Chapter 96

He didn’t say a word, suppressing a mischievous smile, deliberately watching Lin Pingzhi struggle with a red and pale face, wanting to see how he would choose. Now, at least one thing was proven: Lin Pingzhi, by nature, was still a straight man.

Wei Xiaobao approached with a strange expression and whispered to Qi Feng, "You’re not just pulling his leg, right?"

Qi Feng immediately put on a serious face and firmly denied, "Hey, am I that kind of person?"

Wei Xiaobao scratched his shiny scalp, "Brother Feng, you really can’t predict what will happen in this world of martial arts. But... isn’t it strange that only eunuchs can learn this skill?"

Qi Feng chuckled and began to explain, "Actually, the *Kuihua Manual* was created by a eunuch. So only eunuchs can use it, and non-eunuchs who practice this skill will inevitably suffer from a mental breakdown."

Wei Xiaobao was greatly surprised, "You know, I spent quite some time in the palace, where there are the most eunuchs, and I’ve never heard of such a bizarre thing. In my opinion, there aren’t many eunuchs who know martial arts!"

Qi Feng retorted, "What about Hai Dafu, who knew martial arts?"

At the mention of Hai Dafu, Wei Xiaobao shuddered and shook his head in fear, "You know about this too!"

"Ha... Hai Guidong, how could I not know? You even set up a memorial tablet for him."

Seeing Wei Xiaobao’s reaction, Qi Feng decided to add fuel to the fire. Hai Dabao, Xiao Gui Zi, and Rui Dong were all killed by Wei Xiaobao, who later combined their names to set up a memorial tablet, partly to ease his conscience. Now, Qi Feng’s mention of Hai Dafu and this incident left Wei Xiaobao pale. After a long pause, he said half-jokingly, "Brother Feng, you can see through even such secret matters. Are you a fortune-teller or a monster?"

"Monster?" Qi Feng chuckled inwardly, "I do have one in my pocket, and I can show it to you if you want."

While Qi Feng was chatting with Wei Xiaobao, Lin Pingzhi walked over, knelt down, and clasped his hands, "Master, I’ve made up my mind! I will use my family’s sword technique to attack Qingcheng Mountain and destroy the Qingcheng Sect. I will kill Yu Canghai. Since he wants the辟邪剑法 (Piyu Sword Technique) of the Lin family, I will use it to send him to his grave, so he can rest in peace!"

As he spoke, Lin Pingzhi’s face frightened Qi Feng. His originally handsome face, now twisted with hatred, showed a unique and chilling ruthlessness, making Qi Feng shiver. He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. No wonder Lin Pingzhi would later become corrupted. Look at him, he has the potential.

Lin Pingzhi clenched his teeth and made up his mind. Qi Feng patted his shoulder, signaling him to stand up, and then said with a smile, "You’re so young, are you sure you want to do this? Aren’t you afraid your family will have no descendants?"

In ancient times, having no descendants was considered the greatest form of filial impiety. Qi Feng was surprised that a young man under twenty could make such a decision. He didn’t think Lin Pingzhi was in a situation where he had no other choice.

"My father is still in his prime. As long as I can save him, he can give me a younger brother!" Lin Pingzhi was very determined and calm, showing a resolve that "it won’t kill me to do this."

So ruthless... Qi Feng was speechless for a moment.

After Lin Pingzhi finished speaking, he bowed deeply to Qi Feng, "Master, though you haven’t taught me any martial arts, you’ve saved me twice and revealed the truth about my family’s sword technique, giving me hope to avenge my family and save my parents. Your kindness is like a second life to me, and I will never forget it. I will come back to repay your kindness after I return from Qingcheng Mountain."

Although Lin Pingzhi’s words were heartfelt, they sounded awkward to Qi Feng, as if he was saying, "I represent eight generations of my ancestors to thank you."

Not only Qi Feng, but Wei Xiaobao was also stunned. He had once pretended to be a eunuch and was quite popular at the time, with all the nobles trying to curry favor with him. Even so, he never thought of really becoming a eunuch and pursuing that promising career. Instead, he risked angering the emperor to confess. Seeing Lin Pingzhi’s resolve, he was deeply defeated and stammered, "Little Brother Lin, you... are you still a virgin?"

"Spit!" Qi Feng almost sprayed Lin Pingzhi with his drink.

Lin Pingzhi, who had been looking grim, suddenly turned bright red, as if all the blood in his body rushed to his face. Qi Feng was afraid he would burst a blood vessel.

"That... this..."

Qi Feng cleared his throat and shook his head, "The world is so beautiful, but you are so impatient. This is not good, not good." He gave Wei Xiaobao a look and whispered, "Brother Xiaobao, you’re an expert in love, with seven wives envied by others. Now this kid wants to become a eunuch. You should counsel him and teach him how to be a man!"

Wei Xiaobao laughed, "No problem. I’m the owner of the four seasonal pleasure houses in Yangzhou... well... her son..."

Qi Feng was surprised. Wei Xiaobao really opened four chain pleasure houses? But it seemed the owner was his mother. Thinking about it, his seven wives couldn’t let Xiaobao manage the business, especially if he had to conduct employee interviews... Everyone understands.

Qi Feng patted Wei Xiaobao’s back, "That’s right! This Lin family heir is rich, and he might be a potential customer for you in the future. You should..."

Wei Xiaobao waved his hand, "Do I need to be told? Don’t worry, I know what to do. By the way, I spent quite some time in the palace, and being a eunuch is not a human thing to do..." He shook his head and walked over, putting his arm around the blushing Lin Pingzhi and leading him to a corner to open a new worldview: "Young Master Lin, listen to me..."

Qi Feng smiled mischievously, wiped the non-existent sweat from his forehead, and sighed, "Thank goodness there’s a professional here, otherwise I’d have to use my universal tool to summon Teacher Cang..."

While the two were focused on their lesson, Qi Feng turned to a private room, rummaged through his inventory, and took out the jade prayer beads, holding them in his hand.

"Little Stone, Little Stone!" Qi Feng called out twice, but there was no response.

Qi Feng thought for a moment. "Little Stone" seemed to be the activation phrase in the original plot that Zhao Ling’er used to wake the jade prayer beads. Now that the beads belonged to him and had automatically entered his inventory, he hadn’t set a password... Could it be that they wouldn’t wake up?

He shook them, but there was no response. He swung them around, but still no response. Should he throw them on the ground? Qi Feng looked at the jade beads, knowing that their defense was stronger than a bulletproof vest, but he couldn’t bear to do it.

After much thought, the jade prayer beads seemed to be in a deep sleep. If Qi Feng didn’t know they had already transformed into a human, he would have thought they were just ordinary beads.

Just as he was at a loss, Qi Feng saw the oil lamp on the table and tried to bring the beads close to the flame...

"Ouch!" A惨叫 (cry of pain) sounded, and the little monk Zhi Ze jumped out, flailing his hands behind his back, unable to reach them, and running around the room, "Fire! Fire! It’s burning me!"

Qi Feng walked over and slapped the little monk’s bald head, "What are you dreaming about? Where’s the fire?"

The little monk Zhi Ze’s sleepy eyes finally focused, and upon seeing Qi Feng, he immediately bowed, "Master! You finally remembered me! I await your command! ... Please don’t lock me in the dark room again..."

"Cough, cough," Qi Feng said sternly, "Stand up, speak properly, no cuteness! You’re already a thousand years old..."

The little monk Zhi Ze got up, looking expectant, "Master, did you summon me to teach me Buddhism?"

Qi Feng said seriously, "Reading ten thousand scrolls is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. Saving one life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. You’ve chanted scriptures with Bodhidharma for so many years, but you’re still confused because you’ve spent your whole life studying without practical experience... Remember, Buddhism is about saving all beings, but you can’t save all beings if you can’t save one person."

Zhi Ze’s face lit up, and he clapped his hands, "I see! Master, you are truly a reincarnation of the Buddha, your teachings are profound! I understand! Master, who should I save?" He even rolled up his sleeves.

Qi Feng was sweating. This little monk needed more common sense education, but it was probably too late now. "Cough, cough, I mean helping others, not saving souls... Come with me."

Zhi Ze, half-understanding, obediently followed Qi Feng out to the front hall of the Yuelai Inn.

Qi Feng saw Wei Xiaobao and Lin Pingzhi eating and drinking, apparently having finished their lesson, and walked over, laughing, "Young Master Lin, have you made up your mind?"

Lin Pingzhi looked aggrieved, "Master, are you testing me?"

Qi Feng patted his shoulder, "I took you as a disciple, so I must consider your future. Being a eunuch is not a good choice! Don’t worry, I have knowledge spanning ancient and modern times (and even beyond to the space age), and I have a different view on your family’s sword technique."

Lin Pingzhi’s spirits lifted, and he asked eagerly, "Please enlighten me, Master!"

Qi Feng said calmly, "In the *Kuihua Manual*, it only says ‘To practice the divine skill, one must castrate oneself,’ but it doesn’t mention the later addition, ‘Even after castration, success is not guaranteed.’”

Lin Pingzhi’s face fell, "What?!"

Qi Feng laughed, "Don’t worry, there’s one more sentence: ‘Even without castration, one can still practice the skill.’”

Lin Pingzhi was still dazed, and the little monk Zhi Ze appeared from behind Qi Feng, looking at Lin Pingzhi and asking, "You also call Master, who is this?"

"Oh, this is Lin Pingzhi, who just became my disciple."

Zhi Ze understood, clasped his hands, and bowed, "So you are my junior, Brother Lin!" He then looked up, "Why haven’t you shaved your head?" (To be continued. Please search for Piaowen.com for better and faster updates!)