Chapter 141: Fool's Fortune

Seeing that Zheng Fa had old friends visiting, Zhou Gan and Han Qi all took their leave with good sense.

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

As the saying goes, a short separation surpasses a new beginning… no, meeting an old friend in a foreign land makes every conversation pleasant.

"Young Miss…" Zheng Fa said to the Zhao family's eldest daughter.

The eldest daughter waved her hand and said, "We're no longer in the Zhao household—just call me Zhao Jinglan."

"Young Miss Zhao." Zheng Fa thought for a moment and changed his address: "Have you come to Jiushan Sect for a reason? Is there anything I can help with?"

He knew the Seventh Young Master might have come specifically to visit him.

But Zhao Jinglan would not.

They simply weren't that close.

"No need," Zhao Jinglan explained. "I'm heading to Taiyang County and just happened to pass by Jiushan Sect."

"... aiyang County?"

Zheng Fa's expression froze—why was it this place again?

Seeing his reaction, the Seventh Young Master asked, "You've heard of Taiyang County too?"

Zheng Fa was about to speak when he noticed the eldest daughter subtly signaling him.

She seemed anxious.

He thought for a moment and smiled: "I've heard of it—Taiyang County's Changchun Sect has some ties to our Jiushan Sect."

Zhao Jinglan exhaled softly; the Seventh Young Master didn't seem to notice the exchange. He asked Zheng Fa, "Zheng Fa, how are things at Jiushan Sect?"

Zheng Fa thought and replied, "Not bad?"

He couldn't quite describe his situation—it felt like saying too much would sound like boasting, and of the kind so implausible the Seventh Young Master would think he was lying.

"I've heard your Jiushan Sect is a mess."

To his surprise, the Seventh Young Master sneered.

"A mess?" Zheng Fa blinked—did Jiushan Sect have a bad reputation outside?

"My senior brothers say your Jiushan Sect has three evils!"

"First evil is Zhang Shijie—she relies on her talent and looks down on everyone. Not only does she bully Jiushan disciples, she's also rude to others in the Bai Xian Alliance."

"..."

Zheng Fa looked at the Seventh Young Master's mouth—no, had he learned nothing at Qingmu Sect?

But Zhang Shijie's reputation has always been mixed.

Especially among those she's beaten—there are surely many who hate her.

"What's the second?"

"Second is your Sect Master—hiding on the mountain, doing nothing, a mere figurehead."

"..."

Zheng Fa was now certain.

The Seventh Young Master was quite happy at Qingmu Sect…

Otherwise he wouldn't still be this bold.

"And the third?"

Zheng Fa was genuinely curious.

"Third is your Fu Fa Pavilion—it's meant for learning fu techniques, but rumors say disciples fight daily and have no interest in studying."

"..."

Was he now eating his own melon?

He thought of his future role as Fu Fa Pavilion's next Pavilion Master.

Zheng Fa suddenly snapped to attention.

His identity as Zhang Shijie's staunch ally, the Sect Master's disciple, and future Fu Fa Pavilion Master—wasn't that the sum of all three evils?

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

He glanced again at the items Han Qi had sent over, then shook his head: "You don't seem to have been mistreated either—then again, your fu talent is exceptional."

"No real hardship, but the reputation's definitely damaged," Zheng Fa replied, turning to ask the Seventh Young Master: "How are things at Qingmu Sect?"

The Seventh Young Master laughed, saying nothing, but his face radiated smugness.

Beside him, the eldest daughter Zhao Jinglan rolled her eyes: "He? Right after entering, because his fu talent was decent and with family connections—he took a Golden Core True Person who specializes in fu as his Master."

Zheng Fa nodded.

Just as Jiushan Sect had cultivators who favored alchemy or artifact forging, other sects had fu specialists—though none matched Jiushan's heritage.

The Seventh Young Master's fu talent, after Zheng Fa's training, might be average at Jiushan.

But at Qingmu Sect, he was a fu prodigy.

Instantly became the top dog!

Looking at the Seventh Young Master, he was clearly strutting—utterly arrogant.

Seeing his sister silent, the Seventh Young Master pressed on: "And what else?"

"What else?"

"Cultivation level!" the Seventh Young Master reminded.

"Oh right—this fool broke through to Qi Refining Third Layer three days ago," Zhao Jinglan said, stunned for a moment, then helplessly.

Zheng Fa was genuinely surprised this time.

He and the Seventh Young Master both had dual elemental roots—he knew how slow dual-root advancement usually was.

Excluding himself, whose case couldn't be compared, the Seventh Young Master's pace was extremely fast.

The Seventh Young Master modestly waved his hand: "Not worth mentioning—not worth mentioning. Just my Master's favor, giving me some pills."

Of course.

Qingmu Sect was famed for its alchemy.

The Seventh Young Master had not only a Qi Refining elder sister but also a Golden Core Master—his supply of high-grade pills aside, Qi Refining pills were surely no concern.

Zheng Fa finally understood.

This guy didn't come to see him.

He came to show off!

And brought a mouthpiece!

The Seventh Young Master happily dumped all the bottles and jars from his sack onto Zheng Fa's table: "Don't say I'm heartless—I brought you pills too!"

Each bottle held only one or two pills—clearly saved from his own mouth.

"By the way, what level are you now?"

The Seventh Young Master asked curiously.

Zheng Fa glanced at the pills before him.

He decided to preserve the Seventh Young Master's joy.

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

"You too, so fast?"

The Seventh Young Master froze, staring at the pills—suddenly looking like he wanted to take them back.

He looked again at the pile of items Han Qi had sent, then nodded: "You seem to be doing well too."

The Seventh Young Master clicked his tongue, his expression oddly regretful, then suddenly said: "If Gao Yuan were here, it'd be better."

His tone carried deep longing for Gao Yuan.

…

Qingmu Sect was far from Jiushan Sect; the two had traveled a long way and were exhausted.

Zheng Fa arranged for them to rest in guest rooms, then finally took out the jade cylinder from Pang True Person.

He closed his eyes, immersed his spiritual sense into the cylinder—and within half a stick of incense, opened them again, face twisted in pain.

How to describe the contents of this jade cylinder?

It was filled with half-baked fu diagrams.

In simple terms, if a fu diagram were the Seventh Young Master…

Zheng Fa felt he knew the Seventh Young Master well.

But looking at the diagrams in Pang Shu's cylinder was like seeing the Seventh Young Master arrive with nine fluffy monkey tails growing from his buttocks and six fox ears sprouting from his head…

Compared to the fu diagrams Zheng Fa had known before, these added many bizarre new patterns.

Zheng Fa set down the cylinder, yet his expression brightened.

Pang True Person was the most skilled in "Dong Xu Ling Yan"—this cylinder likely contained fu diagrams he observed through that technique.

Compared to the common knowledge Zheng Fa had previously learned…

A Nascent Soul True Person's view of fu diagrams was likely closer to their true essence.

…

The next day, Zheng Fa had little time to properly entertain the Seventh Young Master and his sister.

Zhang Shijie was leaving Jiushan Sect and was uneasy about Yuan Shijie.

Many tasks now fell to Zheng Fa.

Of course, most of these tasks were ones he'd created himself.

For example, ordering spirit rice from Qianhe Sect.

For example, this time the ferry is heading to which district? How many spirit talismans are loaded? The Nine Mountains Sect market is currently very hot—should we dispatch another ferry?

Another example: now that the Nine Mountains Sect market is thriving, shouldn't we raise the rental fees?

He was buried in work at the manager's pavilion, leaving no choice but to entrust Han Qi and the other three to entertain Young Master Qi.

Watching Zheng Fa scribble furiously, sometimes frowning in deep thought, Young Master Qi felt an unexpected pang of sympathy.

As he stepped out of the pavilion, he muttered to Han Qi and the others: "Yesterday I saw you bringing him things—I was even a little jealous… Now I see, Sister Zhang is working him to death."

Han Qi and the other three exchanged strange glances but dared not speak.

"By the way, are you three close to Zheng Fa?"

Young Master Qi asked again.

"Us?" Han Qi chuckled. "We're following Brother Zheng."

Young Master Qi looked puzzled, glancing back at the pavilion, then at Han Qi and the others: "Zheng Fa just joined—yet you all take orders from him? Were you really that lowly before?"

"…"

Coming to the Nine Mountains Sect, naturally one must visit its market.

"I've long heard the Nine Mountains Sect market is bustling, but I didn't expect so many people," Young Master Qi said, surprised by the throngs.

Zhao Jinglan, who likely understood hardship better, shook her head and sighed: "The vendors here probably earn far more than I ever did."

"Did you ever run a business, Sister Zhao?" Han Qi asked.

"Years ago, I traveled for years trying to reach Foundation Establishment," Zhao Jinglan replied, a faint, bittersweet smile touching her lips. "Looking at these Nine Mountains Sect disciples today, they're doing better than I did back then."

Her gaze toward the vendors carried unmistakable envy.

But as they walked, she noticed something odd.

Every vendor reacted with unusual warmth upon seeing Han Qi and the others.

Or rather—with respectful, unafraid expressions.

"Han Brother, why are they like this?" Zhao Jinglan, confused, asked Han Qi and the others.

Han Qi didn't elaborate, simply explained: "I now hold a post in the market—I'm familiar with them."

Zhao Jinglan nodded.

But her gaze toward the three subtly shifted.

Immortal sects are brutally pragmatic—familiarity alone won't earn respect.

…

The most worth visiting in the Nine Mountains Sect market was undoubtedly the newly built theater.

Or rather, the playhouse.

Young Master Qi's earlier claim about coming to watch a play wasn't empty—he'd heard of plays' fame at the Green Wood Sect.

"Sis? Aren't you watching?"

Zhao Jinglan glanced at the ticket price on the sign, pursed her lips, and shook her head: "I'm not interested."

Young Master Qi frowned. "Sis, I have spirit stones—I'll treat you."

"How much money do you think you have?" Zhao Jinglan scolded her brother as usual. "Buying gifts for Zheng Fa was one thing, but now you're squandering it on me? You're always spending recklessly! Do you think you're rich?!"

Young Master Qi clenched his lips, silent, looking slightly wounded.

But Han Qi waved over a tall, thin man nearby: "Brother Zheng already prepared tickets for you."

"Already prepared?" Zhao Jinglan narrowed her eyes, finally voicing what had felt off: "Zheng Fa in the Nine Mountains Sect…"

"…"

Young Master Qi opened his mouth, muttering Han Qi's words: "You're saying Zheng Fa is now the only disciple of the Nine Mountains Sect Sect Master, and the sole favorite of Sister Zhang?"

"No, I meant his trust and favor!" Han Qi wiped sweat from his brow, feeling the young lord's grasp was unnervingly precise.

"He's at Qi Refining Fifth Layer?" Young Master Qi leapt up instantly. "I'm going to find him!"

"Why?"

"Those pills! I saved them one by one! He's so rich—he dares to take them?!" Young Master Qi gritted his teeth.

Zhao Jinglan could no longer bear it—she slapped her brother's head sharply.

"Sis?"

"Mother always said fools have foolish luck…" Zhao Jinglan sighed. "But your foolishness and luck are just too extreme…"