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墨書 Inktalez
When Shangguan Mingyue and I rushed into the living room, Boss Zhou's massive body lay sprawled in the center, resembling a mountain.
His once round belly, akin to that of a pregnant woman, had deflated, and Boss Zhou lay motionless on the ground, his face pale.
Zhou Ziqing tugged at me with tear-filled eyes, pleading, "Great Master, please check on my dad. After he... you know, he just collapsed like this. Is he going to die? Please save him."
Seeing Boss Zhou's condition indeed seemed alarming. I nudged Shangguan Mingyue forward to take a look; after all, it was her talisman that had been used, and only she would know what was going on.
After examining him for a moment, Shangguan Mingyue clapped her hands and said, "It's nothing serious; he's just fainted from exhaustion. A bit of congee will help him recover."
The Zhou family was already on edge, easily frightened by the slightest thing.
After noon, we bid farewell to the Zhou family and left under the escort of Li Kui's men.
"Yan Xi, your Zhou family is really wealthy. Two million just like that, without even batting an eye."
"You only see the four cards in front of you but forget that Boss Zhou is worth hundreds of millions."
Shangguan Mingyue suddenly nodded vigorously and clapped her hands. "Yan Xi, you're right! I should have asked for more. Even if I had asked for five hundred thousand back then, they would have accepted it, don't you think?"
I ignored Shangguan Mingyue and stared blankly out the window.
Images of Mu Xuanche and Chuchen battling flashed repeatedly in my mind. They seemed to know each other, yet their actions suggested they were rivals.
I could guarantee that every move they made was aimed at taking each other's life.
Especially Mu Xuanche, every time Chuchen teased him, he would retaliate fiercely, as if he wouldn't rest until he dealt with Chuchen completely.
Tonight, I am heading up the mountain, though I don't know how long I will stay.
Today is the fifth; will he make it in time?
When he left, he said he would come find me later. I felt uncertain—eager for his arrival yet worried that the righteous energy of Xuanzong would harm him.
"Hey, what are you thinking about? We're getting off the car."
Suddenly awakened by Shangguan Mingyue's voice, I was momentarily stunned before climbing out of the vehicle.
Boss Zhou had given four cards, each containing five hundred thousand. According to our earlier agreement, Shangguan Mingyue took two of them.
I handed over the remaining two cards along with the previous sixty thousand to Jade Sun True Person. He accepted them with a beaming smile and praised, "I knew I didn't misjudge you, Yan Xi. Not bad, you have a bright future ahead."
Seeing him so cheerful while stashing away the money made me feel like I was facing not a wise master but a big money enthusiast.
Li Mubai and Shangguan Mingyue stood nearby with expressions that suggested they were used to this behavior, which only piqued my curiosity about what kind of person Jade Sun True Person really was.
Jade Sun True Person carefully tucked away the cards and then pulled out a cloth bag from his pocket. After unwrapping several layers, he revealed ten red bills and handed them to me.
"Master, what does this mean?"
"Here’s your reward," said the amiable Jade Sun True Person with a smile.
Seeing him deliberately avoiding the topic of apprenticeship, I coughed twice to remind him, "Master, when will the apprenticeship take place?"
"I'm a bit tired, Bai. Why don't you help me inside to rest?"
I was shocked that the tall Li Mubai was being called Bai by Jade Sun True Person, and even more astonished by Jade Sun True Person's shamelessness. Did he really think he could just brush off the apprenticeship matter like this?
I desperately gestured to Shangguan Mingyue, hoping she would speak up, but all I got in return was a helpless look before she stared blankly at the Flower Board.
Fine, if you want to use me as a pawn, just wait. I've got my own tricks up my sleeve.
I called out to the slowly moving Jade Sun True Person, "Master, wait a moment!"
To my surprise, Jade Sun True Person suddenly sprinted away. Seeing this, I rushed after him and shouted at his back, "Great Master, Liu Qingfeng sends his regards!"
Instantly, Jade Sun True Person halted in his tracks.
I couldn't help but smile quietly; Liu Qingfeng was truly impressive for predicting that Jade Sun True Person would try to play me and teaching me this trick.
I leisurely caught up to him. Jade Sun True Person turned around to look at me with a strange expression in his eyes. "You know Liu Qingfeng?"
"Yes, very well! Master, is there a problem?"
In an instant, Jade Sun True Person's expression turned serious as he instructed Li Mubai, who was supporting him beside him, "Li Da, choose an auspicious time. I want to take Gu Si as my disciple."
With that, Jade Sun True Person straightened his back and strode away. Li Mubai secretly gave him a thumbs up and hurried after him.
I was left in a daze. Gu Si? Who is that? Me?
"Yue San, is Gu Si me?"
"Yes, that's right. Senior Brother is Li Da, I am Yue San, and you are Gu Si. Yan Xi, you're really impressive; it's so easy for the Master to accept you as a disciple. Back then, I had to kneel for a whole seven nights before the Master took me in. You got it so easily!"
Shangguan Mingyue's envious expression only deepened my frustration. Was this really called easy? Holding four items worth no more than ten bucks combined, and being asked to sell them for a million—something I nearly risked my life for—was hardly simple.
"Yan Xi, who is Liu Qingfeng? Why did the Master agree when you mentioned him? I've rarely seen the Master with such a serious expression; it's quite rare."
I found myself at a loss for Shangguan Mingyue's question. I didn't know much about Liu Qingfeng either; he had been appearing in the village since I could remember, acting all crazy.
If it weren't for the Ghost Marriage incident, I would have thought he was just a mad Taoist.
I couldn't explain this to Shangguan Mingyue, so I could only deflect, "He's just a distant relative of mine; I think he knows the Master well, but I'm not too sure."
Li Mubai informed me that the apprenticeship ceremony would take place in the lobby at eight o'clock in the evening.
I was somewhat puzzled; I had never heard of an evening apprenticeship before. Was this time considered auspicious?
I went to ask Shangguan Mingyue, but she was also unsure. I had no choice but to call Liu Qingfeng.
“Daoist, Jade Sun True Person has agreed to take me as a disciple. But is it strange that I’m doing this at eight in the evening?”
On the other end of the line, Liu Qingfeng chuckled, “Anything strange about you becomes normal. Just remember to hand Shiro over to your master during the ceremony. He will help you out; tell him your grandfather's name, and it will be beneficial for you.”
With Liu Qingfeng, he always told me what to do. If I asked him questions, he wouldn’t answer; I just had to follow his instructions.
I had initially wanted to ask him about my parents, but he had something urgent and hung up.
What could be so pressing that Liu Qingfeng had to end the call so abruptly? I felt a sense of unease.
Li Mubai arrived, standing outside and calling my name.
“Hello, Li Daozhang. Is there something you need?”
Since I hadn’t officially become his disciple yet, I worried that calling him ‘Senior Brother’ would be too abrupt, especially since Li Mubai seemed a bit aloof.
“Just call me Li Da from now on. Come with me; I'll take you to change clothes.”
Li Mubai led me to the bathing pool on the back mountain, allowing me to freshen up and change into a Robe.
It made sense, after all; becoming a disciple required a bit of ceremony.
This bathing and changing was also a sign of respect for Jade Sun True Person, so I followed Li Mubai's instructions.
However, there was a medicinal scent in the water of the pool. After washing, I felt completely refreshed; it was truly delightful.
Dressed in a new Robe, I looked into the mirror and saw a fair-looking Taoist Priestess staring back at me, which made me smile.
Under Li Mubai's guidance, I followed him to the main hall.
Inside the hall were two people: Jade Sun True Person and Shangguan Mingyue.
Li Mubai gestured for me to kneel on the mat in front of Jade Sun True Person, and I obediently complied.
"Gu Yanxi, today I, Lingyunzi, accept you as my fourth closed-door disciple. Are you willing to abide by the rules of our sect and become my disciple?"
Jade Sun True Person rarely appeared serious, which made my nerves tense. I bowed deeply and replied, "Disciple is willing."
"Good. From now on, you will be under my tutelage as Lingyunzi. The rules of our sect are lenient but rely on self-discipline; you must learn to restrain yourself."
"Disciple Gu Yanxi will remember Master’s teachings."
Soon, Li Mubai handed me a Jade Tablet, which had my name engraved on it, and the back bore the emblem of Xuanzong.
After I accepted it, Jade Sun True Person asked, "Is there anything else?"
"Master, I have something I would like you to see."
I handed over Shiro, and after Jade Sun True Person took it, his expression changed drastically. "Where did you obtain this?"
I honestly recounted the events, including the matter of the Ghost Marriage.
Jade Sun True Person's lips twitched involuntarily; it seemed he was struggling to contain himself. What could have happened to make him react this way?
"Gu Si, I will keep this Shiro for you. I will return it once you leave the mountain."
I did not protest, recalling another matter concerning Liu Qingfeng.
I quietly observed Jade Sun True Person's expression, which could almost be described as gloomy. I was uncertain whether to step out.
Shangguan Mingyue, who usually lacked perception, surprisingly spoke up today. "Master, I think Junior Sister still has something to say. Don't scare her; let her come out."
Jade Sun True Person took a deep breath and said gently, "Gu Si, if there's anything else, go ahead."
I hesitated for a moment but ultimately decided to step out. After all, Liu Qingfeng had always been helping me and had never harmed me.
"Master, my surname is Gu, and my grandfather's name is Gu Rong. Everyone likes to call him Gu Hunchback."
My grandfather started hunching over when he was young, which is why he has the nickname Gu Hunchback.
As soon as I finished speaking, Jade Sun True Person's eyes widened in shock, veins bulging on his forehead, looking extremely furious.
He straightened his neck and shouted at the entrance, "Liu Qingfeng, you bastard!"
Then he turned around and began pacing around me, muttering, "Damn it, I knew it. That lunatic Liu Qingfeng has bad intentions, a madman, a madman indeed."
"All debts of karma, just debts of karma."
While muttering to himself, Jade Sun True Person walked out of the main hall, leaving the three of us in confusion, not knowing what had just happened.
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