Chapter 25: Friend List (910)

Take me as your disciple?

Meeting Lu Zhiyuan's gaze, Fang Xu hesitated somewhat.

From yesterday's pill, Lu Zhiyuan's identity is certainly not as simple as it appears; behind him there should be a powerful and mysterious force.

Moreover, because of the Blood Food Shop incident, the Wu family has probably already begun to bear a grudge against him.

Taking Lu Zhiyuan as a master is not a bad choice.

Furthermore, Lu Zhiyuan, in front of so many prominent figures of Fenglin Town, did not hesitate to break his own oath to take me as a disciple; if I refused, it would be tantamount to making him lose face.

At the same time, offending the two martial masters of Fenglin Town would likely mean I could no longer stay in Fenglin Town.

"Young man, I'm terrified!"

"Greetings, Master!"

Having figured it all out, Fang Xu hastily bowed and performed the disciple-master ceremony.

Those at the table, seeing this, though still doubtful in their hearts, all rose and cupped their hands to congratulate Lu Zhiyuan.

"Congratulations, Brother Lu, on gaining a beloved disciple!"

"Brother Lu, double joy has arrived!"

"Congratulations, congratulations!"

……

Amid the chorus of flattery, Fang Xu also took his seat properly beside Lu Zhiyuan.

"Fang Xu, pour wine for the elders." After sitting down, Lu Zhiyuan smiled and said.

"Pour wine?"

Looking at the wine jug before him, Fang Xu's expression froze slightly, then he secretly rejoiced.

After Zhang Mingliang and his three attendants died, his friend list had only three left.

Now, the life value generated by Wang Erhu and his three companions is low; they will likely perish soon.

The friend list cannot be empty!

Glancing at the people present, Fang Xu happily discovered that, excluding himself, there were exactly seven!

Not bad! Not bad!

Just right to fill it up!

With a smile on his face, Fang Xu quickly rose and poured wine for the several people present.

But when he was about to pour wine for Lu Zhiyuan beside him, Lu Zhiyuan furrowed his brow, slowly moved his cup aside, and said, "As your master, I have long given up alcohol."

"Given up alcohol?"

Fang Xu blinked slightly, and the other few people at the table also looked at Lu Zhiyuan with some doubt.

"Father has indeed long given up alcohol; today let Qingluo offer a cup in his place to everyone." Behind Lu Zhiyuan, Lu Qingluo stepped forward, ready to take the cup and drink with everyone in Lu Zhiyuan's stead.

"Nonsense!" Lu Zhiyuan glared at him: "What alcohol should a girl drink?"

Having stopped Lu Qingluo, Lu Zhiyuan looked at Fang Xu and said, "This cup of wine, would you offer it on my behalf to everyone?"

Fang Xu hesitated a moment, then nodded slightly: "Yes, Master."

Filling his own cup, Fang Xu slowly raised it: "Elders, I, on behalf of Master Lu, offer this drink to you all, thanking you for your patronage."

"Nephew, you're too polite; in the future we will still need to rely on Brother Lu's continued care."

"Yes, yes, Brother Lu has taken over this blood food business; if he prospers in the future, he ought to look after us."

The several people raised their glasses in flattery; seeing the mood was right, Fang Xu glanced at Lu Zhiyuan, saw he said nothing, and then smiled and spoke.

"I dare say a few words on behalf of my master."

"Folks, after drinking this cup, we are all friends; we ought to look after each other from now on."

His words made everyone present very happy; they immediately echoed, "Nephew, you're right; we're all friends, bottoms up!"

After the wine in the cup went down, a virtual light screen popped up before Fang Xu.

Friend List (9/10)

Friend Four: Huangzhou Prefecture, Qinghe County, Fenglin Town, Qi San (68%)

Friend Five: Huangzhou Prefecture, Qinghe County, Fenglin Town, Guo Shun (71%)

Friend Six: Huangzhou Prefecture, Qinghe County, Fenglin Town, Hu Lin (69%)

……

The six names appeared one after another in his friend list.

Fang Xu saw this, overjoyed, was about to have another drink with them, when he suddenly noticed that the life values after the nine names in the friend list had all dropped by 3%!

This……

After a moment's daze, Fang Xu glanced at the few people.

"Nephew?"

Someone noticed Fang Xu's expression was off and shouted.

Fang Xu came to his senses and said apologetically, "Elders, please excuse me; I lost both parents in childhood and relied on my grandfather for survival. After my grandfather passed, I was alone, but fortunately Master Lu did not abandon me, took me as his disciple, and let me feel the warmth of home again. Hence I am moved."

Hearing his words, the several people burst into laughter.

"Brother Lu, such genuine nature in a nephew is truly rare!"

The other several people also nodded in agreement.

Amid such laughter and merriment, a banquet lasted two hours before ending.

Seeing off all the guests, Lu Zhiyuan summoned Fang Xu alone to the side room; master and disciple sat facing each other, and Lu Zhiyuan gazed at him with a faint smile, asking, "Do you have many doubts in your heart?"

Fang Xu nodded.

Lu Zhiyuan took a sip of tea and said, "Before that, as your master, I must first apologize to you."

Taking on a disciple, I didn't discuss it with you beforehand; bringing it up today in front of everyone does carry a hint of coercion.

Of course, as your master, I also need to thank you for saving my face in front of everyone.

Lu Zhiyuan stood up very sincerely and clasped his hands.

Fang Xu quickly rose to support him, saying, "Master Lu, what are you doing? You're killing me!"

Lu Zhiyuan grasped his hand and said gratifiedly, "This time taking you as my disciple, I do have ulterior motives, but I absolutely mean you no harm."

Now, voice the doubts in your heart.

Fang Xu fell silent for a moment, organized his thoughts, and said, "Master Lu, what exactly is that pill?"

Upon hearing that, Lu Zhiyuan's expression grew somewhat complex as he sighed, "That is one of the inheritances of my family, called Divine Attendant."

I observe that the Divine Attendant has already acknowledged you as its master; you should have also witnessed its marvelous uses.

The Divine Attendant has many marvelous uses; you will gradually discover them, and they will greatly benefit your future cultivation." Lu Zhiyuan said earnestly.

Fang Xu nodded.

"Master Lu, behind you..." Being able to possess such a pill as the Divine Attendant is enough to prove that the forces behind Lu Zhiyuan are very strong; Fang Xu wants to know exactly who he is serving now.

Upon hearing this question, Lu Zhiyuan remained silent for a long time.

If Master has something hard to speak of...

It's not that there's nothing unsayable; it's just that telling you now would only add worries." Lu Zhiyuan thought and then said: "Fang Xu, you only need to know that my sole ulterior motive in taking you as my disciple is that, once you become strong, you will be able to properly protect Qing Luo."

Protect... her?

His gaze fell upon the red-clad figure standing in the courtyard; Fang Xu took a deep breath, clasped his hands, and said, "Master Lu, rest assured, I will do my utmost to protect Senior Sister Qing Luo."

Seeing his agreement, Lu Zhiyuan nodded with relief, then smiled faintly and said, "As your master, I can see that you have secretly developed feelings for Qing Luo; I have no objection to this."

"Eh!" Having his little thoughts suddenly exposed, Fang Xu scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly and said, "Master Lu, I..."

Lu Zhiyuan waved his hand: "No need to be so formal; Qing Luo has high aspirations, and if you can win her heart, I would be pleased to see it come to pass."

Alright, go back and cultivate diligently.

This is a world where strength reigns supreme; only by continually growing stronger can you protect whatever you wish to protect." Lu Zhiyuan murmured.

This remark seemed to be spoken for Fang Xu to hear, yet also seemed to be spoken for himself to hear.

Fang Xu, seeing this, did not ask anything further, rose, performed a salute toward Lu Zhiyuan, and then turned and left.

After Fang Xu left, Lu Qingluo entered the room.

"Father, why did you deceive them today by saying you had quit drinking, and also stop me from accompanying those people in drinking?"

Lu Zhiyuan looked at his daughter with a somewhat solemn expression and said, "Father divined last night that today is unsuitable for drinking."

Lu Qingluo's face showed disbelief, as if she could hardly believe this explanation.

"Qing Luo, cultivate diligently; the soul of the Bai Ze also possesses the effect of averting misfortune and inviting good fortune; our lineage must not neglect the root and chase after trivialities."

Lu Qingluo pursed her lips and nodded, saying, "Daughter understands."

In order not to keep the big shots waiting too long, future updates will be posted after midnight.

Seeking recommendation tickets, seeking monthly tickets, seeking continued reads.

(End of chapter)