Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 109 - 99: Lotus Monk, Fu

"Seeking immortality with evil objects will surely backfire."

Daoist Ruyi snorted coldly.

Lu Chang’sheng understood the reasoning behind it.

There were detailed accounts of using evil objects to worship immortals in the Immortal Worship Formula that Hong Yuan had given him.

Back then, people didn’t differentiate between evil and immortal objects; martial artists would simply try seeking immortality with whatever strange items they found. Too bad using evil objects for worship would bring misfortune.

At first, no one paid attention, since most of those misfortunes took the form of nightmares, mental exhaustion, and blood and energy collapse—none of which were fatal.

Until Lin Daosheng of Dao Inference Sect tried worshipping immortals with five evil objects, causing the entire sect to vanish into thin air—never seen again. Ever since, using evil objects for immortality became an unspoken taboo.

"But what if we’ve already received a response from the immortal?" Luo Yi’s next words were earth-shattering.

Immediately, Daoist Ruyi sneered.

"If you’d really received a response from an immortal, why would you need to come find us?"

"Seeking the two seniors is to ask for help. My master saw an immortal in a dream and received a secret art; this method might defy the heavens, but—"

"If you were in front of me, I’d make a move right now!" Hong Yuan’s calm voice rang out.

Luo Yi didn’t hesitate at all and jumped off the bridge, vanishing into the shrubs in an instant.

"If even immortal objects can’t elicit a blessing from the immortals, evil objects surely can’t either. Why am I so adamant? Because that’s the warning left behind by many predecessors."

Hong Yuan warned Lu Chang’sheng and Xu Zhuqing.

It’s newcomers like them who most easily fall into this pitfall.

This is the trouble of the inexperienced.

"Some seniors even left behind a message to warn the world: never seek immortality with evil objects, else you’re sure to die! Especially with those truly powerful evil things."

"Disciple understands!"

Lu Chang’sheng replied.

It’s true he had a reckless streak, but he also knew that if you weren’t ready, you’d better not even think about it.

Even in the days when martial artists roamed free, the peerless Lin Daosheng who unified the land couldn’t do it; let alone him—a mere Minor True Qi Realm who’s not even an innate martial artist.

Running into the Lotus Monk on the road was just a tiny episode; ten days later, everyone returned to Black Mountain Prefecture.

Lu Chang’sheng picked up a letter from Hong Yuan and had the coachman drive the horses home.

Just as he entered the gate, he saw a knee-high wolf dog racing toward him and leapt straight into his arms.

"Fu sure is obedient!" The coachman, about to settle the carriage, turned around and smiled.

Lu Chang’sheng nodded.

This dog was brought home by his mother from the Xiao Market right before he left.

It had a gentle nature and was much loved by everyone in the household. Even though Lu Chang’sheng wasn’t fond of dogs, he couldn’t bring himself to dislike it.

"Oh my, Young Master Fu, don’t go running around anymore, you’ll worry the old lady to death—and then that’ll be the end of me!"

Just then, an old maid came rushing over, flustered.

Seeing Lu Chang’sheng, she showed a hint of respect and called out, "Ah, Second Young Master’s home!"

She glanced at Fu, who hid beneath Lu Chang’sheng, hesitated for a moment, then hurried toward the inner courtyard.

Soon the entire house was buzzing with activity; everyone knew Second Young Master was back.

"Second Young Master, let me take Fu, don’t wear yourself out!"

The old maid doubled back, taking the leash from Lu Chang’sheng’s hand.

"By the way, you said Fu ran off earlier?" Lu Chang’sheng suddenly recalled something and stopped the old maid.

"Yeah, who knows what happened? Ran off for days, just came back today. The old lady worried herself sick, almost fell ill over it!"

Lu Chang’sheng’s brows furrowed as he asked, "When exactly did he go missing?"

"Seems about the time Second Young Master left. If you hadn’t returned early, we’d have thought he went with you!"

Watching the old maid leave, Lu Chang’sheng’s eyes narrowed slightly.

If it were before, he wouldn’t think much about it. After all he’d been through on this trip, his mind shifted fast, and he couldn’t help but brood over the animals now.

"Hope I’m just overthinking this."

When he heard the old lady almost fell ill, Lu Chang’sheng didn’t bother heading to the main house—he went straight to her courtyard, checked her pulse and health, and, finding nothing wrong, was finally at ease.

That evening, it was like a holiday: the estate was ablaze with lanterns, maids bustled in threes and fours through the residence.

Such prosperity.

This wasn’t because anyone was greedy for riches; years of war had left many households ruined, forcing people to sell wives and daughters. The old lady was kindhearted and always sighed at their misfortune, so Li Nangua, not wanting her to feel sad, picked several good-looking girls to come work at the house.

It was a win-win.

After dinner, Lu Chang’sheng returned to his room and poured his heart out to Li Nangua, and one thing led to another until they ended up in bed.

After a fierce bout—with Lu Chang’sheng slightly the victor—they lay pressed together, chatting.

"Has my mother shown any strange behavior lately?" Lu Chang’sheng asked.

"No, every time she went out, I was there. And even if I wasn’t, Master Mo was always protecting her. Haven’t heard anything unusual." Li Nangua was no longer the thoughtless girl she used to be around him, and caught on immediately, "Chang’sheng, you’re worried about the old lady?"

"Yeah. I’m concerned that dog might be up to something."

"Fu?" Li Nangua was surprised, incredulous. "Can’t be, right?"

"Tomorrow, let Master Mo take that thing out of Prefecture City for a look." Lu Chang’sheng’s mind started working.

"You mean that strange object?"

Lu Chang’sheng nodded.

"Normally, if that pup is connected to the strange object, they wouldn’t be able to separate too far!"

Seeing Li Nangua’s worried face, Lu Chang’sheng comforted her, "Don’t worry, this kind of oddity isn’t powerful. Even if something ominous happened, we’d be able to handle it."

"No, I meant maybe just deal with Fu directly—so nobody has to worry anymore."

Lu Chang’sheng blinked, thinking: Well, you’re certainly decisive.

"I have my own plan, leave it to me."

"Also, I’m thinking of resigning as clerk and taking everyone to live in some remote place for a few years."

"Alright, I’ll arrange it tomorrow. Just... once we’re gone, a lot of people will be leaving too," Li Nangua said softly.

"If you don’t want to leave, we can stay—"

Before Lu Chang’sheng could finish, Li Nangua gently covered his mouth.

"It’s not that I’m unwilling—just feeling sentimental, since you built all of this yourself. Leaving so suddenly, it’s kind of abrupt. But wherever you go, I’ll go. Just don’t leave me behind."

Feeling her anxiety, Lu Chang’sheng was a little guilty inside.

All these years, he hadn’t tried for a child. Li Nangua didn’t mention it, but she must’ve felt the pressure.

For a woman, not having a child for years after marrying into a family always leads to being looked down on. That Li Nangua could run the Lu Mansion so well showed how capable she was.

"Once we’ve settled in, let’s have a child."

"Ah!" Li Nangua cried out, then was filled instantly with joy. "I’m already over thirty, don’t know if I can even get pregnant—maybe—"

Lu Chang’sheng knew she was hinting about taking a concubine, and shook his head, "Don’t mention it. Otherwise, the child will be delayed."

That trump card played, Li Nangua didn’t dare say a word more, huffed and slapped him on the rear.

The next day, Lu Chang’sheng first went to the Xu Mansion to see Prefecture Lord Xu Yuan.

"You wish to resign your post as clerk?" Xu Yuan looked at Lu Chang’sheng, then opened the letter Hong Yuan had sent over.

"That’s right, Prefecture Lord, I ask your approval."

"Do you know how many people wish for that position but could never get it?"

Xu Yuan looked over Dean Hong Yuan’s letter, sighed, and tried to dissuade him, "With your talent, if you’d figured it out sooner, it wouldn’t have come to this."

Ultimately, he could only lament Lu Chang’sheng’s decision. As the years went on, the value of having been This Year’s Top Scholar lessened bit by bit—especially after getting aboard Hong Yuan’s relatively free ship.

That’s the advantage of having someone behind you.

"I’m just slow-witted!"

Seeing this, Xu Yuan gave up trying to talk him out of it and approved.

Ninth Grade idle positions like this, he was well within his right to appoint or dismiss. Especially considering the current situation—even the paperwork from Jinghua Prefecture could be skipped for now and made up later.

But, as Lu Chang’sheng took the order from the Prefecture Lord and headed to the government office, Xu Zhuqing approached and saw the letter Hong Yuan had left.