“What is this situation?”
Lu Zheng was completely stunned. Was there really such a huge difference between becoming a disciple of Rizhao Temple and becoming one of Pure Yang Palace?
Why?
Lu Zheng did not understand, but he was deeply shocked. Regardless, these thousands of strands of destiny light were certainly real.
“Moreover, more than two thousand, nearly three thousand strands?” Lu Zheng looked at Li Lingyu in disbelief. Was this fellow’s potential and destiny really that strong?
And was this destiny gained or lost? Damn it, what if it was lost? Would it cause him to die young?
The sudden harvest was so overwhelming that Lu Zheng felt uneasy and a little anxious.
“Excellent, excellent!”
With the apprenticeship ceremony complete, Lin Yi could not help laughing heartily. His gaze toward Li Lingyu grew ever more satisfied, and when he looked at Lu Zheng, his eyes were full of appreciation.
“It is nearly noon. Honoured immortals, shall we take luncheon first?” Li Keming suggested from the side.
“Good!” Lin Yi nodded in agreement.
…
During lunch, everyone finally decided that Lin Yi would take Li Lingyu away. From now on, the boy would return home once a year and, at the same time, visit Rizhao Temple to seek instruction from Jinye Zen Master and continue his Buddhist cultivation.
After all, formal entry into a sect required proper form. As a direct disciple of Pure Yang, how could he remain outside the sect for long periods?
Lu Zheng’s eyes flickered. At last, he understood the difference between joining Rizhao Temple and Pure Yang Palace.
If he had joined Rizhao Temple, Li Lingyu would probably have come home often, perhaps even cultivating at home the whole time. If something unexpected were to happen…
Lu Zheng glanced around, scanned the surroundings of the Li residence, then asked, “The Buddhist and Daoist lights from the Li family shine straight into the heavens. Will this not attract the covetous eyes of ill-intentioned people?”
“So what if it does?” Liu Zong shook his head. “The suppressor of anomalies in Wei Province is no weak cultivator. If a truly powerful figure appears, it will not escape her notice. As for ordinary heterodox beings, if they dare show their skills at the Li residence, they will have to see whether they can withstand Pure Yang sword qi and Great Sun Buddhist light.”
“I see…”
Lu Zheng nodded and said no more.
After all, nothing had happened yet. Talking about it was pointless.
But now that Li Lingyu was gone, it was uncertain whether the Li family would still suffer as innocent bystanders. Moreover, it might not even be because of these lights. After all, once Li Lingyu’s cultivation matured, he would also venture out to sea.
…
Though they had not witnessed a magical contest between Jinye Zen Master and True Person Lin Yi, this trip had certainly been worthwhile for Lu Zheng.
Jinye Zen Master and Xingfeng Zen Master stayed at the Li residence for a few more days, discussing the Dao and Dharma with Lin Yi and Liu Zong, while also offering considerable guidance to Lu Zheng, Ao Qi, and the other three.
The three women gained much from it.
Additionally, Xingfeng Zen Master played another game of chess with Lu Zheng, naturally resigning mid-game, then humbly sought advice. After gaining some insights, he even gave Lu Zheng private instruction.
…
The third day.
Jinye Zen Master was still lecturing Li Lingyu on Buddhist methods. Ao Qi was seeking chess instruction from Xingfeng Zen Master. Lu Zheng, Shen Ying, and Yan Hongxia had gone out shopping together.
As for Liu Zong, while enjoying the Li family’s offerings, he was instilling in Li Lingyu the idea that Tiandun Sect and Pure Yang Palace were like one family, trying to lure the boy into joining Tiandun.
“Senior Liu is quite amusing. Whenever he has nothing to do, he teases the child,” Shen Ying said with a laugh.
“But the results are not what he hoped for,” Lu Zheng could not help laughing too.
When Li Lingyu learned Liu Zong’s intentions, he asked with great concern whether everyone in Tiandun Sect was a beggar, and whether they could eat their fill and sleep well each day.
The demeanour of a great master meeting a child was truly like casting flirtatious glances at the blind, and it even backfired, leaving Liu Zong speechless for a long while, unsure how to respond.
Yan Hongxia listened to the pair’s conversation with quiet chuckles. The image of a renowned master of Tiandun Sect being teased by a child was indeed entertaining.
After exchanging a few words with Lu Zheng, Shen Ying turned to Yan Hongxia. “Hongxia, when Senior Lin Yi takes Li Lingyu back to Pure Yang Palace, will you and Miss Ao return with us to Tonglin County?”
Yan Hongxia considered, then shook her head. “No, we will not. Ao Qi and I originally planned to tour the Northern Domain. Now that we are in Haitian Dao, we will head north from here.”
Shen Ying frowned. “The great demons of the Northern Domain are not friendly to our Great Jing.”
Yan Hongxia smiled. “Is Ao Qi not with me? Besides, the conflicts between Northern Domain great demons and the Central Plains dynasties are mostly over population, land, and incense. They are not a monolithic bloc. I am not an official of the court. As long as I am careful, there will be no trouble.”
Shen Ying nodded. “I know, but the great demons of the Northern Domain are often domineering and ferocious. You must still be cautious.”
Yan Hongxia laughed. “Of course!”
The three chatted as they strolled. When Yan Hongxia had gone to the East Sea to deliver her letter, and when Lu Zheng and the others returned from the East Sea, they had passed through Wanghai Dao, south of Haitian Dao. The customs, specialities, and scenery of the two regions differed in many ways.
So the three enjoyed their wanderings. Yan Hongxia bought some snacks. Shen Ying bought some local silk fabrics. Lu Zheng saw an unusually shaped seashell that was very beautiful and bought it to use as an ornament at home.
As noon approached, knowing the Li family had prepared lunch, the three began strolling back.
Soon, after turning several corners, they reached the main street from which the Li residence was visible. The street was bustling with people brushing shoulders, lively and noisy, filled with voices. There were common folk, wealthy merchants, pedlars, children, and scholars.
“This Wei Province capital feels even livelier than Yi Province,” Lu Zheng remarked.
“I hear that beyond Wei Province lie two countries and three islands, with frequent trade and travel. Of course it is lively,” Shen Ying replied.
Yan Hongxia’s eyes glinted as she smiled and added, “So there are plenty of pickpockets too.”
The three saw it clearly. A man dressed in silk like a wealthy merchant sat alone at a roadside tea stall. A child of about eleven or twelve, wearing tattered clothes, quietly approached from behind, easily unfastening the man’s money pouch from his belt without the man noticing.
The child slyly removed the pouch, even made a face behind the man’s back, then turned to leave.
But the moment he turned, he found a woman in red standing in front of him.
“Eh?”
The child froze, his eyes narrowing. He quickly ducked, trying to slip past the woman.
Yan Hongxia grabbed the child’s hand and casually took back the money pouch.
“I…”
“Stealing is wrong,” Yan Hongxia said mildly, then handed the pouch to the man, who had turned to inquire.
“Thank you, thank you!” The man hurriedly thanked her and took it. “I never expected this little thief nearly stole my pouch! Thank you, miss!”
“No trouble. Be more careful in future,” Yan Hongxia said.
“Yes, yes, yes!” The man thanked her again, left three copper coins on the table, and hurried away from the tea stall.
But watching the man depart in haste, Lu Zheng narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.
