readytorunbook Chapter 167 Favor Debt
Chapter 167 Favor Debt
Chapter 167: Debts of Human Feelings
Although Sword Sect was poor, Long Yan found herself quite fond of the atmosphere.
Zhang Chi was cooking at the stove, creating fragrant food. The two of them chatted from time to time, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
When they entered Sword Sect, there were still other disciples working on Little Warehouse Mountain. Unlike other sects, where disciples had servants to take care of their daily lives, in Sword Sect, they had to do everything themselves, including laundry and cleaning.
But there was nothing wrong with that. They had hands and feet, so why rely on others?
Zhang Chi brought over a few simple appetizers and sat across from Long Yan.
"I never expected you to have this skill," Long Yan said in surprise. Zhang Chi smiled and said, "It's just a hobby of mine, nothing worth praising."
"Oh? Speaking of which, I don't know what other hobbies you have!"
"Well, I have very simple preferences: good food, beautiful women, and fine wine."
Of these three, only the preference for beautiful women was true. His love for good food and fine wine was just a facade.
He wasn't picky about food, and his love for good food was just a way to get closer to people who enjoyed it.
The same went for fine wine. In truth, he didn't like alcohol, but he used it for socializing.
Only beautiful women, Zhang Chi truly liked them.
In life, one must have some hobbies, right?
It made sense.
Listening to Zhang Chi's frankness about his preferences, with "beautiful women" sandwiched in between, Long Yan couldn't help but tease, "How vulgar."
"There's nothing wrong with being vulgar. In life, everything is vulgar. In essence, there is no difference between cultivators and ordinary people," Zhang Chi said, savoring his words.
Long Yan pondered and realized that he was right.
She used to think that cultivators, regardless of their field, should transcend worldly matters.
But reality made her understand that Zhang Chi was right.
Not wanting her to think too much, Zhang Chi quickly asked, "What hobbies do you have?"
"Besides cultivation, I enjoy solving puzzles and investigating mysteries."
She didn't dare to mention things like helping others and upholding justice. Zhang Chi's words were so down-to-earth and vulgar that if she said something too lofty, she would seem pretentious.
Speaking of solving puzzles and investigating mysteries, Long Yan remembered something important.
The last portrait painted by Elder Lián Huā was of Zhang Chi, and it was highly likely that the annihilation of Iron Sword Gate and Elder Lián Huā's death were related to this.
Originally, Long Yan wanted to find Zhang Chi to understand the situation, but she unexpectedly encountered people from Dragon Transformation Palace openly causing trouble for Sword Sect. Moreover, upon further thought, it was clearly filled with murderous intent.
Long Yan temporarily put aside the matters of Iron Sword Gate and Elder Lián Huā and returned to Dragon Transformation Palace.
Now, talking about investigating mysteries, she thought of that portrait again.
If it was Zhang Chi himself, he definitely couldn't have done such a thing.
Perhaps, there had always been a hidden guardian by his side?
After reaching this point in her investigation, Long Yan originally wanted to uncover the truth.
But now, she suddenly discovered some subtle changes in her thoughts.
If what she thought was true, that person wanted to harm Zhang Chi because of Elder Lián Huā, and that's why they annihilated Iron Sword Gate ahead of time. This didn't seem wrong.
It was just that the methods were too cruel and bloody, unlike a true Daoist.
After seeing the true face of the people from Dragon Transformation Palace, she suddenly realized that these clear acts of revenge were far worse than the dirty tricks of Dragon Transformation Palace.
She no longer had the intention to investigate.
Forget it, let's not talk about it for now.
However, Long Yan was still curious about the people around Zhang Chi.
Who could be secretly protecting him?
She didn't need to tell others about this matter; she could investigate it secretly.
Seeing that she spoke a sentence and then fell silent, Zhang Chi knew that she was in a bad mood, so he followed this topic and said, "I also enjoy solving puzzles. We can exchange ideas more often."
Zhang Chi raised his cup and invited Long Yan to drink.
Talking was just for fun; the main purpose was to get her drunk.
Only when she was drunk would she reveal her true feelings.
Zhang Chi had already guessed what had happened, but he needed to use his words to coax Long Yan into speaking.
After a few rounds of drinking, when she was slightly tipsy, Zhang Chi asked with concern, "Sister, you don't seem very happy today. Did something happen? Did you have an argument with someone because of our matter?"
If Zhang Chi had asked this from the beginning, Long Yan definitely wouldn't have wanted to answer.
But now, under the influence of alcohol and with Zhang Chi's voice, it was hard for her to be on guard. Long Yan began to speak openly about her experience in Dragon Transformation Palace.
"Dragon Transformation Palace has truly changed. Since my father closed his door and Yin Xun took power, everything is prioritized based on personal gain."
"Does that mean Sister doesn't have a sect now? In that case, how about joining Sword Sect?"
Zhang Chi made a straightforward invitation, but Long Yan hesitated.
She left Dragon Transformation Palace in anger, but she couldn't easily let go of her feelings for Dragon Transformation Palace after so many years.
"After you join Sword Sect, you don't need to take on too many responsibilities. You just need to help us maintain our presence. You know, we are too weak right now. We don't have a powerful leader, and we have Divine Ability inheritance, which makes us an easy target."
Zhang Chi requested Long Yan to join Sword Sect in the form of seeking help, and Long Yan didn't know how to refuse.
If Zhang Chi had invited her with a sympathetic attitude, she might have been unwilling.
But in this situation, she couldn't refuse.
"I know this may require some sacrifice on your part, but I will do my best to compensate you in the future. After all, I don't have money right now."
"Um, that's not important."
Long Yan didn't care about the meager monthly salary from Dragon Transformation Palace.
"So, are you willing to agree?"
"Well..."
Long Yan was already somewhat tempted, but she wasn't mentally prepared to completely leave Dragon Transformation Palace and join another sect.
"Are you worried about Dragon Transformation Palace, sister? Don't worry, if you join Sword Sect, you can leave anytime you want. You just need to be our elder in name. Is that okay?"
Zhang Chi seemed really in need of Long Yan, which softened her heart.
But considering the situation of Sword Sect, Long Yan could also understand.
Moreover, if Dragon Transformation Palace targeted Sword Sect, it was probably because of her, and she couldn't abandon Sword Sect.
Zhang Chi had already offered such favorable conditions, and Long Yan couldn't bear to refuse.
"Alright, but I don't want to see the disciples of Sword Sect becoming cold and ruthless. If Sword Sect makes me unhappy, I will leave at any time."
"Thank you, Sister Long Yan. You have helped me so much, and I don't know how to repay you."
Zhang Chi voluntarily acknowledged the debt of gratitude, which puzzled Gu Youyou.
"I thought with your personality, you would consider her favor as belonging to Sword Sect. After all, you don't really need her help, so why burden yourself with owing her a favor."
Obviously, Gu Youyou and Zhang Chi had different understandings of gratitude.
"You are looking at it too superficially, only seeing the second layer, but thinking that I am on the first layer. You think owing favors is not good, but you don't know that the more I owe her, the more she trusts me. But whether I repay what I owe is only a thought away."
In general, Zhang Chi wouldn't actually have any losses or need to give anything in return, but he would gain Long Yan's trust.
Gu Youyou didn't understand, but she was greatly shocked.
And seeing Zhang Chi's polite attitude, Long Yan also felt a little embarrassed, but Zhang Chi insisted on making this promise, so she could only accept it. Her fondness for Zhang Chi further increased.
No one would dislike a grateful person. They would make you feel that your efforts are worthwhile, even though Long Yan didn't contribute much.
With Zhang Chi's attitude, Long Yan felt that she could help him more.
The night passed in pleasure. After Long Yan was satisfied, Zhang Chi helped her to bed and left the rest of the time to Gu Youyou.
Gu Youyou changed rooms and started drawing talismans, while Zhang Chi practiced the Heart Talisman Visualization Method.
This Heart Talisman Visualization Method was tailor-made for Zhang Chi. When he needed rest, Gu Youyou would control his body, and they would study together, one drawing talismans and the other visualizing, which greatly increased their learning efficiency.
It can be said that no one could surpass him.
Although Little Warehouse Mountain Sword Sect was weak, it had gained a powerful external support.
It can be said that the future of Little Warehouse Mountain would be very comfortable, a good place to stabilize their cultivation.
Of course, there were also shortcomings. The spiritual energy here was not abundant, and Zhang Chi's cultivation speed was fast. If he didn't absorb spiritual stones using his Innate Breathing Technique, he would absorb all the surrounding spiritual energy.
In this way, others wouldn't be able to cultivate, and over time, people would notice.
So Zhang Chi had to continuously consume spiritual stones.
Although he had a large reserve of spiritual stones, he couldn't just rely on them.
Now that Long Yan had joined Sword Sect, he naturally had to make good use of this advantage.
However, he couldn't be too hasty and make Long Yan feel like she was being used.
In any case, he would practice first.
The calm night quickly passed, and the next morning, Zhang Chi arranged for someone to mark out a piece of land on the mountain for Long Yan to build her residence.
Her daily activities were being observed.
Chen Runyu secretly felt sorry for her.
Now, only Zhang Chi could take charge of Sword Sect, to the point where he was busy every day. It had been several days since she had a proper conversation with Zhang Chi.
"Ah!"
Chen Runyu felt a little down. She wanted to help, but she couldn't do much. Zhang Chi instructed the disciples to focus on their own tasks and prioritize learning and cultivation.
But how could she bear to see Senior Brother busy alone until dawn, drinking and socializing, and also worrying about Sword Sect's resources?
If only she could find a way to help.
Chen Runyu took a solitary walk to the back mountain and saw someone who was also feeling down.
That person was Tang Ruoling...
(End of this chapter)