Chapter 4: The First Cultivation

  The second master looked at Chen Jiu and said calmly, "How did the first master's thinking change suddenly? Didn't he refuse to say anything just a few days ago?"

  Chen Jiuxian burst out laughing: "I'm also wondering, the other day several masters and the great master were quarreling incessantly, now the great master's idea suddenly changed, it's really making people feel a bit at a loss".

  The second master looked at Chen Jiu and continued: "Such a big thing, why didn't the first master come to say it himself, but instead called you, this little slippery head, to come and divide with us?"

  After saying so much, it's all because the second master is cautious by nature. Such a big thing, if not ordered by the master himself, would be the first to die after something happens, that is, the second master. So even when facing this little guy who has lived together for eight years, the second master still keeps testing him constantly.

  Chen Jiu did things with a clear conscience, the most important thing is that after living in the den of thieves for so many years, if he didn't even know how to pretend a little, Chen Jiu would have been designed to die by others long ago, and wouldn't be able to live so comfortably.

  However, Chen Jiu didn't dare to reveal that the master wanted to shake everyone off and escape alone. If it was revealed, he would probably be the first to die, and the crime wouldn't need to be guessed - it would definitely be inciting discord and undermining the unity of the mountain stronghold.

  Although Chen Jiubefore and Er Dangjia had a good relationship in private, this matter was not even dared to be mentioned, let alone the tone.

  The second master nodded: "Alright, I know about this matter. Tomorrow, I'll go find a few masters to discuss it together. At that time, you little guy will come with me and clarify the situation in front of everyone."

  The second master and the big master have been at odds for some time, especially during this year-end period when the second master has made a lot of money from these goods. Now, suddenly hearing the big master say to send out these goods, how could the second master not be cautious? Measuring others by oneself, if he wasn't cautious, he would have been taken advantage of long ago.

  It's better to go with the other masters to deliver the goods. At that time, even if the master wants to use this batch of goods to frame himself or give himself a name for not following the rules, and does not admit to giving Chen Jiu an order, Chen Jiu will also have to push back and deny that he passed on the message. If no one testifies for him, then he'll be at the mercy of others.

  In this brief moment, the master of the house has already thought a thousand times, it can be seen that he is an old and cunning person.

  Chen Jiu, this little fox naturally knew the old man's thoughts and smiled lightly: "Alright, since today is not early, Second Master should rest early, I won't disturb Second Master."

  After finishing speaking, Chen Jiu took a glance at the curved figure wrapped in the quilt, then revealed a knowing smile to Er Dangjia.

  The second master kicked one foot towards Chen Jiu: "Good kid, really getting bolder and bolder, dare to make fun of old man, huh?"

  This kick naturally did not hit its mark, and Chen Qi cleverly escaped out of the door.

  Looking at the door that was slammed shut with a "bang", Chen Jiu let out a soft sigh. Being the second-in-command in this den of thieves wasn't easy either. The friendship they had built over the years was important, but it wasn't worth risking his own life.

  This mountain stronghold is full of extremely evil and poor people. The only way to live a good life forever is to be cautious in everything, don't trust anyone easily. When you really believe in someone, when you open your heart to them, you're probably not far from death.

  Chen Jiu looked up at the sky and didn't expect that with the New Year approaching, it would snow again.

  He withdrew his hands into his sleeves and looked at the mountain bandits who were still lazily keeping watch, Chen Jiu walked over softly: "It's time to celebrate the New Year".

  That mountain bandit saw Chen Qi and smiled foolishly: "I've seen the young boss, it's almost New Year".

  Chen Jiu was stunned for a moment, the big man's smile at this moment gave people a kind of pure feeling, shook his head, these were all ruthless killers, how could there be a pure smile.

  "When did you climb the mountain?" Chen Jiu asked softly.

  The great Han took out his wine pouch and took a light sip: "It's been seventeen springs already".

  Looking at the wine pouch handed over by Da Han, Chen Jiu did not hesitate to take it and took a sip. A pungent air rushed up from his lungs, and the cold air seemed to be dispelled in that instant.

  Return the wine pouch to Da Han: "Seventeen springs and autumns have also made you an old man in the mountain stronghold."

  Dahan nodded silently without saying a word.

  He took a deep breath and Chen Jiu looked at the silent big man: "Have you ever taken root in the mountain stronghold?"

  The big Han's eyes were moist at this moment: "There are three unfilial acts, and having no descendants is the greatest. Alas, in these times, which good family's daughter would be willing to marry a mountain bandit? Those girls who were seized by force were also limited in number, all of them were distributed among those with merit, how could we small soldiers possibly have an opportunity?"

  Chen Jiuyi fell silent for a moment: "How old are you this year?"

  The Great Khan stroked his wine jug: "Thirty-nine".

  "What's wrong with the mountain?"

  "I killed them, all 73 men and women, young and old, in the county government office, with a single breath. Then I went up the mountain, leaving behind a trail of destruction." The big man's eyes gazed into the distance as he spoke in a detached tone.

  Chen Jiu suddenly had his hair stand on end at this moment, who would have thought that such an honest man could be so ruthless, the saying "don't judge a person by their appearance" is referring to him.

  Chen Jiu didn't ask for a reason, but under the light of the fire, he looked at the big man's eyes with a hint of moisture and knew that this was a man with a story.

  He touched his cuff and said, "Have you eaten yet?"

  "Hmm" Han nodded his head.

  Chen Jiu looked at Da Han and suddenly felt a surge of excitement: "You come with me down the mountain tomorrow."

  To be honest, this guy has been in the mountain stronghold for nineteen years and hasn't even become a leader. I don't know how to evaluate Chen Ji.

  Patted Hanzi's shoulder, Chen Jiu smiled lightly: "Good good night watch, don't be careless at all, recently it's a season of many things".

  After finishing speaking, Chen Jiu turned around and left, wandering towards his own house. However, when he arrived at the door, Chen Jiu suddenly stopped in his tracks, waving his hand at a small mountain bandit in the distance, signaling him to come over.

  "Little Head, what's going on that you're calling me?" Little Mountain Bandit came running over with a fawning smile.

  "Go to the back house and see if Master is still there, ask him to boil a basin of hot water for me, I want to take a bath." Chen Jiufu said with a stern face.

  When it's time to be friendly and close, be friendly and close; when it's time to be serious and stern, stand up with dignity.

  Xiao Zhuangzi bowed and said: "Don't worry, Xiao Lao Da, even if the cook has fallen asleep, I will still bring you water."

  Chen Jiubai waved his hand to signal the little mountain bandit to leave, pushed open the door and looked at the charcoal fire that was about to go out, and threw some new charcoal into it.

  Before long, a knock on the door sounded, and then a big man carried a wooden basin into the house. Several other big men followed, carrying buckets of hot water which they poured into the basin.

  After everyone left, Chen Jiuguan locked the door and then picked up a towel to enter the water bucket, wiping his body little by little.

  To be honest, Chen Jiu was very dissatisfied with this body, it was too thin, thin to the point of being skeletal. Although this body usually ate better than anyone else on a daily basis, this was a root of illness.

  Gently wiping his body dry, Chen Jiuzai took out his best clothes and put them on meticulously. He then picked up a wooden comb and combed his hair back neatly.

  He took a light breath, lit three incense sticks and sat cross-legged on his wooden bed. All the lights in the house were extinguished, only the moonlight faintly shone inside the room.

  The Way of Heaven is the transformation of Heaven, and the transformation of Heaven is the Way of Heaven. The Great Way has fifty chapters, and Heaven has forty-nine chapters, so one chapter remains. The Way gives birth to One, One gives birth to Two, Two gives birth to Three, and Three gives birth to all things; all things have life and death, or are born or die, or die or are born, all of which is transformation.

  Man is also Heaven, so he rides on the dynamics of several and seizes the opportunity to surpass the primordial energy, competing with creation in flowing. Virtue and two instruments compete with creation in flowing, virtue and two forms are compared to greatness, suddenly appearing and suddenly hiding, creation has a source.

  The word "Zao Hua" contains two meanings: one is "Zao", and the other is "Hua". The meaning of "Zao" can be understood as the emergence and disappearance of things. "Hua" refers to the change and development of things.

  Creation is the will of heaven, it is fate, only the supreme one controls all things, governing the rise and fall of all living things.

  Chen's mind sank into the midst of creation and the heavenly way, a thread of vital energy was produced in his chest, all things in the universe seemed to have undergone some kind of inexplicable change, profound and mysterious, unspeakable and immeasurable.

  P.S: Don't forget the tickets, dear!