Chapter 61: Magical Past Events (3)

“What do you mean, it’s him?” My master was confused, but Old Li was even more extreme. Without explaining anything, he simply set my master down again and said, “Wait here. Do not go anywhere.” Then he went back to his work.

My master was baffled. This person was far too domineering. Do not go anywhere, but what about cattle herding today? If he did not herd cattle, he would have nothing to eat.

At this moment, Elder Zhao walked over and said to my master, “Jiang Xiao’er, just stay. I will still pay you for today’s work, and I will even add extra. How does that sound?”

My master had not yet answered when the two refined young men walked over. The younger one smiled kindly at him and said, “My name is Chen Liren. Perhaps in the future you will be my junior apprentice brother.”

Chen Liren was about to say more when the older youth beside him interrupted.

“Liren, have you forgotten what Master said? Let everything follow fate. Do not use your own will to stubbornly control anything. Our thoughts are ours, but what this little Jiang brother thinks should be up to him. How can you arbitrarily decide for others?”

Then he gave my master a slight formal Daoist salute and said with apology, “After Master speaks with Little Jiang, everything will follow Little Jiang’s own wishes. You do not need to worry. My Master is usually unwilling to explain things in detail. I ask for your understanding.”

This overly formal manner of speech left my master stunned. Where did this city person suddenly come from? And now another scholar was apologizing to him, even talking about junior apprentice brothers?

“Oh right, my name is Li Lihou.” The more mature looking youth introduced himself again.

In truth, Li Lihou carried a persuasive, confident aura in his speech, while Chen Liren felt easy to get along with. My master’s impression of them was not bad, and with Elder Zhao’s persuasion, he agreed to stay.

However, when Elder Zhao heard words like junior apprentice brother, the way he looked at my master clearly changed.

My master did not think much about it. He was soon drawn to everything Old Li was doing in the courtyard.

At that moment, Old Li was drawing a strange symbol in the yard. The symbol was unusual, and in its center Old Li dug a small hole. After finishing the drawing, he casually tossed a piece of jade into it, then clapped his hands and said, “You may enter freely now. But remember to keep your mouths shut. Do not mention anything about me, and do not show even the slightest abnormal behavior. That thing is easy to deal with, but what is troublesome is its cunning nature. Do you understand?”

Everyone present, aside from my master, was from the Zhao family or their servants. After hearing this, they quickly nodded in agreement, though deep down they still felt a chill of fear. What kind of thing was this? And cunning too?

“Everything will be decided tonight.”

After saying this, Old Li gave no further explanation. Instead, he walked straight toward my master, looked at him deeply, and said, “Come with me.”

By this point, my master more or less understood that this man was not a bad person. On the contrary, he was likely a highly capable expert. Thinking of the hatred in his heart, my master did not resist and followed obediently.

The Zhao family had already prepared a clean side room for Old Li and his disciples. My master was brought into this room.

“I came here to find a disciple. You are the one destined to become my student. Are you willing?” Old Li asked as soon as he sat down, looking at my master.

“Do you truly have real ability?” At this point, my master had some doubts. There were too many frauds traveling the world, and even as a village cattle herder child, he understood this. Thinking of his own concerns, he asked this question with a mix of hesitation and expectation.

“My Master has great ability,” Chen Liren immediately said.

“Do not be rude,” Li Lihou added.

My master simply stared stubbornly at Old Li.

“Are you carrying a deep grudge?” Old Li did not answer his question, instead asking something unrelated.

My master was shocked, but quickly thought of a possibility and asked, “Did you hear this from the villagers?”

“Ridiculous. I do not know you, so where would I hear such things? Your brows carry killing intent, and there is a lack of blood color in your eyes. If not for a great hatred, what else could it be? Fine, so you still insist on seeing proof before becoming my disciple?”

“If you can avenge my parents for me, let alone becoming your disciple, I would even be willing to become your servant.” My master gritted his teeth and said what he truly felt.

He did not know why, but he felt a natural sense of trust toward this man. Normally in the village, my master was extremely cautious, afraid that Liu San and his henchmen might notice anything and ruin his plans. Yet today, he spoke so directly.

“I do not want servants or cattle. I want a disciple. Your revenge can wait until I finish my work here. Stay here if you want to see real ability.” After saying this, Old Li said no more.

He sat cross legged on the bed and soon became completely still, as if he had no breath at all.

Li Lihou took out a book from his luggage and quietly read beside him.

Only Chen Liren, being the younger one, quickly started chatting with my master.

With someone to accompany him, time passed quickly. Since my master was also considered a guest invited by Old Li, he even ate food he had never tasted before that day, fine dishes served by the Zhao family. The day passed in comfort and ease.

Old Li only woke up one hour after everyone had finished dinner. During the meal, the Zhao family repeatedly tried to invite him to eat, but Li Lihou stopped them, saying Master was in cultivation and must not be disturbed. This made my master increasingly curious. Sitting motionless for a whole day without eating or moving, perhaps he truly did have real ability.

After waking, Old Li only drank a cup of clear water and said, “Follow me. The ‘guest’ has arrived.”

He walked ahead, and my master and the three disciples followed closely behind. Li Lihou and Chen Liren naturally followed their Master, while my master simply wanted to witness real ability.

Old Li strode through the courtyard, heading straight for Zhao Young Master’s room.

The room was still lit. Faint voices could be heard from inside. Compared to other rooms, this one seemed unusually lively.

This was because the villagers slept early, usually resting soon after dinner.

Old Li stopped at the door and made a silence gesture to the three behind him. No one dared speak, and the courtyard instantly fell quiet. The voices from inside the room became clearer, but it was only the Zhao Young Master talking to himself.

“My father thinks I am ill and has invited someone to see this house. I do not know whether it is to exorcise spirits or drive out demons. Ridiculous.”

“I think it is most likely a fraud. He was making gestures in the courtyard all day and said something about settling things at night. When the time comes, he will claim we cannot see ghosts and cheat us out of money.”

“What if he is here to harm you? No, I must go to Father and have them drive him away…”

His tone suddenly became anxious, as if he was about to act immediately.

At that moment, Old Li kicked the door open and walked in calmly. Looking at the Zhao Young Master, he said, “Forget it. I do not blame you. You are deeply confused.”

The Zhao Young Master looked panicked but forced himself to stay calm and said, “What do you mean blame me? My family has treated you as an honored guest. We have not treated you poorly. If things succeed, you will not lack payment. Why are you targeting me?”

“I am not targeting you. I am saving you. You are truly foolish.” Old Li laughed and scolded him casually.

But the moment he finished speaking, Old Li suddenly widened his eyes and shouted loudly toward the space beside the Zhao Young Master, “How dare you!”

The sound was like rolling thunder. My master felt all the hair on his back stand on end. Chen Liren, however, only smiled. After spending the day together, they had already become somewhat familiar. He whispered to my master, “Master’s shout contains true power. Ordinary little spirits would already be scared to death.”

Li Lihou, on the other hand, stood silently with a serious expression.

At this moment, the Zhao Young Master seemed to see something only he could see. He shouted, “Shu’er, run! This old Daoist has ill intentions! I will protect you!”

“Fool! Then take a good look at what your Shu’er really is!” Old Li snorted coldly, took out a small bottle from his chest, opened the stopper, and threw the liquid inside toward the window.

His aim was extremely precise. The bottle contained a blood red liquid, which shot straight toward the window without a single drop wasted.

But when it reached the window, it seemed to be blocked by something. The straight stream of red liquid suddenly splattered to the ground.

At that moment, something shocking and frightening happened. A huge yellow weasel suddenly appeared on the windowsill, its fur stained with the red liquid, dripping down continuously.

“Wang Shu, yellow weasel, Shu’er, mouse child, fool, will you still not wake up?” My master shouted at the Zhao Young Master.

Only then did the Zhao Young Master snap out of it. He collapsed into a chair, his eyes still filled with disbelief.

After a moment, he suddenly rushed toward Old Li, grabbing his collar and shouting, “You evil Daoist! Evil Daoist! I knew you wanted to harm my Shu’er! You turned her into a weasel!”

Old Li did not explain. He simply pushed him away and said, “Seeing is not necessarily believing. Are you still so obsessed with beauty that you cannot wake up? Next time, no one will be able to save you.”

“Master, that weasel ran away. It is a lame one.” Chen Liren shouted immediately, clearly enjoying the chaos.

“This place has already been sealed by my formation. Nothing escapes. Follow me.” Old Li turned to leave, but the Zhao Young Master suddenly found strength from somewhere and grabbed him again, shouting, “Give me back my Shu’er!”

“Fine. If you want your Shu’er, I will return it to you. Come.” Old Li snorted, easily shook him off, grabbed his wrist instead, and walked straight toward the courtyard.