Chapter 63
"This isn't fate," the old man chuckled heartily, jumping off the cart to grab a small stool, which he placed beside the cart's yoke. He helped Zheng Mu and her younger sister, Zheng Shan, step up before turning to Zheng Fa and saying, "I had to fight tooth and nail with other drivers just to snag this job."
"Fight?"
These carts were arranged by the lady of the house, so it was considered a task for the estate. But Zheng Fa couldn't quite grasp the meaning of "fight."
"Everyone knows the young master is going to become an immortal; they can't wait to bask in his celestial aura."
"…"
"I still remember when I said that after all these years working at the Zhao estate, I hadn't even seen a single hair of an immortal." The old man glanced at Zheng Fa with a hint of reverence. "Now I can tell people that not only have I seen an immortal, but that immortal has also ridden in my cart!"
Zheng Fa shook his head with a smile, choosing not to respond.
Compared to the lady's subtle hints and warnings, those who were further from the immortal realm seemed to have more fantastical notions about it.
As Zheng Fa sat in the cart, he lifted the curtain of the small window to bid farewell to the high steward and his son, who remained behind.
With a crack of the whip, the old man urged the horses forward, and the cart rolled out of the estate.
Watching the cart disappear into the distance, Gao Yuan felt a swirl of emotions, and when he turned, he saw his father's expression was even more complicated.
"Father, are you laughing or crying?"
"Of course I'm laughing! My eyesight is so good; Zheng Fa has risen to prominence so quickly."
"Then why do you look like you're about to cry?"
"…How can my eyesight be so good? I haven't even had a chance to hold on tight, and he's already taken off."
…
Inside the cart, Zheng Fa turned to the old man driving.
"This road seems a bit off, doesn't it?"
He had entered the estate through the back door many times and was already familiar with the route.
"The lady instructed us," the old man replied with a smile. "Today, we’re taking the main entrance to send you off."
As the wheels rolled over the cobblestone road, the old man's voice carried a hint of nostalgia.
"I reckon the main gate hasn't been opened in years. I've been driving carts here for thirty years and have never gone through it."
"I remember when I brought the young master to the Zhao estate; he could only ride in my cart for delivering fruits, using the back entrance meant for pedestrians…"
"Now that the young master is about to become an immortal, the main gate has been opened just for him."
Zheng Fa listened to the old man's musings, slowly rubbing the immortal token in his hand.
"Eh?" Just as they exited the estate, he heard the old man murmur, "Why is the Chen family's cart parked at our doorstep?"
"Chen family?"
"I told you about the three great families of Jingzhou City, right? The Chen family is one of them, on par with the Zhao family."
The old man continued, "Our families used to have a good relationship, but I heard that the Seventh Young Master has had some conflicts with their young masters. They haven't interacted much in recent years, so I didn't expect to see someone from the Chen family here today."
Several? All?
That sounded like something the Seventh Young Master would do.
No wonder he didn't come to see Zheng Fa off today.
---
**Chapter 71: Stealing**
Zheng Fa felt he should apologize to the Seventh Young Master.
Although this person had a sharp tongue and made many enemies, it was quite reasonable to assume he would attract trouble.
But this time, Zheng Fa had misunderstood; the Chen family members were not here to cause trouble for the Seventh Young Master.
The Seventh Young Master clearly thought Zheng Fa's misunderstanding was reasonable and was even a bit angry that no one had come to bother him.
"I waited for them all day!" The Seventh Young Master, who had been on high alert yesterday, looked displeased. "They don't come to find me—do they think they're better than me?"
"What conflict do you have with the Chen family?" Zheng Fa was a bit curious.
"No conflict. Their family just has too many members… When brothers meet, it's like a cockfight; they not only compete at home but also want to pull me into their squabbles."
Zheng Fa nodded. Not every young master from a prominent family had it as easy as the Seventh Young Master, who had the lady backing him.
"But if they're trying to win you over, how can you have conflicts with them?"
That was what Zheng Fa didn't understand.
"Do you think I'm an idiot?" the Seventh Young Master huffed. "These people aren't trying to befriend me; they just want to use me as a pawn! I agreed to each of them, hoping to watch the fun, and then…"
Zheng Fa noticed the Seventh Young Master's voice suddenly drop.
"Then I secretly stirred the pot…"
"Secretly… and then got found out?"
The Seventh Young Master nodded.
"Speaking of which, the Chen family is here to see Master Zhang." Seemingly embarrassed that his scheming had been exposed, the Seventh Young Master quickly changed the subject. "They said a disciple from the Jiushan Sect came to Jingzhou City to find Master Zhang and is staying with the Chen family. Yesterday, they came to deliver a formal greeting on his behalf."
"Master Zhang?"
Zheng Fa felt a bad premonition rising in his heart.
"I think they're here to snatch your immortal token! Let's go take a look!" The Seventh Young Master had the same thought and pulled Zheng Fa along.
When they reached the entrance of Master Zhang's courtyard, they indeed saw a group of people waiting outside, hoping to be summoned.
At the forefront was a young man in white, around twenty-four or twenty-five, tall and upright, surrounded by the crowd. As he spoke, there was a hint of superiority in his demeanor—he must be the disciple from the Jiushan Sect.
The people surrounding him didn't seem ordinary either; they were dressed extravagantly, but there was an undercurrent of tension among them, especially in front of the immortal disciple, as they vied to curry favor.
It looked like this group were the young masters of the Chen family that the Seventh Young Master had mentioned.
The Seventh Young Master's claim of their disharmony was evident from the behavior of these young men.
The group noticed Zheng Fa and the Seventh Young Master, particularly recognizing the latter.
The moment they identified the Seventh Young Master, the expressions of several Chen family members, who had been at odds with each other, instantly changed—united in hostility.
Regardless of what unforgivable act the Seventh Young Master had committed, Zheng Fa felt that the head of the Chen family should bow to him—after all, the future of the Chen family seemed to hinge on the Seventh Young Master.
…
Sister Zhang quickly had someone lead them inside. Even upon seeing Zheng Fa and the Seventh Young Master, her expression remained unchanged, as if she had anticipated their arrival.
The Jiushan Sect disciple bowed to Sister Zhang upon seeing her.
"Sun Daoyu pays his respects to Sister Zhang."
Compared to the arrogance he displayed in front of the Chen family, Sun Daoyu was extremely respectful in front of Sister Zhang.
"There's no need for formalities, Sun Shidi," Sister Zhang raised her hand and directly asked, "What brings you here from the Jiushan Sect?"
"Well…" Sun Daoyu glanced at the others around him, particularly at Zheng Fa and the Seventh Young Master, seemingly hesitant to speak in front of them.
But Sister Zhang continued to look at him, not asking the others to leave.
With no other choice, Sun Daoyu said, "I heard that Sister Zhang has an immortal token, and I came to request it."
Sister Zhang nodded, appearing unsurprised, but she didn't immediately agree.
Seeing her silence, Sun Daoyu clasped his hands and continued, "This is not a personal request; it is a command from my master, Master Pang."
Sister Zhang's expression grew serious, and she sat up straighter. "Master Pang?"
Clearly, this Master Pang commanded her respect.
"Yes, my master has been traveling recently and encountered a promising disciple with exceptional talent in talisman arts. On a whim, he taught him some techniques and is keen to take him as a disciple."
"But Sister Zhang, you should know that even Yuanying real people cannot take on disciples lightly. He heard that Master Zhang has an extra immortal token, so he sent me to request it."
This name sounded familiar…
Someone is stealing my persona!
No, wait, he’s the real deal; it seems I’m the one who borrowed from him…
Zheng Fa felt something was off. When he looked up, he noticed Sister Zhang's gaze on him was equally strange, as if she were asking: Is that you?
But Zheng Fa also realized that this Master Pang was likely a genuine Yuanying real person, which explained why Sister Zhang took his name so seriously.
Sister Zhang studied Zheng Fa for a long moment before she couldn't help but ask, "What is this disciple's name?"
Sun Daoyu, puzzled, replied, "This disciple? His name is Zhou Qianyuan."
From Sister Zhang's expression, it seemed Sun Daoyu misunderstood, thinking she didn't believe him.
"Sister Zhang, my master said that this disciple of mine, who hasn't yet entered the sect, not only has exceptional talent in talisman arts but also possesses a Geng Metal body and a single spiritual root in the Gold element. In terms of talent, he’s not far behind you."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Fa understood why a prominent Yuanying real person would specifically send a disciple to request an immortal token for this individual.
A body of Dao and a single spiritual root.
Plus, outstanding talent in talisman arts.
Sister Zhang nodded, "That sounds promising, but doesn't Master Pang have an immortal token himself?"
"Sister Zhang, you may not know, but my master not only has his own family but also many disciples and followers. That immortal token has long been promised to others. Even other real people have already given theirs away; only you, Sister Zhang, are wholeheartedly devoted to the Dao…"
Zheng Fa mentally translated for this Sun Shixiong:
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