A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 141 - 120: Ten Years Past, Like Master Like Disciple (Part 2)

Just left with a phrase "hope to enter the path," and then ignored.

"Actually, Fifth Young Master just needs to be patient. Becoming a disciple of Ninghai Zen is not that easy. Look at that Bai... we'll see how he dies then.

The blood debts of the thirteen families are written off, but the four families that were exterminated will hardly let it go.

No matter how cleanly Ninghai Zen kills, there will always be some wandering souls... the deep roots of a great clan are beyond an outsider's imagination."

Upon hearing Lao Ou's comfort, Zhu Shou Rang's eyes revealed a few traces of vitality, as if reinvigorated:

"I was born with martial bones and am skilled in forging and weapon crafting as a Hundred Refinements Hand! That's why the Patriarch is willing to cultivate me! If I become a Master Craftsman, or even a Divine Craftsman, like Master Li, and make the Celestial Water Prefecture's nobility owe me favors! What's a mere... worth anyway!"

He ultimately did not say that person's name.

Because whenever he heard or saw the words "Ninghai Zen."

Zhu Shou Rang would think of his father who died with unresolved grievances, his depressed and melancholy mother, and the Patriarch's sullen face.

So he dared only to hate Ninghai Zen's disciple, not that figure in green clothes himself.

...

...

"... It's all Su Junwu's fault, he couldn't take losing, so he troubled your master."

He Jingfeng sat inside the house, recounting the events from ten years ago.

Though young, he was favored by his grandmother and mother, liked to be taken wherever they went, and because he attended banquets for over half a year, he knew many detailed facts.

"Ning... your respected master is not one to swallow grievances, he always takes revenge overnight.

Not even a day passed before Eldest Young Master Su and his Chief Steward were all dead.

Su Junwu usually enjoyed dog fighting and specifically bought two white lion mastiffs from Fengtian Prefecture as his treasured possessions, but they were gone too, truly leaving not even a chicken or dog behind.

Then the Han Family... then the indignant Mao Family, and the Fang Family who supported them.

None of the Seventeenth Lineage was left out, and the Zhu Family was naturally among them, but don't worry, Brother Bai, our He Family didn't get much involved, we don't have any grudges.

Moreover, the squabbles of the previous generation don't affect the relationships of us juniors.

The meeting between me and Brother Bai was truly love at first sight!"

He Jingfeng spoke sincerely, but Bai Qi didn't take it seriously. The trademark of the Seventh Young Master from the He Family was bullying the weak and fearing the strong. If it weren't for Tongwen Hall being such a solid backing and Ninghai Zen's fierce reputation, the two might not have even shared the same table.

"Seventeenth Lineage, wiped out four families, I didn't know the Instructor was so fierce before I apprenticed."

Bai Qi's face remained calm, but inside, ripples were stirring, and he was very grateful he hadn't planned to venture into the County City.

Otherwise, once the news spread, the challenges and dueling invitations could probably fill the old house at Erxian Bridge.

Ninghai Zen stated very clearly, within the same level, if there is conflict and rivalry, life and death are ignored; within the same generation, if there is enmity, life and death are one's own responsibility.

If the thirteen families really send some top-notch young expert, he would indeed have to accept the invitation and respond.

Otherwise, it would disgrace Tongwen Hall's reputation.

"That Zhu, why did he run from Yihai Prefecture to Wagang Village?"

Bai Qi returned to the main topic, lightly tapping his fingers on the table.

These high-born offspring of prominent families couldn't possibly all like experiencing rural life?

They were likely here on some errand or with a purpose.

"To apprentice under Li Yuan. I reckon the Zhu Family wants to make a move on Master Li's three kilns. They do government-backed mining and iron smelting and have always wanted to get involved in the big business of the Weapon Craftsman Guild, but have been blocked by the Zheng Family, unable to enter.

In the early years, Master Li relied on his high skills, had a falling out with the largest weapon forging shop in Yihai Prefecture, Hundred Victories, stormed out, and left for Celestial Water Prefecture.

Later, with the full support of the Zhu Family Patriarch, he established Hongming Shop, opened three kilns in Black River County, producing porcelain, bricks, and iron weapons.

My father was puzzled at the time, the Zhu Family being so stingy, actually willing to spend the family fortune to help Li Yuan establish Hongming Shop.

It turns out the Patriarch had long been planning, fattening it up, ready to enjoy the meat!" 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

He Jingfeng seemed well-versed with the inner workings of the thirteen families, grasping information effortlessly.

Bai Qi took an extra look at this Seventh Young Master of the He Family, genuinely feeling that being grouped with Zhu Shou Rang as a wicked little young master was truly an injustice.

If the Zhu ever had half the wit of He Jingfeng, he wouldn't publicly proclaim wanting someone's life.

Killing Ninghai Zen's disciple equals voiding the agreement between the thirteen families and Tongwen Hall.

No one could guarantee if the Instructor would re-enter Yihai Prefecture, unleashing a city-wide bloody storm.

Such stupid talk, transmitted to Zhu Family's main branch, surely wouldn't make them happy?

Conjuring trouble out of thin air!

Of course, one has a father and mother for good guidance, the other was raised by an old servant, subjected to many sneers.

Although both are from the main branch, their living conditions are vastly different.

"Your meaning is, the Zhu Family intends to use Zhu Shou Rang to scheme for Master Li's kilns?

But how to break Master Li's rule of accepting no more than three disciples?"

Bai Qi's tapping fingers paused, as if finding a breakthrough.

"It's estimated that some dishonorable methods were used. Master Li's young apprentice comes from a humble background, without any connections, so it's really not difficult to manipulate him.

If it were up to me, I'd have at least nine methods! Nine methods!

Moreover, the hearts of the Zhu Family are all tainted. That old master failed at pursuing the spiritual path and turned to martial arts instead.

As a result, his talent was far inferior to his brother, the biological father of Zhu Shou Rang, leaving his hold on the patriarch position unstable.

But who could have thought the second brother would suddenly die in the ring, allowing him to sit back and relax, becoming the rightful patriarch."

He Jingfeng curled his lips. Their He Family had never had any rumors of such brotherly strife.

"I feel that if Zhu Shou Rang didn't possess martial arts bones with a pair of Hundred Refinements Hands, the good fortune of apprenticeship might not have fallen on his head.

According to Uncle Yang's investigations, the Zhu Family spent quite a lot this time, even bringing out the rare personal writings of the Divine Craftsman. It's obvious they're willing to sacrifice much to ensure success.

Maybe it's not just the fire kiln..."

Following Bai Qi's guidance, He Jingfeng's thoughts soared, suddenly grasping at a thread.

A word flashed in his mind!

Divine Soldiers!

Could it be that the Zhu Family also caught wind of it and that Li Yuan's lifelong work, the Divine Soldiers, might finally be completed?

Otherwise, they wouldn't have gone to such great lengths to plead for a closed-doors disciple.

Bai Qi wasn't aware of these internal matters, but his eyes gleamed:

"The current situation is, the elder of the Zhu Family might not like Zhu Shou Rang much, and their relationship isn't deep.

Master Li may not really want to take this disciple, but the Zhu Family has pressured him, making it hard to refuse.

Your big brother needs to forge magical artifact roughcasts and would have to turn to the fire kiln here.

Thus, the He Family wouldn't be happy to see the Zhu Family taking over the Big Punishment Kiln either.

Zhu Shou Rang is quite unwelcome."

What does Brother Bai intend to do?

He Jingfeng's eyelid twitched. He was sharp and eager to learn from a young age, with a bit of cleverness, but the notoriety of being a wicked young master was largely due to his arrogant temperament and reluctance to show his intelligent side, competing for favor with his many elder brothers.

Therefore, the Seventh Young Master of the He Family effortlessly heard the deeper meaning behind Bai Qi's words.

It was cold murder intention mixed with a burning heart to kill.

Like a hidden undercurrent beneath a vast ocean, silently gathering strength.

"Brother Bai, the thirteen families are branches of the same tree..."

Bai Qi gently lifted his gaze, his calm eyes boring straight into He Jingfeng:

"I'll take action. You only need to do one thing, have your people keep an eye on those with the surname Zhu.

Young Master He, you and I hit it off from the first meeting, and you've paid visits with gifts multiple times.

This kindness, I've always remembered in my heart, so I'm thinking of doing something for you."

He Jingfeng's lips quivered twice:

"Kill someone?"

Bai Qi nodded:

"There are many ways to solve a problem, and removing the person causing it is one of them."

He Jingfeng felt a sudden chill in his heart. No matter what, Zhu Shou Rang merely looked at Bai Qi a little longer.

The subsequent friction, if put lightly, was just a peer rivalry sparring and far from a life-and-death feud.

Just a few words, and they want Zhu Wulang's life?

Isn't that a bit too extreme?

"Brother Bai, what do you plan to do?"

He Jingfeng straightened his expression. As long as his hands remain clean, the Zhu Family would have no grounds to blame the He Family.

Everything else was negotiable.

Zhu Shou Rang was killed by the apprentice of Ninghai Zen.

Would the Zhu Family's elder still dare to seek revenge?

They'd probably be eager to distance themselves from it!

"You make the invitation, and I'll do the deed, inviting him to a banquet."

Bai Qi pressed his hand on the edge of the round table, lifting his eyelids with a calm demeanor.

Sitting opposite him, He Jingfeng felt an even heavier chill in his heart as if seeing another figure in green robes.

How does that old saying go?

The apprentice resembles the master?

How true it is!