Cultivation: Starting from a Fighting Cock

Chapter 93 Returning to the Zhao Residence (Please Subscribe)
Seeing Ji Cheng and A Niu getting along so happily and harmoniously, Zhao Yan was stunned.

She couldn't help but wonder if Tu Ergou, whom she had been teaching for so long, was actually mentally sound.

However, this scene did bring her a sense of joy. Actually, this Ah Niu didn't seem so unpleasant after all.

The day ended quickly.

Zhao Yan quickly packed her things and walked up to Ji Cheng, saying, "I'm going back now. Are you coming with me, or are you going to wait here for Uncle Cui?"

"I'll wait for Uncle Cui. He gave me some instructions."

"Ah."

Zhao Yan turned and left.

The other disciples at the martial arts school also finished their training and went home.

Before long, Cui Sheng arrived at the entrance of the martial arts school. Ji Cheng greeted A Niu and then went with Cui Sheng to buy some gifts.

"Ergou, how's your first day at the martial arts school? How's it going?"

"Uncle Cui is very nice."

"That's good. When we get to the Zhao residence later, I'll tell you that the Zhao family and our Cui family have been friends for generations..."

While selecting gifts, Cui Sheng told Ji Cheng about the Zhao family's situation so that he would be well-informed.

After selecting some pastries, wines, ornaments, and fabrics, Ji Cheng insisted on paying for them, but Cui Sheng stopped him.

Cui Sheng said, "How can you expect a junior like me to pay for this?"

Ji Cheng said, "Uncle Cui, I have money. My master's wife left me a lot of silver before she left."

"Hey, what are you saying? Your Uncle Cui has no money, huh?" Cui Sheng glared at him. "You're practicing martial arts now, so you should save your money to buy medicinal herbs for your cultivation. Just you wait and see. Practicing martial arts is like raising a money-devouring beast. No matter how much money you have, it will eventually run out. Good steel should be used on the blade. Let Uncle Cui pay for this little bit of money for you."

Ji Cheng couldn't refuse, so he had to stand behind and watch Cui Sheng pay.

This father-in-law is really too temperamental.

Fortunately, he made sacrifices for Ji Cheng, so it was a case of keeping the benefits within the family; after all, they were all one family.

Afterwards, the two arrived at the Zhao residence.

Master Zhao and his entire family warmly and solemnly received the two.

Cui Sheng introduced Zhao Chongwen to Ji Cheng, instructing Ji Cheng to address Zhao Chongwen as "Uncle," Zhao's wife as "Auntie," and Zhao Chongwu as "Second Master."

"Grandpa, Grandma, Second Grandpa."

Ji Cheng bowed crisply to the three of them and greeted them.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Zhao praised the child for his handsome appearance and intelligence, and they were very fond of him.

Only Master Zhao sat slumped in his rattan chair, blinking at Ji Cheng expressionlessly.

Ji Cheng couldn't help but glance at Master Zhao a few more times. Master Zhao, fearing that he might misunderstand, explained, "Your second master had a minor accident some time ago and has lost sensation below the neck. Please don't take offense, my dear nephew."

Ji Cheng smiled slightly, stepped forward, squatted down, and held Zhao Erye's hand, saying, "Erye, you will definitely get better. Even Uncle Cui has stood up again, and one day you will be able to stand up too."

Everyone loves to hear kind words. Upon hearing this, the frost on Master Zhao's face melted away considerably, and he forced a smile, murmuring, "Good, good..."

Everyone laughed heartily.

Then, he introduced Zhao Qian, Zhao Kun, and Zhao Yan to Ji Cheng one by one.

Ji Cheng greeted each of them and exchanged brief introductions. When Zhao Kun was introduced, Ji Cheng looked puzzled and asked:
"I've heard that Young Master Zhao Kun has been frail and sickly since childhood, often coughing. How come he looks so well today, not like he's ill?"

He pretended to be ignorant, deliberately giving Zhao Kun a hint.

Zhao Kun was slightly taken aback and couldn't help but glance at Ji Cheng a few more times, but he couldn't find anything special about this person.

Zhao Qian explained, "Brother Kun's complexion has indeed improved a lot in the past few days. Perhaps it's because the health-preserving boxing technique I taught him is working, or perhaps it's because of the Hundred Calamities Removing Pill that Fairy Su gave him some time ago. In any case, Brother Kun's health is gradually getting better."

Master Zhao also remarked that this was one of the few pieces of good news the Zhao family had received recently.

In fact, there is another saying circulating in the Zhao family that Zhao Kun's marriage to Cui Xiangxue brought good fortune and changed Zhao Kun's fate.

However, with Cui Sheng present, they naturally couldn't bring up this statement.

"Wow, such a miraculous thing exists?"

Ji Cheng exclaimed in surprise, looking as if he couldn't quite believe it.

However, he did not delve into this topic. He simply gave Zhao Kun a hint, making him feel a sense of crisis and thus behave himself. That was enough.

After getting to know the Zhao family, Ji Cheng's gaze fell on a large yellow dog tied up in the backyard.

"Oh my, what a big yellow dog! Sir, may I pet this dog? It won't bite, will it?"

Ji Cheng walked towards Da Huang, with Cui Sheng and the Zhao family following behind him.

"Big Yellow understands human speech. Big Yellow, this is a distinguished guest of our Zhao family. You mustn't bite him!"

Master Zhao spoke up with a warning.

Zhao Yan glanced at Ji Cheng, then silently walked over and took Da Huang's hand, just in case.

Ji Cheng wasn't afraid at all. He walked up to Da Huang and reached out to rub Da Huang's head vigorously.

Wow, this feels really good.

Ji Cheng's face broke into a broad smile.

Big Yellow was incredibly annoyed and wanted to bare its teeth and bite, but ultimately had to choose to endure it. "I love dogs the most. You can tell from the word 'dog' in my name that I have a natural affinity for them. Sir, could you give me this big yellow dog? It's such a well-behaved dog!"

Ji Cheng, wanting to save Da Huang from his predicament, made a request to Master Zhao.

"This……"

Master Zhao spread his hands, stunned.

He never dreamed that Tu Ergou would want this big yellow dog on his first visit.

It wasn't that the big yellow dog was particularly valuable and the Zhao family was reluctant to part with it; it was just that no one had ever seen such a bizarre request before.

Zhao Yan couldn't help but glance at Ji Cheng, thinking that this person was really strange.

She was naturally reluctant to give the big yellow dog to Ji Cheng.

Hold onto Big Yellow's leash tightly.

Cui Sheng said, "Er Gou, that's a bit rude of you. How can we give you the dog that guards the Zhao family's house? We have a dog at home too, and I haven't seen you like it that much."

"Wang!"

Big Yellow also barked at Ji Cheng, its bark full of warning; it had long disliked this kid.

Ji Cheng sighed silently. "Oh, that silly dog, Da Huang."

If Da Huang knew how to cooperate at this point and showed his liking for Ji Cheng, then there would still be room for negotiation.

But given Dahuang's attitude, it was clear he couldn't take it with him.

"Oh, it's just a lame dog. I didn't see it clearly earlier. Oh well, a dog like that can't guard the house."

Ji Cheng got up and gave up, leaving Da Huang barking at him behind.

The Zhao family members looked at each other in bewilderment. Cui Sheng apologized, saying that Er Gou had lost his parents at a young age and was raised by his grandfather, so his upbringing was somewhat lacking, and he hoped that everyone would not take offense.

Master Zhao understood and waved his hand, indicating that it was no big deal.

Afterwards, Ji Cheng took his seat with Cui Sheng, and various dishes were served one after another.

This family banquet was very grand, which was enough to demonstrate the importance that the Zhao family attached to Cui Sheng and Ji Cheng.

At the dinner table, the conversation first revolved around the relationship between the Zhao and Cui families.

Afterwards, Madam Zhao inquired about Ji Cheng's background with concern. Ji Cheng displayed first-rate acting skills, moving everyone present and making them sigh that the child's life was too bitter.

"Er Gou... could he be destined to be a lone star, cursed by fate?"

Zhao Kun suddenly spoke up, "I once read in a book that someone with a 'lone star' destiny is cursed to bring misfortune to everyone close to them. Look, Er Gou's parents, grandfather, and even the master he recently became a disciple of—almost everyone he cursed has died. It's truly..."

Zhao Kun stopped abruptly and gave Cui Sheng a meaningful look.

Ji Cheng just pointed it out to him; he's deliberately seeking revenge.

Upon hearing this, everyone froze, and the atmosphere became extremely awkward.

Upon hearing Zhao Kun's words, Cui Sheng felt a chill run down his spine. The next second, Ji Cheng burst into tears.
"So I'm a cursed star, waaaaah! My parents and grandfather were all killed because of me, and my master was also seriously injured because of me, waaaaah! Cui Sheng, just leave me alone and let me fend for myself, otherwise I'll bring misfortune upon you too, waaaaah! Someone like me should just die!"

Ji Cheng's tears flowed freely, and even his snot ran down his face.

He cried so bitterly and sorrowfully that everyone who heard it felt as if their hearts were being squeezed tightly by a hand.

Madam Zhao also shed tears, pulling out a handkerchief to cover her face and wipe them away.

Even a grown man like Cui Sheng had tears welling up in his eyes. He wrapped his arm around Ji Cheng's neck, took a deep breath, and said, "What nonsense are you spouting, Er Gou? I, Cui Sheng, have lived an upright and honest life. I fear neither heaven nor earth, and I'm certainly not afraid of this so-called cursed lone star fate!"

"Your Uncle Cui is incredibly tough. Back when I was escorting goods, I encountered bandits who couldn't kill me. How could you possibly bring me down? A man's word is his bond. Don't worry, since I promised your master's wife to take care of you, I have nothing to fear about fate!"

At this moment, Cui Sheng's fear of being a so-called cursed lone star vanished, and he made up his mind that he would protect Ji Cheng even if it meant his own death.

Master Zhao slammed his fist on the table, glared at Zhao Kun, and scolded, "Kun'er, what nonsense are you spouting?!"

“Brother Kun, what you said was indeed inappropriate.”

Zhao Qian looked at Zhao Kun with suspicion. Given Zhao Kun's emotional intelligence, how could he say such a thing in front of the person involved?
Zhao Yan also looked at Zhao Kun, feeling that Zhao Kun's words were really a bit too much and hurt Tu Ergou's feelings too much.

"Ahem... I'm sorry, I was too blunt and spoke without thinking. Ahem... Father, Mother, Uncle Cui, I'm not feeling well, so I'll go back to my room to rest."

Seeing that he hadn't gained any advantage in this round and was instead being criticized by everyone, Zhao Kun quickly pretended to be sick and weak, and got up to leave his seat.

Seeing him coughing like that, everyone felt sorry for him and couldn't blame him anymore.

With Zhao Kun leaving the table and returning to his room, this interlude came to an end.

Ji Cheng sighed inwardly. The person who possessed Zhao Kun's body was really something. If it weren't for his touching acting skills, he probably would have alienated Zhao Kun from Cui Sheng.

"Come on, Er Gou, eat more meat."

"Good boy, try Wuzhen's specialty roast goose."

Madam Zhao, Master Zhao, and Cui Sheng all served food to Ji Cheng to comfort his wounded heart.

Ji Cheng pursed his lips, trying hard not to cry, and expressed his gratitude one by one. Then he lowered his head, buried his face in the bowl, and silently ate the rice. Before long, tears welled up on his chin and formed two full teardrops.

This silent grievance and sorrow cut like a knife into the hearts of those present.

Madam Zhao and Master Zhao felt deeply ashamed of Zhao Kun's words, and Zhao Qian also sighed silently.

Zhao Yan almost burst into tears. Her maternal instincts, ingrained in her blood, were activated, and she really wanted to hold this pitiful young man with a tragic fate in her arms and cherish him.

(End of this chapter)