Chapter 007: Offshoots

"Indeed!" Xingzi said in a sarcastic tone, "As the saying goes, many monkeys bring more strength!"

In this region of Northeast China, apart from the shamans who perform the "jumping of the gods," it is the realm of the Bai Pai masters. These individuals have no formal sect or affiliation, and their methods are quite eclectic, incorporating elements from both Taoism and Buddhism. Although they may appear unreliable, they are quite practical and have a significant market in Northeast China

My name is Li Nie, with "Nie" meaning "evil". I was picked up by Old Walnut. Old Walnut's full name is Li Zishu, so I took his surname.

I glanced at the old man without saying a word. Although he appeared polite, he was actually a smiling tiger. He immediately brought up my age, which was just a reminder to Zhang Mu that I was inexperienced and not reliable in handling matters.

Gao Daotou scolded Xingzi for a while, then spoke about Zhang Mu. I was always there listening, without saying a word

When I referred to myself as an orphan, I did not take it seriously, but the old man's attitude changed immediately. He was concerned about me throughout the journey, treating me with more warmth than he would his own grandson, and even the tall man's demeanor shifted as well

It must be said that Gao Datou's intellect is indeed somewhat lacking. Zhang Mu mentioned that the rules in the mountains dictate that if a host happens to invite two or more immortals, and if no one is willing to withdraw, then the two immortals must test the waters. The one who wins naturally stays to handle the matters; the one who loses, however, cannot be driven away. The host must politely keep the person, assisting the winning side, and when leaving, they must also seal a red envelope, just like mhetushucom.com. However, the loser will definitely be at a disadvantage in the future. Therefore, if the immortals can avoid this contest, it is best not to engage, allowing both sides to save face, and the withdrawing party can simply let it go. The winner naturally stays to handle the matters; the loser, however, cannot be driven away. The host must politely keep the person, assisting the winning side, and when leaving, they must also seal a red envelope, just like mhetushucom.com. However, the loser will definitely be at a disadvantage in the future. Therefore, if the immortals can avoid this contest, it is best not to engage, allowing both sides to save face, and the withdrawing party can simply let it go.

Over there, Xingzi muttered: "How can I let you go back like this? At the very least, I should treat you to a meal. If I lack money, I will give them some money."

Gao Daotou did not notice that Zhang Mu's expression was off, but I could see it clearly. I casually called out "Uncle" and then fell silent.

As Gao Datou entered the mountain area, he exclaimed excitedly: "Elder brother, elder brother, I have brought back a remarkable person! Nephew, come and meet my elder brother, his surname is Zhang, Zhang Mu. You can just call him Uncle Zhang."

"Shut your mouth!" Zhang Mu immediately became angry: "How can you speak like that? That is a great immortal, do you understand? What nonsense are you spouting?"

The old man that Zhang Mu invited is only known as Old Guai. Despite having a leg that does not function well and walking with a slight limp, he is a genuine and respectable master of the Bai school.

Fortunately, one of the brothers under Gao Datou is quite sharp and has helped me inquire about the backgrounds of those two old men

The old man sitting next to Zhang Mu was quite polite: "Young man, you look quite spirited, and you have a sturdy build. You must be around twenty, right? My grandson is about your age."

If Gao Datou's head were useful enough, he shouldn't be here drinking alone in sorrow, but should first find someone to probe the backgrounds of those two old men, so as to know oneself and know the enemy, right? Gao Datou has already drunk to this extent, how can I still talk to him?

Early the next morning, the old walnut tossed me a backpack, telling me that everything useful was inside. Then he closed the door without even glancing at me and went back to his room to shell walnuts.

After listening, I felt that the smiling tiger Guai Ye is more difficult to deal with than Old Yang... In fact...

The old man looked at me without saying a word, chuckled a couple of times, and then fell silent again

Zhang Mugan cleared his throat and pointed to the side: "Gangzi, Xingzi and I have also invited the person back, take a look at this..."

Gao Daotou is a contractor who deals in timber, and in the past, he would have been referred to as the head of a logging site. When placing timber down from the mountains, it goes without saying that nearby trees can be felled with ease; however, for large-scale logging, one must venture into the deep mountains, where the timber is more mature and of better quality. Yet, to access the deep mountains for timber placement, one must first establish a logging site.

Are you looking for a fight? Gao Datou is rolling up his sleeves again

The old man sent us to the mountain pass and then returned. Gao Datou and I walked for more than half a day before we finally arrived at his mountain field

In the deep mountains, logs are placed, and it can take an entire season, often three to five months, without coming out. There are many intricacies in how to build a logging site; those who do not frequently traverse the mountains are completely unaware of the nuances involved.

"Alright! Zhang Mu has really become popular this time: 'Xingzi, can you keep your mouth shut for a bit? With Tushu and Gangzi, let's take the big nephew to eat first. Tomorrow we will follow the rules!"

"What are you doing? You're already an adult, yet you still act like a child, not afraid of being laughed at." Zhang Mu quickly intervened, saying, "Gangzi, no one said you had to take him back. Since my nephew has the ability, let him stay. We will follow the rules of the mountains."

The tall man who led me immediately became displeased: "Big brother, how can you do this? We should at least wait for my nephew to arrive before making any decisions, right?"

What are you rambling about? Gao Datou didn't care whether Lao Yang was a great master or not

I turned my head to take a look inside the room, and indeed there were three people sitting there. The one that Zhang Mu pointed to was definitely Xingzi, as no one in the mountains would dare to point fingers at the great master. The old man next to Xingzi snorted disdainfully and turned his head away, not even glancing at me.

Although the old walnut recommended me to Tall Head, the old man who came with him does not seem to trust me very much. All the way, he kept trying to pry information from me: "Young man, are you the great-grandson of Li Ge? I heard that he never got married in his lifetime. How do you address him?"

"Say that again!" Gao Datou was instantly enraged: "I see you are feeling a bit tight; let me loosen you up..."

The old walnut is displeased: "If he cannot accomplish it, I certainly cannot! When I was his age, I was not as capable as he is! I am over ninety now, even if I give you face and accompany you up the mountain, what can be achieved? I have already imparted all my knowledge about books to him; if you do not trust him, I have no other options."

When Gao Datou took me out to eat, he kept drinking in silence, and after drinking to the point where his eyes were bloodshot, he slurred to me, "Nephew, you must help your uncle regain some face tomorrow! That rascal Xingzi has ill intentions... and the eldest too, knowing that I went out to call for help, still took it upon himself to organize things..."

Gao Datou thought for a long time before finally gritting his teeth and saying: "Alright, then I will rely on my dear nephew! You get ready, and we will head up the mountain tomorrow"

Zhang Mu's face flushed red, and just as he was about to say a few polite words, Old Yang had already spoken up: "What difference does it make whether he comes or not? A mere child can't turn the world upside down, can he?"

Zhang Mu could no longer maintain his composure. The old man was invited by him, and if I did not treat the old man with respect, it would be a loss of face for him. However, with Gao Datou present, he could not directly reprimand me: "Ganzi, you are also an elder now, you should know the rules of inviting immortals in the mountains. Look at your big nephew..."

Later, I learned that among the Pan Mountain Eagles, there exists an unwritten rule: skills are only passed on to apprentices, not to sons

Gao Datou sought help from Old Walnut because there was a problem during the construction of the mountain site

Gao Datou had more to say, but he let that old man kick him hard: "Brother said it's fine, it must be fine! In the world of wandering, a word is as good as a nail, can I still fool you?"

I know that he is not at ease with me; otherwise, the walnuts in his hands would not be rubbed to the point that they sound so unpleasant to hear

The person that Xingzi brought is called Lao Yang, who is a feng shui master. He has quite a skill in feng shui and is well-known in the local area

Despite the appearance of being outlaws, the vast majority of people still hope to leave a legacy for themselves. Once a person has children, they are unlikely to remain in the stronghold; more often than not, they will find a place to hide and visit their children secretly a few times a year. The mountain hawk does not want his son to inherit his skills; apprentices are their only choice. Moreover, the longer an apprentice is raised from a young age, the more skills they acquire, which serves as a form of spiritual solace for them. This is why the old man is so pleased. The mountain hawk does not want his son to inherit his skills; apprentices are their only choice. Moreover, the longer an apprentice is raised from a young age, the more skills they acquire, which serves as a form of spiritual solace for them. This is why the old man is so pleased.

I greeted Old Walnut outside and then left with Tall Head

Gao Datou's expression immediately faltered: "Brother, the person was invited by me. If you want me to send them back, aren't you tearing my face apart?"

Gao Daotou was scolded by Zhang Mu to the point of not daring to speak. I didn't take Lao Yang seriously either, so I simply lit a cigarette like Guai Ye and sat on a tree stump watching Lao Yang wander around aimlessly.

The next day, Old Yang was wandering around the mountain field with a compass, while Uncle Guai stood in the yard smoking as if nothing was happening. When I approached, Zhang Mu finally told me that before I arrived, the two of them had already settled the matter. The first round of competition was to assess the feng shui; one person would evaluate the feng shui, while the other would point out the flaws.

In the eyes of those two, I clearly do not know the depths of the situation. Zhang Mu said that when it came to following the rules, they did not even offer me a step to stand on, which was clearly an indication that they were intent on making me look bad