Volume 2 Chapter 4

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Volume 2 Chapter 4: Immortal Master

"When you talk about revenge, do you mean against that young man?" Xu Qingfan asked softly, noticing the look of hatred in Zhang Long’s eyes as he glanced at the young man.

"It’s him, and his scoundrel father, and even that Immortal Master Li is my enemy," Zhang Long said bitterly, his usually lazy and unruly expression turning fierce with anger.

Seeing Zhang Long’s fierce expression, Xu Qingfan couldn’t help but frown. He didn’t like people whose judgment was clouded by revenge, but he still asked calmly, "What happened? Can you tell me?"

Upon hearing Xu Qingfan’s question, Zhang Long withdrew his hateful gaze from the young man and began to slowly share his story with Xu Qingfan.

It turned out that Zhang Long was not always an idle rascal; he was originally a principal member of the largest noble family in Gushan Town, the Zhang family. His father, Zhang Lian, was the head of the Zhang family for their generation. Unfortunately, Zhang Long had no love for literature or study from a young age, spending his days indulging in leisure and associating with unsavory characters. His father, though frustrated, was helpless. Had nothing changed, Zhang Long would have continued under his father’s protection, growing into a wasteful, carefree heir, achieving little but without worry for basic needs. But everything changed two years ago.

The young man who just went upstairs was named Zhang Hu, Zhang Long’s cousin. Two years ago, he and his father, Zhang Hai, joined the Zhang family, quickly earning Zhang Lian’s trust, and Zhang Hai was entrusted with managing the rents of Zhang family’s lands in Gushan Town.

But a year ago, Zhang Lian suddenly discovered that a large portion of the funds managed by Zhang Hai was missing. Zhang Lian was furious, but just as he was about to confront Zhang Hai, Immortal Master Li was invited by Zhang Hu to become a patron of the Zhang family, and simultaneously, Zhang Lian mysteriously fell ill and died in bed that night. Zhang Hai then seized the opportunity to take control of the Zhang family. Not long after, several Zhang family elders who opposed Zhang Hai becoming the head of the family also fell ill with the same mysterious sickness and passed away. With that, Zhang Hai officially took over the Zhang family.

Soon after, Zhang Hai found an excuse to expel Zhang Long from the Zhang family. Maybe because of Zhang Long’s usual lazy behavior, Zhang Hai and others underestimated him, making him the only opponent of Zhang Hai for the headship of the Zhang family who wasn’t harmed.

After being expelled from the Zhang family by Zhang Hai, Zhang Long pretended to know nothing out of fear that Zhang Hai might persecute him. He continued to associate with the rogues of Gushan Town, indulging in deceitful acts daily. However, his heart was always filled with thoughts of revenge. Yet, having witnessed Immortal Master Li showcase miraculous Taoist spells, he knew he lacked the power for revenge. So, he endured humiliation just to survive, often facing insults and provocations from Zhang Hu.

Zhang Long thought his life would pass in such a muddle, but unexpectedly, he met Xu Qingfan today and witnessed Xu Qingfan’s amazing martial skills. This rekindled his nearly extinguished fire for revenge, leading to his recent act of seeking apprenticeship.

"So you’re saying that Immortal Master Li and Zhang Hai conspired to harm your father’s life?" After hearing Zhang Long’s account, the faint smile on Xu Qingfan’s face gradually disappeared. He turned, examining Immortal Master Li who was going upstairs, and asked softly.

The cultivator not only participated in the struggles of mortals but also used a Taoist spell to take someone’s life, which is a great taboo in the cultivation world.

"Of course. Why else would my father and all the elders of the clan have died from the same illness in such a short period? It must be this Immortal Master Li who used dark arts to harm them," Zhang Long gritted his teeth and said. Then he pleaded with Xu Qingfan, "That’s why I want to learn martial arts from you, Master—not to do evil, but to seek revenge for my family. Please grant my wish."

"That Immortal Master Li is a legendary cultivator; even if you excel in martial arts, it will be hard to defeat him." Xu Qingfan withdrew his gaze from observing Immortal Master Li. Disregarding Zhang Long’s pleading eyes, he focused on his teacup and spoke lightly.

"I know it’s difficult for martial arts to counter Immortal Master Li’s sorcery, but learning it is better than knowing nothing. I don’t want to let go of any hope if it means getting revenge. Even though I can’t defeat Immortal Master Li after learning martial skills, at least I can take the chance to kill those beasts, Zhang Hai and Zhang Hu," Zhang Long snarled.

Watching as Zhang Long’s handsome face twisted with hatred, Xu Qingfan sighed softly. His gaze turned distant, perhaps recalling when he sought apprenticeship with Lu Huayan long ago.

At this moment, all the third-floor guests were driven out by Zhang Hu’s servants, leaving only Xu Qingfan and Zhang Long by the window, standing out prominently. A servant approached with a stern face when he noticed they hadn’t left with the others. However, upon seeing Zhang Long, his expression changed. He turned to Zhang Hu, bowed slightly, whispered something, and pointed towards Zhang Long.

When Zhang Hu saw Zhang Long, a mocking smile appeared on his face. He walked straight over to the table where Xu Qingfan and Zhang Long sat and laughed loudly, "Oh, it’s Cousin Zhang Long! Not busy collecting fees from tourists in town today? You must have done well today to have time for a meal here!"

He then started to scrutinize Xu Qingfan, clearly assuming Xu Qingfan was another "Walking Sheep" conned by Zhang Long.

Immortal Master Li followed Zhang Hu to the table. Although he maintained a serene, elder-like demeanor, Xu Qingfan noticed that he kept glancing at Zhang Long with greedy excitement in his eyes.

"Mind your own business," Zhang Long snorted, showing just the right amount of disgust.

"Are you still upset about my father driving you out of the Zhang family? Well… my father didn’t want to do it, but you went too far, almost burning down the family’s ancestral shrine. As the family head, he had to be fair and had no choice but to expel you," Zhang Hu sighed, the mocking smile on his face growing more pronounced.

"Hmph…!" Zhang Long scoffed, completely ignoring Zhang Hu’s feigned sympathy.

"May I ask if you are Immortal Master Li?" Xu Qingfan, who had been silently observing, suddenly spoke up and asked with a slight smile aimed at Immortal Master Li.

"Immeasurable Heavenly Venerable, I am unworthy of the title Immortal Master; I am Daoist Li." Hearing Xu Qingfan’s words, Immortal Master Li withdrew his gaze from Zhang Long, looked at Xu Qingfan with surprise, then composed himself and replied warmly. If Xu Qingfan hadn’t heard Zhang Long’s earlier description, he might have thought Immortal Master Li was truly a wise sage.

Since Xu Qingfan had achieved the Lingji Stage, his Spirit Qi had transformed, and his aura was restrained, Immortal Master Li, only at the late stage of the Qi Refining Stage, didn’t realize Xu Qingfan was also a cultivator, and one far more powerful than himself.

"Immortal Master, you are too humble," Xu Qingfan said with a smile. "May I ask which school or sect you belong to? I have always been fascinated by the matters of the cultivation world since I was young, but I have never been able to catch a glimpse of it. Please teach me more, Immortal Master."

"I belong to no school or sect, just a rogue cultivator, and I know very little about the Immortal Realm, so I may disappoint you," Immortal Master Li said gently after pausing slightly at Xu Qingfan’s words. He spoke without revealing any information.

Hearing Immortal Master Li’s evasive words, Xu Qingfan merely smiled slightly and didn’t mind.

After some more casual conversation between the four, Xu Qingfan and Zhang Long stood up and took their leave.

Watching Xu Qingfan and Zhang Long’s departing figures, the warm smile on Immortal Master Li’s face slowly faded. He turned to Zhang Hu and said solemnly, "Investigate Xu Qingfan’s background for me. I feel there’s more to him than meets the eye."

"He’s just an ordinary person. Why should the Immortal Master concern himself?" Zhang Hu chuckled but quickly said, "Understood. I’ll send someone to look into it."

"The ‘Six-winged Golden Beetle’ is about to be born. We cannot afford any mistakes," Immortal Master Li murmured to himself as he watched Xu Qingfan and Zhang Long leave from upstairs.

Neither Immortal Master Li nor Li Hu noticed a small white and purple-spotted flower that had appeared under their feet. Had they seen it and understood plants well, they would have recognized it as a rare Twin Love Flower capable of transmitting sound.

The Twin Love Flower is quite an unusual plant. Once fully grown, it produces two blossoms on a single stem. These two flowers share a mysterious connection. If both flowers are picked, someone can speak into one and be heard through the other within a certain distance before they wither. In ancient times, this flower was used by lovers to secretly meet. Unfortunately, it became extinct over time, but Xu Qingfan obtained a seed of this flower from Martial Uncle Liu in the Herb Garden.

"’Six-winged Golden Beetle’? It seems Immortal Master Li’s identity is not so simple," murmured Xu Qingfan to himself along the road, his right hand twirling a twin love flower.