Nights of Revelry

"If you fight again, you'd better get out!"

"The area outside the courtyard is so big, it's enough for two Foundation Establishment cultivators, let alone two Qi Refining cultivators!"

"Yes, Master."

The two lowered their heads and quickly admitted their mistake.

Before returning, Master Li glanced at Chu Liutang, but didn't say much.

After Master Li returned, Chu Liutang brought Chen Lu to his room.

He sighed, somewhat helplessly: "Ever since Master refined the elixir you gave him into pills, he has hardly rested at night."

He only sleeps for a short while during the day to recuperate. I really don't know if Master should take that medicine.

Chen Lu didn't know what to say; after all, that was his master.

Furthermore, he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator and an alchemist. He knew his own condition and would never work himself to death on a woman's belly.

But there was something Chen Lu was curious about: what kind of woman could make a Foundation Establishment cultivator like Master Li Dan linger there, indulging in nightly revelry without ever stopping?

Unfortunately, I've been staying in the alchemy room and bedroom these past few days and haven't had a chance to go anywhere else. I'll try to find an opportunity to meet you next time I come.

"Senior Brother Chu, you know that's not what I wanted to ask," Chen Lu steered the conversation back on track.

"A few days ago, the restructuring of the Wang Family Escort Agency in Fenglinfang attracted a lot of interest from many families in Chizhu Immortal City."

The role of escort agencies is self-evident; the Chu family also has its own escort agencies, making the competition equally fierce.

The family wants to see what the outcome of this reform of your Wang family will be.

"So, that's why you came to me?" Chen Lu asked, puzzled.

"Of course, even though you're only at the Qi Refining stage..." Chu Liutang paused, emphasizing his words.

"Your Qi cultivation is insignificant, but your actions have caught the attention of many people in the Red Bamboo Immortal City."

Everyone is saying that a Qi Refining cultivator can motivate an entire family to make reforms; this person must be extraordinary and will surely become a great talent in the future.

"So, I'm famous now?"

Chen Lu found it somewhat unbelievable. With so many powerful forces in Chizhu Immortal City, why would they waste their energy on someone as insignificant as himself?

"It's not about becoming famous, but about genuinely noticing you."

Chu Liutang smiled and shook his head, a hint of envy in his eyes.

Chen Lu didn't know if this envy was genuine or not, but he didn't want to become famous this way.

"If the Wang Family Escort Agency's reforms succeed and drive out the other escort agencies that oppose you, then you will truly become famous."

Chen Lu felt slightly relieved, because what the divination said was only a slight reversal of the downward trend, which meant that the overall trend of decline was unstoppable.

"And I'm very curious about what kind of person you are, and how you managed to get the Wang family to agree to your suggestion."

You have good aptitude and high comprehension, but you are ostracized by the Wang family, making those with scarce talent the most envious.

Regardless of the final outcome for the Wang Family Escort Agency, you'll definitely have no shortage of people trying to win you over.

In the future, I will definitely need to control some industries. In order to prevent my family from controlling me, I will have to cultivate some of my own people.

Given our relationship, why not take advantage of our proximity?

Chu Loutang spoke with utmost sincerity, and Chen Lu tried his best to detect no trace of lying.

He witnessed the terror of genius for the first time.

Having experienced twice the life, one can remain calm and composed in the face of many changes.

With these clever tricks, he made others think he was a genius.

Chu Liutang, however, only had one life, but he accomplished even more than his predecessor.

They are completely unpredictable, yet their own thoughts are perfectly understood.

Chen Lu suddenly felt somewhat relieved.

It was the right decision not to take on menial tasks during the Xuanqing Sect's provincial examination.

I ranked over 300th, while the top 100 were probably all people like Chu Liutang.

Across several states, with only a few hundred people, they schemed and plotted against each other, not even knowing how they died.

"What if I don't agree to your attempts to win me over?"

Chu Liutang smiled without saying a word, simply looking at him.

Chen Lu suddenly remembered that Master Li had warned him not to back down, otherwise he would think he was weak and easy to bully.

Without that statement, he would indeed have preferred to wait and see.

But in battle, you either advance or retreat; there is no option to stay still.

In his eyes, anything that doesn't attack, regardless of its purpose, is seen as retreat.

But Master Li seemed to have known all along what he wanted to do.

So say it out loud in advance, tell yourself that your only way out is to attack.

"At your current pace, you should be able to establish your foundation in at most ten years, and I should be about the same."

The Wang family can provide for your retirement, but they can't help you reach greater heights.

"Follow me, and you'll go higher and farther."

Chu Liutang smiled broadly, seemingly full of anticipation for everything.

But that look made Chen Lu feel awkward, like he wanted to throw a punch at him.

Chu Liutang simply nodded slightly, leaned closer, and then whispered:

"Don't tell me you haven't thought about the splendor of the Purple Mansion, Core Formation, or even higher."

Some things need to be thought out in advance so that when they actually happen, one can remain calm and composed.

What do you think, Junior Brother Chen?

Chen Lu's expression remained unchanged, then he suddenly stood up, clenched his fist, and slammed it into Chu Liutang's face.

Chu Liutang trembled with fright and pushed off the ground with both feet to retreat, but he lost his balance and fell to the ground with a thud.

Chen Lu's fist stopped in mid-air, not moving forward an inch.

It seemed that there was no intention to hit him on the face at all; it was just that Chu Liutang was too scared and timid, which led to his embarrassment.

The smile doesn't disappear, it just moves on.

At this moment, Chen Lu finally smiled.

"Senior Brother Chu, I have learned from your composure in the face of adversity."

But frankly, I didn't really want to learn; the ground was too cold and uncomfortable.

Chu Liutang's face was somewhat gloomy, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

Chen Lu shook his head helplessly and helped him up by putting his arm around his shoulder.

He had thought it over and over and concluded that Chu Liutang was unfathomable and that he was no match for him.

Looking back now, I realize that I was actually a bit slow on the uptake and had a bit of a delusional personality, which made him worry for several days for nothing.

"Senior Brother Chu, I appreciate your kindness, but right now I just want to focus on learning alchemy."

I am just a nobody. Which cultivator doesn't yearn for the Purple Mansion or Core Formation stages?

But I haven't even reached the Foundation Establishment stage yet, and I haven't even learned to run, yet I'm already thinking about flying. Those things are too far away.

Everything changes; what others give you will always remain theirs.

Only what you earn through your own efforts truly belongs to you.

Chu Liutang quickly calmed down and then smiled again, as if his heart was full of good news.

"Junior Brother Chen is right. I was being presumptuous."

I originally wanted to help my junior brother by giving him a 30% discount voucher.

As long as it's a medicine shop owned by my Chu family, you can get a 30% discount.

Since my junior brother wants to take the risk himself, then forget it.

Chen Lu hesitated for a moment before stepping out the door.

Chu Liutang's voice then rang out: "Unfortunately, Senior Brother Li has it, and so does Master."

I was planning to give one to my junior brother, but he didn't want it, so I guess I'll pass.

Chen Lu gritted his teeth, quickened his pace, and left Chu Liutang's room.

I felt a pang of regret; I shouldn't have said that.

But then he came to terms with it, realizing that taking favors from others always comes at a price.

I feel more at ease using this kind of elixir if I buy it myself and use it myself.

Several hours later, before dawn, Chen Lu left Master Li's residence.