There's something wrong with me

Night.

A grand banquet in the main hall of the General's mansion.

"Thank you, Zhang Daoren, for saving my life today!"

Compared to usual grand banquets, Zhang Feng could only cook, and only sit down after finishing.

Now.

Zhang Feng, however, sat beside the General, who toasted him with gratitude.

At the same time.

Zhang Feng glanced at the several cultivators around him, seeing more caution and curiosity on their faces.

Also in the courtyard, the floor tiles had been laid by them.

And as for them.

Zhang Feng actually had some thoughts.

Because the structure of Fire Spirit Bodyguard and Earth Wall was almost completely understood.

So, could he ask for their techniques?

He didn't learn before because he felt it would require some 'social maneuvering' and was meaningless.

But now seeing how they respected him.

Then it would be going with the flow.

While thinking, just as Zhang Feng was about to ask them for their techniques.

Rustle—

Footsteps came from outside the courtyard, and an officer stood at the entrance of the hall, looking like he had something important to say.

He was the one who interrogated the two assassins.

It was just that General Hang's mind was now more focused on Zhang Feng, this expert of 'spirit' and 'cooking'.

So regarding the subordinate outside the door, although he also wanted to know who sent the assassins, he felt that asking abruptly would disrupt the expert's mood for drinking and eating.

General Hang was very concerned about Zhang Feng's mood now.

When it came to Zhang Feng, his absolute strength outweighed the favor of saving him.

General Hang was now careful and cautious.

And he felt that as long as he didn't offend Zhang Feng, as long as he kept Zhang Feng.

Then he wouldn't fear the assassination, this was the true completeness.

Better than rushing to investigate someone and then overlooking a great noble.

In business, you have to prioritize.

General Hang felt he was very steady.

"Let's go, you and I will take a look."

Zhang Feng, however, didn't think that much, instead he was curious who sent the other party.

Thinking about it carefully, General Hang's seemingly kind appearance didn't seem like someone who would offend others.

Especially in this kind of warlord era, deliberately stirring up trouble and then annexing another person's power.

Would other Generals just watch from the sidelines?

Zhang Feng always felt something was wrong.

"Okay..." General Hang, hearing the expert speak, naturally followed along and told the others to stay and continue eating.

He really latched onto Zhang Feng's words 'you, I', just the two of them.

Besides, with Zhang Feng, this expert, present, having more people wouldn't be of much use.

And at this moment, as Zhang Feng left.

Only these few cultivators remained in the main hall.

They suddenly breathed a sigh of relief.

Really, even though Zhang Feng was very easygoing while drinking and eating and didn't target them.

But they just felt an invisible pressure enveloping them.

"He's actually a cultivator..."

"Can't tell... can't tell..."

"Let's keep our voices down..."

At this moment, the few cultivator retainers in the mansion exchanged glances, still surprised by the scene of Zhang Feng instantly forming an earth wall at noon.

"Strange, strange... it's even divine..."

Amidst their exclamations, an old cultivator also spoke: "Fellow colleagues, the scene at noon today, in my opinion, was no longer a small technique, but a great technique!

And observing him perform it so effortlessly...

His cultivation realm is also far above ours!"

"Naturally it's a great technique!" another man dressed in a short shirt responded, "And according to his spirit energy fluctuations, this technique should be above 'Two Stone One Tenth'!"

For drawing talismans, they used 'Stone' as a unit.

Two Stone is two strokes.

One Tenth is 0.1.

Two Stone One Tenth is 2.1.

But in fact, Zhang Feng's technique was '1.7 strokes'.

It's just that Zhang Feng drew it too precisely, coupled with his own research into soil science and the like, which relatively increased the power of the technique.

So to them, this technique seemed 'incredibly profound', reaching 2.1

A Two Stone technique is a great technique.

Very few people in the world can do it.

Because when concentrating on drawing a talisman, you also have to achieve 'multitasking'.

This is too difficult.

As cultivators, they naturally knew this difficulty deeply.

It's just that they are also very curious about Zhang Feng's realm now.

"Observing his spirit energy fluctuations, his realm shouldn't be far above ours... probably also at Qi Condensation Completion..."

At this time, the old cultivator spoke again: "It's just that his spirit energy is very strange, yet incredibly abundant, comparable to Foundation Establishment.

If based on his spirit energy fluctuations, what kind of strange phenomenon would it be if he condensed Foundation Establishment?"

From Qi Condensation to Foundation Establishment, the 'thin spirit energy' itself transforms into the more advanced 'spirit liquid'.

It belongs to an improvement in quality.

And in their opinion, Zhang Feng is still in spirit energy now, and has not formed 'spirit liquid Foundation Establishment'.

This is very strange.

Clearly, such a powerful technique, such abundant spirit energy, and multitasking as well.

It all sounds normal; taking one out individually is fine, but combined it becomes illogical, at least it doesn't fit their understanding of cultivation.

Especially the scene of instantly casting the technique, they thought it was even more wrong.

Because a normal technique requires 'drawing'.

This drawing takes time and cannot be completed instantly.

At least with the strength of the few of them at 'Qi Condensation Completion', they are far from being able to do it.

Including the talisman geniuses they have seen, it's impossible to instantly complete it with such 'foresight', or even complete it in advance.

This is what they are currently doubting; no matter how they think about it, it seems wrong.

"Could these assassins have been sent by him?"

The cultivator man at this time also speculated: "Otherwise... how did he manage such foresight? At the moment the gun fired, or rather, before the gun fired, the technique was already cast?

He... could it be that he wants to use the 'favor of saving a life' to try and get close to the General?"

As he spoke, he felt this might answer some questions.

"With Zhang Feng's strength, there's no need for this." The old cultivator quickly denied it: "Anyone with eyes can see that Zhang Feng's strength is higher than ours, at least like a 'Land Immortal' similar to Foundation Establishment!'

With such strength, he would be a great noble anywhere! Why would he need to use such tricks?"

"Right." A cultivator agreed: "With the strength Zhang Feng showed today, as long as he is careful about mechanisms and ambushes, he can definitely roam the world unchecked.

If I had his strength, why would I need any tricks?

I could freely go to any General's mansion, and no matter which General saw me, they would definitely treat me as an honored guest!"

As he spoke, even though he wasn't Zhang Feng and was far from having Zhang Feng's strength.

But just thinking about it, he felt that feeling must be incredibly exhilarating.

He was envious in his heart, and also jealous, extremely jealous.

Coupled with Zhang Feng's young appearance, unlike some old Daoren with profound knowledge.

Such a prodigy made his 'flames of jealousy' surge even higher.

"That's right." The old cultivator also nodded in agreement, "Then now, since Zhang Feng didn't plan ahead, his talisman drawing is definitely at a prodigy level!

And such an extraordinary person is actually cooking in the General's mansion?

Especially doing it steadily for two years?

Why is this?"

The old cultivator didn't understand.

And it wasn't just him who didn't understand, everyone else didn't understand either.

They also didn't think there was anything in the General's mansion that this expert would covet.

From beginning to end, they never thought this 'expert' was here to learn.

They also never thought that a person could 'self-teach' the path of talismans in two years, and replicate and instantly cast a 'two-stroke talisman'.

Especially the ridiculous ability to draw inferences about other cases from one instance, optimizing Earth Thorn?

This, in their opinion, was impossible, so much so that they hadn't even considered this aspect.

Because this is like cultivating spirit and finding a master; without someone teaching, let alone Opening Spiritual Mind, even the initial Visualization is difficult.

And even if one can Visualize, their mind might be unstable, ultimately leading to spirit energy and mental disorder, damaging both mind and body.

The path of talismans is also like this, requiring high support from both spirit energy and mental aspects.

Therefore, self-teaching is unrealistic.

They also didn't think Zhang Feng was in the General's mansion for the sake of learning.

Because this matter of learning is even more terrifying.

Imagine a cultivator who didn't know any talismans two years ago, and then in just two years, learned the 'Two Stone Fire Spirit Talisman' that other cultivators couldn't figure out in a lifetime, and even optimized a 'Two Stone' earth attribute one.

This is no longer a matter of whether he is a cultivator or not, but rather this person can establish a sect and become a grand patriarch.

It's just that, even if they disbelieved and didn't understand in every way, they couldn't deny the fact that Zhang Feng was an expert.

And they also knew that with this expert present, their status in the General's mansion would naturally decline.

But just at this moment.

The old cultivator suddenly thought of something and said to the few who were deep in thought or jealous: "Everyone... Zhang Feng, this person, more than two years ago... seemed to be just a waiter...

He... how did he manage to reach... this realm in two years..."

Clatter—

Upon hearing this, the man suddenly stood up, and cold sweat instantly broke out.

Because it was too strange.

Including the others, they weren't having an easy time either. Added to the fact that Zhang Feng could easily see assassins 300 meters away, they always felt like there was a pair of eyes watching them nearby.

"Could it be..." a cultivator stammered, trembling, "that he is truly the legendary reincarnation of a god or ghost? Or..."

Speaking of this, he revealed a hint of greed and said, "Or could it be... he has a strange treasure on him?"

"Perhaps he's hiding his identity," the man quickly interrupted when he saw the greed, "He's hiding in the General's Residence, possibly wanting to travel the mortal world to find a method for some kind of breakthrough."

Saying this, the man moved away from the greedy person.

Including the others, they also put some distance between themselves and him.

Because knowing full well that Zhang Feng was a master, yet still being so greedy and calculating.

That was basically no different from seeking death.

Although they were cultivators, they were also people and didn't want to be dragged down to death.

Furthermore, they thought this person was foolish. If he had any thoughts of killing people for treasures, he should just think about it in secret.

But now, saying it so openly, wasn't he afraid they would report him?

...

In fact.

Another few days passed.

None of them reported him.

Because the act of 'selling out friends for glory' was shameful.

Added to the fact that the few of them had worked together for over a decade, even if one of them reported him, Zhang Feng wouldn't necessarily believe that person was innocent.

Then it was highly likely that they would all be killed, and Zhang Feng would then build up his own General's Residence team.

Especially with 'betrayal,' if it happens once, it will happen a second time.

So none of them said anything, to avoid Zhang Feng using the tactic of defeating them one by one and then discarding them like a donkey after it has finished grinding.

It was also fortunate that Zhang Feng was still the same as before, at most only asking for a few of their spell manuals.

So they remained as before, first sticking together to stabilize the situation.

As for the matter of the assassins.

After questioning and investigating that night.

Zhang Feng learned that the person who came was not from outside, but someone from within.

This person was General Hang's confidant and commanded some soldiers.

Then, seeing that General Hang was focused on doing business and had no greater aspirations, he harbored malicious thoughts, wanting to seize the opportunity to execute him and then replace him during the ensuing chaos.

Thinking carefully, it was also quite reasonable.

The reasonableness wasn't about wanting to replace him, but about the assassination itself.

Because the matter of General Hang having a few cultivators practice spells a few days ago was only known to General Hang's few confidants.

In response, General Hang not only executed this person who had committed insubordination, but also thoroughly investigated his own confidants.

And on the second day of the investigation.

While Zhang Feng was looking at the new spells, he heard the old cultivator and the man were going to take people to his inn to investigate matters on Hang Ge's side. After hearing this, he decided to go along for a look.

This was firstly to see how the inn was doing, and secondly to check on the corpse-driving master and disciple.

If possible, he would bring them into the General's Residence to prepare for the matter of Yang Mountain in the future.

...

That afternoon, he returned to the inn.

Peng Ge's 'copper mint' had long since stopped operating. Copper coins were flooding the market here. If they continued, a group of people would go after General Hang.

Now, Peng Ge mainly managed the businesses in the city.

There were also a few more places for evening leisure and entertainment in the city here.

Today.

Peng Ge was at the inn.

When he arrived here by car.

Zhang Feng looked through the car window and saw that the inn, which used to be just one, had expanded to three times its size.

Any further expansion would be difficult to manage.

Because with Zhang Feng gone, the quality of the food here would definitely drop significantly, and the number of customers didn't increase daily, but remained at a daily flow of two to three hundred tables.

Even if the head chefs here had a little bit of Zhang Feng's skill, they couldn't sustain any further growth.

Now, three hundred tables and three times the size were almost sufficient.

Sometimes it wasn't even full, creating a 'gap' that left some waiters and head chefs idle.

And at this moment.

Zhang Feng got out of the car with his people, followed by over forty soldiers behind him.

"Zhang Ge!"

Peng Ge, the former factory Boss, bowed and offered cigarettes in greeting when he saw Zhang Feng arrive.

This place was only a few hundred miles from the big city, and he had long heard about Zhang Feng being a great cultivator.

To be honest, he felt that he should benefit from this, because if it weren't for his 'recommendation,' the General might have been gone.

But whether he could specifically benefit depended on whether 'Zhang Ge' would take notice of him.

"Mm." Zhang Feng, however, had no thoughts of forming factions. He was more interested in seeing the inn he had envisioned, and then he looked at the Manager and others standing respectfully at the entrance.

They only dared to stand at the entrance, holding their hands respectfully and smiling awkwardly, not daring to approach.

Seeing this scene, Zhang Feng didn't say much small talk, just nodded and said, "Not bad, it can indeed be built up.

Later, I'll write down some insights and methods from the recipes, and you can distribute them to the chefs in the kitchen."

"Yes, yes..." The Manager also bowed and nodded, not looking happy about the upcoming profits, but rather like he had received an order.

...

In the afternoon.

Zhang Feng came into the city alone and walked straight towards the alley.

Two years later, he arrived at this small flat-roofed house again.

Zhang Feng knocked on the door while looking through the crack into the somewhat dark room.

There were a lot of floating dust and footprints inside that were difficult for ordinary people to notice, and they were all new.

Proving that the master and disciple were still there.

'I originally thought they should have left by now, after all, it's been over two years.'

Zhang Feng really didn't expect that the two of them hadn't left yet.

And in the next second, just as the knocking stopped.

A white shadow flashed to the crack in the wall and looked out.

Zhang Feng also looked towards him, "Lin Daoyou, it's me."

Zhang Feng said, smiling, "Congratulations, your body has recovered."

"Dao Brother?!"

Compared to Zhang Feng's calm greeting, Lin Daoyou seemed exceptionally excited.

Whoosh—

After he opened the door, the Daoren, who now had a long beard, also came out from inside.

"Dao Brother has come!" He was also very excited, feeling as if he had waited for two years and finally met his 'benefactor.'

Zhang Feng walked inside while casually saying, "When I came before, I thought you two had left."

"Why would we leave?" Lin Daoyou, now agile, followed Zhang Feng and replied with clasped fists, "Dao Brother showed mercy to my junior martial brother and saved my life, a life-recreating grace!

Now that such great kindness has not been repaid, how could we leave, how would we dare to leave?"

"Exactly!" The Daoren also clasped his fists with a serious expression, "Abandoning kindness is no different from being a beast!"

Saying this, he added, "Furthermore, Dao Brother once told us to wait here. We owe Dao Brother kindness, so naturally, we obey orders."

Two years' time had changed their perception of Zhang Feng repeatedly.

Especially half a year ago, after Lin Daoyou's body had fully recovered.

This life-recreating great kindness made them even more grateful and eager to repay him in some way.

Of course, it couldn't be denied that Zhang Feng's strength was too high, so they wanted to wait for this master.

But it was mostly due to the kindness.

"Both Dao Friends are speaking too seriously."

Zhang Feng saw their grateful appearance and didn't think much of it, because there weren't many things he could use them for.

At most, for the trip to Yang Mountain in the future, he would need them to guide the way, which would reduce the searching time.

Comparing with the highest value again.

The strongest person in the previous world was around 230 physique.

He needed at least 260 physique and above, going with a crushing advantage of 30 physique.

That meant cultivating for about another year or so.

It was a good time to organize the spells of those few cultivators and see if he could figure out the basic structure of 'various elemental thorns' through Water Sword and Earth Thorn.

So.

After the two offered tea and finished a cup.

Zhang Feng then talked about going to the General's Residence.

The two didn't say much, listening quietly to the arrangements for going to the General.

After Zhang Feng finished speaking.

Even though they somewhat disliked warlords because of General Tao.

But they also knew it was safe there and understood that Dao Brother was doing it for their benefit.

Therefore, the two did not refuse. Instead, they clasped their fists in gratitude one after another.

"I will follow Dao Brother's arrangements!"

"Dao Brother, when shall we go?"

They looked at Zhang Feng.

Zhang Feng looked at the wristwatch on his wrist, "Let's prepare to leave now. We'll go to the inn first, where the car is."

"Okay." The Daoren got up, preparing to pack some luggage.

However, after Lin Daoyou got up, he hesitated for a moment before going over.

Zhang Feng saw him hesitate, as if something was on his mind, and couldn't help but ask, "Dao Friend, is something the matter?"

"This..." Lin Daoyou pondered for two breaths, and finally decided to tell the truth, "Dao Brother, when I went out at night some time ago, I discovered that there were ghosts causing trouble in the territory of Qing City.

And in these past few months, I've searched for a long time, but I still can't be certain.

And now, on the road ahead to the General's Residence, if you go slightly southwest, that's Qing City.

I want to go and investigate again, but I'm afraid it will affect Dao Brother's itinerary."