Volume 4 Chapter 80

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

Volume 4 Chapter 80: Stormy Winds

Hearing Chou Xuan make a request at this time, Xu Qingfan knew that as long as the request wasn’t too excessive, even if he couldn’t fulfill it, he would do his best to help.

Despite this, Xu Qingfan still felt somewhat displeased because Chou Xuan had always given him the impression of someone with a serene and content nature, desiring nothing. But since their conversation began, Chou Xuan had been subtly scheming, which disappointed Xu Qingfan. It seemed that years of being on the run had significantly changed an aspect of Chou Xuan’s personality.

However, Xu Qingfan needed help, so he clasped his hands and asked, "Taoist friend Chou, please speak freely. I will do my utmost to assist."

Chou Xuan seemed to see through Xu Qingfan’s thoughts and smiled, "Taoist Friend Xu, don’t misunderstand. I’m not someone who expects returns for favors; it’s just something that happened to come to mind, and I mentioned it casually."

Xu Qingfan smiled and said, "I wouldn’t misunderstand."

Chou Xuan didn’t care whether Xu Qingfan’s words were true or not, he just smiled and said, "That’s best, otherwise, I’d be ashamed for years."

After a pause, Chou Xuan continued, "Here’s the thing, I would like to ask if Taoist Friend Xu, who has traveled across the Shenzhou Continent and is a prominent figure among the younger generation of the Jiuhua Mountain sect, knows any esteemed seniors in the cultivation world? I would like you to introduce me to them, as I need a respected senior from the cultivation world to uphold justice in my matter."

Hearing it was just this matter, Xu Qingfan felt a slight relief, fearing Chou Xuan would ask him to join in a desperate fight against Deng Tianao. But Xu Qingfan indeed knew no esteemed seniors, and just as he was about to decline, he suddenly thought of Master Immortal Zizhen from the "Qingxu Gate." So, after a brief hesitation, he still said to Chou Xuan, "I have met Immortal Zizhen from the ‘Qingxu Gate’ once."

Hearing Xu Qingfan’s words, a hint of joy flashed across Chou Xuan’s face. He asked, "I wonder if Taoist Friend Xu might introduce us?"

Xu Qingfan slowly said, "I can certainly introduce you, but you must know, Taoist Friend, that the ‘Qingxu Gate’ has recently gone through some turmoil, and I fear Immortal Zizhen might not have the energy to deal with other matters."

Chou Xuan, however, was not concerned and just smiled, saying, "Do what we can and leave the rest to fate. Even if Immortal Zizhen can’t help, at least I tried, right?"

Xu Qingfan nodded in agreement.

Then Chou Xuan said, "Shall we go now?"

Xu Qingfan was slightly taken aback and asked, "Go meet Immortal Zizhen now?"

Chou Xuan shook his head and said, "First, let’s take care of Taoist Friend Xu accepting an apprentice. My matter has been delayed for decades, so a few more days won’t hurt."

With those words, Chou Xuan was the first to fly towards the general’s palace.

Xu Qingfan followed behind, silently watching Chou Xuan’s back, and wondered to himself, "Is Chou Xuan doing this to comfort me? Or does he genuinely want to help?"

…

When Chou Xuan and Xu Qingfan returned to the general’s palace, Bai Lianye and the others who heard the news were both surprised and delighted. Yet, they were unaware of what Chou Xuan had been doing all these years, making his status in the general’s palace remarkably significant.

Standing at the entrance of the general’s palace, seeing Bai Lianye and others hurriedly approaching Chou Xuan, Xu Qingfan pondered how to respond. Bai Lianye, noticing Xu Qingfan beside Chou Xuan, showed a hint of curiosity in his eyes but didn’t ask further.

"Sir, you’ve finally returned. Since you left, the general has been sighing deeply."

Before Bai Lianye could say anything, Counsellor Liu spoke up first.

Chou Xuan smiled and said, "I left not long ago and then encountered a dear friend with whom I wanted to have a good chat, so I thought of coming here to the general. But soon, I will have to leave again."

As he spoke, Chou Xuan gestured to Xu Qingfan beside him and said, "This is Taoist Friend Xu Fan, like me, he’s a cultivator, but his level of cultivation far surpasses mine."

Just now, Xu Qingfan had already spoken to Chou Xuan, asking him to keep his identity a secret and refer to him as Xu Fan to others.

Upon hearing Chou Xuan’s words, Bai Lianye’s cheerful smile turned stiff, but he still managed to bow and greet Xu Qingfan, leading everyone into the general’s palace and ordering a feast to be prepared.

However, Xu Qingfan noticed that ever since he arrived, Zhang Long, who was beside Bai Lianye, kept staring at him with a puzzled look in his eyes. Although Xu Qingfan was wearing a half-mask, his facial features, build, and aura hadn’t changed much, clearly reminding Zhang Long of something.

When Chou Xuan mentioned the name "Xu Fan," Zhang Long’s body shook, and a look of excitement crossed his eyes as he seemed to confirm something. Years ago, when Xu Qingfan helped him reclaim the Zhang family, he had called himself Xu Fan.

Seeing Zhang Long’s change in expression, Xu Qingfan could only smile wryly, realizing that Zhang Long had recognized him.

Once they reached the main hall of the general’s palace, the feast was quickly set up. Even though Xu Qingfan and Chou Xuan had reached the Condensed Core Stage and no longer needed regular food, they still ate some dishes in front of everyone.

After a round of drinks, Chou Xuan and Xu Qingfan started discussing topics related to cultivation, appearing like close friends excitedly catching up. Meanwhile, Bai Lianye and Zhang Long glanced at Chou Xuan and Xu Qingfan, their lips moving slightly as if they wanted to say something but couldn’t interject.

Suddenly, Zhang Long stood up, and to the astonishment of everyone, walked over to Xu Qingfan and bowed deeply, surprising everyone present.

"My benefactor, do you still remember me? It’s been over fifty years, yet you haven’t changed at all," Zhang Long said respectfully.

Xu Qingfan nodded with a smile and said, "I haven’t seen you for fifty years, yet I never expected you to join the general’s palace, which was quite surprising."

Hearing the conversation between Zhang Long and Xu Qingfan, everyone, including Chou Xuan, showed expressions of astonishment. They never thought Xu Qingfan and Zhang Long already knew each other and quickly inquired about the reason. Once they learned that Xu Qingfan had once helped Zhang Long, even Bai Lianye’s gaze toward Xu Qingfan had a hint of warmth.

Xu Qingfan also learned why Zhang Long was able to enter the general’s palace. It turned out that thirty years ago, when Bai Lianye’s father, Bai Junhan, fell into a crisis, Zhang Long sold all his family assets to assist Bai Junhan. And Zhang Long’s investment was rewarded; since then, he managed military supplies for the Bai family and became an official.

After a while, Chou Xuan suddenly seemed to remember something and asked Bai Lianye, "General, didn’t you always want Bai Yu to become my apprentice?"

Hearing Chou Xuan’s sudden question, Bai Lianye’s eyes showed delight as he repeatedly asked, "Has the master had a change of heart?"

Chou Xuan shook his head and said, "Given my current situation, the General might already know that if I were to take Bai Yu as an apprentice, he might not learn much from me, and instead, he would travel with me everywhere and might even encounter unforeseen disasters."

Hearing Chou Xuan’s words, Bai Lianye’s face once again turned gloomy.

But Chou Xuan smiled slightly and pointed at Xu Qingfan, saying to Bai Lianye, "However, if the General truly wishes for Bai Yu to become an immortal cultivator, you could ask Taoist Friend Xu to accept Bai Yu as a pupil. You must know that Taoist Friend Xu not only comes from a prestigious background but is also far more advanced in cultivation than me. Having Bai Yu become Taoist Friend Xu’s apprentice would indeed be a blessing for Bai Yu."

Hearing Chou Xuan’s words, Bai Lianye showed a hesitant expression. He indeed wanted Bai Yu to cultivate, but although this Xu Fan was a cultivator and had helped Zhang Long, according to Chou Xuan, his cultivation was even higher than Chou Xuan’s, but they were not familiar with him, so he couldn’t help but hesitate.

Upon hearing the conversation between Chou Xuan and Bai Lianye, Xu Qingfan felt puzzled inside. He hadn’t expected Bai Lianye to have already planned for his child to cultivate immortality. If he had known it was this simple, he wouldn’t have gone through so much trouble and wouldn’t have needed to ask Chou Xuan for help.

So Xu Qingfan secretly asked Chou Xuan, "Did Bai Lianye really have the intention for his child to cultivate immortality? Didn’t the Bai family swear to remain loyal to the Yunluo royal family for generations?"

Chou Xuan smiled slightly and replied quietly, "Bai Lianye is not Bai Junhan, and Yunluo Country is no longer the small nation it once was. Besides, the Bai family’s contributions over the years have been excessive, yet Bai Lianye’s official position cannot rise any further."

Hearing Chou Xuan’s words, Xu Qingfan suddenly understood, knowing well from history about the danger of one’s merits overshadowing the ruler. He silently sighed to himself, then continued to observe Bai Lianye, waiting for his decision.

Meanwhile, Zhang Long’s eyes flickered continuously, though it was unclear what he was thinking.

Suddenly, Chou Xuan’s expression changed slightly, and he whispered to Xu Qingfan, "Over ten cultivators are heading towards the general’s palace, and some among them have a level of cultivation not inferior to ours."

Xu Qingfan was slightly shocked, knowing that with Chou Xuan cultivating the "Great Method of Heaven and Earth," any slight movement within a hundred miles wouldn’t escape his notice. His words could not be false. He quickly asked, "Are they from the ‘Eight Wilderness Hall’ or ‘Liuhe Gate’?"

Chou Xuan shook his head gently and said, "No, the methods these people cultivate are quite varied, and they don’t seem to belong to any single sect."

Indeed, shortly after, Xu Qingfan also noticed there were over ten cultivators rapidly approaching the general’s palace.

In the main hall of the general’s palace, finally, Bai Lianye seemed to have made up his mind and was about to bow before Xu Qingfan, but just then, a deep voice suddenly echoed throughout the general’s palace.

"I am cultivator Ninglingzi, requesting an audience with the general."