Dance Of The Dragons
Chapter 389 : A Generous Offer

Chapter 389: Chapter 389 : A Generous Offer

Zhang Fengxi was tempted to say yes just to infuriate Bai Ling, but he was not interested in seeing the young couple acting sweet to each other all the time.

"It is not necessary. I already found a small house in the Bamboo Stream Village. You will find my house when you ask around in the village.

Whenever you need my help, please do not hesitate to contact me."

"Ah, Bamboo Stream Village. It is very close from here. Thank you, Brother Zhang, I will keep it in mind."

"And one more thing."

Zhang Fengxi took out a bracelet made out of wooden prayer beads and handed it over to Qiao Wei. The beads were made from high-quality wooden material that Qiao Wei did not recognize, but the weight and the fragrant smell told him that the bracelet was very costly.

Each bead had an ancient symbol engraved on its surface, looking a lot like a spell to ward off evil spirits.

"Brother Zhang, this bracelet must be very expensive. I cannot accept it."

Qiao Wei wanted to return the bracelet to Zhang Fengxi, but the latter pushed at his outstretched hand.

"Please take this bracelet as an early wedding gift from me. I especially had it made for you. It can protect you from evil."

Rejecting a wedding gift was equal to a slap on Zhang Fengxi’s face. Qiao Wei simply had to accept.

"I see. Thank you, Brother Zhang."

"Come, let me put it on for you."

Qiao Wei was startled to hear Zhang Fengxi’s words. Put the bracelet on for him? It was a little too intimate a gesture between two people who had just met, right?

But then he recalled meeting Zhang Fengxi in many lifetimes.

Maybe Zhang Fengxi was not a stranger after all?

The smooth coolness of the prayer beads was a stark counterpoint to the smoldering trail Zhang Fengxi had left on Qiao Wei’s wrist. His touch, brief as it was, had branded him there, a searing imprint that sent a tremor through his heart, each beat a frantic drum solo against his ribs.

"Never take it off," Zhang Fengxi said in a deep, husky voice. He raised his eyes and gave Qiao Wei an intensive gaze that seemed to pierce the very core of his soul.

"Mmm."

Qiao Wei averted his gaze and chose to look at the prayer beads around his wrist instead.

He did not notice the subtle smirk that played around the corner of Zhang Fengxi’s lips.

The wooden beads were very special.

Its fragrance should ward off unwanted suitors, among which, the Monkey King.

A temple servant came out to serve Qiao Wei and Zhang Fengxi some tea. A while later, Bai Siyang, the Wushan Temple Sect Leader returned from outside.

"Ah. Qiao Wei, I heard that we have a guest. Young gentleman, who are you and where do you come from?"

"Shizun."

Zhang Fengxi rose to his feet and cupped his hands before the sect leader.

"Greetings to Sect Leader Bai. I am just a wandering cultivator who hailed from a village in the East. My name is Zhang Fengxi."

"Ah, Zhang Fengxi. You are the talented spearman who helped Qiao Wei and saved two of our junior disciples at Dong Village. Our sect is indebted to you. Please, sit down, let’s have tea together."

"Shizun, Brother Zhang also helped me with exorcism during the Hungry Ghost Festival," Qiao Wei added. "He got hurt because of me."

"That’s not true," Zhang Fengxi said. "I got hurt from fighting wild animals. My wounds merely reopened at that time."

"Either way, we thank you a lot for the help you provide to our sect. Young man, every wandering cultivator has to find a home to return to one day. Wushan Temple Sect greatly values talents such as yourself. How is it? Are you not interested in joining our sect?"

Bai Siyang’s offer was beyond generous. Most people would kill to join the Wushan Temple Sect, but Zhang Fengxi was not most people.

"My time has yet to come," Zhang Fengxi declined the offer politely. "When one day I seek a sanctuary to rest my aching bones, I will surely choose Wushan Temple Sect."

Bai Siyang broke into a wave of booming laughter.

"Well said!" He exclaimed. "Well said!"

When Bai Ling returned from outside the last time, the first thing she had to report was the presence of an unknown person by Qiao Wei’s side.

At first Bai Siyang thought that Qiao Wei somehow cheated on Bai Ling, but it turned out that the person was a man.

In the many years he knew Qiao Wei, the latter had always been an ascetic individual, who kept a proper distance from both men and women.

The only person he remotely showered his affection on was Bai Ling, but of course that was not enough for her.

Oh, women, Bai Siyang groaned in his heart while fingering his beard.

Looking at Zhang Fengxi, it was obvious that he did not harbor any untoward feelings for Qiao Wei. Otherwise, he would accept Bai Siyang’s invitation to join the sect without hesitation.

Bai Siyang was the kind of person who did not take rejection well. Zhang Fengxi’s refusal, polite but firm, was a pebble tossed into his meticulously orchestrated pool. Intrigue flickered in Bai Siyang’s eyes.

This spearman was too talented to escape his grasp, a trophy he refused to leave to other sects!

"Ah, the world is getting more and more chaotic these days," Bai Siyang lamented as he walked toward the nearest chair and took a seat.

"Is everything alright, Shizun?"

"Oh, it’s not about demons or spirit possession in particular. It’s the usual petty competition among the sects. Utterly silly, if you ask me."

"Have we decided where to hold the next Spiritual Mountain Competition, Shizun?" Qiao Wei said as he poured tea for his shizun.

"It has been decided to hold it at Mount E’ling to avoid giving any sect geographical advantages."

"I see."

"Every sect can send up to ten people. How many people do we have right now, Qiao Wei?"

"Nine, Shizun."

"Aahhhhhh..."

Bai Siyang groaned dramatically. "If only we can find a tenth person from somewhere to represent our sect... Other than Qiao Wei, the others will surely lose at the preliminary round..."

Zhang Fengxi had to cough to mask the smile on his face. For some reason, Bai Siyang reminded him of someone from home.

"If Sect Leader Bai does not mind, I am more than honored to serve as the tenth representative."