chsdbacks Chapter 213: Zhang Ping remained silent, only offering one thought...
Chapter 213: Zhang Ping remained silent, only offering one thought...
The girl seemed to sense the gaze behind her, turned around, and revealed an ordinary face.
Upon seeing that it was Zhang Ping, he disregarded the dirt on his clothes and hurriedly said, "Lord Zhang!"
Zhang Ping didn't speak, but sighed as he looked at the girl.
He walked up to them and said:
"You worked as a laborer at the winery for six months without taking a single penny. Why?"
The girl's name was He Lu. Half a year ago, she came to the winery to see Zhang Ping and begged him to take her as his apprentice.
Zhang Ping naturally refused.
After that, the girl didn't mention it again. Instead, she came to the winery day after day to help with everything, from mopping the floor and serving dishes to emptying the lees. She went wherever there was work to be done.
Apart from the meals provided by the winery, they do not charge a single penny.
Even though Zhang Ping had instructed the winery manager to give He Lu the salary of an ordinary worker, three spirit coins a month, He Lu refused to accept it.
They work diligently every day, through winter and summer, through wind and snow, rain or shine.
Sometimes, Zhang Ping simply forgets about it, only remembering it when he sees it occasionally.
Hearing Zhang Ping's words, the girl became visibly nervous, her fingers fidgeting as she gripped the rag.
"My lord, my...my brother told me to become your disciple."
In fact, He Lu and her brother depended on each other for survival since childhood. They had been homeless and slept in shacks outside the city until her brother had a chance to achieve success in his spiritual practice, and their lives became better.
But after the Qingdan Trial, her brother was seriously injured and died, leaving her alone in the family. The former servants and stewards were not afraid of their young mistress and often acted against her wishes, and most of the family's assets were quietly stolen.
Now all that's left is a place to live and some spirit coins to live on.
For the past six months, he has spent most of his time working at the tavern, and when he returns home, he tries to cultivate himself by following the notes left by his brother.
Cultivation level reached the late stage of skin tempering.
In this vast city of Luhua, it's like sand falling into the dust, utterly ordinary.
She had moved past her brother's passing, but she couldn't escape the uncertainty about the future. She didn't know what to do next, and habit had led her to obey her brother's wishes, which led her to the winery.
Zhang Ping already knew about the girl's background.
Looking back now, I feel a sense of regret, but mostly a sense of peace.
After all, in this world, martial arts can reach the heavens, and countless families are destroyed and people die every day.
However, looking into the girl's big eyes, which were filled with confusion yet also showed a hint of determination, Zhang Ping's thoughts inexplicably wandered.
Never mind...
Let's just do what's convenient.
He slowly withdrew his gaze and said, "From now on, you will cultivate together with the people in the backyard."
He Lu suddenly raised her head, the confusion in her eyes vanished, replaced by pure joy:
"Sir, you've agreed to accept me as your disciple?"
Zhang Ping shook his head: "You're not a disciple, you're just to follow them in your cultivation."
He Lu was slightly disappointed, but quickly cheered up.
Being able to train under an adult is already very good! This is an adult that even my older brother highly admires!
I will strive to cultivate myself and must not let my brother down!
That night, He Lu stayed in the backyard of the winery. The women in the backyard were all surprised to see that He Lu had an ordinary appearance. After learning the reason, they were all somewhat surprised.
So, it turns out that the owner can help others without considering their appearance?
......
Having chosen a location to establish his sect, Zhang Ping began making some preparations.
The production of spirit wine at the Ordinary Winery has decreased significantly, and given the long distance, he doesn't plan to bring too much with him. One reason is that it would delay his journey, and the other is that it might easily attract trouble.
Zhang Ping found the Flying Pavilion in the city and booked a boat ticket to Penglai Immortal City.
The Taihu Lake region is vast, and the distances between major cities are too great to travel by foot alone. In this area, flying boats or flying magical beasts are more commonly used.
Since most of them were flying boats, this naturally led to the development of corresponding business forces.
Take this Flying Pavilion, for example. It's said to have hundreds of flying boats, with routes covering the entire Taihu Lake region. It specializes in passenger transport between major cities.
Having booked the boat tickets, Zhang Ping had nothing else to do. His subordinates would take care of packing his things.
The street was bustling with people. He stood on the side of the street for a moment, lost in thought, when suddenly someone patted him on the shoulder.
"Young Master Zhang?"
Zhang Ping turned around and saw An Ruxue with her maid behind him.
Upon seeing Zhang Ping, An Ruxue seemed pleasantly surprised. She held up an oil-paper umbrella with her left hand and hesitated with her right hand, wanting to lift it up to pull him.
But considering the large number of people and the presence of many eyes in this place, he suppressed his impulse.
However, amidst the surprise in his eyes, there was also a hint of resentment.
"So it's Madam An." Zhang Ping nodded slightly, noticing a hint of emotion in An Ruxue's eyes.
I didn't feel anything was wrong with it.
Since An Ran left, the number of times he looked for An Ruxue gradually decreased, and each time he felt that something was missing.
An Ruxue, unaware of Zhang Ping's thoughts, unconsciously licked her full, red lips and said:
"It's been a long time since I've tasted Young Master Zhang's spirit wine. Would it be convenient for you today?"
Upon hearing this, the maid behind her whispered a reminder: "Miss, the young master is still waiting at home."
An Ruxue glared at the maid, who immediately shut her mouth.
Zhang Ping found it quite amusing. He suddenly realized that he was about to leave, and he should at least tell his old flames.
Just as she was about to extend an invitation, she suddenly remembered the young master the maid had mentioned earlier. Her eyes lit up, and she changed her words, saying:
"As it happens, I have never met your son-in-law before. Why don't I bring some wine today and make your acquaintance?"
Having said that, he directly summoned two jars of fine spirit wine from his spatial storage and made as if to leave.
An Ruxue panicked.
Disregarding the difference between men and women, she grabbed Zhang Ping's arm, saying, "No..."
"Hmm? Madam, why is that? Am I not even allowed to meet your handsome husband?"
Zhang Ping countered with a question, leaving An Ruxue speechless. Her fair and beautiful face was both flushed and pale.
The maid behind her suddenly brightened up, remembering the instructions her master had given her in secret, and boldly said, "Miss, the young master just happened to ask you to buy wine. It's rare for Young Master Zhang to visit, so I'm sure he'll be very happy."
"That's right," Zhang Ping said with a smile, nodding to the maid.
The maid was very happy.
An Ruxue's mind went blank. She knew all too well how audacious Zhang Ping was; since he had specifically requested to come over, he was definitely going to do something outrageous.
But...what about her husband...?
Coming to my senses, I saw that Zhang Ping was already walking ahead.
Knowing she couldn't resist, she smiled bitterly to herself: An Ruxue, An Ruxue, when did you become such a shameless person?
That night, Zhang Ping met An Ran's father, a thin middle-aged man with messy hair hanging down his back. He exuded an air of weariness.
He could tell at a glance that the other party had suffered severe injuries and lost all his cultivation.
Ye Rufeng didn't react much to Zhang Ping's arrival, but he really liked the spirit wine Zhang Ping brought and thanked him repeatedly.
Ignoring the glances An Ruxue was giving him, Zhang Ping kept pouring wine into Ye Rufeng's cup.
Ordinary people who have lost their cultivation, even if they still have some foundation, will get drunk after only a few bowls of spirit wine.
Only after Ye Rufeng was completely drunk on the table did Zhang Ping slowly put down his wine glass.
The moon is very round tonight, on the fifteenth of the lunar month.
As night fell, the wind suddenly shifted, and the temperature rose considerably.
Moonlight streamed into the courtyard.
"No...not here..." An Ruxue resisted.
"don't want...."
She couldn't resist.
Turning his head, he saw Ye Rufeng's drunken, fast asleep face, covered in stubble.
"Not here..." A shy mist filled her foxy eyes.
Zhang Ping remained silent, but continued to act.