Chapter 64: Lonely Crowd

  Lin Fan was struck by San San Zhen Ren's kick, causing him to fly into a rage. A thunderclap and a tile flew out, but Lin Fan dodged with a smile, his body twisting like a water snake. However, San San Zhen Ren had set a trap, and the thunderclap exploded, covering half of Lin Fan's face in soot. Enraged, Lin Fan activated his true energy, sending countless embroidery needles flying out from his sword array towards San San Zhen Ren.

  "How boring!" The distance was too close, and it was impossible to completely dodge. San San Zhenren pretended not to care, his protective true energy surged up, and he deflected the embroidered needle, making it seem like he didn't even bother to dodge.

  At this time a black shadow came from the east, moving extremely fast. San San Zhenren took a glance and immediately descended, restoring his usual demeanor as the sect leader: "You have a guest."

  "I've seen the real person." The newcomer was Gu Yan, who had not been seen for almost two years. Gu Yan's skin had darkened a bit, his body was more robust, but his eyes remained unchanged, still as firm and determined as ever.

  Lin Fanxi: "Gu Yan Shixiong, sit down, quickly go and brew some tea."

  "Huh?" The sect leader was about to go fetch water, but then realized something was off and glared at Lin Fan.

  "I'm going." Lin wiped the sweat off his forehead, went to fetch water and poured it into a kettle. Then he threw a spark of fire at the bottom of the kettle and said: "Gu Yan Shixiong, how do you have time to visit me today?"

  "The sect leader ordered me to come out and meet you. The master said that you have been looking for me many times, so I came to ask if there's anything I can help you with."

  It's tiring to chat with people like this, what can you do when you find me? We're just friends, let's sit down and play a game of Go, drink tea and brag, it's all so carefree. Lin Fan said helplessly: "I heard that Master Gu Yan has been in seclusion for over a year, I'm worried about him, so I went to Tian Xing Sect to visit."

  "Thanks for your concern, Lin Feng, since nothing's wrong, I'll head back to the sect first."

  "Be careful... take care."

  "Stay behind." Gu Yan walked away.

  San San saw Lin Fan's frantic appearance and couldn't help but laugh: "Lin Fan, you can fool around with Bai Miao and Ye Wushuang, but Gu Yan's personality is just like that - a gentleman's friendship is as thin as water. I think he also considers you a friend, but his way of expressing it is different. I heard that Gu Yan never wastes words in the Tian Xing Sect, so for him to sit down with you is already quite good."

  Lin Fan said: "Then I have to thank him."

  San San Zhen Ren didn't care, and said: "Gu Yan has been in seclusion, his temperament hasn't changed. I think he's already deeply proficient in the ancient family's sword escape method. What he lacks now is a sword to control... You're friends, why don't you let him go kill Lin Xue Ge and take the sword?"

  Lin Fan hadn't spoken yet, but he heard the sound of people bustling about at the foot of the mountain, as well as the sound of children crying. Lin Fan and San San Zhen Ren went to the edge of the mountain to take a look, only to see Qian Yu Zhen Ren and two disciples accompanying over ten children climbing up the mountain. San San Zhen Ren's face changed greatly: "This is terrible."

  "What?"

  "A few days ago, I was summoned by the abbot of the Hidden Immortal Sect. My master's fellow disciple scolded me, saying that as the sect leader, I was lazy with sect affairs and had only taken in two disciples in 15 years, one of whom was sent by Zhang. Of course, I didn't dare argue back, so I said I would definitely make the Orthodox Unity Sect prosper and take in many more disciples. Qian Yu True Person took advantage of the situation to send someone over."

  Lin Fan was annoyed: "Fine, this grand hall hasn't been cleaned for ages, and the protective array of Zhengyi Mountain has become useless. Now that we have a guest, I still have to personally boil water."

  "Be careful, I'll seal myself tomorrow and you, senior brother, will take over the master's skills." San San Zhen Ren was puzzled: "What have I done to offend our sect leader, why won't he let me live a comfortable life?"

  Is that so? Of course not, Qian Yu Zhen Ren discovered that Lin Fan's cultivation and realm were higher than she had imagined. Apart from Lin Fan's innate talent, there was also the guidance of San San Zhen Ren. The other sects' disciples were too numerous, and it was impossible for the sect master to provide meticulous guidance. Moreover, many sect masters were dissatisfied with San San Zhen Ren due to their reverence for the Hidden Immortal Sect. Coincidentally, a plague had broken out in a county town a hundred miles away, resulting in countless deaths. The Yun Qing Men sect built porridge and medicine factories, and later took in some orphans. Those who had relatives were sent to them by disciples, while those without relatives were helped to find foster homes. Those with nowhere to go were taken in by the Yun Qing Men sect.

  Everyone within a hundred miles of Yunqing Gate knows that Yunqing Gate is an immortal mountain, and Yunqing Gate has provided assistance to nearby villages and county towns. For example, when Lin Fan goes out to catch ghosts, it's because someone comes to the mountain gate to request it, and the disciples of the mountain gate report to the main hall, which assigns tasks to the miscellaneous affairs of Zhengyi Sect.

  Due to the prestige of the Hidden Immortal Sect's seniors, San San Zhen Ren couldn't escape and looked at the children standing in front of him. There were twelve children, with the youngest being six or seven years old and the oldest being thirteen or fourteen, including both boys and girls. San San Zhen Ren said: "Qian Yu, I still need to help them find a partner."

  "Yingying!" Chihiro called out to the biggest girl: "Can you cook?"

  The one called Yingying nodded: "I will, I will cook, wash clothes, sweep the chicken coop, and feed the pigs." The girl named Yingying, although with messy hair, had bright eyes and looked at San San Zhenren with a face full of expectation.

  "From now on, you are all one family, the older ones should take care of the younger ones, understand?"

  There were those who understood, those who looked confused, and those who were afraid...

  Qian Yu Zhen Ren said to San San Zhen Ren: "I will send people to deliver food and daily necessities, and then select a few more disciples to help."

  San San whispered: "Qian Yu, can you take him away? There's still a little girl here."

  "Yatou is still young, you take care of her first, let's talk about it after she turns 16." Qianyu Zhenren said in a low voice: "If you don't accept her, then I'll go to Yinxian Sect... actually, it's not bad, this one called Yingying has excellent roots and high talent, smart and sensible."

  "You're fourteen years old, you can get married now, it's too late to start building your foundation." San San Zhen Ren replied.

  "Ah, then I'll let her go back and continue selling herself as a prostitute, and be bought by some **?"

  San San glanced at the group of children: "Except for that Yingying and those two, the others are quite ordinary."

  Lin Fan said in a low voice: "Master, from now on, someone will take care of the miscellaneous tasks of our sect."

  San San Zhen Ren still wanted to speak, Qian Yu Zhen Ren said: "You all first settle down here, Ying Ying, you few first go through the entrance ceremony."

  "Get out, those over nine years old, go to the main hall and copy the door rules ten times. Others, find your own lodging, take care of yourselves, no food today, talk about it tomorrow. Lin Fan, keep an eye on them, don't cause trouble." San San Zhen Ren said, and walked away with a huff.

  Qian Yu Zhen Ren and Lin Fan exchanged a few words, then left with his disciples. A group of little ghosts looked at Lin Fan together, and Lin Fan said: "At the age of nine, I went to copy books, others followed me."

  There are many rooms in the temple, all near the main hall. Lin Fan arranged them one by one, too lazy to ask their names: "This house has not been inhabited for decades, clean it up yourself, water is over there, and cloth is on the table. Don't get close to the cliff, don't cry or make noise, don't fight, after cleaning up just quietly stay in your room."

  The poor man's children are taking charge early, these little brats have started to get busy. Lin Fan turns his head and takes a look, it's okay, the older kids are helping the younger ones. Lin Fan enters the main hall: "Those who finished copying books go wash the kitchen, there is dry firewood at the back of the main hall."

  After finishing his orders, Lin Fan returned to the rooftop of the main hall, propped up his feet and lay down. He then took out a package of glutinous rice chicken from the Qiankun bag and started eating. Why didn't Lin Fan share the food? This was not acceptable. Finding these children wasn't just about providing for them, but also about making them a part of the family. Unless they were on the verge of starving to death, he had to let them fend for themselves.

  PS: Everyone has time to vote for Sanjiang and recommend votes, I am deeply grateful.