I Can Devour Spirits

Chapter 114: Chapter 114: Xiao Zongting’s Arrangement

Duan Rong entered Xiao Zongting’s courtyard and found no one in the front yard. He walked to the kitchen door, poked his head inside, but still didn’t see Zhu Xiaoqi’s figure.

Duan Rong walked to the moon gate leading to the backyard and looked in, finding Xiao Zongting sitting in the yard, eyes half-closed, puffing on his pipe.

Duan Rong lifted his foot and walked in, with an old hen in his hand clucking!

Xiao Zongting exhaled a smoke ring and lifted his eyelids to glance at Duan Rong!

Duan Rong walked over and said with a smile, ”Where are Miss Yu and Xiaoqi? Haven’t seen them around?”

Xiao Zongting sat up a bit straighter and replied, ”Tonight marks the seventh day since Bai Jiao passed! They said they went to the street to buy more offerings...”

Duan Rong’s heart skipped a beat, and he let out a murmur, only then remembering that Xiao Baijiao had been gone for seven days!

Duan Rong tied the two plump old hens to the trunk of a persimmon tree in the yard, then turned around and handed Xiao Zongting a mountain ginseng wrapped in straw paper!

Xiao Zongting glanced at it and asked, ”What is it?”

”Two old mountain ginsengs.”

”Why spend money on that?!” Xiao Zongting looked at Duan Rong.

Since Xiao Zongting’s Martial Arts were abolished, he had taken almost no medicine; his body had always been quite good. Though his martial arts were wasted, the foundation left from training remained.

In the past few days, with Bai Jiao suddenly gone, he was somewhat distracted and indeed feeling a bit weak.

Xiao Zongting accepted the mountain ginseng and said, ”How have you been pondering the secret manual of the Third Level of Inner Breath?”

”Already almost there.” Duan Rong replied somewhat guiltily, as he had never actually looked at the Third Level manual.

Xiao Zongting nodded and said, ”Come on, let’s go inside! I’ll write the prescription for you!”

With that, Xiao Zongting tucked his pipe into his waistband and limped toward the living room!

Duan Rong followed behind Xiao Zongting, entering the living room together!

They each took a seat, and Xiao Zongting wrote the prescription and handed it to Duan Rong. Duan Rong took it, looked it over, folded it, and placed it into the inner pocket of his shirt.

”You came at just the right time; there’s a matter I need to discuss with you!” Xiao Zongting said, watching Duan Rong from the Grandmaster’s Chair.

Duan Rong felt a flutter in his heart. Elder Xiao never talks idly; if he mentions a matter, then it truly is something!

”You have achieved the Inner Breath Realm Second Level! Mr. Luan’s idea is that the Escort Team is short on hands, so they want you to intern early!”

”Ah! Intern early? Isn’t the contract for half a year as an apprentice?” Duan Rong felt it wasn’t good news upon hearing this!

”For ordinary people, certainly half a year! Normally, achieving the First Level of Inner Breath in half a year is considered good! However, your situation is special; from the Escort Agency’s perspective, letting talents like you idle is indeed a waste!”

Duan Rong pondered quietly. Actually, joining the Escort Team early isn’t bad; he just worried Luan Jingfu might have ill intentions!

”The Shopkeeper has already nodded in agreement!” Xiao Zongting suddenly said.

Duan Rong furrowed his brows, realizing there was no room for negotiation!

Xiao Zongting seemed to notice Duan Rong’s concerns and said, ”Don’t worry! I’ve already arranged for you to join the Second Escort Team! Leader Sun of the Second Escort Team is my old subordinate, steady and modest! Moreover, Xiao Yu is also in the Second Escort Team! You can follow her as an intern, let her be your mentor!”

”That girl has a nickname in the Escort Team called Rouge Tiger. With her as your mentor, no one will dare to give you trouble in the Second Escort Team!”

Duan Rong listened to Xiao Zongting’s thoughtful arrangement with gratitude, his eyes slightly reddening.

In his past life, Duan Rong lost his parents early, and upon transcending dimensions, his original self was even more unfortunate. Not only was his family gone, but he himself also perished.

But after two months living together, Duan Rong gradually felt a familial warmth from the Xiao family members.

Aside from seeing Duan Rong as a promising talent to cultivate into the next him, Xiao Zongting couldn’t merely regard Duan Rong as a common apprentice after all that happened these past two months!

On the day of Xiao Baijiao’s funeral, at the west city gate, Xiao Yu stood alone before the coffin, watching Jie Daohan prepare to strike, yet no one stepped forward to help her!

Duan Rong managed to stand in front of Xiao Yu at the critical moment!

This led to other Escort Masters stepping forth, surrounding the constables and rescuing Xiao Yu!

For this alone, Xiao Zongting, who has always distinguished between right and wrong, couldn’t ignore repaying!

”Also, things outside are unsettled recently! I heard from Zhao Steward, who manages the dormitory in the Inner Courtyard that Kong Bin and Zhang Zheng are missing!”

On hearing this, Duan Rong’s heart fluttered as he observed the change in Xiao Zongting’s expression.

Xiao Zongting had a somewhat solemn look and said, ”During this time, unless necessary, you shouldn’t go out wandering! Focus on training at the Escort Agency! After about ten days or so, when the Escort Team sets out, you’ll follow...”

Upon hearing this, Duan Rong nodded and said, ”Disciple understands!”

After finishing, Xiao Zongting’s face showed a hint of fatigue, seeming a bit out of energy!

Though he was aged, he had never felt this way before; it was only since Xiao Baijiao left that such a situation arose. Xiao Zongting sighed inwardly: Indeed, old age has come...

Duan Rong noticed Xiao Zongting’s fatigue, stood up, and said, ”Elder Xiao, please take care of yourself. One must relax to nurture spirits!”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zongting lightly nodded; Duan Rong was comforting him! Perhaps Duan Rong was right; he was indeed overly concerned about Xiao Baijiao’s departure...

As he spoke, Duan Rong took the painting placed on the few case and said, ”Elder Xiao, could you pass this painting to Miss Yu later?”

Xiao Zongting accepted the painting and placed it casually on the tea table beside him. He had no interest whatsoever, like Zhu Xiaoqi, in books or paintings!

After saluting to take his leave from Xiao Zongting, Duan Rong went out of the courtyard, crossed the Martial Arts Arena, and returned to the dormitory.

After Duan Rong left, Xiao Zongting rubbed his temples. Though fatigued, he didn’t want to sleep. Recently, while sleeping, he often dreamt of his deceased wife, waking up drenched in cold sweat!

Xiao Zongting paced back to the yard, sat on the stone stool, and resumed puffing on his pipe...

Just after taking a few puffs, Xiao Yu and Zhu Xiaoqi entered from outside, carrying baskets, chatting along the way!

The willow baskets in their hands contained incense sticks and offerings...

Upon seeing Xiao Zongting puffing his pipe in the Inner Courtyard, Xiao Yu immediately furrowed her brows, widened her eyes, and briskly walked over, yanking the pipe from Xiao Zongting’s mouth, saying, ”I’ve told you before, you’re getting older, smoke less! Look at yourself! Ash all over the ground!”

With her words, she pointed at the ash by Xiao Zongting’s feet!

Xiao Zongting sat up a bit, looking like a child caught doing wrong, glanced at the ash by his feet, and said, ”Feeling uneasy inside, couldn’t hold back, smoked too much! Daughter, I’ll pay more attention next time!”

Xiao Yu’s gaze softened instantly; she naturally knew how much Xiao Baijiao’s departure affected Xiao Zongting. Within just a few days, he seemed to have aged significantly!

Hiding behind Xiao Yu, Zhu Xiaoqi giggled heartily. She knew Xiao Zongting feared no one except Miss Yu!

As Zhu Xiaoqi laughed, she suddenly saw the plump old hens tied under the tree by the wall, her eyes brightening, ”Where did these old hens come from? So plump?”

Xiao Zongting glanced and said, ”Duan Rong just brought them over!”

Zhu Xiaoqi turned back and said, ”That silly boy just came by?”

”Stop giving people random nicknames behind their backs! It’s impolite!” Xiao Yu turned to chide.

Zhu Xiaoqi stuck out her tongue, looking at the old hens and said, ”We’ll have chicken soup tonight!”

”There are two mountain ginsengs on the living room table too!” Xiao Zongting reminded.

”Did that silly boy bring them too? Very considerate!”

Noticing Zhu Xiaoqi still calling Duan Rong a silly boy, Xiao Yu felt a bit angry, but realized she was overstepping by addressing this again, thus suppressed her feelings!

”Also, Duan Rong brought a painting, said it’s for you! I placed it on the tea table in the living room!” Xiao Zongting suddenly remembered and looked at Bai Jiao.

Xiao Yu was slightly taken aback, ”A painting? For me?”