"Huh?" Yang Zhen looked at the old man shaking his head with a strange expression and asked curiously, "Fellow villager, everything I said is true. How can you say it's absurd?"
The old man's clothes were impeccably dressed, his hair was perfectly styled, and everything about him was impeccably groomed, making him look like an old scholar. Upon hearing Yang Zhen's words, he snorted and said, "You are so young, why are you so ostentatious? Don't you know that cultivation is a practical and down-to-earth endeavor? Steadfast and diligent cultivation is the right path."
At this point, the old man changed the subject, staring at Yang Zhen and saying, "Let me ask you, you said you've met Yang Zhen and know that many young women are infatuated with him, yet you pay him so much attention?"
Seeing the old man's serious expression, the others all gloated.
"This Master Tie a good man in every way, a kind-hearted fellow, except he can't tolerate the slightest imperfection and can't stand young people being overly ambitious."
"That kid is really unlucky. Of all times to speak, he had to say it now. And to make matters worse, he had to praise Yang Zhen. Now look what's happened! Little does he know that Master Tie dislikes Yang Zhen's eccentric personality the most."
"That's it, Brother Zhou. Let's finish our tea and continue on our way. That Master Tie is too terrifying; he could lecture us all day long."
"Absolutely, absolutely."
Hearing the surrounding chatter, Yang Zhen knew he had encountered someone who was taking things seriously. While others might find Master Tie's demeanor unbearable, it was all too familiar to Yang Zhen.
This is practically the perfect template for a teacher and a boss.
Seeing Master Tie's gaze, Yang Zhen chuckled and said, "Fellow villager, you guessed wrong. I haven't been paying attention to that Yang Zhen all the time."
Yang Zhen's words were absolutely true. He didn't pay attention to me all the time; he only remembered that I existed occasionally.
Upon hearing Yang Zhen's words, Master Tie was taken aback. He opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word. "Hmph, even if you haven't been paying attention to Yang Zhen all the time, you've still wasted too much time on all sorts of hearsay. I observe that you have regular features and your demeanor exudes a natural ease. I imagine your talent is definitely not lacking. With such innate talent, you must cultivate diligently to be worthy of the blessings bestowed upon you by Heaven."
Yang Zhen nodded hurriedly and said, "Absolutely, absolutely! You're absolutely right, my elders told me the same thing. I never expected you to hit the nail on the head. Hearing your words is better than reading a hundred years' worth of books, and it's even more enlightening than having ten sudden realizations."
A group of people around Yang Zhen stared in disbelief, muttering to themselves, "Damn it, this kid is shameless."
"Look, the cycad is blooming!"
"Oh my, this is the first time I've ever seen Master Tie smile."
Master Tie stared blankly at Yang Zhen, his smile growing wider and wider. Suddenly, he burst into laughter, patted Yang Zhen on the shoulder, and said, "Young man, don't speak so confidently. What do you mean by 'listening to an old man's words is better than reading a hundred years of books'? It's not as exaggerated as you say."
Yang Zhen, looking shy and a little embarrassed, said, "Yes, yes, my fellow villager is right. What I said earlier was a bit of an exaggeration, but listening to your words is definitely worth more than ten years of study. It's truly enlightening and enlightening."
"Hehehe, may I ask your name, young friend, and whose disciple you currently study under?"
"Hehehe, fellow villager, my name is Yang Dianfeng, Yang Zhen, Dian as in peak, Feng as in peak."
"Hmph, Yang Zhen?" Master Tie snorted coldly, his face darkening. "This old man and young friend hit it off immediately. Young friend Yang, you'd better not mention that Yang Zhen in front of me."
Yang Zhen looked at Master Tie with a strange expression and asked in surprise, "Why does my fellow villager dislike Yang Zhen so much?"
"What's so great about that fame-seeking scoundrel?" Master Tie glared, seemingly disliking Yang Zhen for his vain pursuit of fame. He continued, "That boy is eccentric, self-willed, and always has unrealistic ambitions. He's wasting his great talent. Actually, I don't have any problem with him; after all, I've never even met him. It's just that my grandson has been ruined by Yang Zhen."
Yang Zhen was startled, his eyes widening. "Fellow villager, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want! As far as I know, Yang Zhen isn't someone who persecutes the kind-hearted."
"Hmph, aren't you going to persecute her yet?" Master Tie's face was ashen as he scanned the room, seemingly searching for someone. "That little rascal's admiration for Yang Zhen is like a mighty river flowing endlessly. He talks about Yang Zhen Yang Zhen all the time, and even I, his grandfather, can't say a word against her. Now he doesn't even come to see me anymore. Even when he does, all he talks about is Yang Zhen Yang Zhen. It's so annoying... Never mind, why am I telling you all this? You're both from the younger generation. When my grandson comes, I'll introduce you. You're so good with words, you should also help me persuade her."
Yang Zhen clicked his tongue in amazement. He never expected that someone as low-key as him would have such a devoted fan. If that Shameless Cat didn't come back soon, he might as well meet him.
Yang Zhen felt a surge of anger just thinking about that Shameless Cat.
Damn it, that bastard! After parting ways with Ji Yourong and the others, Yang Zhen led the Shameless Cat towards the Heavenly Snow Sacred Domain. Who would have thought that this bastard would leave a note and run away from home?
"Boy, I'll go check if the restrictions on that treasure have been broken. If not, neither of us can get in, no matter what we try. You should go to the Heavenly Snow Sacred Domain; I'll find you there."
Listen to this! This bastard's tone is getting more and more outrageous. Now he's even started running away from home.
Yang Zhen pondered that if he hadn't secretly asked Ji Yourong for that tracking method, that Shameless Cat might have gotten away.
That's right, the Shameless Cat has been staying here for two days, and it's in a restaurant across from the teahouse. It just went out again just now. Yang Zhen had been following it for two days and was really bored, so he came to chat and joke with these fellow villagers.
I never expected that our conversation would turn into a little fanboy; it was such a delightful surprise!
The group of people around them were all completely bewildered to see Yang Zhen and Master Tie chatting so enthusiastically.
"Who... who exactly is Yang Dianfeng? How come he can chat with Master Tie for so long?"
"A miracle, it's simply a miracle! I always thought that with the old master's stubborn and obstinate nature, no one could have even exchanged three sentences with him, and that's been the case for so many years. But now it seems that this Yang Dianfeng is truly extraordinary."
"My God, the two of them are actually calling each other brothers."
Everyone stared blankly as the two clinked glasses and occasionally burst into laughter, as if they had seen a ghost.
The old scholar's face was ruddy; it was clear he was extremely pleased. "... Young man, if your friend heard the saying 'A friend comes from afar, though far away, I will surely punish him,' he would truly fight you to the death. But alas, I now know your character. To think of such a saying, you must be a very loyal friend. However, such is your nature... Pah! Pah! Pah! Don't be like that Yang Zhen, seeking fame and fortune. I greatly admire your talent, as do my grandson..."
Yang Zhen took a sip of tea and was about to speak when a clattering sound suddenly came from the doorway.
"Grandpa, Grandpa, I've found out!"
Master Tie's old face immediately fell.