I Cheated While Cultivating

Zhou Heng fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, then said, “Does elder brother imply something by that?”

Ever since he learned of the mysterious disappearance of his parents in this world, and that the place he had lived might be a Celestial Man’s Cave Sky, he had been paying attention to clues related to this matter.

The Zhou Family of Lu Yang was one of the directions he was particularly concerned about.

This was a noble family that had existed since before the Middle Ancient Era, reputed to have produced a Divine First Rank powerhouse in ancient times. Although they had declined by today, they still possessed deep and profound roots, with three Celestial Men residing in the world.

Related to the Zhou Family, and related to Celestial Men—the Zhou Family of Lu Yang was undoubtedly the most suspicious, but Zhou Heng had never really had an opportunity to investigate.

Unexpectedly, the upcoming Chao Yang banquet would actually be attended by someone from the Zhou Family of Lu Yang.

Even more unexpectedly, judging by Yan Shouyi’s demeanor, it seemed he might know something.

“I once suspected that you were the reincarnation of that saintly ancestor from the Zhou Family of Lu Yang.” Yan Shouyi did not avoid the subject, and said with a smile, “But it turned out I was wrong; the Zhou Family has already found the reincarnation of their ancestor.

“I’ve heard about your parents’ situation from Wanderer You as well, and I even made a trip to Lu Yang to ask Zhou Yuansheng about it. Younger brother, guess what the outcome was?”

Zhou Yuansheng was the current Family Head of the Zhou Family of Lu Yang, a Third Rank Celestial Man.

“Presumably, they did not find my parents.” Zhou Heng sighed softly and said with a bow of his hands, “Nevertheless, I still thank elder brother for the effort.”

“Indeed, they did not find them. The Zhou Family has not had any bloodline lost in the outside world for nearly three thousand years.” Yan Shouyi nodded slightly, then said with a light laugh, “While your parents were not found, after hearing your story, Zhou Yuansheng suggested something.”

“What suggestion?” Zhou Heng asked curiously.

“Even if you are not from the Zhou Family of Lu Yang, as long as you recognize him as your father, he can grant you the bloodline of the Zhou Family of Lu Yang, and even the direct main lineage.” Yan Shouyi said with a somewhat teasing smile, “Younger brother, what do you think?”

“Recognize him as my father? Change bloodline?” Zhou Heng was stunned by the words, never having imagined that the Zhou Family of Lu Yang would have such an outlandish move.

Who the hell are you to want me as your son??

However, having said that…

“Elder brother, how did you respond at that time?” Zhou Heng asked, since Yan Shouyi had been discussing this matter with Zhou Yuansheng, there must have been a response in the end.

“I beat him up.” Yan Shouyi said with a laugh while stroking his palm, “The fellow is of the same generation as me, yet he wanted to take my younger brother as his son. He had ulterior motives and bad intentions, so I just gave him a good beating.”

What the heck?

A battle between Celestial Men broke out just like this??

For me?

Zhou Heng felt bewildered and slightly excited, and asked urgently, “So what was the outcome in the end? A battle between two Celestial Men should have caused quite a stir, right?”

“Not really, the fight wasn’t very intense.” Yan Shouyi shook his head, and said with a smile, “We both restrained our power, purely engaging in hand-to-hand combat without any significant repercussions.

“In the end, he pierced through my chest and pulled out my heart, while I removed his head and even kicked it up into the sky; I was slightly more victorious.”

“…” Zhou Heng was speechless, not knowing what to say.

They pulled out a heart, beheaded someone!!

And you say the fight wasn’t very intense?

What would you call intense, then?

Dismembering and turning to dust?

“Younger brother, don’t overthink it.” Seeing Zhou Heng’s unusual expression, Yan Shouyi explained with a smile, “Actually, the life form of a Celestial Man has long since transformed. Even having a heart ripped out is equivalent to a normal person getting a scratch from a fingernail.

“Having the head removed is a bit more serious, as it is the head of the six yang, roughly equivalent to a normal person losing a clump of hair and scalp in a fight.”

All the dignity of a Celestial Man is gone with that explanation!

Zhou Heng couldn’t help but criticize inwardly.

However, listening to Yan Shouyi’s description, his relationship with Zhou Yuansheng seemed not too bad, so he inquired further.

“Correct.” Yan Shouyi nodded, smiling, “In my youth, I traveled through Southern Jin and spent some time with Zhou Yuansheng, so we have a quite good relationship. The person they are sending over this time is most likely the reincarnation of that old ancestor.”

“The reincarnation of a Divine First Rank?” Zhou Heng’s eyes brightened as he said, “Then they must be quite formidable.”

What he needed most now was an opponent of the same realm level and high strength to battle with, as it would help him hone his martial arts and improve his cultivation.

“Not as formidable as you.” Yan Shouyi spread his hands and said, “To leave behind so many precautions and divine skills in one’s previous life, saints like you are truly once in a millennium.

“The reincarnation of the Zhou Family’s saintly ancestor is merely of unique physique, exceptional talent, and extraordinary insight; however, the strength is also not bad; you can look forward to it.”

“With elder brother putting it that way, I’m even more anticipatory.” Zhou Heng laughed, and then asked, “About the remaining two invitations, who does elder brother plan to give them to?”

“One for Cheng Jianjian of Jade Qiong Peak, and one for Zhu Zhenzhen of Purple Tenuity Palace.” Yan Shouyi had already made a decision, “You and Jianjian will ensure victory, and let Zhenzhen, the child, go down the mountain to see the world.

“By the way, younger brother, have you heard any news about that child Jianjian recently? A few days ago when I spoke with Sister Qi, she mentioned it’s been over two months without any word from her.”

“Over two months without word?” Zhou Heng frowned slightly upon hearing this, and nodded gently, “Yes, I will pay attention to any news of her.”

Even though Yan Shouyi didn’t express it explicitly, his intention was clear: he wanted Zhou Heng to check with the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer for any news of Cheng Jianjian to see if she had encountered any troubles.

“`

This was also something Zhou Heng had been intending to do.

Over two months ago, Cheng Jianjian bid him farewell in Wujiang Prefecture City, and since then, no news of her had surfaced in the martial arts world, which made him somewhat concerned.

“Senior brother, then I’ll head back to prepare,” Zhou Heng said with a cupped fist salute, “I’ll inquire about her whereabouts tomorrow.”

He planned to visit the closest entrance to the Purple Tenuity Palace first thing the next morning and ask the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer about Cheng Jianjian’s whereabouts, hoping to find some clue.

“Hmm,” Yan Shouyi nodded and said, “Go ahead, and remember, the Morning Sun Wine Gathering in the Imperial City of Zhongzhou on the second day of the second lunar month.”

“I won’t forget,” Zhou Heng said with a smile.

…

After Zhou Heng left,

Yan Shouyi did not leave immediately either. His gaze turned towards the direction of the Pure Yang First Martial Arts Guild. Then, with a slight sway of his figure, he appeared in front of the entrance to the martial arts guild.

Although it was deep into the night, and the surroundings were tranquil, there was an old man who appeared to be in his sixties or seventies, sitting on a stool, rocking a palm-leaf fan, leaning against the wall, and gazing into the sky.

Yan Shouyi appeared before the old man, gave a cupped fist salute, and said, “I’ve seen Tao Lord Fengjue.”

The old man shook his head when he heard the words, looked at Yan Shouyi, and suddenly smiled, saying, “Young man, you’ve got the wrong person, where is there a Tao Lord Fengjue here? I’m just an old gatekeeper, you can call me Jiang Er.”

“Tao Lord…” Yan Shouyi was about to speak.

At that moment, a youth about fourteen or fifteen years old came over, carrying a food box in his hand.

It was Xie Chong.

“Grandpa Jiang, aren’t you cold staying out here by yourself?” Xie Chong placed the food box on the ground and opened it. Inside there was a terracotta pot with a lid, alongside a soup ladle and a bowl.

Even though the pot hadn’t been opened yet, steam had already emerged, billowing out white vapor that carried an enticing fresh fragrance.

“Grandpa Jiang, it’s not good for you to always stay outside like this. You should go home,” Xie Chong chattered on as he opened the pot. A delicious aroma wafted out, and then he ladled a bowl of soup for Jiang Er, saying with a smile, “My mother simmered some mushroom soup. Try it, it might warm you up a bit.”

Now, in the cold of winter, the weather was very chilly, and the nights were even colder. Jiang Er, who appeared to be a man in his sixties or seventies sitting alone in front of the martial arts guild, was indeed a pitiful sight.

Xie Chong and his mother were kind-hearted people. Seeing Jiang Er in this state, they often brought him some soup to help him keep warm.

“Good child, good child,” Jiang Er said as he took the mushroom soup, drank a mouthful, exhaled a breath of warmth, and smiled, “Oh, this is good, really good. Tastes great and it’s warming too.

“Good child, don’t worry. This old body of mine knows some martial arts, I can handle the cold, and staying outside isn’t a problem for me.”

“I still suggest you find a place to live. After all, you’re getting on in years, and it’s not good to always stay outside,” Xie Chong persisted in advising him.

“If I find a place to live, will you still come and bring me soup, good child?” Jiang Er seemed a bit concerned.

“Oh, if that’s what you’re worried about, don’t worry, Grandpa Jiang. As long as you’re not tired of drinking it, I’ll keep bringing it to you,” Xie Chong said with a smile.

“That so? Good, good, I’ll go find a place to live tomorrow,” Jiang Er said smiling. He finished the bowl of hot soup in one gulp and added, “Good child, it’s getting late; you should head back now.”

“Mm,” Xie Chong nodded, packed up the terracotta pot and the food box, and turned to leave the place.

He behaved as if he hadn’t seen Yan Shouyi standing there at all.

In truth, he really couldn’t see him.

A Celestial Power such as Yan Shouyi, if he did not want to be seen, almost nobody below the Celestial rank could perceive him.

“Young man, it’s getting late,” Jiang Er said, looking at Yan Shouyi with a smile. “You should head home too.”

“You’re right, Tao Lord,” Yan Shouyi nodded lightly and said with a smile, “I indeed should be heading back. Take care, Tao Lord.”

With that, his figure vanished into thin air, leaving no trace.

After seeing Xie Chong, he had already figured out the purpose of the former Tao Lord Fengjue’s stay in Huangtong Mansion City.

There was naturally no need to ask further.

…

On his way back to his rented room in the suburbs, Zhou Heng came across a fortune teller.

On a whim, he had his fortune told to find out when his luck would be best in the coming days.

The answer he received was: today.

Therefore, after returning to his rented room, Zhou Heng meticulously washed his hands over and over, preparing to open his Fortune Bags.

He had some guesses about Cheng Jianjian’s whereabouts.

If she truly encountered some difficulty and he wanted to help her, it was indeed necessary to make more preparations.

Opening some Fortune Bags was undoubtedly the best preparation.

Moreover, he had indeed accumulated quite a few Fortune Bags by now.

“Open ten Copper Fortune Bags and five Silver Fortune Bags!”

“`