A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 139 - 119: What Grudge, What Hatred

Zhu Shou Rang's eyes were nearly breaking with rage, screaming ferociously like a big snake stripped of its bones and muscles, spitting venomous intent at Bai Qi.

Normally obedient to his every word, Lao Ou still forcefully covered his mouth, not allowing him to utter a single sound.

"Fifth Young Master! Remember what Madam said? Let it go! Let it go! We cannot seek revenge!"

The face of Lao Ou, who had served two generations of the Zhu Family, was taut like cast iron.

If the Master found out the Fifth Young Master mentioned revenge, and even wanted to attack Ninghai Zen's disciple, he would surely be expelled from the Zhu Family, have his legs broken, and be sent to Tongwen Hall's front!

Ten years ago, a horrific disaster of family extermination—none of the elders wish to speak of it now, considering it a significant taboo.

Even the name Ninghai Zen has become a sort of taboo, with everyone tacitly agreeing to forget that green garment and let the Plague Deity roam outside Yihai Prefecture.

"Ah, Zhu Wulang, why such fury? There's no need to make a scene over a spar. Surely you're not a sore loser?"

He Jingfeng stepped forward to mediate. Just moments ago, he had been ridiculed by Zhu Shou Rang to the point of being unable to raise his head, but now he stood tall.

"If you ask me, when your skills fall short, you should practice more!"

These words were so cutting!

Uncle Yang's eyes twitched, hurriedly stepping aside to prevent the Zhu Family from losing their temper and striking out.

Zhu Wulang might not be able to kill Bai Qilang, but can't he beat you?

"Huh huh..."

Zhu Shou Rang's temples throbbed visibly, his face twisted and fierce, his qi and blood surging within, large muscles flexing like a drawn bowstring, unable to break free from restraint.

"It's all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. Since childhood, the Fifth Young Master has lacked paternal guidance and is a bit impulsive... Please, bear with us."

Lao Ou half-supported, half-compelled Zhu Shou Rang, smiling forcibly:

"Let's just put it behind us, Young Master He, Bai... Young lad, let's meet another day."

With eagle-like claws, he grasped Zhu Shou Rang's neck tightly, and the grey-robed loyal servant, despite his aged appearance, flashed past the railing and, with a few leaps, cleared the inn's entrance door.

He went so fast, like a mere shadow left behind, the wind he stirred flipping over the boy carrying chicken and duck in his arms.

"Third Training Great Success, and possessing a Secret Technique, must have undergone internal organ training..."

Bai Qi squinted, silently noting the names of the master and servant in his heart.

Zhu Shou Rang! Lao Ou!

"Brother Bai! Your martial skills are quite exceptional, with just a few moves you reduced old Zhu Wulang to helplessness!"

Watching Zhu Shou Rang decisively depart, He Jingfeng shook his head, approached Bai Qi, and said earnestly:

"The Great Martial Arts Halls in Yihai Prefecture, not even their disciples are this fierce!"

Though he didn't follow the Four Great Martial Arts Practices, because the eldest sons of his family were all exceptional talents, He Jinghong and He Jingyun were Daoist School students, and other elder brothers had some martial arts skill, apprenticing under notable masters.

But this didn't impair Seventh Young Master He's keen insight, as he could discern strengths and weaknesses.

In the abrupt clash earlier, Bai Qi had at least cultivated two Superior Martial Arts practices to mastery and achieved One-Practice Perfect Golden Flesh and Jade Veins, making his qi and blood more substantial than Zhu Shou Rang's, thus radiating a crushing aura.

"Training for just a few months? And already reached this level?"

He Jingfeng's eyelid twitched, suddenly having the shocking thought—another Ninghai Zen?

He shook his head, immediately discarding this absurd notion, as Tongwen Hall could not produce such an individual again.

The Yihai Canglong prestige will be sealed in Black River County for the next twenty years.

Whew!

Bai Qi regulated the qi and blood flowing throughout his body, not taking He Jingfeng's words seriously, just cocking an eye at him and lightly asking:

"That Zhu went looking for trouble with you?"

He Jingfeng's heart skipped a beat, instantly feeling uneasy, just about to explain when he saw Bai Qi crossing the threshold into his room, sitting down casually and pouring himself a cup of tea.

"So you're saying, I helped you avert a disaster, vented some spleen. Right, Young Master He?"

He Jingfeng coughed lightly a few times, completely devoid of the defiant spirit shown towards Zhu Shou Rang, and awkwardly said:

"Brother Bai is noble-hearted, risking the Zhu Family's resentment to stand up for me, deeply grateful..."

Bai Qi took a sip of the cold tea, catching his breath and interrupting He Jingfeng's pretense:

"While we have time, why not talk about Tongwen Hall, let me have a grasp. Master dislikes bringing up old matters, what grudge had he with the Zhu family?"

No reason for a disciple to bask in Master's glory without inheriting Master's feuds!"

Seeing Bai Qi's current nonchalant attitude, He Jingfeng's expression was slightly odd, like he was about to speak:

"Brother Bai, your Master's reputation in Yihai Prefecture... is substantial, hence there are naturally numerous enemies."

Bai Qi was slightly surprised, teacup suspended mid-air, hearing it wasn't just the Zhu Family?

"To enumerate would take forever, in short, roughly—"

He Jingfeng weighed his word choice, lightly spit out the answer:

"Thirteen Guilds, Pai Bang, Daoist School, and several others from out of town. And that's it."

Bai Qi's expression suddenly stiffened, his mind seemed to pop with a flurry of questions.

What?

Thirteen Guilds?

Pai Bang?

Daoist School?

You might as well say I'm going to be enemy to all of Yihai Prefecture!

...

...

"Fifth Young Master, do not hold Lao Ou accountable. Years ago, the Thirteen Guilds exerted great effort to send away Ninghai Zen, the Plague Deity.

The old blood debts, written off completely! This saying, even the Master himself, all the patriarchs, Pai Bang Squad Leaders, pinched their noses and accepted!"

Having brought Zhu Shou Rang more than several dozen yards away, only then did Lao Ou set him down, sighing:

"Revenge, absolutely cannot be mentioned. If you bring it up, it means to invalidate the agreement set by the Thirteen Guilds, the Master will not show mercy!

After the extinction of the Su, Mao, Han, and Fang Guilds, the Master severed the grievance, ensuring Ninghai Zen put an end to it, even... moving your father's memorial tablet out of the ancestral hall, declaring no relation with the Zhu Family.

Your father was the Master's own sibling, he managed to do that, let alone you!"

Zhu Shou Rang's eyes turned red, his fists clenched tight, nails piercing the flesh:

"My father! He assisted the Han Family, got killed by Ninghai Zen in the ring... He didn't intend to intervene; my mother made it clear since childhood! Father didn't want to provoke Ninghai Zen, it was the Master, having a bond with the Han Family's eldest son, letting my father show face!"

This passionate, thick-browed boy with bronze skin hammered the ground and wept bitterly.

Orphaned since young, with a mother gradually fading, raised in a quiet estate, never having playmates or friends:

"But what was the result? My father was gone, not even able to enter the Zhu Family's ancestral hall!

Uncle Ou, how can you say I shouldn't hate! That Bai fellow, he's Ninghai Zen's disciple, it falls to him to repay the blood debt pressed by Tongwen Hall!"