Chapter 19


    That is to say, you are still awake in the middle of the night and you are so bored that you climbed up to the wailing of the ghosts that originate from the cold breeze. Then, you found and saved a Kunlun disciple who almost died at theke? In the tavern, Old Ma looks unkindly at Lu Chen as hespeaks in a displeased tone.


    The morning light shines through the tavern and spills onto Lu Chens face. He contemtes for a moment and nods his head, That is about it.


    Pi!. Old Maughs coldly, Are you aware of your own identity? Especially when you just found the carvings of a secret message from the demonic cult, ******! Can you act more appropriately? At this point, he suddenly stuns. He scans Lu Chen from the top to the bottom carefully with a look of suspicion on his face, It cant be that You thought of Tian<em>zhenjun</em>, so


    That isnt it. Who would have the leisure to bother about that darned old man. Lu Chen chuckles, Thatis a life, after all.


    Old Ma snorts, Nonsense, stop acting in front me! Tell me, why didnt you leave that idiot to drown?


    Lu Chen coughs dryly and says, Old Ma, recently, there has been quite a malevolent aura shrouding you. Why haveyou been hoping for othersdeath now and then? I think this is a symptom of your Yin and Yang being in a disharmony. How about this, you pass 3 Spirit Stones to me and I will sacrifice myself to help you informdy Ding Dang, so that she can treat you.


    Old Ma flies into a rage and roars, Nonsense! Ding Dang only charges 2 Spirit Stones a night, how dare you try to scam me!


    Lu Chen is surprised. He stands up and stares at Old Ma, What the hell! How can you know it so clearly?


    Old Mas plump face turns red, although he immediately regains hisposure. He humphs and pours a cup of wine for himself. Then, he continues calmly, There isnt anything I do not know in this vige.


    Lu Chen stares at him suspiciously, But why do I feel that you are acting strangely?


    Strange your head! Old Ma reprimands him. Then, he changes the topic decisively, About that secret message from the demonic cult, I have been looking through the entire vige and there doesnt seem to be anything wrong with the old vigers. On the other hand, among the new vigers, there are three to four of them which seems suspicious. I will pay closer attention to them.


    Lu Chen nods his head and says, Alright, tell me if anything happens.


    Old Ma continues, About the young man on the opposite bank whom you talked about yesterday, Ive looked into him. His name is Li Ji and he is currently not in any sects. He is a mortal who looks forward to cultivating. The reason why he is here is probably to try his luck and see whether he could be admitted into the Thousand Autumn Sects.


    Un, Lu Chen replies and remains silent. Vigers with these kind of background are themonest. Every year, around eight out of ten new vigers would hold such thoughts.


    Old Ma says, Li Ji is indeed blessed with great outer appearance. Despite his short period in the vige, many vigers have a good impression on him. Also, his painting skills are superb and he often draws vivid pictures of passingdies at the west bank. This adds an elegant disposition to him, causing him to be favored by many of the female vigers.


    Lu Chen ponders and smiles, This vige has been too uneventful for too long. It isnt surprising for the hearts of thosedies to be moved upon seeing such handsome yboy.


    Old Ma humphs, neither agreeing or disagreeing with his words. He adds on, Right, this Li Ji is also a neer to the vige. He is also among the three to four suspects ofthe demon cult that I have told you about earlier.


    Lu Chen frowns. Unsure about what he is thinking about, his face also darkens.


    Walking out the tavern, Lu Chen walks by the clear stream towards his straw cottage by the foot of the mountain. Along the way, he could only see the clear water of the stream flow steadily beneath the glow of the sun and the reflections of the green bamboos and peach blossoms in the water. It is a beautiful sight.


    Halfway through, Lu Chen suddenly hears amotion andughter from the opposite bank. A thought shes through his mind and he immediately turns to take a look. As he expected, there are three to four madams standing there as they giggle beneath their hands. In front of them, the carefree Li Ji smilesas he positions his canvas and his brush.


    He suddenly hears footsteps behind him and strangely, these footsteps sound familiar. Lu Chen twists his head to take a look only to see a familiar figure walk past him towards the rock bridge. Her back figure is slim and elegant, her hair as beautiful and luxurious like the clouds. She is Ding Dang.


    Thedy stares intently on the opposite bank as she lifts her silk skirt lightly and walks over. She didnt notice Lu Chen who is standing not too far away from her.


    Lu Chen looks at her back, then at the Li Ji who is chatting happily with the other women at the opposite bank. He shakes his head and walks into the distant. Not too longter, the outline of his cottagees into sight.


    There are quite a few vigers in Clear Stream Vige now. However, the only lodging at the foot of the tea mountain is this straw cottage. There is a simple reason to it. When the mountainous wind blows at night, the eerie high-pitched sound reminiscent of the howling of spirits is frightening. Thus, Lu Chen lived here in peace for thest few years, except for the slight ruckus at night.


    Standing in front of the entrance to the straw cottage, Lu Chen first looks around. Only after confirming that there is nothing amiss does he push the door open to walk in. In the small straw cottage, there is a person lying on the bed. It is the Kunlun Sect disciple whom he saw yesterday, Hong Chuan.


    At this moment, Hong Chuan is lying on the bed with his eyes shut tightly. However, from the look of the rhythmic expansion and contraction at his chest, he doesnt seem to be severely injured. Rather, he seems to be immersed in his sleep.


    Lu Chen chuckles. He doesnt have the intention to awaken Hong Chuan. Instead, he grabs a stool and sits by the door to gaze at the scenery of the vige in the distant silently.There is a glint in his gaze, as though he is musing.


    His patience seems to be remarkable. Even though Hong Chuan sleeps on without a sign of awakening, it seems that as long as Hong Chuanis willing, he wouldnt mind waiting three days here for him.


    Of course, things wouldnt end up so exaggerated. Right before noon, when the sun is already gazing down at Clear Stream Vige, Hong Chuans body moves slightly as he awakes from his dreams.


    He opens his eyes with difficulty before gazingconfusedly at his surroundings. Then, his body jolts as he sits up. This time, with a look of astonishment, he scans his surrounding. It didnt take long for him to spot Lu Chen, who is sitting by the door of the straw cottage.


    Lu Chen takes a look at him and smiles, Youre awake?


    Hong Chuan is shocked to see him. He asks, Brother Lu Chen, why is it you? Saying that, he takes a look around the straw cottage. He couldnt help but ask again, Where am I?


    Lu Chen replies, This is my living quarters, a straw cottage at the foot of the straw cottage. It is a shabby cottage, so please bear with it.


    Hong Chuan shakes his head in reponse. Then, with a bizarre look on his face, he asks, I, Why am I here?


    Not hiding anything, Lu Chen describes what he saw yesterday as well as the matter which he saved Hong Chuan from theke.