"In that case, those people who rushed here earlier, including the three of you, were all here for that treasure?" Lu Sheng got the gist of Yan Kai's story.
"You could say that." Yan Kai nodded. "Demons run amok in this world. We exorcists rushed here to protect the peace."
Lu Sheng smiled. He did not know how trustworthy these words were.
He deliberated for a while, then asked, "In other words, this matter is over? Nine Links City will be safe from now on? There won't be any Demonic Ghosts, accidents, and people won't die for no reason, right? "
Yan Kai did not know what Lu Sheng meant by this. But after some thought, he answered seriously, "It's like this. That treasure has been taken away by someone far away from Nine Links City. This humble Taoist will rush over immediately to see if there's anything I can do to help. As for the dead … without external forces, Nine Links City will return to its original state. "
Duan Rongrong could not help but interrupt, "That thing has already escaped to the Central Plains. Everyone will follow. Who would want to stay in such a small city?"
Yan Kai tugged at Duan Rongrong to quiet her down. He cupped his fists towards Lu Sheng.
"Young Master Sheng, I didn't really help much on this trip. I won't take the money. We'll meet again if fate wills it."
"How can that do? Taoist, do you want me to go back on my word? "Lu Sheng said seriously with a straight face.
He waved his hand. "Men, bring the banknotes!"
Immediately, a maidservant standing guard outside brought in a small, exquisite wooden box.
Lu Sheng took the box, placed it on the table in front of them, and opened it. Inside was a thick stack of banknotes.
"This is the reward for the three of you, Taoist-sir. Although nothing much happened this time, with Taoist-sir and Miss Zhuan Feng's presence, you've helped my Lu Family find the missing person. This contribution is worth this sum of money," Lu Sheng said solemnly again.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony!" Duan Rongrong did not wait for Yan Kai to refuse. She immediately grabbed the banknotes and stuffed them into her pocket. "Sister Zhuan Feng's will be distributed later!"
Zhuan Feng looked helpless. Clearly, the three of them were already familiar with each other.
Seeing this, Yan Kai could only smile bitterly and cup his fists.
"If Young Master Sheng is interested in finding a way to restrain ghosts, you can head to the Central Plains," he added after a pause and some hesitation.
"This humble Taoist would like to remind you that Young Master Sheng killed a Demonic Ghost just now, and there's a lingering aura on your body. That might lead to trouble. If Mortal-Sweeping Manor notices Young Master, they might send a Demonic Ghost over. Young Master, you can take the fresh blood of an unmated ram and smear it all over your body. In this way, the Demonic Ghost may think that you are already dead and won't bother you anymore. Although this method is limited to ordinary Demonic Ghosts. "
Lu Sheng's heart shook when he heard this, and he cupped his fists and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Taoist priest!"
"You're too kind. If that's the case, I'll take my leave." Yan Kai stood up and cupped his fists to return the gesture.
"Farewell, Taoist Priest!" Lu Sheng did not keep him.
With Yan Kai in the lead, the three of them turned and walked out of the Guest Clan, heading out of the Lu Manor.
Lu Sheng stood at the back, watching the three figures from afar. He did not know why, but there was an inexplicable sense of loss in his heart. This sense of loss was like the world that he had always wanted to come into contact with, was leaving him.
More than an hour after Yan Kai and the other two had left, he was still standing in the Guest Clan, not moving an inch.
"Young Master?" Little Qiao walked in shyly and called out to him. "It's time for dinner."
"Oh!" Lu Sheng looked as if he had just woken up from a dream. He lifted his head and looked at the sky outside.
He tidied up his robes and followed Little Qiao towards the dining hall.
When they entered the dining hall, it was already filled with many people in advance.
Lu Quanan was sitting on the main seat, and Uncle Zhao, who had left earlier, was sitting beside him. Lu Sheng's gaze swept across the room, and he saw that the few Martial Masters who had left with him earlier had also returned.
"Your Eldest Uncle sent word that the lockdown on Nine Links City has been lifted. We can now enter and leave freely," Lu Quanan said softly. However, this piece of good news did not bring him much joy. Because in an empty space at the side, Lu Qingqing was sitting upright, like an obedient child as Second Mother Liu Cuiyu fed her, mouthful by mouthful. Saliva flowed out from the corner of her mouth from time to time. She looked completely unlike a normal person.
Most of the others were not in the mood to eat either. That huge explosion from before, plus so many armed men of the pugilistic world passing by the manor, so many people, such a huge scene, who would not have seen it?
At this moment, everyone's hearts were filled with worry.
"The food's getting cold. Let's eat, let's eat," seeing that no one was in the mood to eat, Lu Quanan was the first to pick up his chopsticks. "Uncle Zhao is back, the family is safe, everyone …" As he spoke, his heart ached and he could not help but let out a low sigh.
Seeing this, Uncle Zhao also felt helpless and guilty. He had taken the Lu Family's tributes for so many years, yet he was not around at the most critical moment. Although he had been properly transferred away by the yamen, they had all been transferred to the mountains near the Arctic Ocean for a spin and then returned. They had not encountered anything, and nothing had happened.
What the hell was this??
"Since the lockdown has been lifted, it means that everything is over," Lu Sheng said. "Although it ended in a hurry and very sudden, since it's over, everyone has to continue living. But since it's over, everyone has to continue living. In the future, order the guards to strictly observe and arrange for more patrols. "
"Brother Sheng is right. Let's hurry up and eat. It won't taste good when it's cold … "Lu Yingying added softly from her seat.
"What Brother Sheng, Brother Sheng? You must call him Big Bro! Eat, eat, eat! All you know is to eat! "Beside her, Fifth Mother wanted to hit her, but then remembered that they were at the dining table and hurriedly held back.
Lu Yingying shrunk her neck, not daring to make a sound.
Only then did the family begin to eat quietly.
After the meal, no one had anything to say. Lu Sheng went back to cultivate his inner Qi.
Sitting on the bed in his room, he regulated his breathing for more than two hours. Finally, his Essence, Qi and Spirit reached the most perfect state.
'Deep Blue!' he called out in his heart.
The interface of the Modifier immediately appeared.
Lu Sheng looked up and saw that the column for Black Fury Skill on the Modifier was already at Level Two. Just one more level and it would reach the highest level, Level Three.
According to the manual, the number of levels that could be cultivated was Level Three. Although there were two more levels after that, for a total of five levels, Lu Sheng had seen those two levels and felt that they were not perfectly connected to the previous levels. It was highly likely that they had been filled in by someone else. He did not dare to cultivate such a skill unless it was the original.
Looking at the status of Black Fury Skill on Deep Blue, he steadied his breathing and pressed the modify button at the bottom of the interface.
Instantly, the entire Modifier flashed.
'Black Fury Skill upgrade by one level!' Lu Sheng called out in his heart.
"Swish."
Just as he finished speaking, he saw Black Fury Skill gradually blur. When it became clear again, it was already at Level Three.
'This is Level Three?' Lu Sheng waited for a while and felt no change in his body.
He carefully studied the Black Fury Qi in his body, only to find that it was becoming thicker at an extremely slow rate.
If it was black mist before the upgrade, then the mist now was slowly turning into black water droplets.
'It doesn't seem to be consuming much,' Lu Sheng opened his eyes and said doubtfully. 'Is it because I'm now …'
"Pu!"
Abruptly, he vomited a mouthful of fresh blood, staining his chest red. The smell of blood permeated the room.
Lu Sheng felt his entire body burning. He smiled bitterly.
'I thought there was really no reaction this time. Who would've thought … '
He shook his head and began to carefully sense the changes in his body.
Attaining Level Three of Black Fury Skill required Lu Sheng to recuperate at home for more than a month before he could move about as freely as before. His original Jade Crane Skill had played a huge role in this period of time. It continuously accelerated the healing of Lu Sheng's injuries.
From that day onwards, there were indeed no more rumors of any strange occurrences occurring in Nine Links City. After Yan Kai and the rest left, Nine Links City returned to its original bustling and peaceful state, as though everything had passed like a dream.
Except for Lu Qingqing, who had already turned silly.
Lu Quanan took the opportunity to suggest to Lu Sheng that he should head to Mountain-Edge City.
"I've already made the arrangements. My Lu Family has a house in Mountain-Edge City. You can go there and stay there first. It just so happens that this year's Annual Examinations are about to begin. Little Sheng, you like to practice martial arts. You can try to attain a martial arts rank. It'll be much more convenient for you when you become an official in the future, "Lu Quanan said.
"Martial arts rank …"
"Of course, a literary rank is even better. It's up to you if you don't want to do anything there. My Lu Family has a shop there. You can manage it. All the income will be used for your personal expenses," Lu Quanan had clearly made all the arrangements.
"Nine Links City is still too small. I've already registered you at Eastern Mountain Institution. When you go there, it's up to you whether you want to take the literary path or the martial path, "he could not help but let out a long sigh. Everything that had happened in Nine Links City had left him disheartened. No matter how much money one had, at critical moments, the only ones one could rely on were their own people.
"Eastern Mountain Institution …" Lu Sheng roughly understood his Old Dad's intentions. This method of sending one's children out to study was a disguised form of studying abroad. Only rich families had the right to do so.
"Zheng Xiangui and his sister are going too. My family is you and Yingying. Yiyi and Chenxin are going to another institution together, "Lu Quanan continued.
Lu Sheng muttered to himself for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
To him, Nine Links City was indeed too small. It was so small that he could not even find a stronger martial art. He could only train in a third-rate saber art like Black Tiger Saber. Mountain-Edge City was different. There were even stronger pugilistic people there. If Crimson Whale Sect was truly the strongest sect in the vicinity, then Mountain-Edge City would definitely have a stronghold for them.
"Then when do I set off?" he asked.
Lu Quanan thought for a moment. "It's up to you when you want to set off. I'll get your Eldest Uncle to send someone to escort you."
"… I'll go take a look in the city first …" Lu Sheng sighed.
He had learned martial arts from quite a few masters in the city. On this long journey, etiquette dictated that he pay them a visit and greet them.
Lu Quanan nodded in tacit agreement and left it up to Lu Sheng to decide.
Lu Sheng dragged his body, which had just improved his inner Qi and had yet to recover from his injuries, and left the house early the next morning. He took a horse carriage around Nine Links City.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
