Chapter 5: The origins of the passionate youth

The meat was stuck in my throat, just like last time. I really wanted to hit this kid, but my reason stopped me. I was so angry that I couldn’t swallow the meat, so it just got stuck in my throat.

This time, no one answered him, including Xiao Chengqian, who didn’t even get the urge. I don’t know how Xiao Chengqian’s lineage specifically educated him, but from the beginning of my apprenticeship, the first commandment my master had me keep in mind was that Taoism must never be used for fighting or showing off in front of ordinary people. These are the two major taboos of the sect! He asked me if I dared, which was indeed a bit funny.

I definitely wouldn’t dare, because in the past, whether it was the several duels with Lin Chen or the Ghost Market, there was always a reason, or my master’s approval.

I swallowed the meat stuck in my throat, drank a bowl of rice wine, wiped my mouth, stretched, then stood up and said to Ji Qing, “I really don’t dare to let you laugh at me.”

Then I bowed to the elders at the table, apologized, and said, “Dear elders, I am still recovering from a serious illness and am not feeling well. When I drink too much, I feel like I can’t hold on anymore. I would like to take a break early. I hope you will forgive me.”

“Yes, it’s not easy to hold on after being in a coma for two days. Go rest.” The first person to understand me was Mr. Zheng. I didn’t have to fight Ji Qing in a boring battle after all, which was a relief to Mr. Zheng. After all, the host is here, and no matter who loses the battle, the host will feel embarrassed, right?

When Zheng Laoren spoke, everyone agreed. Except for the old man with the red face, who didn’t speak, he didn’t make any exaggerated expressions either.

For a moment, Ji Qing, who had requested a duel, was left out in the cold.

I politely bowed to thank them, and then I was about to leave. At this time, Ji Qing spoke up: “Forgive Brother Chengyi for not daring to fight because he is still injured and does not want to let his younger brother take advantage of him. In fact, I just want to have a friendly competition with Brother Chengyi and let him give me some pointers on Taoism.”

This isn’t over yet, is it? Just now, he was yelling and tearing up his face, and now he’s being so respectful. I looked back at Ji Qing and really couldn’t understand why this kid was so attached to me, and why his master’s attitude was so strange?

“Don’t wait for me. I said I’m not brave enough to fight with you.” I said to him seriously, feeling that my patience had been worn down by half.

“Brother Chengyi, after the battle at the Ghost Market, it is widely rumored that you are the best young person in the circle! You are putting up so much resistance, aren’t you weakening the reputation of the young people in our Chinese circle? You know, there are circles in Southeast Asia, East Asia, and even the West. Are they laughing at us?” Ji Qing looked unwilling to be outdone.

“Nanyang? East Asia? Even the West, you mean Europe? It’s a pity, I don’t know any of them, so I can’t control what they think! I don’t even have the awareness to resist the reputation of the circle. You go, I now believe that you are already the first person in the younger generation, the important task of history, and the glory of the circle is entrusted to you.” My patience has been entangled to the limit by this guy, and I said with a slightly furrowed brow.

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Chengqian laughed behind me, “Haha, I don’t recognize him as the first person, but I won’t fight with you. What are you going to do? What are you going to do? Are you going to bite me?” After he finished speaking, Master Xiao stood up, straightened his clothes, took out a white handkerchief from his pocket, wiped his mouth, and the whole action was extremely elegant. Then he threw the handkerchief at Ji Qing’s feet.

He had just been laughing, but now his expression had become somewhat gloomy. Just as I had when I first met him, he whispered to Ji Qing, “The Li family all like to talk about morality, and they are as soft-hearted as young girls. But I, Xiao Chengqian, am not. If you continue to provoke me and make me hate you, I am a vindictive villain, like a poisonous snake, really.”

Perhaps it was because Xiao Chengqian’s expression was too gloomy at the moment, or perhaps it was because Xiao Chengqian’s momentum was a bit intimidating at the moment. In any case, after Xiao Chengqian said these words, Ji Qing took a step back and suddenly blushed. Xiao Chengqian had already introduced himself, and with the power behind him and his identity, his reputation in the circle was not weak. Ji Qing must have heard about it.

And Xiao Chengqian’s organization is just like Xiao Chengqian said, not as easy to talk to as our old Li family.

After saying this, Xiao Chengqian turned around and took Chengxin by the arm, saying, “Let’s go take a nap together. I’ve had too much to drink.”

“What do you mean by sleeping with you? Please explain.” As soon as Xiao Chengqian finished speaking, everyone’s inexplicable gaze had already fallen on the two of them. I guess Chengxin thought Xiao Chengqian was setting him up. At this moment, the eyes under his glasses had already narrowed, and the look of brilliance made me break out in goose bumps.

Xiao Da Shao was probably afraid of Cheng Xin Ge, so he quickly explained, “You’re in the same room as me? I didn’t bring my key, so I had to drag you along. What are two grown men afraid of? Am I supposed to call a woman?”

Chengxin didn’t say anything, but gave Ji Qing a meaningful look. I don’t know if it was influenced by the soul union, but that look was like a fox thinking about something. In the end, he said to Ruyue, “I won’t bother you.”

He turned and left with Xiao Chengqian. At this time, Ruyue was tearing a piece of bacon into small pieces and eating it. After hearing what Chengxin said, she smiled with her eyes narrowed, like a crescent moon, and nodded, saying, “That’s fine. I don’t have to bother myself either.”

I heard a cold sweat drop. If they wanted to get rid of Ji Qing, the kid wouldn’t even know how he died. Fortunately, they gave up the idea.

I yawned. I was a bit limp and lazy, so I stopped looking at Ji Qing and turned and walked towards the backyard.

But Ji Qing, who had already been “threatened” by Xiao Chengqian and was a little scared, suddenly seemed to remember something and shouted behind me, “Chen Chengyi, I won’t give up. You wait, I won’t give up.”

I was just about to step over the threshold when I heard him say this, and I almost tripped over the threshold and fell to the ground.

It was so passionate that it made me think of the passionate manga I love to read. In the sunset, the male protagonist, after getting the hand, shouted to the sunset, “I will not give up,” and then there was always someone next to him who was moved to tears, saying something about youth being really touching.

I felt that I couldn’t hate Ji Qing anymore. I felt that he was just a fool who was even more foolish than I was when I was younger. I was scared and couldn’t afford to provoke him, so I quickly ran back to the backyard in a “disgraceful” manner.

The afternoon sun was warm, and in the quiet courtyard where I was recovering, our group gathered together.

A long table, two pots of tea, and a few handmade bamboo chairs made this afternoon peaceful and beautiful.

Everyone looked a little lazy, even though it was after their nap. Except for Lushan, who was discussing the matter with everyone in a serious and low voice, as he had discussed it with me in the morning.

But he didn’t get a unanimous answer. What’s going on? Just think of your own words and find us the right words! Then one by one, they went to see what was going on with Tao Bai.

Lu Shan looked a little strange. He looked at me and said, “Chengyi, is it that you didn’t tell me something? In fact, you are the most reliable person?”

“Me? I’m even more unreliable, but I have to act reliable to maintain my seniority.” I took a sip of tea, half-closed my eyes, leaned lazily against the bamboo chair, and said casually.

Lushan also inexplicably relaxed, leaning half on the bamboo chair, muttering, “Yes, you are all unreliable. But after experiencing the Lake of a Thousand Ghosts, I just feel that you are people who can be trusted with your lives and entrusted.”

I smiled and said, “Please, don’t talk like a movie character all day long.”

Lu Shan also smiled, and over there, Cheng Xin and Xiao Cheng Qian, who had seen Tao Bai come out, were discussing whether the red bird was male or female. Cheng Xin insisted that it was female because Tao Bai was so shy and should be influenced by a “female” personality.

Xiao Chengqian couldn’t argue with him, so he gritted his teeth and roared, “Ah, you feel the same way, right? I don’t know anything else, but the young fox is definitely female. Are you also a ‘female’ character?”

“Fuck, I’m going to fight you today, and I’m going to sign a death warrant!” Brother Chengxin was touched by the “reverse scale” and immediately became angry, roaring and pouncing on Xiao Chengqian.

Cheng Zhen, Cheng Yuan, and Ru Yue laughed and bent over, leaning against the door to watch the fun. Cheng Qing ignored them, and Hui Gen didn’t understand what they were talking about. The two of them simply walked towards me and Lushan.

The courtyard was bustling, but it was interrupted by a coughing sound. We turned around and found that Mr. Zheng and Grandma Yun were standing by the door.

To be honest, most of us are in our early thirties, and this kind of commotion is really not appropriate. When they saw that someone was coming, the group stopped making noise and quickly moved two bamboo chairs to greet the two elderly people.

Mr. Zheng has always been a straightforward person. After sitting down, he said straight out, “How long do you have to stay here?”

“It should be a few more days. There are still some things to take care of.” I naturally thought of Jiang Yi’s order to stay put.

Grandpa Zheng didn’t ask any questions, but just smiled happily and said, “It’s good to stay a few more days. I’ll treat you to my best rice wine every day! When the time comes, drink a few more with me, the old man.”

“No problem,” I said with a smile, but at the same time I was looking forward to what Zheng and Yun would say next. They wouldn’t have come without a reason.

“I came to talk about the problem with Ji Qing…” Mr. Zheng started to speak.

“Oh, actually I don’t care.” I had already defined Ji Qing as a hot-blooded youth, so saying that he didn’t care was really not caring.

But while I was speaking, Granny Yun added, “But he said that he had some connection with your master.”