Finding a Home

The master and disciple set off, entering Chaoge from the south gate—the greatest city in the world today.

This was Lu Chuan's second time visiting Chaoge, and since he was not in a rush, he could take his time to properly witness this majestic city.

Chaoge was vast.

Based on his own secret estimation, the towering city walls were at least eighteen meters high—or, converted into ancient units of measurement, roughly six zhang.

Because the city was so immense, each side featured nine openings—one large gate flanked by two smaller ones—to allow for the flow of people.

High-ranking officials and nobles used the center, while commoners used the sides.

After the soldiers at the gate inspected Lu Chuan's small bundle, the two of them were allowed into the city.

Inside the bundle were only two sets of coarse cloth garments Lu Chuan had secretly packed when he decided to run away from home; they were neither particularly valuable nor luxurious.

The gate tunnel was deep, feeling rather dim as they walked through, with the exit appearing as a small, glowing hole ahead.

Walking through that stretch felt like passing through a small tunnel, which gave one a glimpse of just how sturdy the city walls truly were.

Before they had even fully entered the city, Lu Chuan's ears were suddenly filled with a cacophony of noise—all sorts of hawking and shouting from vendors flooded his senses.

Lu Chuan could not help but look up, casting another glance toward the center of Chaoge, where the most luxurious palace of all stood.

However, he still could not see anything.

Without the "vision" shared by Shen Gongbao, he could neither see the National Destiny Black Bird of Yin Shang nor that eerie red light.

Yet this time, even without Shen Gongbao telling him, Lu Chuan knew exactly what that demonic light in the palace was; it could be none other than the Nine-Tailed Fox possessing Daji.

However, what truly puzzled Lu Chuan at this moment was something else entirely.

Judging by Shen Gongbao's words just now, his relationship with his fellow Yuxu disciples was, if not excellent, at least normal.

On the day of Jiang Ziya's wedding, he had traveled thousands of miles to offer his congratulations and gifts, and today, he was angry because King Zhou had burned the sword presented by Yun Zhongzi.

Furthermore, listening to him, it seemed he was also aware that the Investiture of the Gods Catastrophe was imminent.

If he knew about the catastrophe, why would he later fall out with the members of the Exposition Sect and become irreconcilable with Jiang Ziya?

"Strange!"

Lu Chuan muttered to himself, hurrying to keep up with Shen Gongbao's pace.

Entertainment in this world was extremely scarce; there were no electronic products, and people's daily routines strictly followed the eight-character rule: "Work at sunrise, rest at sunset."

They slept very early every night, so naturally, they rose very early in the morning.

"Master, where are we going?"

After entering the city, Lu Chuan looked left and right, but Shen Gongbao did not spare these sights a single glance, simply striding forward.

"To eat!"

"So, Master, you are hungry?" Lu Chuan laughed.

"This Seat has long since attained the Way and does not consume the five grains."

Shen Gongbao finished speaking and glanced at Lu Chuan's stomach. "Are you not hungry, though?"

Lu Chuan nodded quickly. "I am!"

"Then follow me."

Shen Gongbao walked with long strides, and Lu Chuan hurried to keep up. Soon, the two arrived at a tavern.

There were no tables in the tavern, only long, low desks. Seven or eight guests were kneeling on cushions, and most of the spots were still empty.

"Daoist, what would you like to eat?"

The waiter in the shop immediately greeted them with a smile, eyeing the Daoist robe on Shen Gongbao.

Lu Chuan looked at the meat dishes on the other diners' desks and could not help but swallow his saliva.

Shen Gongbao said, "Two bowls of morning tea, four steamed buns, and two plates of vegetarian dishes."

With that, he sat down at one of the desks.

"Right away, Daoist, please wait a moment."

The waiter turned and left.

Lu Chuan quickly asked, "Master, what did you say? We are eating vegetarian?"

"Cultivation is not just about the body; it is also about the heart. If you cannot even overcome a bit of gluttony, what kind of cultivation are you doing?"

Shen Gongbao said indifferently, "Eating vegetarian at the beginning of one's cultivation can help you clear your heart and reduce desires, cutting off complex thoughts so you can cultivate better. Do you understand?"

Lu Chuan said, "I understand."

He remembered that the meal Jiang Ziya had at the Song Mansion was vegetarian; those under the Exposition Sect either didn't eat at all, or they mostly ate vegetarian.

Since it was good for cultivation, he might as well give up meat. It seemed he was destined to be a vegetarian from now on. If he couldn't even manage this, he might as well forget about cultivating the Way or becoming an immortal.

After finishing the meal, Shen Gongbao stood up, walked to the counter, and asked, "Shopkeeper, may I ask, are there any houses for sale in this vicinity?"

"A house?"

The shopkeeper was startled for a moment, thought for a while, and said, "Daoist, there aren't any houses for sale, but there is a shop nearby that can no longer stay in business and is looking to transfer its lease."

"Where is it?"

The shopkeeper smiled. "Not far from here. Go out, turn left, and it's the seventh shop."

"Many thanks." Shen Gongbao added, "Also, how much for the meal? Please tally it up so this poor Daoist may settle the bill."

The shopkeeper took a look and chuckled. "Steamed buns are one coin for two, the vegetarian dishes are two coins a plate, and the morning tea is one coin a cup. That comes to eight coins in total."

Shen Gongbao nodded, fished eight copper coins from his sleeve, and placed them on the counter.

He then turned back to Lu Chuan and said, "Once you finish eating, come find me to the left."

Lu Chuan was a bit surprised, but he nodded and watched as Shen Gongbao walked out and headed left.

What did he go off to do?

Lu Chuan felt a bit curious, but seeing that Shen Gongbao had settled the bill before leaving, he wasn't in any rush.

"Shopkeeper, where did my master go?" Lu Chuan asked while eating.

The shopkeeper was in his forties, dressed in fine silk; it was clear his family was well-off, likely wealthy or influential.

Hearing this, he replied, "The Daoist was just asking if there were any houses for sale around here."

"A house? Why buy a house?"

Lu Chuan found it strange. Shen Gongbao's actions were truly unfathomable, leaving him completely bewildered.

He had originally thought they were only coming to Chaoge for a couple of days to look around. He hadn't expected that upon arrival, Shen Gongbao would suddenly want to buy a house. Could it be that he intended to settle down in Chaoge?

After finishing breakfast, Lu Chuan left the restaurant and followed the shopkeeper's directions, passing six shops to the left, and sure enough, he found Shen Gongbao.

This shop was not very large; it sold handmade wood carvings, and the shelves were filled with various small trinkets—birds, beasts, insects, and fish.

Behind it was a small courtyard with three rooms.

When Lu Chuan entered, Shen Gongbao was in the middle of paying. The owner was a middle-aged man in simple cloth garments who looked quite honest, accompanied by an eight or nine-year-old girl.

Including all the merchandise, the deal was finally settled for three hundred taels of silver.

"Wait..."

Just as Shen Gongbao was about to hand over the silver and receive the deed from the owner, he suddenly spoke.

"Daoist, we have already agreed on the price. You cannot go back on your word now."

Seeing this, Shen Gongbao handed over the silver, took the deed in exchange, and smiled. "I am not going back on my word; I only meant that from this moment on, our transaction is complete."

"Very well!"

The owner nodded, took his daughter, and hurried away, having already packed up since the transfer had been arranged.

The two watched the father and daughter leave, and Lu Chuan asked, "Master, why did you buy this shop?"

"This master has his own uses for it. You will know in time. From today on, we shall settle down and make our home here in Chaoge."

Shen Gongbao continued, "Next, I shall teach you the art of war, martial arts, and Daoist techniques. You must study diligently to prepare for the future..."

"The art of war?"

Lu Chuan said, "Master, learning martial arts and Daoist techniques is one thing, but isn't the art of war used for leading troops into battle? What do I need that for?"

"I tell you to learn, so you learn."