Chapter 278: 254 Transformation, Part 2

In the evening, the previous clouds had somehow long dispersed, leaving only the golden-red sunshine dyeing half of the clouds red.

The red clouds and golden rays reflected on the sea, instantly making the sea and sky blend into one, a breathtaking view.

“Such beauty, viewing it often will surely broaden one’s mind and vastly exceed ordinary horizons,” Zhang Rongfang praised.

“Just like me, after watching this scenery for so long, I feel my mind has expanded a lot, no longer easily getting angry over trivial matters.”

“What the lord said is indeed true,” replied Chen Han, who had followed behind, bowing his head.

“Has there been anything important lately?” Zhang Rongfang asked.

He was now deeply immersed in self-improvement, indulging in martial cultivation, going out to brag and stroll, and relaxing his mind.

He instructed Chen Han to supervise the Agarwood Temple, not to disturb him unless there was something important.

Chen Han had also done very well these days. There was almost no interference, allowing Zhang Rongfang to be extremely peaceful.

“Rest assured, lord, there is no major matter. Moreover, Miss Sun Chaoyue has been able to handle some minor issues properly, helping me out quite a bit,” Chen Han said softly.

“Oh? She’s only Fourth Grade, right? How can she help you?” Zhang Rongfang asked in surprise.

“She just stepped into Fifth Grade last month. Miss Sun has a great grasp in handling disputes over teaching affairs, often giving excellent suggestions. It’s made our daily tasks at least thirty percent easier.

It must be the foundation she built back in Tan Yang,” Chen Han replied.

“Indeed,” Zhang Rongfang nodded. Back in Tan Yang, Sun Chaoyue managed the Yao Yuan Book Club by herself and even organized such large-scale auctions, showing her capability.

With enough support, talents like her can indeed accomplish much.

However, he wasn’t concerned, as there were many talents like her these days.

Sun Chaoyue’s performance indeed added a bit of value, but it’s not enough.

If she can reach Ninth Grade in martial arts before the age of thirty, she can be well cultivated.

“By the way, how old is she now?”

“Lord, she’s twenty-six years old now. There are four years left,” Chen Han understood Zhang Rongfang’s intent.

“Four years… might not be enough,” Zhang Rongfang shook his head slightly. The previous matters delayed Sun Chaoyue quite a bit. Otherwise, she might have had a chance to reach Ninth Grade.

“What about her father?” Zhang Rongfang asked again.

“He voluntarily confessed and was executed, taking all of the Sun family’s crimes upon himself. He left one old servant to Miss Sun.

It was two months ago when he was executed,” Chen Han answered.

“The world is unpredictable; this is how it is,” Zhang Rongfang sighed.

He looked at the beautiful sea-sky view again, feeling different emotions.

Regardless of life’s ups and downs, the sea and sky still remain unchanged, timeless…

A unique artistic conception surged into Zhang Rongfang’s heart, making him increasingly realize that he must keep moving forward and become stronger to remain as eternal as nature.

“Help! Let go of me! Let go of my sister!”

Suddenly, faint cries for help floated in from the left coast.

A group of brown-haired, blue-eyed foreign sailors surrounded a burly man dressed as a captain, tugging at two beautiful girls in light blue short skirts and tops.

The two girls appeared dressed attractively, with their skirts reaching mid-thigh, but it was evidently a type of ethnic attire.

“Little girls dressed so nicely, showing so much aren’t they trying to seduce the big guys to play with them?! Hahaha!”

A burly white man with a scruffy beard laughed, drew out a saber, and swiftly cut a large tear in one girl’s dress at the back.

The dress was cut open without harming her skin, showing this person had some skill with a blade.

“Come on, come on, we have dozens of people on the ship, definitely enough to feed you two little girls!” someone jeered along.

Amidst the frightened screams of the two girls, the sailors became increasingly excited.

They stepped forward, surrounded the girls, like teasing prey, enthusiastically pushing them around.

Here is the suburb of a port, sparsely populated, with hardly anyone around. Not to mention the patrol constables.

It’s probably the reason why this group dared to act so boldly.

Zhang Rongfang was gazing out at the sea, immersed in that special feeling.

Suddenly disturbed by the noisy sounds, he instantly was drawn out of that unique feeling.

He felt faintly displeased, raising his eyes to look.

In this beautiful sea-sky scene, there appeared a new segment of teasing women in the lower left corner.

This completely destroyed the harmony and perfection of the view.

Especially the noise from the group, seriously disrupting his mood.

“Chen Han.”

“Here,” Chen Han bowed and cupped his fist.

“Handle it,” Zhang Rongfang said coldly.

“Yes.”

Chen Han instantly understood the meaning.

He took a step forward, his body technique flashed, and he rushed towards the group of sailors.

In no time, intense screams erupted as Chen Han and the constable soldiers following him swiftly moved forward, besieging the group of sailors.

In just a dozen breaths, more than ten sailors fell into pools of blood.

The captain shouted in despair, suddenly mustering his last strength, breaking through nearby soldiers, and charging towards Zhang Rongfang not far away.

Chen Han was about to intercept, but suddenly saw a signal and voluntarily halted.

The captain roared frantically, holding the saber, sprinting rapidly, slashing towards Zhang Rongfang.

The silver saber was well-maintained, with engraved letters and bird patterns on the side.

The blade came from above, making a piercing sound as it split the air, changing angles three times along its slashing trajectory.

Impossible to defend.

This slash, in terms of speed, momentum, and the trajectory of change, was enough to match a high-grade expert.

But…

Zhang Rongfang’s right hand blurred for an instant, then returned to normal.

Poof!

The saber’s blade halted, the captain’s face maintaining an angry expression, stood fixed in place, just over a meter from Zhang Rongfang.

But from just over a meter, it was as insurmountable as a chasm.

Between his eyebrows, unknowingly, there was now a bloody hole.

Plop.

The corpse fell to the ground, swiftly losing its vitality.

Zhang Rongfang wiped his index finger.

“Intentionally attacking a government official, the property will be confiscated, and the three families will be implicated.

Men, go investigate the fleet behind this, and handle it cleanly.”

“Yes.”

Several constables jumped in their hearts, sweat appearing on their foreheads, and answered hurriedly.

As his strength improved and his experience grew, Zhang Rongfang became increasingly intolerant of things that displeased or discomforted him.

Endless days and nights of bitter cultivation, calculation, and self-improvement.

Life had become oppressive and exhausting enough; why not try to relax in daily life?

Only by holding a principle could one be more efficient. Only then can Yin and Yang be balanced.

He ignored the thousand thanks from the two rescued girls.

He turned again to view the scenery at this moment.

The golden-red sea view had returned to its original purity and flawlessness.

In an instant, Zhang Rongfang’s mood improved.

“Indeed, the Buddhist saying is right. The body is like the Bodhi tree, the heart like a bright mirror stand. Regularly wipe and clean it, don’t let dust settle.”

“Life must be regularly wiped clean to remain untainted.”

Chen Han returned behind him at this time, saying nothing.

He knew that this Daoist once originated from the Eastern Sect of Buddhism and was a spiritual envoy from the Golden Wing Pavilion, so it’s normal to understand some Buddhist anecdotes.

Neither mentioned the captain’s issue further.

Such captains and crew who disregard rules and dare to be so arrogant at the port would often be pirates at sea, killing and plundering without a doubt.

Really wanting to investigate, it would certainly confirm the suspicions.

Being prosecuted and having their ship assets seized would also be inevitable.

Without mentioning anything else, just accusing them of attacking a government official would suffice unless the captain had no backers.

If there were backers, they would also bleed heavily before getting away.

This is why Zhang Rongfang didn’t want to return to the Great Capital.

Being carefree here was much more enjoyable; returning would mean possibly encountering influential Spirit People and royal relatives easily.

Failing to take care would mean dealing with a Ninth or Super Grade master or spiritual guards, requiring utmost attention even when walking.

Carelessness might even meet with a Grandmaster.

How could anywhere compare to the ease and happiness here?

Just like earlier, casually killing a few people and seizing assets was enough for his daily expenses for quite a while. It couldn’t be more pleasant.

As dusk descended, Zhang Rongfang finally retired for the day, returning to Agarwood Temple.

Now, Agarwood Temple had been expanded into a complex consisting of three halls and five courtyards.

Calling it a temple was no longer appropriate.

It should be called a palace.

The recruitment there had also increased significantly compared to before.

In Citong city, all comers were accepted, regardless of whether they were Great Spirit citizens or foreigners, as long as they devoutly embraced the faith, they could be recruited into the Taoist palace.

As for the framework and systems, Zhang Rongfang didn’t need to worry; they were quickly set up by drawing management from nearby large cities.

On his way back, Zhang Rongfang sent Chen Han ahead with some men while he himself left alone under the pretext of visiting friends.

Chen Han had protested against this more than once before, but with Zhang Rongfang’s body technique becoming faster, he was powerless.

With the breakthrough in Iron Cloth cultivation, Zhang Rongfang’s overall physical quality slowly improved.

Although the higher the grade, the less the improvement.

But it couldn’t be helped that he had broken through too many grades…..

Quantitative change led to qualitative change, and his body technique speed had long surpassed Chen Han.

Let alone the two Spiritual Veins members from Snow Rainbow Pavilion following behind.

These two were also inner-style fighters and had long been unable to keep up with Zhang Rongfang’s body technique. They simply decided to relax.

After all, Zhang Ying couldn’t track him anymore, so they’d rather eat, drink, and handle matters carelessly each day.

After all, if something really went wrong, the two inner-style Spiritual Veins wouldn’t be enough to handle it.

*

*

*

Deep inside Huangjing Mountain.

Over ten masters from the Rebel Sect masked themselves and surrounded a red-haired strong man, forming a formation, attacking, defending, retreating, and advancing in perfect rhythm.

Everyone wielded heavy knives, while some held flying knives, guns, and crossbows from afar, ready to provide assistance at any time.

Zhang Zhenhai was on the side, intensely focused and on edge, ready to intervene personally.

They had successfully lured a Spiritual Veins investigator of the Rebel Sect in this time.

Using the arrogance of these Spiritual Veins relying on their invincibility, they easily trapped and then initiated attacks.

Yet, what worried her was this red-haired Spiritual Veins was exceptionally tricky in martial arts, adept with hidden weapons and agile like a fish, with excellent force dispersal.

This resulted in the efficiency of their concentrated attacks being very low.

They fought for an entire hour, only managing to injure him only five times.

Moreover, the critical issue was that the individual was gradually grasping the rhythm and weaknesses of the encirclement.

This also increased the difficulty of the siege further.

“Zhenhai, caught another fish today?”

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from beside her.

Zhang Zhenhai’s pretty face froze for a moment, then joy filled her heart.

She turned to look at the right side.

Sure enough, Zhang Rongfang approached slowly, wearing a Golden Wing Pavilion mask, a silver line across his brow.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep