Chapter 7 of 100

Chapter 7: The First Pot of Gold

13 min read3,283 words

"About this..." Ding Junjie was left speechless by the question.

Seeing that this woman was much prettier than herself, the jealous Zheng Peipei said sarcastically, "This is a matter of the Ding family, it has nothing to do with outsiders. Those who don't know the situation shouldn't meddle!"

With these words, two soldiers behind Min Qingqiu immediately stepped forward, drawing their steel knives and pointing them at Zheng Peipei, "Woman, what is your name? Speaking to the Immortal Master like this, are you tired of living?"

"Immortal Master!" Zheng Peipei, who had been arrogant just a moment ago, was now pale with fear. In the Nine States world, an Immortal Master was the highest level of existence.

Even if the Immortal Master killed her, it would be considered justifiable!

Min Qingqiu, having intimidated these two, now turned her clear eyes to Ding Hao, "Young Master Ding, what's going on here? You don't need to be afraid. If they bully you, I can help you testify and report it to the City Lord's residence!"

Ding Hao wished he could immediately grab these two and send them to the City Lord's residence to be thrown into prison. However, he thought that even if he reported them, they wouldn't have much to be blamed for.

If you're going to do something, do it thoroughly! This was Ding Hao's motto.

Scratching the surface was meaningless, and besides, he had only met Min Qingqiu once. How could he trouble her? Being petty would only make him look inferior. It was better to pretend to be magnanimous. So he quickly clasped his hands and said, "Miss Min, your presence here is a great honor. I never expected such things to happen... If it weren't for your heroic and righteous words, my life would be in danger. I am deeply grateful to you, Miss Min!"

Min Qingqiu, impressed by his polite words, said again, "If they bully you, I will stand up for you!"

Ding Hao shook his head, "Miss Min, Ding Junjie is the son of my household's steward, and Zheng Peipei has a marriage contract with me. They mocked me outside the Ding family's gate, which led to some arguments. However, I don't want to make a big deal out of it or blame them. After all, why haven't I awakened yet? Please, Miss Min and the two soldiers, let them go!"

Ding Hao's magnanimity not only won Min Qingqiu's favor but also that of the two soldiers. One of them shouted, "Thanks to Young Master Ding's kindness and generosity, otherwise, we would have sent you to the authorities! Now, scram!"

Ding Junjie and Zheng Peipei were so angry they could spit blood. They had just been scolded by Ding Hao and now had to leave.

But in front of them were an Immortal Master and the City Lord's soldiers, so they had no choice but to leave, albeit reluctantly. But before they could take a step, another soldier said, "You can avoid the authorities, but you can't avoid apologizing! You scoundrels, with your immoral behavior, apologize to Young Master Ding!"

"Apologize to a waste of space!" Zheng Peipei stomped her foot in anger, her eyes almost popping out, "I'd rather die than apologize to a waste of space!"

"Enough, enough, don't stoop to their level. Let them go," Ding Hao continued to feign magnanimity, "Miss Min and the two soldiers, please come in."

Min Qingqiu looked back and said, "I came with Mr. Shang and his son. Why haven't they arrived yet?"

Ding Hao replied, "Miss Min, please come in, we can wait outside."

Watching Ding Hao invite Min Qingqiu and the others inside, Ding Junjie and Zheng Peipei exchanged glances. Just a moment ago, they had said no girls would come to see Ding Hao, but now a beautiful woman had come to see him and had even made them look bad.

Zheng Peipei whispered to Min Qingqiu's back, "What a waste of time, coming to see a waste of space, how shameless!"

"Shut up!" Ding Junjie whispered, "Don't speak ill of the Immortal Master behind her back, I don't want to die!"

Zheng Peipei dared not speak further and said, "But why would an Immortal Master come to see a waste of space?"

Ding Junjie said, "You go back first, I'll check it out."

...

Min Qingqiu entered the Ding family's hall. Out of politeness, she paid respects at the wooden statue of the Ding family, lighting three incense sticks and bowing twice.

After bowing, she curiously asked, "Why is there a broken bowl here?"

Ding Hao smiled slightly and said, "I haven't awakened my Immortal Root by the age of fifteen, so it's natural for people to look down on me. Even the servants and maids treat me with disdain. This is the begging bowl they prepared for me."

"Begging bowl..." Min Qingqiu's beautiful eyes flickered as she looked at Ding Hao. She noticed that he spoke calmly, as if he were talking about someone else. Min Qingqiu thought, This young man is strange, unusually calm. Has he experienced something significant? Is he so calm because he has given up or because he is confident?

She couldn't help but ask, "What do you think about it?"

"I guess their good intentions are wasted on me."

Ding Hao referred to the humiliation he received as "good intentions," and even the usually cold and distant Min Qingqiu couldn't help but smile gently. She looked at Ding Hao and said, "I believe in you."

The spring breeze blew into the hall, rustling Min Qingqiu's green robe. Ding Hao looked into her beautiful eyes and said, "Thank you."

As they were talking, Ding Junjie led Mr. Shang and his son into the hall.

Ding Junjie knew Mr. Shang and his son. As they walked in, he whispered, "Mr. Shang, how can you trust him? He's a waste of space! In our Ding family, he is the most despised person. At fifteen, he hasn't awakened, and even the old laundry woman calls him a waste of space. I've lived here for over ten years and have never heard of him helping anyone enter a meditative state!"

"Such is the case..." Mr. Shang and his son, who were already skeptical, were now even more hesitant.

Ding Hao, fearing that the business would be ruined by Ding Junjie, quickly greeted them, "Mr. Shang, Xiaohai, you've come, please come in."

At this moment, Ding Junjie, who had rushed ahead of Mr. Shang, pointed at Ding Hao and said, "Waste of space, I warn you not to cause trouble!"

At this, the two soldiers from the City Lord's residence shouted, "You keep causing trouble, what do you mean by this?"

Ding Junjie loudly said, "Gentlemen, I am a city official and have lived here for over ten years. I've never heard of him helping anyone enter a meditative state! If you don't believe me, you can ask around. I'm afraid you'll be deceived! If he really had such great abilities, why hasn't he awakened his Immortal Root?"

Everyone thought his words made some sense and fell silent, looking back at Ding Hao.

Ding Hao, not panicking, said, "Don't believe the hype, see the results. Whether I can help someone enter a meditative state can be tested. Even if it doesn't work, it won't harm him. What's it to you?"

"How is it not my business?" Ding Junjie coldly snorted, "You've tarnished the Ding family's reputation! If the Ding family produces a fraud, it will be a disgrace!"

Ding Hao laughed, "You're quite concerned about the Ding family's reputation."

"Of course!" Ding Junjie said proudly, "In half a year, I will take your Immortal Seed status! Then, I will be the head of the Ding family, and I must consider the family's reputation! If you behave, I can let you eat slop in the Ding family, no need to beg outside!"

"Eat slop!" Ding Hao's eyes blazed with anger, and he gritted his teeth, "Ding Junjie, you have some nerve. I congratulate you, but I have four words for you: delusional dreams!"

"Are they delusional dreams? We'll see!" Ding Junjie, seeing it was time to start, coldly snorted and left the Ding family.

"These servants are too much," Mr. Shang couldn't help but comment. Even if Ding Junjie, as the son of the steward, would eventually take over, he didn't need to treat the family's master like this.

Ding Hao said, "It's fine, I'm used to it. Please follow me to my room, I guarantee that Xiaohai will enter a meditative state today!"

"That's great!" Mr. Shang was delighted.

In Ding Hao's room, he had Xiaohai sit cross-legged on a bodhi mat. Min Qingqiu didn't say anything, just watched. In fact, she still didn't believe that this unawakened young man could help someone enter a meditative state. In the Nine States world, there was a specialized profession called a Guide, whose job was to help cultivators enter a meditative state!

Min Qingqiu herself was a Level 3 Guide.

She couldn't help Xiaohai enter a meditative state, so could Ding Hao really do it?

Ding Hao's hands moved over Xiaohai's head a few times, then he said in a deep voice, "Drink and sing."

"Really entered a meditative state!" Mr. Shang was almost shouting in surprise.

"How is that possible?" Min Qingqiu's beautiful eyes also showed a hint of surprise. Entering a meditative state without guidance, such a Guide, she had never seen before!

"Wait a moment." She quickly took out a jade talisman and placed it on Xiaohai's forehead. The talisman immediately glowed dark red. Min Qingqiu nodded, "He has entered a low-level meditative state."

"Low-level meditative state." Ding Hao's hands moved over Xiaohai's head again, then he sighed, "How long is life?"

"What?" Min Qingqiu's beautiful eyes showed surprise. The jade talisman in her hand had turned pink!

"Mid-level meditative state! How is that possible?" Min Qingqiu looked at Ding Hao curiously. She really couldn't figure out what method he was using.

Mr. Shang, on the other hand, was simpler. Seeing his son enter a mid-level meditative state, he was almost in tears. He quickly said, "That's great, that's great! Xiaohai entering a mid-level meditative state greatly increases his chances of awakening! Young Master Ding, if you ever visit my bookstore, you can take any book you like!"

In fact, Ding Hao could have made Xiaohai enter a high-level meditative state, but seeing Min Qingqiu's surprised expression, he didn't dare to take the risk. Being able to put someone into a meditative state at any time was already quite terrifying. If he could so easily enter a high-level meditative state, it could bring big trouble!

Thinking of this, he withdrew his hands and said, "That's it, Xiaohai has entered a meditative state. Let's not disturb him, let him rest for a while."

Outside, Mr. Shang thanked Ding Hao repeatedly and handed him a small black brocade bag, which felt soft inside, probably containing silver notes.

Min Qingqiu said, "Young Master Ding, I didn't expect you to be so capable. Have you heard of a profession in our Nine States Academy called a Guide, who helps people enter a meditative state? With your level, you are definitely above a Level 2 Guide. Do you want to get a Guide certificate at the Nine States Academy? And there are many classics there that you can study to improve your own level, and you can even advance to a Level 1 or even a Special Level Guide in the future!"

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