"Wow, Young Master, you're staying here?"
Xiaobao followed Li Chengfeng to his house, almost blinded by the sight of it. The cultivation sects were so high and mighty, how could they have such a shabby place?
This was worse than a beggar's straw hut!
Li Chengfeng did not mind, smiling. "Since you're here, it'll be easier to split the work.
I'll leave farming to you, Su Yuehan will take care of it. "
"Farming?" Xiaobao's eyes widened. "Cultivation requires farming?
Is … is he a cultivator or a farmer? "
Su Yuehan was delighted, patting Xiaobao's shoulder. "You probably don't know about this!
Cultivators don't just need to learn how to cultivate Qi, they also need to learn how to make pills, medicine, inscribe talismans, draw arrays, and even craft magical weapons. You'll have to collect all the materials needed! "
Xiaobao was shocked. "Then what will you be doing?"
Su Yuehan giggled. "Me?
I'll be in charge of Young Master's food and accommodation!
Or do you have the nerve to be so calculative with a girl? "
Xiaobao was shy, scratching his head. After some thought, he agreed. Li Chengfeng watched from the side and shook his head. Xiaobao's natural submissive attitude was probably impossible to get rid of. Even a new maid like Su Yuehan could order him around. His temper was a little too good.
With Xiaobao's help, Li Chengfeng allocated a room for him to stay in. After half a day of cleaning, they finally had a place to sleep. However, just like Li Chengfeng, he could only look down at the yellow soil and green grass, and look up at the stars.
Fortunately, Xiaobao was just like Li Chengfeng. He had followed him since he was young, roaming the streets and exploring the martial arts world. Although they did not travel far, they had experienced all sorts of hardships.
Plus, with one more person, the efficiency of the work increased. When night fell, not only did the three of them clean up all the rooms, Li Chengfeng realised that this house could be divided into four rooms. One for Xiaobao, one for Yuehan, one for himself, and one for Xiaobao. The last one was left empty for when there was a need.
Li Chengfeng went out to dig a hole about twenty metres away from their house, near the stream. He then used some of the unused wooden planks to build a toilet so that they wouldn't have to walk a few hundred metres into the forest to relieve themselves. Firstly, it was inconvenient, and secondly, it wasn't safe.
Before the sky turned completely dark, Li Chengfeng used his bone spear and long sword to chop down tree branches. Then, he made many simple traps around the house. Although they were useless against cultivators, they were very useful against wild beasts and poisonous snakes. Also, if outsiders entered the house, it would trigger a commotion and serve as an alarm.
The three of them busied themselves for the entire day. After dinner and sleep, another day passed. At this time, Li Chengfeng had arrived at the Spiritual Mountain Sect for three days, not counting the time he spent at the entrance examination. However, he was sleeping on a hard wooden door with a cloth bag as his pillow. His heart was heavy and he could not fall asleep no matter how hard he tried.
Coming to the Spiritual Mountain Sect was far more difficult than he had imagined.
Since the first day of the test, he had encountered all sorts of difficulties. Although he relied on his own abilities to cope with them, he realised that his situation did not get better. In fact, it got worse.
In Hidden Brocade Court, Li Chengfeng realised that the Zhan family's influence was far greater than he had imagined. Hence, he decisively withdrew from Hidden Brocade Court and even tricked Zhan Qisheng. At first, he was quite pleased with himself but when he arrived at Hidden Sword Court, he realised that this was a place even more dangerous than Hidden Brocade Court and Hidden Modesty Court!
Although they were indeed Hidden Brocade Court's mortal enemies, and it was unlikely that they would hand him over, but … the people in this place were fiercely xenophobic, and they always looked at every outsider with vigilance and hostility, as if these outsiders were here to harm them with ill intentions.
Plus, they seemed to be desperately trying to chase him away but did not dare to force it.
Why was that?
Li Chengfeng flipped his body over, guessing in his heart.
"Unless … they're afraid I'll ruin their plans?
But what are they trying to do? "
Li Chengfeng racked his brains but he still could not figure out what was going on. He could only give up. Never mind, he'll just take it one step at a time.
Li Chengfeng had no way out now. He could not leave the Spiritual Mountain Sect because Zhang Junheng had his eyes on his home. If news of him failing in his cultivation spread, his family would be in trouble.
Although it was impossible for his mother to be defenseless, as a son, how could he let his family fall into a dangerous situation?
He could not leave Hidden Sword Court either because he had nowhere else to go other than Hidden Sword Court!
There was only one path in Mount Hua, he had to walk it from dawn to dusk!
Li Chengfeng let out a long sigh and slowly fell asleep.
Before dawn the next day, Li Chengfeng heard the sound of a bell ringing. The three of them woke up and rushed out. The sound came from the highest peak of Eagle Mountain.
"What's that?" Li Chengfeng was shocked.
"It sounds like a bell," said Xiaobao, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
Li Chengfeng said impatiently, "Nonsense, I mean, why are they ringing the bell?"
She yawned. "Maybe they're gathering their disciples … Young Master, what are we eating later?"
"I'm not eating." Li Chengfeng thought for a moment. "Let's wash up, I'm going to take a look!
Xiaobao, come with me. "
"Huh?
I want it too … "Xiaobao was still in a daze, and before he could react, Chengfeng had already slapped him on the head.
Li Chengfeng glared. "Who was the one who told me they wanted to cultivate yesterday?"
Xiaobao finally woke up. The three of them quickly washed up and headed towards the direction of the bell.
Along the way, Li Chengfeng followed the stone steps. Looking up, he could see Hidden Sword Court disciples carrying their swords in the distance, walking towards the same direction. The three of them looked at each other, then followed quietly.
After walking for about four to five li, Li Chengfeng realized that they had arrived at a huge mountain gate. Unlike Hidden Brocade Court's majestic and wealthy mountain gate, Hidden Sword Court's mountain gate had two giant stone swords on its left and right. These two swords were twenty meters tall and three meters wide. The blades of the swords were filled with marks of slashing, as if someone had once wielded them on a violent battlefield. A cold, murderous aura emanated from them.
Li Chengfeng and Xiaobao looked at each other, shocked by the aura. They both lightened their footsteps and walked up the steps.
Once he entered the mountain, he saw a huge square made of bluestone. In the middle of the square was a stone platform, and in the middle of the platform was a stone tablet carved with words. Li Chengfeng could not read them clearly from afar.
There were about a hundred Hidden Sword disciples lined up neatly around the stone tablet. At the front of the formation stood the Grand Senior Brother of Hidden Sword Court. The disciples in the formation were reciting something that sounded like a Hidden Sword Court commandment to Li Chengfeng.
"All who enter Hidden Sword Court are my brothers.
We drink from Spirit Mountain in the morning, we dine on Eagle Peak at night.
The twelve commandments of the Court, all heartless.
Every day we sing in front of the hall, every day we remember. "
"Kill those who betray their masters and ancestors!"
"Kill those who are disloyal and unfilial!"
"Kill those who betray their friends!"
"Kill those who betray their masters!"
"Kill those who rebel against their superiors!"
"Kill those who betray their brothers!"
"Kill those who bully the weak!"
"Kill those who humiliate women!"
"Kill those who are afraid of battle!"
"Kill those who run away from battle!"
"Kill those who are greedy and derelict in their duties!"
"Kill those who refuse to help!"
"Hidden Sword Court disciples, draw your swords!"