Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World
Chapter 134 - 39 Worrying

Chapter 134: Chapter 39 Worrying

"We must go and see for ourselves."

Looking at the data sent by the inspection team, Zheng Fa murmured after a moment of thought.

It’s not that the inspection team Mrs. Ye found was not diligent.

On the contrary, these were probably professionals, and their survey was very detailed.

The data they sent included not only photos but also some geographical information collected on-site.

There were even some videos taken by drones.

But after all, the "Spirit Mountain Technique" is not a cultivation technique of this world, and some of the discourse in "Spirit Vein Theory" by the Sect Leader seem esoteric from a modern perspective, hence inexplicable.

Only by seeing for himself could he truly determine if the location was suitable for the "Spirit Mountain Technique".

"At least two spots have been ruled out," Tang Lingwu nodded on the side and then comforted, "There are still two places left, we’ll find time to check them out."

Zheng Fa thought for a while and felt a bit troubled, "We don’t have time before the college entrance examination."

They currently get only one day off every two weeks.

And it would take at least half a day to make a round trip to Beijing.

Plus, considering the need to inspect the mountains, it would take at least two or three days.

But he also wanted to confirm the site for the nursing home as soon as possible—after all, he had already reached the fifth level in Qi Cultivation and was only two to three months away from reaching the seventh level.

It would be best if he could get Mrs. Ye to start construction before he reached the seventh level.

"Can’t you take leave?"

"Mr. Chen..." Zheng Fa shook his head gently: "He’s a worrywart."

Mr. Chen had been his homeroom teacher for almost three years.

Zheng Fa could tell what kind of person he was—this teacher was so responsible that he was somewhat fussy.

"A worrywart..."

"It’s easy for you to ask for leave," Zheng Fa explained to Tang Lingwu: "You don’t have to attend classes anyway, and besides, it’s convenient for your mom to ask for leave for you... but I can’t."

Tang Lingwu immediately understood what Zheng Fa meant.

Zheng Fa had no parents...

And he lived right at the school.

Skipping any class would easily get him caught at home.

With Mr. Chen’s worrisome character, it would be difficult for Zheng Fa to ask for leave without a legitimate reason, let alone find an adult to vouch for him.

Zheng Fa thought it over and said, "I’ll try asking Mr. Chen for leave in a couple of days; if not, I’ll just have to act first and report later."

"That’s right, we cultivators should be free and unfettered, how could a mere leave slip tie us down!" Old Man Bai agreed from the side.

Tang Lingwu nodded slightly, her gaze thoughtful.

Zheng Fa hadn’t even asked Mr. Chen for leave yet.

But then, Mr. Chen suddenly came looking for him.

"The school is organizing a study tour," Mr. Chen called Zheng Fa to the office: "The top twenty students from this third-year monthly test can go, it’s voluntary to sign up."

"Study tour?" Zheng Fa was stunned for a moment, then asked, "Where to?"

Mr. Chen’s expression was also a bit odd, as if he himself couldn’t quite believe the answer: "Beijing."

"..."

"In the past, it was a big deal just to go to the provincial city for such an event... This time though, they’re being generous, not only going to Beijing but also round trip by plane, probably three to four days in total," Mr. Chen said cluelessly to Zheng Fa: "Out of the top twenty of this monthly test, our class has only two people—one is you, and the other is Tang Lingwu. I’ve already asked Tang Lingwu."

"..." Zheng Fa’s face grew more and more peculiar.

"She said she has to go back and ask her mother, but you don’t have parents so I’m asking you directly." Mr. Chen added: "By the way, this study tour is free of charge."

Zheng Fa was silent for a long time before he managed to keep his expression in check and nodded seriously to Mr. Chen: "I’ll go."

"That’s fine, I’ll sign you up... you can go back now."

As Zheng Fa walked to the door, he could still hear Mr. Chen muttering behind him:

"With this money to burn, why not give me a raise?"

"..."

When he returned to the classroom, Zheng Fa couldn’t help but look at Tang Lingwu, who was pretending to be nonchalant.

Without even looking at him, she stared earnestly at the book in front of her, wondering what kind of allure this "Data Structures and Algorithms" had.

As he walked by Tang Lingwu’s desk, he noticed the corners of her mouth slightly curl up, seemingly somewhat self-satisfied.

"What did Mr. Chen call you for?"

Seeing him return to his seat, Wang Chen curiously asked.

"It’s about the study tour."

"Study tour?" Wang Chen’s eyes lit up: "Are we going on a trip? Where to? The provincial city?"

"We’re going to Beijing." Looking at the expectant Wang Chen, Zheng Fa paused and said: "I’m going, not us... you, maybe next time."

"What do you mean ’next time’?"

"Next time, as in when you score in the top twenty of the entire grade," Zheng Fa thought for a moment, then added: "And also happens to coincide with some wealthy girl who’s willing to splurge on you."

"That might be tough..." Wang Chen understood and couldn’t help but feel dejected.

"... You work hard, maybe..." Zheng Fa wanted to encourage him.

"In dreams like that, I usually wake up laughing halfway through..."

...

The day of the study tour arrived quickly.

There were quite a few people going to Beijing.

The top twenty students of the grade were all there.

It made sense—traveling to Beijing and back wasn’t cheap, let alone under the guise of a study tour.

Not many parents would stop them.

Besides these twenty students, the school specifically assigned three adults to accompany them—

Mr. Chen, a female teacher, and a vice principal.

"Once we’re out, I am responsible for your safety," Mr. Chen said sternly to the group of students: "No one is allowed to go out alone, boys report to me if you want to go out, girls report to Mrs. Wang. While outside, all actions must follow instructions, got it?"

Everyone nodded one after another, excitement undeniably written on their faces, both boys and girls.

The bus that was picking them up had been waiting at the school gate for quite a while.

The moment Zheng Fa saw the driver, he was hundred percent sure this was Tang Lingwu’s doing—

Boxer shorts, don’t think I can’t recognize you just because you’re wearing slacks and sunglasses today!

Once on the bus, the vice-principal and two teachers took the front row seats.

The rest of the students followed suit, each finding their own seats.

Zheng Fa took a seat in the third-to-last row, essentially behind everyone else.

Everyone silently agreed, unless they were quite familiar with each other, to sit in separate rows.

But what Zheng Fa found incomprehensible was that a few boys had initially taken aisle seats but then suddenly switched to window seats, as if they were saving a seat for someone.

When Tang Lingwu boarded the bus, and he saw the uncontainable anticipation on those boys’ faces, Zheng Fa understood...

Tang Lingwu stood at the door of the bus, first glancing at the driver and then scanning the inside of the bus, before heading straight towards Zheng Fa.

After she sat next to Zheng Fa, he saw those boys silently switch back to their original seats...

"Did you arrange this?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Lingwu quickly shook her head, as if refusing to take the blame, and seeing the disbelief on Zheng Fa’s face, she whispered an explanation: "It was a group effort."

"?"

...

When they arrived in Beijing, he understood what a ’group effort’ meant.

The hotel they stayed in wasn’t expensive—it was a budget hotel.

Zheng Fa and a boy he wasn’t very familiar with were put in a double room.

As the two experienced an awkward silence in the room, someone suddenly knocked on the door.

Upon opening it, not only Tang Lingwu but also Mrs. Ye stood at the doorway.

To Zheng Fa’s surprise—Old Man Bai was there as well.

"What’s going on...?"

"We’ll talk while walking; I’ve notified your principal already," Mrs. Ye said softly, "We’re short on time... It’ll take several hours to head into the mountains, so we’re leaving tonight."

"I can go by myself," Zheng Fa quickly grasped Mrs. Ye’s intention, glancing outside at the sky.

It was already past ten in the evening.

He guessed they would have to trek through the night to get into the mountains.

"Who would feel at ease in the dead of night?" Mrs. Ye waved her hand: "If you’re worried about wearing me out... just give me a massage and that’ll be fine."

"..."

Old Man Bai also hurriedly added, "Me too!"

Is this what it means to be addicted to Nourishing Spirit Talismans?

...

In a room upstairs, Mr. Chen and the vice-principal shared a room.

"Eh?" Mr. Chen, looking out the window, spotted Zheng Fa and his party: "Isn’t that Zheng Fa... Where are they planning to run off to?"

He was about to call out to Zheng Fa from the window when a hand clasped his shoulder.

"Don’t yell; I agreed to it," the vice-principal said with a smile.

"Ah?"

Mr. Chen was a bit perplexed.

"You know how this study trip came about?"

"Isn’t it organized by the school?"

"Heh!" The vice-principal gave him a look that said you’re so naive: "Couldn’t the school’s money be better spent?"

"..."

"To tell you the truth, someone came to us with money proposing a sponsorship as a way to give back to society... Guess who it was?"

"Tang..."

The vice-principal patted Mr. Chen’s shoulder: "Moreover, the opportunity to visit Beijing University was also arranged by them—otherwise, would our school have the clout for that?"

Mr. Chen understood.

He looked once more at the retreating figures of Zheng Fa and the others, somewhat realizing the situation: "So for the sake of Zheng Fa’s plate of vinegar, you’ve served us all a table of dumplings?"

"That’s right!"

"But this..." Mr. Chen still furrowed his brows: "Zheng Fa’s a kid without any family; I still need to keep an eye on him."

"You..." The vice-principal shook his head helplessly: "They didn’t want to give Zheng Fa special treatment. They’re willing to spend a lot of money to make sure everything’s covered."

"Look at the students; they’re getting some relaxation and broadening their horizons."

"And the school, take some photos, write a few press releases, and they’ll have something to boast about in the future."

At that moment, someone knocked on their door twice.

"As for the two of us," the vice-principal opened the room door and came back in, grinning with four bottles of beer and a big bag of skewers: "We’ve gained the freedom that married men dream of!"

"Everyone’s happy!"

"But I’m not sure if Zheng Fa’s in the loop..." Mr. Chen stared at Zheng Fa’s back, still somewhat worried.

In his sight, Zheng Fa suddenly raised his arm and waved in the air.

Mr. Chen’s phone vibrated; after checking it, he chuckled and headed back into the room: "Eh? Principal, are you gonna hog it all to yourself? What’s the fun in drinking alone? I’ll join you!"

"Vice’s vice!"

"I get it, Principal!" Mr. Chen laughed as he snatched a skewer: "It’s a matter of time!"

...

Zheng Fa lowered his arm, and Tang Lingwu asked curiously beside him, "What were you doing?"

"Just giving a man who likes to worry a bit of peace of mind," Zheng Fa replied, then turned to Old Man Bai, "So, Old Man, why are you here too?"

"I was the one who contacted Beijing University for you guys, and I’m also here to see someone..." Old Man Bai’s eyes twinkled, as if he had other intentions.

"To see someone?"

"To see someone who’s about to die."

Old Man Bai’s tone was laden with deeper meaning.

Understood... He came to check out the situation himself.