Chapter 235: Linjiang City
"Get up."
As Chu Feng spoke, he casually tapped Chen Qianqian's body. In an instant, she was completely transformed. The dirty and disheveled little beggar girl suddenly became a budding beauty.
"Thank you, master."
Chen Qianqian stood up, looking at her master with admiration all over her face.
Chu Feng took out a jade slip from his storage ring and casually inscribed within it a low-grade cultivation technique he had once read. He then tossed it to the escort leader.
"Inside is a technique that can be cultivated up to the Heaven Origin Realm. From now on, these little beggars will be in your care. Of course, you may choose not to take care of them, but I believe many people would be willing to care for these little ones on my behalf."
Upon hearing this, the escort leader immediately bowed and said respectfully, "My lord, I am willing to care for these little ones and take them in as adopted sons, treating them as my own. If I go back on this vow, may I be struck by five bolts of lightning."
Chu Feng chuckled and said, "No need for oaths. Since you've accepted this matter, you're now tied by karma to my disciple. Within ten years, she will become a Heaven Origin Realm cultivator. You should understand the consequences if you neglect your duty."
The escort leader quickly replied, "Please rest assured, my lord. As long as I live, I will never allow my adopted sons to suffer even the slightest grievance."
Chu Feng said nothing more and simply turned to Chen Qianqian. "Go say your farewells. We depart in half an hour."
"Yes."
Chen Qianqian responded and then ran toward her younger brothers and sisters. After spending more than a year together, they had already become a family.
Now that they were about to part, she couldn't help but feel a bit reluctant.
The monk Du'e glanced at Chen Qianqian, then at Chu Feng. Many thoughts swirled in his mind, but he didn't know what to say. He could only report the matter to the Buddhist sect as soon as possible and let the high monks handle it.
As someone in the Heaven Origin Realm, he was not qualified to handle affairs involving such a powerful figure.
Half an hour later, Chu Feng took Chen Qianqian and left in a horse-drawn carriage, disappearing from everyone's sight.
Monk Du'e said to the young monk Xiao Wu beside him, "Let's go. It's time we return to Nanwu Temple."
Xiao Wu nodded, "Yes, master."
The escort leader also led the group of little beggars away from the rundown temple. He never imagined that this trip would end with him obtaining such a treasure.
However, this cultivation technique was not necessarily a good thing for him at the moment. If word got out, it would undoubtedly bring a fatal disaster.
He swept his gaze across everyone present and asked, "Everyone, do you have dreams of cultivating immortality?"
All the escorts and beggars replied in unison, "Yes."
The escort leader said, "Before, we didn't have the opportunity to cultivate. But now, with the technique given by that lord, and with Miss Chen having become his disciple, it means we have the chance to found our own sect and become cultivators. I want to ask—are you willing to gamble on a future with me?"
The best way to rally support was to paint a grand vision and offer real benefits. Everyone present had seen the power of cultivators, and now that they had a chance to join their ranks, they naturally didn't want to miss it.
"We are willing!"
The escort leader nodded slightly. "Then after we finish this escort mission, we'll begin preparing to establish our own force. But remember—this opportunity we've received must not be revealed to anyone!"
Everyone replied, "Understood!"
…
Three months later.
Linjiang City, in a private courtyard at Longmen Inn.
At noon, Chu Feng walked out holding a scroll in his hand. He yawned and knocked on the Golden-Winged Eagle King's door.
With a creak, the door opened.
The Golden-Winged Eagle King looked at Chu Feng with a puzzled expression and spoke in a low voice, "Brother, what do you want from me?"
Chu Feng handed him the two-volume Nirvana Sutra in Sanskrit and said with a serious expression:
"Here's the Sanskrit scripture you asked for. If you still can't comprehend the true essence of the Buddhist path, just go back to the academy. And if anyone asks in the future, don't say you got the scripture from me. I can't afford to lose face like that."
The Golden-Winged Eagle King closed the door, casually set up a light formation, and then carefully unrolled the scripture.
A Buddhist radiance emanated from the scroll. One by one, Sanskrit inscriptions flew out from within, circling around the Golden-Winged Eagle King.
"These… these Sanskrit inscriptions carry the true essence of the Great Dao..."
Chu Feng gave him a disdainful look. "It's not your first time seeing it. Why are you still so shocked? Anyway, I stayed up all night—I'm going back to catch up on sleep."
"Don't worry. I won't let you down. Within half a year, I'll definitely comprehend the true essence of the Buddhist path. If I can't, you can use my head to go with your wine."
The Golden-Winged Eagle King made a solemn vow.
Chu Feng rarely saw him so serious. He patted the Golden-Winged Eagle King on the shoulder.
"Alright. I'm counting on you."
With that, he turned and left the room, returning to his own quarters.
Two and a half months ago, they had arrived in Linjiang City. At the time, Chu Feng had just finished writing a Tao Te Ching in the form of a Daoist scripture for Bingyan, so he decided to stay in the scenic Linjiang City to write the Sanskrit scripture the Golden-Winged Eagle King had requested.
One Tao Te Ching, plus a volume of Buddhist scripture, added four points to his comprehension of the Great Dao.
It gave Chu Feng a sudden impulse to continue writing scriptures as a method of cultivation. But in the end, he gave up on the idea. As the saying goes: it's easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but hard to return.
If casually guiding a disciple could help him break through, why bother going through the thankless task of writing?
Writing a Daoist Tao Te Ching was more exhausting than killing a Half-Saint, and as for the Sanskrit scripture—it nearly cost him his life just to finish one scroll.
Right now, Chu Feng just wanted to relax for a few days. As he was thinking about where to go to unwind, little Chen Qianqian came running out from her room.
"Master!"
Chen Qianqian bowed respectfully to Chu Feng.
Chu Feng walked up and gently patted her on the head. Seeing how she had gone from withdrawn to cheerful and lively, he truly felt happy from the bottom of his heart.
"Qianqian, where do you want to go today?"
"Master, I heard there's a Dragon King Festival in Linjiang City today. I want to go watch the festivities!" Chen Qianqian looked up at him with eager eyes.
Chu Feng said, "No problem. Go call Elder Bing."
"Mhm, I'll go call Master's wife!"
Before Chu Feng could grab her by her braid and scold her, Chen Qianqian dashed off with her little legs toward Bingyan's room.
As she ran, she shouted, "Master's wife, Master's wife! Let's go see the Dragon King Festival together!"
Chu Feng watched the scene unfold and smiled helplessly. This little girl was becoming more and more unruly. It was probably time to give her some assignments—let her experience the kind of pressure she should be shouldering at her age.
"Alright."
Bingyan's voice rang out as she opened the door and stepped outside. Her gaze fell on Chu Feng, and she asked, "Did you finish writing the Sanskrit scripture, young master?"
Chu Feng replied, "Yes, it's done. Brother Diao is reading it now."
Bingyan nodded slightly, then took Chen Qianqian's little hand and walked over to Chu Feng's side.
Chen Qianqian reached out and grabbed Chu Feng's hand as well. The three of them walked out together, looking just like an ordinary family of three.
After walking a few steps, Chen Qianqian tilted her little head and asked, "Master, why do other couples call each other husband and wife, but you and Master's wife still call each other young master and young lady?"
Hearing this, Bingyan's cheeks flushed red. She shyly turned her head to look at Chu Feng, her eyes shimmering with expectation…
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