Chapter 334
Liu Bowen's Chess
Zhou Sheng had already sensed the warning from the old man of Niushan.
Although being a necromancer is an extremely dangerous profession, his experience was far too thrilling and exciting.
Taking on a job at a lousy stage somehow led to the involvement of the Night Wanderer and Judge Lu. After escaping to Xunyang, he encountered a general possessed by the remnant soul of a tiger demon. Upon completing his apprenticeship, he was caught in a near-death trap set by Judge Lu...
Having finally completed his apprenticeship, he thought he could choose a less dangerous game, but he ended up having to play against the Black-Clad Heavenly King and risk his life against a dragon.
He had to ask someone to refine an elixir and forge a sword, and he even had to steal treasures from the City of the Dead, almost dying at the hands of that black bear demon.
Although his strength has greatly increased at this moment, he still needs to prepare to go to the City of the Wrongfully Dead, to accept the invitation from the Bodhisattva Zhu Yan, and to find a way to kill Nian Nu Jiao and retrieve his master's leg tendons and golden core...
If it weren't for the help of the Luo Shu, Zhou Sheng would have died countless times already.
"It seems you've already realized it yourself. When Heaven commands someone to die, it's like a ruler commanding his subjects to perish. It's already remarkable that you've managed to escape danger so many times. But luck won't always be on your side. Be careful not to make a mistake at any moment."
Zhou Sheng felt a chill run down his spine. He exchanged a glance with the old man from Niushan and remained silent.
"Alright, alright. Considering you might become my junior brother, I'll make an exception and give you another brocade pouch."
As he spoke, he pulled out an ugly and tattered brocade pouch from his person and casually tossed it to Zhou Sheng.
"This trip to perform a ghost opera is fraught with danger. When you are in dire straits, you can open this brocade pouch, which may help you escape this calamity."
"Of course, it's also possible that it won't be of any use at all, since the old beggar will always have some inaccuracies when it comes to you..."
Zhou Sheng carefully placed the tattered brocade pouch into his bosom and solemnly said, "Thank you, senior. If I manage to return alive this time, I will definitely come to see you and give you an answer."
"Okay, let's go."
Old Man Niu Shan waved his hand dismissively and said, "Stop talking such pretentious nonsense. You should think more before you act impulsively. Feng is such a good girl. Don't let her become a widow."
Yao Taifeng sensed a farewell from his words.
A sudden wave of reluctance washed over her; this period had been the most carefree and happiest time of her life.
Although they had to cook all sorts of meals and prepare food and drinks every day, and would occasionally bicker with the old man from Niushan, trying to trick him out of some good things, the atmosphere was harmonious and joyful, just like... a family.
She was an orphan from a young age and couldn't remember what her parents looked like, let alone her grandparents.
But she often felt a grandfatherly feeling in the old man Niu Shan.
The other party is incredibly shrewd and learned, a top student of the imperial tutor Liu Bowen. How could he not see through her schemes?
But the senior always falls for her tricks and is helplessly teased by her.
All of this was simply because of the few tears she shed when she saw her senior's corpse.
"Senior, let Xiaofeng cook for you one more time. This time, all my specialties are on the menu: Dragon and Phoenix Crystal Shrimp Dumplings, Azure Sky Pastries, Midnight Meteor Slices, Snow-Treading Plum Blossom Soup, Bamboo Dew Tea Chicken..."
She revealed all her most treasured culinary skills.
Hearing this, Old Man Niu Shan kept swallowing and said angrily, "You little punk, Feng! You've been hiding it for so long, you're obviously up to no good!"
Yao Taifeng smiled and said, "I did have that plan before, but now I just want to make something simple for you to eat, and I have absolutely no other intentions."
Old Man Niu Shan was slightly taken aback.
"Danshan, hurry to the city to buy wine. No, we've already tasted all the fine wines in the city. Ride your black horse to Yongcheng, three hundred li away, to buy wine. I've heard there's a kind of wine there called Yongshan Snow Brew, brewed with the first snowmelt from the northern foothills of the Qinling Mountains. It's the purest and most mellow..."
"Okay, I'll go right away!"
Zhou Sheng gave the old man of Niushan no chance to refuse, and immediately summoned his black horse, Wuzhui, and rode through the void, soaring into the clouds in an instant.
Yaotai Feng goes deep into the mountains to collect the freshest mushrooms, wild vegetables and natural spices, determined to make the most delicious meal.
Old Man Niu Shan gazed at this scene with a complex expression, and after a long while, he sighed softly.
With the help of his black horse, Zhou Sheng covered 600 li in less than half an hour and bought several large jars of Yongshan Snow Wine.
But when he returned to the dilapidated thatched hut, he saw Yaotai Feng standing there in a daze, her beautiful eyes filled with a hint of sadness.
"Danshan, the senior has already passed away."
"These are his words."
Zhou Sheng took the note and saw that it was written in cursive script, which was unrestrained and wild.
"You brat, Feng girl, what I fear most is people who ask nothing of me. If I eat your food, I'll never be able to repay it. No matter how good the food is, it's not as good as living freely."
"The thatched hut is destroyed. Perhaps it's time for the old beggar to go out and see the world today, and how it has changed since three hundred years ago?"
"Haha, Feng girl, there's no need to be sad. Life is full of ups and downs, and we'll meet again someday. Next time we meet, I'll have a good taste of your cooking."
Looking at those words, Zhou Sheng couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for the old man's carefree attitude.
"Could it be that you're holding a grudge because you didn't agree to become Liu Bowen's disciple?"
She asked, somewhat worried.
"It shouldn't be. Senior isn't a narrow-minded person, otherwise he wouldn't have gone to such lengths to help us just for a sip of Celestial Master's Wine."
"Danshan, why didn't you agree back then? Were you worried about Old Master Yu? Knowing him as I do—"
"My master certainly wouldn't mind me taking on another apprentice. How could I, as his disciple, not understand that?"
Zhou Sheng shook his head and smiled, stepped forward, took her hand, and gently pulled her into his arms, stroking her long, smooth hair from top to bottom.
“I saw you winking at me, trying to get me to agree to become your apprentice and your junior brother. That way, you would be bound to me, and if I were in danger in the future, you wouldn’t stand by and watch me die.”
"So you knew all along."
Yao Taifeng nestled softly in his arms, like a quiet kitten, enjoying the caress of his hand, and glancing sideways at his chiseled, handsome jawline.
When she heard that the old man from Niushan was going to take on disciples on behalf of his master, she was extremely excited and made several eye contact signals, but Zhou Sheng ignored them all.
“I know you mean well, but this matter is too complicated. I always feel that having such a deep connection with the Imperial Tutor Liu Bowen might not be a good thing.”
"That person's schemes are too deep and their ambitions too grand. Before I can see the whole picture, I, a mere pawn, have no intention of fighting for anyone."
Yao Taifeng nodded and said, "Then next time we meet, let's get the senior drunk together so we can get more information out of him!"
……
"Ah!"
On the mountain road, the old man from Niushan suddenly sneezed, did some calculations with his fingers, and couldn't help but shake his head and laugh.
However, after the smile faded, his eyes became deep, and he let out a long sigh.
“Master, I once thought you had lost, but after seeing this kid, perhaps... I have finally understood your game.”
"So that game of chess is still going on."
...(End of this chapter)