The head master has a new female apprentice

Chapter 343 Should I call you Young Master Chicken or Zhou Qing? (6k)

Inside a teahouse in the capital!

Three masked figures sat quietly in the corner, only their sharply defined chins visible.

They leisurely sipped their spiritual tea, their ears filled with the chatter of the surrounding cultivators.

Zhou Qing never expected that even half a year later, everyone would still be talking about the blood-stained ancient beast wasteland.

In particular, the patriarch of the Nangong family had already personally come to the capital long ago.

However, it wasn't for revenge, but rather to claim that everything was caused by the arrogance of his clansman, Nangong Xiao.

They were willing to forgive and forget the past with the Chicken Prince, and even treat him as a guest elder, etc.

This high-sounding rhetoric was met with disdain not only by Zhou Qing, but also by the most naive cultivators in the teahouse.

The blood debt of twenty-six Nascent Soul cultivators at the Great Perfection stage cannot be easily forgiven with a simple "they were ignorant."
Anyone with eyes can see that the Nangong family is now in a difficult situation.

They couldn't retaliate openly and risk getting other powerful families involved, nor could they swallow their anger.

What's even more troublesome is that several forces at the Spirit Severing Realm have secretly extended olive branches to "Young Master Chicken," making the situation even more murky.

Zhou Qing lightly tapped the teacup with his fingertips, his brows furrowing slightly beneath the mask.

What puzzled him was that the matter of his eight thousand spirit seals had become common knowledge.

Logically speaking, the Nangong family would never expose their own scandals, much less make him a coveted prize.
Unless, someone is deliberately muddying the waters.

"The waters of the capital are deeper than I imagined," Zhou Qing thought to himself.

Then, his gaze passed through the teahouse window and landed on the Duobao Chamber of Commerce across the street.

Not to mention the area around the Chamber of Commerce, just in this teahouse alone, there are countless people lying in wait, all hoping that "Young Master Chicken" will show up.

So far, only the Duobao Merchant Guild has intervened and negotiated with the royal family to withdraw the search of him.

If he really had to choose a faction to align himself with, the Duobao Chamber of Commerce would indeed be the most likely choice.

"This is troublesome!" Ghost Mastiff transmitted his voice, "With so many people watching, we can't get in at all."

Luo Lingling's gaze shifted between Zhou Qing and the Chamber of Commerce; she knew that Zhou Qing urgently needed those wood-attribute spirit stones.

But these people are still waiting here after half a year, all wanting to see what the Rooster Prince looks like, and they probably won't leave anytime soon.

"How about I go?" she suddenly said.

Zhou Qing shook his head and said, "The Chamber of Commerce is not like aristocratic families. The relationships within it are much more intricate. No one knows which important figure is behind those smiling managers."

"Let's forget about it for now, we'll talk about it when we have a better chance!"

The two exchanged a glance and could only nod.

"Young friend, you've arrived!"

Just as Zhou Qing put down his teacup and was about to get up and leave, a familiar voice transmission sounded in his mind.

Before he could react, the surrounding scenery suddenly distorted.

The hustle and bustle of the teahouse receded like the tide, and golden light shimmered before my eyes. When I regained my senses, I found myself in that magnificent hall.

Duobao Guild Master Mo Tianheng stood stroking his beard, a smile in his eyes: "Half a year has passed, and my young friend's demeanor is even more impressive than before."

Zhou Qing felt a chill run down his spine. Although he had experienced it once before, the ability to shift the universe in an instant and the methods of the Spirit Severing Realm were truly both enviable and terrifying.

"Greetings, Elder Mo!" Zhou Qing said respectfully.

“Let me guess,” Mo Tianheng stroked his beard and chuckled, “are you here to deal with the Nangong family’s ‘spoils of war’ this time? Like the last time you raided the Cloud Bandits?”

Zhou Qing's lips curled up slightly, a knowing glint in his eyes: "Elder Mo has keen insight. But this time, there's no need to gather that 666 big gift package."

"Hahaha!" Mo Tianheng laughed loudly, "Last time there were nine people, this time the Nangong family has more than twenty. If we really make a total of 666, I'm afraid my young friend will have to flee in panic."

As the laughter subsided, Zhou Qing took out a storage bag and presented it with both hands.

When Mo Tianheng took it, he lightly ran his fingertip across the opening of the bag, and instantly it shone with a dazzling light.

After a quick glance, he said, "Knowing that you urgently need wood-attribute spirit stones, I have mobilized all the inventory of each branch over the past six months, and have also sought to purchase them from several old friends."

He suddenly narrowed his eyes. "Want to guess the number?"

Zhou Qing's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and with a flick of his sleeves, several storage bags were neatly arranged on the table: "Senior, exchange as many as you have!"

Mo Tianheng weighed the storage bag in his hand and smiled, "This should be more than enough. I might have to ask you for more money."

Seeing Zhou Qing bow solemnly, he waved his hand, and after scanning the storage bag with his divine sense, his waist flashed with light.

Sixty shimmering, emerald-green wood-attribute spirit stones appeared in mid-air, causing Zhou Qing to gasp for breath.

Immediately afterwards, another 288 top-grade spirit stones were produced.

"This batch of goods is valued at 888 pieces."

Before Mo Tianheng could finish speaking, Zhou Qing immediately understood that he had once again gained a great advantage.

However, with his existing savings, he now possesses over a thousand top-grade spirit stones, enough to support his needs for the Spirit Slaying Ceremony.

After putting away the spirit stones, Mo Tianheng suddenly became serious and took out a jade slip: "As a big customer, I'll give you some information as a bonus."

The jade slip felt cool to the touch. When Zhou Qing probed it with his divine sense, he was immediately shaken to his core.

It contained detailed information on all the experts at the Spirit Slaying Realm in the Holy Martial Dynasty, along with the distribution of territories of various forces, and even marked the locations of spies throughout the capital.

“Our dynasty has yet to produce a fourth-level array master,” Mo Tianheng suddenly lowered his voice, “The current emperor, Xuanyuan Hao, is looking for you. This man is extremely cunning, young friend, you should be very careful.”

Zhou Qing understood the meaning behind Master Mo's advice and quickly bowed again to express his gratitude.

Mo Tianheng nodded slightly and then said, "Alright, I won't keep you any longer. Come find me anytime if you need anything."

With that, he flicked his wide sleeves, and the surrounding scenery rippled out like a reflection in water.

By the time Zhou Qing came to his senses, he had already returned to the teahouse.

The tea on the table was still warm, and glancing to the side, Gui'ao and Luo Lingling seemed completely unaware.

This extraordinary ability to shift forms and change shapes once again shocked him with the incredible power of the Spirit Severing Realm.

"There's another way. How about I use my paper doll clone to exchange for it at the Duobao Merchant Guild?" Luo Lingling suggested via telepathy.

Ghost Hound immediately shook his head: "No, it's not a question of who goes now. As long as we make contact with the Chamber of Commerce, we'll be watched. The paper doll might get away, but we won't be able to keep the spirit stones we get in return."

"But..." Luo Lingling wanted to say something, but Zhou Qing suddenly interrupted her: "There's no need to go, it's already been changed."

"Huh?" The two turned their heads at the same time, looking puzzled.

Zhou Qing was about to explain when his expression suddenly changed.

A person also wearing a mask sat leisurely down beside them, resting his chin on his hand and observing the three of them with great interest.

Zhou Qing's pupils contracted slightly, because at this moment, a line of golden labels was floating above the other party's head—[Evil-level Fish].

"Friend, did you sit in the wrong seat?" Ghost Mastiff's muscles were tense, and his voice was wary.

The man gently shook his head: "You didn't sit in the wrong seat. You must be Ghost Hound, right?"

Upon hearing this, Gui Ao and Luo Lingling's expressions changed drastically, and Zhou Qing's eyes narrowed.

Before they could deny it, the other party continued slowly, "Coincidentally, I know a junior named Ghost Mastiff. The portrait on the Nangong family's wanted poster is exactly the same as the one I know."

"He comes from the Taiqing Sect in the Eastern Region of Lingyun Prefecture, one of the eight prefectures and seventy-two counties. I wonder if you are also from there?"

Ghost Hound and Luo Lingling's faces instantly turned ashen.

The masked man then turned his gaze to the old hen in Luo Lingling's arms, and suddenly chuckled, "I also know an old friend who loves to take old hens like this for a stroll. However..."

He paused meaningfully, then said, "I wasn't talking about you, young lady."

Finally, his gaze fell on Zhou Qing: "I have a matter that requires the assistance of an array master. Although I have already made an appointment, I have heard that this 'Chicken Prince' has condensed eight thousand spirit seals. If he lends a hand, the chances of success will be much greater."

"So, like everyone else, I'm just waiting here, hoping for an opportunity to work with him."

"After staying for so long, I was about to give up, but I unexpectedly sensed the aura of a Spirit Severing Realm expert—to be precise, the method that the president of the Duobao Merchant Guild just used on you."

At this point, he suddenly turned to the air beside Zhou Qing: "President Mo, there's no need to be nervous. I have no ill intentions. You can ask him if you don't believe me."

Zhou Qing stared blankly at Sikong Yan, then suddenly smiled.

Ever since he witnessed Gao Xianzong being killed in the street that day, he knew that his senior brother's affair could not be kept from him.

After all, this matter caused quite a stir in the city, not to mention that in the turmoil in Qingmu City, Gui'ao had even confronted him head-on with Zhao Hanyue and others.

I just didn't expect this day to come so soon.

Sikong Yan was indeed still the person he couldn't figure out, yet he was extremely wary of.

Sensing Mo Tianheng's watchful gaze, Zhou Qing said, "Senior Mo, rest assured, we are old acquaintances."

"He's the one who killed Gao Xianzong in the street half a year ago, that Spirit Slayer Realm expert!" Mo Tianheng's voice echoed in his mind.

Zhou Qing nodded and said, "I know!"

Then, Sikong Yan chuckled and said, "There's no need for outsiders to know about what happens between us, but..."

He glanced indifferently at the void. "That guild leader probably won't agree to let me take you away. Why don't we take this opportunity to talk here?"

As he spoke, a crystal-clear jade bead slipped from his sleeve.

In an instant, invisible ripples spread out, enveloping the four of them in absolute silence.

Ghost Hound and Luo Lingling exchanged a glance, both seeing an unprecedented solemnity in each other's eyes.

"Then," Sikong Yan suddenly leaned forward, his eyes behind the mask gleaming with amusement, "should I call you Young Master Chicken, or... Zhou Qing?"

Zhou Qing slowly poured a cup of tea: "I was just about to ask you, should I call you Lin Jin, or... Palace Master Sikong?"

When Gui'ao and Luo Lingling heard this, they finally reacted and looked at each other in disbelief.

It was him!

Sikong Yan burst into laughter: "Interesting! You managed to dig out such a well-hidden secret. You truly deserve to be the young sect leader of the Taiqing Sect."

He waved his hand casually, "Let's call you Sikong Yan, I like the name. To be honest, I didn't expect you to actually come."

"I may not be here to keep an appointment..." Zhou Qing said calmly, sipping his fragrant tea.

Sikong Yan glanced at the masked Ghost Mastiff and Luo Lingling, and shrugged: "Well, it seems I was just being presumptuous."

Zhou Qing put down his teacup and asked curiously, "I didn't expect you to arrive so late, and that you've even reached the Spirit Severing Realm."

"what?!"

At this moment, Ghost Mastiff and Luo Lingling were finally completely shocked.

Wasn't he supposed to be at the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul Realm? How did he become that lofty Spirit Severing Realm? Upon hearing this, Sikong Yan lazily propped his chin up and said, "Well, I set off earlier than you, but the scenery along the way was just too captivating, so I had to stop and admire it, didn't I?"

"If I'm not mistaken," Zhou Qing leaned forward slightly, "you entrusted Nannan to Wu Sha Rang to take to Master Gao Xuan. You shouldn't have broken through yet, right? Did you advance on the way here?"

"Snapped!"

Sikong Yan suddenly snapped his fingers crisply, a look of admiration flashing in his eyes: "Impressive! It seems your understanding of the Path of Spirit Slaying is even deeper than I imagined!"

Zhou Qing slowly poured himself a cup of tea: "I have another question—is Lin Jin really dead?"

"Hmm~" Sikong Yan tilted his head and revealed a meaningful smile.

"Strictly speaking, it's not death. That was originally an avatar of mine, and now it's just my soul returning to my original body."

Zhou Qing felt a chill run down his spine; it was indeed much as he had guessed.

"What?" Sikong Yan suddenly leaned closer, his eyes behind the mask gleaming with a cunning light.

"It seems like you two have a special relationship. Are you heartbroken for him? Actually, I could say it in reverse: you could treat me the same way you treat him."

Zhou Qing shook his head and looked into the distance: "It's a pity that I never saw what he looked like."

"So what if I know?" Sikong Yan suddenly sat up straight and opened his arms. "The most touching things in this world are always those unfinished regrets."

“I want to know his story.” Zhou Qing looked directly into Sikong Yan’s eyes.

"Sure~" Sikong Yan became interested, but then he held up a finger and shook it from side to side, "However."

A slight smile played on his lips. "I can't let you probe my secrets all by yourself, can I? I need to ask you some questions too. How about we exchange them fairly?"

Zhou Qing shook his head without hesitation: "When a person dies, it's like a lamp going out. What's the point of knowing all this? Let's just forget about it."

"Tsk!" Sikong Yan leaned back dramatically, looking hurt. "You're really incredibly boring!"

Then he sighed helplessly, "Fine, fine, what can I do when I need your help? I can tell you everything you want to know."

"After all, these matters involve the favor you're asking me to do. If I don't explain things clearly, given your cautious nature, I'm afraid you won't agree easily."

As he spoke, his eyes suddenly sharpened: "But speaking of which, I'm really curious, how do you manage to kill those of the same level as easily as slaughtering dogs?"

"And how did they manage to condense eight thousand spirit seals in such a short time?"

He suddenly narrowed his eyes and said, word by word, "Sometimes I even wonder if you've been possessed by some old monster?"

Zhou Qing's expression remained unchanged; he simply met his gaze quietly.

The steam from the teacup rose slowly between the two of them, then dissipated silently.

A few breaths later, Sikong Yan turned and glanced at Gui Ao and Luo Lingling, then changed the subject: "How about... we ask them to leave?"

"These days, soul-searching and spirit-stealing are commonplace; the less you know, the safer you are."

The two hesitated upon hearing this.

Zhou Qing understood: "Senior brothers and sisters, please wait for me outside."

Just as the two stood up, Sikong Yan suddenly raised his hand: "Wait!"

He added meaningfully, "Although everyone knows that 'Chicken Prince' is famous for wearing a chicken head mask, those who are interested can still track you down through the slightest clues."

“For example,” he counted on his fingers, “the dozen or so surviving guards of the Sea of ​​No Light revealed to the buyer the rooster’s voice, height, and this one…”

He pointed to the old hen in Luo Lingling's arms with one hand, "A living, iconic signboard."

"Not to mention Young Master Niu, the two of them boarded the ship from Yaoguang Prefecture, and now Ghost Hound has joined them."

A glint flashed in Sikong Yan's eyes. "They're probably traveling in groups of three. Since it's inconvenient for them to show themselves, they'll likely wear different masks..."

The two men's expressions changed drastically, and a hint of panic flashed in their eyes.

Sikong Yan, however, remained unhurried: "You are all still young and inexperienced, but this is the capital—"

He paused slightly, "A place that hundreds of millions of cultivators from the Holy Martial Dynasty must come to, a place where all sorts of people mingle, and where danger lurks at every turn."

"Your talents are exceptional; it is truly remarkable that you have reached the Nascent Soul Realm at such a young age."

He smiled slightly, a hint of amusement in his eyes, "But every Nascent Soul cultivator here is a cunning old fox who has lived for a thousand years. The bridges they've crossed are longer than the roads you've traveled."

"Sometimes, don't be arrogant or think you're so clever."

Upon hearing this, Luo Lingling hurriedly stuffed the old hen into her clothes, causing a constantly shifting curve to appear on her chest.

Zhou Qing's expression was equally solemn; only now did he realize his oversight.

They thought that three masks per person would be enough to deceive everyone, but they overlooked the fatal flaw of the number of people and the old hen.

The two silently withdrew from the barrier and waited outside.

Luo Lingling had to admit that Sikong Yan was right—the three masked people were indeed too conspicuous, so they had no choice but to leave the teahouse.

They exchanged a glance, both their eyes reflecting a deep sense of powerlessness, and then sighed softly in unison.

Yes, they have now become a burden to the fourth son.

In the short time it has taken them from the Blood Maple Forest to the Ancient Beast Wilderness, they have put Zhou Qing in danger several times.

What if someone kidnaps them to blackmail the fourth brother?
……

"Can we talk now?" Zhou Qing stared at Sikong Yan at the tea table.

Sikong Yan lightly tapped the mask with his fingertip, and the lower half of it instantly blurred, revealing his fair chin.

He calmly poured himself a cup of tea and took a small sip.

"This is a long story. If I were to tell it in a short time, you would think I was lying to you, so please allow me to explain it to you in detail."

He put down his teacup, his gaze passing through the rising steam as if looking towards the distant past.

"My life has been quite bumpy. The first half of my life was like walking on thin ice, and in the end, I still couldn't escape the fate of dying and disappearing from the world—"

He paused, a self-deprecating smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, "He was still killed by his own father."

A hint of doubt flashed in Zhou Qing's eyes. He shook his head with a wry smile: "Don't look at me like that. It's absolutely true."

“But the way you’re talking makes it sound like you’re telling someone else’s story!” Zhou Qing couldn’t help but say.

Sikong Yan chuckled lightly, tapping his fingertips lightly on his mask: "Then how should I say it, all snot and tears?"

"Besides, I'm wearing a mask, so how do you know I'm not in pain?"

Zhou Qing fell silent and said nothing more.

"By the way," seeing that Zhou Qing no longer objected, Sikong Yan changed the subject, his tone becoming light again, "Have you been to any place since you came to the capital?"

"where?"

"Jintian Palace".

Zhou Qing's pupils contracted sharply, and he was about to nod when he suddenly narrowed his eyes: "Jintian Palace? Lin Jin?"

He looked at Sikong Yan in disbelief, his heart pounding like a drum.

Sikong Yan chuckled upon seeing this: "That's exactly what you were thinking. But I was lucky; I had made preparations beforehand, which is why I escaped unscathed."

"You...you are the First Prince, Xuanyuan Xuanhuang?" Zhou Qing's voice trembled, as if he had discovered a huge secret, and his heart pounded.

Sikong Yan said leisurely, "It seems you have indeed been there. Was that palace quite magnificent?"

"Impossible! You clearly..." Zhou Qing still found it hard to believe.

"See? You wouldn't believe me even if I told you." Sikong Yan shook his head and sighed. "This world is so vast, anything can happen."

Zhou Qing stared at him blankly, her thoughts churning.

Ever since Sikong Yan confessed that he, like his senior uncle Gao Xuan, was a person who had possessed another body, he had imagined countless possibilities, but he had never associated them with the royal family.

Zhou Qing hesitated for a moment before finally asking, "Then what exactly did you do to make the current emperor so ruthless as to kill you?"

Sikong Yan leaned back lazily: "Actually, I didn't do anything big. I just wanted to steal the secret formula for advancing to the Spirit Severing Realm and make it public so that all cultivators in the world could take that step."

Zhou Qing's pupils contracted slightly, as if he were seeing the person in front of him in a new light.

Are you kidding me?

Seeing this, Sikong Yan's lips curled into a mocking smile: "What? Do you think I have the world in my heart and admire me? I allow you to worship me."

"Heh." Zhou Qing sneered, but his heart was in turmoil.

"You be the judge," Sikong Yan said seriously, his smile fading. "The Holy Martial Dynasty has only been a newly promoted fourth-level cultivation nation for a little over three thousand years. The surrounding ancient and powerful nations have far more cultivators at the Spirit Severing Realm than we do."

"When the old emperor obtained the secret formula, instead of benefiting the world, he wanted to use it to control everyone. Wasn't that extremely foolish?"

Zhou Qing narrowed his eyes: "So you went to steal it?"

“How can this be considered stealing?” Sikong Yan raised an eyebrow. “I am the eldest prince, who will inherit the Holy Martial Dynasty in the future. I am just taking what belongs to me in the future.”

“Based on my understanding of you,” Zhou Qing said in a deep voice, “you are by no means such a benevolent person. If you are going to cooperate, you should tell the truth.”

"How am I not a compassionate person? I was the one who saved that girl, and I handed her over to Gao Xuan perfectly safe and sound..."

"Stop talking nonsense!" Zhou Qing interrupted directly.

Sikong Yan stared at Zhou Qing for a moment, then suddenly chuckled: "Alright, it wasn't that noble after all. I was young and impulsive back then."

“My maternal grandmother—she treated me extremely well, but her lifespan is coming to an end. I want to obtain the secret formula to help her break through the Spirit Severing stage.”

“But in those people’s eyes, she is worthless, and the pills made from the secret recipe have been exhausted. Even if there were more, she would not be qualified to take them. I had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure.”

Zhou Qing nodded slightly. The reason made sense, but he still had doubts: "Even so, shouldn't a prince stealing a secret formula be enough to bring about his death?"

“Indeed,” a shadow of gloom flashed in Sikong Yan’s eyes, “Normally, breaking his leg and putting him in solitary confinement would be enough.”

"In fact, they did just that—seal my cultivation, break my limbs, and torture me day and night with the 'Soul-Eating Nails' to force me to admit my mistakes."

"Unfortunately, I'm the kind of person who responds better to gentle persuasion than force. The more you pressure me, the less I'll back down, until..."

His voice suddenly turned icy cold, “Until my grandmother came to plead for me, they accused my grandmother of orchestrating all of this.”

"After all, with my mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivation at the time, this secret formula was indeed useless to me."

“They killed my grandmother right in front of me. As I said before, they were young and impetuous and didn’t know how to keep their mouths shut. They immediately swore that they would make this secret recipe public in the future.”

He sneered, "Just because of that sentence, they've concluded that I'll definitely take action that would hinder the dynasty's rule, so they might as well go all the way—"

"So I died." Sikong Yan suddenly grinned, revealing his gleaming white teeth.

"Fortunately, I had considered the consequences before doing this and made some preparations in advance, which is why I survived."

Zhou Qing seemed to be deep in thought, and a question came to mind: "Where did the old emperor's secret recipe come from?"

(End of this chapter)