Chapter 30 Before Descending the Mountain

Liu Yuemei's death was too convenient.

It was so convenient that there was no need to investigate to know who had done it.

Lu Jin sealed off the villa that very night, and several teams from the Lu family were dispatched overnight. They compiled a list of everything, including Han Qing's old residence, Shen Zhao's previous tracks, and everyone Liu Yuemei had been in contact with.

Zhang Guanchen did not get involved in the interrogation.

Given his age, Lu Jin wouldn't really let him get dragged into the Lu family's muddy waters.

But some things, just because you don't touch them, doesn't mean you can stay clean.

After Liu Yuemei died, Lu Linglong suffered another wave of Blood Qi that night.

It was worse than the previous times.

She curled up under the covers, her hands and feet ice-cold, her little face frighteningly pale, while she kept mumbling, "Don't go over there."

Lu Jin stood outside the door, his eyes terribly red, but he dared not enter for fear of scaring her.

Zhang Guanchen sat by the bedside, one hand pressing against her back, the other holding the Heart-Calming Talisman with its charred corner.

He used only the steadiest thread of Golden Light.

Not seeking speed.

Only seeking to prevent the Blood Qi from scattering her consciousness.

Lu Linglong grabbed his sleeve in a daze.

"Brother Guanchen."

"I'm here."

"I'm scared."

"It's okay to be scared, I'm here."

Hearing this, her breathing finally eased.

Zhang Guanchen kept watch until the second half of the night.

Once Lu Linglong was sleeping soundly, he withdrew his hand.

His palm was numb.

The intent of the Talisman, the Golden Light, and the Blood Qi—the three things intertwined consumed his mental energy.

Lu Jin had been waiting outside for a long time.

Seeing him come out, he said in a low voice, "Guanchen, I owe you again this time."

Zhang Guanchen leaned against the doorframe, his face a bit pale, but his mouth remained sharp.

"Uncle Lu, you're racking up quite a debt. Don't try to welsh on it later."

Lu Jin did not smile.

"I won't."

Zhang Guanchen dropped his joking expression as well.

"Linglong cannot always rely on me to suppress it."

Lu Jin nodded.

"I know."

"She must learn to manage her own Blood Qi."

"She is still young."

"That's why she needs to start early."

Zhang Guanchen looked at the little girl sleeping in the room.

"The more afraid she is, the less we can let her just hide. If she hides for too long, a little intimidation from others will make her shrink back into her cage."

Lu Jin didn't speak for a long time.

Finally, he said in a low voice, "It was my failure to protect her well."

Zhang Guanchen did not console him.

For some mistakes, consolation is useless.

They can only be mended.

Early the next morning, a letter from Celestial Master Zhang Zhiwei arrived.

The letter was very short.

Return to the mountain as soon as you finish reading.

Do not try to show off.

The last line was written with heavy strokes.

Keep the first part of the Lightning Method suppressed, don't use Talismans recklessly, and if you dare to try the Golden Light Talisman technique in private again, you will stand in a horse stance for three months when you return.

Zhang Guanchen's face turned green as he read it.

Lu Lin stood to the side and smiled for once.

"The Old Celestial Master really understands you."

Zhang Guanchen folded the letter.

"This is called deep affection between Master and Disciple."

"It looks more like guarding against a thief."

Zhang Guanchen glanced at him.

"Lu Lin, you've changed."

Lu Lin ignored him.

After this night, the relationship between the two had become a bit more familiar than before.

Lu Lin was not a talkative person, but he was clear-headed.

Zhang Guanchen saved Lu Linglong, which was also equivalent to blocking disaster for the Lu family.

He kept this favor in mind.

Zhang Guanchen stayed at the Lu family for another day to smooth out Lu Linglong's Blood Qi one last time. Seeing that the residual thorn from the Blood Talisman trigger had been fully extracted, he prepared to return to the mountain.

Before leaving, Lu Linglong hugged him and wouldn't let go.

This scene had almost become a regular routine.

Lu Jin watched from the side, feeling both heartbroken and amused.

"Linglong, let Guanchen return to the mountain; he still has lessons."

Lu Linglong whispered, "Then I'll go too."

Zhang Guanchen got a headache as soon as he heard that.

"You have to stay at the Lu family now; your great-grandfather is going to teach you new things."

"What things?"

"The skill of not being intimidated by bad people."

Lu Linglong blinked.

"If I learn it, can I come find you?"

"Yes."

"Really??"

"Really."

"You won't lie to me?"

Zhang Guanchen raised his hand.

"If I lie to you, I'm Ninth Senior Brother."

Lu Lin almost couldn't hold back his laughter.

Lu Jin's mouth also twitched.

Far away on Mount Longhu, Ninth Senior Brother sneezed for no apparent reason.

Lu Linglong was placated and finally let go.

Zhang Guanchen got into the car, and she ran over again, stuffing her little cloth bag into his hands.

"Candy for you."

Zhang Guanchen was stunned.

"Aren't you going to save some for yourself?"

"I have more."

After saying this, as if afraid she might regret it, she quickly retreated back to Lu Jin's side.

Zhang Guanchen held the little cloth bag.

"When I come next time, I'll bring you candy from the mountain."

Lu Linglong nodded vigorously.

The motorcade returned to the mountain.

By the time they arrived at Mount Longhu, it was almost dark.

Ninth Senior Brother and Zhang Lingyu were waiting for him at the mountainside.

As soon as Ninth Senior Brother saw him get out of the car, he looked him up and down. Seeing that he wasn't missing any arms or legs, he snorted.

"So you still remember to come back."

Zhang Guanchen raised his hand.

"Ninth Senior Brother, if you miss me, just say so; don't beat around the bush."

Ninth Senior Brother rolled his eyes.

"Who misses you? I'm afraid you'll lose face for Mount Longhu while you're out there."

Zhang Lingyu stepped forward, a bit of worry in his eyes.

"Senior Brother, is the Lu family matter very troublesome?"

"Troublesome."

Zhang Guanchen stretched.

"But it was also quite interesting."

Ninth Senior Brother's face darkened.

"Did you do something you shouldn't have again?!"

Zhang Guanchen looked serious.

"No, I listened to Master."

"Really?"

"Mostly really."

Ninth Senior Brother's heart skipped a beat.

"Mostly?!"

Zhang Guanchen turned and walked up the mountain.

"The details aren't important."

Ninth Senior Brother chased after him.

"You stop right there!"

Zhang Lingyu followed behind, listening to the two bickering, and his worry finally dissipated a little.

Returning to the mountain, Celestial Master Zhang Zhiwei did not scold him immediately.

He just called Zhang Guanchen to the side hall and asked him to explain the trip to the Lu family clearly.

Zhang Guanchen did not hide the matter of the Golden Light Talisman technique.

Nor could he hide it.

After listening, Celestial Master Zhang Zhiwei asked one question.

"Is it useful?"

Zhang Guanchen nodded honestly.

"It is."

"Can you sustain the consumption?"

"Not right now."

"Then keep it sealed for now."

Zhang Guanchen was a bit reluctant.

"Master..."

"If you want to never be able to use it again in the future, then keep experimenting blindly now."

Zhang Guanchen immediately shut his mouth.

Celestial Master Zhang Zhiwei looked at him, and after a while, said, "The Lu family will continue to investigate the Blood Talisman matter; don't get involved for the time being."

"The person behind the scenes will still come for Linglong."

"That is for the Lu family to shoulder first."

Zhang Guanchen stopped talking.

Celestial Master Zhang Zhiwei's voice softened a little.

"You want to protect people, that's fine. But don't take yourself too seriously; you are just a nine-year-old child right now."

Zhang Guanchen looked up.

"Master, a nine-year-old child can receive Ordination, touch the first part of the Lightning Method, and go down the mountain to sever a Blood Talisman."

Celestial Master Zhang Zhiwei showed no expression.

"That is why you should train even harder."

Zhang Guanchen's face stiffened.

Oh no.

Said too much.

Early the next morning, Ninth Senior Brother came to bang on his door.

As soon as Zhang Guanchen opened the door, he saw Ninth Senior Brother smiling with malicious intent.

"Master said, from today on, your morning lessons will be doubled."

Zhang Guanchen held onto the doorframe.

"I just got back last night."

"Master said you have plenty of energy."

"Who said that?"

Ninth Senior Brother smiled even more happily.

"You did."

Zhang Guanchen took a breath, feeling that one really shouldn't be too quick with their mouth.

On the training ground, Zhang Lingyu was already waiting.

Hearing that Zhang Guanchen's morning lessons were doubled, there was not a trace of schadenfreude on his face; instead, he took the initiative to stand by his side.

"Senior Brother, I'll keep you company."

Zhang Guanchen looked at him twice.

"Lingyu, you are so serious, it makes me look very immature."

Zhang Lingyu said seriously, "No, it won't."

"Yes, it will."

Ninth Senior Brother stood to the side with his arms crossed.

"Less nonsense, stand in a horse stance."

Zhang Guanchen resigned himself and stood in position.

The mountain wind blew across the training ground, and the morning light on the horizon spread out bit by bit.

He closed his eyes; the Golden Light within him was steady, the talisman stele was quiet, the Blood-colored Small Stele was tucked in a corner, the Residual Stele of Reversing Life still had white marks, and the shadow of the Lightning Method stele was hidden behind deep fog.

The Lu family's matter was not over.

Shen Zhao had not appeared either.

The person behind the Blood Talisman had been burned by him, and sooner or later, they would return.

But before that, he had to train himself to be tougher.

Half an hour later, Ninth Senior Brother walked around, staring at his stance.

"Don't let your waist collapse."

Zhang Guanchen gritted his teeth.

"Ninth Senior Brother."

"What."

"You really look like you're settling a private grudge right now."

Ninth Senior Brother grinned.

"That's right."

Zhang Guanchen opened his eyes to look at him.

Ninth Senior Brother was righteous and confident.

"Master approved it."

Zhang Lingyu couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing.

Zhang Guanchen sighed.

Fine.

Down the mountain, there was the old Blood Talisman case.

Up the mountain, there was a Senior Brother taking revenge.

These days, it really is impossible to have any downtime.

Outside the training ground, a mountain-guarding Disciple ran over quickly.

"Grandmaster has an order."

Ninth Senior Brother turned around.

"What is it?"

The Disciple glanced at Zhang Guanchen before saying, "People from The Company have arrived, saying that an Outsider disappearance case has occurred near Han Qing's old residence in Jiangnan."

Zhang Guanchen's posture in the horse stance did not move.

But his eyes lit up.

Seeing this expression, Ninth Senior Brother's heart sank immediately.

Damn it.

This kid has smelled the scent of trouble again.