Volume 4 Chapter 98
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Volume 4 Chapter 98: Accepting Disciples (Part 1)
After parting with Ninglingzi, Deng Tianao, and the others, Xu Qingfan and Chou Xuan flew towards the general’s palace. Ninglingzi already promised Chou Xuan an introduction to the masters of "Ronghua Mountain," so Chou Xuan didn’t need to be with Xu Qingfan. However, there was a disciple Xu Qingfan intended to take in who still needed Chou Xuan as an intermediary.
Chou Xuan had to go to the general’s palace to handle some unfinished matters and return the military flag, which had removed the "Tian Sha Leaf," to Bai Lianye. So, after Deng Tianao left first, Chou Xuan made arrangements with Ninglingzi and then hurried to the general’s palace with Xu Qingfan.
Deng Tianao’s sudden appearance was clearly just to meet Chou Xuan. They talked for a long time, but no one knew what was said. Judging by their expressions afterward, Xu Qingfan guessed they might have reached some sort of agreement. As for the details of the agreement, Chou Xuan didn’t mention it, and Xu Qingfan had no interest in asking.
Nevertheless, Xu Qingfan could somewhat guess that Deng Tianao might agree to stop hunting Chou Xuan and even allow him to return to "Liuhe Gate," but Chou Xuan would have to do certain things for him, like helping Deng Tianao get rid of certain people or helping him obtain something.
When it comes to interests, enemies can become friends, and friends can turn into enemies, blurring the lines between them. If their interests align, a demon cultivator and a cultivator can toast and celebrate together. Xu Qingfan understood this and knew that if necessary, he might do the same one day.
However, this didn’t mean Xu Qingfan agreed with Chou Xuan’s actions.
For instance, if necessary, although Xu Qingfan and Liu Ziqing were enemies, he would choose to cooperate with Liu Ziqing. But unless there was no other choice, Xu Qingfan would never work with Nangong Qingshan or Zhang Xusheng because the enmity with Liu Ziqing was due to conflicting interests, while the hatred with Nangong Qingshan and Zhang Xusheng was forged in blood, making it entirely different.
To Chou Xuan, Deng Tianao was undoubtedly the latter.
Being hunted for over ten years, constantly on the run, and feeling bitter and sad was true. Transforming into a realist under such circumstances was understandable, but Xu Qingfan felt that even if one becomes realistic, there should still be some fundamental principles to hold on to.
Chou Xuan’s choice indicated not only that he had become realistic but also that in some ways, he was turning unscrupulous.
Although it is hard to say who was right or wrong, Xu Qingfan indeed lost the desire to maintain a close friendship with Chou Xuan from that moment. He couldn’t help but wonder if the increasingly pragmatic Chou Xuan would betray him for his own greater benefits someday.
Xu Qingfan also wondered if, when Chou Xuan compromised with Deng Tianao, he spared a thought for Taoist Jiuze, who had been captured while helping him escape.
Because of this, while Xu Qingfan chatted happily with Chou Xuan along the way, a hint of cold detachment could be seen in his eyes. Chou Xuan, having noticed this keenly, gradually spoke less.
The rest of the journey was made in silence.
Half a day later, Xu Qingfan and Chou Xuan returned to Fencheng City, descending directly before the gates of the general’s palace on a cloud.
To common people, cultivators are as mysterious as mythical immortals, but recently, many such cultivators have been visiting the general’s palace. The sight of Xu Qingfan and more than ten others soaring away on clouds had already drawn much attention, so when Xu Qingfan and Chou Xuan returned, the guards at the palace gate were only slightly surprised and respectfully escorted them inside, quickly reporting their arrival to Bai Lianye and the others.
Xu Qingfan and Chou Xuan had barely sat down in the grand hall of the general’s palace when Bai Lianye arrived with Zhang Long and Counsellor Liu. Seeing Xu Qingfan and Chou Xuan safe and sound, they all seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. When Xu Qingfan and the others had left, they had looked grim, and after a month without news, Bai Lianye and the others had begun to fear the worst.
"Gentlemen and Master Xu, at last, you have returned."
Bai Lianye approached them, bowed respectfully, and then spoke.
Chou Xuan smiled slightly, then pulled out the military banner from his sleeve with both hands and offered it to Bai Lianye, smiling, "Is the general concerned about this banner? It is safely returned, and the evil curse hidden within has been dispelled. The general can use it with peace of mind from now on."
Bai Lianye’s face showed a hint of embarrassment. Although this banner was no treasure, it was indeed a legacy of the Bai family, which had been weighing on Bai Lianye’s mind these past days. Yet, without pretense, he unfolded the banner in front of Chou Xuan and Xu Qingfan to examine it carefully, then handed it to Counsellor Liu beside him after a while. He then bowed deeply to Chou Xuan and Deng Tianao, saying, "Pardon my conduct."
Chou Xuan said, "Not at all. The general is a true person of emotion; how could we find amusement?"
As he spoke, Chou Xuan glanced at Xu Qingfan, who remained calm beside him, and asked with a smile, "Our twofold purpose in returning is to give back this banner and to discuss Bai Yu. Taoist Friend Xu has great skill and comes from an esteemed background. It’s rare that I’ve convinced him to take Bai Yu as a disciple. This is a huge opportunity for both the Bai family and Bai Yu. I observed that the general seemed inclined before the arrival of Ninglingzi and other taoist friends. Has this changed?"
Bai Lianye was about to steer the conversation in this direction and, hearing Chou Xuan mention it directly, quickly replied, "Of course, it hasn’t changed. Having Bai Yu become a disciple of Master Xu is something we greatly desire."
With that, Bai Lianye turned suddenly to Xu Qingfan, bowed to him, and respectfully said, "If Master Xu is willing, I will entrust my son to Master Xu."
Meanwhile, Zhang Long, hearing Bai Lianye’s words, showed a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes, unsure of what he was thinking.
Xu Qingfan, however, replied slowly, "Let’s meet with Bai Yu first."
After speaking, Xu Qingfan couldn’t help but cough twice more. After this battle, Xu Qingfan’s cough had become increasingly severe.
Although Liu Huaxiang’s third wish implied that Xu Qingfan should take in the descendants of the Bai family as apprentices, it wasn’t explicitly stated that Xu Qingfan must do so. Instead, Xu Qingfan was just meant to bring them to Jiuhua Mountain. Whether to accept Bai Yu as an apprentice or not, Xu Qingfan did not want to decide hastily.
Upon hearing Xu Qingfan’s words, Bai Lianye immediately ordered someone to bring Bai Yu to the hall, where Xu Qingfan and Chou Xuan waited quietly. After a while, Bai Lianye saw that Bai Yu had not arrived yet, so he apologized to Xu Qingfan and Chou Xuan and went personally to look for him.
Watching Bai Lianye leave the hall, Xu Qingfan turned to Zhang Long, who appeared deep in thought, and suddenly asked, "Zhang Long, we have known each other for a long time, and in the cultivation world, destiny is highly valued. I see you seem thoughtful but hesitant. Do you have something you wish to tell me?"
Hearing Xu Qingfan’s words, Zhang Long was initially taken aback, then his face showed a resolute expression. He suddenly bowed to Xu Qingfan, startling both Xu Qingfan and Chou Xuan.
"I know my request is a bit excessive, but could you, benefactor, also accept my granddaughter Zhang Ningmei as an apprentice? If you agree, I promise to build a shrine in your honor and offer prayers every day. Please, I implore you to agree."
Hearing Zhang Long’s plea, Xu Qingfan frowned slightly. To be honest, given Xu Qingfan’s personality, he wasn’t fond of crowds. The reason he considered taking Bai Yu as an apprentice was due to Liu Huaxiang’s last wish. Moreover, if, after meeting Bai Yu, he found their personalities incompatible, he intended to let Bai Yu join another elder after accepting him as an apprentice.
Furthermore, Xu Qingfan often secluded himself for long periods, leaving him little time to teach many disciples.
Just as Xu Qingfan was about to politely refuse, he heard Zhang Long continue, "You may not know, my granddaughter has been frail and sickly since childhood. Despite consulting many doctors, there’s been no cure. Two doctors predicted she might not live past twenty. Even Mr. Chou only managed to temporarily suppress her illness. Although he suggested cultivation might save her, Mr. Chou never takes disciples, forcing me to seek your help."
Hearing Zhang Long’s words, Xu Qingfan turned to Chou Xuan with curiosity, only to hear Chou Xuan’s voice transmitted to him, "Zhang Ningmei’s situation is quite complex, and I cannot explain it all at once. It would be best if Taoist Friend Xu sees her personally."
Upon hearing Chou Xuan’s suggestion, Xu Qingfan became slightly interested and said to Zhang Long, "Alright, why don’t you bring your granddaughter here first, and let me have a look. Maybe I can do something."
Hearing that Xu Qingfan did not immediately agree to take Zhang Ningmei as his disciple, Zhang Long felt a little disheartened but quickly got up from the ground and hurried outside to find his granddaughter.
Watching Zhang Long leave, Chou Xuan seemed to have thought of something and suddenly smiled, saying to Xu Qingfan, "Taoist Friend Xu, taking a disciple this time might bring you some trouble."
Xu Qingfan was a little puzzled and asked, "What do you mean by that?"
Chou Xuan explained, "Bai Yu and Zhang Ningmei grew up together; they are childhood sweethearts. Especially since Zhang Ningmei has been frail and sickly since young, Bai Yu has been taking care of her every day, spending more time in her room than even Zhang Long. Since learning that cultivating immortality might cure Zhang Ningmei’s illness, that boy has been pestering me to take him as a disciple, likely hoping to pass on the cultivation method to Zhang Ningmei. If you plan to take Bai Yu as your disciple and bring him away from the general’s palace, separating him from Zhang Ningmei, I’m afraid that Bai Yu will be very unwilling."
Hearing this, Xu Qingfan also frowned slightly, not expecting the disciple-taking matter to be so complicated. However, he couldn’t help but admire Bai Yu’s dedication to his affection in his heart.
Before long, they heard the sound of footsteps approaching, and it was Bai Lianye who arrived first.
A young boy’s voice spoke, "Father, can’t I become Mr. Chou’s disciple? Why do I have to become the disciple of someone we don’t know?"
Clearly, this young boy should be Bai Yu.
Bai Lianye sternly said, "Don’t talk nonsense. Master Xu holds a high position in the cultivation world. Weren’t all those cultivators who came recently respectful when they heard his name? Even Mr. Chou admitted that Master Xu’s skills surpass his own. It’s a privilege to have Master Xu as your mentor, so why are you speaking so much?"
"But…"
Just as Bai Yu began to speak, he fell silent, clearly interrupted by Bai Lianye’s warning glance, as if he was afraid Xu Qingfan might overhear their conversation as they neared the hall. Little did they realize, Xu Qingfan, having reached the late stage of the Fake Golden Core Stage, could sense everything happening within the general’s palace with his Divine Sense. He had already heard their conversation.
Meanwhile, Chou Xuan smiled slightly, thinking about how Xu Qingfan, under the name "Xu Fan," had gained such great fame in the cultivation world. Previously, he lectured at "Qingxu Gate" and was honored as "Palm Spring and Autumn," becoming well-known in the cultivation world. This time, in the battle against the "Ming" organization, Xu Qingfan even turned the tide several times; his fame would likely grow even larger soon. Many small and large sects wanted to invite Xu Qingfan to lecture but could not. Bai Yu, having the chance to become Xu Qingfan’s disciple, was surprisingly unwilling.
While the two were deep in thought, Bai Lianye had already brought a young boy into the hall. The boy bore a strong resemblance to Bai Lianye, sharing seventy percent of his features. Though still young, he matched Bai Lianye in height but was more robust. Perhaps due to his youth, he didn’t hide the fierce and wild aura unique to the Qiongqi lineage, making him intimidating despite his tender age.
"Master Xu, Mr. Chou, I have brought Bai Yu."
Bai Lianye bowed to both men as he spoke.
Meanwhile, under his father’s watchful gaze, Bai Yu also bowed to Xu Qingfan and Chou Xuan, though he showed a hint of reluctance when facing Xu Qingfan.
At that moment, Zhang Long walked into the hall with a little girl. She had delicate features, rosy lips, and bright white teeth—a budding beauty. However, her face was pale, and her frame was thin, making her eyes appear particularly large. It was clear she was Zhang Long’s granddaughter, Zhang Ningmei.
When Xu Qingfan saw Zhang Ningmei for the first time, he was momentarily stunned and finally understood why Chou Xuan said Zhang Ningmei’s situation was a bit complicated.
