A Sect from a Spirit Vein-Chapter 42 - 41: Meeting Zhou Chao Again

In an instant, Lu Qian’s mind was flooded with thoughts.

This place was already deep within Cangzhou, and he was completely safe. There was no need to hide anymore. Moreover, everything that had happened on this journey had confirmed that Master Xuan Ji was indeed trustworthy.

Lu Qian made a decision and was about to speak when he suddenly heard Jiang Baitao exclaim, "Look, that black-faced uncle is over there!"

The crowd turned their gaze and saw on the other side of the street, standing there was a notice board two meters high, and a black-faced man was arguing with someone under the board. Who else could it be if not Zhou Chao?

Unbeknownst to them, they had already arrived at the notice board and commission office of this Workshop District.

With many cultivators passing by, Lu Qian whispered, "Elder Zhou, once we return to the inn, I will definitely explain everything to you clearly."

Master Xuan Ji nodded. Suddenly, Zhou Chao was seen bowing and saluting repeatedly, while the cultivator in front of him shook his head and walked away.

The person in front of Zhou Chao turned out to be a Foundation Establishment Feather Scholar! Moreover, among the crowd gathered before the notice board, there were five or six Foundation Establishment Feather Scholars.

Lin Le sensed the surprised expressions on everyone’s faces and quickly explained, "Immortal Masters, the tasks and commissions listed on the notice board in this Fourth District are mainly aimed at Late-Stage Qi Cultivation and Foundation Establishment Stage, so Foundation Establishment Feather Scholars often appear here. And before the largest notice board and commission office at the Central Square, even Golden Core Masters are regular visitors."

Another Foundation Establishment Feather Scholar stepped before Zhou Chao, and Lu Qian and his group moved forward, blending into the crowd to observe.

They saw Zhou Chao pointing at a notice and speaking with a forced smile. Lu Qian looked closely and saw the notice read: "The Yuqing Zhou Family seeks a Foundation Establishment Feather Scholar for a single assistance in repelling a Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment opponent, with a reward of fifteen hundred Spirit Stones."

Lin Le was taken aback, whispering, "This price is way too low. To invite a Foundation Establishment Feather Scholar to act, I’ve never seen it less than four thousand Spirit Stones."

Sure enough, the Feather Scholar also shook his head vigorously. The surrounding cultivators began to discuss fervently.

"What’s the deal with this Zhou Family? Have they gone mad saving money? How dare they skimp on Foundation Establishment work?"

"Exactly, treating Foundation Establishment Feather Scholars like cabbage? You know asking a Foundation Establishment Feather Scholar to act bears huge risks; you might end up adding an enemy just to help, fifteen hundred Spirit Stones, I spit."

"Shh, I heard the Yuqing Zhou Family has been suppressed terribly by the Chaosheng Sect. In a couple of days, I doubt they could even bring out a thousand Spirit Stones."

...

Upon hearing these discussions, Zhou Chao’s expression grew more dejected. He tried hard to appear apologetic, but the Feather Scholar impatiently swished his sleeve and left.

Just then, another Feather Scholar stood before him and said, "So, you’re the son of Zhou Bing from the Yuqing Zhou Family, Zhou Chao, right?"

Zhou Chao looked surprised and the crowd fell silent.

"Senior, do you know me?"

The Feather Scholar stroked his chin, "I interacted with your father a few times when he was healthy. I once visited your home at Yuqing Mountain and discussed over tea with him. Back then, I saw you from afar."

Zhou Chao’s face was filled with ecstatic joy. He bowed deeply, his voice trembling, "Then, I implore you, senior, to consider our past relations and kindly lend us a hand this time!"

But the Feather Scholar’s reply felt like a cold splash of harsh reality: "Just a superficial acquaintance, we can’t talk about past relations. A mere fifteen hundred Spirit Stones won’t make me act. Think again what treasures your family might have. If you can scrape up four thousand Spirit Stones, I might think about it."

Zhou Chao stiffly straightened up and spoke with a bitter voice, "To heal my father’s wounds, all resources have been exhausted. My family only has some inherited cultivation technique secret manuals, maybe—"

"Do I look like I need cultivation techniques?" The Feather Scholar grew impatient, "If you have nothing, just stop wasting your time here."

Zhou Chao, out of nowhere, grabbed the sleeve of the Feather Scholar, pleading, "Senior, I beg you, if you could act just once, my entire Zhou Family would forever remember your great benevolence!"

A fleeting trace of anger flashed on the Feather Scholar’s face. With a flick of his sleeve, a flash of white light sent Zhou Chao crashing into the notice board behind him, tilting it thirty degrees.

He fell to the ground, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

"Without Spirit Stones, there is no benevolence or virtue," the Feather Scholar remarked coldly as he turned away, leaving a parting note, "I know you’re hiring a Foundation Establishment to counter the Sect Leader of Chaosheng Sect. Let me tell you, I heard Chaosheng Sect is recruiting forces and even got a Foundation Establishment as an Honored Guest Elder. Without Spirit Stones, why not go home early and prepare for the aftermath?"

Upon hearing these words, Zhou Chao seemed struck by lightning, remaining paralyzed on the ground, unable to get up.

The crowd burst into laughter and pointed fingers, yet Zhou Chao’s gaze was unfocused, seemingly oblivious.

The crowd laughed and chatted for a while, then slowly dispersed.

Left sitting dazed under the notice board, the black-faced man suddenly shook, covering his face with his hands, burying it in his knees, and sobbing aloud.

Lu Qian and his companions quietly observed for a while, Jiang Qingfeng sighed softly, Baitao gripped her sister’s hand tightly, and Master Xuan Ji shook his head repeatedly.

Suddenly, Lu Qian stepped forward, standing before Zhou Chao, his shadow cast over Zhou Chao’s figure under the sunlight.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou," he said in a deep voice, "lift your head."

Zhou Chao slowly raised his head, eyes red-rimmed as he took a moment to recognize the person before him.

He hastily wiped his cheeks, flustered as he spoke, "Ah, it’s... Fellow Daoist Qi. Rest assured, I won’t break my promise. I’ll return to the mountain and send people with the secret manuals..."

Lu Qian extended his hand to him, "You should stand first."

Zhou Chao froze, looking dazedly at Lu Qian, slowly clasping Lu Qian’s hand, struggling to stand.

Lu Qian said, "Since you’re the Young Master of the Zhou Family, you should be aware of the heavy responsibilities you bear. I heard your father is severely injured and likely unable to manage affairs, thus inviting adversaries to exploit the situation. At desperate times, one mustn’t lose faith and confidence. Remember, everyone’s hopes are now pinned on you alone. No matter how bitter your heart feels, you must remain as steady as a mountain. Such dejection will only invite ridicule."

Jiang Qingfeng gazed at Lu Qian’s figure, recalling the events of the journey, and her eyes suddenly became misty.

Zhou Chao listened dazedly, offering a bitter smile, "Fellow Daoist’s reprimands are true, but the current situation is chaotic and beyond salvation; I have no alternative."

Lu Qian shook his head, "Until the last moment, how can one easily speak of giving up? Trying all means possible, if it still doesn’t work, then death is the worst that can happen. What is there to fear?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chao’s body shook, his gaze gradually firming up, "Fellow Daoist is right. I’ll return to the mountain and muster my forces for a final fight, ensuring my Yuqing Zhou Family’s reputation isn’t tarnished!"

Lu Qian chuckled silently, "Who asked you to rush to battle? We are far from reaching that point yet."

Zhou Chao could sense there was more to his words and quickly asked, "How may Fellow Daoist Qi instruct me?"

Lu Qian gestured invitingly, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, shall we discuss it further at the inn?"