Chapter 117
Zheng Fa was sincere.
He had hardly heard of fortune-telling in the Xuanwei Realm, perhaps because his cultivation was too low to come across it.
But in the modern world, there was no spiritual energy at all.
This sounded even less credible.
“I understand, I understand, this matter shouldn’t be publicized.”
“That's not—”
“Zheng, your massage technique… it’s too rough.”
Aunt Ye’s words left Zheng Fa in silence.
Seeing him quiet, Aunt Ye smiled gently and added, “Of course, I’m willing to invest this much because I want to collaborate with you in the future.”
“Collaborate?”
“No matter what method you use to heal me,” Aunt Ye said with a light laugh, “I just hope that when I have someone I want you to help, you’ll be willing to lend a hand. Money is not an issue.”
Zheng Fa suddenly understood.
Aunt Ye was essentially offering to help establish a nursing home, even suggesting she would go to great lengths for it.
She hadn’t even mentioned the possibility of shares—clearly, this was her intention.
It seemed she noticed Zheng Fa’s realization, as she said meaningfully, “Some lives cannot be measured by money.”
After discussing for a while, Zheng Fa and Aunt Ye agreed that the inspection team should go take a look first.
As for how to build the nursing home and how to collaborate, those were matters for the future.
…
Xuanwei Realm.
On the eighth peak of Jiu Mountain, Sun Daoyu was leading Zhou Qianyuan up the mountain.
“Master hasn’t been very happy these past few days,” Sun Daoyu said, frowning.
“Yeah,” came Zhou Qianyuan’s distracted reply.
Sun Daoyu turned back to glance at his junior brother, sighing inwardly: there was someone even more unhappy.
But he understood Zhou’s concerns.
Ultimately, it was due to some recent events that had caused a rift between Zhou and their master…
He even felt that Zhou’s grievances were justified—he just didn’t feel it was appropriate to voice them out of respect for their master.
With that thought, Sun Daoyu shook his head and looked ahead.
“Hey? Isn’t that Zheng Fa?”
He exclaimed, spotting a figure on the mountain path.
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 127: Exclusion
Returning to the eighth peak, Zheng Fa could sense the changes within Master Pang’s faction.
It was hard to pinpoint exactly where the change was visible at first glance.
But as he walked, he noticed the hurried yet aimless steps of Master Pang’s disciples.
The suspicious and subtly hostile glances directed at him.
The young acolyte rushing to report to Master Pang.
And the feeling of being watched as soon as he stepped onto the mountain path.
All of this made Zheng Fa acutely aware of the tension and frustration permeating the eighth peak.
The news of Zheng Fa becoming the master’s disciple hadn’t spread widely—mainly because the master had been too busy with film projects after taking him on, showing little interest in publicizing it.
However, a few people under Master Pang were aware of it.
The last time Zheng Fa visited, several senior brothers had greeted him warmly, as if they were family.
But this time, he sensed a mix of reverence and, more prominently, distance in their eyes.
Zheng Fa couldn’t help but recall what Senior Sister Zhang had said before—his becoming the master’s disciple was a significant blow to Master Pang’s faction.
Senior Sister Zhang had even warned Zheng Fa to maintain a neutral stance between the two factions in public.
Previously, Zheng Fa thought she was overreacting, but today, observing the atmosphere on the eighth peak, he began to understand her concerns— the conflict between the two factions of Jiu Mountain Sect ran deeper than he had imagined.
If it weren’t for Senior Sister Zhang’s restraint, there might have been casualties in the discussions at the Fuhua Pavilion.
Now he understood why Senior Sister Zhang had wanted him to deliver the “Fudaozhuji Fa” (Talisman Foundation Method).
Just this short journey revealed that the conflict between the two factions had overshadowed their brotherhood.
It was clear that his becoming the master’s disciple and befriending Senior Sister Zhang had put pressure on Master Pang’s faction.
Mending the rift between the two factions would likely be more challenging than Zheng Fa had previously thought.
“Zheng, junior brother!” a voice called from behind. It was Sun Daoyu. “What brings you to the eighth peak?”
The distinction between “you” and “I” was clear.
Zheng Fa turned to see Sun Daoyu and Zhou Qianyuan.
Sun Daoyu’s expression was less warm than last time.
And Zhou Qianyuan’s demeanor was even more puzzling—he looked utterly disheartened, merely nodding at Zheng Fa without any hostility, but lacking the usual confidence he once had.
Zheng Fa remembered the first time he met Zhou Qianyuan, standing proudly before him, introducing himself with flair.
What youthful spirit!
Now, however, he found Zhou with stubble on his face, wrinkled clothes, and after a brief nod, he kept his head down, avoiding eye contact.
What puzzled Zheng Fa even more was that while the senior brothers on the eighth peak looked at him with a hint of nervousness, their gazes toward Zhou Qianyuan were filled with exclusion.
Their attitude seemed even more distant than toward him.
“I came to visit Master Pang,” Zheng Fa said, glancing at Zhou Qianyuan before addressing Sun Daoyu.
“To see the master?” Sun Daoyu paused, then noticed the acolyte who had entered to report earlier coming out to them. “The master requests Zheng, junior brother, to enter.”
“Sun, senior brother, Zhou, senior brother, the master also summons you.”
Hearing this, the three of them stepped into the hall together.
Inside, Master Pang’s demeanor was not as warm as last time, but there was no hostility—just a hint of formality.
He glanced at Zhou Qianyuan, frowned slightly, then turned to Zheng Fa and asked, “What brings you here, nephew?”
Zheng Fa took out the “Fudaozhuji Fa” and said, “The other day, Master Pang gifted me the thousand-year-old purple bamboo tears. I am deeply grateful, but I have little to offer in return, except for this “Fudaozhuji Fa” for your perusal. I hope Master Pang won’t find it lacking.”
Master Pang was taken aback, staring at Zheng Fa for a moment before speaking, “The ‘Fudaozhuji Fa’?”
“Indeed.”
“The one created by Senior Sister Zhang?”
When Master Pang mentioned Senior Sister Zhang, his tone slightly intensified.
“Yes.”
Zheng Fa replied calmly, which caused Master Pang to fall into a brief silence.
He gestured, and the jade tube in Zheng Fa’s hand flew into his grasp.
Master Pang closed his eyes slightly, seemingly reading the contents of the jade tube with his spiritual sense. When he opened his eyes again, a smile had appeared on his face. “This ‘Fudaozhuji Fa’ is indeed innovative; Senior Sister Zhang is truly gifted.”
Not only did Master Pang smile.
Zheng Fa noticed that Sun Daoyu’s gaze toward him had softened considerably.
The “Fudaozhuji Fa” had eased the previously heavy atmosphere in the hall.
“Zheng, junior brother, what do you think of Zhou, junior brother?”
Master Pang suddenly asked.
“Zhou, junior brother?” Zheng Fa turned to look at Zhou Qianyuan.
Zhou Qianyuan seemed taken aback by his master’s sudden question, also pausing for a moment.
“Zhou, junior brother, is exceptionally talented and possesses a fine character. He will surely become a pillar of our Jiu Mountain Sect in the future,” Zheng Fa said thoughtfully and earnestly.
This wasn’t just flattery in front of Master Pang.
Zhou Qianyuan was indeed gifted and had a good temperament, which was why Master Pang had taken a liking to him, even nurturing him with the expectation that he would one day rival Senior Sister Zhang.
Yet today, his demeanor left Zheng Fa puzzled, as if he had encountered some setback.
“Qianyuan has always admired your talisman skills. How about letting him stay by your side to assist you, and you can also guide him for a while?” Master Pang suddenly suggested.
“Ah?” Zheng Fa was taken aback by this unexpected proposal from his master. “But Zhou and I entered the sect at the same time, and we usually just exchange ideas. Besides, he is Master Pang’s favored disciple; how can I take on the role of his teacher?”
“Qianyuan? Do you agree?”
Master Pang didn’t answer Zheng Fa’s question but turned to Zhou Qianyuan instead.
Zhou Qianyuan, though momentarily stunned, seemed to carry a sense of despair, merely nodding and muttering, “I’m willing.”
“I wonder if my nephew would consider taking on this disciple of mine.”
Hearing this, Zheng Fa realized he couldn’t refuse.
At that moment, he understood Master Pang’s intention—Zhou Qianyuan’s favored status in Jiu Mountain Sect was nearly common knowledge.
Having Zhou Qianyuan by his side could be seen as a show of support from Master Pang for his disciple.
It was somewhat akin to how a crown prince in ancient dynasties would have a host of loyal subjects around him—over time, they would form a faction.
Watching Zheng Fa lead Zhou Qianyuan down the mountain, Sun Daoyu couldn’t help but ask, “Master, are you really going to let Zhou follow Zheng Fa?”
“Otherwise? He has the backing of great power!”
Master Pang glanced at his disciple and snorted. “Great power?”
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