him. Completely unprepared for Xu Qingfan’s sudden appearance, the bald man had no time to react before Xu Qingfan gently tapped him on his bald head.

"Thud…" A sharp tapping sound rang out, like a small hammer striking a wooden fish, and the burly man, much larger than Xu Qingfan, fell into a complete unconsciousness without the slightest resistance.

After knocking out the bald man, Xu Qingfan didn’t pause for a second. Onlookers saw his form blur into several afterimages, as if he could be in multiple places at once. Crisp tapping sounds echoed continuously, and each person felt their vision go dark before knowing nothing at all.

Having knocked out all the burly men, Xu Qingfan swiftly returned to his original standing place. If one ignored the bodies scattered all over, it was as if nothing had ever happened.

With the noisy men out of the way, the scene became incredibly quiet, leaving only Xu Qingfan standing calmly with a smile, watching the dumbstruck Zhang Long.

Admittedly, despite being a gang leader, Zhang Long had left a good impression on Xu Qingfan during his brief stint as a tour guide, which is why Xu Qingfan hadn’t laid a finger on him.

"Alright, now leave all the money you have on you," Xu Qingfan said with a faint smile as he looked at Zhang Long’s incredulous expression.

…

There is a saying in the world, "When you have money in your hand, you have no worries in your heart." Although Xu Qingfan is a cultivator, he now deeply understands this saying.

When he first arrived in Gushan Town, Xu Qingfan was curious about everything, especially the strange items sold on the streets. But since he didn’t have a penny of worldly money with him, he could only watch as a bystander. Now that he has money, Xu Qingfan can buy those things he finds interesting and examine them closely. Like the sugar figure he just snatched from a small child.

Bystanders were shocked to see that the nobleman, who had been curiously looking around the street, was now wandering around with a sugar figure in one hand, a rattle-drum in the other, and a monkey mask on his face.

Perhaps the lively atmosphere of Gushan Town brought out the last bit of innocence in Xu Qingfan’s heart.

The money he snatched from those thugs was worth dozens of silver taels, which, from the prices Xu Qingfan learned while buying things, would be enough for an ordinary person to live comfortably for several months. It was more than enough for Xu Qingfan to experience the charm of a bustling Middle-earth town.

"How long do you plan to follow me?" Xu Qingfan suddenly stopped, turned to look at Zhang Long, who had been trailing behind him, and frowned.

Seeing Xu Qingfan suddenly stop and frown at him, Zhang Long was startled. He then timidly walked up to Xu Qingfan and forced a smile, saying, "I’m the young master’s guide. You haven’t fully enjoyed Gushan Town yet, how could I not follow you?"

Hearing what Zhang Long said, Xu Qingfan couldn’t help but find it amusing. He realized that Zhang Long was unusually thick-skinned, so he asked with a smile, "Are you going to ask for a service fee after I’ve had my fun?"

"Oh, no, no, it’s my honor to be your guide, young master. I wouldn’t dare ask for any reward," Zhang Long quickly waved his hand upon hearing Xu Qingfan’s joke.

Although Xu Qingfan sensed that Zhang Long’s overly polite attitude might have an ulterior motive, he didn’t believe a mere mortal could pose any threat to him. Plus, he found that having company made the journey more enjoyable, so he smiled and said, "If you want to come along, then come along."

"Great…!" Zhang Long exclaimed cheerfully after hearing Xu Qingfan’s words.

With Xu Qingfan’s permission, Zhang Long once again sidled up to him, resuming his role as a guide. He pointed out sights, chatted happily, as if nothing had happened earlier.

"Young master, it’s already noon. Shall we go for lunch?" Zhang Long suddenly asked after some time of exploring.

"Alright," Xu Qingfan nodded. Though he had long surpassed the need for mortal nourishment, his fascination with the delectable foods of bustling Middle-earth from his youth persuaded him to indulge.

"Wanhe Tower" is an elegantly decorated tavern. Its name doesn’t stem from having ten thousand cranes, but from its owner’s surname Wan and first name He. According to Zhang Long, this tavern offers the best dishes in all of Gushan Town, particularly its sake, which is renowned throughout the region.

Upon arriving at Wanhe Tower, Xu Qingfan and Zhang Long chose a window-side seat on the second floor. After ordering some of the tavern’s signature dishes, they began to enjoy the view while Zhang Long regaled Xu Qingfan with interesting tales about Gushan Town.

Watching the bustling crowd below, vendors and women haggling over vegetable prices, and shop assistants eagerly welcoming guests, Xu Qingfan suddenly found that his identity as a cultivator felt incredibly real. No longer troubled by survival, nor scurrying for money, but are cultivators truly more carefree than ordinary humans? Xu Qingfan shook his head in contemplation.

"Zhang Long, tell me, what exactly do you want me to help you with?" Xu Qingfan suddenly turned his gaze away from the scenery outside the window, interrupting Zhang Long’s endless introduction, and asked calmly.

"Sir, do you, do you know everything?" Zhang Long asked, dumbfounded and stuttering.

"I don’t know anything. I just feel that your respect for me isn’t just to get back those few taels of silver I took from you, is it?" Xu Qingfan shook his head and said with a light smile.

Seeing Xu Qingfan’s calm expression, Zhang Long hesitated for a long time before his gaze finally became firm. He asked Xu Qingfan in a deep voice, "Sir, are you a martial arts expert?"

Upon hearing Zhang Long’s words, Xu Qingfan smiled slightly, recalling the misunderstanding he had about Lu Huayan’s identity when they first met, and replied lightly, "I guess you could say that."

"Then, sir, can you teach me martial arts? I want to be your pupil." After hearing Xu Qingfan’s words, Zhang Long’s eyes became intensely eager, and he asked.

"Oh? Why do you want to learn martial arts? To earn more hard fees?" Xu Qingfan asked with a smile.

"No, I want revenge!" Zhang Long’s expression turned solemn with hatred after hearing Xu Qingfan’s words.

Seeing the firm and sorrowful expression on Zhang Long’s face as he spoke, Xu Qingfan suddenly felt a moment of disorientation, as if he was seeing himself decades ago. Was his gaze equally firm and sorrowful when he decided to become Lu Huayan’s pupil?

Seeing Xu Qingfan’s expression turn dazed, Zhang Long became quite anxious, thinking Xu Qingfan was unwilling to teach him martial arts. Ignoring the surprised stares of others, he suddenly knelt before Xu Qingfan and said loudly, "Master, please teach me martial arts. I promise never to use them for evil and will serve you without complaint."

"Stand up and speak," Xu Qingfan said, feeling a bit embarrassed by the curious gazes from those upstairs, and quickly addressed Zhang Long.

As he spoke, he pulled Zhang Long up without allowing any resistance and seated him, then said, "Tell me, what exactly is going on? If your reasons are justified, I might help you, but as for becoming my disciple, let’s not mention it again."

Hearing Xu Qingfan’s words, Zhang Long was about to speak when a brash voice suddenly came from downstairs.

"Waiter, the second floor is reserved today by my young master for a banquet to honor Immortal Master Li. You should clear all these guests out."

Hearing the arrogant voice, Xu Qingfan slightly furrowed his brow and turned to see a group of servants, dressed in similar attire, escorting two distinct-looking individuals upstairs. The younger one was somewhat handsome, with long narrow eyes giving him a sinister appearance, a pale face, and an unsteady gait suggesting excessive indulgence. This was likely the young master from the voice. The other, with long white hair and dressed in a Taoist robe, appeared to be the so-called Immortal Master Li.

What surprised Xu Qingfan was that Immortal Master Li indeed had a faint aura of Spirit Qi, which, although only at the late stage of the Qi Refining Stage, confirmed him as a genuine cultivator.

It’s important to know that cultivators only step into the mortal world if absolutely necessary. Disciples at the Qi Refining Stage and Inedia Stage typically handle mundane matters within their sects, while cultivators at the Lingji Stage and above are mostly focused on secluded cultivation. Thus, the so-called "Immortal Masters" and "Old Sages" in the mortal world are often just tricksters using a few illusions. Moreover, the strength of cultivators is undoubtedly far greater compared to ordinary people. To avoid disrupting the balance of power in the mortal realm, major cultivation sects strictly prohibit their disciples from interfering in mortal conflicts, not to mention associating with mortals. It’s unclear why this "Immortal Master Li" disregards the agreements of the cultivation world and even serves as some kind of "honored guest."

Meanwhile, Xu Qingfan noticed a fierce look of hatred flash in Zhang Long’s eyes when he saw the young man.