Ninghai Zen was feeling bored, using his hand as a pillow, leaning on a corner of the flying eaves.
Ever since his disciple entered the County City, life had been plain, always feeling like something was missing.
"Before, I could fish and hunt, but after Ah Qi became my disciple, coming and going every day, talking and laughing, I got used to having him around and didn’t find it noisy."
Ninghai Zen sighed softly, wondering why he took in Ah Cheng, feeling like a piece of uncarvable rotten wood, unlike teaching Ah Qi which was a pleasure.
"Could it be that as I get older, I always want someone to talk to?"
In the courtyard of Tongwen Hall, Lao Dao was cracking sunflower seeds and scratching his head:
"Young Master, if you have something on your mind, you can tell me."
Ninghai Zen shook his head, his tone calm:
"Nothing, it’s just that whenever I think of my disciple staying in the County City, my fist clenches subconsciously, wanting to find someone to loosen my muscles."
That’s it, young master’s old habits have struck again, wanting to pick some lucky person to beat up.
Lao Dao immediately kept silent; he couldn’t compare to Chen Xing’s robust body that could withstand a hundred punches.
Thinking back to when he roamed Fulong Mountain and swept over Nu Yun River, he was nearly killed in three moves.
Not to mention now, that Ninghai Zen’s power is even deeper, perhaps close to touching that bottleneck of the Divine Power Secret Realm.
Really can’t afford to take it!
"Ah Qi staying in Black River County, every now and then some reckless guys pop up, like the Transformed Demon King, Hidden Pavilion Assassins, giving me something to pass the time.
Now it’s like a dead pool, completely boring."
Ninghai Zen felt uninterested, with Lao Dao’s current skills, he could spar a bit with him.
Unfortunately, this guy was too shrewd to take the bait.
"Young Master, just patiently wait for a few more days, Young Master Qi will be back soon."
Lao Dao shrunk his neck, wearing that mink fur hat, pretending nothing was amiss, looking at the dim sky with sparse stars.
As an old hand in the Jianghu, he vaguely sensed the oppressive atmosphere of impending storm clouds.
"Without him, Tongwen Hall indeed feels much colder."
As an old member of Tongwen Hall, Lao Dao knew Ninghai Zen’s temperament all too well.
If he could find something for the young master to do, there would be peace, but if he was too idle, someone would undoubtedly suffer.
"Forget it, follow the old rule, go fishing on a small boat early tomorrow morning and leave it to fate."
Ninghai Zen made a decision, closing his eyes and sleeping for a few days and nights, where the boat drifted, he’d disembark.
Among all the injustices under heaven, he’d surely encounter a few incidents.
"The channels of Black Water River are complex, but they all lead to Nu Yun River..."
Lao Dao muttered quietly, the demons of Fulong Mountain, the Flood Dragon of Water Monarch Palace, or the Meridian Sword Sect, not knowing which would be unlucky.
"What did you say?"
Ninghai Zen pretended not to hear.
"I said it will definitely rain tomorrow, young master remember to bring an umbrella."
Lao Dao sensibly changed his words.
After all, only those who felt Ninghai Zen’s punch knew how painful it was.
That feeling of the whole body’s muscles and bones shattering and not being able to muster a bit of strength, as if turning into a cripple.
Having suffered once, he didn’t want a second time!
"Oh..."
Ninghai Zen’s eyelid twitched, his gaze flickered, capturing a familiar aura in the void.
"Master, why have you come?"
Lao Dao cupped the sunflower seed shells with his hands and threw them into the ash pit, casually replying:
"Maybe he heard his disciple’s thoughts, and can’t sleep at night, wanting a beating."
Ninghai Zen’s eyebrows raised as he scolded:
"How can you speak like that! I have always respected my master, how could I lay fists on my teaching master.
By the way, Lao Dao, where is the Wolf Fang Club that Li Yuan crafted after I defeated a Demon Monarch before?
Look for it."
Lao Dao’s eye twitched, this time the young master indeed didn’t use his fists and feet, instead opted to take up a weapon.
...
...
"The night wind by Black Water River chills the forehead."
Chen Xing stood alone on the small boat, his robe fluttering in the wind.
For some reason, the further he got from Nu Yun River and the closer to Black Water River, the more his Four Cultivation Grandmasters intuition roared passionately.
"Old Chen, why aren’t you saying anything, at least make a sound."
On the road, no matter how he called Chen Yin, it was like shouting into the void, without a ripple.
The White Sun Sect Leader lurking in his Spirit Platform, learning from past lessons, to avoid history repeating, activated his Cultivation Technique early to keep his Divine Soul silent.
To avoid being beaten by Ninghai Zen, his disciple!
"One after another, none can be relied upon! I run around like this, putting aside my dignity, and it’s all for the great cause of the sect!"
Chen Xing lamented painfully, but was helpless.
Moments later, the small boat docked.
In the dock’s tearoom, an individual in a Celestial Cyan Robe was already seated.
At this time the sky was dim, no one around, only a newly lit Copper Oil Lamp swaying.
"Master, what matter troubles you to come personally?"
Ninghai Zen’s figure hidden in the shadows, asked softly.
"Cough, cough, it’s just that us master and disciple haven’t sat down, had tea, and chatted in a long time."
Chen Xing tapped lightly with his foot, swept to the shore, reluctantly making his way to the tearoom.
"Hai Chan, do you remember, back then when Tongwen Hall was by the ferry, it was bustling with fishing and trading.
You liked those meat pies from Aunt Zeng’s place the best..."
Ninghai Zen’s eyes seemed distracted, nodding in response:
"How could I forget. I remember once I worked hard to earn thirty cents, bought four fragrant meat pies to reward myself, but then was instructed by Master to practice standing post.
By the time I finished, the four meat pies were gone, said to have been carried off by a stray dog by the roadside."
Did this really happen?
Chen Xing froze, a chill creeping up his back.
Did I really steal and eat my disciple’s meat pies?
He gave an awkward laugh: