Chapter 2074: How to Tame the Rebellious Youth 23

Jin Chen and Ji Lai zhi naturally didn't follow the Sword Villa's group onward; Ji Lai zhi rarely left Green Cloud City, clinging to Jin Chen as they took mountain trails, setting out early so they could also enjoy the scenery along the way.

Not many days later, the two arrived outside Dark Green Prefecture City, and it was again evening.

"We'll travel again tomorrow; I see there's a Ke Zhan ahead in Zhu Lin—let's rest one night." Jin Chen still wore a plain white robe, head covered by a veiled bamboo hat; after days of travel he showed no trace of fatigue.

On the contrary, Ji Lai zhi looked a little wilted from the sun, and dressed like this by Jin Chen he resembled a handsome young noble who'd lost his way in the mountains.

"All right, then I'll go book a room." Ji Lai zhi dismounted, handed the reins to Jin Chen, pulled out his now bulging money pouch, and ran toward the Ke Zhan.

Jin Chen fell silent for two seconds.

【I think he'll get ripped off.】 Jin Chen said.

Who just walks into an inn hugging their money pouch like that?

【Heh heh, anyway you can afford it,】 Ling Gun Gun giggled a few times, 【Remember to save me two drumsticks when we eat~】

【……】 Jin Chen manually muted it.

Inside the Ke Zhan, the two youths crowded the counter, neither yielding to the other.

"Only one western chamber of the heavenly‑character‑sized rooms remains; you two young heroes can probably only have one each."

The proprietor's thumb rubbed the abacus beads to a sheen, eyeing the equally spirited youths before the counter, he smiled helplessly.

Ji Lai zhi flicked open Feng Yang's sword sheath with a finger, the dark cloud‑crane pattern on his sleeve brushing the counter: "Before this person arrived, I had already handed over the deposit."

He was born with a face so fair it could deceive ghosts and spirits; even his mockery now carried a chill, and he had copied Jin Chen's aura to perfection: "Don't you know first come, first served?"

Facing him, Feng Yang wore an orange‑red robe that blazed like fire, his brows swept up into his temples; hearing this, he let out a scornful laugh.

"Deposit?" Feng Yang flung out a deed stamped with the "Juxian Villa" seal.

"This room has been Feng Xuzi's since three days ago; my teacher's name is not something you deserve to hear."

He deliberately stressed the three characters "Feng Xuzi," and the hall immediately stirred, with everyone turning to look.

Ji Lai zhi suddenly found it ridiculous.

But Jin Chen wouldn't let him reveal his identity at will.

"I don't care who your master is—even if he were the Heavenly King himself, you can't take my room!"

Feng Yang's ears flushed red in an instant; he suddenly leapt up, the golden bell chess piece at his waist turning into twelve streams of light that shot straight at Ji Lai zhi's back heart, yet froze eerily in mid‑air three inches from his garment.

All that was seen was Ji Lai zhi flinging back half a cup of tea; the scalding droplets chained into an ice line, pinning the golden chess piece firmly to the beam.

Ji Lai zhi silently thought: Jin Chen doesn't let me casually strike to hurt people, but this guy moved first, so I can't be blamed.

The proprietor, seeing the two youths fighting, was unsurprised; he reversed his hand on the abacus and began calculating the losses.

At that moment, outside the Ke Zhan.

Feng Xuzi was performing a bow, respectfully saying: "Venerable, the Medicine King Old Mister has sent one batch of antidote to the Formless Office; Mo Hei also said you were already heading into Dark Green Prefecture's territory, so I took the liberty of bringing the medicine to you."

"Thank you." Jin Chen took the jade bottle, weighed it, and frowned, asking: "So much?"

Feng Xuzi: "The Medicine King said this is the first kind of antidote; there are twenty‑four pills in total, take one every three days, and if the poison acts up take five, until they're finished."

Then a few seconds of silence passed.

Feng Xuzi lifted his eyes in doubt, only to see Jin Chen ask again: "Is the medicine bitter?"

Feng Xuzi:???

Can't you avoid eating it just because it's bitter!

You're being overly indulgent toward that mysterious new disciple, aren't you?

Feng Xuzi tactfully said: "Venerable, good medicine tastes bitter."

Jin Chen hummed, tucked it into his sleeve, and said: "It's fine to take it with honeyed preserves."

Feng Xuzi: "…" Huh.

Boom—

The Ke Zhan's door was suddenly smashed to pieces.

Jin Chen glanced sideways and saw Ji Lai zhi chasing Feng Yang out, actually wielding a long halberd.

"Master!!!" Feng Yang bellowed loudly; he really couldn't win, and he still bore a bruise from being punched.

He dashed up to Feng Xuzi in a flash, wailing: "I got beaten! That person doesn't know gratitude, and even stole my heavenly‑character‑sized room!"

Feng Xuzi gave a low cough: "In the Venerable's presence, no rudeness!"

"……Burp!"

Feng Yang startled, retreated three steps, bowed and said: "Junior Feng Yang pays respects to the Grand Master Venerable."

Jin Chen gave a meaningful look toward the approaching Ji Lai zhi, then said softly to Feng Yang: "No need for excessive courtesy."

Only then did Feng Xuzi ask: "Which junior could have beaten you like this? To be so arrogant while out and about…"

As he spoke, he glanced at Ji Lai zhi strolling over leisurely, and couldn't help but scrutinize him further.

Jin Chen: "My family."

Feng Xuzi shuddered.

Feng Yang jerked his head up, shocked to see the arrogant boy completely shed his overbearing demeanor, now leaning toward the Venerable's embrace as if aggrieved.

"He hurt me badly." Ji Lai zhi lowered his long halberd, turned his head and rubbed his shoulder against Jin Chen's, letting out a long sigh.

"This guy even said his master is… Xuzi; I'm not even worthy to hear his name."

Feng Xuzi: ……

Feng Yang gulped, swallowing his saliva.

My fate… is over.

Before Feng Xuzi could react, Feng Yang lunged to the ground and clung to his thigh.

"Master! I was wrong! I didn't know this person is the Venerable's newly accepted mysterious disciple!"

Ji Lai zhi lowered his gaze, assumed they were both members of the Formless Office, and generously patted his sleeve.

Sigh, just forget it. From now on, keep your eyes peeled; when you're out and about, don't casually challenge your master—what if you can't beat them?

Feng Yang: ……

My master is already the toughest in the martial world!

Who made me run into you, unlucky as I am today?

Jin Chen grabbed the excited, buzzing boy with one hand, lightly pinched the back of his neck, and said, "Just a moment ago you were shouting about hunger, and now you've got the energy to fight?"

Ji Lai Zhi, realizing this, slumped again, leaning sideways into Jin Chen's embrace, afraid of being scolded.

No strength left, not a bit—hug me.

After the meal, Jin Chen and Feng Xuzi discussed matters; Ji Lai Zhi and Feng Yang, who had only just met after a fight and were about the same age, quickly hit it off.

After hearing Feng Yang's explanation, Ji Lai Zhi realized they were considered half-members of the Formless Sect.

Feng Xuzi is the head of the Inquiry Heart Studio; using chess to discuss the Dao can both strike at the heart and serve as a deadly weapon.

The Inquiry Heart Studio is a branch of the Formless Sect located within Azure Prefecture.

Feng Yang tossed peanuts into his mouth one by one, saying, "You don't even know—the news about accepting disciples was personally released by the Venerable; even the Formless Sect and all its branches know about it."

Ji Lai Zhi tried to stay composed, but couldn't hide his joy, curving his eyes into a smile and saying, "Like this."

Feng Yang glanced at him and involuntarily sat up straighter; no wonder he's the Venerable's disciple—aside from a short temper, he's just as composed and restrained as his master.

At this moment, Ji Lai Zhi felt turbulent currents surging in his heart:

Jin Chen's promise is truly the most reliable in the world!

Why isn't the conversation over yet? I want to go up and stay with Jin Chen.

I certainly don't want to stay here and keep company with the kids.

Just then, Feng Yang chimed in with another gossip: "It's strange, actually—the Venerable never took on disciples before, but he took notice of the Martial Arts Alliance's Du Gu Wen; the Alliance had even prepared the apprenticeship ceremony, yet Du Gu Wen still didn't pass the final trial."

In the end, the Venerable only promised to occasionally guide Du Gu Wen—what secret technique do you have, and what is that final trial? Yet you just passed it like that.

Ji Lai Zhi: ……Oh?

He narrowed his eyes: "Du Gu Wen almost became Jin Chen's disciple."

No wonder the Martial Arts Alliance stayed at Sword Manor for so long!

Du Gu Wen still shows up at the Observing Cloud Courtyard every now and then!

He didn't even notice that someone was trying to steal Jin Chen!

Ji Lai Zhi glanced sideways, seeing Feng Yang full of curiosity, his tone Youyou: "If you don't believe me, I'm different from everyone else."

"It's Jin Chen who wants to become my master."

Although the one I can't leave now is myself.

Ji Lai Zhi didn't have time to notice Feng Yang's stunned expression, turning and pattering upstairs.