Chapter 86

Is Old Master Wang at home?

A shout startled the few people eating and chatting in the hall, and Wang Lin told those nearby, "Daoist, keep eating; I'll go outside to see who's looking for me."

As he spoke, Wang Lin stood up to go out, but before he could take a few steps, a young master came in from outside and told the servants following him, "Hurry and bring all the outside things inside!"

Moments later, several servants began carrying precious items one by one from the carriage waiting outside the courtyard.

There were silks, medicinal herbs, pork...

Most were useful treasures for everyday life, not just ornamental objects meant to be admired but not used, showing the giver's consideration.

Wang Lin exclaimed in shock, "Master Dai, what are you doing? Why bring these things here? Or take them back quickly—I feel ashamed to accept them!"

After saying that, Wang Lin hurried forward to stop them, but several servants put the carried items in the corner of his hall; to his eyes, they were things he could use but could not afford to buy, and would hate to actually use.

"Old Master Wang, what do you mean by feeling ashamed to accept? Your family saved my life!"

Dai Zishang quickly stepped in front of Wang Lin to stop him from halting the servants moving the gifts; seeing Wang Lin open his mouth as if to speak, he spoke first:

"Old Master Wang, when I was in the county town, I heard that your grandson was attacked by an evil cultivator; fortunately, an immortal official intervened and resolved the evil cultivator that had been harming our Qingyang County—is your grandson alright?"

"What immortal official?"

Zhang Guanhua looked puzzled, about to explain, but their family's Ping'an had almost been killed by the evil cultivator; the one who saved Ping'an was not an immortal official, but Daoist Qingchen—more precisely, it was the thunderbolt talisman that Daoist Qingchen left for their family's Ping'an.

Just as Zhang Guanhua was about to explain, Wang Lin interjected, "Master Dai, you're correct; this time we owe it to the immortal official—if he hadn't happened to pass by and dealt with the evil cultivator who kidnapped our Ping'an, our Ping'an might have lost his life."

After saying that, Wang Lin quickly gave Zhang Guanhua a look; he hadn't forgotten the recent discussion between Daoist Qingchen and Immortal Official Luo.

Immortal Official Luo had paid a price to gain fame for defeating the evil cultivator.

He naturally could not undermine Immortal Official Luo and Daoist Qingchen's efforts!

Zhang Guanhua wore a strange expression; although she didn't understand why her old man was speaking nonsense, his gaze conveyed that she still understood.

The words on the tip of her tongue had to be swallowed back!

"It's good that he's safe, it's good that he's safe; I was really worried on my way here that your Ping'an might meet with misfortune."

Hearing this, Dai Zishang breathed a sigh of relief, took a silk pouch from his pocket, opened it, and poured out an ancient-looking jade pendant, which he handed over, saying:

"Old Master Wang, this is a talisman jade pendant we struggled to acquire; inside is a golden light talisman inscribed by a talisman master. Have your Ping'an wear it, and should he encounter evil cultivators again, it will effectively protect his life."

"Master Dai, this is too precious; I cannot accept it."

Wang Lin shook his head, preparing to refuse, but before he could finish speaking, Dai Zishang angrily interrupted:

"Old Master Wang, what do you mean by saying that? What's so precious about this broken jade pendant? No matter how precious it is, can it compare to my life? Your family saved my life, so please take it!"

A servant carrying the gifts who came up behind interjected:

"Sir, for this jade pendant our young master was severely scolded by our old master; don't let his good intentions go to waste."

"You wretch, do you even have the right to speak here? Hurry up and move the things!"

Dai Zishang cursed, then kicked that servant, though not hard; after the servant left, he continued speaking:

"Old Master Wang, if you disdain this jade pendant, I'll go home and get you an even more precious treasure!" Saying this, Dai Zishang turned and was about to leave.

Seeing that Dai Zishang wasn't joking, Wang Lin hurriedly shouted, "No, no, no… Master Dai, can I accept it?"

Upon hearing this, Dai Zishang gave a hehe laugh, while handing the jade pendant to Wang Lin, he boasted:

"Old Master Wang, I'm not bragging—if your grandson wears this jade pendant of mine, from now on not only evil cultivators but even demons and monsters would dare not trouble your Ping'an; this is a top‑grade treasure!"

"Master Dai, I don't even know what to say!"

Wang Lin gave a wry smile, took the jade pendant from Dai Zishang, and immediately placed it around his grandson Ping'an's neck—although Ping'an already wore a safety talisman given by Immortal Official Luo.

But these are all life‑saving treasures; how could a grandfather begrudge his grandson having too many protective items?

Zhang Guanhua interjected, "Master Dai, haven't you eaten? If you don't mind our simple fare, why not join us for a bite?"

She, who believes a drop of kindness must be repaid with a spring, loves this most—especially since it is a life‑saving gift for her precious grandson.

Her gaze at Dai Zishang was nothing but satisfied.

"Ding! You have obtained a golden‑light jade pendant. Congratulations on earning the rewards: skill: Carving 【Beginner】, golden‑light talisman 【Beginner】!"

A mechanical, cold voice echoed in his mind, startling Wang Ping'an, who lay in the cradle practicing the 'Nurturing Sword Classic'.

You have reached this novel.

He never expected that this time he would separately obtain a skill and a talisman.

Unfortunately.

Whether it's the carving skill or the golden‑light talisman, he currently cannot use them and has no way to employ them.

Deep down, his yearning to grow up quickly surged once again!

"Not picky, not picky—I'm easy to feed, I have no food taboos, I can eat anything!"

Dai Zishang gave a hehe laugh, not minding either; the food on the table had already been eaten, he waved his hand and shouted to the servants moving the gifts, "All right, the things are moved—you can go back now!"

"Young master!"

One servant looked troubled.

Dai Zishang snorted dissatisfiedly and snapped, "Really, it's just that he slipped and fell into the river once—is it necessary to be so anxious? All right, all right, I'll admit I'm afraid of you; wait for me outside, okay?"

Only then did the servant remain silent and continue moving the gifts.

Not long after.

Daoist Qingchen waited for Wang Lin to bring a chair for Dai Zishang, added a set of bowls and chopsticks, glanced at Dai Zishang with a playful look that made him feel seen through, and said with a smiling squint:

"Sir, you truly have talent—you've done something that ordinary people dare not do, a grave act of defiance!"

(End of Chapter)