Chapter 1441 - 724: Priceless Value (2)
But Deng Feng’s heart was filled with pride and self-esteem.
His master had stopped the sandstorm! Although his master was just a mortal, outsiders thought he was an immortal.
As his apprentice, he felt incredibly honored. In the future, when everyone knows Lin Beichen’s true identity, he would surely bask in that glory too.
He heard Lin Beichen flew away directly, presumably having exhausted his power and needing to rest and recover.
Deng Feng thought that since that was the case, there’s no need for him to wait here any longer; he could just return to their temporary lodging.
Although his eyes couldn’t see, his ears were exceptionally sharp.
As soon as he entered the house, he heard Lin Beichen’s faint breathing, knowing he was resting, which set his mind at ease.
When Lin Beichen awoke, he saw his first disciple Deng Feng was overly excited.
Lin Beichen looked puzzled, not knowing why he was so excited, or what had actually happened.
"Master, you don’t know what happened while you were unconscious. The whole town is spreading your story now, describing it as miraculous." Deng Feng said excitedly.
This was all thanks to Lin Beichen’s heroic act of saving people during the sandstorm.
The people who were saved spread the word first, all claiming they were extremely fortunate to have been saved by an immortal, or they’d be dead already.
At first, no one believed them, but later more and more people personally acknowledged encountering the immortal, and only then did the town’s folks start to believe it.
It spread quickly throughout the small town from person to person.
Now, Lin Beichen had become like the Wind God in their minds. But they didn’t know Lin Beichen was the one who competed with the old Taoist and was not the so-called immortal.
Lin Beichen felt the timing was about right and inquired about the Ghost Tribe’s residence from the innkeeper.
Though the innkeeper was puzzled as to why Lin Beichen wanted to find the Ghost Tribe, he still helped him find the address.
Lin Beichen went to Ghost Head’s home. Opening the door and seeing Lin Beichen, Ghost Head was shocked beyond belief, kneeling and kowtowing, tears flowing.
"Thanks to your timely appearance, solving the sandstorm crisis, or we’d all be dead." Ghost Head expressed his deep gratitude, willing even to serve Lin Beichen as a servant.
To Lin Beichen, he was like a divine existence. If anyone dared to speak out against Lin Beichen, Ghost Head would certainly not spare that person, not allowing anyone to slander Lin Beichen.
As the miraculous stories of Lin Beichen spread in the town, someone once spoke ill of him. Upon knowing this, Ghost Head immediately took people over to teach that person a harsh lesson, ensuring he never dared to speak ill of Lin Beichen again.
"Saving a life is also an act of virtue, but I didn’t come today for your gratitude. Rather, I want to take you as my disciple." Lin Beichen directly stated his intention.
He expressed willingness to take Ghost Head as his disciple but emphasized he was not the immortal they claimed him to be, just an ordinary person with Daoist skill handed down. He had noticed Ghost Head initially and wanted to accept him as a disciple, the sandstorm was just a chance encounter to lend a hand.
Ghost Head, hearing Lin Beichen’s words, hesitated. They had been mistaken all along; Lin Beichen was merely a mortal, wanting to take him as a disciple, so he acted to help.
Lin Beichen was clear about his intentions from the start, wanting him as a disciple. When thinking Lin Beichen took him seriously for his ability, Ghost Head was secretly pleased.
He didn’t expect Lin Beichen to be a mortal and had his eye on him from the beginning. He said if an immortal wanted to take him as a disciple, he would agree immediately, but since Lin Beichen was a mortal, he felt it was somewhat disadvantageous.
Because Lin Beichen saved many people, why was he to bear the "consequence" of saving lives? Being someone’s disciple meant losing freedom in the future, having to follow the master’s arrangements.
"Master, please give me some time to consider. This came too suddenly, and I’m a bit overwhelmed." Ghost Head proposed to Lin Beichen.
"Alright, no problem, I’ll give you two days to think. When I come back in two days, whether you want to be my disciple will entirely depend on your own wish." Lin Beichen readily agreed.
Deng Feng really couldn’t understand. After Lin Beichen saved Ghost Head’s life in the sandstorm, now Lin Beichen proposed to take him as a disciple, and even candidly admitted being a mortal, yet Ghost Head still asked for time to consider.
"I think that Ghost Head isn’t a straightforward person. If it was someone else, you’d propose to take them as a disciple, they’d be overjoyed, why would they hesitate?" Deng Feng said discontentedly.
"Whether he wants to be my disciple is his freedom. By his looks, it seems he didn’t intend to become my apprentice. Let’s not wait for him then, let’s move on." Lin Beichen said.
Thus, Lin Beichen and his party continued forward.
Halfway on their journey, they encountered a frail-looking middle-aged man being robbed by several bandits.
"Big Brothers, please let me go. I really don’t have much money, I need this to support my family. I have an elderly mother and a young son all relying on this money." The middle-aged man pleaded, hands together.
He hoped these words would move the robbers to spare him.
"Big Brother, he looks so pitiful, let’s not rob him. There are a few people ahead, let’s rob them instead." One of the chubby little brothers said to the skinny leader.
Though the leader looked skinny, he was the most ruthless among the bandits.
"What do you know! He looks dressed like a rich man. You got soft just hearing a few words? No wonder you are always getting tricked." The leader scolded, giving the little brother a thump on the head.
The little brother dared not speak further.
"If you’re smart, hand over all your money. Otherwise, you’ll suffer. I assume you wouldn’t want to get beaten and then give the money, right?" The leader stepped closer to the middle-aged man.
Lin Beichen couldn’t bear to watch anymore; these bandits dared to rob under his nose. He signaled Zhou Dazhuang to act.
Zhou Dazhuang wanted to intervene early but didn’t dare act hastily without Lin Beichen’s order, fearing Lin Beichen’s disapproval.
Once Lin Beichen gave the order, Zhou Dazhuang charged forward, giving the leader a fierce beating. The other little brothers wanted to help, but a mere look from Zhou Dazhuang scared them into staying put.
"Hero, please stop beating us." The beaten bandit started pleading.
"Now get lost!" Zhou Dazhuang kicked him hard, and the bandit rolled away, scrambling.
"I’m truly grateful for your help. If it weren’t for you, I’d have been completely robbed. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Wang Dachuan, in the business of antique appraisal. I’m here to participate in a live treasure appraisal broadcast." The middle-aged man said gratefully.
"Though my appearance isn’t impressive, I have quite a bit of assets at home. Many experts are heading to where I’m going." He observed Lin Beichen and his group who seemed helpful and didn’t look money-driven, so he disclosed his wealth.
He didn’t worry Lin Beichen and his party would harbor ulterior motives or consider kidnapping him for ransom.
"Don’t mention it, seeing injustice and stepping in is our duty." Zhou Dazhuang responded.
He heard Wang Dachuan had money and could invite antique appraisal experts, thinking it was quite remarkable.
He wanted to follow Wang Dachuan to see what the live broadcast site was like. But he wasn’t sure if Lin Beichen would agree, only if Lin Beichen agreed would Zhou Dazhuang likely bring them along.
"Can we follow you to see the broadcast? Though I’ve watched live broadcasts online, I’ve never seen them live, especially at an antique treasure appraisal." He asked directly.
Lin Beichen was impressed by Wang Dachuan’s candor. Wasn’t he fearful that they might not be good people, lusting after his wealth?
"Sure, you saved me, so it’s no problem for wanting to see the site." Lin Beichen said.
Zhou Dazhuang looked to Lin Beichen; as long as Lin Beichen agreed, they could set off now.
While executing their mission, they happened to come across a robbery and stepped in to assist.
Unexpectedly, the other party revealed his identity to them, sparking Zhou Dazhuang’s keen interest in the broadcast site, eager to tag along.