43: Chapter 43 At least you have some conscience!

"Hmm?"

"Thanks to the mountain god's protection?"

Wu Haokong raised an eyebrow. "So what?"

He wanted to hear what this Disciple could possibly say.

What could it be that made the other party think it was enough to cause trouble for a Sword Immortal like him?

"That mountain god resides in the Demon Immortal Mountain Range and is a bit... peculiar," Li Linfeng said with great seriousness. "Master, I'm worried he left some kind of mark on me. Could you please examine me?"

"You suspect that mountain god is an evil spirit?"

Wu Haokong immediately saw through Li Linfeng's true intention and smiled slightly. "Good Disciple, I thought it was something serious. So it's for this."

Having any connection with evil spirits was indeed a major taboo.

Even for a Sword Immortal, if someone got hold of such a handle, it would be an excellent excuse to cause trouble for him.

However, this Disciple was still just a child, knowing one side of the story but not the other.

"What if that mountain god is an evil spirit?" He laughed.

Dealing with it would be easy. Just destroy the evil spirit with a single palm strike, and it would be over.

He disdained using his precious sword for such a task.

"Forget it. Considering your filial heart, I'll examine you."

Since he was taking a Disciple, he was aiming for a genuine Master-Disciple bond. There was no need to let a small matter like this create a rift.

Therefore, Wu Haokong was not only quite patient but also genuinely kind, using his Sword Immortal's heart to scan his little Disciple.

He found nothing unusual.

Li Linfeng felt as if he had been seen through completely. Then, he heard Wu Haokong say, "Good Disciple, there's nothing wrong with you."

At that moment, a halo of light flew out from the heavy sword behind him, circled around Li Linfeng once, and returned into the sword.

"See, my sword spirit also didn't find anything that shouldn't be on you."

Wu Haokong smiled. "If you're still worried, I can send someone to capture that mountain god."

The god of a small mountain on the outskirts of the Demon Immortal Mountain Range was likely just a demon beast that somehow obtained the Mountain God Position.

If it had committed evil deeds, killing it would be fine.

"If it hasn't, capturing it for your amusement would also be good."

"No need, Master." Li Linfeng's heart raced with temptation, but reason told him he couldn't do that.

The lives of his clansmen were still in that evil god's hands.

Furthermore, the evil god's mark on him showed not the slightest trace before this Sword Immortal.

Even the world's purest sword spirit, most sensitive to evil spirit auras, was the same.

The implications of this gave him a more genuine sense of just how terrifying his own Divine Master's might was.

Thus, he could only sigh inwardly and say, "Thinking about it now, that mountain god's actions were actually quite kind and simple. He took good care of my clansmen. It was my petty heart speculating about a righteous god. I beg Master's forgiveness!"

"You think his appearance was too coincidental?" Wu Haokong smiled. "I know you've suffered some hardships due to your innate talent, so it's natural to be wary. That's not a bad thing. Why apologize to me? It's good that your mind hasn't been clouded."

"Thank you for your leniency, Master!" Li Linfeng said. "Lin Feng pays his respects to Master!"

Inwardly, however, he couldn't help but think that this Sword Immortal, due to his good background and smooth life without any setbacks, was tolerant of people and sometimes quite naive about the world.

This matched the rumors.

That was also good. Becoming his Disciple meant at least he wouldn't be schemed against for his Spiritual Root to be used for sword forging or pill refining.

"Hahaha! Good, good!" Wu Haokong, having achieved his wish, was overjoyed. He raised his hand again, and a token flew out from his wide sleeve.

"This is my token. Take it and find your Eldest Senior Brother. Have him take you to choose a cultivation cave."

"From now on, you will first Cultivate alongside him."

He no longer personally trained Disciples. Besides, their cultivation Realms were too far apart; it was better to let a senior Disciple teach.

"Yes!" Li Linfeng naturally had no objections to this.

Many Sect Elders accepted Disciples this way.

"Your Eldest Senior Brother is currently on duty at the Sect's Merit Hall. You can have him exchange a new inner Disciple token for you," Wu Haokong said. "Tell that kid he's not allowed to casually assign you Sect missions."

"Yes." Li Linfeng appeared exceptionally obedient. He agreed first, then asked, "Master, if I'm willing, can I take on some Sect missions?"

"Hmm? You want to do Sect missions?" Wu Haokong, about to leave, turned back in surprise. "You must want to exchange for something, right? Why trouble yourself? Tell me, and I'll give it to you."

"How could I ask Master to give me things? I just want to find some seeds to plant on that mountain god's mountain, so my clansmen can benefit from it."

Li Linfeng smiled somewhat sheepishly. "This Disciple just harbored suspicions, which felt somewhat improper, so I want to make some compensation."

"Therefore, I'd like to take tasks at the Spirit Plant Garden to exchange for some low-grade or slightly spiritual plant seeds to give him."

"Anything too good might invite disaster."

He lowered his head slightly, putting on a somewhat ashamed expression, and explained, "To tell the truth, Master, it's not that the mountain god sought us out; it was us who went to his temple seeking protection."

"I see." Wu Haokong nodded in understanding. "In that case, you don't need to do any Sect missions. Just go directly to your Eldest Senior Brother."

He did have spiritual seeds and plants on him, but he truly didn't have any of such low grade.

"Master, such a small matter isn't worth troubling Eldest Senior Brother," Li Linfeng said. "This Disciple..."

"Enough, listen to me on this. Don't let such trivial matters distract you," Wu Haokong waved his hand. "Right now, remember to Cultivate diligently. When the Sect competition comes in some time, you must not lose face for me."

"Besides, what trouble is this? Your Second Senior Sister manages a spirit plant garden."

The junior Disciple would go ask the eldest Disciple, who could naturally get them from the second Disciple.

"When the time comes, he can fold a yellow paper crane and send it back to your clan. If you have anything else to send, just have him handle it together. Don't feel too awkward about it."

A Disciple serves his Master.

A junior Disciple is looked after by the eldest Disciple.

"When you have the chance in the future, just repay your Senior Brother a little, that's all."

"Yes, thank you, Master."

...

Little Yao Mountain.

Mountain Lord's Temple.

"...Whew! Damn it!"

Feng Yifan finally relaxed and squatted down.

Good grief, that moment just now scared him.

He almost wanted to turn and run, diving into the hole he had dug underground.

That hole was something he dug after seeing the Li Clan dig several large cellars to guard against wolf packs. He followed their example and dug one too.

For emergencies.

The wolf packs never came again, so it hadn't been used.

"I almost had to use it just now!"

Feng Yifan gritted his teeth. That Li Linfeng was cunning.

Seizing the chance, he wanted to break free from him.

Wasn't it good to just be his treasure-gathering vessel?

But then again, if it were him, he probably wouldn't be willing either.

Although, from the current perspective, they were getting along okay... sort of. But Li Linfeng was under his control, definitely unwilling and worried about being tricked.

"Wanting to escape is also normal."

Therefore, Feng Yifan wasn't that angry.

He didn't even consider this a betrayal.

Without a foundation of trust, how could there be loyalty?

Without loyalty, how could there be betrayal?

Seeing that his attempt to use the Sword Immortal's hand to test and escape had failed, Li Linfeng immediately stopped and even remembered to complete the task he had been given. In Feng Yifan's eyes, that was enough.

Who would demand loyalty from a treasure-gathering vessel?

"Hmph, you have some conscience after all, kid!"

His eyes fell upon the pile of things in front of him, gleaming brightly.

...

[Congratulations, Your Majesty!]

[Your Divine Servant Li Linfeng has successfully become a Personal Disciple of Sword Immortal Wu Haokong of the Sword Sect!]