A Sect from a Spirit Vein-Chapter 37 - 36: The Five-Day Appointment

Lu Qian shook his head: "We’re far away and wearing masks; they can’t recognize us. Plus, they are hired to kill, and we are hired to rescue. This sort of thing is entirely normal, and they can’t find us. Moreover, we’re about to enter the marketplace now, naturally safeguarded by the market steward."

This was also the reason he chose to act. Compared to the secret manual he could obtain, this risk was negligible.

The boat trembled, slowed down, and merged into the queue entering the city. Looking up, there were over a hundred flying spiritual artifacts lined up ahead to enter the city, creating a vibrant scene.

Master Xuan Ji retracted the array and rudely stood in front of Zhou Chao, shouting: "We’ve saved you, you’re now safe, hurry up and hand over the secret array manual!"

Zhou Chao’s face turned sour and cautiously said: "Naturally, but... this manual is not with me right now."

Master Xuan Ji’s expression changed greatly, shaking the array map in anger: "What do you mean? Are you daring to deceive us?"

Seeing the unfriendly faces, Zhou Chao quickly waved his hands to explain: "Fellow Daoists! I’ve made a Dao Heart Oath, how could I deceive you? That array secret manual is a family heirloom, naturally kept at our family residence. I am not an array cultivator; why would I carry it with me? I’ve come to Meihua Square to handle some matters, you fellows can come home with me, and I’ll get it for you as soon as we arrive."

Seeing his reasonable explanation, Master Xuan Ji retracted the array map and looked a bit more at ease: "Then where is your home?"

Zhou Chao quickly replied: "Not far at all, just over a thousand miles from this marketplace at a Yuqing Mountain, that’s where our Yuqing Zhou Family resides. Please wait a few days for me to finish my business, and we’ll head to Yuqing together, where I can host a feast to thank you all for saving my life."

Lu Qian suddenly asked: "What position do you hold in the Zhou Family? Is the manual so precious that you can just give it away?"

Master Xuan Ji and Jiang Qingfeng also grew suspicious. Zhou Chao smiled: "I’m merely the Young Master Zhou. Although the manual is valuable, it doesn’t outweigh my life. Having sworn an oath, I’ll surely hand over the manual."

Master Xuan Ji relaxed and was about to speak when Lu Qian interrupted: "Fellow Daoist Zhou is quite crafty here; now you’re being pursued, you want us to accompany you home, isn’t it just making us your bodyguards? If we don’t wholeheartedly defend you, we wouldn’t get the manual, right?"

Zhou Chao was taken aback for a moment while Master Xuan Ji suddenly realized and scowled fiercely: "Well! You swarthy kid, I thought you were honest and kind, turns out you’re full of schemes. Almost drank your footwash."

Lu Qian snorted; regardless of whether out of desperation, the man just tried to shift trouble, can’t easily trust him.

Zhou Chao chuckled bitterly: "Fellow Daoist, you’ve misunderstood me. My family has indeed suffered setbacks, and I am being hunted. Although you perceive it this way, there’s no rebutting it."

Lu Qian shook his head: "That’s not all; if we reach your family residence and then that Chaosheng Sect happens to attack, we’d be trapped there, and forced to assist for self-preservation."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chao was speechless, sighing deeply, his whole demeanor collapsed: "Fellow Daoist’s words leave me speechless. So what do you propose we do then?"

Lu Qian spoke gravely: "We’ll wait here in the city. If you’re sincerely grateful, go back to Yuqing Mountain yourself. Once you’ve returned home, send a confidant to deliver the manual to us. If you’re killed en route, then it’s destiny’s course, treat it as though we never saved you today, no need for repayment."

By now, the flying ship had slipped under the archway, and everyone felt an impressive spiritual pressure nearby, startling them. No surprise that at Meihua Square, even Foundation Establishment Feather Scholars were only guarding the gate, hence those pursuing didn’t dare approach.

The group disembarked, preparing to enter the city. Here was the array entrance, a few Qi Cultivators were on duty. Lu Qian noticed some people displaying a token for seamless entry. Those without a token had to pay a toll of ten Spirit Stones.

As it was Lu Qian’s turn, the cultivator on duty, noticing it was their first time here, briefly explained. It turns out, businesses and cultivators residing here needed to pay a fee to the Market Management Bureau for a residential token. Temporary visitors without a token needed to pay the toll to enter the marketplace.

Several people paid Spirit Stones, entered the array, and heard Zhou Chao nodding: "Fellow Daoist’s proposal sounds reasonable, let’s proceed as you suggested. Where and when should I send the manual to you?"

The group exchanged names, and Lu Qian continued to use the name Qi Kun. After some discussion, they agreed that five days later at noon, Lu Qian would wait outside the largest guesthouse in Meihua Square for someone from the Zhou Family.

Zhou Chao cupped his hands: "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Qi, I was indeed forced to seek your help earlier. But the Yuqing Zhou Family is definitely not ungrateful. As long as I live, I will surely deliver the manual."

With that, he hurriedly left.

Master Xuan Ji asked: "Lu the Kid, do you think he’ll really fulfill the promise?"

Lu Qian shook his head: "It’s hard to say. Although he swore an oath, that oath only takes effect during cultivation breakthroughs, serving as a restraint. If he feels impending doom with no future prospect, why would he care about the oath?"

Master Xuan Ji, sensing the longed-for manual slipping away, grew anxious: "Then why let him go?"

Lu Qian chuckled lightly: "We’re in Meihua Square now, what else could be done, catch him or kill him? Fortune in obtaining, fate in losing, no need for concern."

Unlike Lu Qian’s tranquility, Master Xuan Ji remained relentless, wanting to say more. By now, the group had exited the market archway, and they were suddenly enveloped by bustling noise and the local market atmosphere.

They were all taken aback.

Ahead was a five-zhang-wide road paved with flagstones, filled with cultivators moving slowly, shoulders brushing against one another, the radiant glow of magical artifacts flickering unpredictably in the crowd.

On either side of the road, small pavilions stacked two to four stories high were crammed together, signs gleamed golden in the sunlight, streamers of various colors fluttered in the wind, vying for attention.

"Come have a look! Fresh Star Sea Jiao Liver, just unloaded from the Sky Ray!"

"Cold Xuan Grass! Check out our Cold Xuan Grass! Three leaves one flower, see how thick the stem is!"

"Dear guest, would you like accommodations? We offer elegant surroundings, fine wine and dining, close to the auction house, perfect for deep cultivation like yourself!"

...

The shouts, sounds of quarrel, discussions, debates... never before had they seen such lively scenes.

Lu Qian experienced a moment of disorientation, feeling as if he had returned to a modern pedestrian street.

Baitao excitedly let out a squeal of delight, her eyes darting everywhere. Qingfeng didn’t manage to hold her back; she’d already dashed several steps ahead, urging everyone to catch up.

At that moment, a young man suddenly approached Lu Qian with a cheerful smile: "Are you Immortal Masters visiting Meihua Square for the first time?"