Chapter 121: He Did Not Regard Him Highly

Perhaps due to all the events of his past life, Su Chunfeng had little good feeling toward the practitioners of the Jianghu of Esoteric Arts—especially those who, upon hearing of an Inheritor of Esoteric Arts, would righteously shout about beating and killing them, yet were too cowardly to step forward themselves, preferring to hide behind others and watch the tigers fight. Such people could be called vile and shameless in character.

Shi Linheng was one of them.

Of course, these likes and dislikes mostly stemmed from Su Chunfeng’s personal subjectivity, after all, at that time, he was the one being encroached upon.

Reasonably speaking, the Jianghu of Esoteric Arts was an abstract concept, encompassing a vast area with numerous people, and its relationship to the overall social status and situation was extremely subtle and complex. Therefore, within such a broad framework, people like Shi Linheng, who neither wanted to have direct conflict with Inheritors of Esoteric Arts nor could avoid taking a stand when necessary, would naturally choose to oppose or even show hostility toward the Esoteric Arts.

This was actually understandable; human nature being what it is, such situations have existed throughout history in any form of society.

And Su Chunfeng’s emotional factors were also within reason.

On the other hand, Su Chunfeng had always been disgusted by Qimen Mystics using esoteric means to seek benefits involving his family. Furthermore, he did not want to be involved with the Jianghu of Esoteric Arts, nor did he want to be entangled endlessly with someone like Shi Linheng, so only a swift and decisive action would cut through the entanglement…

A brief, rude, and somewhat warning statement might not completely dispel Shi Linheng’s desire to take him as a disciple, but it was enough to lay a foundation for Su Chunfeng’s upcoming refusal, one that would not raise too much suspicion.

You are a charlatan, you want to swindle our family out of a hundred thousand yuan…

What a righteous reason for disgust!

I will call the police!

What powerful deterrence!

A little after seven in the morning, while his parents were having breakfast, Su Chunfeng went to his father’s office, closed the door, and called Chen Xian. He informed Chen Xian about what had happened early that morning, so that Chen Xian could respond flexibly in his conversation with Shi Linheng. As for how to respond, Su Chunfeng did not need to say; a seasoned operator like Chen Xian, who had been in the officialdom for half his life, understood the art of conversation better than he did.

After listening to Su Chunfeng, Chen Xian, who had been full of doubts, finally couldn’t help but ask: “Chunfeng, why do you dislike and reject Qimen Mystics so much?”

“Because I don’t like them.” Su Chunfeng answered simply, directly, but vaguely.

Chen Xian could hear the displeasure in Su Chunfeng’s words, and earlier, Su Chunfeng had said that he did not want to discuss such matters with Chen Xian.

But now, for the sake of his daughter’s career, Chen Xian had to broach this topic with Su Chunfeng. Because he did not understand the Jianghu of Esoteric Arts, yet knew about the mystery and power of such Jianghu practitioners, he felt somewhat apprehensive. He said: “I heard from Shi Linheng that in early summer, on the north side of South Ring Road opposite the Logistics Park, there was a bizarre death case. The deceased was an Occultist… Does this matter have anything to do with you?”

Su Chunfeng frowned, feeling instantly displeased, and said: “How could Shi Linheng mention such a thing to you? I told you not to delve too deeply when communicating with Qimen Mystics!”

Chen Xian hurriedly explained: “He was talking about matters related to the Feng Shui of the Logistics Park. Then, out of curiosity, I asked about the reasons behind Fengshui Numerology changing the fortunes of people and objects, and also inquired about historical records of Occultists engaging in Magical Duels and matters involving Malignant Supernatural Entities. During his explanation to me, he mentioned this incident. However, he said it was caused by the inevitable Natural Backlash from Art Casting. But I felt uneasy; why did that deceased Occultist appear near the Logistics Park? Why did he perform an Art Casting? Could it be detrimental to us?”

“Nothing to worry about. If there is any necessary event, I will let you know.” Su Chunfeng said coldly. He knew very well that with Chen Xian’s wisdom and experience, how could he not think of some key points? Therefore, there was no need to hide too much from Chen Xian. After all, if something happened in the future, it might require Chen Xian’s connections and influence to resolve it. But the fact that Shi Linheng had discussed such sensitive topics with Chen Xian made Su Chunfeng pay extra attention. He said: “Grandfather, only believe half of what Shi Linheng says. You can study it as a kind of culture, but don’t be fooled by his words… Remember to maintain your own mindset.”

“I understand.” Chen Xian said somewhat helplessly: “I’m just worried about your aunt.”

“Don’t worry.”

“Chunfeng…” Chen Xian hesitated for a moment, then said: “Shi Linheng is truly skilled. And from our interactions during this period, I’ve found that he isn’t a malicious person either. So, since he wants to take you as his disciple, why not agree? Learning another field of knowledge is never a bad thing.”

Su Chunfeng snorted coldly and said: “I don’t even regard his little skills highly! Let’s leave it at that.”

“Oh, okay.”

Su Chunfeng didn’t even say goodbye before hanging up the phone—he saw his mother’s figure passing by outside the window—some words must not be heard by his parents.

“Chunfeng, calling your grandfather again?” Chen Xiulan said with a smile as she walked in.

Su Chunfeng stood up with a smile and said: “Yes, my grandfather said I should find time to play chess with him… Honestly, with so much homework every day, where would I find the time?”

“He likes you,” Chen Xiulan said kindly: “He’s getting old, retired and bored at home. It’s good if you can spare some time to keep him company.”

“Okay.” Su Chunfeng nodded: “Next week, then.”

“Alright, hurry up and eat…”

“Sure.”

Su Chunfeng walked out cheerfully, thinking to himself: Chen Xian’s words and attitude revealed that during his recent interactions with Shi Linheng, he had already developed a sense of admiration for him.

This was hardly surprising. Fengshui and physiognomy among the divination arts, much like the I Ching and fortune-telling techniques, had always been the most familiar to ordinary people, frequently documented in classics and literary works. Throughout history, many high officials, dignitaries, and even literary giants had studied them extensively. Although the divination arts known to ordinary people were merely superficial, not true Esoteric Techniques, they were still easily accepted, and their profound mysteries were enough to fascinate people.

And Shi Linheng was a true Physiognomy Master. His casual explanations of physiognomy knowledge in front of Chen Xian could make Chen Xian deeply impressed.

However…

Su Chunfeng felt that his few words should be able to awaken Chen Xian, who was not foolish but only temporarily obsessed with metaphysics, right?

Actually, Shi Linheng was a generation’s Physiognomy Master. Even in his past life, at the peak of his cultivation in the Esoteric Arts and his fame within the Jianghu of Esoteric Arts, Su Chunfeng would never have looked down on Shi Linheng’s physiognomy skills. The reason he uttered the domineering words, “I don’t even regard his little skills highly,” was precisely to give Chen Xian a warning and reassurance.

…

At this age in his past life, Su Chunfeng had been obsessed with cultivating Esoteric Techniques.

In this life, he had always been diligent and progressive. Although he often chatted with classmates and friends and participated in activities together, he did not like to gather a crowd of friends at school. He preferred to study quietly or date Wang Haifei, enjoying this peaceful, happy, and fulfilling campus life. To some extent, his life as a model student seemed somewhat detached from the atmosphere of most campus students.

So he didn’t know when the movie “Young and Dangerous” had become popular in the country.

Clever merchants quickly seized the business opportunity, producing various products linked to the “Young and Dangerous” movies—such as clothing, hairstyles, metal chain belts, pendants, and even kerosene lighters, which had long been obsolete, and… Choppers.

Young people in society and students on campuses began to imitate the characters’ outfits, actions, expressions, preferences, catchphrases, and more from the movies.

At the No.1 High School of Jinzhou County campus, students also started forming gangs and giving themselves nicknames.

For a time, extremely childish and chaotic names like Hung Hing, Tung Sing, Seven Stars, Seven Brothers, Axe Gang, Storm Society, etc., were everywhere on campus…

Strictly speaking, the “Young and Dangerous” movie series was highly harmful to teenagers of that era in the country—before this series became popular, in fights among teenagers, using sticks and bricks that caused a little bleeding seemed a very serious matter. But after this series became popular, teenagers who were in the midst of rapid hormonal changes during puberty and were not very rational, acting on impulse, would often gather in groups to wield knives against each other.

They seemed to go crazy, blindly worshipping and imitating gangster characters and the bloody laws of that world.

For example, Li Zhichao was now a top figure at No.1 High School. He had money, was eloquent, daring in fights, liked making friends, and had the reputation from previously dealing with school bullies alongside his close friend Su Chunfeng… All these “advantages” naturally made him flourish in the circles he liked. In contrast, Su Chunfeng, who had truly single-handedly subdued the school bullies back then, because of his personality of not liking to show off and usually not strutting around campus in groups with Li Zhichao and others, gradually became overshadowed by Li Zhichao and other well-known figures on campus. So much so that when talking about violence, many classmates no longer mentioned Su Chunfeng.

However, as the close friend of the famous Li Zhichao and because his formidable reputation still lingered, no one dared to provoke Su Chunfeng.

This was precisely the purpose of Su Chunfeng’s earlier youthful bravado and fierce fights.

As a certain important figure once said: One battle brings decades of peace.

That evening.

Li Zhichao, who rarely did not lead his crew in a show of force, was waiting downstairs at the dormitory. After Su Chunfeng came down, they walked together toward the cafeteria.