Black Myth: Starting from the Destined One
Chapter 246 - 193: Shadow Following!_2

Chapter 246: Chapter 193: Shadow Following!_2

"Crap! You think I don’t know?"

Li Ping’an feigned calmness as he explained,

"Those trash at Mount Longhu, what can you even learn by following them? Is anything they say not like farting to the wind? I refuse to stick to the norms. Forget about beef, I would even eat dragon meat!"

After swallowing hard, Li Ping’an shifted the topic to the Ghost Taoist:

"Weren’t you the same back in the day? I’m just eating some beef, what’s the big deal? How does that compare to your indiscriminate killing?"

"Hahahaha!"

The Ghost Taoist looked at Li Ping’an appreciatively and nodded in approval,

"You’re right, whether it’s being a person or practicing cultivation, one can’t adhere to strict rules. The cultivators of Mount Longhu are exactly like that which has led to their miserable state today. You, my boy, have some of my youthful spirit—defying superiors and being utterly unbridled. I like you! How about it, I take you as my disciple and pass on all my skills to you!"

"No way! Please, just don’t!"

Having bluffed his way out of danger, Li Ping’an completely relaxed and reverted to his usual carefree demeanor,

"First off, I’d like to live a few more years. If people knew I was your disciple, I doubt I’d even make it out the door before getting killed!"

"Secondly, I don’t want to end up looking like a ghost like you. Have some decency! Transforming into that and scaring people? You don’t even avoid public places. This is just during the day; at night, you could scare someone to death!"

"Hmph! What a filthy mouth! If it weren’t for the fact that you’re a disciple of Mount Longhu, you’d be dead by now!"

Stung by Li Ping’an’s comments but genuinely appreciating his confidence, unruliness, and non-conformity, the Ghost Taoist couldn’t help but see a reflection of his younger self in Li Ping’an. So, he didn’t get angry and just couldn’t be bothered to argue further with him.

"Young master... Your food is here..."

A shop assistant brought over the dishes Li Ping’an had ordered, trembling, not daring to glance at the Ghost Taoist. After several deliveries of Li Ping’an’s orders, he was ready to hide in the kitchen, but just as he was turning to leave, the Ghost Taoist ordered him:

"Bring me a live chicken!"

"Yes... sir..."

Relieved, the shop assistant ran off to the kitchen to get a live chicken for the Ghost Taoist, while Li Ping’an, who was already hungry, began to feast with gusto, holding seasoned beef in his right hand and fine liquor in his left, eating and drinking merrily.

"Sir... Your live chicken is here..."

The shop assistant was someone who knew the ropes and tied up the live chicken before placing it before the Ghost Taoist.

"Thanks!"

After receiving the live chicken, the Ghost Taoist promptly bit off its neck, plucked its feathers with his mouth, and started sucking its blood.

"Hey, hey, hey!"

Li Ping’an banged on the table with a look of discontent and said,

"Brother, I’m eating here; can you not be so uncivilized? Who eats animals alive like this? Have you no sense of public decency? Look at this, chicken feathers and blood all over the table. Are you going to let me eat or not?"

"If I can’t eat well, I won’t perform well in the competition later. If I don’t perform well, I won’t beat the opponent, and if I lose, it will be a disgrace to Mount Longhu, and all because of you! So if you keep this up, don’t blame me later!"

"You little brat..."

The Ghost Taoist pointed at Li Ping’an, about to hurl a series of reproaches but held himself back, instead threatening,

"I’m counting on you to make a name for Mount Longhu so the other sects won’t look down on us. If not for this, do you think I’d tolerate you?"

"Forget it!"

Frustrated, the Ghost Taoist tossed aside the dead chicken and said angrily:

"Little beast, eat quickly! I’m letting you off this time. If you don’t make it to the top four in group four today, just wait and see if I don’t suck your blood dry!"

"Pfft, who are you trying to scare? Acting like you’re some Terrestrial Immortal or something!"

"Enough with the nonsense, just eat your food!"

Li Ping’an then continued to eat, focusing on his meal. It was during this time that Orthodox Zhengyi Temple Cultivator Nangong Zhidao silently walked in, sitting at the table next to Li Ping’an. He didn’t order food or show fear of the Ghost Taoist; he just kept staring at Li Ping’an, making him very uncomfortable.

"Are you looking at your mom? Turn around!"

After cursing at the Orthodox Zhengyi Temple Cultivator Nangong Zhidao, Li Ping’an threatened him with his gaze, signaling for him not to look at Li any longer. Li wasn’t a reality show food vlogger—what was there to stare at? Moreover, they didn’t even know each other!

However, the Orthodox Zhengyi Temple Cultivator Nangong Zhidao, not at all intimidated, said to Li Ping’an with a smile:

"Li Ping’an, do you not recognize me?"

"..."

Li Ping’an didn’t rush to answer, sizing up the Orthodox Zhengyi Temple Cultivator Nangong Zhidao with a glance before responding grumpily:

"Seriously, who the heck are you? Why are you staring at me while I eat? Are you too poor to afford your own meal? Huh? If you’re too broke to eat, just order something yourself and put it on the Ghost Taoist’s tab!"

"Li Ping’an, I’m not here to eat. I’m here especially to keep an eye on you. I’m afraid I’ll never see you again if you run away!" the Orthodox Zhengyi Temple Cultivator Nangong Zhidao continued, still smiling.

"Afraid I’ll run?"

Li Ping’an caught the insinuation in his words and immediately asked with a serious tone:

"Nangong Zhidao, what are you getting at?"

"Nothing much. Even though you don’t recognize me, your name, Immortal Li, rings like thunder in my ears!" the Orthodox Zhengyi Temple Cultivator Nangong Zhidao continued with a smile.

"I’m challenging you to today’s Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master contest!"

"Challenge me? Haha!"

Hearing this, Li Ping’an was utterly baffled. Since he couldn’t figure it out, he simply couldn’t be bothered to care any longer. He turned to the Ghost Taoist and ordered:

"Hey, hey, hey, don’t play mute. Use your ghostly appearance to scare him to death, so he’ll scram and stop ruining my meal!"

"..."

It was as if the Ghost Taoist hadn’t heard Li at all. He just cocked his head, glanced at the Orthodox Zhengyi Temple Cultivator Nangong Zhidao, then leaned over to whisper to Li Ping’an:

"Kid, there’s something fishy about this guy, but I can’t quite pinpoint it. In short, be wary of him!"

"Who’s fishier than you?"

After retorting, Li Ping’an turned back to his meal. Otherwise, the thought of being watched with such eagerness while eating was enough to give him goosebumps, let alone ruin his appetite.

To be honest, the Orthodox Zhengyi Taoist cultivator Nangong Zhidao really wanted to seize the moment Li Ping’an had his back turned to suddenly attack and kill Li, but the Ghost Taoist’s watchful presence allowed no such opportunity.

After Li Ping’an finished eating and the Ghost Taoist swiftly indulged himself with blood, the two of them walked out. The owner hiding in the kitchen didn’t dare to take payment, but Li Ping’an still tossed down five taels of silver.

As they headed back to Moyun Temple, Li Ping’an walked at the forefront, followed by the Ghost Taoist, and lastly the Orthodox Zhengyi Taoist Cultivator Nangong Zhidao. There was Li, initially dogged by a single person, now under the surveillance of two—a situation as unwelcome and inescapable as an adhesive plaster, stirring annoyance in Li Ping’an.

Arriving at the gate of Moyun Temple, Li Ping’an could no longer endure it. He suddenly stopped, turned around with his hands on his hips, and asked helplessly:

"Ghost Taoist, just how long do you intend to follow me? What do I have to do for you to leave me be?"

The Ghost Taoist coldly replied:

"Wait until the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master is over. You won’t need to send me away; I’ll leave on my own. I have many things to do and can’t waste more time on you."

Li Ping’an then turned his head towards the Orthodox Zhengyi Taoist Cultivator Nangong Zhidao and asked with displeasure:

"And what about you, big brother of Zhengyi Taoism? How long do you plan on keeping me under surveillance? Are you into men or something? Should I spend some money to hire a male prostitute for you?"

The Orthodox Zhengyi Taoist Cultivator Nangong Zhidao replied with a smile:

"You’re overthinking it. My purpose is the same as his. Once the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master is over, even if you beg me to keep an eye on you, I won’t give you a second glance!"