Chapter 147: The Fox Returns a Favor
"What's going on between the two of you? How did you keep watch all night? Why did you fall asleep together without even saying hello?"
In the early spring morning, the dew was slightly chilly, and the angry roars and scoldings of the escort leader could be heard in the sheltered place near the valley.
Many students who were still asleep were awakened by the angry roar. When they opened their eyes in a daze, they saw the middle-aged escort with wrinkles on his face and the look of age, beating two men as strong as bears into submission, making them as quails, cowering and not knowing what to do.
However, the leader's scolding soon faded away, because a handsome young man spoke up in a gentle voice,
"No one is perfect, there are always some omissions. Just scold them a few words. I think these two warriors must have remembered what happened last night. I'm sure they won't dare to make the same mistake again next time!"
"Second Master Feng, you don't know that the people on night watch must be extremely alert and cannot let down their guard for even a second. If something goes wrong, at best, someone will lose their life, and at worst, the entire team will be wiped out!"
The escort leader suppressed his anger and looked at Feng Qing'an as he explained that when he was awake in the early morning, he saw that his night watch escorts had fallen asleep and he was so angry that his lungs almost exploded. He was relieved only after he counted the number of people.
"Did you two hear that? I apologize to your escort leader and let this matter go!"
Feng Qing'an, feeling refreshed, had to smooth things over at this time. As Donghuang descended last night, all the irrelevant people naturally fell asleep. No matter how vigilant they were, no matter how experienced the escorts were, they would sleep deeper than a dead pig at this time.
"Captain Xu, since nothing happened last night, could you please give me a favor and bypass these two and give them another chance?"
"Since you have spoken, I will forgive them this time. If they do it again, I will show no mercy and will expel them from the escort agency and never employ them again!"
Hearing Feng Qing'an's words, the escort leader felt completely relieved. On the one hand, his stern attitude was due to his rage, and on the other hand, it was also for this young master to see.
If something really happened to this young master, their escort company would not have to continue operating. They also did not want to make this young master unhappy or dissatisfied.
As an experienced old escort, the escort leader had seen all kinds of strange things. The two escorts he carefully selected fell asleep at the same time, and they both slept so soundly. This itself was not normal. He knew the abilities of his subordinates.
They must have encountered something last night, and I don’t know if it was because of the good luck of this young man that no one in the team was in trouble.
Therefore, the escort leader was not going to pursue the matter in detail. This was the experience he had summed up after years of wandering around the world. As a mortal, one should not be too curious and explore places that mortals should not set foot in. Even if you encounter them by chance, just pretend that they do not exist. It is best if nothing happens.
"good!"
The journey was uneventful. As long as Feng Qing'an did not cause any trouble, the team heading to the provincial capital to take the imperial examination traveled extremely smoothly, so smoothly that even the bodyguards in charge of the escort felt a little unbelievable.
If every escort mission could go so smoothly, each of them could accumulate wealth early, return to their hometown as soon as possible, and become a wealthy man enjoying their old age.
Unfortunately, this is impossible. This group of escorts will never know that they were not escorting anyone on this trip, but they were protected along the way because they received a favor from someone. Even the wild animals they killed were arranged in advance.
"Sir, we have brought you safely here. We will stay in the city to rest for the next few days. If you have anything to do, you can come to the Sifang Inn in the west of the city to find us!"
In Jiangyang City, the escorts escorted Feng Qing'an to a small house, and the leading escort leader was very respectful.
The candidates and students from Yongning County who had accompanied them along the way had already said goodbye to them one by one when they entered the city, and then scattered like birds and beasts, each looking for a place to settle down.
"If I need your help, I won't hesitate to help you!"
Feng Qingan smiled. The good intentions of this group of escorts might be due to his identity, but no matter what the intention was, it was a good intention after all, so he accepted it.
"Then we, the rough folks, will not trouble you to rest!"
The escort leader looked at the young man in front of him who was more energetic and spirited than these rough men who practiced martial arts, said a polite remark that even he found a little ridiculous, then bowed and led the group away.
"This Mr. Feng is so young, yet he has won the first place in the provincial examination. He is indeed an extraordinary person!"
After the escorts walked away, they couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. They were martial artists, so how could they not notice that the young man was obviously different from ordinary people?
The long journey was not just talk. Those who practiced martial arts had to rest for a few days, not to mention the group of scholars and students. When they entered the city, they were all tired. They all just wanted to find a place to stay and have a few sleep.
"Master Feng, how can we, the uncouth people, make irresponsible comments? Shut up!"
Seeing these ignorant people around him who wanted to talk behind his back, the escort leader glared at them and told them to just take the money. As long as it did not harm them, why bother about it?
"yes!"
The authority of the escort leader made these escorts dare not raise any more objections. On the other side, Feng Qing'an turned around and looked at the house behind him. After looking at it for a moment, he pretended to fumble in his arms twice, took out a bunch of keys, walked to the door, opened the lock, and then entered the yard.
This key was given to him by his father. This was a courtyard he had specially bought in the capital city not long ago. The title deed and the key were given to Feng Qing'an.
Originally, his father wanted to arrange for two trusted managers and servants to accompany him, but he was persuaded by Feng Qing'an's words and finally agreed to let him go to the provincial capital alone.
"good!"
Feng Qing'an walked around this not-so-big courtyard. Apart from being a little dusty, there was nothing wrong with it. It was just ordinary and pretty standard.
"It's a pity that there are only you and me in this courtyard now. It's a bit lonely!"
Feng Qing'an raised his hand, and a small golden-scaled dragon less than a foot long emerged from between his sleeves, coiled around his palms and fingers, and uttered a clear low moan to him.
It was the Minglong Armor that Donghuang had given him a few days ago, but most of the spiritual essence of this armor had been wiped out. Now in his hands, it was glowing with a different kind of vitality.
Initially, Feng Qingan also appraised this armor, but the appraisal result given at that time was,
【Ming Dragon Armor】
[This spiritual armor is made from a dragon that fell into the netherworld . Because it is worn by a person in the mortal world, the spiritual essence that was corroded by the yin energy has been erased. It is an armor that has lost a lot of spiritual essence.]
But under the nourishment and infusion from Feng Qing'an that never stopped day and night,
[Race: Psychic Armor]
[Attributes: Spirit, Dragon, Water]
[Potential Level: Lord·Medium]
[Combat Power Level: General·Superior]
This piece of armor carefully refined by Donghuang has evolved from the original spiritual weapon into a spiritual armor that can now be contracted.
Feng Qing'an had anticipated these changes. After all, it was not the first time he had seen them. In fact, he wanted this kind of change to happen, so he kept infusing soul power into the Minglong Armor all day long, and finally got the change he wanted.
The appraisal level of the Minglong Armor, whether it is its potential or combat power, is just for viewing and no need to take it seriously. This is also an extraordinary item.
It was only because of the years of wear and tear and special needs that most of the spiritual essence was lost. After the spiritual essence was replenished, that was the true appearance that the armor should have presented.
The fifth soul contract!
A light red of soul power lit up in Feng Qing'an's palm. He had nothing to complain about this armor. It was a protective gear that could save his life. Naturally, the stronger it was, the better. Feng Qing'an was unambiguous about this.
Minglongjia, who had just been born with spirituality, looked at the soul power light wrapped around him, and also felt that this light wanted to invade his body and bring everything under his control. Not only did he not resist at all, but he allowed it to blend in.
Because its spirituality originated from this, it naturally would not have any resistance, so Feng Qingan's fifth soul contract was completed easily.
At the moment the fifth soul contract was established, the two sides complemented each other. The nascent spirituality could not give Feng Qingan too much feedback. After all, the Minglong Armor was a spiritual weapon. It was neither a living being nor a ghost. All it could give Feng Qingan was his innate talent!
Feng Qing'an seemed to notice something and raised his other hand. Misty water vapor immediately appeared between his palm and fingers. At this moment, his control over the water spirit energy in the world directly rose to a higher level. He no longer had to worry about the problem of drinking water in the future.
That's all. You can't expect to be able to call the wind and rain, control thunder, or anything like that. At least not for now. Who knows what will happen in the future.
The feedback Ming Longjia received from Feng Qing'an was even simpler and more direct. His potential level directly rose by one level to Lord·Superior.
"It's time to bring Heishan and Baiyao in, but we still have to say hello to the local gods and ghosts!"
After finishing the things that he had decided long ago, Feng Qing'an left the yard without any fatigue, strolled around Jiangyang Prefecture, and asked passers-by on the road about the location of the City God's Palace.
The young man walked leisurely, looking around as he went, and when he saw something interesting, he would spend his money generously. After tasting the new food, he would head towards his destination.
When he walked near the City God Temple, Feng Qing'an saw an interesting thing, turned around and went over to join in the fun. When he got closer, he could see clearly and understood the source of the excitement here.
This is a man with a simple and honest face, dressed as a hunter. He set up a stall near the City God Temple. In the stall, he sells what he hunted in the mountains and forests. In addition to some furs, there are also many living things.
It was not uncommon to see wild game such as pheasants and rabbits, but there was a group of elegantly dressed young men and scholars who were obviously from wealthy families gathered in front of the hunter's stall and argued endlessly.
The reason why this group of literati and poets, who were most concerned about their reputation, were so disregarding of their manners was that in the cage in front of the hunter, there was a white fox with its hind legs stained with blood.
Although it is a wild beast, its spotless snow-white fur and eyes that seem to have a moist luster flowing through them exude a natural charm that makes people feel pity for it.
Even with the naked eye, one can tell at a glance that this white fox is definitely an extraordinary creature. Compared with the gray pheasants and rabbits next to it, it looks even more spiritual.
Anyone with eyes would know that this fox must be a magical beast in the mountains. Those who are poor would naturally sigh and lament, but those with abundant wealth would naturally have no other choice.
The fox repays a favor!
Supernatural and bizarre stories account for a large proportion of them. Not only educated literati and poets, but even ordinary peddlers who cannot read a single word have heard of them.
These stories often begin with a poor scholar or down-and-out literati rescuing a fox spirit out of pity. After the fox spirit has achieved success in its practice, it transforms into a woman and comes to repay the favor.
"Sir, do you want to help the white fox?"
Feng Qing'an was watching the excitement from the side. The hunter, who seemed honest and simple, immediately noticed Feng Qing'an, whose manners and demeanor were quite extraordinary, and greeted him enthusiastically.
As soon as the hunter opened his mouth, Feng Qingan hadn't answered yet, and immediately dozens of hostile and dissatisfied gazes fell on him.
"Young man, leave quickly and don't cause any trouble here!"
"You little brat, you haven't even grown all your hair yet, and you want to compete with us for the spirit fox? Go home and drink your milk!"
The literati princes, who were on the verge of a falling out over the fight for the spirit fox, naturally would not care about their face and would speak ill of each other.
Feng Qingan almost laughed out loud after hearing these words. He ignored these guys whose upper bodies were controlled by their lower bodies and just bowed to the stupid hunter.
"I am short of money, not to mention fifty taels, I don't even have five taels. It would be nice if I could just stand aside and learn some new things!"
In order to fight for a wild beast, this group of guys drove up the price to a level that was enough to feed and clothe an ordinary family for several years.
"I think the jade pendant on your waist is worth a hundred taels!"
But the hunter still did not give up, and looked at the Hun Tian gem on Feng Qing'an's waist. Even though the magical object was restrained, it was still a top-grade jade.
"This jade was given to me by my wife!"
Feng Qing'an's expression suddenly turned cold. Being stared at in such a way, the hunter smiled awkwardly and withdrew his gaze. He dared not to pay attention to Feng Qing'an anymore. Instead, he tried his best to add fuel to the fire of the dozen or so scholars in front of him.
Seeing this, Feng Qing'an smiled contemptuously and turned away. In his eyes, the white fox was just a wild beast without any spiritual energy. Behind the vendor, there were two towering figures as tall as he could hide, which were invisible to mortals.
Ghost messenger!
However, the two ghost messengers had the same purpose as him, they were also there to watch the fun. Even when they turned around and left, Feng Qing'an could still hear their discussions and sarcasm.
"These scholars talk about etiquette and morality, but their minds are full of dirty thoughts. This kid's family just passed down the skill of raising foxes, and it's almost been eating five generations!"
"Hehe, the fox repays a favor, it's not like you and I haven't heard of it. With this skill, this kid's descendants can eat until the literati are extinct!"
"These idiots, don't they think about how much suffering ordinary mountain foxes have to endure before they can transform into human beings? How dare they dare to get their hands on them? With this money, they might as well redeem a prostitute and marry her!"
