Lu Xingzhou thought over and over again and did not accept those short-term tasks.
Instead, we chose the longest and most tedious task of investigating the humanities and customs of Qingtian City.
Task number: A-9: Conduct a detailed investigation into the lives of the people within the jurisdiction of Qingtian City.
Deadline: three years, no limit on number of people, repeated inquiries will not be counted.
Rewards will be given based on the results of the investigation, which requires questioning at least 10,000 people.
Since you have chosen a more difficult task, you must be prepared to fight for a long time.
His goal is to become a talisman master like Zhang Ke.
"Junior Brother Lu! How is it? What mission did you choose?"
While I was thinking about the items needed for the mission, I heard a familiar voice.
Without looking back, he knew who it was.
"Senior Brother Feng, why are you here?"
A fair-skinned young man walked in front of him, Feng Shanhu, who was a Taoist apprentice of the same class as him.
Lu Xingzhou was a little surprised. Feng Shanhu went to Tiantai Mountain for a mission some time ago.
Feng Shanhu smiled and said: "Isn't this a mission issued by Master Ruyi? My family called me over to try my luck."
Lu Xingzhou's heart suddenly moved: "Is there some gossip?"
Feng Shanhu shook his head: "Where is the news? By the way, what mission did Junior Brother choose?"
Lu Xingzhou told him his mission.
Feng Shanhu said happily: "We are thinking of the same place!"
He also explained his mission, which was basically the same as Lu Xingzhou's.
It was just executed in Tieshan City. Feng Shanhu said with some regret: "It's a pity, otherwise we could be together!"
Afterwards they chatted for a few more words and then parted ways.
Lu Xingzhou returned to his family without stopping. He needed their family's help.
Since the task does not say that external forces cannot be used, it is natural to find ways to do it better.
I went to the clan leader and told the whole story.
Unexpectedly, the family refused to help.
Seeing his surprised look, the clan leader Lu Anping sighed.
"Forty-seven years ago, something happened in the family."
"My clan brother Lu Zhang went on a mission with this Zhang Ke."
"In the end, Zhang Ke put a lot of responsibility on my brother."
"But relying on this incident, he has soared to the sky, and now he has become a real person!"
"hey-hey!"
Lu Anping sneered and said: "The clan has long had ancestral precepts, don't get involved with him!"
Lu Xingzhou was a little confused. He hesitated for a moment and said, "Then... I'll cancel the mission?"
Lu Anping stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the scenery outside.
"No...just continue your mission and find out what happened back then."
"It's best to find evidence that is good for us, so that the people in the sect can see Zhang Ke's true face."
"..."
With some worries, Lu Xingzhou left the family.
Behind him were more than a dozen people, all of whom he had recruited on his own.
He actually had some doubts about what happened back then.
At that time, Zhang Ke was just a Taoist apprentice.
Many people were present when the incident occurred, and he did not believe that the sect would investigate the matter.
But the family and the sect each have their own theories, so what is the truth?
With a trace of doubt, Lu Xingzhou led the people to Qingtian City.
...
Catching Tower.
In the Haezhi Palace, Zhang Ke chatted with Master Hanshuang.
He was going to be away for some time and came here specifically to say goodbye to Master Chongxiao.
"Well done to you Zhang Ke! Since you appeared, the disciples have become much more at ease now!"
"What's the secret to this? Tell me about it, maybe it will help me gain some knowledge?"
Master Hanshuang admired Zhang Ke very much.
He saw with his own eyes that Zhang Key grew from an ordinary person to what he is today.
In particular, some of Zhang Ke's work styles are very suitable for his temperament.
Zhang Ke smiled and said: "It's very simple, just master the two aspects of loosening and tightening."
Hanshuang Zhenren was just a joke at first, but he didn't expect Zhang Ke to speak like this, and he suddenly became interested.
"Appreciate further details?"
"Actually, generally speaking, disciples don't go too far."
"If we treat our fellow disciples with severe punishment and harsh discipline for a long time, not only will the disciples always feel nervous and oppressed."
"And it's easy to hurt people's hearts. If this continues, no one will be interested in doing anything, which will be detrimental to the sect."
The reason why Zhang Ke said this is because he discovered a bad sign in recent days.
Possibly stimulated by him, Catcher has been very rough in his behavior recently.
He was a bit harsh on his disciples' words and deeds, so he tried to persuade them tactfully.
"oh!!"
Master Hanshuang was thoughtful.
Zhang Ke continued: "Except for truly violating the sect's iron laws, serious crimes such as betraying the human race and the sect need to be severely punished."
"If you make mistakes on a daily basis, you only need a slight warning."
"If we find extremely bad behavior, extremely bad behavior, or someone really commits an unforgivable crime!"
"Then the most severe blow must be carried out. The blow must be ruthless, decisive and deterrent!"
"The sect's precepts are like a knife hanging over the disciples' heads."
"The deterrence is greatest when it doesn't fall down."
Master Hanshuang suddenly realized, wondering if his behavior in recent days had gone too far.
"well said!!!"
Outside the door, Master Chongxiao walked in.
Zhang Ke stood up and saluted, Master Chongxiao waved his hand and said: "Sit down!"
After Zhang Ke sat down, Master Chongxiao took out a waist bag and money bag and handed them to Zhang Ke.
"The reward given to you by the sect after the "Red Turban Thief" robbed you some time ago!"
"I know you can't use magic weapons, so I put them in your pocket!"
Zhang Ke took a brief look and was shocked.
There are as many as 400,000 gold talisman coins alone, and the other resources are even more dazzling.
There are many treasures among them that make Zhang Ke's heart flutter when he looks at them.
Master Chongxiao said: "The red scarf thieves are notorious for plundering, and they have a lot of treasures. This is only 10% of them."
"The sect lost four real people this time, and most of them were used to settle their families."
"Besides, you can't use the magic weapon, so I'll make the decision to replace it with the sect's contribution."
Zhang Ke sighed and put his pocket bag on the table.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! "Disciples are not short of these. Resources are needed everywhere in Tiantai Mountain, so hurry up and use them!"
After thinking for a moment, he added: "The disciple still has some money left in his hand, and the income from the patent should be lent to the master for use first!"
Master Chongxiao and Master Hanshuang looked at each other and laughed out loud.
Master Chongxiao was not polite and took the purse and wallet.
"Then I'm not welcome. In addition, the red scarf thief has a special magic weapon "Yanxingzhou" that can escape with hundreds of people, and it was also seized by the master."
"It is being handed over to Lotus Peak's "Shen Weapon Workshop" for research. It is considered a credit to you."
Later, Zhang Ke talked about some of his recent plans.
Master Chongxiao pondered for a moment: "That's fine! You are in the sect, and the disciples are all trembling with fear."
"It's not conducive to cultivation if this continues. Come back tomorrow!"
Zhang Ke was speechless. It seemed that his reputation in the sect was ruined.
Early the next morning, Zhang Ke found Master Chongxiao to say goodbye.
Master Chongxiao handed him a voucher.
"These resources of yours are of great help to the sect, and they are temporarily lent to you by the sect."
"Here are the permanent certificates for three stores in Tiantai Mountain. I will give them to you as interest!"
"As for the money I borrowed from you, I will pay you back after Tiantai Shanfang Market opens."
Zhang Ke felt a little touched. His talisman money meant a lot to a sect.
It's nothing at all. The reason why I say this is just to reward myself in a different way.
Qingtian City Shuangqi Town.
Zhang Ke, wearing a bamboo hat, looked up in a daze at the two flags fluttering in the wind in the center of the town.
Thirty years have passed in a flash, and I don’t know what the situation at home is like.
There was a lot of noise and people coming and going on the streets. It was obvious that Shuangqi Town had developed well in recent years.
I arrived at the door of my home with mixed emotions.
A splendid mansion rose from the ground, but some parts were not completely finished.
There are some craftsmen busy at work.
"Zhang Mansion"
The golden plaque shines brightly.
The expressions of the Zhang family servants who came in and out revealed confidence and vitality.
Zhang Keluo realized that the news of his advancement seemed to have spread back.
After thinking for a moment, he turned around and left instead of entering the house.
...
At midnight.
The noisy town fell completely silent.
Except for the occasional barking of dogs, there was no other sound.
Zhang Ke cast an invisibility spell on himself and sneaked into his home quietly.
As soon as he entered the house, he found a divine will coming over.
I only touched him briefly, showing joy and relaxation, and then I took it back.
Zhang Ke was a little dazed, but he didn't notice it during the day.
After a slight hesitation, he went to the room where his parents were.
"Ahem!"
Standing outside the window, I heard coughing inside the house.
I don't know why, but my heart suddenly tightened.
"Alas! I don't know what's going on lately, but I keep thinking about things when my children were young!"
An old voice sounded slightly.
"I wonder how Xiao Si is doing now?"
Another female voice sounded in the room, and no one spoke for several minutes.
"If you can't sleep, go turn on the light!"
There was a rustling sound of clothes being put on.
"Crack!"
An orange light lit up in the room, and an old male voice said: "I heard that Xiaosi has become a great monk like his ancestors!"
"Alas! He must have suffered a lot. I heard... I heard that he couldn't see."
At this point, the woman who spoke became choked up.
"Hmph! A woman's view..."
After a moment of silence, the man sighed.
"Alas~~!"
This sigh represents all the vicissitudes of life, and there is reluctance, longing, and a trace of regret in it.
"How I wish I could grow up with him and watch him marry and have children. How wonderful it would be to be a family together!"
"It doesn't matter if he is an ordinary person! If...if..."
"When we leave, the child will be left alone...!"
Zhang Ke slowly fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face.
He covered his mouth and tried his best not to cry.
After a while, the lights in the room were turned off.
After a long time, Zhang Kecai stood up and quietly entered the room.
Looking at the old-looking parents on the bed, I felt regretful.
Why didn't I take out time to accompany my parents? I didn't even think about them very much.
Is it because of the experience in the dream that there is always a barrier in my heart towards the world?
Or because I grew up in Shanmen, my longing for my family has transferred to my sect!
Maybe... I am just a cold-natured person!
After reaching out to examine my parents' bodies, I felt sad.
Because Zhang Ke rose to prominence in the sect early, his parents have always been valued by the family.
Over the years, he has also successively sent back many precious medicines to help his parents maintain their health.
The second elder is almost ninety years old this year and has always been in good health.
However, birth, old age, illness and death are always the reincarnation of all things and are inevitable.
When the time comes, there is nothing left to do.
Zhang Kelu realized that maybe this is the meaning of spiritual practice!
Transcend life and death and pursue immortality!
Gently tucking up the quilt for his parents, Zhang Ke left quietly.
He decided not to appear in front of his second elder, fearing that he might not be able to bear it if he got too excited.
After leaving the door, following the breath, Zhang Ke came to the Zhang family ancestral hall.
In a quiet room, Zhang Ke saw someone.
As expected, the person in front of him was Zhang Yuanqiao, the ancestor of the Zhang family.
"My grandson pays homage to my ancestor!"
Zhang Ke knelt down and paid homage.
"Haha! Get up!"
Zhang Ke stood up and was a little surprised when he saw Zhang Yuanqiao's face.
"Zhang Ke! Alas! Why did I give you such a name in the first place! I'd better call you Xiaosi!"
"Yes, ancestor, just call me whatever you want!"
Seeing Zhang Ke's expression, Zhang Yuanqiao sighed: "Ancestor, I am six hundred and seventy years old this year. I feel that my time is running out, so I came back to take a last look at this home!"
Looking at the markings on the ancestor's face, his eyes became cloudy and his skin became saggy.
Zhang Ke felt a little uncomfortable because of the old man in front of him.
He dedicated his life to his family.
Generations of the Zhang family have grown up under his protection.
Now it is finally burning out like a candle.
Zhang Yuanqiao looked at Zhang Ke with relief: "Your family has not helped you much in your cultivation, but you have helped the family a lot."
"You didn't expect to have such an achievement. You don't resent the family, do you?"
Zhang Ke shook his head: "My grandson's surname is also Zhang, how can he be resentful?"
He gave Zhang Ke almost no help at all.
When Zhang Ke was punished for the Tushan incident, he chose to watch instead of intervening.
And as Zhang Ke gradually established himself in the sect, he has now become a real person.
This also became a knot in his mind.
Zhang Yuanqiao breathed a long sigh of relief, and the last bit of worry was gone.
He took a brocade box and put it on the table.
"My ancestor was not good at business in his life, and he didn't have much wealth."
"This is something I got by chance in the past. I give it to you as a souvenir!"
Zhang Ke did not open it, but shook his head and said: "My grandson has a lot of luggage. He doesn't need these things, so he should leave them to those in the family who need them more!"
Suddenly I remembered something and asked, "Why do my grandson's parents still live in the old house?"
Zhang Yuanqiao sighed: "Chengwu was afraid that you would not be able to find them when you came back, so he has been unwilling to move!"
Zhang Ke was silent, this was the same as what he was thinking.
Poor parents in the world!
After chatting for a few more words, Zhang Ke got up and left.
Zhang Yuanqiao looked at the brocade box on the table and murmured to himself: "There is still alienation after all!"
The next day, Zhang Ke’s mother Yu Caihe was walking in the courtyard.
I found a little milk cat covered in gray spots in the corner.
His body was dirty, his eyes were covered with a layer of white clouds, and he was actually blind.
She didn't know why, but she suddenly felt a pity in her heart.
He took the kitten back and handed it into the hands of her husband.
Looking at the gray spots on the kitten's body, Zhang Chengwu smiled and said: "Look at the pockmarks on this body..."
Suddenly paused.
The couple didn't know why, but they loved this little kitten so much.
A lot of energy is put into bathing, grooming, and feeding the kittens.
The kitten is very smart and naughty, jumping up and down, and the two parents are exhausted from tossing around every day.
The strange thing is that the spirit of the two elders is getting better day by day.
From time to time, the hearty laughter of the two elders could be heard in the yard.
At night, the kitten was sleeping soundly in the bed, snoring from time to time.
The two elders caressed the kitten's body affectionately and stretched its fur.
After everyone turned off the lights and went to sleep, the kitten returned to Zhang Ke's appearance.
Massaging the body of the two elders bit by bit, although the effect is not big, it is better than nothing.
After a while, he continued to transform into a kitten and lay down next to the two elders.
In his mind, countless seal characters were deduced.
He is preparing to build a new talisman in order to satisfy his parents' last hope.
I have been in seclusion in Jinfeng Cave for thirty years, relying on the evolution of words in my dreams.
He derived countless seal scripts.
This is also the main reason why his strength can grow by leaps and bounds.
The understanding of the Void Talisman is not accidental, but inevitable.
Even without the help of luck, he is confident enough to master it.
The power of luck only accelerates this process.
Winter passes and spring comes.
Time passed little by little.
Zhang Ke's parents began to become physically weak.
Through investigation, it was found that the two elders had reached the point where they were exhausted.
The remaining time will not exceed three months.
Zhang Ke went crazy and deduced the talismans day and night.
The power of the soul burned rapidly, and he did not hesitate to overdraw his body.
Squeezing every bit of the body's potential.
Finally, a new talisman was constructed on this day.
"Red Dust"
This is the name he gave this talisman.
When I came to the room where my parents were, they were already dying.
The only thing that held my breath was that I wanted to see my fourth son.
Perhaps it was the habit of interdependence, when Zhang Chengwu felt unwell.
Yu Caihe's body also collapsed instantly. She just wanted to leave this world with her husband.
So as not to live alone.
There were more than a dozen people sitting around him, all descendants of Zhang Ke's parents.
Among them were Zhang Ke’s brothers and nephews.
The kitten came in quietly and was immediately noticed by everyone. Some people wanted to drive it away.
The kitten shook its hair and released mist.
In the wisps of mist, the kitten gradually changes.
While everyone was stunned, the kitten transformed into Zhang Ke.
Zhang Ke's parents suddenly had a look in their eyes.
It turned out that Xiaosi was always by his side, and he smiled happily.
Suddenly a white light burst out in front of Zhang Chengwu's eyes, and he couldn't help but close his eyes.