Who Let Him Cultivate?! (WX)-Chapter 514: My Shifu Is the Taciturn Daoist Priest, so I’m Naturally Also a Secular Cultivator
“A mission?” Lu Yang was nonplussed. Why would she suddenly ask me to join her on a mission?”
“Mmm. Senior Brother Lu, you’re knowledgeable and well-traveled. Taking on sect missions must come naturally to you.
“Do you remember our first mission together? The one where we caught that Painted Skin Demon? If you hadn’t been there to give that demon athlete’s foot, it would likely have gotten away.
“Since then, I’ve gone out to do a few missions alone. Although I completed them, the process was fraught with twists and turns. Luck played a big role. So I thought, maybe I could ask you to go on a mission together this time?”
Lu Yang was stunned. “The sect only requires every disciple to do two missions per year. You’ve already met your quota, right? Besides, with the Dreamlike Bubble Mirage selling so well, even Nascent Soul cultivators aren’t as wealthy as you. You don’t need that many contribution points either. Why take on extra missions?”
Tao Yaoye made a few exaggerated gestures of martial arts poses. “To slay demons and vanquish evil, of course! As disciples of a righteous sect, isn’t eliminating injustice in the world our duty?”
“...Fair point.”
“So, will you come with me, Senior Brother?” Tao Yaoye clasped her hands behind her back, slightly leaning forward with hopeful eyes.
Lu Yang pondered. These three months, I’d focused on breaking through to the Advanced Golden Core Stage, rejecting even Meng Jingzhou’s multiple invitations. If I agree to Junior Sister Tao’s invitation now, wouldn’t it seem like I’m valuing beauty over friendship?
“I’ll go.”
My shifu is the Taciturn Daoist Priest, a secular cultivator—naturally, so am I. As a secular cultivator, it’s unwise to be consistently in seclusion. Gaining experience through missions in the world outside is perfectly normal.
“Wonderful!” Tao Yaoye beamed.
“Wait a moment, let me ask Old Meng whether he wants to come.”
Tao Yaoye smiled knowingly. “I’ve already asked Senior Brother Meng. He’s currently in seclusion and can’t leave.”
“I see. Let’s go then.” Lu Yang was a bit disappointed; he had been hoping to ride the carriage.
Fortunately, the Taciturn Daoist Priest’s schemes had lured away the marriage proposal processions. Otherwise, if Lu Yang stepped out now, he would be swarmed by Fusion experts recommending to him their disciples, daughters, and granddaughters...
~~~
Aboard the flying vessel, Lu Yang inquired about their mission.
“The mission is from Squire Song’s house in Yuanhe County of Qingshui Commandery in Yun Province. They possess a strange painting that emits eerie sounds every midnight. Several passing cultivators had visited Squire Song’s home, but they couldn’t do anything about it. The last cultivator said ordinary cultivators couldn’t handle the painting and suggested that Squire Song seek help from immortal sects.”
“I see.”
~~~
The flying vessel docked in Qingshui Commandery. After disembarking, they rented two horses and headed to Yuanhe County.
Upon arriving in Yuanhe County, they patted the horses, sending them trotting back to their owner.
Tao Yaoye asked, “Shall we head straight to Squire Song’s house?”
Lu Yang shook his head. “No rush. Let’s ask around to gather some information about Squire Song first—his background, character, and household situation.”
“Alright.”
Tao Yaoye had changed drastically since joining the sect. While she was peerlessly beautiful when she first entered the sect, she bore a hint of youthful immaturity. Now eighteen, her graceful poise and playful charm prompted countless passers-by to turn their heads for a second look.
The two carried themselves with an air that set them apart; one glance was enough to tell they weren’t to be trifled with. As a result, no one dared to harass Tao Yaoye along the way.
“Boss, two bowls of wontons please; extra vinegar in mine.” Lu Yang chose a street stall.
“Coming right up!”
The wontons were soon served. Tao Yaoye took a bite and whispered, “Senior Brother, this stall’s wontons taste pretty average.”
“Average is exactly what we’re going for. It’s nearly mealtime, yet hardly anyone’s eating here. That tells you plenty about how average it tastes.”
“Then why are we eating here?”
“It’s because the business is slow that the boss is willing to chat with us...” He turned to the stall owner. “Boss, how long have you been running this stall?”
“It’s been almost thirty years now. Not to brag, but everyone in Yuanhe County knows my wontons. You two aren’t from around here, are you?”
“We’re physicians from the neighboring Panlong Commandery. Someone from the Song Family is sick, so they asked us senior brother and junior sister to take a look. But we’re unfamiliar with the area and haven’t located Squire Song’s residence yet.”
“Oh, you’re looking for Squire Song? His residence is not far from here. Head straight down this road, go past an intersection, then turn left—it’s just down that street.”
Lu Yang naturally knew the Song Residence was nearby. He had deliberately chosen this wonton stall within its vicinity. He kept his head down and took small bites, though a sip of the soup made him wince. So sour.
When Lu Yang stopped talking, the stall owner became chatty instead. “Physicians, who in the Song Family is ill? Squire Song himself?” Bringing over physicians from a neighboring county shows just how grave the illness is—this is worthy of becoming mealtime gossip.
Lu Yang shook his head with a smile. “That I can’t disclose.” He then seemed to have recalled something and casually asked, “Are you familiar with the Song Family?”
“The Song Family rose to prominence only twenty years ago, mainly through Squire Song’s efforts. He’s also quite the figure. He passed the county-level imperial examination and became a xiucai scholar, but never earned any higher titles. His life was uneventful, and he drifted along until middle age. That was when he lost his wife and son, leaving him perpetually frowning in gloom.”
“Out of the blue one day, something clicked, and this fellow began doing business. I’ve no idea how he did it, but his wealth grew by the day, and he became much more spirited. Later, he remarried and had three sons and a daughter.
“Squire Song can be considered a kind person. He has built two learning halls and donated many books.”
Tao Yaoye nodded thoughtfully. From the looks of it, Squire Song seems to be a good person. The only suspicious point is how he suddenly gained an epiphany and started doing business.
But this is probably irrelevant to our current mission.
“Eh, if it isn’t Senior Brother Lu Yang?” someone exclaimed with a trace of delight. The voice was melodious and tender, with a coyness that could melt one’s bones.
Lu Yang turned around in surprise. “Junior Sister Lan Ting?”
Lan Ting had spotted a familiar figure from a distance, though she only confirmed it was Lu Yang after approaching the wonton stall.
Seeing Lan Ting walk over, Tao Yaoye immediately stood up, positioning herself between Lan Ting and Lu Yang. She enthusiastically greeted Lan Ting, “Junior Sister Lan, what brings you here?”
Lan Ting’s beautiful smile made it hard for one to look straight at her. “Ah, Junior Sister Tao! I only saw Senior Brother Lu just now. I’m so sorry.”
“As cultivators, we must keep our ears open in all directions and our eyes sharp on all sides. Junior Sister Lan, you still have some way to go in your cultivation.”
“That’s not quite right, Junior Sister Tao. Cultivators heighten their awareness to watch out for danger. But what danger could I face here?” With a radiant smile, she continued, “Besides, with Senior Brother Lu Yang here, what danger could we possibly run into? Junior Sister Tao, you’re underestimating him.”
Hearing the conversation between the two girls, Lu Yang felt he should say something.
“Boss, another bowl of wontons please.”
