Zhang Chen came to visit his master again. Chai Chuanxin had his leg broken, and indeed, the small courtyard quieted down.
"Where is the master?" Zhang Chen put down the fruits and pastries he bought, scanned the small courtyard, but didn’t see Chen Sanliang, and asked.
"That Chai Chuanxin’s really unlucky, getting his leg broken by a Beast Suppressor falling off the eaves. He traveled from the south alone, without servants or family to care for him, so your master went to tend to him." Han Suzhen said with a hint of irritability.
Hearing Han Suzhen’s words, Zhang Chen was taken aback. He hadn’t expected to achieve two goals with one effort; not only did he solve Chai Chuanxin’s issue, but he also drove Chen Sanliang away, avoiding Chen Sanliang’s cold stares.
"I thought you wouldn’t come back after you were humiliated, but seeing you today makes me happy. One must avoid arrogance before having ability, and meaningless pride." With a smile, Han Suzhen looked at Zhang Chen, holding a book scroll: "Since you’re here today, I’ll give you something good."
Saying that, Han Suzhen waved the book scroll in her hand: "This scroll is the scattered notes from Chen Sanliang. He spent thirty years comprehending Dao in the Northern Land, organizing countless insights. Take it and study it. Though his temper stinks and he rigidly follows useless rules, his scholarly ability is top-notch. Otherwise, he wouldn’t dare claim not being inferior to the saints back then."
Here, Han Suzhen’s voice was filled with emotion, as if defending Chen Sanliang: "In the past, Chen Sanliang argued Dao with Master’s lineage for three days and nights, criticized Master’s Dao as a useless great Dao, inciting the wrath of the entire Dao Vein. Zhu Xun from Master’s lineage spoke up: ’If you consider Saint Dao useless, create a useful Dao yourself, and we’ll acknowledge you! Coming here to talk nonsense, what skill is this?’ Thus, Chen Sanliang made a bet with Master’s lineage, that he wouldn’t return to Jiangnan if he couldn’t create a useful Dao. Among many reasons for our exile to the Northern Land, this was a major reason."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen was startled, a hint of astonishment in his eyes: "This is master’s handwritten notes. Is it not improper to privately teach it to disciples?"
"What’s wrong with that! If there’s any blame, I’ll take it all." Han Suzhen said unconcernedly: "Now his scholarship is forming its initial shape; it’s just right for you to follow his notes and see how he creates a discipline. It will surely benefit you."
Zhang Chen felt deeply moved and, faced with Han Suzhen’s undeniable gaze, accepted the notes. He then spent half a day seeking academic advice from Han Suzhen before leaving the small courtyard. At parting, Han Suzhen said: "You need to study thoroughly after returning. Next time, I’ll test your thoughts and insights. If you can’t explain clearly, I won’t spare you."
"I obey, master." Zhang Chen replied respectfully.
Having bid farewell to Han Suzhen, Zhang Chen was about to head back when he suddenly saw a throng gathering at a street corner far away. Dozens of men dressed in rough fabric with Yellow Turban on their heads were gathering a crowd, preaching about the divine wonders and greatness of the Yellow Heaven God.
At this moment, the crowd buzzed suddenly, as a carriage stopped abruptly at the preaching site of Huangli Temple disciples. The carriage curtain lifted, and a woman in a red robe stepped out.
Her red robe was embroidered with a golden phoenix, now she looked down at Huangli Temple disciples: "Is your Yellow Heaven God truly as divine as you claim?"
"Can your Yellow Heaven God really suppress evil spirits?"
The disciples of Huangli Temple, upon seeing the woman’s luxurious attire and her sweat blood horse, eyes brightened immediately: "Mere evil spirits are nothing before our Yellow Heaven God. Not even a breath could hold under him. Even the earth-shaking Great Demon turns to fly ash before our Yellow Heaven God, not even worth mentioning."
"Miss, our Yellow Heaven Dao’s God is omnipotent. If you’re interested, feel free to listen in."
Watching this unfold, Zhang Chen thought to himself: "I didn’t expect Yellow Heaven Dao to make such grand gestures now, not even avoiding the court. That woman might suffer misfortune, entrusting to Yellow Heaven God, bankruptcy might just be ahead."
But he didn’t meddle further, instead, he headed to a nearby inn. As the sky dimmed, Zhang Chen opened a room, drank some tea, when Fox Spirit floated in through the window, carrying a small box happily: "Mission accomplished, not letting you down."
Fox Fairy Nannan, full of pride, placed the small box on the table before Zhang Chen. Extending his hand to open the box, what greeted him was a pile of gold bricks.
Indeed, gold bricks rather than gold ingots.
Staring at the gold bricks on the table, weighing at least five or six jin, Zhang Chen cursed: "This dog official, how much people’s fat and people’s skin did he plunder?"
"How did you manage to find the gold bricks?" Zhang Chen inquired.
"I merely used Illusion Technique to confuse the dog official’s wife, and it worked." Fox Fairy Nannan said proudly.
With his palm stroking the gold brick, Zhang Chen’s Golden Finger Interface opened up, with its Golden Finger beginning to flash:
[Gold discovered, can refine Pure Gold]
[Refine?]
"Isn’t gold already pure gold?" Zhang Chen pondered, then agreed to the Golden Finger’s request. At the next moment, the gold in the box transformed into a mist, infusing into Zhang Chen’s mouth and nose.