Chapter 35: The Powerhouse Next Door

Lu Chen frowned, seemingly unable to find the precise words to express his inner thoughts.

A moment later, his expression grew strained, as if struggling with constipation, yet he still managed to articulate the thoughts that were so difficult to put into words.

"To put it specifically, your future achievements that reach the heavens have obscured the images of your past."

"Perhaps it is intentional on the part of your future self, but there is no denying that this method is highly effective."

"To speak bluntly, whether it be those of great divine power, or the Dao Ancestors, Buddhas, or the Sages of Confucianism, all find it difficult to peer into your future."

"How should I put it... young man... your future is boundless. You will never become a chess piece for those mighty beings; instead, you might even turn the tables and become an unseen, hidden player yourself..."

"You... might just be the 'One who escapes' spoken of by the Dao Ancestor."

Having said this, even Lu Chen, who was usually so calm and detached, could not help but feel a sense of melancholy; after all, everything in this world is but a chess piece. In this vast world, those who can sit firmly at the chessboard are few and far between, and the reality is exceptionally cruel.

"But this humble Daoist would still like to offer a word of advice: young man, do not lead your own path astray..."

When Su Ling heard this, he was initially confused, finding the words inexplicable. But upon reflection, he realized with a start that this was exactly a warning directed at him.

As for what Lu Chen was reminding him of, it was clear without guessing: naturally, it was Chen Pingan. This poor youth, who seemed to have countless black hands behind him manipulating him like a marionette.

According to the original story, the mighty figures who had already been exposed as placing bets on Chen Pingan included the Green Child Heavenly Lord of the medical clinic and Qi Jingchun, the Confucian sage of the Cliff Academy. Then there was the Great Li Imperial Preceptor, thousands of miles away, who was also the traitorous senior brother of Qi Jingchun, known as the Embroidery Tiger.

The implication of Lu Chen's words was that before he was completely swallowed by the whirlpool that was Chen Pingan, he should distance himself from the source of this misery.

Hearing this, Su Ling nodded in understanding and cupped his hands in thanks to Lu Chen, who stood with his hands behind his back.

"Thank you for the reminder."

"You..."

Lu Chen could clearly hear that Su Ling would not easily stand by and watch the mastermind manipulate his good brother Chen Pingan; he was determined to intervene. Lu Chen looked at the indifferent Su Ling, his thin lips parted as if to speak, but he eventually sighed and turned away.

"Forget it. Everyone has their own fate. It is not my place to interfere too much, lest I earn the reputation of being a meddlesome fool."

"...By the way, Daoist, shouldn't the blood-stained clothes on this young lady be changed?"

"..."

Upon hearing this, the corner of Lu Chen's eye twitched violently. He had almost forgotten that there was still a living person here who needed his help. If he were late, he feared he would be entangled in another massive karmic debt...

"Sigh, what a life of toil."

Lu Chen’s expression shifted, and he could not help but sigh. He turned and walked quickly to the side of the ink-clad swordswoman, who had already been placed on Chen Pingan’s shabby wooden bed.

Lu Chen leaned in to observe, and upon confirming that the swordswoman’s life was not in immediate danger, he exhaled in relief. He turned back and looked at Su Ling with an awkward gaze.

"This humble Daoist has been having a streak of bad luck lately. Why don't you, lad, change this young lady's clothes yourself..."

"How can that be? You brought this person here. What, are you going to finish the job and then refuse to take responsibility?"

"...Hey, the way you put it..."

"Hmm?"

"Fine, fine, fine, I will do it, I will do it..."

This damned blacksmith’s brat actually dared to use his fists to force him into submission. It was simply...

A trace of fear flickered in the depths of Lu Chen's eyes. Finally, he looked at Su Ling, who held up his arm with a posture that suggested he would strike if things didn't go his way, and couldn't help but curse under his breath.

He truly was an unlucky old man!

Seeing the miserable look on Lu Chen’s face, Su Ling could not help but laugh out loud. As the sound carried, it made the already constrained Lu Chen’s face turn as black as the bottom of a pot; he nearly charged over to engage in a life-or-death battle.

Nonsense. Attempting to make him change the clothes of the ink-clad swordswoman was even more foolish than lighting a lantern in an outhouse—it was just asking for death. After all, he knew exactly who was lying on that wooden bed, and he dared not step into these murky waters. Therefore, it was better to let Lu Chen have the headache.

However, Lu Chen didn't have to suffer for long before a piece of "gospel" reached his ears from outside the door, making his heart bloom with joy.

"Daoist Lu, the medicine has been bought. Please hurry and brew it for the patient..."

"Chen Pingan, lad, you came just in time! Come, come, come, hurry and change this young lady’s clothes!"

Lu Chen acted like a seasoned opera performer, his facial expressions shifting unpredictably. A second ago he had been miserable and bitter, but the moment Chen Pingan appeared, he instantly transformed into a look of absolute satisfaction, as if he had heard the Dao in the morning and could die content in the evening.

"This..."

"This... isn't appropriate, is it?"

Chen Pingan was grabbed tightly by the left arm by Lu Chen, who had rushed forward in fear that he might run away. Seeing this, Chen Pingan became somewhat flustered. After all, men and women were not supposed to touch, and if the young lady woke up to find that a strange man had changed her clothes...

"Oh, come on!"

"This is a matter of life and death, why worry about such trivialities..."

On the other side, Su Ling, never one to shy away from trouble, wore a smile on his face and gave a nod of encouragement to the visibly conflicted Chen Pingan.

This scene left Chen Pingan utterly bewildered, yet he shook his head throughout, refusing to obey Lu Chen’s command. Moreover, there was a flying sword nearby keeping a constant watch; if Chen Pingan did anything inappropriate, he might very well end up on the receiving end of that blade, which would be a real disaster.

...

The blood-stained outfit on the ink-clad swordswoman was not changed by Chen Pingan, nor was it changed by any of the men in the room.

Instead, Chen Pingan went outside and hired a village woman to change her clothes. It could only be said that Chen Pingan was quite well-liked; although he often carried a bit of bad luck, the woman left his home feeling quite satisfied with a pouch of copper coins.

At this time, taking advantage of the moment Chen Pingan was busy tending the fire to brew the medicine, Lu Chen silently slipped away. He even took the cart with him, leaving it without a trace. Before departing, he left behind a sentence for Chen Pingan that was obscure in its meaning.

As for this sentence, naturally, only Chen Pingan knew it, as it had been transmitted through secret sound.

"Brother Su, there was a voice from Daoist Lu just now. Did you hear it?"

"...Tell me more."

Su Ling looked around and was somewhat startled to find that the Daoist had left without saying goodbye, disappearing directly from the house. He was quite cunning.

After all, he had arrived suddenly, dumped a massive karmic debt upon Chen Pingan—one heavy enough to crush an ordinary person—and then brushed off his sleeves and left...

Hearing this, Chen Pingan’s expression became conflicted, and he began to explain in detail. The hesitation he had shown earlier was likely because he was figuring out how to describe it precisely...

After all, the words Lu Chen left behind truly possessed the riddle-like style of a high-level Daoist master.

"Daoist Lu said that if I want my future to be smooth sailing, peaceful, and to live until the end without illness, I should cling tightly to the thigh of the neighbor next door..."