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Seeing Lu Chen kill someone, the onlookers had long since fled.
Although the Zhou Wu Dynasty started from a foreign land, it still valued the law. Killing someone meant paying with one's life. Even witnesses would be dragged to the magistrate's office for questioning, and no one wanted to get involved in such misfortune.
The landlord had already been killed, and Lu Chen rushed over to help the boy who had been beaten half to death with a stick. The boy had already recognized Lu Chen as his master in his heart, and upon seeing his master in trouble, he rushed forward without hesitation, showing loyalty that deeply moved Lu Chen.
"We've killed someone. We need to escape quickly before the officials arrive," Lu Chen urged, rolling up his sleeves to wipe the blood from the boy's mouth.
He had been so angry that he accidentally killed someone. A dozen or so ordinary people were definitely no match for him, even if they had weapons. However, if the authorities pursued the matter, the outcome would be different; after all, Six Doors was not to be trifled with.
"Master, I will do whatever you say!" The boy completely obeyed Lu Chen.
The two exchanged a glance and then ran toward the East Gate of Fufeng County. Fortunately, the news had not spread yet, and the city gate was not under lockdown. They easily left the city and ran for thirty or forty miles before feeling somewhat at ease.
"Master, I didn't steal anything from the landlord; I was wronged."
As they walked along the road, the boy seemed to have thought for a long time before speaking his mind. He was afraid that Lu Chen would abandon him because no one would like a servant with a history of theft.
His tone remained calm and unhurried; although he sounded somewhat awkward, he was clearly well-mannered.
"I used to be a servant too, struggling among beggars. I can tell you're not someone who steals. Also, don't call me master," Lu Chen said slowly as they walked.
"I am your servant; you are my master," the boy insisted.
Lu Chen couldn't argue with him. They were about the same age, and he didn't want to take advantage of this honest person regarding titles.
But at that moment, he felt unable to communicate with him and could only hope to gradually change his way of addressing him in the future.
"What is your name?" Lu Chen asked.
"In response to the master, my family name is Mu, and I have no given name. The previous master called me Amu. I am from Fufeng County," the young boy reported his name and origin.
Many servants and slaves were sold to others at birth; some retained their surnames while others did not. If they performed well and worked diligently, the master would grant them a surname.
"If I call you Amu, and you call me master, that would be unfair to you. My name is Lu Chen, and I am only sixteen, just a year older than you. I respect you as a man of honor and loyalty. If you don't mind me, we can be brothers from now on. What do you think?" Lu Chen asked.
"That is not acceptable; you are the master, and I am a servant. A servant must know their place and not overstep boundaries," the boy said, walking in such a way that his steps never exceeded those of Lu Chen, always lagging one or two steps behind.
"I think you are a good person, but you are too stubborn, adhering strictly to Confucian principles. Since you refuse to change how you address me, I will call you Old Mu from now on. This way, it won't be too unfair for you," Lu Chen decided that calling him Old Mu would make him feel more at ease.
"Thank you for the name, Master. From now on, I will be called Old Mu," Old Mu replied, his face still showing youthful innocence despite being stained.
Lu Chen nodded and said, "I need to go to Yushan Kingdom for some matters. I might not return for three to five years. Do you want to come with me? If you choose not to go, I can give you some silver so you can find your own way and perhaps rent a small plot of land to farm."
"Wherever the master goes, I will follow," Old Mu said resolutely.
"Good. Since you're so sincere, I won't send you away. We can look out for each other. When we reach the next town market, I'll help you buy some suitable clothes to change into," Lu Chen added.
It was time for Lu Chen to change his own clothes as well.
"Thank you for your generosity..."
In a muddled turn of events, he found himself with an additional servant by his side. It was fortunate that the landlord had despised Old Mu and resolutely refused him, which had left Old Mu disheartened. Otherwise, with Old Mu's temperament, he would surely have been unable to drive him away even if he had tried forcefully.
Originally, Lu Chen did not want to bring Old Mu along, but thinking about his future in the Five Element Sect as a True Disciple, where he would establish his own business and influence, he realized he needed suitable talent to manage his affairs. Old Mu was skilled in accounting and had studied Confucian classics, making him an ideal choice for Lu Chen.
What Lu Chen valued most was Old Mu's loyalty and strong sense of righteousness; only someone like him could put Lu Chen at ease.
The two walked along the official road, and Old Mu cleaned himself up at a pond by the roadside, tidying his messy hair into a bun, which made him look more presentable.
After walking for some time, they arrived at a town. Lu Chen spent some silver to buy new clothes for both himself and Old Mu. He chose a set of ordinary coarse clothing.
After all, the Supreme Garment was too worn out and looked strange, resembling something a zombie would wear. However, Old Mu was unaware of the hidden significance of that garment. Lu Chen bought new clothes to wrap the Supreme Garment inside so that it wouldn't be seen.
Old Mu bought a brand-new set of blue clothing and cloth shoes. As a servant, he didn't want to wear the same clothes as Lu Chen and was quite pleased with himself.
Old Mu only smiled at Lu Chen; his smile was somewhat stiff, with wide eyes staring at Lu Chen, revealing two prominent front teeth that gave him a beggar-like quality.
Lu Chen thought to himself that Old Mu's smile seemed a bit off-putting, so he didn't laugh out loud but merely grinned. It was no wonder the previous landlord didn't want him and decided to sell him off.
Both Lu Chen and Old Mu were wanted for murder; if caught by the authorities, they would surely face execution. Notices were posted in the county towns and markets along their route offering rewards for their capture.
However, Lu Chen was cautious as they traveled northeast with Old Mu. They avoided staying at inns, walking until dark; when tired, they would sleep on the ground; when hungry, they ate dry rations; when thirsty, they drank from streams, covering about three hundred miles each day.
At this point, Lu Chen felt no fatigue. The Supreme Garment repaired his flesh and made him immune to toxins. The Yin Yuan Pearl hung in his lungs like a sun, continuously emitting Yin Yuan that nourished his Yin Spirit like sunlight warming the earth.
Old Mu was astonished by Lu Chen's iron-like flesh but kept his thoughts to himself due to his reserved nature; he wouldn’t ask questions that weren’t appropriate and would swallow any discomfort without complaint.
After about a month and a half of traveling through the Central Plains Nineteen States and the northern nine provinces, covering over ten thousand miles, they finally crossed out of the Great Zhou Dynasty's borders into Yushan Kingdom and reached the Five Element Sect.
The Five Element Sect is located near the Great Zhou Dynasty's North Kyushu. The entire North Kyushu is divided into four northwest states and five northeast states, with the four northwest states under the rule of the Prairie King Zhalmuha.
The five northeast states are governed by the King of Qi, Huangfu Yi. Huangfu is the royal surname of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and the King of Qi, Huangfu Yi, is currently the Ninth Brother of the Emperor of Great Zhou, ruling over five states and overseeing two hundred thousand households.
The Five Element Sect is situated on the border between Yushan Kingdom and Qi Kingdom.
The status of the Five Element Sect in the Great Zhou Dynasty is not as high as that of Shaolin Temple, but in Yushan Kingdom, it holds a position similar to that of Shaolin Temple in Great Zhou, receiving great respect.
In the Great Zhou Dynasty, not only royal family members but also high-ranking officials frequently visit Shaolin Temple to offer incense and make donations. The current emperor occasionally visits in person to pray for the common people, demonstrating his benevolence. This shows that the Great Zhou Dynasty highly values Buddhism.
However, unlike Shaolin Temple, the Five Element Sect follows Taoism and worships Taoist ancestors. It does not emphasize purity of mind and maintains close ties with the Yushan Royal Family. They often assist the king in burning offerings and refining elixirs, and even cultivate skilled practitioners for Yushan Kingdom. The kingdom frequently sends princes and princesses to the Five Element Sect for cultivation.
Su Wutong once mentioned that the overall strength of Eastern Shaolin cannot compare to that of the Five Element Sect.
The sky was a clear blue, with a gentle sun hanging high above.
Lu Chen and Old Mu stood in place, gazing at the majestic peaks piercing through the clouds in the distance, one after another.
The mountains were adorned with ancient trees and lush greenery, so dark green it appeared almost black. Colorful clouds rose from within the mountains, filled with spiritual energy, while vibrant mists swirled around. A grand waterfall cascaded down amidst ancient pavilions and towers interspersed throughout.
As soon as one enters the territory of the Five Element Sect, a refreshing feeling envelops them; this place is like a celestial mountain, immersed in ethereal energy that greatly benefits both flesh and Yin Spirit.
"Let's go, Old Mu; we have arrived at our destination," Lu Chen called out to Old Mu and then walked along the path toward the celestial mountain of the Five Element Sect.
"Yes, my lord," Old Mu replied, following closely behind Lu Chen.
Looking at the distance of only seven or eight miles, it actually took quite a bit of time to walk.
Along the way, there were cottages and farmers working the fields. Some were plowing with oxen, while others were harvesting, which was even more remarkable than in the south.
The Five Element Sect is a major sect that can use spells to change the climate and promote crop growth, allowing for continuous farming throughout the four seasons. The farmers here are very happy, relying on the Five Element Sect as a strong support, unaffected by external wars, and enjoying bountiful harvests year after year.
These farmers are tenants of the Five Element Sect, bound by a rental contract. They come here to farm and pay a small tax. The Five Element Sect provides them protection and ensures their safety.
As they approached the mountain gate of the Five Element Sect Celestial Mountain, a few shops began to appear, selling daily necessities, oils, salt, and ironware. There were also a few bustling restaurants and tea houses.
The Five Element Sect is recruiting Sixty-First Generation Disciples once every thirty years, so many people naturally came to participate.
The further they walked, the more crowded it became, bustling with activity. Fortunately, the Five Element Sect had carved out a wide road here that could accommodate fifty people walking side by side.
Lu Chen and Old Mu navigated through the crowd, seeing many talented youths and young women armed with swords and knives. These individuals were all vying for entry into the Five Element Sect for cultivation.
As they walked along, they saw thousands of people, including many wealthy youths and members of the royal family from Yushan Kingdom. Even from the Great Zhou Dynasty, many marquis heirs and princesses had come.
Lu Chen and Old Mu continued forward until they reached the foot of the Five Element Sect's mountain gate. Here, there was a registration area for newcomers; everyone had to register before waiting for the next step.
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