Chapter 304: The End of Technique vs. the End of Numbers

"Oh? It's you, boy. You're tall and strong. I didn't expect Big Ears' son to be so energetic."

The two old men looked at Zhang Yude as if they were looking at a piece of exquisitely carved jade.

As practitioners, looking at Qi is the basic means of entry. What's more, they are old and experienced. With just one glance, they can tell that Zhang Yude is both alive and dead. Among his peers, his cultivation level is far ahead, even if it is not the best.

"Your bright eyes are so similar to Huaiyi's. This is the first time we have met in all these years. Sigh. You should have come back to visit me earlier, kid."

Among the three people from Longhu Mountain back then, only Zhang Huaiyi got married. Tian Jinzhong and his senior brother both remained unmarried throughout their lives. Now when he sees his junior brother's child, he sighs with sadness.

"You are Uncle Tian, ​​right?"

"My father often mentioned you to me before. I am ashamed. I have been traveling all over the country these years. I can neither spare the time nor dare to bring Chu Lan back to see you two. I am afraid that I will cause trouble to you and the old master. I have to apologize to you."

Zhang Yude spoke sincerely. He had special respect for his two elders. From the time he wore open-crotch pants to the time he got married and started a family, he had heard his father talk about his former fellow disciples countless times.

In his later years, Zhang Huaiyi had the idea of ​​returning to the Tianshi Mansion to visit him many times, but he gave up repeatedly. He even went out several times and turned back.

Even though sixty or seventy years had passed and no sect was pursuing the Jiashen Rebellion, Zhang Huaiyi knew that his senior brother, who held the position of Heavenly Master, would not make things difficult for him. He also did not have the face to take his son and grandson back to pay homage to their master.

Seeing the two old people now, Zhang Yude was a little dazed. His father's last wish was fulfilled by him.

"It's no trouble. It's a bit awkward to say that."

Tian Jinzhong smiled with satisfaction, and the wrinkles on his face relaxed slightly.

He felt a little relieved, seeing that Zhang Yude was over 1.8 meters tall, in the prime of his life, full of vigor and vitality. With the skills taught to him by Zhang Huaiyi, his life in recent years might not have been so difficult. He was much stronger than the fledgling Zhang Chulan, like a piece of fine steel that had been tempered a thousand times.

"Yude, how have you been these years?"

Zhang Zhiwei did not ask him directly where he was going or what he was doing;
After all, with Zhang Yude's cultivation level, as a father, he let his child grow up alone, and even put him in danger all the time. He must have some unknown and unspeakable secrets.

"It's okay."

The corners of Zhang Yude's mouth slightly raised, and he said with some embarrassment:

"Some things are not convenient to disclose to you two old men, but don't worry, I am definitely on the right path. I also asked my friends to help keep an eye on Chu Lan, but most of the time, as a father, I am also helpless. Apart from giving him a fixed monthly living allowance, I have rarely accompanied him over the years when he grew up. This is indeed my dereliction of duty."

"It's okay, Dad. I'm not doing badly. At least I'm much more comfortable than you. Why are you doing this? I don't think you're doing well."

Zhang Chulan understood his father's difficulties. They had made an agreement when they parted many years ago.

He will live like a normal person, while Zhang Yude will hide in the dark and work hard to come back as soon as possible. This man would have nothing more to ask for if he could see his son live a safe life without being involved in past grudges.

"Wow, you've lost weight. Did you eat too many snacks? You're just like a monkey. No, little guy."

Zhang Yude hugged Zhang Chulan and rubbed his head with his rough hands covered with calluses. He was chubby when he was a child, but now he is just a pile of bones that hurt his hands and his skin and flesh are not thick.

"Are you talking about a girlfriend?"

"I didn't expect you to introduce one to me, Dad."

Zhang Chulan joked that this moment was probably the most carefree and happy time he had felt in the past few months.

Ever since his debut, he has been targeted by various forces and has been exhausted from dealing with them. Now with his father's return and the care of the two old men, he has gradually gained confidence. He is not an orphan, nor is he without help. He is not afraid of those scum in the gutter.

"I'll find one for you? Go to hell with that. Marriage is a big deal. You should arrange it yourself. Love freely. If you don't have the ability and no girl likes you, you'll be single for the rest of your life."

Zhang Yude laughed boldly and unrestrainedly. Although he said this in a disparaging way, he was actually looking forward to it in his heart. This kid is handsome and smart, so he won't have any trouble finding a wife in the future. He just didn't know when he would get a big fat boy.

"Okay."

"Dad, how long will you be back this time?"

Zhang Chulan scratched his head and asked the question that concerned him the most. This bastard Lao Deng was not in the country for most of the year, so he should not be fooling around. Even when he was on a mission abroad, he would often lose contact for several months, half a year, or even a year or two. Occasionally, they would send text messages with the simple words "all right". Apart from that, Zhang Chulan knew nothing.

"A few days."

Zhang Yude frowned and stated his purpose:

"I have gone through a lot of trouble to arrange a job for you in a special department. I want to help you get used to the job and save your life for now. We can talk about other things later."

Then, Zhang Yude looked at the old Taoist priest and Tian Jinzhong, and said hesitantly:

"I am very grateful to you two for taking care of Chu Lan."

"I heard that this kid showed his ability at the Luotian Conference, won the crown, and became the next successor to the Heavenly Master. How can this be possible? I know his abilities very well."

Zhang Yude heard that there were many masters among the two or three hundred young talents participating in the competition. It must be a miracle that his son, with his mediocre ability, could make it to the finals.

"I understand your two elders' painstaking efforts, so please speak openly."

"I came here mainly to take Chu Lan away. It's not appropriate for him to stay here, and it will cause trouble for you."

"Considering his background and recent events, it's normal for the Taoist priests and fellow disciples in the mansion to dislike him. People's prejudices are like a mountain, and they can't be changed overnight. I think this kid can't stand this kind of life of 'living under someone else's roof'."

After he finished his arrangements, Zhang Chulan was stunned. Tian Jinzhong was reluctant to let him go and was more worried, so he didn't know how to dissuade him.

"Dad, I am your successor. I am the Heavenly Master now. How can I go with you?" Zhang Chulan was faced with two choices and was in a dilemma. The two masters paid such a huge price to save him. If he just left, wouldn't it disappoint the two old men and make all their efforts in vain?

"Ah? You? Heavenly Master?!"

Zhang Yude was also shocked that his carefree son had become the Taoist priest that his father had longed to be.

"Yude, you want to take Chu Lan down the mountain, but I cannot agree to this. It's too chaotic outside."

"Even I don't dare to guarantee that I can protect this kid at the foot of the mountain. Only in this small piece of land in the Tianshi Mansion do I have the courage to promise him a worry-free life."

Zhang Zhiwei's eyes were as calm as a lake, and he said in a gentle tone:

"Of course. I am old, and my insight into the situation may not be as good as you young people. Let Chu Lan make his own choice according to your suggestion. I can't ignore the relationship between you and your father and force Chu Lan to stay."

After that, without even a second of hesitation, Zhang Chulan patted his chest and said, "Dad, I won't leave."

"You are right. Some people in the mansion exclude me. I understand and I bear it. But even if they do this, I will not care too much. I know that the two masters treat me like their closest relatives. This alone is enough. Do I have any other extravagant requests? Expecting everyone to like and agree with me? This is not realistic."

"You have to be eloquent and make your father's head buzz."

Seeing Zhang Chulan's firm attitude, Zhang Yude waved his hand and stopped forcing him. Instead, he couldn't help but look at him with new eyes because of his words:
"Okay, brat, now that you have the responsibility of a man, I won't interfere with your choice. Just stay in the Tianshi Mansion."

"hold head high."

Zhang Chulan nodded, his eyes revealing a hint of reluctance: "Don't forget to come and see me often, Dad, can you stay a few more days this time?"

"I'll chat with you tonight and leave tomorrow."

Zhang Yude originally planned to take his son away overnight, but now that this has failed, he tried his best to squeeze out some time to accompany him.

"Oh" Zhang Chulan felt a little comforted.

"There's one more crop. Are your old farming skills gone?"

"Correct."

Zhang Chulan briefly recounted the process of returning the source of Qi yesterday.

"Dad, you practiced it too? Is the Old Farmer's Skill the source of Qi?"

"If you ask me, I'm not sure. Your grandfather asked me to practice it. He didn't tell me where it came from, but I think it should be this."

Zhang Yude looked puzzled. At the same time, he was still thinking about whether he should pass the old farming skills back to Zhang Chulan.

"The source of the Qi body?"

"I have heard a little bit about it. It can disintegrate all the magic techniques composed of qi, enter a state of increasing life cultivation, and use a small amount of qi to perform magic stronger than usual. Yude, why don't you let me, an old man, try it on you? Let's see if you have practiced it well."

Zhang Zhiwei wanted to see the wonders of the origin of Qi body, and also wanted to test Zhang Yude's strength. If Zhang Yude was up to par, he would feel more at ease letting the son of his old friend travel the world.

"This? Fine, there are always people who are better than you. It is also an honor for Yude to fight with you."

"Master, please teach me."

Zhang Yude got into position and spoke respectfully, saying that he was naturally looking forward to fighting with the Taoist from Tiantong.

"Hey! Master, when you deal with my father, please be gentle."

"Brother, please take it easy and don't hurt my nephew."

Tian Jinzhong pulled Zhang Chulan and Xiao Yuzi towards the distant audience seats to make room for them.

The silver-grey moonlight spread across the entire training ground, and wisps of night wind blew past, making it seem as if they were competing against each other many years ago. The old master's heart was stirred, and he recalled many past events.

Opposite the old man, Zhang Yude was on high alert. He felt nervous for no reason and his heart rate kept rising. The weight of the Heavenly Master of Longhu Mountain was far more important than he had imagined and was by no means comparable to any previous enemy.

"call"

Zhang Yude relaxed his breathing, adjusted himself to the best condition, took off his black combat top and threw it aside, revealing his strong body with perfect lines and muscles bulging like marble.

"Tianshi?" he called out tentatively.

"Ah."

The moment he got the old man's permission, Zhang Yude's eyes glowed with golden light, and his cultivation reached the peak in an instant. Without any more attempts, he suddenly attacked like a sharp arrow.

"call out--!"

An afterimage, so fast that it could not be captured by the naked eye, passed over a distance of dozens of meters. Tian Jinzhong and Zhang Chulan, who were watching, only heard a dull collision sound resounding through the silent martial arts training ground.

"Boom!"

Zhang Yude's attack was blocked, and his right hand, which was carrying the Golden Light Mantra, collided with the Heavenly Master's palm.

(End of this chapter)