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Cultivation Nerd: Chapter 128
🕑 Added 2024-06-25 07:54:54 +0000 UTCChapter 128 - A Thousand Mysteries
Xin Ma tapped his finger on the counter, waiting for anyone to come by today. While most others were worried about the war, he wasn't too concerned. A big reason was that the outer library wouldn't function without him.
"Hey, did you hear about the recent rumors?" called a voice from the front doors. Shan Sha, the old man with missing teeth and a goat-like beard, liked to hang around here.
"There are always some rumors in the Sect. Most of them are false," Xin Ma said.
Despite his dismissive tone, he was interested in the rumors. After all, he didn't have much else going on.
"Well, there are some rumors that our Liu Feng is somehow entangled with Song Song…" the old man smiled suggestively.
"No," Xin Ma refuted immediately. "Liu Feng is not unintelligent enough to be manipulated like that. Even Song Song wouldn't be able to get him to do something he didn't want."
"Perhaps he isn't faking it. Young love does strange things to people," Shan Sha wiggled his eyebrows.
"What? Are we even talking about the same thing here? Are you suggesting Song Song is involved with Liu Feng... romantically?" Xin Ma could barely say the last word. The thought of someone like Song Song getting her clutches on him worried him. She was a dangerous young woman, too dangerous. "The Inner Sect is filled with ruthless cutthroats. Liu Feng understands that, and there is no way the young man I know would fall for something like that."
"Well, you might know him as a person. But even the most logical man has certain instincts," Shan Sha ran his fingers through his goat-like beard with a knowing smirk. But when he noticed no one was taking the bait, he relented. "True, I can't see Liu Feng falling for a honey trap either."
But the old man was not done so soon and continued his charade, "Liu Feng's weakness is his curiosity. Usually, he is quite cautious, to the point of cowardice in some cases. But he can get quite reckless when testing a new technique or seeing a new one from his opponent. Liu Feng is a young man of logical passion!"
At this point, Xin Ma was sure the old goat was making things up. Shan Sha only saw the worst parts and picked and chose the context of things.
Sure, Liu Feng was a complicated young man. Like everyone else, he was not a one-dimensional person. But the kid was not some logical machine that would go berserk at the thought of new knowledge. He was a kind young man who would never look away from someone who was hurt.
By the old goat's smirk, Xin Ma knew that Shan Sha had gotten what he wanted. He just wanted to get a rise out of him. Without Liu Feng around, the old goat was bored.
"We shouldn't be talking about things we know nothing about," Xin Ma said. "Whatever is happening in the Inner Sect, Liu Feng is a resourceful kid."
"True," Shan Sha shrugged. "He also wouldn't have gotten so emotional so fast. He was a challenge; that made bantering with him fun."
'Banter? Don't you mean—bother?' Xin Ma thought but kept his thoughts to himself. He didn't have Liu Feng's patience to deal with the old man.
The library fell into a quiet trance after that, and both the librarian and the old man were lost in thought.
"That's an interesting conversation," a voice came from the middle of the bookshelves.
Xin Ma was startled as his arrays hadn't sensed anyone else there. But as his eyes landed on the figure who spoke, he went from startled to downright terrified.
How long had he been around?
The newcomer was a young-looking man holding a book, not even glancing up as he spoke. He had olive skin and wore a red robe embroidered with golden writing.
What was the Sect Leader doing here?
No wonder the arrays didn't pick him up. The difference in power was just too vast. Arrays at this level were mere tricks compared to a Nascent Soul Cultivator.
The Sect Leader closed the book and turned toward them. Immediately, both Shan Sha and Xin Ma dropped to one knee.
"We greet the Honorable Sect Leader!" they said in unison.
"No need for the theatrics," the Sect Leader said, though his gaze lingered on Shan Sha a bit longer.
Xin Ma had a rough idea of who Shan Sha was; it was just a theory he had questioned all along, but the Sect Leader's reaction confirmed it. Some nobody mortal would never be able to get a cushy job like the old goat had out of nowhere.
Of course, Xin Ma knew better than to mention certain things. Some things were better buried, and some wounds were better forgotten.
"Anyway," the Sect Leader waved his hand, and Xin Ma felt an invisible force pushing him up. There was no chance to resist. "What do any of you know about a young man named Hu Jin?"
"Hu Jin?" Xin Ma frowned, recalling the red-haired young man who had stolen a book from him.
"I have this wild theory," the Sect Leader smiled and picked up another book to read. His actions were nonchalant as if he were just on another stroll. "You remember that Core Formation monstrous beast that attacked the newcomers? The four-eyed white snake said something about a target. I feel that I know who the target was… and I think our little friend, Liu Feng, does too. How does he know?... Well, that's a mystery to me as well."
Xin Ma's heart shook at the words. He didn't know what Liu Feng had gotten involved in, but it couldn't have been good if the Sect Leader had gotten involved. This man had lived for hundreds of years, and that golden throne seemed to have only sharpened his mind.
"I also have another wild theory about our friend, Liu Feng," the Sect Leader said, with the same nonchalant tone as before. "But that is for another time. I'm more worried about that thing on the third floor. Did it make contact with our friend, Liu Feng?"
"Thing on the third floor?" Xin Ma asked, confused.
Nothing was on the third floor; it was empty, as it had always been.
"This is an interesting development," the Sect Leader said, looking at a new book in his hands, and one would think he was talking about it. But his brown eyes turned toward Xin Ma and inquired, "Tell me, do you think Liu Feng ever saw a ghost? A humanoid owl-looking ghost."
"No," the librarian shook his head. "Liu Feng never mentioned anything like that."
He never recalled anything like that while Liu Feng passed the illusionary array leading to the third floor. He had handled it well.
"Huh, isn't that neat," the Sect Leader nodded and returned to reading the book in his hands. "Well, the Blazing Sun Sect has a lot of ghosts. Some like wandering around in secret places, while others like acting as servants. Make sure not to wander onto the third floor from now on. Or do... It would make for an interesting show."
The Sect Leader put the book he was reading back and began walking out of the library. His steps were intentionally loud for someone of his cultivation. But before he could leave, Xin Ma gathered his courage and asked.
"I apologize for my rudeness, Sect Leader. But I was wondering if I could ask how Liu Feng is doing. We hear many things in the outer Sect, but we know nothing about which things are true," Xin Ma said.
The Sect Leader stopped and turned toward the librarian and the old man. Shan Sha had said nothing this whole time and seemed more like a quiet ghost compared to his usual self. Though he was staring at the Sect Leader more intently than he did at anyone else.
"Oh, I think he is flourishing. The kid has guts," the Sect Leader said with what could be counted as amusement. This was the most emotion he had shown so far. "Liu Feng is finding himself in the darkness of the inner Sect. I also think he and Song Song complement each other quite well. They're changing each other for the worse and for the better."
After saying that, he just walked away, humming some kind of song that Xin Ma was unfamiliar with. Considering the Sect Leader's age, he likely knew many songs that were lost to time for most people.
Xin Ma didn't know how to feel about the news. There was nothing to worry about for someone at the Sect Leader's power. Even if certain elders were scheming against him, the only reason such schemes would be allowed to continue was if the Sect Leader wanted them to. He could end all the schemes in the Sect with a swipe of his hand.
Nobody could solve the puzzle of why the Sect Leader allowed these schemes to continue. His motives remained hidden, like the depths of the ocean.
********
I fixed my gaze on Song San; the tension between him and Song Song was palpable. As I rose to my feet, I brushed off the imaginary dust from my clothes, my eyes never leaving him.
"Hey, what is with all the hostility here?" Song San asked. "I'm just here to tell you that a Core Formation monstrous beast was defeated by Zun Gon, the Core Elder. After some investigation, it was discovered that a monstrous beast army was lurking around some town. So the Sect secretly sent two elders."
Was this the same town I had told the Sect Leader about? If it was, it seemed like he had "forgotten" to mention my name in the whole thing. I was okay with that as long as he kept his part of the deal.
"Okay, you already told us the news. You can leave now," Song Song waved him off.
"Hey, why am I being treated so badly?" Song San looked confused. "I came here to deliver good news, and you are so aggressive, sister."
He acted like the time he had poisoned Song Song so many times when she was young was nothing. Also, she was not the only one cautious. After all, this was still the guy who explicitly said he would never do anything without some benefit involved. So he was definitely gaining something out of this.
"I'm like the tragic older brother who tries to help his sister but is never appreciated for his work," Song San sighed and shook his head.
This guy…
"It will also be really tragic when the street sweepers find your corpse on the road among chicken bones, broken teacups, and other trash," Song Song stated.
"I'm almost hurt by those words, dear sister," Song San said without a care in the world. Even a blind man could tell he was not hurt by his sister's words. The guy was even smiling as he said that. "Anyway, I'm happy you're out of that prison now."
"You mean the same prison where your mother ended up. Did you ever visit her when she was there? She died there, right?" Song Song asked with an almost friendly smile.
But in contrast, Song San's smile slipped off his face, and he glared at her. It was the first genuine emotion I had seen in this guy. He actually seemed angry.
"It wasn't like your mother died a better death," Song San said as his glare disappeared and he returned to normal. "I wonder what her last thoughts could have been. It was probably something along the lines of: 'Oh no, why is my husband killing me?'"
Fuck, okay. This was getting out of hand! I had to do something fast before these two got their emotions hurt and did something stupid.
Unexpectedly, Song Song seemed calm, and she shrugged. "Probably. I never really talked to her when she was dying."
"But I heard you were there to see it, right? Rumors say that many things happened that day," Song San said.
"I think we should stop this before anyone gets hurt," I intervened. "We should just leave things here and separate before they get ugly."
Things had already gotten way beyond ugly. But I wasn't here to play schematics with these two about to kill each other.
These two, Song San and Song Song, were the product of a violent environment, something that could erupt at any second.
"You're right," Song San shrugged. "Sorry, sister. I went too far there."
Song Song, on the other hand, didn't apologize and just stared him down. Likely because everyone here knew his apology wasn't sincere.
He then turned around and, without saying a word, walked out of the doorway.
Once he was gone, I turned to Song Song and asked, "Everything okay?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't it be?" She turned toward me with a questioning brow.
"Sorry…" I said and decided to drop the conversation there.
"If you're worried about how I might feel about my mother, you don't need to feel sorry. I don't need your pity. That woman never cared about me either," Song Song stated calmly.
She really didn't seem affected by her mother's death. But she knew how to hide her emotions when she wanted to.
Not even her mother cared about her. That was sad…
Comments
Kreylix
Sect Leader FTW!
Some_Rando598
I mean if it’s from Liu Feng I don’t think she’ll mind. Maybe. Probably.
lenkite
He doesn't need to be an otherworldly devil by himself. In his long, long life, he has likely met otherwordly devils and fought with/against them.
lenkite
I thought Liu Feng had already mentioned that Owl Man ? Gottu go back and check...aargh
Moonspike
I'm starting to think that the sect master is an otherworldly devil. In a setting like this I don't think someone being made more ruthless would be seen as a change for the worse, nor do I think song song learning to work with people would be seen as a change for the worse, add in the unfamiliar song he was whistling and how he seems to have already found out Liu Feng, and that would appear to be the best explanation.
Noah
I believe in the theory that the Sect Leader is also an “Otherworldy Devil.” He’s just the kind that was born into a new body, instead of taking one over. That’d explain why he’s singing a tune that the Librarian doesn’t know. It’d also explain why he’s interested in Liu Feng.
DaftWully
I think the old man is actually the sect founder who was supposed to have ascended a while back.
PatronTurtle
That's my theory too. Need the leader to hum that song near our boy
PatronTurtle
It sounds more like their memories have been eaten
Tom
I wonder if the man in the book is also a ghost.
Tom
Paragraphs, man, paragraphs.
Diplodicus
Thanks for the chapter! Lots of information in this one, I wonder if Lui Feng can see the ghosts because he is an otherworldly devil 🤔
Lewikey Lyion
Is this foreshadowing Liu Feng's transformation into Song Song level crazy? I'm all for it!
aaab1422
I thought it was weird how the librarian never mentioned the owl to lui Feng. The owl wiping his memory puts it into perspective better.
Valderan
The sect leader keeps the schemes going because uninteresting/boring sects don't survive in stories and he knows they're inside a story.
Confused
Oh damn so the Sect Leader knows or at least has an idea about Liu Feng and probably also knows about Hu Jin how terrifying. That means he'll be keeping an eye on both of them, and he also said Liu's relationship with Song is both good and bad for the both of them. Which is already known to us lmao, good to have in story confirmation though.
Leo
I’m betting the sect leader is an Otherworldly Demon, or has an intimate connection to one. Shan Sha is definitely a companion of the sect leader from long ago during his Era, and the Librarian is either someone with minimal to no connection to them from back then, but knows them now due to frequent interaction cuz of the Sect Leader’s nonchalantness and connection to Shan Sha, or is just a friend of Shan Sha who had no idea about his other ties. Now, the ghost on the third floor, the Sect Leader asked “If it made contact”, not if he saw it, or if he knows anything about it… Could it be some kind of special guardian beast of some kind, that only appears before certain people? It did want to take Liu Feng as its disciple iirc, because it said that everyone got his talent measurement wrong… Hm, and then there’s the story about the guy who had enlightenment and then suddenly killed himself, hmmmm. There’s not much I remember about that chapter, but that owl is definitely interesting. Can’t wait to see what other rabbits you pull out of your hate next Author. Because there is something about Liu Feng, other than him being an otherworldly demon, and other than his personality, that people are attracted to. You could say it’s his soul, but I don’t buy it. Cultivator schemes run too deep, there could be countless secrets hidden in his body that the original was unaware of… Who knows who or what he actually was before this, or if the Liu Family did something to him to use him as a piece for some other scheme… That also needs to be explored. Anyway, I can’t wait to see what’s next!
Forgottenone
Well for a few moments I was very confused till I read this and realized it was a planned memory wipe.
Jacob Gondringer
Wait, did they just lie to the sect leader about the third floor guardian? They've spoken about it with the protag?
CptJimmy
Song Song needs a hug, but I fear for the hugger's safety.
William
I always just assumed he was the blazing sun immortal who disappeared. Liu Feng got saved by a giant fireball explosion on his first excursion and the old man seemed to know how well Liu Feng acted under pressure after that.
Bob
I think you meant semantics, not schematics.
Hunter Brown
Does Sect Leader know Liu Feng is an otherworldly devil? Is Sect Leader one?
Orims
He could have been the previous sect leader, maybe he was not as powerful and way older than the current one so he stepped off to cosplay streetsweeper.
Augustus
Song Song did not know about the human book in the song clan library, now Xin Ma does not know about the human owl in the outer sect library. Is it a coincidence or are the two connected? In the case your memories have also been altered go read the previous chapters: human book was something like CH 123 and human owl before leaving the sect with Song Song but after the sect trial I believe.
BZD
There goes the theory that the old man was secretly the Sect Leader. But I haven’t given up yet. I think it’s a Padme situation, the old man is the secret Sect Leader, and the young looking guy is the fake one who is there to be a body double of sorts.
BZD
Wait what happened?
Augustus
Is it a coincidence that a librarian disappears from his old library after a new one appears in his newest library? Are the human owl and human book the same or connected?
Waifu-glasses
The old goat is probably one of the "masked" squad that works directly under the sect leader or a retired member. The sect leader is either a, one of the heavenly favoured b, a demonic cultivator or c, an ortherworldly devil. I think it most likely the last one.
Half_coop
Frankly a good name for the chapter, so many question and little answers provided
Holy Mouse
Yep, that's why it should come off as unnatural. The vibe of: there is something wrong here.
Bereftreader
Time to eagerly await the next chapter
SirWinsALot
Finally im getting reverend Insanity vibes. Competent side characters ruthless and ambitious. Sect leader seems to have immortality in his sights. Lets go holy mouse i love where this is going.
C
Seems like a bit of a stretch to forget that someone you care about was talking with the creepy owl thing upstairs.
Undead Writer
Thanks for the chapter!
maldita
ghost shenanigans man, the inner sect leaders such a cool character so far
MadHatter
I was so surprised when that came up… I thought why is the librarian lying. Is it the librarian’s doing or the owl’s?
Calypso, Professional Overthinker
If what Song Song said this chapter was true, Liu Feng is the first and possibly ONLY person to ever genuinely care about her. And that’s really kinda sad.
Calypso, Professional Overthinker
Incriminating, I think. That or he’s done something to make himself forget.
Holy Mouse
We see from his thoughts that he actually doesn't remember. He wouldn't lie about someone he hates to the Sect Leader.
SirWinsALot
Ok. Xin ma clearly knows the owl and that it saw liu feng. Why didn’t he mention it.
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