Chapter 199 Calm Winds and Sea

After returning to the room, Lin Xun began to sort through his haul for the day.

The little Xumi Ring could not only store a thousand-foot-tall mountain but wearing it would also keep the mind clear, nourish the spirit, and harmonize the wearer’s aura.

After a careful inspection to check that nothing funny had been done to the ring, Lin Xun shifted all of his belongings into it.

Lin Xun was thankful for the Xumi Ring’s simple design. It looked like a piece of black jade and ordinary people would never be able to identify it as a peerless treasure.

Besides this, Lin Xun had also gained fifty-four gold coins. This was his total profit from selling three aeth tools and completing two crafting commissions. Of course, the Rune Master Association’s ten percent cut had already been accounted for.

Fifty-four gold coins in a day was definitely a generous income and was equivalent to 5400 silver coins.

Finally, there were the ten points awarded by the association. From what Lin Xun had been told, a single point could be exchanged for three gold coins, making it a very valuable resource.

Of course, Lin Xun would not exchange his points for money. These points could be exchanged for aeth tools, equipment, aeth resources, and various treasures; it was a unique privilege enjoyed by rune masters.

After sorting through everything, Lin Xun took a deep breath, cast away any distracting thoughts, and began to cultivate.

His goal for earning money in the Rune Master Association was to better meet his cultivation needs. Lin Xun would not let earning money distract him from his true aim.

Moreover, the registration for the provincial exam would begin in about a dozen days. Lin Xun intended to use this time to temper his cultivation.

……

While Lin Xun was cultivating, Chu Feng was silently seated in the deepest private room on the second floor of the Rune Master Association.

Those from the association knew that this was Chu Feng’s personal quarters and no one was allowed to enter besides him.

However, a weak and thin figure was currently seated in front of Chu Feng.

The room was dark, making it difficult to see properly. All anyone could make out was a beautiful silhouette of a young lady with well-proportioned facial features.

She was seated in silence with her hands placed on her lap.

Chu Qing and the young lady sat facing each other in the dark and quiet room. It was a scene that gave off a strange and mysterious feeling.

After a long time, Chu Feng finally broke the silence, “I have to try no matter what. There’s only one chance and I cannot miss it again.”

His voice was gloomy. There was no trace of the warmness he usually displayed.

“Ahqing, I can never forget what happened all those years ago. Not for a single second have I forgotten the pain those people brought us!”

Chu Feng’s expression turned chillingly cold.

Ahqing sighed and said, “Elder Brother, do you believe a young teenager can be relied upon?”

Chu Feng chuckled as he recalled Lin Xun’s figure before sighing in admiration, “You can’t judge a book by the cover. Ahqing, you might not understand now, but a young man like him will definitely become the most dazzling heaven pride in the empire once he grows up!”

His eyes seemed to glow as he passionately said, “I’ve been practicing the dao of runes for so many years and have seen all kinds of geniuses. Only after meeting Lin Xun did I realize that all these so-called geniuses are just a bunch of trash!”

Ahqing was stunned as she looked at her brother. The usually composed Chu Feng was displaying an extremely rare fanatical expression. She could not help but wonder: was that young man truly so different from the others?

“Of course, he’s still young and lacks true influence and power. However, I can wait for his eventual rise!”

Chu Feng took a deep breath as his eyes shone with determination. “I believe in his intelligence and potential. He will definitely rise to greatness and become a true powerhouse in the future!”

At this point, he looked toward the young lady as a look of tenderness was revealed on his face. “When that time comes, our revenge will become possible. Ahqing, you will no longer need to hide and live in the darkness.”

Ahqing’s emotions seemed to stir somewhat but she soon displayed a bitter smile. “Elder Brother, I’m afraid that young man will have changed by that time. Are you certain he will still help us?”

Chu Feng was silent for a moment before he replied, “So what if I can’t be certain? This is our only chance. If we don’t grab it…our situation will only become increasingly dangerous.”

Ahqing could not help but ask, “Elder Brother, why don’t you tell him everything?”

Chu Feng shook his head. “Not yet. If I tell him now, it will only make him wary of me. After all, we’re only strangers to him. Do you think he will agree if we suddenly make such a request of him?”

Ahqing sighed softly, feeling greatly conflicted.

Chu Feng smiled and tried to console her. “Ahqing, there’s no need for you to think about such things. Leave everything to me. In my opinion, when he becomes a true bigwig, our little matter will be as easy as a flip of a hand for him.”

Ahqing nodded. “Elder Brother, I feel that making use of others is no good. You…must tell him the truth in the future. A talented young man like him definitely hates being lied to the most.”

Chu Feng made a noise in assent and rose to his feet. “Ahqing, have a good rest. I should get back to work.”

He pushed open the door and left, leaving the young lady’s frail figure to disappear into the darkness of the room.

The moment Chu Feng stepped out, he immediately regained his refined and distinguished appearance, every movement confident and filled with elegance.

Chu Feng soon walked into another private room.

There were already people waiting inside: an elder who was as thin as bamboo, a strong and honest young man, and a well-dressed listless woman.

Upon seeing Chu Feng enter, the three individuals rose to their feet. There was a sliver of respect on their faces.

“Old Diao, Xiongsan, Yan Mei. Thank you for waiting.”

Chu Feng greeted everyone with a smile and said, “I’ve called you guys here because there’s a matter I need to trouble you guys with.”

The elder called Old Diao nodded and said, “Brother Chu Feng, go ahead and tell us. Your problems are our problems.”

Chu Feng said, “Then I’ll go ahead. I need you guys to help me protect someone and ensure his identity is not leaked.”

“Protect someone?”

Old Diao, Xiongsan and Yan Mei were taken aback. They had assumed it to be some kind of dangerous mission. Who could have expected it would merely be protecting a person. This was a simple matter.

“Correct. Most importantly, you guys have to ensure that his daily life is not disturbed.”

Chu Feng’s expression turned serious as he continued, “This matter is of utmost importance to me. Hence, I hope that everyone will do their best.”

Old Diao said, “In other words, we’ll have to protect him from the darkness and cannot interfere in his daily life?”

Chu Feng approvingly said, “Precisely.”

Old Diao pondered some time and ultimately accepted, “Alright. Leave this matter to us!”

……

For the subsequent period of time, Lin Xun would visit the Rune Master Association in the afternoon to complete two crafting commissions. Afterwards, he would return home to cultivate, living an enriching and peaceful daily life.

However, due to Great Master Xun’s fame, a tremendous number of cultivators would arrive at the association every day, making the place a beehive of activity.

Regretfully, Lin Xun only accepted two commissions every day. Moreover, they would all be human-grade mid-tier aeth tools, causing many cultivators to sigh in disappointment.

However, numerous cultivators began to realize that Great Master Xun seemed to never fail any commissions he accepted. In addition, the aeth tools he crafted were of excellent quality and were clearly stronger than their counterparts on the market.

As such, Great Master Xun’s figure grew increasingly mighty in the cultivators’ hearts. Great Master Xun’s identity also became one of the most hotly debated topics among the cultivators.

Someone patted his chest and swore that Great Master Xun was an extraordinary talent who had once served as an instructor in Qinglu Academy and had come to Haze City because he was acquainted with Chu Feng.

Someone else said that Great Master Xun was from one of the empire’s three great rune clans and had come to Haze City in hopes of meeting the famous art cultivator, Miss Liu Qingyan.

Of course, this explanation was even more absurd. After all, everyone in Haze City knew that Liu Qingyan would only arrive in about two or three months.

All in all, there were all kinds of theories about Great Master Xun’s identity. No one could confirm their validity.

This was the power of fame.

Lin Xun did not know whether to laugh or cry when he heard these rumors. To him, fame and reputation were nothing but burdens. He would rather peacefully earn money than admit he had any relation to Great Master Xun.

On occasion, Lin Xun would feel strange about how peaceful it was. It seemed nothing like what Xue Jin had said about people using all kinds of methods to spy on him had occurred so far.

However, Lin Xun soon understood that Xue Jin had probably already taken action and neutralized numerous hidden spies, allowing Lin Xun to live a peaceful life.

When he returned home one day, Lin Xun saw Xue Jin snoring loudly in a corner and could not help but ask, “Old Jin, for the past few days…”

The sleeping Xue Jin suddenly burped and interjected, “Just concentrate on your cultivation. Why concern yourself with such matters?”

Lin Xun grinned upon hearing this, finally sure that it was all Xue Jin’s hard work.

Xue Jin suddenly added, “That Chu Feng has been quite meticulous in taking care of you. He has even sent three people to protect you in secret. However, they’ve all been chased away by me. With their strength, those people won’t be of any use if a real expert comes.

Lin Xun was stunned. After some thought, he said, “So something like that happened, huh.”

“That’s how being indebted works.” Xue Jin sighed and rolled over to continue sleeping.

Lin Xun thoughtfully said, “Old Jin, did you suffer before because you were indebted to someone?”

Xue Jin acted as if he heard nothing and continued to snore loudly.

However, Lin Xun managed to notice Old Jin’s body turn rigid for a split second when the question was asked.

It seems that he’s a man with a story as well.

Lin Xun sighed inwardly, turned around, and walked into the room.

The provincial exam registration began tomorrow and the venue was Haze Academy. Lin Xun needed to make some preparations.