Master Jinshan treated them well, giving them generous gifts, and now that they've joined, they all have a stable income.
However, they also spend a lot of money. Sometimes, they empty their pockets and even incur debts just for a single ritual implement.
They do have some money and magical artifacts on them, but they are reluctant to give any of them away.
The brothers exchanged a glance, then simultaneously stared intently at the back of their master's head, making a decision in their minds at the same time. They had come out with their master, and according to custom, all expenses should be paid by the sect, so their thinking should be correct, right...?
Jinshan, unaware of his apprentice's scheme, was still happily chatting with Wu Chenxi, thinking that he could build a good relationship with his apprentice so that they could both be recruited to the Xuan Department. This way, he could gain another powerful general under his command, and perhaps even merge the two departments into one.
As soon as Kuang Wu arrived outside, the people inside immediately noticed him.
"He has already entered the formation." Wu Chenxi had made thorough preparations long ago, and she was determined to deal with Kuang Wu no matter what.
The other party has not done anything evil, nor is he an irredeemable villain, but he has gone astray. So let's hand him over to the higher-ups for proper guidance. Perhaps he will become a righteous person with a pure heart.
Standing at the door with Jinshan, looking at Kuang Wu outside, he was still unaware that, as usual, he was leaning against the corner of the wall and began to take out his rations for the day.
This time, I went to the county town to buy food: a bowl of braised pork with green beans and a big bowl of rice. I showed off all of it in front of them.
Seeing how much he ate, Jinshan felt a little hungry himself.
Since they were all old acquaintances, he wasn't afraid of losing face or being impolite. He patted his stomach and said to Wu Chenxi with a wronged expression, "Is there anything to eat? I've changed trains so many times, and I haven't had a proper meal in days."
The two apprentices behind him lowered their heads at the same time, remembering that when they were in the county town, they bought some dishes at a restaurant, and their master seemed to have eaten quite a bit.
Wu Chenxi: "...Yes, I'll go and prepare it for you right away."
Soon, a bowl of stir-fried duck with ginger, a plate of stir-fried beef with wild chili peppers, and a bowl of steamed white flour buns appeared on the table.
"Wow, you're really good at cooking. You never used to cook for your master even once." Jinshan walked to the head seat without any ceremony, picked up his chopsticks, tasted the food, and his eyes sparkled.
Wu Chenxi said, "There's nothing I can do. I just took on a good apprentice. My apprentice is very capable and has also found a good young man. This was done for me by my apprentice's son-in-law."
That young man's cooking skills rival those of many professional chefs. Most importantly, he's filial; he worries that I, an old man, will go hungry here alone, so whenever he has time, he cooks extra food for me and stores it up.
Jinshan: "...Your apprentice got married? Didn't you just take her in? How come she's already settled down?"
He was thinking of connecting his apprentices with potential partners, but someone else beat him to it.
Wu Chenxi said, "If you had come two months earlier, you could have gotten a drink at the wedding, but since the person hasn't arrived, the gift can't be missing..."
There were some mistakes. We should have let Xiangyun get married a few months later, because there were still many colleagues in Beijing at that time.
We'll be dealing with each other all the time, so this means one less excuse to accept gifts.
"I told you that's enough. You clearly don't lack anything, but you have to act so mercenary."
Don't worry, you're already emphasizing the importance of having a close disciple, how could I not be attentive?
If we don't make it clear soon, he won't be able to have a peaceful meal.
To be honest, Wu Chenxi made a good choice in taking on this apprentice. How come none of his many apprentices are skilled in cooking?
His disciples sitting on either side of him drew angry glares again, so they had to be even more careful when picking up food. Their master was being too stingy; even if they, as cultivators, had big appetites, they would still be stuffed with so much food.
Thinking back to the dry rations they had eaten in the car and on the road, as well as the bland and watery meals, this meal was exactly what they wanted.
The three of them, master and disciples, disregarded everything else and began to eat heartily, completely forgetting the purpose of their trip.
After eating and drinking his fill, Kuang Wu studied the formation for a while. Just as he was about to get up and stretch, he was surprised to find that he could no longer walk more than ten meters away from here.
He knew that the house was protected by many formations, but the outside was safe.
After all, there are many residents in the vicinity, and Wu Chenxi is afraid that someone might accidentally wander in, so unless there are special circumstances, she will not set up an array outside the door.
At the same time, she was secretly pleased. Had her sincerity these past few days moved the witch doctor? Was she setting a test for her?
The thought of this possibility energized Kuang Wu.
He must treat this with care; perhaps the moment he breaks the formation will be the moment he becomes a disciple.
He underestimated Wu Chenxi; no matter how many methods he used, he was unable to escape the formation.
After Jinshan and the others had finished eating, they saw Kuang Wu running around the formation without any strategy.
Jinshan looked disappointed. "Lingmeng Island was once a major sect, but I never expected it to decline like this."
Uncle Wu had mentioned this formation to me years ago; anyone who knows how to set up a formation can break it.
Now he understood why Wu Chenxi had only set up this one formation and hadn't included another within it—because it wasn't necessary…
"It seems his aptitude is lacking..." Master Jinshan's tone revealed disappointment. He had thought that the last successor of Lingmeng Island should have some ability, but now it seems that he had overestimated him.
This impatient and impulsive person clearly lacks composure; bringing such a person back home might be a blessing or a curse.
“It seems there’s no room for reformation,” Master Jinshan said, looking at Wu Chenxi. “Why don’t you stay here and work as a servant?”
Wu Chenxi looked disgusted. "No way. If you find it troublesome, just hand over his crimes to the higher authorities, and someone will teach him a lesson."
As long as he doesn't do something like selling pots and pans like his predecessors, it'll be fine.
"This kid has been investigating who broke the formation. Besides trying to find us, he probably also wants to contact that island over there."
Don't underestimate these small fry; they might have better access to information about shady dealings than we do.
The gist of it is that they should take him back for a thorough interrogation, so that if he confesses anything, they can nip any potential problems in the bud.
Master Jinshan said, "Alright, I'll have my men interrogate him properly then."
Seeing that Wu Chenxi was unwilling to take over, Jinshan did not force him. He had his two apprentices restrain the man and then took his leave.
Wu Chenxi said, "It's a rare opportunity to come all this way, so I should at least stay for one night. If I rush to the station now, I probably won't make it to the train."
This was exactly what Jinshan wanted to hear. "Then let's stay here for another night. But it seems like your room isn't big enough. But that's okay, let the three of them sleep on the floor outside."
Wu Chenxi, “…” Senior Uncle, I was just being polite, or… should I take it back?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
