Why do I have so many masters?

"The human heart is like paper, indeed laughable."

"Wang Anfeng."

Wang Anfeng was slightly startled, then instinctively stood up straight and said:

"I am here."

The scholar in front of him closed his eyes, seemingly wanting to say something, but in the end, just waved his hand calmly and said: "Nothing... you may go. That old man Li hasn't been around you for a few days, go and catch up with Yuan Ci and the others."

Wang Anfeng hesitated internally, bowed, and left.

The scholar in the blue robe tapped the green bamboo armrest with his finger, remained silent for a long while, exhaled, and said:

"The human heart is like paper, worldly matters are like frost, unfit to be trusted."

The wind blew behind him, rustling the bamboo forest.

On the mountain behind Shaolin, in the bamboo forest Taoist temple, a Taoist dressed in a blue and white robe sat cross-legged on a futon, watching the clouds rise and fog condense, his voice gentle and leisurely.

"The human heart is like iron, the vast ocean for millennia, unchanged by a single thought."

......

Wang Anfeng stayed in the Shaolin Temple for quite a long time this time.

First, he read scriptures with his Master Yuan Ci, then studied medicinal properties with his second Master, and after that, he sought advice on how best to use the Golden Needle Overcoming Calamity. The elder was quite interested and taught him several needle techniques from Medicine King Valley. Although they weren't advantageous in combat, each had its own wonderful use.

As for Hong Luoyu, he first took Wang Anfeng to see a red wild horse.

Then, with contemptuous disdain, he remarked that Wang Anfeng, as a member of the Divine Thieves Sect, had a far too poor skill level; even transporting a 'Xu Sixing' in a city like Liangzhou City took tremendous effort. With this kind of performance, how could he sneak into the Tai Chi Palace in Heaven Capital City? How could he fulfill the tradition passed down through generations of the Divine Thieves Sect?

Perhaps having not spoken to anyone for too long, Hong Luoyu's words became increasingly far-fetched, and only stopped at Yuan Ci's gentle smile, sparing Wang Anfeng, who then hurriedly fled Shaolin Temple at Yuan Ci's behest.

Afterwards, peaceful Buddhist chants echoed through Shaolin Temple.

"Amitabha..."

Wang Anfeng returned to the guest room and let out a heavy sigh of relief, as if he had been through several life-and-death struggles, feeling exhausted both physically and mentally. He took a few backward steps and sat directly on the bed, with a bit of confusion in his eyes.

He had miscalculated.

Earlier, Hong Luoyu had stayed outside for a long time without showing, and Wang Anfeng almost forgot that compared to his unparalleled Qinggong, which ranked him among the top martial artists of this generation in Jianghu, his Master's incessant chatter was perhaps even more overwhelming, even the recluse on Kunlun Mountain might not be able to endure it.

But what is the tradition of the Divine Thieves Sect?

Could it be to sneak into the inner palace, stealing under the noses of the three thousand armored guards?

Wang Anfeng shook his head to clear this thought, which could cause chaos in Jianghu and the Imperial Court. He glanced at the still-comatose Xu Sixing, and dragged him out from under the bed.

Then he changed to a new method of needle insertion, using his Inner Strength to simulate the techniques of Medicine King Valley, administering needles once more. Fortunately, the internal method of Medicine King Valley follows the path of 'Yin and Yang circulation, returning to the singularity', and could barely be used with Shaolin's Pure Yang Inner Strength.

After needle insertion for a while, Wang Anfeng noticed Xu Sixing's Qi mechanism gradually stabilizing and secretly breathed a sigh of relief, raising his hand to remove the silver needles.

This person is currently very important, with significant implications. Although he guessed that the matter might be related to Dongfang Ningxin, he couldn't completely rule out the possibility that Dongfang Ningxin being here is a coincidence, and that someone else might be influencing Xu Sixing.

Furthermore, to obtain information from Jiu Zizai, he would likely have to rely on using Xu Sixing and Wuxin for exchange.

From the latter's speech, even if the wide-minded elder wasn't a pawn of Great Qin within Jianghu, he had various connections with the Imperial Court, explains why White Tiger Hall is so secretive and elusive, known to vanish without a trace, sometimes not even heard of by ordinary Jianghu people, yet Jiu Zizai could have acquired numerous intelligence early.

It's likely obtained from the Ministry of Punishment.

Currently, the matter of Xu Sixing implicates three major affairs and cannot afford any mishap.

...

Although the grand event of the wine festival had concluded, its aftertaste lingered for three days, and many still lingered in Liangzhou City. Hence, the decisions of Wang Anfeng and others were inconspicuous and didn't attract any attention.

Regarding the cost of staying at this inn, Wang Anfeng mentioned it once, then Wuxin replied that during operations by renowned captors of the Ministry of Punishment, each was allotted a certain amount of silver coins corresponding to the danger of their mission.

Being the future Chief Arrestor of the world and the current disciple of the Chief Arrestor, Wuxin had no intention of saving money for his teacher or the Imperial Court, saying directly that this time's expenses, as long as they didn't exceed limits, the Ministry of Punishment could cover Wang Anfeng's costs.

Then he revealed a figure that made Wang Anfeng doubt his eyes.

Only the innkeeper struggled daily, unsure how to calculate the accommodation cost, originally thinking that the 'fat sheep' definitely wouldn't want to stay three days, feeling fifteen taels per time was sufficient profit, never realizing the later changes, sleepless nights, feeling heartache, even slimming down the three double chins somewhat.

On the night of August seventeenth during the hour of the rat.

Wang Anfeng was alone with Xu Sixing in a guest room, while Li Qidao disdained the charcoal critter, opting not to live with him, and went to mingle with those Divine Martial Mansion veterans.

Li Qidao went, Cao Limin and others were only happy, if not on mission that restricts drinking, they would have emptied the wine cellar, only leaving Wang Anfeng in misery.

He suddenly regretted somewhat.

Yesterday wasn't the first time the Qi mechanism ascended the tower, why couldn't he restrain himself and release all the Qi mechanism from the Divine Weapon at once, sparing a few less strikes of lightning, Xu Sixing would have woken, take a step back, if not, at least the Ministry of Punishment could keep him breathing, not half-dead here with Wang Anfeng.

However, if not for this, Wuxin might not have told him about Jiu Zizai's affairs, and he might have left Liangzhou City these two days, once again missing Jiu Zizai.

The ups and downs of life, truly predestined beyond understanding.

Wang Anfeng lay sideways on the bed, putting together chairs, then set Xu Sixing atop, even he didn't want to sleep facing such a 'corpse', as he was used to cultivating in Shaolin Temple, even at sleep, never relaxing.

Teeth lightly clenching, eyes half-closed, breathing steady, Qi mechanism within gradually rose and fell with breaths, faintly resonating with Heaven and Earth.

In the serenity, a window was quietly pushed open.

Under the view of the concerned, the figure still lay sideways on the bed, sleeping soundly yet uneasily, taking out a Fragrant Pill, flicking it into the room.

Wisps of white mist arose.

The aroma was enticing.

This wasn't poison, but a superior medication that aids in deeper sleep, used frequently by martial artists before breakthroughs. The next day at the hour of the dragon, they would awaken feeling refreshed and clear-minded.

This method not only avoids suspicion but also guards against treasures like the Antidote Pill or the Miasma-Dispelling Jade Pearl, considered flawless.

For now, the figure on the bed slept even more soundly.

PS: Today's update... 5,500 words.