Cultivation Daddy

Chapter 150 - 149: Li Cheng is Missing (2)

Although the guard knew a random kid came back with the others, he didn’t know much of the situation.

"All the schools have already come out. This time there were four schools that entered. If the person you’re looking for came out with another school, you’ll have to visit them." The guard said.

"Which schools?" Li Jain asked

The guard raised his hand and pointed in four directions as he explained: "The nearest one is Bright Stone Martial Academy. Go east along the main road, then turn by the stone gate. The second is White River Academy. That one is farther south. The third is Golden Bell Institute near the inner city. The fourth is Red Flame Hall, outside the west district. It is one of the schools’ branches of a large sect."

Li Jain nodded: "Are there any clues about which one might harbor the person I seek? He is a child around ten years old, his name is Li Cheng. He has jet black hair, blue eyes and is aloof looking."

The guard was a little speechless by this description. A ten-year-old child can be aloof? What a joke. But still, he shrugged, while shaking his head: "Can’t say for sure. It’s best for you to ask around."

Li Jain nodded, he said, "thank you." and left.

The guard watched his back thoughtfully. Only after Li Jain had gone some distance did the guard remember the handful of spirit stones that he put in his pouch. He took them out and counted them. As if he was being oversighted, he counted again two more times, but the result was still the same.

Two hundred and fifty high-grade spirit stones. The guard’s mouth dropped open. This amount usually takes him over five months to earn. Yet, someone actually gave it to him as a generous gift. For a moment, the guard forgot how to breathe.

He stared sharply at Li Jain’s retreating back eagerly. What a powerful rich man; he thought. He had forgotten that Li Jain was a trespasser and even wanted to hold his golden thigh.

The guard quickly tied the pouch and hid it carefully inside his robe. Then he looks around with a solemn expression as if nothing had happened. His job was to report if someone comes out of the secret realm and his friend had already carried the message, so it has nothing to do with him.

...

Li Jain did not know the guard’s thoughts, nor did he care.

He was new to this place, and it was also different. The streets were wider than Fengwu City but less orderly than South River City. The road was paved with light gray stone, and most buildings were made from pale brick. Hanging banners marked shops, and clan residences. People here were slightly darker in color.

"Excuse me." Li Jain stopped a passerby and asked politely: "Where is Bright Stone Martial Academy?"

The passerby gave him a quick look, then looked away and hurried off, pretending not to hear.

Li Jain’s expression did not change. Maybe the person was in a hurry. He thought and asked another person.

This one glanced at his face and clothes, then shook his head: "Don’t know."

Li Jain finally noted that the people here weren’t so friendly. He inhaled deeply, trying to suppress his irritations. This is how humans are, they’re usually alarmed around different people. Li Jain felt his cultivation becoming reckless as soon as this thought came to mind, so he decided to stop thinking about it.

He approached a vendor selling colorful fruits. The vendor was a burly man with a bushy beard, who seemed absorbed in cutting some fruit.

"Excuse me," Li Jain cleared his throat: "Could you tell me the way to Bright Stone Martial Academy? I was directed this way but there are so many intersections here."

"Bright Stone? Yeah, what do you want with that place?" The vendor grunted, not looking up.

Li Jain: "I’m looking for a child named Li Cheng. He came out with the others from the secret realm two days ago."

The vendor paused, finally meeting Li Jain’s gaze, his eyes narrowed slightly: "Ah, you do look similar to that little brat. There are many rumors about him. He could be at any of the major four schools. But what do I know? The little brat got a knack for trouble."

Li Jain frowned, that doesn’t sound like his Xiao Cheng.

"Take that intersection, you’ll see a red banner hanging on the right, follow it. It should take you about fifteen minutes to reach your destination."

Li Jain thanked the vendor and followed his directions. Only when he reached the red banner and turned right, there were other intersections before him. Li Jain frowns, why are there so many roads?!

He didn’t really want to ask anyone for directions again; it was more exhausting than it’s supposed to be. Right then, two cultivators walked by, avoiding Li Jain, while they whispered to each other.

"He doesn’t look like a local, what is he doing here?"

"Maybe he’s from another country. Many weird people have been coming here lately."

"Why is he just standing there, do you think he’s lost?"

"Don’t stare too much, let’s go."

Li Jain heard their conversation clearly but ignored them.

"Excuse me sir, are you lost? The road to Bright Stone Martial Academy is that way." A voice sounded from behind him.

Li Jain turned around to see a boy who looked around sixteen or seventeen. His clothes were old and patched, but not dirty. His hair was tied messily behind his head. His face was thin and he has a small scar on his chin.

"How do you know I’m heading that way?" Li Jain asked calmly.

The boy was a bit embarrassed and rubbed the back of his head uneasily: "I saw you asking uncle Bu, the fruit vendor for directions. But the roads here are a bit tricky or I followed you."

And sure enough, you’re stuck. The boy thought but he didn’t say it out loud.

Li Jain didn’t respond, only signaling for him to go on.

The boy rubbed his hands together and said carefully: "I know the way, I can take you there. I won’t charge much. Just a few coins."

Li Jain thought for a moment and nodded: "Ok, lead the way."

It was better having a direct escort than asking random passerbys every step of the way.

The boy’s eyes brightened: "Yes, sir. This way."

He turned quickly and led Li Jain away from the wider street.

"What is your name?" Li Jain asked.

The boy blinked, clearly not expecting the question.

"My name is Xu Tao," he said after a short pause.