NOVEL WEB chapter 160
160. The Summoning Order of Zhou Lingcheng
Lin Nuo felt that the thought process of this Heavenly Witch was too erratic, perhaps due to a few years’ gap, there seemed to be a generational divide.
What nonsense, your couple’s set is pale grey?
Then those who attend funerals all wear the same white attire, why don’t you say they’re partaking in a group activity?
Lin Nuo couldn’t help but slap her on the head.
“Stop with this nonsense, come here, let me style you.”
“Master is truly talented and versatile, even in styling.” Ling Meng couldn’t help but remark.
“I can’t make someone beautiful, but making them ugly? That’s simple.”
“Ah… you’re going to make me look ugly…” Ling Meng sounded somewhat displeased.
“What else? Did you think I was taking you to a banquet?”
Only then did Lin Nuo remove his hand from Ling Meng’s head, “With your looks, indeed too dazzling, you must be made to look plain.”
Right, to look plain, isn’t that just a matter of using your hands?
“So, Master, you’re acknowledging my beauty?” Ling Meng suddenly became proud.
“Yes, I’ve never denied it.”
Lin Nuo spoke calmly and evenly, to be fair, he wouldn’t go out of his way to deny his disciple’s beauty.
Although having a beautiful disciple was pleasing to the eye, being too ostentatious wasn’t good for a villain who wished to grow in the shadows.
Being praised by Lin Nuo should have been a joyous occasion, yet his indifferent tone made it hard for her to feel happy.
It felt like a perfunctory, heartless perfunctory.
“Hmph, Master, you’re brushing me off again.”
“I’m not brushing you off.”
“You say that, but I’ve never seen anyone praise a girl’s beauty with such a frosty face.”
“Well, now you have.”
“……”
This darn master, really infuriating!
Ling Meng fumed inwardly, powerless against Lin Nuo, but she made a mental note of this small grudge, vowing to get even when the opportunity arose.
“Stop the nonsense and sit properly.”
Ling Meng complied with Lin Nuo’s command, sitting quietly as he took out his makeup tools—rouge, eyebrow knives, and the like—to give Ling Meng an unattractive makeover.
Given Ling Meng’s natural beauty and originally enchanting appearance, it took considerable effort for Lin Nuo to make her look plain.
Moreover, he had to meet Ling Meng’s demand not to be made too ugly—mediocrity at most—or she would create a scene. The wrath of a demonic fairy was no laughing matter.
Lin Nuo could only try his best to satisfy her. He started by darkening her fair complexion, then added some wrinkle lines and bags under her eyes. He had intended to add some acne, but Ling Meng protested vehemently, and ultimately, Lin Nuo relented and left the acne out.
After the makeover, Ling Meng’s face lost its original allure and took on a commoner’s air. However, her naturally well-defined and attractive facial structure remained, and Lin Nuo didn’t overdo the ugliness. She now resembled a simple village girl.
Of course, a simple village girl wasn’t smooth-skinned and delicate. Lin Nuo also ‘uglified’ her hands a bit, drawing lines to make them look rough from years of labor.
“Alright, you can look at yourself in the bronze mirror.”
“Mmm…”
Ling Meng took the bronze mirror, pursed her lips at her reflection, and was clearly dissatisfied.
No matter how the makeup was done, Ling Meng would never be pleased with looking less beautiful. How could she be, with her lovely face spoiled by Lin Nuo?
Lin Nuo used another bronze mirror to apply makeup to himself, starting with a darkened face and adding deep wrinkle lines, making him look like a man weathered by hardships.
As for a scar, he added just a light one; it couldn’t be too deep, or he’d risk being mistaken for a gangster upon entering the city, which would be hard to explain to the local authorities.
“Alright, let’s get ready to leave.”
Lin Nuo packed up his tools, grabbed the provisions and water flask, and stood up to depart.
“Master, I’m not satisfied.”
“What are you dissatisfied with?”
“Can’t you make me look a bit prettier?”
“I’ve done the best I can. We’re not going to a banquet, and I shouldn’t have indulged you in the first place.”
Lin Nuo snatched the bronze mirror from Ling Meng’s hand, and she looked at him with a pout, feeling wronged.
Darn master, now that I’m made ugly, it’s on you, you have to take responsibility.
“Master, when it’s just the two of us, can you remove the makeup?”
“Why?”
“After all, you look more handsome and appealing with your original face.”
“Let’s go, no more dilly-dallying.”
Lin Nuo, carrying his pack, walked towards the cave entrance.
Ling Meng quickly got to her feet and followed, shouting, “Master, I’ll take that as a yes!”
Lin Nuo didn’t respond. This female disciple of his, if he engaged in too much conversation with her, she’d start thinking all sorts of nonsense. Better not to talk to her at all.
……
Zhou Ling City, the Lord’s Mansion.
A middle-aged city lord paced back and forth, visibly restless and anxious.
“My lord, the assassin ‘Poison Bee’ has killed several times within the city; I fear we must intensify our efforts.”
“That won’t do. Zhou Ling City is short on manpower. Many of the Taoist priests from the dojo have perished, and with wild beasts causing chaos nearby, we have no spare experts to confront him. And then there’s the altar. Whether it’s the Demon Refining Sect, the Dark Alliance, or other covert organizations, they’re all eyeing it eagerly. I know these assassins act according to their missions, merely killing a few people. But in comparison, if the altar falls, the common folk of this region will suffer immensely.”
“My lord, if that’s the case, why don’t we take a gamble? We’ve been strictly managing Zhou Ling City, repelling outsiders, which has stabilized the city to some extent but also kept away some capable individuals. We could issue a conscription order within the city, calling for brave souls with courage and a sense of justice to resist the wild beasts and alleviate our manpower pressure.”
“But what if villains take this opportunity to infiltrate?”
“There’s no choice, my lord. I’ve been strict, and Zhou Ling City is still in chaos. We must take this risk. Moreover, on the conscription order, we should offer a generous reward to the talented and differentiate the rewards based on merit, establishing a temporary league of righteousness. To join the higher ranks, one must earn their place. This way, it’ll be difficult for villains to blend in with the righteous league, and even if they do, they’ll have contributed to our cause, which is not a bad thing.”
The city lord listened to his strategist, stroking his beard in thought for a moment.
“Alright, let’s do it.”
With the city lord’s approval, he immediately ordered the strategist to arrange the matters, establish the league of righteousness, issue the conscription order, and seek approval from the imperial court to elevate the temporary league to the status of the royal army. This would attract more capable individuals.
Since Zhou Ling City was near the altar, they had the confidence to petition the imperial court. As expected, the court quickly approved and provided financial support. Those who joined the league of righteousness would not only receive rewards but also enhance their reputation. The news spread quickly, and more and more people headed to Zhou Ling City.