Chapter 11
Chapter 11: The Attitude of the Feng Family
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“So arrogant!”
Xue Wangxu’s shout was something like a laugh and a scold .
“But good spirit . ” Then he added, emotionally . “I remember that that person had said something like this as well . ”
Ding Ning’s eyes flickered . After a moment’s thought, he said, “I want to hear your views on that person . ”
“It seems that while you are young, you’ve also heard the story of that person . ” Xue Wangxu’s expression grew serious . He looked at Ding Ning . “Before His Majesty ascended the throne, someone else had asked me for my opinion of that person . My reply was that I cannot evaluate that person because I do not qualify . Also, I would not speak of that person with anyone because I know His Majesty is wise and powerful . His Majesty is able to make the Qin Dynasty more powerful and prosperous . The cultivation sects of Changling need a powerful and more prosperous Qin Dynasty in order to survive in the world,” he said gravely .
“By now, everything has turned into stories,” Xue Wangxu slowly said, “so I will still not assess these past stories in front of you . Other than this reason, I also do not wish to have my feelings and thoughts influence you . You have a long road in Changling to walk . If you walk bearing some special emotions … this path will only grow harder . ”
Voices sounded outside the carriage .
Ding Ning lifted the curtain and looked out . He saw more passersby on the road . Some were street vendors with push carts, others, clearly those visiting their relatives and friends because of this temple festival . They were all dressed in new clothing . Some were devout worshippers carrying many offerings ready to pay tribute to the deities and buddhas . 1
“I remember reading this in a book . They said that cultivation is divided into several major realms . First is to see the mountains and rivers, then the heaven and earth, then oneself, and then all the people . ”
Ding Ning looked at the passersby . “Those that want to cultivate to a high level have to be able to see others but not be influenced by them . Do you think that this is correct?” He said, softly .
Xue Wangxu stilled . His brow furrowed deep as he thought intently for a minute before he solemnly said, “What kind of book did you read?”
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Ding Ning shook his head . “I forget, likely a storybook . ”
“It seems correct . ” Xue Wangxu’s brow remained locked . He thought for a moment and sighed . “Pity . Even if I have heard of such a thing in my early years, I would not hold any special feelings before I reached realm seven . Now, I do not have enough time to ponder over and affirm if there is true meaning in this . ”
They followed the government road through a natural canyon . In front of the carriage was a plain with slow moving streams . The farmlands gradually turned sparse, as more courtyards came into view .
“Transit documents!”
Accompanied by a low shout from the road station, they formally entered Zhushan District .
“People from Changling?”
The soldiers who were making the inspection stilled when they saw Ding Ning and Xue Wangxu’s transit documents . Next they were shocked when they saw Xue Wangxu’s birth date, and his status in White Goat Cave .
The leader of the soldiers did not even ask a question before quickly letting them through .
Yet, just after they entered Zhushan District and found an inn with empty rooms, a steward dressed in blue brocade robes appeared in front of them before they could even finish drinking a pot of hot tea .
This middle-aged steward with a clear face bowed towards Xue Wangxu and Ding Ning who were sitting in a corner of the hall . His words held unusual respect . “This one is Feng Futang, a steward of the Feng Family . We did not know of Cave Master Xue’s arrival and have not welcomed you properly . ”
The Feng Family had learned of his arrival rather quickly from the gates of the city and managed to respond this quickly . This showed how much power the Feng Family commanded in Zhushan District . Xue Wangxu just smiled unconcernedly and said, “My relationship with the Feng Family is not good at all . No need for such courtesy . ”
“Cave Master Xue has a noble status . The Feng Family is the host and should fulfill the duties of a host . ” Feng Futang’s expression did not waver . With unusual humbleness, he said, “This inn is unremarkable . If Cave Master Xue doesn’t mind, this one can arrange a courtyard for Cave Master Xue . ”
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Xue Wangxu smiled slightly and said, “No need . The worst inn is much more comfortable than my small stone temple . ”
“Why has Cave Master Xue come this long way to Zhushan District, if …” Feng Futang said, humbly .
Xue Wangxu took a drink of tea and interrupted his polite words . “No need for such trouble . I only came with my student to gain experience and cultivate in the Ba Mountains . I am coincidentally passing through Zhushan District and will leave at noon tomorrow . ”
Feng Futang’s voice grew even humbler . “Tomorrow is coincidentally the festival for the kitchen god and it is very lively . Our Feng Family has received the empress’ concern and she has bestowed upon us a painting . Cave Master Xue is knowledgeable and must know that Her Highness is skilled in both calligraphy and painting . She is a great cultivator skilled in seals . Her brushstrokes contain cultivation methods, the movement of the primal energies of the universe . That painting is full of different manifestations and is not commonly seen . Tomorrow, during the ceremony, that painting will be welcomed to the newly built Fire Virtue Hall to be worshipped . Would Cave Master Xue be interested in viewing?”
Xue Wangxu frowned slightly . He looked at Feng Futang and said, “Steward Feng is talented in your speech … I have seen many stewards from the noble families of Changling, but none has reached Steward Feng’s level . ”
The slight stiffness on Feng Futang’s face gave away his inner thoughts, nonetheless, his voice was still extremely polite . “Cave Master Xue is too complimentary . ”
“Do not worry . ” Xue Wangxu said coolly, “How can I not know how much concern and favor Her Highness gives the Feng Family . But we are in a hurry and I fear we will not be able to attend the festival . ”
Feng Futang’s expression eased slightly .
Xue Wangxu waved his hand in apparent tiredness and said softly, “I like peace . ”
“This one understands . ”
Feng Futang bowed and left .
“So fake . ” Ding Ning whispered, having witnessed the entire conversation, as he watched Feng Futang’s departing back .
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Xue Wangxu glared at him . “Are you talking about me or the steward?”
Ding Ning chuckled . “About the same . ”
Xue Wangxu grew serious . He frowned and spoke worriedly . “The Feng Family acts like this . They may have already heard that I have reached realm seven . Do you think Feng Qianzhuo would become wary and refine that appearance fixing orb overnight?”
“I think not . ” Ding Ning looked at him and said calmly, “If so, he would not need to send a steward to use the name of the empress to pressure you . If someone feels that they can frighten you with the empress, then he is not wary, he wants to threaten you . ”
Xue Wangxu’s worries disappeared . He smiled coldly . “You are right . The steward was not humble, he was threatening . ”
Feng Futang entered the carriage marked with the Feng family insignia . Along the way, several passersby looked at the carriage with heated and reverent gazes . He headed towards a remote courtyard .
The courtyards here were all large and made from grey walls and black tiles . They followed the Changling style of architecture and were very different from the mud walls and bamboo tiles of Zhushan District .
This carriage stopped in front of the red gates of a courtyard . Feng Futang got off the carriage .
This steward, who had only just seemed humble, was unusually upright in posture now . He exuded sharp coldness, his kind face now cold and stern .
Two servants opened the red gates . A youth dressed in brocade, of similar age to Ding Ning, was waiting on the stone path behind the gates .
This youth had a handsome appearance, his hands were behind his back . He appeared vicious and dark like a young eagle about to attack at any second .
“How was it?” he asked Feng Futang, his face full of natural pride and disdain .
Feng Futang bowed slightly and said, “Xue Wangxu said he is just passing by . I cannot see whether it is true, and we should be wary . ”
“If he really is passing by, my Feng Family will treat him with politeness . Just for his cultivation, we might even give him some conveniences . ” The proud and dark youth smirked and said, “But if he wants to make trouble for Grandfather tomorrow, I will make him pay a terrible price . ”
He paused and looked at Feng Futang who was in agreement . This youth asked, “Didn’t Xue Wangxu bring along a youth called Ding Ning? What do you think of him? ”
After a moment’s thought, Feng Futang said, “We only learned of Xue Wangxu’s arrival today . We cannot obtain accurate information on this youth from Changling in a day or two . We just know he is a cultivator in Vital Energy Realm . From Xue Wangxu’s expression when he looks at the youth, this should be a student he has high hopes on, and possibly his last student . ”
The youth laughed, his eyes closing .
“If so, Xue Wangxu better not have any thoughts about tomorrow . Otherwise, I will first ruin his student . ”
His face was handsome and young, but due to this, the words coming out of his mouth grew darker and colder .
He was Feng Qinghan, Feng Qianzhuo’s only grandson up to now .
Feng Qianzhuo had three sons, but none was accomplished . They gave him a pile of granddaughters, and only his youngest son, Feng Qingling, had a son .
Feng Qinghao was especially accomplished .
Half a year ago, he entered Vital Energy Realm, and now had Vital Energy Realm third class cultivation .
Based on his age, he would be exceptional even in Changling .