Chapter 96: Buying Land

Old Mr. Wang, I came this time to find a good place for your grandson; I heard from the third steward that your family does not intend to let your grandson study for the imperial examinations, but instead plans to have him become a Daoist to learn skills.

Luo Taiqing said: "Old Mr. Wang, do you know our Luo family's situation?"

Wang Lin's expression grew more bewildered; he did not understand why his family's Ping'an studying Daoist arts had anything to do with the Luo family, and he said:

Luo Sir, your words—your Luo family's great reputation is known throughout Qingyang County; everyone knows it.

It seems, Old Mr. Wang, you still aren't clear about our Luo family's situation; our Luo family moved down from the prefectural city a hundred years ago, and the Luo family there is a Daoist cultivator clan with many accomplished practitioners.

Saying this, Luo Man paused, gave Wang Ping'an a strange look, his face full of doubt; aside from being white and plump, he saw nothing different about him, and said:

I came this time at someone's request; he has taken a liking to your family's Ping'an and wants to take him as a disciple. Old Mr. Wang, what do you think?

He had studied Daoism since childhood, but lacking talent in that, he gave up after two or three years, then went on to study, yet could not pass the examinations, finally turning to martial arts and venturing out for several years.

Not only did he fail to make a name for himself, he also suffered society's beatings, and thus returned home dispirited to inherit the family business.

However, the several years of martial world experience, plus the experience of taking over the Luo family, gave him a keen eye, yet he still could not see anything extraordinary about Wang Ping'an.

He never expected that Luo Liang, who would not visit the Three Treasures Hall without cause, would bring another person from the Luo family's main branch to his door, ordering him to do something: to help Luo Quan take Wang Ping'an as a disciple.

During this time, he further assured him that if he could accomplish this, he would certainly receive his share of benefits.

He was greatly shocked; besides himself, someone else could actually see Wang Ping'an's extraordinariness, and moreover, it was those high-and-mighty disciples of the Luo family's main branch.

He would consider Wang Ping'an extraordinary because Wang Ping'an's father had placed third in the imperial examinations, and he believed in the saying 'Dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes, and rats' children will dig holes.'

In this situation, it so happened that his concubine gave birth to a daughter, which led him to consider arranging a childhood engagement between her and Wang Ping'an.

Unexpectedly.

The Wang family actually did not intend to let Wang Ping'an study for the examinations; he grew furious, secretly cursing the Wang family as short-sighted, and was about to abandon this marriage when he heard that Daoist Xuanqing had taken an interest in Wang Ping'an.

Preparing to take Wang Ping'an as a disciple!

This is why Luo Man was sent down again to discuss arranging a childhood engagement with Wang Ping'an.

Nowadays.

Wang Ping'an actually managed to attract even the high-and-mighty disciples of the Luo family's main branch, to the point of not hesitating to steal someone else's disciple—an act that would ruin his reputation if it got out.

Clearly, Wang Ping'an is more important than he imagined!

However.

He had looked over and over, yet he could not see any extraordinariness in Wang Ping'an at all.

"Could it be that I'm old and my eyes are failing?"

Luo Taiqing frowned slightly; he was reluctant to doubt his own eyesight.

Yet he trusted more in the keen eyes of the Luo family's main branch disciples; although they are all high-and-mighty, they are indeed capable.

The Luo family's main branch is not without its spoiled heirs, but those who pass the Immortal Official's examination and enter the Demon Suppression Office are without exception the elite disciples of the Luo family's main branch.

Don't look at the Luo family's main branch—their influence in the prefectural city is top-notch, yet resources are limited; it's impossible to cultivate all of the main branch's children into talent, so only the outstanding ones can be prioritized for training.

Wang Lin frowned slightly and said: "Luo Sir, the person you're talking about wouldn't be that Luo official of the Demon Suppression Office, would it?"

"Old Mr. Wang, how would you know?"

Luo Taiqing was first startled, then reacted, guessing that perhaps Luo Quan had proposed it, only to be rejected by the Wang family.

No wonder then that Luo Quan and Luo Liang had advised him to proceed slowly, without rushing him to settle this matter. Luo Taiqing corrected himself: "Old Mr. Wang, you are correct—it is indeed that Luo official serving in the Demon Suppression Office; he has taken a liking to your family's Ping'an, although I know your family's Ping'an has already become a disciple of Daoist Xuanqing."

"To put it bluntly, Daoist Xuanqing does have some ability, but it is limited—of course, I say this compared to other Dao cultivators; otherwise he wouldn't end up as the master of a rustic Daoist temple in these poor mountains and remote lands."

"Your family's Ping'an becoming his disciple will not amount to anything!"

Liu Dongzhu interjected: "Luo Sir, from the moment our family's Ping'an was born, I have never expected him to amount to anything; as long as he grows up safe and sound, I will be content!"

"Madam Wang, the problem is that your family's Ping'an may not even grow up safe and sound!"

Luo Taiqing's expression turned strange; it was the first time he had seen a mother who did not wish her child to amount to anything, and he wanted to lash out, but in his peripheral vision he saw Wang Lin and Zhang Guihua showing no reaction, realizing they might share the same view.

The words on the verge of being spoken were swallowed back!

Luo Taiqing corrected himself: "Of course, Madam Wang, I am not cursing Ping'an; rather, I have heard that this time evil cultivators would risk their lives to harm Ping'an's life, which shows how attractive Ping'an is to evil cultivators and even to demons and monsters."

"Daoist Xuanqing does have some ability, but how long could he protect your family's Ping'an from these evil cultivators, or even demons and monsters?"

Wang Lin exclaimed in doubt: "Luo Sir, do you mean that the Luo official can protect our family's Ping'an so that he grows up safe and sound?"

"That's only natural!"

This novel you have arrived at

Luo Taiqing's face full of arrogance, he said: "That Luo official serves in the Demon Suppression Office; the Demon Suppression Office's duty is to exterminate demons and monsters."

"Besides, behind him stands the Luo family; not provoking demons and monsters is already good enough—how would they dare to harm Ping'an?"

Wang Lin said nothing, but looked toward Liu Dongzhu.

Although he was somewhat moved, he knew better that Daoist Xuanqing had shown kindness to their family, and they could not possibly repay it with ingratitude.

However.

He deeply cared that his family's Ping'an grow up safe and sound.

Therefore.

For a moment he hesitated, unable to decide what to do.

"Luo Sir, I appreciate your good intentions, but I trust Daoist Xuanqing!"

Liu Dongzhu's heart stirred a little, but she still quickly rejected Luo Taiqing's proposal.

"Madam Wang……"

Luo Taiqing still wanted to say something when he heard Luo Man's voice from outside the courtyard; shortly after, Luo Man entered with Cheng Yong, walking briskly.

Cheng Yong enthusiastically said: "Luo Sir, I heard you were looking for me; I don't know what matter requires your esteemed presence."

Luo Taiqing said: "Village Chief Cheng, I want to buy a piece of land in your village!"

"This……"

Cheng Yong's face showed difficulty; he very much wanted to refuse, after all, fields are the family's livelihood and inherited treasure, unless there is no other recourse.

Otherwise, even if someone's head got caught in a door, they wouldn't sell their fields.

(End of chapter)