Chapter Twenty-One: Tea Appreciation Pavilion in Luocheng

Su Fan saw the two fighting in the distance and turned to leave. However, when Hu Peng heard Ling Yuan call out Su Fan’s name, he abruptly followed Ling Yuan’s gaze and caught sight of Su Fan just as he was about to depart.

A malicious glint flashed in Hu Peng’s eyes as he shouted, “Su Fan, don’t run!” As he spoke, he poured spiritual energy into his sword and charged at Su Fan.

Without pausing, Su Fan replied calmly, “Fellow Daoist Hu Peng, what matter brings you here?”

Hu Peng roared, “What matter? You destroyed my weapon and then took it for yourself! If you return it to me today, perhaps I’ll let you leave. But if you think you can just walk away with nothing to show for it, that’s impossible.”

Su Fan stopped, turned to face Hu Peng, a cold light flickering in his eyes before he smiled slightly and said, “You mean to have me stay?”

Hu Peng was unsettled by Su Fan’s composed demeanor. He thought, “How is Su Fan not afraid of me? Ordinarily, he should be running for his life. Unless… he managed to enter the ancient tomb and obtain some great fortune? Has he now gained the means to contend with me? If he truly entered the tomb and came out alive, he must have acquired many treasures. His cultivation is still only at the ninth level of Qi Refinement—nothing to fear.”

Despite his unease at Su Fan’s calm, the treasures on Su Fan’s person tempted Hu Peng far more. Ignoring what Su Fan might have gained from the tomb, he shouted harshly, “Hand over the treasures you obtained in the tomb, or don’t blame me for acting!”

Expressionless, Su Fan shot Hu Peng a glance and turned to leave. Enraged, Hu Peng’s sword flashed with cold light as he raised it, ready to stab Su Fan. Perceiving this with his spiritual sense, Su Fan patted his storage pouch, and the Mountain Soul Fan appeared in his hand.

Without turning, he sent the fan flying behind him. The Mountain Soul Fan collided with Hu Peng’s sword in midair, shattering it into three pieces. Hu Peng, unfazed by the loss of his weapon, quickly pulled out a talisman from his storage pouch and chanted. The talisman shot toward the Mountain Soul Fan.

When the talisman struck the fan, both objects were knocked back through the air. Su Fan caught the fan and, upon examining it with his spiritual sense, saw that though the fan hadn’t been damaged by the attack, it had lost a bit of its luster.

A heaviness settled in Su Fan’s heart. If I don’t deal with him, he’ll only continue to pester me. With that, Su Fan began forming incantation gestures, and a small mountain appeared before him. Over a zhang high, its power had grown with Su Fan’s recent advancement, and he couldn’t help but feel secretly pleased.

At the sight of the mountain, a chill ran through Hu Peng’s heart, and he sensed danger. He turned to flee, but Su Fan waved his hand, sending the mountain hurtling toward Hu Peng’s back. Though the trees tried to block its path, the mountain crashed through them, heading straight for Hu Peng.

Hu Peng’s spiritual sense picked up the threat behind him, and he hastily threw out another talisman. Yet the mountain smashed through the talisman as if it were paper, barely slowing before crashing into Hu Peng and sending him flying several hundred meters.

With a spurt of blood, Hu Peng landed, a single hand propping him up on a broken branch, his eyes filled with fear. Su Fan rejoiced inwardly. He hadn’t expected the Mountain Soul Collapse to be so powerful; even at the ninth level of Qi Refinement, he could now contend with an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Hu Peng had repeatedly provoked him, but there was no need to kill. Better to leave quickly. With this thought, Su Fan turned to go.

A glint of malice flashed in Hu Peng’s eyes, but he quickly assumed a pitiful expression and called out, “Fellow Daoist Su, I was much too offensive just now. Please, stay and allow me to apologize to you in person.”

Su Fan ignored him and continued ahead. Hu Peng, infusing spiritual energy into his hand, shouted, “Fellow Daoist Su, if you won’t accept my apology, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life! I may as well end it now!”

Su Fan sighed, turned, and walked up to Hu Peng. Coldly, he said, “Fellow Daoist Hu Peng, this is unnecessary. I hold no grudge against you.” At that moment, a vicious look flashed in Hu Peng’s eyes. He swiftly drew three talismans from his storage pouch and struck them toward Su Fan.

A cold light flickered in Su Fan’s eyes as he struck Hu Peng’s crown with his palm. Instantly, Hu Peng’s body collapsed into flesh and blood upon the ground. The force of the three talismans threw Su Fan several dozen meters back. He immediately sat cross-legged and took out pills to heal his wounds.

Ling Yuan, watching from afar, was stunned. He slowly approached Su Fan. Su Fan glared at him and snapped, “Take another step and I won’t hesitate to kill again.” Then he sent out the Mountain Soul Fan to circle the area.

At that moment, Lan Yifeng’s voice rang in his mind from within the jade pendant: “Good, that’s how it should be. If someone blocks your way, kill them. Only then can you establish yourself in the cultivation world.” Su Fan remained silent, focusing on circulating his energy and absorbing the pill’s effects.

Ling Yuan spoke respectfully, “Senior, I mean no harm. I merely saw you were injured and wished to stand guard for you.” Su Fan closed his eyes, continuing his meditation and recovery.

After a while, Su Fan rose, collected Hu Peng’s storage pouch, and prepared to leave. Ling Yuan hurried to intercept him, saying, “Senior, the forest is perilous; allow me to guide you.” Su Fan nodded slightly. “Let’s address each other as fellow Daoists.”

Ling Yuan was delighted. “Then, Fellow Daoist Su, please follow me.”

In truth, Ling Yuan had guessed Su Fan had entered the ancient tomb, but with his own level of cultivation, he wouldn’t dare ask. As for what had just happened, Ling Yuan would never speak of it. Su Fan had slain a Foundation Establishment cultivator with ease; as someone still in Qi Refinement, he harbored no illusions.

Along the way, Su Fan remained silent, not being one for chatter. Ling Yuan, fearful that Su Fan might want to eliminate witnesses, dared not say much either. He had chosen to stay by Su Fan’s side to demonstrate his loyalty and assure him he would not speak a word of what had happened.

Su Fan understood. He wasn’t bloodthirsty; if not for Hu Peng’s relentless attempts on his life, he wouldn’t have killed. Nor was this Su Fan’s first time taking a life—he was far calmer now than his first time, feeling little emotion at all.

After half a day’s journey, they reached the edge of the dense forest. A clear road appeared beyond the trees. Su Fan cupped his fist to Ling Yuan and said, “Thank you for guiding me. I have other matters to attend to—farewell.”

Ling Yuan smiled. “No need for thanks, Fellow Daoist Su. Should fate allow us to meet again, you must honor me with a visit to my humble abode.”

Su Fan headed toward the main road, walking without any particular destination. In the forest behind, Ling Yuan sighed softly, muttering to himself, “It’s only been a few days, and Su Fan now possesses such formidable strength. Luckily, he didn’t kill me today. Though his cultivation has improved rapidly, his experience is lacking. If it were me, I’d have killed him to eliminate all risk.”

As Su Fan walked, reflecting on the past few days, he felt gratified by his progress and the treasures he’d acquired.

A deep voice called from behind, “Young man, are you headed for Luo City by any chance?”

Su Fan’s heart stirred. He turned back with a smile. “Indeed, I am headed for Luo City.”

In truth, Su Fan knew nothing of Luo City, but decided to go along with it.

The speaker was a burly middle-aged man, astride a large horse, leading a carriage behind him. His attire suggested he was a merchant. The man cupped his hands with a smile. “My name is Qian Pinming. These wilds are dangerous; why don’t we travel together?”

Su Fan smiled and returned the gesture. “Thank you, Brother Qian. I am Su Fan.”

Qian Pinming chuckled. “Traveling is hard on all of us. Brother Su, why don’t you ride in the carriage? My mother is inside—you can keep her company.”

Su Fan smiled without a word, took a seat beside the driver, and did not enter the carriage. Qian Pinming said nothing more and drove the carriage onward. Along the way, the two of them conversed easily and cheerfully.

Su Fan learned that Qian Pinming, true to his name, owned a teahouse in Luo City called “Pinming Pavilion.” Now that his business was thriving, he was returning to his hometown to bring his mother back to the city. As they traveled, Su Fan found Qian Pinming to be a man of straightforward generosity. A warmth grew in his heart, and the unease from the forest gradually faded.

Unnoticed, night fell. From inside the carriage came a few coughs, and then an old, hoarse voice: “Young man, come in and sit. It’s chilly out.” Su Fan felt a pang of warmth at the thought of his own mother and climbed into the carriage. By moonlight, he could see the old lady dressed in coarse homespun, her face lined with wrinkles, but her kindly features lit by a gentle smile.

“Young man, come chat with this old woman.” Su Fan replied with a smile. The old lady and Su Fan began to talk of family matters, exchanging laughter that rang out from time to time.

Suddenly, a horse neighed outside. Qian Pinming’s voice rang out, “What fiend dares block my way?”

Hearing the commotion, the old lady called anxiously, “Pinming, what’s happening?” Qian Pinming quickly replied, “Mother, please rest. It’s nothing.” The old lady turned to Su Fan, worry on her face. “Young man, stay inside the carriage. If anything happens, escape first—don’t worry about us.”

Su Fan smiled. “Madam, there’s no need to be alarmed. I’ll go out and have a look.” As she tried to stop him, he waved her off with a gentle smile and disembarked.

With his spiritual sense, Su Fan had already sensed what was happening outside: about fifteen paces from the carriage stood three figures dressed entirely in white, their faces obscured save for eyes that glowed faint green in the night. The leader manipulated a ball of fire that danced before Qian Pinming, while his two companions, in rasping voices, growled, “Hand over your valuables and you’ll live.”

Qian Pinming, seeing the situation, was just about to hand over his belongings to avoid disaster when Su Fan emerged from the carriage. “Brother Su, get back inside. I’ll handle this.”

Su Fan gave a faint smile and walked toward the three figures.