Chapter 89: Chapter 89: A Pleasant Surprise

The onlookers outside the gate had barely walked away when Guo Wei’s angry shouts at Chu Lingguang echoed out.

In the evening, Chu Lingguang emerged from the Martial Arts Hall looking crestfallen and returned to Liu Family Gully to stay for two days.

The act had to be complete, or it would arouse suspicion.

The next day, news quickly spread throughout Baiyang County and Qinghe County.

“Junior Brother, I have some good news for you. Teng Qingshan and Lin Yuanfu personally went to meet Chu Lingguang, but they both came back disappointed. Chu Lingguang’s strength hasn’t changed at all since his time at the Escort Agency.”

At the Zhennan Martial Arts Hall, Jin Shan spoke to Liu Quan, who was practicing the Form Realm of his Spear Technique.

“He actually dares to claim the title of ’Future Martial Arts Scholar’? He really doesn’t know his own limits.”

Liu Quan sneered, thrusting his spear through a wooden stake in front of him. He had been training bitterly day and night, waiting to redeem himself at the Daoist Examination.

When Chu Lingguang first received the title of ’Future Martial Arts Scholar,’ it had really caught him off guard. Now, knowing that Chu Lingguang’s reputation was undeserved, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

“What are you two whispering about?”

Tie Zhennan saw Liu Quan and Jin Shan slacking off, whispering to each other in a corner instead of training properly.

“Master, haven’t you heard? Chu Lingguang got crushed by Teng Qingshan and Lin Yuanfu. Everyone outside is laughing at him, saying his fame is empty. Guo Wei has lost a lot of face, and rumor has it he’s already kicked Chu Lingguang back to Liu Family Gully.”

Jin Shan said excitedly.

“Hmph. You can’t judge a hero by a single success or failure. Chu Lingguang’s aptitude may be poor, but his temperament is steady. He knows how to turn shame into courage. You two are far worse than him. Now get back to training!”

Tie Zhennan roared.

“Yes, Master!”

Liu Quan and Jin Shan replied emphatically, and the two quickly began to spar.

Tie Zhennan stood to the side with his hands behind his back, instructing them meticulously. ’How could he not know what even his disciples had heard?’ But as a master, he, like Guo Wei, hoped to train more outstanding disciples. Seeing Liu Quan and Jin Shan gloating over Chu Lingguang’s failure, he promptly corrected their attitude and began training them even more rigorously.

After the last failure at the Escort Agency, Tie Zhennan could not let such a thing happen again at the Daoist Examination.

Of course, as a rival, hearing that Guo Wei had lost face because of Chu Lingguang greatly improved his appetite. Beneath his stern exterior was a jubilant heart.

「Liu Family Gully.」

Chu Lingguang was focused on practicing his Continuous Slash Saber Technique.

These past few days, the area outside his home had been very lively.

It was mostly people who had come to laugh at him.

The local villagers were all saying he had brought shame upon Guo Wei. There were even rumors that he had been expelled by Guo Wei from his tutelage. For the past two days, Liu Lishi’s family had been setting off firecrackers and would occasionally have a feast at their doorstep, their laughter the loudest in all of Liu Family Gully.

PHEW!

Chu Lingguang lowered his saber.

He had gained some insight into the knack of Borrowing Strength, but not much.

So far, the power of his fifth slash was only slightly stronger than the fourth. He still couldn’t combine the power of two slashes, making it far weaker than Da Wu’s.

However, with his stats increased so much, everything was just waiting for him to activate it. Chu Lingguang’s mindset remained very stable.

“Uncle.”

Just then, as Chu Lingguang was about to go back into his room, he saw Zhang Da walking in from the village entrance carrying a basket.

For the past few days, everyone had been intentionally avoiding him, and Chu Lingguang had tactfully kept his distance as well. Seeing Zhang Da walk into Liu Family Gully now, Chu Lingguang was a little puzzled.

Zhang Da walked straight toward Chu Lingguang’s yard.

Seeing Chu Lingguang covered in sweat after just finishing his Saber Technique practice, he nodded slightly. He opened the wicker gate, went into the kitchen, and took several hard-boiled eggs, a bowl of lard covered with oiled paper, and a wrapped, cooked pig’s trotter from the basket, placing them on the stove.

“Uncle, what is this?”

Chu Lingguang stood at the kitchen doorway.

“Your aunt was worried you wouldn’t have enough meat to eat these past few days at home, so she had me bring these things over. She works for Master Guo and knows he’s still angry, so it’s not convenient for her to come see you.”

Zhang Da explained.

Then, he patted Chu Lingguang’s shoulder, picked up the empty basket, and headed back toward the village entrance.

Chu Lingguang watched Zhang Da’s retreating back.

For the past two years, he had studied under Guo Wei and never had to worry about food or clothing, so he often took care of his aunt’s family. Now that he had ’fallen on hard times,’ the crow was feeding its parent in return; Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family was repaying his Favors.

(Cared for the family of Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family. Gained 127 Favor Points.)

At that moment, a line of text appeared before Chu Lingguang.

’Second Aunt, once your nephew passes the examination, I will never let you suffer again,’ Chu Lingguang vowed silently.

He had looked after the family of Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family out of affection and in return for her previous care, not with the intention of getting Favors back.

Receiving these Favor Points today was a pleasant surprise.

He checked his status panel.

Favors: 127

Turtle Breath Technique (61/500)

Heaven and Earth Technique (102/1000)

Continuous Slash Saber Technique (237/300)

(Remaining Lifespan: 97 years)

Chu Lingguang decided to raise his Continuous Slash Saber Technique to Perfection and use the remaining points on his Heaven and Earth Technique.

The status panel’s information changed.

Favors: None

Continuous Slash Saber Technique (300/300)

Heaven and Earth Technique (166/1000)

Chu Lingguang eagerly began practicing the Continuous Slash Saber Technique again. He was very excited to see how powerful the fifth slash would become once the Continuous Slash Saber Technique, now at Perfection, was fully activated.

This time, at the Daoist Examination, perhaps he could compete for a spot in the top ten.

Previously, Chu Lingguang would never have dared to have such a thought.

「Three days later.」

Hei Hu rode Mountain Pass Peak into Liu Family Gully, shouting toward Chu Lingguang’s yard as he went, “Junior Brother, hurry and come back with me! Master has forgiven you. Don’t disappoint him again in the future.”

“Master’s not kicking me out anymore?”

Wearing only a pair of shorts, Chu Lingguang was so excited he vaulted out of his window.

“I and Senior Sister pleaded with him for several days. Seeing as it was your first offense, he decided to give you another chance. Pack your things and come back with me. And be more mindful from now on! Don’t lose face for Master again.”

Hei Hu said, taking credit for it.

“Thank you, Senior Brother! Thank you, Senior Sister! I will definitely not disappoint Master again.”

Chu Lingguang nodded emphatically.

After going back inside to pack a few changes of clothes, he vaulted onto the horse’s back and gripped Hei Hu’s shoulders tightly.

“HYAH!”

Hei Hu galloped out of Liu Family Gully with Chu Lingguang.

Hearing the commotion, the neighbors all ran out to see.

“Master Guo called him back.”

“I told you Master Guo is kind-hearted and wouldn’t easily expel Lin Guang from his tutelage.”

“Hey, you say that now, but weren’t you the one laughing the loudest the other day?”

“Nonsense! I’m not that kind of person.”

Everyone had their own thoughts on the matter.

Some were happy, some were worried.

Liu Lishi’s family, who had been making a racket for days, suddenly fell silent, their faces dark.

The news reached the Zhennan Martial Arts Hall in Qinghe County.

Liu Quan performed a set of the Flower Dance Spear, sneering, “Perfect. When the time comes, I’ll let you see what a true Formed Spear Technique looks like.”

Time flew by, and soon only one month remained until the Daoist Examination.

Under Guo Wei’s watchful gaze, Chu Lingguang walked up to a four-hundred-and-twenty-jin Stone Lock. He gripped it with both hands, using his Heavenward Force to surge his Qi Blood. With a roar, he successfully lifted the Stone Lock over his head.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep