I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times

Chapter 71: Theft

Zheng Fa felt he owed the Seventh Young Master an apology.

Although the man was known for his foul mouth and propensity to make enemies, making it entirely reasonable to assume someone would come knocking to settle scores, this time, Zheng Fa had misunderstood. The Chen family hadn’t come to cause trouble for the Seventh Young Master.

Even the Seventh Young Master thought Zheng Fa’s misunderstanding was reasonable. In fact, he seemed irritated that no one had come looking for him.

“I waited for them all day!” The Seventh Young Master, who had been fully prepared yesterday, complained indignantly. “They didn’t come to find me—do they think I’m beneath their notice?”

“Seventh Young Master, do you have any disputes with those people from the Chen family?” Zheng Fa asked, a bit curious.

“No real disputes. Their family just breeds like rabbits... Whenever those brothers meet, they’re like roosters in a cockfight. They fight at home and even try to drag me into their mess.”

Zheng Fa nodded. Not every young master of a prominent family had it as easy as the Seventh Young Master, who could behave however he pleased with Madam’s constant support.

“But if they’re trying to win you over, why would you have a conflict with them?” Zheng Fa asked, still puzzled.

“Do they think I’m stupid?” The Seventh Young Master snorted. “Those guys don’t actually want to befriend me—they just want to use me as a pawn. So, I said yes to everyone, intending to sit back and watch the drama unfold, but then...”

Zheng Fa noticed the Seventh Young Master’s voice growing quieter.

“I might have stirred the pot a bit...”

“Stirred the pot... and got caught?”

The Seventh Young Master nodded.

“Anyway, the Chen family actually came looking for Senior Sister Zhang yesterday,” he said quickly, trying to steer the conversation away from his misstep. “Apparently, a disciple from the Jiushan Sect came to Jingzhou City to visit Senior Sister Zhang and is staying with the Chen family. They were just here to deliver an invitation.”

“Senior Sister Zhang?” Zheng Fa suddenly felt uneasy.

“I bet they’re here to snatch your Immortal Token! Let’s go check it out!” The Seventh Young Master seemed to have the same thought, grabbing Zheng Fa and rushing toward Senior Sister Zhang’s courtyard.

When they arrived at the entrance to her small courtyard, a group of people was already waiting outside for an audience with her.

At the forefront was a young man dressed in white, around twenty-four or twenty-five years old. His posture was upright, and he stood at the center of the crowd with an air of faint superiority as he spoke to those around him. This must be the Jiushan Sect disciple.

The people surrounding him didn’t look like ordinary folks either. Their attire was extravagant, their demeanor indicating wealth and status. However, there was an undercurrent of rivalry among them, especially in how they tried to outdo each other in flattering the disciple.

It wasn’t hard to tell these were the Chen family’s young masters, just as the Seventh Young Master had described.

The moment they noticed Zheng Fa and the Seventh Young Master, their combative expressions changed instantly, united in hostility.

Whatever unforgivable thing the Seventh Young Master had done, Zheng Fa couldn’t help but think the Chen family patriarch should thank him. It seemed the Seventh Young Master was singlehandedly holding the fractious Chen family together.

---

Senior Sister Zhang soon sent someone to invite everyone inside. Even upon seeing Zheng Fa and the Seventh Young Master, her expression remained unchanged, as though she had anticipated their arrival.

The Jiushan Sect disciple bowed respectfully as soon as he saw Senior Sister Zhang.

“Sun Daoyu greets Senior Sister Zhang.”

Compared to his arrogance before the Chen family members, Sun Daoyu’s demeanor toward Senior Sister Zhang was exceedingly respectful.

“Junior Brother Sun, no need for formalities,” Senior Sister Zhang said with a slight gesture, then asked directly, “What brings you here from the Jiushan Sect?”

“This...” Sun Daoyu glanced at those around him, particularly Zheng Fa and the Seventh Young Master, seeming hesitant to speak openly.

But Senior Sister Zhang simply looked at him without asking the others to leave.

With no choice, Sun Daoyu said, “I’ve heard that Senior Sister Zhang possesses an extra Immortal Token, and I’ve come to request it.”

Senior Sister Zhang nodded, not looking surprised but also not agreeing outright.

When she remained silent, Sun Daoyu clasped his hands toward the sky and continued, “This is not a personal request but one made by my master, Real Person Pang.”

Senior Sister Zhang’s expression grew more serious, and she sat up straighter. “Master Pang?”

Clearly, even she had to take this Real Person Pang seriously.

“Yes, my master recently encountered an extraordinary talent in talisman-making during his travels and personally instructed him for a time. He even considered taking him as a disciple. However, as you know, even Nascent Soul cultivators cannot take disciples lightly nowadays. My master heard you might have an extra Immortal Token and sent me to request it.”

This person sounds oddly familiar...

Is someone stealing my identity?

No, wait, they’re legitimate. It’s more like I’m the one who stole theirs...

Zheng Fa felt a little awkward and noticed Senior Sister Zhang looking at him with a similarly strange expression, as if asking: Is it you?

Zheng Fa had already deduced the truth. This Real Person Pang was indeed a Nascent Soul cultivator, which explained Senior Sister Zhang’s caution.

After a long pause, Senior Sister Zhang finally asked, “What is this person’s name?”

Sun Daoyu, confused, still answered, “This disciple’s name is Zhou Qianyuan.”

Judging by her expression, Sun Daoyu misunderstood and thought she doubted his words.

“Senior Sister Zhang, my master said this junior has exceptional talent in talismans, possesses the Gengjin Dao Body, and a pure metal-type spiritual root. In terms of aptitude, he’s nearly on par with you.”

Hearing this, Zheng Fa understood why even a Nascent Soul cultivator would go out of his way to secure an Immortal Token for this person.

A Dao Body, a single spiritual root, and outstanding talent in talismans.

Senior Sister Zhang nodded. “Sounds impressive. But doesn’t Real Person Pang have his own Immortal Tokens?”

“Senior Sister Zhang, you may not know, but my master has a family and many disciples. His Immortal Tokens were distributed long ago. Even other Real Persons have already promised theirs to others. You, on the other hand, are solely focused on cultivation...”

Zheng Fa mentally translated his words:

High EQ: Solely focused on cultivation.

Low EQ: No friends.

Senior Sister Zhang still didn’t respond. Sun Daoyu, growing desperate, said, “If Senior Sister Zhang has any conditions, please state them. My master will ensure you are satisfied.”

“I’m not refusing,” Senior Sister Zhang said, shaking her head. “It’s just that my Immortal Token has already been given away.”

“Given away?” Sun Daoyu looked stunned. He clearly hadn’t anticipated this and seemed incredulous. “To whom, may I ask?”

After a brief pause, Senior Sister Zhang, her perpetually cold tone uncharacteristically tinged with hesitation, replied, “To someone... who also has exceptional talent in talismans, caught the eye of a Nascent Soul cultivator but couldn’t be formally taken as a disciple due to certain rules...”

Sun Daoyu’s expression stiffened, his face reddening with anger.

Zheng Fa understood his frustration: Not only did she refuse, but she stole his lines to do it.

“I’m not lying,” Senior Sister Zhang said, pointing to Zheng Fa. “I gave it to him.”

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