Borrowing a sword

Chapter 56 Straighten Your Back

Outside the bamboo house, Han Shuangjiang watched the two leave, then glanced at the bowls and chopsticks on the wooden table, muttering to herself:
"Aren't we going to eat first?"

She was actually a little hungry.

As night falls, many fireflies can still be seen on Medicine Mountain.

Chu Huaixu strode ahead, with the servant following quickly behind him.

Xu Ziqing tried to say something several times, but she was not good with words.

He didn't understand how he had become a disciple without even realizing it, nor did he understand why his master had suddenly helped him.

Is it really because they cherish talent?

But clearly, when I was learning the palm technique that day, the master didn't seem to have any expression on his face, and just said indifferently, "Hmm, not bad."

The handsome young man shook his head, deciding not to think about it for the time being if he couldn't figure it out.

Regardless, I must seize this opportunity for spiritual practice.

"Father, Mother, Little Sister, Grandmother, Ziqing will definitely avenge you!" He vowed again in his heart.

With this thought in mind, a hint of gratitude appeared in his eyes as he looked at Chu Huaixu.

On the other side, Niu Yuanshan was pacing back and forth in his house.

"Should we go and take a look at the bamboo house?" Old Niu was extremely conflicted.

Since Li Chunsong had driven everyone away from the edge of the cold pool, no one knew what happened afterward.

Although Niu Yuanshan wisely took the lead and left, he still kept the matter in mind.

Therefore, he kept his divine sense focused on the route that Chu Huaixu and Han Shuangjiang would take back to the bamboo house from the cold pool.

As it turned out, Han Shuangjiang returned first, all alone.

This allowed Niu Yuanshan to be completely certain that the strange phenomenon originated from Chu Huaixu!

"I wonder what kind of stroke of luck this kid has had?" Old Niu's face showed a gratified smile.

From the organization's perspective, this time, Chu Huaixu has even alarmed the sect leader!

"This newcomer has actually made an impression on the sect leader of the Daoist sect in such a short time."

"They even successfully seized an opportunity that originally belonged to the Daoist sect, which was then taken over by members of my [organization]!"

"This is truly a great achievement!" Niu Yuanshan exclaimed in his heart.

Such a prodigy is a blessing to our [organization]!
"Perhaps, one day he might actually be able to infiltrate the core circle of the Taoist sect. At that time, the role he can play will be truly enormous."

Niu Yuanshan has worked diligently in the Taoist sect for many years and is the most serious, responsible and hardworking among the nine deacons.

But he knew very well that the position of deacon was his limit.

This made him realize that he was not qualified to lead such a prodigious newcomer.

"All I can do is protect him at all costs before he fully matures."

"Even if it costs me my old life!" Niu Yuanshan thought to himself.

He paced back and forth inside the house, not knowing whether Chu Huaixu had returned to the bamboo house or not.

The middle-aged man with thick eyebrows and big eyes raised his hand again and slapped himself hard.

"The third precept of the 'Admonitions' is: Do not have excessive curiosity about your fellow believers!" He recited it repeatedly in his mind.

This newcomer possesses a deadly strength that makes it easy for others to make mistakes.

Just as he made up his mind not to go to the bamboo house, the servant in the courtyard knocked on his door and told him that Chu Huaixu was requesting an audience.

Niu Yuanshan immediately pushed open the door and went out. His steps were swift, and he even used his movement technique to become a blur, leaving the servants in the courtyard stunned.

“He came to us on his own, so that doesn’t count!” Old Niu thought to himself.

Upon seeing Niu Yuanshan, Chu Huaixu immediately bowed and said, "This disciple greets Steward Niu. I have not failed Steward Niu's high expectations and have obtained the item left by Senior Lei Wenyan in the secret realm—the Xuan Tian Fetal Breathing Pill!"

The higher-ups in the Taoist sect wanted him to conceal his innate supernatural abilities, but there was no need to hide the matter of the Xuan Tian Fetal Breathing Pill.

On the contrary, something must be made public for it to be believable.

As far as Chu Huaixu was concerned, the key to enter the secret realm was obtained with Lao Niu's help. It would be unreasonable not to report this to him, as he was indebted to Lao Niu for this favor.

"Good, good, good!" A relieved smile appeared on Niu Yuanshan's face with thick eyebrows and big eyes, and he couldn't help but raise his hand to gently pat Chu Huaixu's shoulder.

Immediately afterward, he realized what was happening and asked, "Have you taken the Profound Heaven Embryo Breathing Pill? Do you need me to protect you?"

"I've already taken it, and it's been extremely beneficial," Chu Huaixu replied with a smile. "That's good, that's good." Niu Yuanshan thought for a moment, then didn't ask how much it had improved.

Xu Ziqing didn't have much knowledge of cultivation, and he was completely confused as he listened from the side.

But he could vaguely understand that his master, who should call him "Master," had probably just accomplished an amazing feat!
The young servant felt a surge of respect for him.

"Please come in and have a seat," Steward Niu invited.

"I won't bother you any longer, sir. I've come here on important business," Chu Huaixu said.

"Oh? Tell me about it."

Chu Huaixu raised his hand and pointed to the servant behind him, saying, "The Sixth Elder sent me to find Steward Niu to arrange a disciple status for Xu Ziqing."

Upon hearing this, Xu Ziqing felt a surge of tension.

"Hmm? Isn't this the handyman from your courtyard?" Old Niu recognized him at a glance, after all, he had gone with Liu Tianfeng to pick up Chu Huaixu and Han Shuangjiang that morning.

“Exactly, he can learn Baguazhang in no time. He grasped the essence after watching it a few times. I think it would be a waste to only have him as a menial servant.” Chu Huaixu said seriously, implying that he was the one who recommended him.

When these words reached the ears of Old Niu, the undercover agent, he thought that this kid was probably developing his own downline.
Have they already started consciously cultivating their own team?
Although he also didn't take mortal martial arts seriously, he thought it was excellent that Chu Huaixu had this idea.

The two exchanged a glance, their understanding unwavering.

Niu Yuanshan immediately took out a token for a registered disciple and said, "I will personally enter his file tomorrow. Now give me a drop of blood, and I will also refine the [Life Token]."

Chu Huaixu turned around and glanced at the servant behind him, then said with displeasure, "What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and thank Steward Niu!"

Xu Ziqing quickly did as instructed and went through the introductory process.

While helping to refine the life tablet, Niu Yuanshan also examined the spiritual embryo.

"A pseudo-spiritual fetus?" Old Niu was an honest man. He knew what was going on, but he didn't say it aloud so as not to embarrass the young man.

After finishing everything, the handsome young man looked at the disciple token hanging from his waist, still feeling somewhat dazed.

"I've entered the Daoist path just like that?" He felt as if he had been overwhelmed by happiness.

Seeing that everything was settled, Chu Huaixu planned to slip away: "Steward Niu, Shuangjiang is still waiting for me, so we'll head back now and come to bother you again another day."

"Okay, no problem, no problem." Niu Yuanshan's smile was as gentle as ever.

After they parted, he went back to his room and after a while, he remembered something.

"This new disciple hasn't chosen a cultivation technique for the Qi Refining stage yet."

"Alright, he can go to the library to choose his own books tomorrow." This diligent young man stopped worrying about it.

Little did they know that Chu Huaixu had already made arrangements in his heart.

On the way back, Chu Huaixu looked at the little tail following behind him and felt that this protagonist of the world seemed timid and hesitant, which made him feel uncomfortable!

"Can you stop being so timid and hesitant, always hiding behind others?"

"Listen up, from now on, straighten your back and stand a little forward! Don't embarrass me when we go out, understand?" His older brother had the air of a domineering elder brother.

A protagonist of the world should act like one! Why does he seem a bit sensitive and insecure?

The handsome young man, whose shoulders were slightly hunched inward, was suddenly criticized. He shuddered and immediately straightened his head and chest as if by reflex.

"Yes!" he replied loudly. Then, the former servant tentatively lowered his voice and said very softly, "Senior brother."

"Hmm." Chu Huaixu nodded in satisfaction, accepting the title, and continued walking forward with large strides.

Han Shuangjiang is probably waiting for me to come back for dinner. I'm starving.

Xu Ziqing looked at his tall back and silently repeated his words of advice in her heart.

"Straighten your back and stand a little forward."

After returning to the bamboo house, the three of them began to eat as usual.

After dinner, Xu Ziqing washed the dishes as usual, while Chu Huaixu did nothing like a big shot.

After finishing his chores, he called the handsome young man into the house.

As soon as Xu Ziqing walked in, her heart skipped a beat.

Because he saw a jade slip and a small booklet on the wooden table in front of Chu Huaixu.

The jade slip was engraved with three large, elegant characters.

—The Sword Refining Manual!
(P.S.: Second update, please vote with monthly tickets~)

(End of this chapter)