Chapter 141: Fool's Blessing

Seeing that Zheng Fa had old friends visiting, Zhou Qianyuan and Han Qi, along with the other two, showed great tact and took their leave.

Only Zheng Fa remained in the main hall to host the Young Seventh Master and his sister.

As the saying goes, a brief parting is better than a new... no, meeting an old friend in a foreign land makes any conversation feel joyful.

"Young Lady..." Zheng Fa addressed the Zhao family's eldest daughter.

The Young Lady waved her hand and said, "Since neither of us is at the Zhao family estate, just call me Zhao Jinglan."

"Senior Sister Zhao." Zheng Fa thought for a moment and changed his address, asking, "Do you have business at Jiushan Sect? Is there anything I can help with?"

He knew in his heart that the Young Seventh Master might come specifically to visit him.

But Zhao Jinglan would not.

After all, the two of them were not that close.

"No need, I was preparing to go to Taiyang Commandery and just happened to pass by Jiushan Sect," Zhao Jinglan explained.

"... Taiyang Commandery?"

Zheng Fa's expression froze; why was it that place again?

Seeing his expression, the Young Seventh Master beside him asked, "You've also heard of Taiyang Commandery?"

Just as Zheng Fa was about to speak, he saw the Young Lady subtly signaling him with her eyes.

She seemed a bit anxious.

Thinking it over, he smiled and said, "I have heard of it; the Changchun Sect in Taiyang Commandery has some connection with our Jiushan Sect."

Zhao Jinglan let out a soft breath of relief; the Young Seventh Master seemed not to notice these nuances as he turned to ask Zheng Fa, "Zheng Fa, how are things for you at Jiushan Sect?"

Zheng Fa thought for a moment and replied, "Not too bad, I suppose?"

He found it difficult to describe his situation—saying too much felt like showing off, and the kind of boasting that lacked credibility would likely make the Young Seventh Master think he was just blowing smoke.

"I've heard that your Jiushan Sect is quite chaotic."

Unexpectedly, the Young Seventh Master said with a sneer.

"Chaotic?" Zheng Fa was stunned; did Jiushan Sect have some bad reputation outside?

"Those senior brothers of mine say that your Jiushan Sect has three scourges!"

"The first scourge is Senior Sister Zhang, who relies on her talent to look down on others; they say she not only bullows disciples of Jiushan Sect but isn't very polite to disciples from other sects in the Baixian Alliance either."

"..."

Zheng Fa looked at the Young Seventh Master's mouth; had he learned nothing at all since arriving at Qingmu Sect?

However, Senior Sister Zhang's reputation had always been mixed.

Especially among those disciples she had beaten, there were probably many who hated her.

"And the second?"

"The second is your Sect Leader, who hides on the mountain and doesn't manage affairs, making the position merely nominal."

"..."

Now Zheng Fa could be certain.

The Young Seventh Master was living quite happily at Qingmu Sect...

Otherwise, he wouldn't still be this bold.

"Then... the third?"

Zheng Fa was actually quite curious.

"The third is your Talisman Method Pavilion; it's supposed to be a place for studying talisman methods, yet I hear there are fights every day, and the disciples have no mind for learning."

"..."

Was he eating melon seeds only to find the melon growing on himself?

Thinking of his identity as the future Pavilion Master of the Talisman Method Pavilion.

Zheng Fa suddenly snapped to attention.

His identity as Senior Sister Zhang's die-hard supporter, the Sect Leader's disciple, and the future Pavilion Master of the Talisman Method Pavilion—didn't that make him the embodiment of all three scourges?

Seeing Zheng Fa's strange expression, the Young Seventh Master grew somewhat worried: "Zheng Fa, is Jiushan Sect really that chaotic?"

He then looked at the items Han Qi had delivered, shook his head, and said, "It seems you haven't suffered any grievances; then again, your talisman talent is so formidable."

"... I haven't suffered any grievances, but this reputation seems ruined." Zheng Fa turned and asked the Young Seventh Master, "Young Seventh Master, are you doing well at Qingmu Sect?"

The Young Seventh Master laughed without speaking, his face displaying nothing but pride.

The Young Lady, Zhao Jinglan, rolled her eyes at him from the side and said, "As for him, upon entering the sect, due to his decent aptitude for talisman methods and connections with elders, he became a disciple of a Jin Dan True Person skilled in talisman methods."

Zheng Fa nodded.

Just as Jiushan Sect had cultivators who specialized in alchemy or artifact forging, other sects also had cultivators skilled in talisman methods—of course, none could compare to Jiushan Sect's lineage.

The Young Seventh Master's talisman path aptitude, after Zheng Fa's training, might be relatively ordinary within Jiushan Sect.

But in Qingmu Sect, he was a talisman path genius.

He had instantly become the biggest fish in a small pond!

Looking at the Young Seventh Master again, sure enough, he already wore that look—utterly arrogant and haughty.

Seeing his own sister stop talking, the Young Seventh Master kept urging, "And what else?"

"What else is there?"

"Cultivation!" the Young Seventh Master reminded.

"Right, this fool broke through to the third layer of Qi Refining three days ago," Zhao Jinglan said helplessly after a moment of speechlessness.

This time, Zheng Fa was truly a bit surprised.

Both he and the Young Seventh Master possessed dual spiritual roots, so they naturally understood the advancement speed of dual spiritual roots.

Except for someone like him who couldn't be used for comparison, the Young Seventh Master's speed was extremely fast.

Seventh Young Master waved his hand with feigned modesty: "Not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning. It's just that my Master dotes on me and bestowed some pills."

That's right.

Qingmu Sect is famous for alchemy.

Seventh Young Master not only has a Foundation Establishment elder sister, but also a Jin Dan Master—setting aside those precious pills, he probably doesn't even have to worry about Qi Refining pills.

Zheng Fa finally understood.

This guy isn't here to see me.

He's absolutely here to show off!

And he brought a mouthpiece!

Seventh Young Master happily handed the bottles and jars from his bundle to Zheng Fa, saying: "Don't say I don't cherish old friendship; I even brought you some pills!"

The pills in these bottles and jars were few, only one or two grains each, obviously truly saved from his own mouth.

"By the way, what realm are you in?"

Seventh Young Master asked curiously.

Zheng Fa glanced at the pills before him.

He decided to protect Seventh Young Master's happiness.

"About the same as you," he said vaguely.

"You advanced that fast too?"

Seventh Young Master froze, looked at the pills, and seemed to want to take them back.

He then looked at the pile of things sent by Han Qi, nodded, and said: "It seems you're living quite well too."

Seventh Young Master clicked his tongue, his expression showing some inexplicable regret, and suddenly said: "If Gao Yuan were here, it would be great."

His tone revealed deep longing for Gao Yuan.

Qingmu Sect is not close to Jiushan Sect, and the two of them were tired from the journey.

After Zheng Fa arranged for them to sleep in the guest room, he finally took out the jade slip from Pang True Person.

He closed his eyes, immersed his divine sense into the jade slip, and opened his eyes with a pained expression in less than half a stick of incense.

How to describe the contents inside this jade slip?

They were all ambiguous and misleading talisman diagrams.

Simply put, if talisman diagrams were Seventh Young Master.

Zheng Fa felt he knew Seventh Young Master very well.

But looking at the talisman diagrams in Uncle Pang's jade slip was like seeing Seventh Young Master this time with nine furry monkey tails growing on his buttocks and six fox ears sprouting from the top of his head...

Compared to the talisman diagrams Zheng Fa had learned before, these diagrams contained many other patterns.

Zheng Fa put down the jade slip, and his expression became somewhat excited instead.

Pang True Person is the most skilled in the "Void-Seeing Spiritual Eye"; this jade slip he produced was likely the talisman diagrams he observed with the Void-Seeing Spiritual Eye.

Compared to the common knowledge Zheng Fa had learned before.

The talisman diagrams seen through the eyes of a Nascent Soul True Person are probably closer to the true essence of talisman diagrams.

The next day, Zheng Fa did not have much time to properly entertain Seventh Young Master and the other.

Shijie Zhang was leaving Jiushan Sect and was not entirely at ease leaving Shijie Yuan.

There were many matters that Zheng Fa needed to take over.

Of course, most of the matters were created by Zheng Fa himself.

For example, ordering spirit grains from Qianhe Sect.

For example, where to dispatch the reception boat this time, how many spirit talismans to load, and since the Jiushan Sect market is very hot now, should another reception boat be dispatched?

And for example, since the Jiushan Sect market is now prosperous, should the rent be raised a bit?

He was busy day and night in the Manager's small building and could only ask Han Qi and the other two to take Seventh Young Master to play.

Watching Zheng Fa writing furiously, sometimes frowning in deep thought, Seventh Young Master felt inexplicably a bit sympathetic.

Walking out of the small building, he muttered to Han Qi and the other two: "Yesterday when I saw you bringing him things, I was a bit envious... Now looking at it, Shijie Zhang is using him to death."

Han Qi and the other three had strange expressions but dared not speak.

"By the way, are the three of you on good terms with Zheng Fa?"

Seventh Young Master asked again.

"Us?" Han Qi smiled: "We are following Zheng Shidi."

Seventh Young Master's eyes were somewhat blank; he looked back at the small building, then at Han Qi and the other three: "Zheng Fa just entered the sect, and you have to listen to him? Were you living so miserably before?"

"..."

Coming to Jiushan Sect, naturally one must visit the Jiushan Sect market.

"I've long heard the Jiushan Sect market is lively, but I didn't expect so many people," Seventh Young Master said, looking at the surging crowd in the market with some surprise.

Zhao Jinglan, standing nearby, probably knew life was harder; she shook her head and sighed: "The vendors in this market probably earn much more money than I do."

"Has Shijie Zhao also done business?" Han Qi asked.

"In my early years, to reach Foundation Establishment, I ran around for several years," Zhao Jinglan said, a smile that was both bitter and nostalgic appearing in her tone: "Seeing the disciples of your Jiushan Sect today, they seem to be living a bit better than I did back then."

Her gaze at the vendors of Jiushan Sect was inevitably somewhat envious.

But as they walked, she discovered something was wrong.

These vendors, upon seeing Han Qi and the other three, appeared very enthusiastic.

Or rather, their expressions were respectful and unafraid.

"Junior Brother Han, what's going on with them?" Zhao Jinglan, thoroughly confused, asked Han Qi and the other two.

Han Qi did not elaborate much, explaining to her, "I am currently employed within the market town myself, so I am quite familiar with them."

Zhao Jinglan nodded.

Yet the look in her eyes as she gazed at the three shifted ever so slightly.

The immortal sects were an extremely pragmatic place—familiarity alone would never earn one respect.

The most worthwhile attraction in the Jiushan Sect market town was, of course, the newly built theater.

Or rather, a playhouse for spoken drama.

Young Master Seven's earlier claim about coming to see a play was no empty boast—he had already heard of the reputation of such dramas while at the Qingmu Sect.

"Sister? You're not watching?"

Zhao Jinglan glanced at the ticket prices on the signboard nearby, pressed her lips together, and shook her head. "Sister has no interest."

Young Master Seven, his face set sternly, said, "Sister, I have spirit stones; let me treat you."

"Do you think I don't know how much money you have? Letting you buy gifts for Zheng Fa before was one thing, but now you're squandering money on me too?" Zhao Jinglan habitually scolded her younger brother. "Splurging the moment you step out! Do you think you're rich!"

Young Master Seven pressed his lips together, saying nothing, though he looked somewhat aggrieved.

Han Qi, however, beckoned to the thin, tall fellow standing nearby. "Zheng Shidi prepared tickets for you long ago."

"Prepared long ago?" Zhao Jinglan narrowed her eyes, finally voicing the unease that had been gnawing at her. "Zheng Fa, within the Jiushan Sect..."

"..."

Young Master Seven stood with his mouth agape, murmuring heavily as he repeated Han Qi and the others' words: "You're saying Zheng Fa is now the sole disciple of the Jiushan Sect's sect master, and uniquely enjoys Senior Sister Zhang's favor?"

"No, I said trust and reliance!" Han Qi wiped the sweat from his forehead, feeling that this Young Master Zhao's comprehension was strangely, unnervingly accurate.

"He's now at the fifth layer of Qi Condensation?" Young Master Seven, completely ignoring his words, leaped up instantly. "I'm going to find him!"

"What are you doing?"

"Those pills! I saved them up one by one! He's so rich now, yet he has the audacity to take them!" Young Master Seven ground his teeth in fury.

Zhao Jinglan, unable to bear it any longer, slapped her brother on the head with a sharp crack.

"Sister?"

"Mother always said that a fool has a fool's luck..." Zhao Jinglan sighed. "But your foolishness and your luck have both gone too far..."