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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 4: Xiang He and Pinran
The Jiuzhou Gathering Conference has concluded, with the first place taken by Xiang He, a disciple of the Lone Moon Sect. It is rumored that Xiang He is a direct disciple of Xu Mo Wen and has received his true teachings. His cultivation has reached the Realm of Knowing Destiny and Great Perfection, making him one of the top contenders for first place in this Jiuzhou Gathering Conference, ranking third on the Stele.
Lin Feng had not gone anywhere these past few days; he was busy running his noodle shop. Although the noodles remained unappetizing, business was still dismal. He needed to wait until the Jiuzhou Gathering Conference was over.
Wind Spirit looked at the empty noodle shop and sighed, "A dignified Three Saints running a noodle shop, yet there are no customers. If this gets out, it might become a laughingstock for generations."
"Just get used to it. After all, Lin Feng's skills are what they are," Lin Miaomiao replied with a smile.
On this day, two rare customers entered the noodle shop: a young man and woman. The boy was delicate-looking, while the girl appeared shy.
Finally, some customers! Wind Spirit greeted them warmly, "Welcome! Please come in. What would you like to eat? We have Beef Noodle Soup, Beef Fried Noodles, Beef Fried Rice, Egg Fried Noodles, and various other noodle dishes."
"I'll have a bowl of beef noodle soup and a bowl of egg fried noodles, thank you," the young man said politely.
"Great! Please wait a moment," Wind Spirit said as she went to the kitchen to place the order.
While waiting for their food, the young man and woman began to chat.
"Pinran, do you know why I brought you to this noodle shop?" the young man asked.
The girl shook her head. "I don't know. Is it because the noodles taste particularly good? A centennial old shop?"
The young man shook his head. "I can't say how it tastes. But this Feng Miao Noodle House has quite a history. Back in the day when I, Lin Feng, along with my seniors Lin Miaomiao came to Jiuzhou for the Jiu Zhou Gathering, we opened this noodle shop here."
"Lin Feng and Lin Miaomiao? Is this where Feng Miao Noodle House originated?" Pinran asked.
The young man, Xiang He, nodded slightly. "Now both of these seniors have become Sages, and they are my goals to pursue. On my first day in Gaojing, I came to this noodle shop, but unfortunately, it was always closed. Just the other day, I heard that the shop has reopened, so I hurried to bring you here."
Pinran suddenly spoke with a calm demeanor. "Actually, my sister has some connections with Lin Saint."
"Oh? Who is your sister?" Xiang He asked.
"You know how it is. As disciples of Red Flower Palace, we come to Zhongzhou to find support and seek dual cultivation partners. Years ago, my sister Magenta came to Zhongzhou and took a liking to Lin Saint. Unfortunately, Lin Saint has always been indifferent towards her. Later on, during the Jiuzhou Gathering Conference, a great change occurred, and my sister died. To this day, I have not found her body." Pinran said, her face filled with sorrow as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Xiang He wiped the tears from Pinran's eyes and said, "Pinran, don't worry. It is said that the disciple who wins first place in the Jiuzhou Gathering Conference can meet Lin Saint. I believe Lin Saint knows the whereabouts of your sister. When the time comes, I will definitely inquire about it for you."
Clatter...
A sound of something shattering came from the kitchen. Lin Feng was lost in thought as he listened to the conversation outside, causing the plate in his hand to drop and break on the floor. Wind Spirit entered and looked at the dazed Lin Feng. "Lin Feng, what's wrong with you?"
At the same time, Lin Miaomiao at the counter also gazed at the pair with a look of reminiscence.
Scenes from the past flipped through her mind. That red figure seemed to come back to life as she busily moved around the noodle shop.
That red figure had eyes only for one person—and it was because of him that she had died.
"Sister Miao, can we consider ourselves friends?"
"Of course."
"Then I would like Lin Feng to give me a hug of encouragement between friends."
A tear fell from Lin Miaomiao's eye. At that moment, she wondered why she had been so resolute. Why hadn’t she just agreed? It was only a hug, yet it became a regret in her heart.
The Wind Spirit observed the tension between Lin Feng and Lin Miaomiao, recalling some rumors from over a decade ago about the Jiuzhou Gathering Conference. It sensed something but remained unaware of the specifics.
Lin Feng personally carried the noodles out and approached Xiang He and Pinran. He set down the bowls and said, "Your noodles are ready."
"Thank you," Xiang He replied politely.
Lin Feng turned to Pinran and froze for a moment. Pinran looked almost identical to Magenta, dressed in red, and for an instant, Lin Feng felt as if he were seeing Magenta resurrected.
Noticing that Lin Feng hadn’t left, Xiang He asked, "Do you... have something else to say?"
Lin Feng snapped back to reality and smiled, "No, enjoy your meal."
As he walked away, he caught sight of Lin Miaomiao at the counter. Their eyes met, and both felt a complex swirl of emotions.
After Pinran and Xiang He finished their noodles and were about to leave, Lin Feng appeared. He stepped in front of Pinran and pulled out a jade bracelet, offering it to her. "Miss, this bracelet is for you."
Pinran looked at Lin Feng with confusion. "Why are you giving me this?"
Lin Feng smiled and explained, "I bought this noodle shop, but business has been slow. I thought that I would give something to the first customer who came in to eat. It’s both a thank you and a hope for better business in the future."
"I see," Pinran said as she accepted the bracelet. It exuded an indescribable charm that made her reluctant to part with it. She happily put it on her wrist and asked, "Xiang He, does it look good?"
"It looks great; you’d look good in anything," Xiang He replied.
"Cut it out, I don't believe you," Pinran said, turning to Lin Feng with a grateful expression. "Thank you, Boss. We'll come again next time. But Boss, could you cook the noodles a bit longer next time? And can they be pulled thinner?"
Wind Spirit and Lin Miaomiao couldn't help but chuckle at this.
"Of course, of course," Lin Feng replied with an awkward smile.
The bracelet contained a Divine Ability from Lin Feng that could help Pinran through a trial. Lin Feng watched as Pinran left, still standing in the night.
"They really look alike," Lin Miaomiao remarked as she approached.
"Yeah. I hope she grows up well," Lin Feng sighed.
"She definitely will. Those two seem to be quite compatible," Lin Miaomiao said.
"I hope she can find her own happiness."
"Magenta's physical body is still with you, right?"
"Yes. Once the Jiuzhou Gathering Conference is over, I'll have her sister take it back."
"Why not deliver it yourself?"
Lin Feng fell silent for a moment before saying, "Back then, her master spent her lifespan to calculate for her. I don't want to see her master."
In the following days, Pinran and Xiang He often came to the noodle shop to eat. They gradually became familiar with Lin Feng and began to realize that he was no ordinary person; he was a seasoned practitioner whom they respected greatly. Lin Feng also offered them some guidance, which proved to be quite beneficial for them.
Half a month later, the Jiuzhou Gathering Conference came to an end. The disciple Xiang He from Solitary Moon City secured the top spot on all three lists. He was the second person from Solitary Moon City to achieve this after Lin Feng.
Xiang He entered the noodle shop with Pinran, both in high spirits.
“Senior, I did it! I topped the Jiuzhou Gathering Conference!” Xiang He exclaimed, his face beaming with excitement.
Lin Feng was also happy for Xiang He and felt pleased that Solitary Moon City had promising successors. “Today, we must celebrate with some good food and fine wine.”
“Senior, isn’t there only noodles here?” Pinran asked.
“That’s easy to fix.”
Lin Feng sent a message over a distance, and within no time at all, Tu Yu arrived with a table full of delicious dishes and aged wine.
At the table were Lin Feng, Lin Miaomiao, Wind Spirit, Tu Yu, Pinran, and Xiang He. They chatted merrily, and after several rounds of drinks, Xiang He became more relaxed.
“My goal is to become like my senior Lin Feng, the Lin Saint of Solitary Moon City. I hope to enter the Divine Ruins next and become your junior brother. I want to become a true Sword Saint,” Xiang He declared passionately.
“Go for it, brother. You can do it,” Lin Feng encouraged him. If Lin Bai had not died back then, entering the Sage Realm would have been an easy feat for him.
Pinran said, “Xiang He, when you reach that level and become a Sage, will you forget about me?”
To the men of Duhonghua Palace, disciples were often fleeting encounters. After dual cultivation, they would fade away without leaving a trace. Thus, one should not get emotionally attached. However, Pinran had already developed deep feelings for Xiang He and found it hard to let go.
Xiang He patted his chest and vowed, “I, Xiang He, will never let you down in this life. I will definitely marry you. Tomorrow, I will meet with Lin Saint and inquire about your sister’s whereabouts.”
“Xiang He, you are truly wonderful.” Pinran gazed at Xiang He with deep affection, her face radiating happiness.
The next day, Lin Feng sat in the back courtyard of Divine General Manor to meet the top disciple from the Jiuzhou Gathering Conference. Xiang He entered the courtyard, his face filled with anxiety and hope.
The moment Xiang He saw Lin Feng, he was taken aback. “Senior, is it really you?”
Lin Feng smiled and replied, “Why wouldn’t it be me?”
Xiang He immediately knelt down and bowed deeply. “Disciple Xiang He pays respects to Shishu, pays respects to Lin Saint.”
“Get up,” Lin Feng nodded.
“Thank you, Shishu.” Xiang He rose and looked at Lin Feng before him, realizing that the boss of the noodle shop he saw every day was actually the goal he had in mind.
Lin Feng gestured for Xiang He to take a seat and then asked, “What do you wish for me to help you understand?”
Once Xiang He felt more at ease, he said, “Regarding questions about cultivation, Senior, you have imparted so much over these days that I haven’t fully digested it all. Shishu, I have two questions.”
“Go ahead.”
“The first question: Where is Pinran’s sister, Magenta, now?”
“For that question, I will provide her with an explanation.”
“Thank you, Shishu. The second question: Do I qualify to enter the Divine Ruins?” Xiang He looked at Lin Feng with eager anticipation.
Lin Feng thought for a moment and said, "In the Divine Ruins, aside from the master, the only one who can take in disciples is the eldest senior brother. I can recommend you to him."
"Thank you, Shishu." Xiang He exclaimed with joy; entering the Divine Ruins was a dream come true for a cultivator like him.
Lin Feng continued, "However, I need to remind you that the Apocalyptic War is approaching quickly. Whether or not you enter the Divine Ruins has become less important. Cultivation relies on one's state of mind and Dao heart. If your mind is stable and your Dao heart is clear, when the time is right, you will possess the strength to inherit. Therefore, where you cultivate is somewhat important, but not particularly so."
Xiang He pondered Lin Feng's words and after a long while said, "I understand, disciple."
"Additionally, cherish those around you. I cannot predict what will happen when the Apocalyptic War arrives. Thus, while cultivating, do not neglect the people beside you," Lin Feng advised.
"Rest assured, Shishu. I will learn from you and cherish Pinran well," Xiang He replied earnestly.
Lin Feng became a Sage of the human race, and many of his deeds were recorded in history, passed down through the ages. One of his famous sayings was to never forget one's original intention in love.
Lin Feng and Lin Miaomiao grew up together as childhood sweethearts, hand in hand, becoming a legendary tale. (To be continued...)
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