Chapter 503: Trouble

A cold wind blew through the courtyard of the county government office.

Lin Chao walked out from the office, stepping onto the snowy ground, and he couldn't help but shrink his neck.

Not far away, a small old man wearing a cotton-padded jacket appeared quite bloated, yet he still walked toward this side with his hands behind his back.

Seeing the person arrive, Lin Chao hurriedly went to greet him: "Master, why have you come?"

"The thing you made is used up; I've felt quite unaccustomed to it these past few days.

It just so happens that I planned to come to the county to buy some medicinal herbs, so I stopped by the county office to take a look and see when you would be released." Jiang Boye kept his hands behind his back, "Since you are out, come back with me."

"All right." Lin Chao felt a warmth in his heart and followed behind Jiang Boye.

Because of the heavy snowfall, it was difficult for an ox cart to travel.

Therefore, Lin Chao followed Jiang Boye, preparing to walk back to the Qingxu Sect on foot.

After walking for just one hour, Jiang Boye sat down on a rock, panting heavily, and exhaled clouds of white mist: "People get old; I can't even handle walking a little bit."

Lin Chao tapped lightly on Jiang Boye's back, soothing his breathing.

Jiang Boye had traveled alone from the Qingxu Sect to get here, covering dozens of miles of mountain roads.

Jiang Boye rested for a while before his breathing became smooth again: "Zhuge Liu... is dead."

"The Fifth Elder actually... died?" Lin Chao pretended to show a slight look of astonishment in his eyes.

He was not at all surprised by the Fifth Elder's death.

The Fifth Elder's coma had nothing to do with Lin Chao.

But after falling into a coma, it was not so easy to wake up.

Later, when Zhuge Liu rolled down, it was Lin Chao who had tampered with things.

That destined that Zhuge Liu would not wake up.

Although killing an enemy sneakily lacked the refreshing pleasure of taking revenge face-to-face.

But for Lin Chao, who had experienced several cycles of reincarnation, that was not an issue.

As long as the goal was achieved, the process did not matter.

"That fellow was arrogant and conceited.

He obtained a Shrine and actually opened it, even placing it in his room.

This is a path to self-destruction!" Jiang Boye said happily.

Clearly, Zhuge Liu's death also made him very excited.

A look of confusion appeared on Jiang Boye's face again: "Logically speaking, that level of Shrine should not be fatal; he would only fall into a deep sleep, so how could he have died?"

"On the way back, two disciples were carrying him, but the mountain road was slippery, and Zhuge Liu fell off the stretcher. I suspect that is why he ultimately never woke up." Lin Chao recounted what happened at the time.

"Really?" Jiang Boye glanced at Lin Chao, his gaze carrying a hint of sharpness.

"This disciple would not dare to deceive Master."

Jiang Boye looked at Lin Chao a few more times before he did not continue the topic.

At this moment, Lin Chao asked curiously: "Master, why does one fall into an eternal sleep after looking at a Shrine?"

Lin Chao was very curious about that Great Brightness Sect.

Jiang Boye's gaze became solemn: "These evil sects are extremely demonic; you must not get involved with them.

Even if they use heavy profits to lure you, allowing you to briefly grasp powerful strength.

Because, once you get close to these evil sects and choose to believe in these Evil Gods.

From then on, you will no longer have the qualifications to command Dao Soldiers.

All your cultivation in Literary Arts will have no place to be used."

Hearing this, Lin Chao was still somewhat puzzled.

"Three hundred years ago, the worship of Evil Gods was rampant.

The entire world was dominated by numerous sects.

Under the benevolent sects, the Ordinary people could still live well.

But under the rule of those vicious sects, it was a living hell.

At that time, the most powerful Holy Sect produced a Saint who supported the Zhenyuan Emperor, wiped out the many sects, and unified the world.

From then on, evil sects have been something everyone should strive to punish." Jiang Boye briefly told Lin Chao the history from before.

Lin Chao heard this: "The Holy Sect... is the largest sect?"

In other words, the Holy Sect is the largest evil sect.

Jiang Boye looked at Lin Chao and nodded: "You could say that.

Nowadays, many evil sects have been liquidated, but there are still many remnants of evil sects outside.

The ones you went to clear out this time were remnants of the Great Brightness Sect.

Four hundred years ago, the Great Brightness Sect was a sect no less powerful than the Holy Sect.

Even after being destroyed by the imperial court and the Holy Sect, the current Great Brightness Sect still has many experts who are the backbone of today's evil sects.

In the world today, there are a total of one hundred and twenty prefectures, and the territory is too vast, so the ruling power of the Holy Sect and the imperial court has weakened.

And among these one hundred and twenty prefectures, nearly one-third are overrun by rebel armies.

Behind these rebel armies, there are shadows of the Great Brightness Sect."

This world was four or five times larger than the territory of Daxia.

It was only natural that the imperial court and the Holy Sect could not fully control it.

Lin Chao nodded upon hearing this: "This disciple will strictly follow Master's orders and will not get involved with these rebel armies.

However, Master, Zhuge Liu was a Sixth-grade Martial Artist after all; how did that Shrine make him fall into a coma?"

Regarding this point, Lin Chao felt some apprehension.

In this world, his methods are also quite conventional.

That kind of ordinary technique, as well as Immortal Dao methods, simply cannot be displayed.

Jiang Boye frowned: "The Evil God's sorcery is not something we can fathom.

You only need to remember to stay away from them."

"Understood." Lin Chao nodded.

To get by in this world, one must naturally follow a righteous and orthodox path for now.

He also wants to experience something more spectacular.

In this way, his reincarnation score will also be higher.

Although the evil sects are strong, many evil sects united together, yet were still wiped out by the Holy Sect and the imperial court.

It is evident that the evil sects count for nothing at all.

After returning to the Qingxu Sect, Lin Chao's days returned to how they were before.

However, after Zhuge Liu died, no one in the Qingxu Sect deliberately made things difficult for Lin Chao, and his days became better.

But other sect members remained very cold toward Lin Chao.

Except for Zhao Tai, who was willing to be close to Lin Chao, everyone else avoided Lin Chao as if he were a plague.

One night, Lin Chao finally used his accumulated attribute points to step into the Fifth Grade.

His own strength still did not change much.

However, the attribute points that grew naturally every day increased by one.

This put Lin Chao in a good mood.

After all, visible growth provides motivation for everyone.

"Strive to step into the Nascent Soul realm and become a Fourth Grade martial artist before going to the Academy."

As of now, he is a Fifth Grade martial artist.

He can reign supreme in a small place like Luo Ma County, but it is clearly not enough to go to the refined lands of a prefecture.

Moreover, a Fifth Grade martial artist sounds impressive, but once besieged by dozens of elite soldiers, Lin Chao would also be finished.

Still too weak.

Right now, he cannot even beat Heize.

He must improve his own strength.

Of course, the premise for everything is that he needs to obtain a spot to go to the Academy.

Time flowed slowly; in early February, the green mountains sprouted, and the mountains and rivers were filled with shades of purple and red.

After Lin Chao finished guiding the pilgrims, he returned to his room, dragging his exhausted body to fall into a drowsy sleep.

In his dream.

Lin Chao's consciousness suddenly grew dim.

He woke up with a start.

He raised his palm and suddenly saw a crack appear in his palm.

Inside the crack was endless radiance.

Seeing this scene, Lin Chao suddenly thought of the Great Brightness Sect.

And at this moment, that frantic, babbling voice echoed in his ears.

"Open the door..."

"Open the door..."

The voice was frantic, carrying a mad urgency; just hearing it once would make one's head explode.

Those with weak wills would instantly suffer a mental breakdown and become lunatics.

Lin Chao woke up with a start once again.

He was covered in sweat, and he looked around.

He saw that he was still staying in the room.

The room was pitch black, and the light from just now did not exist.

"So... it was a dream."

Lin Chao let out a sigh of relief.

However, the vigilance in his heart did not disappear.

"I seem to have picked up something bad."

But for now, to him, it is merely having the occasional nightmare.

This counts for nothing at all.

However, when Lin Chao cast his gaze upon his palm, his eyes froze slightly.

Because he felt as if there were truly a crack in his palm.

But when he looked again, that crack had disappeared.

It seemed as if everything was just his illusion.

Only then did Lin Chao begin to examine his body.

"It seems... it has become different."

But this difference was also somewhat ordinary.

That is... he can see at night.

This ability, to him, does not count for much.

"Brightness... Deity..."

Lin Chao hesitated.

He only felt it was troublesome.

It seemed he had truly been targeted.

"Am I now... considered a follower of an evil cult?

If so, is there any use in me practicing Literary Arts?"

Lin Chao felt doubtful in his heart.

Of course, the changes in his body might not be limited to these.

But at this moment, these were all he knew.

"I must find an opportunity to ask Master," Lin Chao thought to himself.

March arrived, and Lin Chao had gained some weight since he was that thin youth, looking much more robust.

Of course, he was nowhere near being burly.

"Xia Yang, this is the chicken Popo stewed; take it to show your filial respect to your master." In the courtyard, Hua Popo wore a kind smile on her face.

Over the past half year, Hua Popo's health had also become increasingly robust.

And Lin Chao had given Hua Popo some bits of silver.

Hua Popo would use this money to buy meat like chicken to cook for Lin Chao.

It was precisely because of this that Lin Chao's body had slowly become robust.

"Thank you, Popo." Lin Chao took away more than half of the meat and soup in the pot, leaving some for Popo.

Although he had experienced several lifetimes of reincarnation and was accustomed to too much life and death, the collapse of nations, the collapse of worlds, and the darkness and distortion of human nature, Lin Chao still maintained a peaceful state of mind.

He was very kind in his treatment of people and things.

At this time, in Jiang Boye's courtyard, the Qingxu Sect Sect Master was basking in the Sun, squinting his eyes: "Old Jiang, do you still have no one to recommend this time?

Would you like to recommend one of my disciples?

Otherwise... your resources will be wasted."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Boye cursed loudly: "You old scoundrel, you even covet my little bit of resources?

Aren't you afraid that if your disciple is recommended by me and goes to the Academy, he will be hacked to death at night?"

"Haha, don't you have an old flame in the Academy?

With that person shielding him, who would dare?"

Hearing this, a look of nostalgia flashed in Jiang Boye's eyes.

"I only have one recommendation quota, and I have my own use for it."

"Old Jiang, do you want to save it for Xia Yang?

Xia Yang is diligent and eager to learn, and his background is clean, but his talent is a bit lacking.

If he hasn't stepped into the Golden Core realm in two years, what then?

Moreover, even if he steps into the Golden Core realm, can he shoulder the heavy burden of the Gongshu School?" The Qingxu Sect Sect Master squinted his eyes.

Hearing this, Jiang Boye's gaze also became sharp: "Since he chose me, and I also chose to believe in him, then this matter will not change."

"Sigh." The Qingxu Sect Sect Master sighed, "My disciple is the son of the Chamber of Commerce president in the county, a person favored by a big shot."

"Coveting my little bit of resources, and you call that a damn big shot!" Jiang Boye laughed heartily, his words full of mockery.

The Qingxu Sect Sect Master felt quite helpless upon hearing this.

"Old Jiang, take care of yourself.

I cannot intervene in this matter."

The disdain in Jiang Boye's eyes grew even stronger: "A bunch of worthless rabble."

"If they can't deal with you, they can surely deal with your disciple, right?" the Qingxu Sect Sect Master said.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Boye immediately said: "If he can't even pass this hurdle, is he supposed to go to the Academy to die?

He might as well stay in the Qingxu Sect and waste his time until death."

The Qingxu Sect Sect Master only shook his head upon hearing this.

After chatting with Jiang Boye for a few sentences, the Qingxu Sect Sect Master stood up and left.

In the courtyard, Jiang Boye was left alone again.

He basked in the Sun, the empty courtyard accompanied by sunlight.

The sound of footsteps approached.

"Master." Lin Chao entered the courtyard.

Jiang Boye squinted his eyes, sniffed something, and his beard twitched: "So fragrant, I'm in for a treat today."

Lin Chao filled a bowl with chicken soup for Jiang Boye and also put the remaining chicken leg into the bowl.

The little old man ate without standing on ceremony; soon, the chicken leg was gnawed clean, and the chicken soup was finished.

"Not bad." After finishing, Jiang Boye showed a satisfied expression, "Your Hua Popo's craftsmanship is truly good."

"If Master likes it, why not let Hua Popo move over and cook for you exclusively?" Lin Chao took the opportunity to say.

Hua Popo was old, and doing Handyman work all the time was very tiring.

If she only had to cook for Jiang Boye, it would be much easier.

"Hmm, alright." Jiang Boye agreed without hesitation.

At this moment, Lin Chao thought of something and asked: "Master, are the Dao Soldiers of the Qingxu Sect really that powerful?

Is there anything I need to pay attention to when I go to guard the Dao Soldiers tomorrow?"

Some time ago, Lin Chao had a nightmare and seemed to have been targeted by a deity.

He had also developed the ability of night vision.

He was afraid that he would become a believer of "It" because of this.

In that case, his Literary Arts could no longer be cultivated, and he would be unable to control Dao Soldiers in the future.

This also meant that in this world, he would have one less path forward.

At the time, in order to figure this out, he had to probe his master for information to find a way to distinguish whether he was a believer of "It" or not.

That was to come into close contact with a Dao Soldier; if he felt a sense of resistance toward the Dao Soldier.

Then, he was a believer of the Venerable of Light.

Therefore, Lin Chao went to great lengths to find this job.

"The Dao Soldiers of the Qingxu Sect are controlled by the Sect Master and can suppress dozens of people. Would you say they are strong?"

"Do not touch a Dao Soldier before reaching the Nascent Soul realm, otherwise it will hurt you," Jiang Boye said.

"Thank you for the reminder, Master," Lin Chao noted it down secretly.

At this moment, Jiang Boye's expression suddenly became serious: "Do you really want to enter the Academy through me?"

Hearing this, Lin Chao answered earnestly: "Yes."

"It is still not too late to regret it now."

"This disciple will not regret it."

Lin Chao naturally knew of the grudges of the Gongshu School.

However, to him, this did not count for much.

Jiang Boye nodded: "Be careful, Sect Master's disciple Tan Kong might want this spot."

Lin Chao was slightly stunned upon hearing this.

Because tomorrow, he and Tan Kong would be guarding the Dao Soldiers of the Qingxu Sect together.

"Tan Kong is the son of the Chamber of Commerce president and has quite a bit of influence at home, so be careful."

After Jiang Boye finished his reminder, he lay on the recliner and quickly fell asleep.

Lin Chao carefully finished tidying up the things and exited the courtyard.

(End of this chapter)