Chapter 96 - 83: Guarding the Pass Alone

Chapter 96: Chapter 83: Guarding the Pass Alone

"Pfft."

Yu Qing was silent for a long moment before he finally let out a low chuckle, unable to hold it in.

He didn’t sense any of the "trouble" Aunt Xin had mentioned coming from this young man. All he sensed was that the man wasn’t very bright.

Even with a high Cultivation, it was useless if you didn’t have a brain.

Besides, the other party’s Cultivation wasn’t even that outstanding to begin with.

At this point, even if Lin Shu came to him and pledged allegiance, he’d have to consider whether the man would just end up ruining his plans.

"No wonder you’re with her. Birds of a feather, I suppose."

Yu Qing sighed softly, rose leisurely, and strode out of the inn, his steps quick as he crossed the floor tiles with a hint of disdain.

The other disciples scrambled to their feet and followed, casting strange glances at Lin Shu as they left.

He’d clearly been given a better opportunity but hadn’t taken it. That was something they simply couldn’t comprehend.

"Let’s go."

Chen Xiangzhu also turned to leave.

Yan Jin hesitated for a moment, then said softly, "I’d like to catch up with an old friend. I’ll find you later, Master."

She had been trapped in Black Water City for ten years. Now that she was free, her relationship with her new Master was not yet close.

The fact that Chen Xiangzhu was willing to help her with Foundation Establishment was already an immense kindness.

Saying this would undoubtedly earn her Master’s displeasure, making their already fragile master-disciple relationship even colder.

"Suit yourself."

Chen Xiangzhu glanced at her before leading her disciples away without another word.

The once-lively inn quickly fell silent.

"Have you really made your decision?"

Steward Luo watched this scene unfold, looking thoughtful, as if pondering something.

Now that the two Immortal Descendants were gone, the boy had no chance to go back on his word.

He took out his register again, the tip of his brush glowing with Spiritual Light. "Once I write this down, it can’t be changed."

The Steward was looking at Yu Sheng.

Only an Immortal Descendant was qualified to make such a decision.

If anything went wrong, only Yu Sheng could bear the responsibility.

"Don’t."

The little girl ignored the Steward.

She clutched the hem of Lin Shu’s robes tightly, feeling both overjoyed and worried.

She was overjoyed that, even in her current state, the young man still stood firmly by her side without the slightest hesitation.

But for that very reason, Yu Sheng shook her head even more resolutely.

She couldn’t let Lin Shu take such a risk just for some Inheritance Spiritual Light. He could have a much better option.

Even if it was humiliating, Yu Sheng was prepared to go and beg that Immortal Descendant from the Chen Family.

The little cub who once proudly puffed out her chest and boasted about the Yu Family’s prestige had now learned to let go of such non-existent vanities.

Her status as a member of the Yu Family was the last thing she had that could be of any use to Lin Shu.

"Master, please agree to it first."

Lin Shu didn’t explain himself.

An old fox like him could easily see through the two Immortal Descendants’ intentions.

Even if he had agreed to join them, he would have undoubtedly been the first one thrown out as a sacrifice if they encountered danger.

Do the most dangerous work for the least amount of merit.

’What is this if not being a total sucker?’

Besides, compared to that group of Cultivators who had clearly been coddled in a greenhouse, he had more faith in the Ink Flood Dragon Sword Bracelet in his Storage Bag.

"..."

Yu Sheng bit her lip. Finally, with her back to the Steward, she said softly, her voice trembling slightly, "Write it down."

"Alright. Signal Tower Thirty-Seven, outside the city. The relevant details and specific location are all in this Jade Scroll."

Steward Luo flicked his sleeve, sending a Jade Scroll flying out.

He gripped his brush again and asked casually, "What type of Magic do you specialize in? I need to make a note of it."

As if worried he’d be misunderstood, Steward Luo added an explanation, "Garrisoning a post alone is too dangerous. If there’s an opportunity, I can ask some of the other Immortal Families if they can add you to their group."

Hearing this, Lin Shu glanced sideways at the Steward.

He then raised his palm. Black Mist began to form, and the phantom of a white bone appeared between his fingers.

"Qi Refining First Grade... and it’s not a Mountain God technique, but something more like a Divine Soul Illusion Technique?"

Steward Luo was taken aback for a moment, but then he looked at Yu Sheng and seemed to understand.

When a disciple’s Cultivation is stronger than their Master’s, it most likely means they can only scrounge for legacies here and there. Though they might be called Immortal Sect Disciples, they’re really more like Loose Cultivators.

And as for Foundation Establishment methods, other Immortal Descendants certainly wouldn’t be willing to teach them to someone who hadn’t pledged allegiance.

This Immortal Technique might be weak, but he had clearly been immersed in it for many years, having already reached the Perfection Realm.

"Sigh. You’ve had it rough."

He said with a bit of emotion, his back still hunched, "Alright, I understand."

"It’s still early. You can set out at dusk and arrive before nightfall. As for this inn, the cook and servants will be here shortly. They have their own quarters, so the Immortal Family need not worry."

After speaking, Steward Luo concealed the peculiar look in his eyes.

He put away his register and brush, then left the inn with his hunched back.

Now that there were no outsiders, Yu Sheng plopped down on the floor, staring glumly at the tiles.

"Daoist Brother Lin, what a coincidence."

Yan Jin walked over slowly. With over a hundred Earth Cities in Yongzhou Pass, the fact that they could still run into each other had to be fate.

She sat down at the table and didn’t waste any time on pleasantries, getting straight to the point just as she had in Black Water City. "I told you before that I wanted to do something for you. It seems now is the chance."

Ever since their time in the Old Woodshed, Yan Jin had repeatedly told him he could come to her if he needed anything.

But the young man had never once asked.

This time, she felt she should be more proactive.

"There’s really no need for that."

Lin Shu nodded in response, reaching for the Demon Slaying Book.

This Silk Wolf had given him a bottle of Spirit Gathering Pills, and in return, he had brought her out of Black Water City as promised. Neither of them owed the other anything.

To put it bluntly, if Yan Jin really defied her Master’s orders to accompany him on garrison duty, she could forget about ever gaining her Master’s favor for the rest of her life.

"Yongzhou Pass is more dangerous than we thought."

Yan Jin had arrived a few days early and had already learned a fair bit. "Young Immortal Descendants like her almost always bring dozens of disciples with them. Within a month at most, more than half of them will be lost."