Welcome to the Bizarre Games

Chapter 154 As Usual
The rain in the mountains never stops.

Although it is not large now, it is always drizzling, as if there is no end in sight. The breeze, which contains moisture, blows by and brings a slightly damp feeling, and also drapes the entire mountain forest in a hazy curtain.

The long-neglected official road became even more difficult to traverse after the rain, with potholes everywhere, and a slight misstep could cause half a leg to sink into one.

Even so, the atmosphere in the escort team was still quite good—after all, they would soon be able to deliver the goods, earn a considerable commission, and then complete the mission safely.

Lu Xiuyuan was also calculating what he had gained from this trip.

The money paid by Ci'en Temple was very generous. After giving the escorts their share, he still had a lot left. With the savings he had accumulated over the years through frugality, if he borrowed some more money and worked hard, he could barely move Weiyuan Escort Agency out of Lizhou.

After so many ups and downs along the way, he has finally come to understand that Lizhou is like a giant firecracker—it seems peaceful and stable on the surface, but nobody knows when it will explode completely.

What's that old saying again? Even ants know to avoid danger. I'm not crazy, so why do I have to go and get into this fire pit?

—The sooner you leave, the easier it will be!
"Master Hu is quitting after this delivery, and Zheng Sandan is clamoring to go back to his hometown to get married. Two of the镖局 (bodyguard agency) have left at once. After we move out of Lizhou, we'll have to find a way to hire more people, and the new resettlement fee will be another expense. I don't know if we'll have enough money."

Lu Xiuyuan sighed and turned his gaze forward again.

On the donkey cart at the very front of the procession, his nephew Lu Ping was holding several sheets of mulberry bark paper, looking at them intently.

That was a supplement to the Jing Shen Food Potion Song Formula written by Zhou You for Lu Ping. The content wasn't particularly important; it was just some insights he had gained from his cultivation over this period. However, Lu Ping still read it with utmost seriousness, taking it out to study several times every day, as if trying to memorize every single word.

Seeing this view, Lu Xiuyuan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

This was the biggest gain of the journey—in fact, in his view, it was far more important than the money he had received for the escort mission.

After all, money can only be spent temporarily, but the skills you learn can benefit you for a lifetime, and even bring blessings to your family!
Not to mention the person who taught him this skill—Zhou You—who had personally witnessed his abilities. He even heard Lu Ping say that in that small mountain village, this person had single-handedly killed a high lama of the Tantric sect!
This Master Zhou was new to the place and probably didn't know what kind of achievement this was, so he always acted nonchalantly. But Lu Xiuyuan himself understood it very clearly.

That was the leader of a sect, the number one person below the master. Being able to kill such an existence is enough to brag about for decades to come!
Although Lu Xiuyuan felt a sense of lingering fear afterward, worried that he might be implicated, the thought that his nephew could become the disciple of such a being filled him with fervor.

Anyway, I'm moving out of Lizhou soon, so I'm not afraid of you!
—As long as Lu Ping can learn these things, then whatever the cost will be worthwhile. In fact, Weiyuan Escort Agency might, no, it definitely will be able to rival the big escort agencies in the capital. At that time, our old Lu, who has lived most of his life, will also enjoy the feeling of being treated with arrogance and deference as soon as he goes out!

When we buy tofu pudding, we'll buy two bowls at a time, one savory to eat and the other with sugar to throw away!

Thinking of the wonderful yet decadent life ahead, Lu Xiuyuan beckoned and called Lu Ping over.

"Ping'er, how's your latest learning going?"

Lu Ping put down the paper, his face showing some distress.

"Uncle, my progress in the chanting has been quite good recently because my master has been giving me that bloodthirsty energy. But my master's swordsmanship is really too difficult to learn. I have been observing for a long time, but I still can't even be considered a beginner."

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiuyuan's smile faltered for a moment, but he still placed his hand on his nephew's head and rubbed it vigorously.

"It's alright, it's alright. You've already tried your best. Before Master Zhou and we part ways, learn as much as you can."

At this point, Lu Xiuyuan seemed to remember something, and a hint of expectant wonder appeared on his face. "By the way, Ping'er, have you asked Master Zhou what he's going to do after the ceremony? If we can get him to work for our escort agency, your uncle will pay whatever it takes. Also, Master Zhou is getting on in years, has he ever been married? Your aunt's sister has a daughter who's only fourteen this year, and she's incredibly beautiful. If possible..."

Lu Ping was immediately overwhelmed with anxiety. He hurriedly stuffed the book into his arms and then made an excuse to run away.

"Uncle, I just remembered that Master needed to see me earlier, I have to go quickly, you can continue with your work!"

"Hey, hey!" Lu Xiuyuan called out twice, but it didn't stop his nephew's steps, so he could only shake his head. "Watch your step, it's terribly slippery—sigh, always so clumsy, who does this kid take after?"
-
Having finally escaped the cacophony of Lupin's voice, he jogged to the middle of the group and cautiously greeted someone sitting on the oxcart.

"master."

Zhou You, who was engrossed in the Susiddhikara Sutra, looked up and gave a peaceful smile.

"what happened?"

Lu Ping hesitated for a moment, but instead of revealing what his uncle had entrusted to him, he asked in a low voice.

"Master, after you finish this escort mission, do you still plan to attend the Three Altars Dharma Assembly?"

"Yes what's the matter?"

Lupin's expression suddenly became somewhat uneasy. He took a deep breath and then spoke anxiously.

“Master, I know this shouldn’t be something I, your disciple, should be saying, but I’ve witnessed what happened in the village. The Bodhi Temple, where the Three Altars Dharma Assembly was held, is the stronghold of Esoteric Buddhism in Lizhou. Going there would definitely be fraught with risks. So… after you finish delivering the goods, why don’t you just come with us? Even if you’re not with our escort agency, with your skills, you can certainly make a name for yourself.”

Zhou You stared into Lu Ping's eyes and could only see a look of concern.

—This child genuinely cares about me.

Zhou You felt a warmth in his heart, but he immediately gave a bitter smile.

—But unfortunately, your master is now also powerless to control his own destiny.

So he could only pat Lupin on the shoulder and say something.

“Disciple, your master must attend this Dharma assembly, so there’s no need to persuade me otherwise. The best way for you to repay your master is to master what I’ve taught you and then find a way to spread the name of Yun Jing Sect. That’s all.”

Seeing Zhou You's resolute expression, Lu Ping could no longer persuade him. He could only search his pockets, take out a jade pendant, and hand it to Zhou You.

"Master, this is a talisman that my uncle obtained from Liansheng Temple in the capital at a high price. I don't know how to help you, but I hope you will accept this and it can help you."

Zhou You laughed. He casually took the item and was about to say something when his expression suddenly froze.

A long-forgotten talent was naturally activated.

(End of this chapter)