"Of course, they’ve only found some clues, no solid evidence, but it already points to me. With the Demon Sect’s capabilities, they’ll probably find more evidence within three months. That person from the Ministry of Justice wasn’t trying to harm Qingxian’s aunt and uncle; they were investigating me."
Zhou Henn and Huisun were stunned. They never would have imagined that the reason for attacking the Ministry of Justice wasn’t Li Gangfeng or Li Qingxian, but Zhou Chunfeng.
"If it weren’t for Qingxian, if it weren’t for the attack on the Ministry of Justice, I’d already be in the Celestial Prison." Zhou Chunfeng sighed softly.
"We’ll leave the capital," Zhou Henn said decisively.
Zhou Chunfeng shook his head. "I need to sever my Life Line."
"We can ask a Great Fate Master to help."
"They can also ask a Great Fate Master to help, as long as I’m alive," Zhou Chunfeng said.
"The Evil-Slaying Bureau... what evil does it actually slay?"
Zhou Chunfeng said slowly, "The greatest evil in the world."
Zhou Henn opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say.
"We can escape," Huisun said.
"I need to sever my Life Line, erase all related traces, and make the Demon Sect completely forget my connection to the Evil-Slaying Bureau," Zhou Chunfeng said.
Chunfeng Inn fell quiet.
Zhou Henn slowly raised his head and said, "There must be a way. Let’s wait a little longer. There has to be a way."
"In the coming days, I need to make my final preparations. You... you need to prepare as well."
"WE will make the final preparations."
"By myself," Zhou Chunfeng said.
Zhou Henn gritted his teeth, the sound grating in the silence.
"Have someone call Qingxian over. I want to have a chat with him." As Zhou Chunfeng spoke, he lowered his head, pressed his right hand to his lower lip, and coughed softly.
His gaze fell on the Cow Bone Fan, and his coughing grew more intense.
Li Qingxian saw Jingg Guan off, then followed a Guard back to Chunfeng Inn.
Seeing that both Zhou Henn and Huisun were there, Li Qingxian smiled. "Hello, Uncle Xiaozhou. Hello... Uncle..."
"His name is Huisun. You two should get formally acquainted," Zhou Chunfeng said.
"Hello, Uncle Huisun." Li Qingxian gave Huisun a harmless-looking smile.
The man’s skin was a pale gray, his nose was prominent, his hair was white with a yellowish tinge, and his irises were gray-green.
Huisun stared at Li Qingxian, gave a slight nod, and showed no expression.
"You know about the Cyan Cloud Myriad Phenomena Map, then?" Zhou Chunfeng asked.
"I’ve heard."
"So, are you interested in participating?" Zhou Chunfeng asked.
Li Qingxian shook his head. "I’m just an Eighth Grade. I’d have to be crazy to go fight a bunch of Seventh Grades. All the top Lower-Grade experts from the major powers are participating this time. It’s practically a convention for Lower-Grade Great Cultivators. The whole reason that Bone Filth Child came to the Divine Capital was for the Myriad Phenomena Cyan Cloud Examination."
"Didn’t you fight him to a draw?"
"Uncle Zhou, why are you insulting me? I only managed that draw by using my wits, and it took a ton of prep time. In a straight fight, three of me couldn’t beat one of him. You must have seen it back then—his power is incredibly bizarre, and he wasn’t even going all out. I have no desire to run into him again," Li Qingxian said.
"I signed you up," Zhou Chunfeng said, as if he hadn’t heard a single word.
Li Qingxian: ???
"Wait, Uncle Zhou, are you trying to mess with me again?"
"After you’ve participated in the Cyan Cloud Examination, we’ll go back to Jiangnan," Zhou Chunfeng said.
"I’ve already agreed with Han Anbo and the others to only participate in the ordinary Eighth-Grade Cyan Cloud Examination to gain experience and build my record. As for this Seventh-Grade Myriad Phenomena Cyan Cloud Examination, I wouldn’t be caught dead in it," Li Qingxian said.
Zhou Chunfeng snorted coldly. "Such a coward! Fine, just participate in the Eighth-Grade one. If you change your mind halfway through, you can join the other one at any time."
"No, thanks. I don’t want to change my mind," Li Qingxian said.
"Your name is Qingxian, but have you ever truly been at leisure?" Zhou Chunfeng retorted.
Li Qingxian paused, looking at Zhou Chunfeng’s somewhat grim expression. ’Was I being too unambitious and that’s why he’s upset?’ he wondered.
Li Qingxian slowly recalled his past. As a child, he seemed to have a leisurely life, but in reality, he was always getting into fights with others because of his father.
It was the same when he went to the Academy to study. It looked good on the surface; because of his status, he received benefits, but also drew hostility. It wasn’t a leisurely life.
After joining the Night Guard, things seemed fine on the surface, but it was a miserable grind. In the end, he was nearly killed by the Heir of Prince Yuann and Ye Han—or rather, it wasn’t a near thing at all.
Once he Entered Grade, he felt he had the power to protect himself, but he still kept running into all sorts of trouble.
"Now that you mention it, my life has been a bit rough. Maybe I should find a way to get some ’Fortune,’ ’Smoothness,’ ’Peace,’ and ’Health’ Destiny Stars?" Li Qingxian asked.
"And people with those Destiny Stars are guaranteed a good life?"
Li Qingxian froze for a moment. ’Did Uncle Zhou eat a Fire Talisman today?’ he wondered.
"But Uncle Zhou is right. A Fate Grid isn’t absolute. Take the infamous Luu City disaster, for example. Over a hundred thousand people died, and it’s impossible that none of them had good Fate Grids. But no matter how good an individual’s Fate Grid is, it can’t overcome the Great Trend Formation of the entire Demon Sect, nor can it stand against this chaotic era. You can still end up broken. What’s more, there are special Fate Masters who specifically hunt people like that. In the face of great clans, great families, and great powers, unless you’re a world-changing historical figure, even the best Fate Grid means you have to keep your head down and know your place," Li Qingxian said.
"Gangfeng was wise his entire life, but when it came to you, he was completely and utterly wrong," Zhou Chunfeng said.
"Please enlighten me, Uncle Zhou," Li Qingxian said perfunctorily, while his mind raced, guessing at the contents of that letter. ’Zhou Chunfeng is usually such a humble and gentle person, smooth as jade, praised by all who meet him. Why is he spitting Thunder Skills today?’
Zhou Chunfeng said, "The name he gave you was his biggest mistake."
"My mom came up with it," Li Qingxian said in a small voice.
Zhou Chunfeng’s imposing aura suddenly deflated. In a slightly softer voice, he said, "For Gangfeng to agree to that name was the mistake."
"How so?"
"Why should Li Gangfeng’s son be at leisure? How could he be at leisure? Is it even possible for him to be at leisure? Your father was brilliant for a lifetime, but foolish in that one moment. Back then, when I was disheartened and returned to Jiangnan to recuperate, he cursed me for having no sense of responsibility. Yet he never considered that he was the one who gave you such an unambitious name," Zhou Chunfeng said.
"You’re right, Uncle Zhou." Li Qingxian couldn’t be bothered to argue. He was just looking for a chance to leave and wait for Zhou Chunfeng’s mood to improve.
With a look of someone disappointed that iron hadn’t become steel, Zhou Chunfeng glared at Li Qingxian and said, "If you’re busy, you can leave."
"Well, I’m off then, Uncle Zhou. We’ll talk..." Li Qingxian started to get up, but then he saw Zhou Chunfeng’s stern face and icy gaze. His butt landed right back in the chair. With a perfectly obedient expression, he said, "Even if the sky were falling, it couldn’t be more important than chatting with you, Uncle Zhou."
Zhou Chunfeng raised his hand and pointed his index finger at Li Qingxian twice, momentarily speechless.
Li Qingxian beamed.
"Are the preparations for Jiangnan ready?" Zhou Chunfeng shot Li Qingxian a sideways glance.
"The arrangements are being expedited. My aunt, uncle, and sister have all agreed. They’ve already started preparing to move," Li Qingxian said.
"I am preparing to take up a post in Nanjiang Province. Before I leave, I will have you transferred to the Nanjiang Bureau, and I’ll arrange for you to stay for five full years," Zhou Chunfeng said.
"Five years? That seems a little long..." Li Qingxian muttered under his breath.
Zhou Chunfeng pretended not to hear and continued, "In a few days, I will write a letter and invite a Low-Grade but highly experienced old Fate Master to teach you Fate Skill comprehensively. Stop acting like some punk in the Fate Skill Realm."
"Thank you, Uncle Zhou." Li Qingxian’s face lit up with a smile.