NOVEL WEB Chapter 91: Stage Four
Chapter 91: Stage Four
As Wang Liang and the five others held their shiny steel knives, Qin Liu wasn’t the least bit nervous, knowing that Xu Lian would intervene.
Xu Lian indeed took action, slowly extending his hand to grasp Chen Lu’s wrist, which held a short knife. He addressed Wang Liang: “You’ve given your master a lesson today, letting him know that he should use his brain more. Now, I’m going to teach you a lesson as well.”
“Who are you?” Wang Liang furrowed his brow, unsure of what Xu Lian intended to do. “What are you going to teach me?”
“Sometimes muscle is more useful than brains,” Xu Lian said, uttering a phrase that only he could understand. With a swift motion, he grasped Chen Lu’s wrist and swung it, causing the short knife to flash in the light, leaving a sharp blade mark in its wake.
“Pfft!” A burst of blood erupted, and Wang Liang’s expression turned wasary before his head slid off. The blade’s momentum didn’t slow down, and “Pfft, pfft, pfft!” More blood splatters flew, and the five others also lost their heads and fell to the ground.
Qin Liu, who had seen Xu Lian defeat Gu Yanming in the dungeon, wasn’t impressed by the scene. However, Chen Lu was stunned.
“A cultivator!” Chen Lu regained his composure, looking both astonished and delighted. “Qin Liu, you’re amazing! You’ve actually taken a cultivator as a disciple!”
Xu Lian asked, “Is it possible that Qin Liu brought me here to dig up this cultivator’s grave as a way to repay me for rescuing him from the dungeon?”
Chen Lu was taken aback, and his face turned awkward. “I see, that’s what it is.”
Xu Lian released Chen Lu’s wrist and grabbed the handle of the short knife.
Chen Lu hastily let go, saying, “You can have it if you like.”
[Item: Short Knife Forged from Refined Iron]
Xu Lian examined it briefly before losing interest, as the short knife didn’t even have a star rating, making it inferior to his one-star long sword. He returned it to Chen Lu, saying, “I don’t want it; I was just taking a look.”
Next, Xu Lian handed the manual to Qin Liu and said, “I’ve already read and memorized the manual, so I don’t need this copy. You two can share the spoils.”
Qin Liu and Chen discussed how to share the booty. They quickly agreed that Qin Liu would get the elixirs and most of the spirit stones, Chen Lu would get the short knife and a smaller portion of the spirit stones, and the manual would be shared between the two of them.
One was loyal, and the other valued relationships, making them good companions. The division of the loot was straightforward, without any disputes.
The three of them decided not to excavate the cultivator’s grave, as the owner had already placed the items outside, showing good intentions. It was likely that there was nothing valuable inside, and the entrance to the grave warned of evil spirits, making it unwise to disturb the cultivator’s rest.
“Xu Lian, can you teach me how to practice this manual?” Qin Liu asked as the three of them rested under a tree after descending the mountain. Qin Liu and Chen Lu pored over the manual but couldn’t understand it, so Qin Liu turned to Xu Lian for help.
Chen Lu also begged, “Master, please forgive me for any offense I may have caused on our journey. We apologize and ask you to teach us something. After what happened to Wang Liang, I’ve come to realize that without some martial arts skills for self-defense, one can be in danger at any moment.”
However, Xu Lian had learned the manual through direct absorption and didn’t know how to teach others. “You two don’t even have a basic foundation in martial arts, so it’s impossible for you to learn this manual. If you force yourself to practice, you’ll only end up harming your bodies.
If you really want to learn some self-defense techniques, I suggest you find a martial arts school in the county town and start with the basics. With the spirit stones you have, you can sell a few and exchange them for a large amount of money, which will cover your tuition and living expenses.”
Chen Lu let out a sigh, “I’ve been digging graves for so many years, and I’m really tired of it. Especially after taking Wang Liang as my disciple, I’ve become even more disillusioned. I’ve thought about retiring.”
However, Qin Liu was not pleased with this idea. “What are you talking about? I’m still in my twenties, and you’re not even forty. We’re still young, and we have a long life ahead of us. We can’t just sit back and rely on our past accomplishments. We must continue to learn martial arts and dig graves.”
Chen Lu’s mind was elsewhere, and he absent-mindedly replied, “Let’s take a break for now.”
Xu Lian observed Chen Lu’s behavior and made an educated guess, “You’re not thinking of taking that woman back home, are you?”
Qin Liu’s eyes widened in surprise, “Brother Chen, is that so?”
Chen Lu’s face turned slightly red as his thoughts were exposed, “I do have that intention. She’s been with me for over a decade, and we never had any children. She thought it was her problem and kept advising me to take another wife, but I didn’t agree. I suppose that’s why she left me. But after she followed Wang Liang, she had two children, which makes it clear that the problem lies with me, don’t blame her. I plan to bring her back, and now that we have children, we should be able to live a stable life together”.
The complexity of relationships between men and women is truly puzzling… Xu Lian didn’t know what to say.
Qin Liu was also at a loss for words.
A few days later, the three of them returned to Pingyang County and parted ways.
Of course, Xu Lian returned to the Lin family compound. Qin Liu went to stay with Chen Lu, as their relationship was that of long-time brothers who had traveled together.
Upon returning to the Lin family estate, Xu Lian eagerly made his way to Lin Wan’s chamber. After spending so many days in the mountains with Qin Liu and Chen Lu, he had missed Lin Wan dearly.
Before he could even speak, Lin Wan understood the longing in his eyes and blushed, closing the doors and windows, not even bothering to consider that it was still daytime.
Xu Lian was overjoyed, thinking to himself, “She’s a wonderful woman, truly understanding of a man’s desires”. He didn’t hesitate and immediately got intimate with her.
【Name: Xu Lian】
【Rank: Bright Strength Stage Three】
【Skills: Breaking Wind Sword Technique (Volume 1), Seven Styles of Primal Gang (Complete Edition)】
【Items: None (1-star long sword not equipped)】
【Notes: Lin Wan’s affection for you has increased from 85/100 to 90/100. You have earned 1 progression point, which can be used to upgrade your rank, skills, or items.】
Xu Lian was excited because the increase in affection was quite significant, indicating that Lin Wan had strong feelings for him.
Looking at Lin Wan who was now asleep, he thought to himself, “I’ll upgrade my rank.”
【Rank upgrade successful, adding 8 Condensation Pills will allow you to advance to Bright Strength Stage Four】
He took out 8 Condensation Pills and held them in his hand, thinking, “Add the materials”.
【Materials added successfully, advancing to Bright Strength Stage Four】
The 8 Condensation Pills turned to ash, and he felt his internal energy increase, like a gentle stream flowing, making a soft “gurgling” sound.
He raised one hand, and with a slight movement of his intention, a misty aura resembling white flames appeared that danced and jumped.
Lin Wan, who seemed to sense this, woke up and felt happy for him, “Husband, has your strength improved?”
“When one’s mind is clear and their emotions are at ease, it’s easier to improve your abilities.”
Xu Lian enjoyed hearing her call him “husband”, so he said, “It’s almost dark, let’s take a nap for a while and then get up for dinner.”
Lin Wan wouldn’t refuse, and she decided to indulge him as a way to celebrate.
Just then, they heard Xiao Yu calling from outside, “Young Miss, the Mistress wants you to go to the living room. The Second Miss has returned with the Second Young Master, and they say they have something to discuss.”
It was clear that Xiao Yu was aware of Xu Lian’s presence in the room.
Lin Wan replied, “All right, I’ll be right there.”