Chapter 85: Pulling Hard to Get More Wool

Chen Xiyi stayed alone in the manor for about ten days when Cheng Zhen and his disciple Cheng Lusheng finally returned.

Their faces looked greasy, but they were injured, as if they had encountered something on their way back.

Chen Xiyi quickly stood up, put down his book, and went over. “Fellow Daoist, how did you get so hurt? Did you run into bandits on the road?”

Seeing Chen Xiyi, Cheng Zhen gave an awkward smile. “Ah, let me change my clothes first, then I’ll tell you. This time, I really overturned in a ditch.”

As he spoke, Cheng Zhen seemed helpless.

Chen Xiyi naturally did not stop him. His question was just a polite gesture, not meant to be taken seriously.

In his vision, Cheng Zhen had some demonic energy on him. It was clear he had met a demon—and one with a bit of Dao Cultivation at that.

Judging by their appearance, they barely made it back.

This was normal. Cheng Zhen had gone to the town to check the Feng Shui for Squire Wang’s family, so he wouldn’t have brought many talismans or Ritual Implements. Besides, there weren’t many demons or monsters around here; one might not even encounter them all year. So being ambushed and attacked was not unusual.

Though they looked battered, Cheng Zhen was actually very capable. Despite the situation, he managed to bring Cheng Lusheng back unharmed. If Cheng Zhen had returned alone, that would show skill, but bringing along a burden and still returning safely proved his ability.

Putting himself in Cheng Zhen’s shoes, Chen Xiyi thought that if he were in the same situation, he might have been injured himself—how could he have brought a burden back unscathed?

Cheng Lusheng also gave an awkward smile before hurrying back to his room to change.

Both of them looked almost like they were wearing rags.

“Another Fox Demon? Where did it come from?” Chen Xiyi had seen Cheng Zhen’s experiences for the day, which clearly showed he was chased by a Fox Demon but escaped.

He had killed a Fox Demon before, but now another one appeared. It was hard not to connect the two.

This place was tiny; hiding one demon was already a slip-up by Cheng Zhen. If another one showed up, even if Cheng Zhen wasn’t a Qi Refiner, his skills weren’t for nothing—otherwise, how could he claim to subdue demons and vanquish monsters?

‘Maybe both are outsiders. There were two in that fox grave earlier; I killed one, and the other was out and not there at the time?’

‘That… seems possible.’

More importantly, judging by their ragged clothes, that Fox Demon clearly fought close-quarters. Using Illusion Art alone couldn’t have torn their clothes to shreds.

A few minutes later, Cheng Zhen returned, wearing an awkward yet polite smile.

“Fellow Daoist, have you gained any insights these days?” Cheng Zhen asked, trying to change the subject.

At that, Chen Xiyi did not press about what happened on the road. Since Cheng Zhen didn’t explain, he probably felt embarrassed.

“My knowledge has grown a lot, but I still have many questions. I need your guidance, Fellow Daoist.” Chen Xiyi then began asking about the problems he had encountered during these days.

Since Cheng Zhen wanted to avoid the topic of being beaten into rags by the Fox Demon, Chen Xiyi was more than happy to oblige. This was a perfect chance to get answers to his doubts.

Hearing Chen Xiyi’s questions, Cheng Zhen thought for a moment and answered.

[You had a conversation with Feng Shui Master Cheng Zhen. The atmosphere was harmonious. Feng Shui Master Cheng Zhen’s Favorability toward you increased by 1.]

[You and…]

As they talked, with one asking and the other answering, Chen Xiyi continuously improved his Qi Refinement system, while the Game Log kept refreshing with messages about increasing Favorability.

Though it wasn’t very useful.

They chatted until the Sun set in the west. When Cheng Lusheng called them to eat, Cheng Zhen finally managed to break away. “Fellow Daoist, let’s eat first. We can continue with your questions after the meal.”

Clearly, Cheng Zhen was a bit worn out.

Chen Xiyi, however, was still eager. He had to admit, even though Cheng Zhen hadn’t cultivated Qi Mechanism or nurtured a Primordial Spirit, his solid knowledge showed he was exceptional.

“Of course, of course.” Chen Xiyi knew he couldn’t push too hard, or he might end up with nothing.

The two went to the dining table. There were three dishes and one soup. Even though only one dish had meat, it was quite good for this era. After all, some poor families might not eat meat all year.

“Fellow Daoist, you seem refined. I’m not sure if this food will suit your taste?” Cheng Zhen asked, after giving Cheng Lusheng a piece of meat and taking a bite of rice himself.

Unlike Cheng Zhen, Cheng Lusheng ate his rice and vegetables quietly without a word.

Seeing this, Chen Xiyi smiled and said, “Fellow Daoist, this is already plentiful. Though I’m a scholar, I come from a poor family.”

When it came to food, Chen Xiyi had no issues—or so he thought before eating.

After tasting it, he found it lacking. Cheng Lusheng had cooked the meal, and it couldn’t compare to dishes made by professional chefs, let alone those he prepared using the large kitchen in his Home Game.

Fortunately, Chen Xiyi didn’t show it. He had enough manners to pretend it was delicious and eat heartily.

It would be rude to say it didn’t suit his taste or act like he couldn’t eat it in front of them. If they could eat it, why couldn’t he?

Besides, it was his own taste that had been spoiled by the Home Game, not that the food was bad.

The cooking was decent, just not exceptional.

“That’s good. I was worried the food wouldn’t suit you—that would be our fault.” Cheng Zhen smiled, relieved. Given Chen Xiyi’s scholarly air, he had thought he might be picky.

At the table, they followed the rule of not speaking during meals, so only the clinking of utensils could be heard.

It was unclear if the atmosphere was always like this or if they were quiet because Chen Xiyi was an outsider, but the meal felt rather dull.

For Chen Xiyi, however, dull was good.

Dull meant eating faster. After the meal, he could continue chatting with Cheng Zhen.

For some things, he could be tactful and polite, but for others, he had to play dumb while knowing exactly what he was doing.

For instance, small matters like the food not suiting his taste could be handled with social grace to boost Favorability. But when it came to the knowledge he needed, he had to be thick-skinned and clingy, building his image as an eager learner.

It might seem abrupt at first, but after a few times, Cheng Zhen might either get annoyed or get used to it. Either way, it served Chen Xiyi’s purpose.

But Cheng Zhen seemed to have noticed Chen Xiyi’s plan to seek more answers after the meal and felt a bit tense.

It wasn’t that Cheng Zhen was unwilling to teach, but he couldn’t handle Chen Xiyi’s relentless questioning. Chen Xiyi seemed tireless, but Cheng Zhen’s throat was already hoarse from talking so much.