dì yī qiān bā bǎi wǔ shí yī zhāng yān shān sì yǒu
第一千八百五十一章燕山四友
Chapter 1851 - The Four Friends of Yan Mountain
“ hē hē ， dào yǒu bù bì guò qiān ， huáng mǒu kě bú shì suí kǒu kuā zàn ， bù mán nǐ shuō ， bǐ rén yīn wèi shī chéng de yuán gù ， zá xué pǒ duō ， qí zhōng jiù yǒu xiàng miàn guān qì zhī shù ， dào yǒu de miàn xiàng ， què shí yǔ fán rén bù tóng ， fēi chí zhōng zhī wù ， zhè qián tú bù kě xiàn liàng ， suǒ yǐ zhè cái hòu yán jié jiāo， hái wàng dào yǒu bú yào jiàn guài 。”
“呵呵，道友不必过谦，黄某可不是随口夸赞，不瞒你说，鄙人因为师承的缘故，杂学颇多，其中就有相面观气之术，道友的面相，确实与凡人不同，非池中之物，这前途不可限量，所以这才厚颜结jiāo，还望道友不要见怪。”
"Haha, friend, there's no need to be so modest. I'm not just saying this out of courtesy; in truth, due to my background, I have learned many miscellaneous arts, including physiognomy and aura reading. Your appearance truly sets you apart from the common folk, indicating a promising future. Therefore, I am bold enough to make your acquaintance. Please don't take it amiss."
zhè fān huà tǎn dàng yǐ jí ， tīng dé lín xuān shì hǎo gǎn dà qǐ ， tā suī rán bú huì shén me miàn xiàng zhī shù ， dàn shí rén zhǐ míng shì kěn dìng yǒu de ， yǎn qián zhè wèi zì chēng huáng tíng zōng de bǎo xué hóng rú ， hái zhēn shì yī qiān qiān jūn zǐ bān de rén wù 。
这番话坦dàng以极，听得林轩是好感大起，他虽然不会什么面相之术，但识人指明是肯定有的，眼前这位自称黄庭宗的饱学鸿儒，还真是一谦谦君子般的人物。
These words were delivered with such sincerity that Lin Xuan felt an immediate appreciation for the speaker. Although he didn’t know much about physiognomy himself, recognizing people was something he excelled in. This scholar from Huang Tingzhong sect seemed genuinely humble and gentlemanly.
xiū xiān jiè duō ěr yú wǒ zhà zhī tú ， wán yīn móu ， lín xuān cóng bù luò yú rén hòu ， dàn bìng bù yì wèi zhe ， tā jiù zhēn xǐ huān suàn jì ， nà zhǐ bù guò shì xiǎng yào zài xiū xiān jiè shēng cún xià qù de shǒu duàn ér yǐ ， rú guǒ kě yǐ xuǎn zé ， lín xuān dāng rán hái shì xiǎng yào jiāo yī xiē tǎn dàng péng yǒu de 。
修仙界多尔虞我诈之徒，玩yīn谋，林轩从不落于人后，但并不意味着，他就真喜欢算计，那只不过是想要在修仙界生存下去的手段而已，如果可以选择，林轩当然还是想要jiāo一些坦dàng朋友的。
In the world of cultivation, there were many cunning and deceitful individuals who played mind games, but Lin Xuan had never shied away from such tactics. However, that didn’t mean he enjoyed them; they were merely tools for survival in his quest for power.
yǎn qián zhè rén xiǎn rán jiù fú hé yāo qiú 。
眼前这人显然就符合要求。
Three can profit by one another. Younger cultivators often brought unique insights that could greatly benefit him. He had encountered such situations before and wouldn't be so haughty as to treat junior disciples with arrogance.
zhì yú miàn xiàng zhī shù ， nǎi xiū xiān bǎi yì zhī yī ， zhǐ bù guò shì jiào wéi piān mén de nà zhǒng ， yīn wèi duì xiān dào zhī tú méi yǒu shén me bāng zhù ， suǒ yǐ hěn shǎo yǒu xiū shì yuàn yì qù xué bà le 。
至于面向之术，乃修仙百艺之一，只不过是较为偏mén的那种，因为对仙道之途没有什么帮助，所以很少有修士愿意去学罢了。
Besides, people should remain humble. After all, he was on this journey of exploration due to hitting a wall in his cultivation. Swapping notes or engaging in casual conversation couldn’t hurt; perhaps it would even help him break through that barrier by chance.
ér shì sú de miàn xiàng suàn mìng zhī shù ， jiù shì cóng cǐ yì chuán guò qù de ， dāng rán ， shì sú zhī rén suǒ xué ， yǔ xiū xiān zhě wán quán méi fǎ bǐ ， liǎng zhě suī chū tóng yuán ， dàn shí jì de xiào guǒ ， què bù zài yí gè céng miàn 。
而世俗的面向算命之术，就是从此艺传过去的，当然，世俗之人所学，与修仙者完全没法比，两者虽出同源，但实际的效果，却不再一个层面。
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yuàn yì xué miàn xiàng zá xué de xiū xiān zhě ， yì bān lái shuō ， bú shì chī bǎo le chēng de ， jiù zhēn de shì tiān xìng shǐ rán ， fǒu zé ， shuí huì zài zhè zhǒng duì xiān tú wú yòng de zá xué shàng xiāo mó dà liàng shí jiān 。
愿意学面相杂学的修仙者，一般来说，不是吃饱了撑的，就真的是天xìng使然，否则，谁会在这种对仙途无用的杂学上消磨大量时间。
Lin Xuan didn't have much qualms about this and didn't feel like he had any ulterior motives. He agreed with the others, then stowed away his flying artifact before stepping onto their spirit boat.
bù guò cǐ shí tīng le huáng tíng zōng suǒ yán ， lín xuān duì yú miàn xiàng zhī shù dǎo shì duō le yì diǎn rèn shí ， gǔ xiū shì chuàng xià lái de jì yì ， guǒ rán dōu yǒu tā yí dìng de dào lǐ 。
不过此时听了黄庭宗所言，林轩对于面相之术倒是多了一点认识，古修士创下来的技艺，果然都有牠一定的道理。
Huang Tingzhong naturally greeted him with a bow, his smile genuine and warm. The other three also stood up to greet Lin Xuan.
xiàng yǎn qián zhī rén ， qū qū yuán yīng qī xiū xiān zhě ， shén shí zài fàng dà shí bèi yě wú fǎ jiāng zì jǐ de liǎn qì shù kàn pò ， kě tōng guò miàn xiàng ， què piān piān jiù bèi tā kàn chū jǐ fēn duān ní lái le ， rú guǒ tóu nǎo líng huó ， shàn yú fēn xī ， cǐ jì yì zài miàn duì dí rén zhī shí ， duō shǎo yě kě yǐ fā huī chū yī xiē fǔ zhù de xiào guǒ 。
像眼前之人，区区元婴期修仙者，神识再放大十倍也无法将自己的敛气术看破，可通过面相，却偏偏就被他看出几分端倪来了，如果头脑灵活，善于分析，此技艺在面对敌人之时，多少也可以发挥出一些辅助的效果。
"I am Lin Xuan, offering my respects to all of you."
nǎo hǎi zhōng diàn guāng shǎn guò ， lín xuān hái méi yǒu xiǎng hǎo gāi zěn me huí dá ， duì fāng rè qíng de yāo yuē yǐ zài yí cì chuán rù ěr duǒ ：“ dào yǒu ， wǒ sì rén shì jué duì méi yǒu è yì de ， lǚ tú jì mò ， dà jiā zuò zài yì qǐ ， nǎ pà shì jiāo liú yī xià xiū liàn xīn dé ， yě shì hǎo de ……”
脑海中电光闪过，林轩还没有想好该怎么回答，对方热情的邀约已再一次传入耳朵：“道友，我四人是绝对没有恶意的，旅途寂寞，大家坐在一起，哪怕是jiāo流一下修炼心得，也是好的……”
Lin Xuan bowed slightly; he was only pretending to be an intermediate-stage cultivator for now, while the four friends from Yan Mountain were all late-stage cultivators.
“ dào yǒu jì yǒu rú cǐ měi yì ， lín mǒu yòu qǐ huì bù shí tái jǔ 。” lín xuān qǐ huì pà duì fāng yǒu è yì ， dāng jí yě jiù dǎ shé suí gùn shàng de dā yìng xià lái le 。
“道友既有如此美意，林某又岂会不识抬举。”林轩岂会怕对方有恶意，当即也就打蛇随棍上的答应下来了。
He should show some respect. Bending a little wouldn't hurt anyone. Lin Xuan was practical and unlike many high-ranking cultivators who loved to save face.
tā suī rán bú huì miàn xiàng zhī shù ， dàn yě kàn chū yǎn qián sì míng xiū shì ， sì hū yǔ cháng rén bù tóng 。
他虽然不会面相之术，但也看出眼前四名修士，似乎与常人不同。
"Haha, Brother Lin doesn’t need to be so formal. We are the Four Friends of Yan Mountain, united by our spirit. Since our big brother has taken an interest in you, you are now part of my clan, Zhuge Tianyuan," said a rather unremarkable cultivator with dry and thin features, appearing around fifty years old. His attire was peculiar, resembling a chessboard.
jié jiāo yī xià yě shì wú fáng de 。
结jiāo一下也是无妨的。
This man seemed to be very friendly, making Lin Xuan chuckle inwardly. He couldn't say much more.
lín xuān bìng bú huì yīn wèi duì fāng jǐn shì yuán yīng ， jiù qīng jiàn kàn bù qǐ ， zhè xiū xíng zhī lù ， shuí yě shuō bù qīng chǔ ， sān shí nián hé dōng ， sān shí nián hé xī ， jīn rì de xiǎo xiū shì ， jī yuán qiǎo hé ， hòu lái yī yuè chéng wéi qián bèi de shì qíng yě bú shì bù kě néng de 。
林轩并不会因为对方仅是元婴，就轻贱看不起，这修行之路，谁也说不清楚，三十年河东，三十年河西，今日的xiǎo修士，机缘巧合，后来一跃成为前辈的事情也不是不可能的。
"Little Brother Yu Miaorong, I have the honor of meeting you, Brother Lin."
hé kuàng ， sān rén xíng ， bì yǒu wǒ shī ， yǒu shí hòu ， hòu bèi xiū shì ， zài xiū liàn shàng ， ǒu ěr yě huì yǒu yī xiē dú tè de jiàn jiě ， néng duì zì jǐ de xiū xíng ， dài lái mò dà de qǐ dí yǔ zhù yì 。
何况，三人行，必有我师，有时候，后辈修士，在修炼上，偶尔也会有一些独特的见解，能对自己的修行，带来莫大的启迪与助益。
Another cultivator held a brush and looked like he was in his twenties or thirties. His bow was awkward, as if he had never interacted with people before despite being a scholar.
zhè zhǒng shì qíng ， lín xuān yǐ qián yě céng yù jiàn guò ， jiā shàng tā de xìng gé ， zì rán bú huì xiàng yì bān de gāo jiē xiū xiān zhě ， yù jiàn hòu bèi dì zǐ ， jiù yí gè èr gè ， quán bù bǎi chū chě gāo qì áng de biǎo qíng lái le 。
这种事情，林轩以前也曾遇见过，加上他的xìng格，自然不会像一般的高阶修仙者，遇见后辈弟子，就一个二个，全部摆出扯高气昂的表情来了。
Lin Xuan knew better than to believe that; after all, reaching late-stage cultivation meant living for hundreds of years. A nearby woman merely waved at Lin Xuan without speaking.
rén yào qiān xū 。
人要谦虚。
"Do not blame us, my younger sister's name is Purple and her given name is Xuan. She has a speech impediment and cannot speak. Although there are lip-reading techniques in this world, using one’s stomach to make sounds would be too unrefined," sighed the learned scholar, his voice filled with regret.
fǎn zhèng zì jǐ zhè huí wài chū yóu lì ， jiù shì yīn wèi xiū liàn yù jiàn píng jǐng ， nà yǔ tā men jiāo huàn yī xià xiū liàn xīn dé ， huò zhě tán tiān shuō dì ， yòu yǒu hé bù kě ， shuō bù dìng jī yuán qiǎo hé ， jiù néng jiāng píng jǐng tū pò 。
反正自己这回外出游历，就是因为修炼遇见瓶颈，那与他们jiāo换一下修炼心得，或者谈天说地，又有何不可，说不定机缘巧合，就能将瓶颈突破。
"A speech impediment?"
dāng rán ， zhè zhǒng xiǎng fǎ ， wèi miǎn yǒu diǎn yì xiāng qíng yuàn ， kě néng xìng tài dī le diǎn 。
当然，这种想法，未免有点一厢情愿，可能xìng太低了点。
Lin Xuan was stunned. In the mundane world, those who couldn't speak were common, but these were cultivators, even late-stage ones. What kind of minor ailment could not be cured by a cultivator?
kě shì yī shì ， yòu yǒu hé fáng ne ？
可试一试，又有何妨呢？
Seeing Lin Xuan's expression, the scholar spoke up: "Brother Lin, my sister’s speech impediment is unique; no ordinary method can cure it, and even if she were to change bodies, it might not help."
lín xuān méi yǒu nà me duō gù lǜ ， yě bù jué dé zhè me zuò ， jiù yǒu ** fèn le shén me ， dā yìng duì fāng yǐ hòu ， jiāng zì jǐ de fēi xíng fǎ qì yī shōu ， rán hòu jiù tái tuǐ shàng le duì fāng de líng zhōu 。
林轩没有那么多顾虑，也不觉得这么做，就有**份了什么，答应对方以后，将自己的飞行法器一收，然后就抬tuǐ上了对方的灵舟。
"Really?"
nà huáng tíng zōng zì rán shì bào quán xiāng yíng ， liǎn shàng de xiào róng ， yě hěn míng xiǎn de fā zì zhēn xīn 。
那黄庭宗自然是抱拳相迎，脸上的笑容，也很明显的发自真心。
Lin Xuan was intrigued. Could it be an issue with her soul or spirit? That would indeed be a formidable challenge.
ér qí yú sān rén ， cǐ shí cǐ kè ， yě dōu zhàn qǐ lái le 。
而其余三人，此时此刻，也都站起来了。
However, he didn't delve into the matter further. Although their conversation had been pleasant so far, they weren’t well acquainted, and making such statements could come across as presumptuous.
“ zài xià lín xuān ， gěi gè wèi dào yǒu jiàn lǐ 。”
“在下林轩，给各位道友见礼。”
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lín xuān bào quán wān xià yāo qù ， bì jìng tā cǐ kè bàn de ， jǐn jǐn shì yī míng yuán yīng zhōng qī de xiū xiān zhě ， ér yǎn qián de yān shān sì yǒu ， xiū wèi zé shì hěn píng jūn de ， wú yī lì wài ， jiē shì yuán yīng hòu qī de xiū xiān zhě 。
林轩抱拳弯下腰去，毕竟他此刻扮的，仅仅是一名元婴中期的修仙者，而眼前的燕山四友，修为则是很平均的，无一例外，皆是元婴后期的修仙者。
Next, Lin Xuan introduced himself, this time telling only half-truths. He claimed to be an independent cultivator who encountered a bottleneck in his practice and was here for training.
yú qíng yú lǐ ， zì jǐ dōu yīng gāi biǎo xiàn dé gōng jìng yī xiē 。
于情于理，自己都应该表现得恭敬一些。
This wasn't exactly a lie; after all, facing the old dragon and investigating Red Leaf Island were part of his training.
fǎn zhèng wān yāo zuò yí gè yī ， yòu bú huì yǒu bàn fēn sǔn shī ， lín xuān zuò rén hěn shí jì ， bù xiàng nà xiē gāo jiē xiū xiān zhě ， yí gè èr gè ， dōu nà me ài miàn zi 。
反正弯腰作一个揖，又不会有半分损失，林轩做人很实际，不像那些高阶修仙者，一个二个，都那么爱面子。
"Why have you come to this place? Are you also out on a journey?" Lin Xuan casually asked.
“ hē hē ， lín xián dì bù bǐ duō lǐ ， wǒ men yān shān sì yǒu ， nǎi shì yì qì xiāng tóu ， nǐ jì rán bèi wǒ men dà gē kàn zhòng ， nà jiù shì wǒ zhū gě tiān yuán de péng yǒu 。” shuō huà de shì yī qí mào bù yáng de xiū xiān zhě ， yòu gàn yòu shòu ， kàn shàng qù pà yǒu wǔ shí chū tóu ， tā de yī fú shèn wéi qí tè ， shàng miàn zòng héng jiāo cuò ， kàn shàng qù jū rán xiàng shì yī qí pán shì de 。
“呵呵，林贤弟不比多礼，我们燕山四友，乃是意气相投，你既然被我们大哥看中，那就是我诸葛天元的朋友。”说话的是一其貌不扬的修仙者，又干又瘦，看上去怕有五十出头，他的衣服甚为奇特，上面纵横jiāo错，看上去居然像是一棋盘似的。
The others blushed and looked at each other awkwardly.
zhè wèi dǎo shì yī zì lái shú ， wéi rén yě hěn rè qíng ，nòng dé lín xuān yě kū xiào bù dé ， yòu bù hǎo duō shuō shén me 。
这位倒是一自来熟，为人也很热情，nòng得林轩也哭笑不得，又不好多说什么。
"Haha, I was too forward. If there are secrets, please don't feel obligated to share them," Lin Xuan chuckled, but he couldn’t help feeling amused by their honesty.
“xiǎo dì yú miào róng ， jiàn guò lín xiōng 。”
“xiǎo弟鱼妙容，见过林兄。”
Entering the cultivation world for so long, he had never seen such a straightforward person. They wouldn't make up small lies if they didn't want to, and now it was his turn to give them an out.
lìng wài yī rén shǒu chí huà bǐ ， kàn shàng qù dào xiàng shì yī èr shí chū tóu de shū shēng ， bào quán xíng lǐ de shí hòu ， liǎn shàng shèn zhì hái dài zhe jǐ fēn jú cù ， jiù fǎng fú zhēn shì hán chuāng kǔ dú ， cóng lái bù céng yǔ rén jiē chù de shū shēng shì de 。
另外一人手持画笔，看上去倒像是一二十出头的书生，抱拳行礼的时候，脸上甚至还带着几分局促，就仿佛真是寒窗苦读，从来不曾与人接触的书生似的。
"Haha, we can share this much. A true gentleman speaks openly. In this world, there is no secret that cannot be shared with others. We came here looking for suitable positions," said the scholar.
lín xuān dāng rán bú huì zhè me rèn wéi ， bì jìng néng gòu xiū liàn dào yuán yīng hòu qī ， wú lùn rú hé ， yě shì huó le jǐ bǎi suì de rén le 。
林轩当然不会这么认为，毕竟能够修炼到元婴后期，无论如何，也是活了几百岁的人了。
"Finding jobs?" Lin Xuan was taken aback. The more he heard, the more confused he became: "I heard that the island's lord is the old dragon. He’s a tyrant and a member of the demon sect. How could there be any position on Red Leaf Island suitable for you?"
ér yī páng de nv zi ， zé xiàng zhe lín xuān fú le yī fú ， bìng wèi kāi kǒu 。
而一旁的nv子，则向着林轩拂了一拂，并未开口。
Despite not knowing them well, Lin Xuan had keen eyesight. These four cultivators were indeed straightforward, almost naive in their simplicity. Such personalities were rare in the cultivation world.
“ dào yǒu mò guài ， wǒ sān mèi xìng zǐ ， dān míng yí gè xuān zì ， zhǐ shì cóng xiǎo huàn yǒu kǒu jí ， wú fǎ shuō huà ， zhè shì jiān suī yǒu fù yǔ zhī shù ， dàn yòng dǔ zi fā chū shēng yīn yǔ rén shuō huà ， zǒng shì bù yǎ ， suǒ yǐ xiǎo mèi yě jiù méi yǒu xué guò 。” nà bǎo xué hóng rú tàn le kǒu qì ， yí hàn de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ lǐ 。
“道友莫怪，我三妹姓紫，单名一个萱字，只是从xiǎo患有口疾，无法说话，这世间虽有腹语之术，但用肚子发出声音与人说话，总是不雅，所以xiǎo妹也就没有学过。”那饱学鸿儒叹了口气，遗憾的声音传入耳朵里。
"Seeking positions? Haha, it seems you misunderstood. We are not looking to serve the old dragon," Huang Tingzhong stroked his beard and smiled.
“ kǒu jí ？”
“口疾？”
"What? The old dragon is no longer the lord of the island. Could Red Leaf Island have been taken by the sea creatures?" Lin Xuan was shocked. If that were true, his mission would be much more difficult than he had anticipated.
lín xuān chēng mù jié shé ， shì sú fán rén zhī zhōng ， yǒu kǒu bù néng yán yǔ zhě nà shì hěn zhèng cháng de ， kě cǐ nv shì xiū xiān zhě a ， ér qiě hái shì yuán yīng qī dǐng fēng de rén wù 。
林轩瞠目结舌，世俗凡人之中，有口不能言语者那是很正常的，可此nv是修仙者啊，而且还是元婴期顶峰的人物。
"Red Leaf Island, such an important place, naturally remains in human hands. However, it has been taken over by the Holy City, which dispatched high-ranking cultivators to oversee it. The old dragon is still influential but not the lord," said Yu Miaorong curiously.
xiǎoxiǎo de jí bìng suàn shén me ， jiù suàn shì quē shǒu shǎo zú ， xiū xiān zhě yě yǒu duàn zhī zhòng xù zhī shù ，xiǎoxiǎo kǒu jí suàn shén me ， nán dào bù néng zhì yù me ？
xiǎoxiǎo的疾病算什么，就算是缺手少足，修仙者也有断肢重续之术，xiǎoxiǎo口疾算什么，难道不能治愈么？
"I have never heard of this. I haven’t closed myself off for centuries," Lin Xuan chuckled. He realized he had made a basic mistake—ignoring the current situation on Red Leaf Island before rushing here.
jiàn le lín xuān liǎn shàng de shén sè， nà shū shēng dǎo shì kāi kǒu le ：“ lín xiōng ， nǐ bù xiǎo de ， sān jiě zhè kǒu jí ， nǎi shì yǔ zhòng bù tóng ， bié shuō yòng yì bān de fāng fǎ zhì yù ， jiù suàn shì shě le zhè jù qū tǐ ， chóng xīn duó shě ， yě bú jiàn de yǒu yòng chù 。”
见了林轩脸上的神sè，那书生倒是开口了：“林兄，你不晓得，三姐这口疾，乃是与众不同，别说用一般的方法治愈，就算是舍了这具躯体，重新夺舍，也不见得有用处。”
Knowing oneself and one's enemy was key to victory, but he had forgotten that lesson. Fortunately, fate intervened, and he met the Four Friends of Yan Mountain along the way. What would have happened otherwise was anyone’s guess.
“ ó ？”
“哦？”
Feeling relieved, Lin Xuan began to ask questions humbly: "Since I haven’t been out for centuries, I am unaware of Red Leaf Island's current state. Please enlighten me."
lín xuān tīng le ， dǎo shì dà gǎn xìng qù ， nán dào shì sān hún qī pò chū le wèn tí ， nà dào zhēn de shì jí shǒu wú bǐ 。
林轩听了，倒是大感兴趣，难道是三魂七魄出了问题，那倒真的是棘手无比。
"Haha, Brother Lin is too polite. This isn't a secret; if you want to know, we will gladly share," said Huang Tingzhong with a smile.
bù guò tā yě méi yǒu zài zhè ge wèn tí shàng jiū chán xià qù ， bì jìng shuāng fāng suī rán jiāo tán dé bù cuò ， dàn bìng bù shú ， mào rán shuō shén me kě jiù yǒu diǎn táng tū 。
不过他也没有在这个问题上纠缠下去，毕竟双方虽然jiāo谈得不错，但并不熟，冒然说什么可就有点唐突。
He then seated himself and invited Lin Xuan: "We still have some distance to travel to Red Leaf Island. Let’s drink and talk while we wait."
jiē xià lái ， lín xuān yě zì wǒ jiè shào le yī fān ， zhè yī cì ， jū rán shì jiǎ huà jí shǎo ， wú wài hū zì jǐ nǎi shì yī sàn xiū ， liàn gōng de shí hòu ， yù jiàn píng jǐng ， lái zhè lǐ lì liàn yún yún 。
接下来，林轩也自我介绍了一番，这一次，居然是假话极少，无外乎自己乃是一散修，练功的时候，遇见瓶颈，来这里历练云云。
The others also took their seats as various delicacies were placed on the table. Huang Tingzhong added a set of chopsticks for Lin Xuan, then personally poured him a glass of wine.
zhè yàng jiǎng ， sì hū yě bù suàn shuō huǎng ， bì jìng jiào xùn dú lóng lǎo zǔ yǔ tàn tīng hóng yè dǎo de mì mì ， kě yǐ shuō ， dōu shì lì liàn de nèi róng 。
这样讲，似乎也不算说谎，毕竟教训毒龙老祖与探听红叶岛的秘密，可以说，都是历练的内容。
"This wine isn’t a spirit substance, but it has a rich aroma. Please try it," he said with a smile.
“ sì wèi dào yǒu yòu shì wèi hé lái dào cǐ chù ， yě shì wài chū yún yóu ？” lín xuān bù zài yì de kāi kǒu 。
“四位道友又是为何来到此处，也是外出云游？”林轩不在意的开口。
P.S.: The night update is here, 9000 words completed in one go. During the double-month ticket period, your votes are crucial. Please check your storage and consider voting for Hundred Refinements if you have any month tickets. Thank you all, and I feel deeply grateful.
Chapter 1851 - The Four Friends of Yan Mountain
"Haha, friend, there's no need to be so modest. I'm not just saying this out of courtesy; in truth, due to my background, I have learned many miscellaneous arts, including physiognomy and aura reading. Your appearance truly sets you apart from the common folk, indicating a promising future. Therefore, I am bold enough to make your acquaintance. Please don't take it amiss."
These words were delivered with such sincerity that Lin Xuan felt an immediate appreciation for the speaker. Although he didn’t know much about physiognomy himself, recognizing people was something he excelled in. This scholar from Huang Tingzhong sect seemed genuinely humble and gentlemanly.
In the world of cultivation, there were many cunning and deceitful individuals who played mind games, but Lin Xuan had never shied away from such tactics. However, that didn’t mean he enjoyed them; they were merely tools for survival in his quest for power.
Three can profit by one another. Younger cultivators often brought unique insights that could greatly benefit him. He had encountered such situations before and wouldn't be so haughty as to treat junior disciples with arrogance.
Besides, people should remain humble. After all, he was on this journey of exploration due to hitting a wall in his cultivation. Swapping notes or engaging in casual conversation couldn’t hurt; perhaps it would even help him break through that barrier by chance.
---
Lin Xuan didn't have much qualms about this and didn't feel like he had any ulterior motives. He agreed with the others, then stowed away his flying artifact before stepping onto their spirit boat.
Huang Tingzhong naturally greeted him with a bow, his smile genuine and warm. The other three also stood up to greet Lin Xuan.
"I am Lin Xuan, offering my respects to all of you."
Lin Xuan bowed slightly; he was only pretending to be an intermediate-stage cultivator for now, while the four friends from Yan Mountain were all late-stage cultivators.
He should show some respect. Bending a little wouldn't hurt anyone. Lin Xuan was practical and unlike many high-ranking cultivators who loved to save face.
"Haha, Brother Lin doesn’t need to be so formal. We are the Four Friends of Yan Mountain, united by our spirit. Since our big brother has taken an interest in you, you are now part of my clan, Zhuge Tianyuan," said a rather unremarkable cultivator with dry and thin features, appearing around fifty years old. His attire was peculiar, resembling a chessboard.
This man seemed to be very friendly, making Lin Xuan chuckle inwardly. He couldn't say much more.
"Little Brother Yu Miaorong, I have the honor of meeting you, Brother Lin."
Another cultivator held a brush and looked like he was in his twenties or thirties. His bow was awkward, as if he had never interacted with people before despite being a scholar.
Lin Xuan knew better than to believe that; after all, reaching late-stage cultivation meant living for hundreds of years. A nearby woman merely waved at Lin Xuan without speaking.
"Do not blame us, my younger sister's name is Purple and her given name is Xuan. She has a speech impediment and cannot speak. Although there are lip-reading techniques in this world, using one’s stomach to make sounds would be too unrefined," sighed the learned scholar, his voice filled with regret.
"A speech impediment?"
Lin Xuan was stunned. In the mundane world, those who couldn't speak were common, but these were cultivators, even late-stage ones. What kind of minor ailment could not be cured by a cultivator?
Seeing Lin Xuan's expression, the scholar spoke up: "Brother Lin, my sister’s speech impediment is unique; no ordinary method can cure it, and even if she were to change bodies, it might not help."
"Really?"
Lin Xuan was intrigued. Could it be an issue with her soul or spirit? That would indeed be a formidable challenge.
However, he didn't delve into the matter further. Although their conversation had been pleasant so far, they weren’t well acquainted, and making such statements could come across as presumptuous.
---
Next, Lin Xuan introduced himself, this time telling only half-truths. He claimed to be an independent cultivator who encountered a bottleneck in his practice and was here for training.
This wasn't exactly a lie; after all, facing the old dragon and investigating Red Leaf Island were part of his training.
"Why have you come to this place? Are you also out on a journey?" Lin Xuan casually asked.
The others blushed and looked at each other awkwardly.
"Haha, I was too forward. If there are secrets, please don't feel obligated to share them," Lin Xuan chuckled, but he couldn’t help feeling amused by their honesty.
Entering the cultivation world for so long, he had never seen such a straightforward person. They wouldn't make up small lies if they didn't want to, and now it was his turn to give them an out.
"Haha, we can share this much. A true gentleman speaks openly. In this world, there is no secret that cannot be shared with others. We came here looking for suitable positions," said the scholar.
"Finding jobs?" Lin Xuan was taken aback. The more he heard, the more confused he became: "I heard that the island's lord is the old dragon. He’s a tyrant and a member of the demon sect. How could there be any position on Red Leaf Island suitable for you?"
Despite not knowing them well, Lin Xuan had keen eyesight. These four cultivators were indeed straightforward, almost naive in their simplicity. Such personalities were rare in the cultivation world.
"Seeking positions? Haha, it seems you misunderstood. We are not looking to serve the old dragon," Huang Tingzhong stroked his beard and smiled.
"What? The old dragon is no longer the lord of the island. Could Red Leaf Island have been taken by the sea creatures?" Lin Xuan was shocked. If that were true, his mission would be much more difficult than he had anticipated.
"Red Leaf Island, such an important place, naturally remains in human hands. However, it has been taken over by the Holy City, which dispatched high-ranking cultivators to oversee it. The old dragon is still influential but not the lord," said Yu Miaorong curiously.
"I have never heard of this. I haven’t closed myself off for centuries," Lin Xuan chuckled. He realized he had made a basic mistake—ignoring the current situation on Red Leaf Island before rushing here.
Knowing oneself and one's enemy was key to victory, but he had forgotten that lesson. Fortunately, fate intervened, and he met the Four Friends of Yan Mountain along the way. What would have happened otherwise was anyone’s guess.
Feeling relieved, Lin Xuan began to ask questions humbly: "Since I haven’t been out for centuries, I am unaware of Red Leaf Island's current state. Please enlighten me."
"Haha, Brother Lin is too polite. This isn't a secret; if you want to know, we will gladly share," said Huang Tingzhong with a smile.
He then seated himself and invited Lin Xuan: "We still have some distance to travel to Red Leaf Island. Let’s drink and talk while we wait."
The others also took their seats as various delicacies were placed on the table. Huang Tingzhong added a set of chopsticks for Lin Xuan, then personally poured him a glass of wine.
"This wine isn’t a spirit substance, but it has a rich aroma. Please try it," he said with a smile.
P.S.: The night update is here, 9000 words completed in one go. During the double-month ticket period, your votes are crucial. Please check your storage and consider voting for Hundred Refinements if you have any month tickets. Thank you all, and I feel deeply grateful.