Chapter 93

"Given the resources of the Beiting family, you are more familiar with the situation within the Lichen Sect than I am. In at most two years, I will also enter the Lichen Sect. At that time, I may still need you, Wudao, to take care of me."

As Yan Jun spoke, there was a hint of flattery in his tone that had never been there before.

"What are you talking about? Is Master trying to belittle me? Not to mention that we are close friends. Even if we were just ordinary fellow disciples, we should still support and help each other."

Zhuang Wudao slightly shook his head. The status of a true disciple had not yet been determined, and he did not want to become overly arrogant. Although Yan Jun had not been considered a brother by him, over the years, he had taken great care of him and Qin Feng, showing them great kindness.

"As the saying goes, a single tree does not make a forest, and even a fence needs three stakes. When we enter the Lichen Sect, we must unite and support each other to avoid being bullied. Besides, Master has done so much for us, and Zhuang Wudao has yet to find an opportunity to repay you."

Yan Jun looked at Zhuang Wudao intently and couldn't help but laugh. "You are still you, not changed a bit, still the same Zhuang Wudao as before."

"I am increasingly unable to understand him."

Qin Feng drank his tea with a somewhat lonely expression. "Recently, I always feel that you, Wudao, are getting further and further away from us. The thought of us being separated in the future, rarely seeing each other, makes me feel very sad."

Zhuang Wudao remained silent. He felt the same way. However, he had known from several years ago, when he decided to join the Lichen Sect, that the day would come when he would part ways with Qin Feng and Lin Han.

As for the phrase 'unable to understand,' it probably referred to his recent unexpected and rapid progress in martial arts.

In the past, he and Qin Feng were evenly matched. He was slightly stronger, but not by much.

However, at this moment, he was already a cultivator at the Fifth Level of the Qi Practitioner stage, having mastered four mystical arts. He was regarded as a person of extraordinary talent throughout Yuecheng.

Qin Feng had never asked about it, clearly thinking that he had some unspoken difficulties or other reasons, and did not want to force him.

The existence of the sword spirit Yun'er was not only related to his future but also to his life. Zhuang Wudao knew the saying 'wealth brings envy, and possession of treasure invites disaster.' If it were to be revealed, it could lead to his death.

However, if the person were Qin Feng, Zhuang Wudao would never want to hide anything from this brother who had shared life and death with him. But—

Suddenly, a faint pain shot through his brain, making Zhuang Wudao continue to remain silent, sighing inwardly.

This was a warning from 'Luo Qingyun.' The sword spirit of Qingyun Sword did not want its existence to be known by others.

Even Qin Feng was no exception—

"However, I knew from the moment we met a few years ago that Yuecheng could not retain you. Once you enter the Lichen Sect, do not become complacent. Not to mention the deep enmity with your aunt, even our Swordclothes Hall needs to rely on your protection. The better you do in the Lichen Sect, the brighter the future for all of us in the Swordclothes Hall. Perhaps we can even become a dominant force in the region."

Qin Feng did not notice Zhuang Wudao's unusual state. He rubbed his nose and smiled, the sadness seemingly fading, but he still couldn't help but give earnest advice. "Your immortal root is not as outstanding as Beiting Wan'er and Gu Yueming. You need to work ten times harder than others. But don't focus too much on cultivation. Think and observe more. In terms of strategy, you are no less than me. However, these years of focusing on martial arts have made your mind increasingly dull. I'm really worried that you will be tricked and sold in the Lichen Sect—"

As he was speaking, a noisy sound came from outside the courtyard gate.

Zhuang Wudao followed the sound and looked in surprise. He saw more than ten guards of the Swordclothes Hall, looking anxious and retreating.

They seemed to be trying to block someone but were unable to do so. Despite their loud and angry shouts, they were forced to retreat into the courtyard gate by an unknown force.

Zhuang Wudao looked at the center of the courtyard gate, and his lips tightened, his eyes filled with intense coldness.

Suddenly, he understood why Li Chongzhen's attitude towards him had changed so drastically.

The person who arrived was a middle-aged man in his forties, wearing a red-brown brocade robe, with regular features and a slightly plump figure. Despite being surrounded by more than ten guards with weapons, he was completely unfazed. He glanced around the courtyard and then bowed slightly to Zhuang Wudao.

"Shen Lin greets Young Master Lie! It has been a long time since we last met. I hope Young Master Lie is well."

Yan Jun looked at Zhuang Wudao in surprise, his gaze darting between the two. He remembered that Zhuang Wudao was an orphan with no prominent family background. Why was this person addressing Zhuang Wudao as Young Master Lie and acting like a servant?

He could vaguely sense that this person, who called himself Shen Lie, was likely a cultivator of no small power, whose depth was hard to gauge. For a stranger to break into the Swordclothes Hall, which was outwardly relaxed but inwardly tight, was even more astonishing.

The Beiting family now placed great importance on Zhuang Wudao. There were at least two cultivators at the late Qi Practitioner stage and six at the mid Qi Practitioner stage in the courtyard. They were all sent by the head of the Beiting family, Beiting Cangkong, to protect Zhuang Wudao as he returned to the Swordclothes Hall to bid farewell to everyone.

How could they allow Shen Lie to enter the inner courtyard unimpeded?

Zhuang Wudao, however, had a cold expression and directly threw the teacup in his hand, sending it flying to Shen Lin, splashing him with tea.

"Get out!"

"Master, you are joking. But I see that your spirit and appearance are not much different from last year."

Shen Lin wiped the water from his face, not showing any anger, and continued to smile. "Shen Lin has come on behalf of the master to report the income of Shen Village this year. We have 37,900 acres of good farmland, which yielded a total of 4.2 million bushels of grain, 139,000 bales of silk, and 209,000 bales of tea. Most of it has already been sold, along with 3,490 shops and the income from trade, totaling 57.4 million taels of silver. There are also four medicinal fields and seven spirit stone mines, which have not been included in the income. However, the profit from these in recent years is no less than 300,000 taels of gold. The detailed accounts are available for the master to check at any time. This is the estate left by the master for the young master. We have been diligently managing it and have never been negligent."

Qin Feng sat still, his expression cold like a stone, seemingly unsurprised by the scene. However, he couldn't help but be stunned. It seemed that Zhuang Wudao, as Young Master Lie, had an estate even more substantial than the Beiting family, which dominated Yuecheng.

Zhuang Wudao also remained silent, but his gaze towards Shen Lin grew colder. In just one year, the Shen family's estate had grown even larger.

The person's position in the Taiping Sect must have become even more solid. Otherwise, how could the Zhou emperor allow someone to amass such vast land and wealth within the country?

37,900 acres of good farmland was equivalent to an entire region. It could support a private army of hundreds of thousands, making him a regional lord.

"I know that Young Master Lie has always lived a simple life in Yuecheng. So I brought 100,000 gold notes and some cultivation pills for the master to use."

Shen Lin continued speaking, his tone earnest, but his expression was somewhat strange. "And the master misses Young Master Lie very much. When do you plan to return home?"

Zhuang Wudao felt an urge to burst out laughing. That person would miss him? If he had cared even a little for him and his mother, he wouldn't have abandoned them, faked his death, and claimed to cut ties with the world.

However, he knew that no matter how he lashed out or scolded, this person would remain unperturbed, as if nothing had happened.

Six years ago, he had already experienced how difficult it was to deal with Shen Lin. And almost every year at this time, Shen Lin would come.

"Do I have to say it again? My surname is Zhuang, and my name is Wudao. I have no connection with your Shen family. I am not your Young Master Lie, and the income of Shen Village has nothing to do with me, Zhuang Wudao. I beg you, please leave me alone."

If he were to bow his head, he could immediately enjoy wealth that surpassed the Beiting family by nearly double. However, his mother would rather die of hunger and exhaustion than take a single grain of rice or a single piece of grain from the Shen family.

"You are talking nonsense again. The blood of father and son cannot be severed so easily. You are a descendant of the Shen family, and this is recorded in the family genealogy."

Shen Lin's eyes narrowed into slits, his gaze piercing, losing the previous humble demeanor. "I heard that Young Master Lie recently wanted to join the Lichen Sect. Today, in the Lichen Sect's competition, you defeated the direct descendant of the Gu family in Yuecheng with four mystical arts, making it to the semi-finals, and the position of the top disciple is within reach. Truly, a tiger father does not have a dog son. The master will surely be very pleased to hear this."

Is this why you are here?

Zhuang Wudao felt a chill in his heart, his killing intent surging, but his face remained unchanged.

"So what if it is? What does it have to do with you?"

"Master's martial arts are so outstanding, and Shen Lin is also proud of it."

Shen Lin raised his head, hands behind his back. "However, if Master wants to cultivate, why go far when you can stay close? The Taiping Sect is the first sect in the north, far surpassing the Lichen Sect. With the master's current position in the Taiping Sect, it would be easy to secure a true disciple position for you, and you would have the protection of elders after joining. So please think carefully and do not ruin your own future."

Yan Jun was confused, his heart filled with shock. He understood one thing: Zhuang Wudao's background was indeed extraordinary.

Although he didn't know if Shen Lin's words were true or false, a cultivator at the late Qi Practitioner stage in Yuecheng was one of only a few dozen.

Zhuang Wudao smiled coldly, still only saying, "What does it have to do with you?"

"Shen Lin has been entrusted by the master to take care of you. I cannot allow Young Master Lie to go down this wrong path!"

Shen Lin took a few steps forward, his face showing no ferocity, but there was a subtle, intimidating presence.

"Of course, if Young Master Lie insists on going your own way, Shen Lin cannot stop you. However, if I use some means, it will be difficult for you to achieve your goal."

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