Chapter 295: Chapter 295: Lu Zheng Slays in All Four Directions
After chatting for a while, Daoist Kunyuan and the others roughly understood Lu Zheng’s needs.
"The Jinhua Sect owes a great favor to Nephew this time. Please stay for a couple of days and let Rong Song show you the sights of Jinhua Mountain," said Daoist Kunyuan.
Lu Zheng bowed with a smile, "It was hard to come by, I must appreciate the beauty of Jinhua Mountain."
...
After bidding farewell to Daoist Kunyuan, Rong Qin went to prepare the guest room for Lu Zheng, while Rong Song began taking Lu Zheng on a tour of Jinhua Mountain.
Jinhua Sect extends deep into the mountains for more than forty miles, with plenty of splendid scenery. Nearby, there are clear springs and streams, strange peaks and rocks; in the distance, there are continuous mountains and seas, clouds stretching for thousands of miles. Moreover, many small animals are not afraid of humans and live harmoniously with the Daoists of the Jinhua Sect.
Monkeys, squirrels, songbirds, deer...
"It seems like the brothers of Jinhua Sect live more carefree lives than those at White Cloud Temple," Lu Zheng remarked in admiration.
"Each has their own path," Rong Song replied with a smile. "Jinhua Mountain emphasizes Refining Spirit, which allows us to find peace here, while White Cloud Temple focuses on Qi Cultivation, naturally they are different."
Walking along, they happened to pass by a large pine tree where two Daoists were playing chess, with one of them just conceding defeat.
"Rong Song, you’re just in time, come play a game with me," the winning Daoist called out to Rong Song.
"Can’t you see I’m entertaining a guest?" Rong Song said with helplessness.
"Your friend from outside the mountain?" the Daoist nodded towards Lu Zheng, "How’s your chess skill?"
"Lu Zheng, Outer Disciple of White Cloud Temple, greets the two fellow Daoists," Lu Zheng bowed.
Upon hearing they were fellow Daoists, the two hurriedly stood up to return the greeting.
"Brother Lu, are you interested?" the winning Daoist invited.
Rong Song explained, "Rong Feng is known as the chess fanatic of the Jinhua Sect. His skill may not be exceptional, but he loves finding people to play chess with."
Rong Feng protested, "How can my senior brother defame me? Among our Rong-lineage, my chess skills can at least rank in the top three... five... ten!"
Lu Zheng, "..."
Seeing Lu Zheng not responding, Rong Feng thought he might not be good at chess, and kindly suggested, "How about I give you a handicap of one stone?"
Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow.
Just as Rong Song was about to speak, Lu Zheng nodded with a smile, "It’s just a game, it’s unnecessary to give concessions."
"Brother Lu, don’t mind him, Rong Feng becomes a bit obsessed when it comes to chess," Rong Song apologetically said to Lu Zheng.
"No problem, no problem," Lu Zheng laughed, then took a seat.
Being peers and meeting for the first time, before a game had even begun, suggesting a handicap was indeed a bit audacious, especially since Lu Zheng was here representing the face of White Cloud Temple. Rong Feng was somewhat insolent.
If that’s the case, then let’s teach him a lesson.
"Please, Brother Lu, make the first move!" Rong Feng said.
Lu Zheng nodded, not standing on ceremony, picked up the white stones and made the first move, placing it at the Star position.
The early game was quick, with both players making a series of moves, quickly reaching more than a dozen moves.
Rong Feng’s pace then slowed down, pondering each move, while Lu Zheng not only followed each of Rong Feng’s moves immediately, but also had time to chat casually with Rong Song.
The difference in skill was apparent!
The other Daoist looked at the board, then at Lu Zheng, and teased with a smile, "No wonder Brother Lu hesitated earlier, bullying a poor chess player indeed isn’t fun."
Rong Feng raised an eyebrow, about to rebut, but just as he reached a crucial moment in thought, he had to swallow his words.
Then Lu Zheng waved with a smile, "Not at all, not at all. Daoist Rong Jin overpraises me. My chess skill is just average, purely a hobby, not something I’ve studied deeply."
Rong Song, "..."
Rong Jin, "..."
Rong Feng almost choked, suppressing the urge to curse, focused again, reconsidering the move he was about to make.
There was also a plate of pine nuts next to the board, likely a snack for Rong Feng and Rong Jin. Lu Zheng casually took some to eat.
With a light pinch, the hard shell of the pine nuts cracked, the meat inside popped straight into Lu Zheng’s mouth.
Oily and delicate, with a fresh pine aroma.
By the time Lu Zheng ate his third piece, Rong Feng finally made a move, and Lu Zheng immediately followed, Rong Feng moved again, Lu Zheng followed, and once again, Rong Feng was stuck.
So Lu Zheng continued to munch on pine nuts while playing with Rong Feng.
...
Moments later, after much contemplation, Rong Feng conceded defeat at mid-game.
"Brother Lu, your chess skill is excellent. No one in our Rong-lineage has ever made Rong Feng lose so quickly!" Rong Song said in surprise, not expecting Lu Zheng’s chess skill to be so superior.
Lu Zheng offered a modest smile, "Brother Daoist overpraises, it’s merely a hobby."
"Rong Feng, what do you say?" Rong Jin asked Rong Feng with a smile.
Rong Feng had a dazed look, jolted back to reality at Rong Jin’s inquiry.
"Brother Lu is very talented!" Rong Feng exclaimed in admiration, "He combines the orthodox with the unique, every move of mine was within his calculations."
Rong Feng pulled at Lu Zheng, wanting another game, but Rong Song interrupted, "Brother Lu didn’t come here just to play chess with you, and it’s almost time for evening lessons. Aren’t you going?"
"Alright then."
Rong Feng could only reluctantly let go, then reluctantly left with Rong Jin.
"Does the Jinhua Sect also hold evening lessons daily?" Lu Zheng asked.
Rong Song shook his head, "It’s not compulsory, it’s just that Rong Feng’s cultivation isn’t up to standard, so his uncle makes him attend daily."
Watching the two leave, Rong Song then led Lu Zheng to the rear hall for a meal.
Returning the favor of the Divinity Transformation Technique was indeed significant, as the Sect Leader of Jinhua himself came to accompany Lu Zheng for dinner, again inviting him to stay for a few more days.
...
As Lu Zheng pondered how many days to stay at Jinhua Sect, Rong Feng came looking for another chess game the next day.
Then he lost three games in a row and left covering his face.
While the skill of a chess fanatic is strong, it was not top-notch. However, observers noted Lu Zheng’s overwhelming victories over Rong Feng, which caught the attention of some skilled players.
Especially after Lu Zheng’s words spread, claiming his chess playing was just a hobby and not deeply studied, new Daoists from Jinhua Sect came to challenge him.
Lu Zheng did not refuse anyone, dominating the field, defeating all the skilled Rong-lineage Daoists of Jinhua Sect within three days.
Simultaneously, he unexpectedly gained dozens of strands of Light of Fortune.
So...
"Chess is very simple. I actually just read a few manuals."
"No, no, you’re too kind. I actually feel my chess skill is just average."
"Everyone overpraises me. I still have a long way to go..."
Seeing several Daoists bearing a look of forced composure and complexity, and feeling the constant flow of Light of Fortune into the Jade Seal, Lu Zheng’s smile became even more modest.
Who wouldn’t want to make friends with someone so humble?
"Brother Lu." Having conversed more with Lu Zheng over the last few days, Rong Song had become a friend and was also used to Lu Zheng’s way of speaking, so he couldn’t help but urge, "When do you plan to descend the mountain? I’m afraid if you don’t go soon, you might be in danger."