Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“It’s been hard on you these few days,” Lonemoon said as he looked genuinely apologetic. “I’m sorry for disappearing without notifying you first.” At the end of the day, they were the ones in the wrong. They caused Zuo Shuming to spend several days looking for them.
“Brother Lonemoon, please don’t worry about it.” Zuo Shuming really looked like he did not mind in the least. “I wanted to do this – it had nothing to do with you. What’s more, haven’t you been injured over the past few days? It’s normal that you did not get to inform me sooner.”
“…” Why was Lonemoon feeling even guiltier?
“You just joined the sect – have you been focusing on training these days?” He scanned him from head to toe and said, “I see that you have a three-elemental spirit root: Water, wood and fire. Your foundation is quite solid as well. I don’t think it’s going to be difficult for you to advance to Foundation Establishment. If you have any doubts, please don’t hesitate to come to me.” After all, he had trained Fatty, an all-rounded cultivator.
Zuo Shuming broke into a grin. Fellow Daoist Lonemoon was a Foundation Establishment cultivator before. Although his cultivation level had deteriorated, he was very familiar with training for Foundation Establishment cultivators. With his guidance, Zuo Shuming would have a much more straightforward journey of advancement. He cupped his fists. “Thank you, Fellow Daoist Lonemoon. I do have questions.”
“No worries – go ahead and ask them.”
The two of them chatted about training for a long time. Zuo Shuming naturally was not as talented as Fatty. There were a lot of things that he did not yet understand. The good thing was when Invincible Sect was first set up, Yu Hong and the others were not very well-trained as well. Lonemoon had experience training a total newbie. Zuo Shuming listened intently as Lonemoon answered all his questions. Perhaps there were many gaps in Zuo Shuming’s knowledge – the more Lonemoon explained, the greater Zuo Shuming’s spirit Qi seemed to get. Lonemoon believed that he would advance in terms of cultivation level in no time.
The two of them chatted for a total of four hours. It was almost noon by then. The master and disciple duo, who had been listening in hiding, had also retreated to their room to cook. Lonemoon realized it was time for lunch and ended the question-and-answer session.
“Let’s end here for today.” Lonemoon got to his feet. “If you understand everything I told you, the Foundation Establishment will not be difficult for you.” It was time for Lonemoon to return and steal some food.
“Thank you, Brother Lonemoon!” Zuo Shuming got to his feet as well and bowed toward Lonemoon, overwhelmed by everything he just heard. “I’m truly thankful to have received so much guidance from you.”
“That’s good.” Lonemoon smiled. They had already talked for four hours. If Zuo Shuming still did not understand what Lonemoon said, he must really be retarded. “I’m going back to my room then.”
“Take care, Brother Lonemoon.” Zuo Shuming walked Lonemoon to the door.
Lonemoon turned around and stepped out, but suddenly recalled something. He turned around and asked, “Do you really believe that my looks are different now because I fell off the spirit boat?”
Zuo Shuming paused, then smiled. He pondered for a while before saying, “I take you as a friend. I looked around anxiously for you, just so I could ensure your safety. Now that I know you’re safe, everything else doesn’t really matter.” He didn’t really care whether what Lonemoon said was true or not. He did not have to know.
Lonemoon looked at him with a different lens now. Zuo Shuming did not buy that lousy story that was filled with holes. He was just trusting in his own taste in friends. It turned out that Zuo Shuming was much more clear-headed than Lonemoon thought. It was no wonder that he managed to ascend so quickly before.
He was a fool indeed, but he was a fool that was trustworthy. Lonemoon was glad that he was the one he chose to help ascend to immortality. However, for his own sake, Lonemoon thought that it was best for Yu Hong to take Zuo Shuming in after he ascended again. Otherwise, even if he’s sold away in the future, he might help his own seller count the money.
Lonemoon sighed and walked out of the house. Just as he thought of going in to the house next door to have lunch, he discovered that there was a disciple from Gui Yi Sec, dressed in blue robes and walking toward him.
“Zuo Shuming! Is Zuo Shuming in?” He entered the yard and shouted out several times. He sounded quite impatient. In his hand, he held an accounts book.. His shouting caused several disciples to walk out of their houses.
“Is this an official from the outer sect looking for Senior Brother?” a disciple called out. “Why are you here? Are you going to issue a mission to our sect?”
“Don’t be so eager about yours for now. I’m here to look for someone called Zuo Shuming!” The man said.
“Senior Brother He?” Zuo Shuming recognized the man who came looking for him. He immediately walked out of the house, just behind Lonemoon. He cupped his fists and said, “Greetings, Senior Brother He. I wonder why you are looking for me?”
That cultivator with the surname He scanned Zuo Shuming from head to toe, full of contempt. “You’re the newbie named Zuo Shuming?”
“That’s right!” Zuo Shuming nodded.
Something flashed across the man’s eyes as he lowered his eyes to look at the accounts book. “From this day forward, you will be in charge of tending to the spirit field on the extreme north of the rear mountain! Every three months, you will hand in a batch of low-grade spirit herbs. Remember that you cannot hand in less than 50 stalks.”
“Plant spirit herbs?” Zuo Shuming stared blankly at him, not believing his ears.
Lonemoon, who had been listening by the side, frowned. He stepped forward. “Senior Brother, if I’m not wrong, no outer sect disciples will only be put in charge of tasks like harvesting spirit herbs. Since when were they also required to plant spirit herbs?”
“There are not enough people on the rear mountain planting spirit herbs. Of course we need the newbies to help out. What’s more…” The disciple named He cast another dirty look at Zuo Shuming and tutted. “I heard that you haven’t been training for the past few days. Instead, all you’ve been doing over the past couple of days is spreading false rumors outside the sect that you’re looking for a couple of friends. You haven’t even completed a single task properly. My Gui Yi Sect has no room for sneaky disciples. I’m giving you a chance to make up for your mistakes.”
Lonemoon frowned even more deeply now. Zuo Shuming had been wasting time looking for people, but the sect was only supposed to take account of all the tasks once every month. It had only been a few days since Zuo Shuming had been issued with a task. How could they use this reason to send him to plant spirit herbs in the field? This was too ridiculous, wasn’t it? Unless someone was out to get him on purpose. And this person could be none other than the invader.
“Senior Brother He, newly recruited disciples are not experienced enough to plant spirit herbs immediately. I’m afraid that’s not appropriate,” Lonemoon tested.
“How is it inappropriate!” The man was getting more agitated by the second. He glared at Lonemoon and said, “He has to learn if he doesn’t know how to do it, right? What do you all think Gui Yi Sect is about? If you’re so worried, why don’t you go with him?”
“Senior Brother He, you can’t-” Zuo Shuming anxiously tried to explain.
The cultivator with the surname He cut in, “It’s settled then. If you don’t want to do it, then get out of Gui Yi Sect.” He turned around and left.
Suddenly, all the cultivators left behind turned to look at Lonemoon and Zuo Shuming with pity. Yet, they did not dare to get involved. One by one, they returned to their own apartments, as if afraid that they would catch the trouble that Lonemoon found himself in.
Lonemoon lowered his gaze and turned to face Zuo Shuming. Indeed, the invader was picking on him on purpose. But what exactly was he trying to do?
“Brother Lonemoon…” Zuo Shuming looked at him guiltily. “I’m going to talk to Senior Brother He. This has nothing to do with you.”
“Forget it!” Lonemoon waved his hand, unbothered. “It’s just planting a few spirit herbs, right? Don’t worry – I know how to do that!” Their invincible Sect did rely on spirit herbs to raise their disciples after all. What hadn’t Radish planted before? What’s more…”
“But Senior Brother Lonemoon…” Zuo Shuming started to say something else.
Lonemoon interrupted him, “Go back and make some preparations. I will see you again in an hour.” He turned to head back to his own house.
Zuo Shuming stared at him anxiously. As Lonemoon got further and further, he decided that he best return to his own house as well.
The moment Lonemoon entered the house, he picked up a pair of chopsticks and took the last piece of meat. Then, he scooped some rice into a bowl and sat down, wolfing down his food.
“Oh, that’s right, Chef!” He turned to the array next to him as he spoke. Chef was inside, cooking. “Come with me to the rear mountain this afternoon.” `
Shen Ying, who just lost a piece of meat: “…”
