Chapter 93: Zhang Er’gou’s Tragic Life

When you reach the summit, you can see all the mountains at a glance.

But at this moment, for Zhang Er’gou, his life was on the verge of collapse.

His pitiful eyes watched the waist-high weeds swaying in the wind, so lively and moving.

As far as the eye could see, there was nothing but a two-story wooden house.

Poverty was not scary; what was truly terrifying was poverty so desperate that it made one lose all hope.

Was I, Zhang Er’gou, really going to live here from now on? Was I really going to become a disciple of this place?

No...

Zhang Er’gou looked up at the sky, trying to hold back his tears, because this was truly heartbreaking.

Despair, utter despair, with not a glimmer of a future.

…

“How is it?” Lin Fan looked at the mountain peak that now belonged to him, feeling much more at ease. The three characters on the stone tablet at the entrance would be the symbol of the Holy Demon Sect.

“Good, a paradise on earth, a paradise on earth. How close to nature it is here, how far from the noise of the crowd. The autumn breeze feels so refreshing on the skin. Master, this is a blessed land.” Zhang Er’gou’s face tightened, his expression very serious.

“Mm, I think so too. Well then, let me introduce myself.”

“I am Lin Fan, the sixth-generation sect master of the Holy Demon Sect, and now the master of this Nameless Peak.” At this moment, Lin Fan’s expression was solemn. Standing at the edge of the peak, hands behind his back, he gazed into the distance.

His flowing long hair swayed in the wind.

Zhang Er’gou couldn’t help but be mesmerized. What a domineering man.

…

“Now I am entrusting you with an important task, one that concerns whether the Holy Demon Sect can endure for generations and truly rise. Are you willing to accept it?” Lin Fan stared at Zhang Er’gou, his expression serious and earnest, as if entrusting a great mission.

Zhang Er’gou, who had already lost hope for the future, was infected by Lin Fan’s heavy tone. The expression on his face, as if his parents had died, vanished instantly.

Now that he had nowhere to go, returning to the servants would also mean death. Why not stay here and become a glorious disciple of the Holy Demon Sect? If it really flourished in the future, then I, Er’gou, would be the second person in the sect, no matter what.

“Sect Master, please command me. I, Er’gou, will go through fire and water without hesitation.” Zhang Er’gou said excitedly.

“Good, not bad. I am very gratified.” Lin Fan nodded. He had chosen the right person. With such determination from Er’gou, that was the greatest victory.

“Do you see these lush green lives before you?” Lin Fan pointed at the endless green grass like a commander.

“Mm, I see them. These lush green lives make me realize that we should also live on unyieldingly like them.” Zhang Er’gou nodded. He had now made up his mind: since going back was impossible, he would spend his life here. The Sect Master was so imposing, so the future couldn’t be too bad.

“Good, use all your strength to lay a solid foundation for the eternal sect. Uproot everything before your eyes.” Lin Fan said with great momentum.

In Lin Fan’s view, this was a major project, one that required immense effort.

Without sufficient determination, it would be absolutely impossible to complete.

“Yes.” Zhang Er’gou didn’t quite catch what the Sect Master said, but he felt the words were stirring. The blood that had settled in his veins now boiled fiercely under the Sect Master’s speech.

“Ah...” But just as it started to boil, Zhang Er’gou was instantly dumbfounded.

“Sect Master, what did you just say? I didn’t hear it clearly.” Zhang Er’gou was stunned. He had been so moved by the Sect Master’s words that his mind hadn’t filtered anything, and he had agreed without thinking.

Now that he came to his senses and thought it over, he was too terrified to speak.

Lin Fan looked at Zhang Er’gou, shook his head slightly, then turned around and walked to a large rock. He gently stroked the rough surface, his expression gradually becoming nostalgic.

“Once, there was a disciple of the Holy Demon Sect. Unfortunately, he had a congenital ear problem and sometimes couldn’t hear what others said. Later, an elder told him something, and he said he didn’t hear it clearly. And then...” Lin Fan sighed, lightly patted the rock, and it shattered into pieces.

“Sect Master, what happened then...?” Zhang Er’gou swallowed nervously.

“Later, he became like this rock.” Lin Fan pointed at the rubble on the ground.

Zhang Er’gou’s face turned pale instantly.

“Since you didn’t hear it clearly just now, I’ll tell you once more.” Lin Fan said.

Zhang Er’gou’s body trembled. He glanced at the Sect Master’s hand, then immediately nodded and said, “I heard it clearly. I heard it clearly just now.”

Seeing Zhang Er’gou’s reaction, Lin Fan smiled faintly.

“Mm, since you heard it clearly, why aren’t you going?” Lin Fan said.

“Yes...” Zhang Er’gou didn’t dare hesitate. He plunged into the dense weeds.

Buried in the weeds, Zhang Er’gou was tearful, holding a long sword, working with snot and tears.

At that moment, he understood: coming to this peak meant weeding.

It was far from the goal he had imagined. He didn’t know if he could ever achieve it, or if he would die of exhaustion among these weeds.

Lin Fan watched Zhang Er’gou’s back and nodded with satisfaction.

Now, Lin Fan thought he should plan for his future livelihood.

Whether or not he wanted to quickly build up the sect, he first had to clear this place, since he would be living here long-term.

In the Holy Demon Sect, there were two things Lin Fan considered most important.

Alchemy and artifact forging.

Lin Fan’s secondary profession of artifact forging could already produce high-quality weapons, but he hadn’t yet learned alchemy.

Given the current situation, there were three ways to improve his cultivation.

First, self-cultivation.

Second, taking pills.

Third, fighting monsters.

But in terms of speed, outside the sect, fighting monsters gave the fastest experience. Now that he was in the sect, he could only rely on pills.

However, Lin Fan wouldn’t give up any of these three methods. Whenever there was an opportunity, he would go all out.

“Keep weeding. I’m going down the mountain for a while.” Lin Fan said to Zhang Er’gou, who was struggling in the weeds.

“Yes, Sect Master. Go in peace.” Zhang Er’gou replied without looking back.

Lin Fan glanced sideways. Those words had a different meaning to him, but never mind. He would first go learn alchemy.

Lin Fan had already planned: from now on, he would refine pills while taking them.

If all went well, his cultivation should improve quickly.

Then he would properly nurture the sect, and before long, he would restore its glory.

Nine Great Sects, Heavenly Empress, Yan Emperor, just wash your asses and wait for me to make you cry.

Destroying my Master Lin’s sect—you’ve got some nerve.