Chapter 177 - The Invitation
While the whole city was in a festive mood as many people were celebrating the return of Long Zhentian, the pride of Blue Dragon City, Wanxue was having a mental breakdown as she was horrified.
She was shivering and her entire body was drenched in a cold sweat as the people outside were chanting and shouting the name of Long Zhentian as though he was a deity.
At this moment, she was unable to remain calm and even became paralyzed for a long time. Long Zhentian was her worst nightmare. Someone that she never wished to see again in her entire life.
Despite the fact that Long Zhentian had killed her entire family and made her suffer a fate worse than death, Wanxue didn't plan on getting revenge because she knew that it was impossible and would only put her and her daughter in more danger.
Long Zhentian was like a god while she was nothing but a puny mortal with no power. The difference between them was like heaven and earth.
Wanxue only had one thing her mind and that was to take care of her daughter who was her only family and also the reason for her to live.
At the same time, she couldn't believe how unlucky she was. The same day she got cured was also the day that Long Zhentian came back from his trip. It was as if Heaven was playing a joke on her.
As for Little Mei, even though she didn't know who that Long Zhentian was, she could clearly tell that her mother was horrified of that name.
"Amitabha. Benefactor, there's no need to be worried or afraid. As long as you are in this temple, you are under the protection of this poor monk and no one can do you any harm." As Wanxue was lost in horror and fear, Ling Chen's calm voice suddenly rang out in her ears.
And for some reason, Wanxue suddenly became calm and relax. Furthermore, all the worries and fears she originally felt, dissipated, and vanished out of nowhere. It was as if Ling Chen's voice was imbued with some sort of mysterious power that was somehow able to erased all of her negative emotions.
While Wanxue was still in a daze after Ling Chen used his power on her to calm her down, he suddenly walked up to both of them and placed his palms on their foreheads. Before they could have a chance to react or even say anything, they suddenly fell asleep.
"You'll feel better tomorrow when you wake up." He added with a sigh before he put both of them to bed.
...
Two days have passed in a blink of an eye, and the people were still talking and celebrating the return of Long Zhentian, the pride of the Blue Dragon City.
Over these past two days, although Wanxue was still worried about Long Zhentian, it wasn't nearly as bad and severe as before.
Even though she didn't know the background of Ling Chen, she had the feeling that he had the power to protect them just like he promised. Not only that, for some unknown reason, she somehow trusted Ling Chen with her life even though she didn't know much about him.
As for Ling Chen, he didn't go anywhere during these past two days and stayed within his little temple while collecting good merits by helping people.
So far the 7 Fruits Of Creation have grown the size of a watermelon and the life force within them was getting stronger and stronger. From this fact alone, Ling Chen knew that they were close to maturity.
On the next day, while going about his daily routines, an uninvited and unusual guest came to pay him a visit
It was a man known as Long Yi, an elder from the Long Clan. Long Yi was an old looking warrior with white hair and white beard.
However, despite his old age, his life force was extremely strong and boundless like an ocean. From the strength of his life force alone, one could tell that the elder had a long life ahead of him.
Long Yi wasn't just a regular elder but one of the oldest elders in the Long Clan who had already broken through the 8th Tribulation Martial Saint.
However, no matter how powerful he was or his status in the Long Clan, Ling Chen didn't seem to care. Therefore, upon his arrival, Ling Chen was still sitting in front of the small temple with his palms placed together like a real monk.
Nonetheless, Long Yi didn't seem to get mad. Even though he was an elder of the Long Clan and had high status, he still revealed an approachable and humble attitude the moment he met Ling Chen.
"Amitabha, benefactor, what can this poor monk do for you." Suddenly asked Ling Chen after they went inside and sat down.
Meanwhile, both Wanxue and Little Mei were waiting upstairs under the order of Ling Chen.
"Venerable Monk, I've long heard about your good deeds to the people of Blue Dragon City and I would like to thank you on behalf of the Long Clan." Long Yi answered with a grateful and sincere look on his face.
"Amitabha, benefactor, you are being polite. There's no need to thank me. This poor monk was only following the teaching of the merciful Buddha as well as his belief." Answered Ling Chen with a humble and sincere look on his face as he placed both of his palms together.
Even though Ling Chen was saying that, he was smirking inwardly. Since when a powerful Martial family like the Long Family cared about the well being of the poor and the sick. To people like them, relationships didn't matter much. It's all about benefits and profits.
He wasn't blaming or judging them because of that as he wasn't any better. He wasn't saving and helping people just because he was such a nice person. It's all about benefits.
Just like the Long Family or Long Zhentian, He had killed many innocent people and he didn't regret it or felt bad about it. While the pair of mother and daughter as well the people he had saved might view him as a good person, he's also regarded as a devil in the eyes of countless people.
He had long realized that there wasn't pure evil and good in this world but life and death.
The only rule governing this martial world was survival of the fittest: victors survived, while the vanquished and the weak perished.
Only the strong had the power over others as well as preventing others from controlling them. The World was never a fair place. It's fundamentally unreasonable, and naturally, there is no real balance or true fairness.
"However, I'm pretty sure that benefactor didn't come here to see me just to thank me. What is the real reason you come to see this poor monk." He added.
Long Yi was a great character in the Long Clan. He would be treated like a VIP and with respect wherever he went. With just one order, there would be many Long Family elders and juniors running the errand for him. There's no way he would personally come to this remote and poor place to visit a nameless character like himself just to express his gratitude
Long Yi went quiet for a moment before handed an envelope to Ling Chen and said. " I come here to meet the Venerable Monk without any malicious intent. I only come here to invite the Venerable Monk to attend the Long Family's head 900th birthday party that's taking place tomorrow."
'What is the Long Family Planning.' Ling Chen thought inwardly after hearing Long Yi's words. He was expecting Long Zhentian to barge into his small temple along with his goons like those brainless arrogant young masters. However, he didn't. Instead of the elders of the Long Family came to invite him to a birthday party. Since when was he close to the Long Family!
"Amitabha. What an honor to be invited to the Long Family's head birthday party, but what would the Long Family invite this poor nameless monk. I don't remember having any close relation to the Long Family." Asked Ling Chen with a confused expression on his face.
It was as if Long Yi was waiting for Ling Chen to say that as he quickly answered with a sincere and amiable smile on his face." Venerable Monk, over your short stay in the city, you've saved countless lives and did so much for the city and the Long Family would like to personally thank you for that. Furthermore, our family head wants to meet the Divine Doctor that many people are talking about."
"Amitabha. This poor monk understands. Send my thanks to the Long Family's head, benefactor. Also, this poor monk will be there at the party to congratulate the Long Family's head for his 900th birthday." Answered Ling Chen with a smile that wasn't a smile.
Even though he didn't know what the Long Family was planning, he didn't care nor was he afraid.
'In front of overwhelming power, all schemes are meaningless.'