NOVEL NEXT Chapter 30:
Chapter 30: Men… Can Be Fragile Too!:
Lu Chen felt like he had been played.
After hundreds of years of not venturing out, his journey had barely begun, and he had already been tricked by a grown man!
Of course, from the start, he had thought that the “woman” in front of him was rather ugly.
But ugly or not, the frustrating part was discovering that this person was actually a man, and he hadn’t even noticed!
The two of them stared at each other, and once again, the atmosphere turned awkward.
Lu Chen remained silent, simply waiting—as if expecting an explanation.
After revealing his true identity, the man also looked a little embarrassed.
After all, he was still wearing flowers in his hair, and the rouge on his face hadn’t been completely wiped off.
“Ahem… Actually, I only did this for my own safety!”
“It’s best to be cautious when traveling through the martial world.”
Lu Chen scoffed.
Since ancient times, many women had disguised themselves as men to avoid trouble when traveling.
But a man dressing up as a woman for safety? That was a rare sight.
At least, in Lu Chen’s experience, it was.
Seeing his expression, the man scratched his head awkwardly.
“Men… can be fragile too, sometimes.”
Lu Chen agreed with that sentiment.
But that didn’t mean he wasn’t annoyed.
Even now, he remained unmoved.
The man slapped his thigh, his brows furrowing.
“Brother, you’ve already taken my spirit stones and agreed to help me. Are you seriously going to abandon me just because I’m not a woman?”
“That’s not right! If word gets out, what will people think of you?”
“I believe you’re not the kind of man to go back on your word, so we still have to stick together to get out of this forest!”
Lu Chen lifted his gaze slightly.
This guy sure thought highly of himself.
If Lu Chen really wanted to leave him behind, no one would ever know—because this man would never make it out on his own.
Taking a deep breath, Lu Chen calmed his thoughts.
He finally looked directly at the man.
“Tell me your name. And why were you following me?”
Now that everything was out in the open, there was no point in hiding anything.
A straightforward approach was the best way to get answers.
The man cleared his throat, lifted his injured foot, and glanced toward the cave entrance.
“Brother, to be honest, I’m the greatest diviner in Beili!”
“My name is Zhang Youcai—Cai as in talent, because I’m overflowing with it! This trip through the forest… well, let’s just say I had no other choice.”
“I glimpsed the secrets of fate and learned that a remarkable figure will soon appear at Jiuyang Peak. That’s why I must get through this forest!”
Lu Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly, filled with doubt.
This guy sure liked to brag.
But since he mentioned Jiuyang Peak, Lu Chen decided to listen a bit longer.
After all, three months from now, Jiuyang Peak would host a grand competition.
Someone was bound to rise to the top and become a legendary prodigy.
Seeing Lu Chen’s slight change in expression, Zhang Youcai rubbed his nose.
“Brother, forgive my bluntness, but I can see that you possess an extraordinary physique and unparalleled potential. You are destined for greatness! Truly, congratulations!”
Lu Chen had been forcing himself to listen… but the moment he heard that, he turned around and walked away.
He had heard this scam before.
Back in town, during market days, there were always people walking around carrying bamboo poles with cloth bags, wandering the streets.
Whenever they saw someone, they would shower them with compliments, claiming they were blessed with extraordinary fortune and destined for greatness.
After a few rounds of flattery and sweet talk, money would naturally change hands.
Standing tall, Lu Chen spoke in a cold voice.
“Forget the three thousand top-grade spirit stones. Take your things and leave.”
“I don’t want to have anything to do with a fraud.”
“You and I are nothing but passing strangers—”
Before he could finish, Zhang Youcai jumped forward and cut him off.
“What are you saying?! You’re ditching me again?”
“How am I a fraud?! I have real skills!”
“You really do have the aura of an emperor! I wasn’t just flattering you!”
Lu Chen rolled his eyes.
This was the most obvious case of “guilty conscience” he had ever seen.
“Come on, don’t be mad! A man has to keep his word. No matter if I’m a man or a woman, you still have to take me with you!”
Zhang Youcai started acting shamelessly.
Lu Chen suddenly turned back.
As long as this guy wasn’t a threat, bringing him along wasn’t out of the question.
He just had to endure his nonsense.
“You’re not going back on your word, right? We still have a long way to go!”
After standing on one leg for too long, Zhang Youcai started feeling uncomfortable. He pointed at his poisoned foot.
Lu Chen said coldly, “For now, you can deal with it.”
“That’s more like it! Brother, if you don’t mind, I’ll divine your fortune. My readings are uncannily accurate!”
Lu Chen immediately shook his head.
If he wanted a reading, he had Bai Xuan before and Meng Yu now.
Why would he waste his time on this guy?
“Fine, fine, if you don’t want to talk, I won’t force you. We have plenty of time anyway.” Zhang Youcai seemed to suddenly remember something. “By the way, brother, I didn’t even ask your name yet!”
“Lu Chen.”
“Lu Chen… what a great name! Dignified, steady, powerful. Lu Chen… Lu Chen… Whatever happened in the past, it will all settle into dust eventually.”
Lu Chen gave him a sideways glance.
“Let’s hope so.”
No matter how many invitations came his way…
No matter what rewards they offered…
He would never join another sect.
From the moment he left the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect, Lu Chen had already chosen to live a free and unrestrained life.
If one day, things truly settled as Zhang Youcai said… it would be a dream come true.
“Lu Chen, it’s already dark. There’s no point rushing ahead at night. Let’s eat first!”
Zhang Youcai was overly enthusiastic.
As he spoke, he had already pulled out a beggar’s chicken from his spatial pouch.
Thud!
Thud!
Zhang Youcai tapped the hardened mud crust of the chicken with his fingers, looking smug.
“Hear that? This sound means it’s perfectly cooked!”
With two taps, cracks appeared in the hardened mud.
Then, before Lu Chen could say a word, Zhang Youcai swiftly peeled away the clay shell.
The aroma of the roasted chicken instantly filled the cave.
He tore off a drumstick and shoved it toward Lu Chen.
“Eat! Try it! If you’re still hungry, I have more!”
“No need.”
“Come on, don’t be shy. You need to eat! If you get too skinny, a strong wind might blow you away!”
Zhang Youcai pushed the chicken leg toward him again.
Lu Chen was about to refuse when Xuan Mo suddenly let out a soft “meow.”
…
Xuan Mo wanted the chicken.
Lu Chen immediately understood what the little guy meant.
You greedy cat!
He had wanted to act reserved, but one meow gave him away completely!