Swords emerge from the human world

Chapter 38: The Red-Eyed Crow, Sowing Discord
Chen Jin watched the crow flap its wings and fly high, quickly disappearing into the twilight, and couldn't help but feel thoughtful.

Wang Fu asked, "Brother Chen, what are you looking at?"

Chen Jin bluntly stated, "A red-eyed crow just flew out from under your eaves. It looked rather strange."

"No."

Wang Fu was startled. He happened to be facing away, so he didn't see it. He quickly turned around, but it had already disappeared.

During the Great Qian Dynasty, crows were always considered unlucky birds that brought misfortune, and were therefore unpopular.

Chen Jin said, "They've already flown far away... It's getting late, you should go inside. I'm going back to the martial arts school. If you need anything, you can come find me."

He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, then turned and left.

Watching him walk away, Wang Fu sighed inwardly, feeling quite guilty. After all, he had promised to lend him the book, and this was breaking his promise.
"Fu'er, what are you still standing here for? Come in quickly."

Wang Yuanshan arrived and shouted.

"coming."

Wang Fu hung his head, looking unwilling.

Wang Yuanshan was furious: "You really don't know any better. I told you long ago that Chen Jin is scheming and has ulterior motives. You should stay away from him."

Wang Fu argued, "Father, how is Brother Chen cunning? He is a truly capable man."

Wang Yuanshan scoffed: "You're really something, having to come to my door to borrow books?"

Wang Fu was speechless, unable to explain.

Wang Yuanshan added, "Also, do you know why he chose this time to come and borrow books?"

Wang Fu replied, "He just came to the city from the countryside; it was just the right time."

Wang Yuanshan snorted coldly: "So you're thinking too simply and don't understand the wickedness of people's hearts. He came here at this time just in time for dinner. Could it be that he wants you to treat him to dinner?"

Wang Fu couldn't listen anymore: "Father, you must have misunderstood Brother Chen, which has led to your deep prejudice. He is definitely not that kind of person."

Just as the father and son were arguing, they did not see a completely black crow circle high in the sky, then turn back and quickly swoop into one of the Wang family's villas.

This courtyard is specially designed for guests and has a refined and elegant atmosphere.

At this moment, Daoist Qingsong was resting in his room, waiting for dinner.

Whoosh!

A red-eyed crow landed through the open window, took some very human-like steps, walked up to the Taoist priest, and spoke in human language: "Immortal Venerable, I heard someone outside saying bad things about you..."

He then meticulously reconstructed the entire conversation between Chen Jin and Wang Fu.

Qingsong Daoren immediately revealed his anger: "You rude brat! How dare you ruin my reputation and tear down my signboard! You're asking for death!"

A knock sounded at the door, and someone outside called out, "Immortal Master, the banquet is ready. Please come to the feast."

The Green Pine Taoist ignored him and said to the Red-Eyed Crow, "Go and keep an eye on him. If you find anything, come back and report."

"twitter!"

The crow, upon receiving the order, flapped its wings and flew away.

The Taoist then got up to open the door.

Standing outside the door was the servant A-Ping. He seemed to have heard voices inside the room, but there was clearly only the Taoist priest. He felt strange but dared not ask any questions. He respectfully invited Taoist Qingsong to the main hall for a meal.

"Lead the way."

The Taoist priest always had his whisk in his hand, exuding an air of importance.

The hall was already set up, with a table full of delicious dishes, and the aroma was irresistible.

As a distinguished guest, Qingsong Daoren sat in the host's seat, with Wang Yuanshan and his son flanking him on either side.

Seeing the Taoist priest's greasy mouth, Wang Fu secretly harbored suspicions. Although he knew that this man came from a different background and did not abstain from meat or vegetables, something still felt off.

Furthermore, the other party did not bring his Taoist attendant with him when he came to handle this matter, saying that he was sick and recuperating at the Taoist temple.

Wang Fu expressed doubt about this claim.

The reason was that he accepted Chen Jin's view from the bottom of his heart, so no matter how he looked at it, he could see the flaws.

After all, he had gone through thick and thin with Chen Jin on the desolate mountain, sharing life and death, so of course he chose to believe Chen Jin. After the banquet, they rested for a while and prepared to set up an altar to perform a ritual.

Qingsong Daoren summoned Wang Yuanshan and said in a pretentious manner, "Old Wang, after my investigation and calculations, I have basically figured out the problem."

Wang Yuanshan hurriedly said, "Please enlighten me, Immortal Master."

"Overall, there's nothing wrong with the feng shui of your home. According to the feng shui divination, your descendants should have the potential for academic success and nobility. Even if things don't go well, they can still pass the imperial examinations."

"really?"

Wang Yuanshan was overjoyed. He would be extremely happy if Wang Fu could pass the county-level exam, let alone become a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examination).

After a moment's thought, he asked, "Immortal Master, which generation of the Wang family are you referring to?"

Master Qingsong shook his head and said, "Not far off, it should be in our time."

Wang Yuanshan breathed a sigh of relief, then lamented, "But my son Fu'er has taken the exam several times now, and has failed repeatedly. What should we do?"

The Taoist Qingsong said mysteriously, "This is because Young Master Wang is generous and helpful, which has led to him being entangled by wicked people who have stolen his fortune and destiny."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuanshan suddenly realized, "I knew it!"

Master Qingsong added, "Especially from now until the examination period next spring, Young Master Wang must maintain his integrity and stay away from wicked people. Otherwise, if his luck and destiny are stolen and he suffers severe losses, not only will he lose his chance at success in the imperial examinations, but he may even lose his life."

"Sure enough."

Wang Yuanshan slammed his fist on the table and stood up.

He thought of his son leaving the city to avoid military service. He went to Datang Township to find Chen Jin. He was perfectly fine at first, but not long after, he returned with serious injuries.

Don't all these events confirm what Master Qingsong said?
As for the life-saving grace that Wang Fu mentioned, he was likely deceived by Chen Jin.

With a few words, the goal was achieved. The Taoist Qingsong flicked his whisk and said in a profound and unfathomable tone, "Old Master Wang, I have glimpsed the secrets of heaven and enlightened you. What to do next is up to you."

"Thank you for your guidance, Immortal Master. The Wang family is deeply grateful and will surely repay you handsomely."

Wang Yuanshan quickly bowed to express his gratitude.

The Taoist Qingsong smiled and said, "I am a compassionate person and should cultivate good karma. Enough of this small talk, let's begin the ritual."

"please!"

……

Meanwhile, Chen Jin returned empty-handed to the Green Mountain Martial Arts School.

Shi Qifeng was starting a fire to cook, but he was clearly not good at it, as he was covered in soot and looked terrible.

Seeing this, Chen Jin smiled and said, "Old Shi, let me do it."

He skillfully took the earthenware pot off the stove, checked the ratio of rice to water, added more water, and then lit a fire to start cooking.

Shi Qifeng saw this and hesitated, unsure of what to say.

He did not spend much time with Chen Jin. After discovering that Chen Jin knew how to refine weapons and carve talismans, he recognized him as a person of the immortal path, incomparable to ordinary people. Therefore, he decided to follow him closely.

For a down-on-his-luck江湖人 (jianghu person, a person who has fallen on hard times), such an opportunity is rare and should not be missed.

Today, Shi Qifeng followed Chen Jin out of the city without hesitation. He took the lead and ambushed at the border between the two counties, and rushed to kill Zhao Zhubu's bodyguards and followers.

This is a pledge of loyalty, and also a testament to one's allegiance.

He then cleaned up the scene, burning all the corpses to ashes.

It will probably be quite a while before Zhao Zhubu's family realizes something is wrong.

After finishing his work, he drove the horse-drawn carriage back to the city.

Chen Jin went to the Wang family to borrow books, while Shi Qifeng thought about cooking.

But he was just a wandering martial artist, all alone, and had never done these kinds of housework before.

Watching Chen Jin take over the task with such skill and efficiency, Shi Qifeng suddenly realized that his teacher's actions were illogical, yet he was approachable and had no airs whatsoever.

He is a good gentleman.

　Is it because the book title isn't attracting enough readers?

　　
　
(End of this chapter)