novelraw Chapter 1111: Master and Disciple
Chapter 1111: Master and Disciple
Ling Feng was startled, then chuckled helplessly and said, "Alright, old man, your sharp eyes have seen right through me!"
"Who are you?" the old man asked.
"I came to visit the ruins of Hu Family Village. I’m interested in the events that took place here, so I decided to pay a visit. What about you, elder?" Ling Feng asked.
"We’re here for the same reason!"
The old man said nonchalantly, then added, "Since we’ve encountered each other in this deep mountain, why not sit down for a chat?"
"Sure!"
Ling Feng nodded and pulled Huaihua’s hand. "We saw the firelight ahead and thought we’d warm ourselves by the fire. The nights in these mountains are indeed chilly!"
"Exactly, it’s late autumn now!"
The old man replied and turned, walking toward the fire.
Soon, the group gathered by the fire, where Ling Feng pulled Hehua to sit down with him.
The young man kept his long sword unsheathed, holding it in his hand, his face full of vigilance.
However, as the firelight illuminated Hehua’s face, the young man caught sight of her features and froze: "Such a beautiful young lady!"
"Chen Jin, mind your manners!"
The old man glared at the young man, then turned to Ling Feng and smiled, "Apologies, my apprentice lacks proper discipline. Please forgive him!"
"The love of beauty is a common sentiment. Nothing to be concerned about!"
Ling Feng chuckled and then asked, "How should I address you, elder?"
"I’m Wang Xi, and this is my apprentice Chen Jin. And you are?" the old man inquired.
"I’m Ling Feng, and this is Hehua!" Ling Feng introduced.
Wang Xi acknowledged with an "oh" and narrowed his eyes, saying, "Mr. Ling, it’s truly admirable for someone as young as you to have reached the Qi Refining realm in cultivation. Who is your master?"
"I don’t have a teacher; I’ve trained myself!" Ling Feng replied.
"Hah! Trained by yourself? Who are you trying to fool? Do you think we’re bumpkins who’ve never seen the world?" Chen Jin said with disdain.
Ling Feng glanced at him, increasingly convinced this youth lacked manners. He said coolly, "Sorry, but I don’t seem to have a reason to deceive you!"
"Who says so?"
Chen Jin sneered, his gaze shifting to Hehua, who seemed nervous and shrank closer to Ling Feng. He then said, "I see this young lady so tense—could it be you’ve abducted her? Miss, don’t be afraid. If he’s a human trafficker, feel free to say so, and I’ll see to it for you!"
"No, you’re mistaken, that’s not the case!" Hehua said.
"Don’t fear. With me here, he wouldn’t dare hurt you!" Chen Jin continued.
Ling Feng was speechless. What was this guy trying to do?
An infatuation with a pretty face has led to dishonest schemes, no?
But trying to play hero doesn’t mean you can make careless accusations.
Ling Feng turned to Wang Xi and saw the old man seemingly oblivious, then smiled and said, "Elder, since your apprentice seems to have such resentment toward me, I’ll take my leave. Farewell!"
With that, he stood and pulled Hehua along to leave.
Unexpectedly, Chen Jin twirled his sword with a flourish and shouted, "Did I say you could leave?"
"Oh? Are you planning to detain me by force?"
Ling Feng suppressed his anger and asked coolly.
"Not until everything is clarified—you’re not leaving tonight!"
Chen Jin pointed his sword straight at Ling Feng’s nose and shouted.
Ling Feng let go of Hehua’s hand, his body shielding her, then faced Chen Jin and asked, "Why am I obliged to explain anything to you?"
"I suspect you’re one of the evil sects. If you refuse to explain, it proves you have a guilty conscience!" Chen Jin yelled.
Ling Feng rolled his eyes in exasperation, then turned toward Wang Xi and asked, "Elder, is this your stance as well?"
Wang Xi finally stood up, giving Chen Jin a stern glare: "Sheathe your sword—this isn’t our home, and it’s no place for your nonsense!"
"Master!"
Chen Jin clearly wasn’t satisfied.
"I told you to sheathe it! Such behavior—how is it any better than what evil sects do?" Wang Xi scolded.
Seeing the old man genuinely angry, Chen Jin grudgingly lowered his longsword.
Then Wang Xi looked at Ling Feng apologetically: "My apologies, I’ve failed to discipline him properly."
"The elder is correct—your apprentice truly lacks decorum!"
Ling Feng responded coldly, without holding back.
Wang Xi looked somewhat embarrassed and forced a chuckle as he changed the subject: "To be honest, I came here with my apprentice to search for something. Mr. Ling, perhaps your purpose here is the same as ours?"
"No, you’ve misunderstood!"
Ling Feng shook his head and then said, "I merely heard this was Hu Tiesheng’s hometown and became curious about his story. That’s why I came here!"
"Oh?"
Wang Xi frowned slightly, a sharp glimmer flashing in his eyes: "You’re really not here searching for something?"
"I have no reason to deceive you. Frankly, Hehua and I got here earlier than you did. If I was here to search for something, I’d have already dug up the whole place!" Ling Feng explained.
"I see!"
Wang Xi suddenly understood and nodded, "Very well, I trust your words, Mr. Ling. In that case, I won’t keep you here any longer."
"Elder, I’m curious—what are you looking for?" Ling Feng asked.
Wang Xi hesitated briefly before replying, "A sword."
"Hmm?"
Ling Feng was taken aback and asked in puzzlement, "What kind of sword?"
"It was Hu Tiesheng’s personal weapon back in the day," Wang Xi said.
Ling Feng was even more surprised: "How do you know the sword is here?"
"Oh? Are you aware of the sword as well?"
Wang Xi didn’t answer directly but asked with a puzzled look.
From Ling Feng’s words, he could tell that Ling Feng seemed to know something about this!
Ling Feng chuckled: "Elder, you don’t need to keep searching. That sword isn’t here. Even if you turned Hu Family Village upside down, you wouldn’t find it!"
"How do you know?" Wang Xi asked.
"I just do. Consider this a friendly hint—I wouldn’t want you to waste your time."
Ling Feng remarked casually and turned to leave.
He hadn’t taken more than two steps when he felt a malicious wind coming from behind. He tilted his head just as the sword tip grazed past him!
Turning back, he saw that the attacker was Chen Jin. Ling Feng said coldly, "Kid, do you think I don’t dare deal with you after so many provocations?"
"Since you know about the sword, you’re not leaving here tonight!" Chen Jin retorted coldly.
"Is that right?"
Ling Feng sneered, flipping his palm to reveal the God Slayer Saber: "Then let’s see if you have what it takes to stop me!"
"Don’t fight. Let’s talk this through peacefully!" Wang Xi said.
Despite his words, he didn’t intervene or order Chen Jin to lower his sword, making it clear he was playing the role of a superficially benevolent elder.
Seeing how this master and apprentice behaved, Ling Feng sneered, no longer in a rush to act.
Then, with another flip of his palm, he retrieved a wooden box containing the longsword and held it up: "This is what you’re looking for, isn’t it?"
"...."
Wang Xi and Chen Jin’s eyes lit up, instantly fixated on the box!