Astral Apostle

Chapter 396: Scheduled Duel (1)

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

“Perfected One, you’ve misunderstood. I didn’t make things difficult for this Daoist. It’s just that he stopped me in the street and slandered my good friend…”

Zhang Wentao’s expression changed slightly as he explained.

Zhou Jing turned to look at Mei Zhanqing and observed him for a moment before saying, “May I know how to address your good friend? Who is she?”

Zhang Wentao hurriedly replied, “This is Scholar Iron Heart. She also cultivates a Dao technique and is temporarily staying in my Zhang family. She’s an honored guest of my family and asked me to pull some strings to visit him.”

“I see.” Zhou Jing nodded before turning to Mei Zhanqing, “Why did you want to see me?”

“I just admire you and wish to befriend you.”

Mei Zhanqing composed herself and bowed. Her tone was gentle and tactful.

She could not be sure of Zhou Jing’s attitude. Coupled with the fact that she was watching from the sidelines, she naturally did not dare to say her true intentions.

At this moment, Wei Zifu spoke in a deep voice,

“Perfected One, be careful. This woman is the Mei Zhanqing I mentioned. She’s best at seducing men. This time, she must have targeted you and wishes to try and ruin your cultivation. Perfected One, don’t fall for her tricks.”

“You… shameless!” Mei Zhanqing was furious and shouted, “You old Daoist, you’ve ruined my reputation again and again. What are your intentions!”

“Mei Zhanqing, don’t pretend in front of Perfected One. Perfected One has long reached the natural dao realm and is an expert of the current era. His attainments in the Qi Divination Technique are profound. There’s nowhere for you to hide your foul aura. You can hide it from ordinary people, but how can you hide it from Perfected One?!”

Wei Zifu spoke clearly and loudly.

He was originally caught between a rock and a hard place, but now that Zhou Jing was backing him up, he started to rebel and continue the confrontation.

Hearing this, Mei Zhanqing’s eyes changed slightly, feeling a little nervous.

The spell technique she practiced did not include the Qi Divination Technique, but she knew that the spell energies and Qi that she had cultivated through practicing evil techniques would appear murky. In the eyes of the person who observed her Qi signature, she was as outstanding as a firefly in the night.

If Perfected Master Windwalker also knew the Qi Divination Technique, she would not be able to pretend anymore.

However, Mei Zhanqing was actually not afraid of being seen through, because she had originally planned to lay her cards on the table with Zhou Jing on this trip. However, at this moment, she had been preempted by Wei Zifu and there were people watching from the side. She was worried that she would not have a chance to explain her intentions to Zhou Jing and would be seen as an enemy.

Thinking of this, Mei Zhanqing could not sit still anymore. She braced himself and took a step forward.

“Perfected One, don’t listen to his one-sided story. Other than admiring you, I have something to discuss with you. Can we talk in private?”

Zhou Jing glanced at her, “What do you have that you cannot say here?”

Mei Zhanqing gritted her teeth before replying, “It’s naturally some private matter. It’s not convenient to speak of such matters in public.”

“Since it’s not convenient to speak in front of everyone, I don’t think it’s a good thing. How can I talk to you in private and invite criticism for no reason?”

Zhou Jing shook his head, not wanting to chat with her in private at all.

Indeed, he had just used his Elemental Vision to take a look. This female Daoist’s aura was extremely turbid, and black gas was wrapped around her. She was truly practicing evil techniques, which proved that she was most likely not a good person.

Although he did not know why this person was here, it was most likely not something reliable. His current reputation was flourishing, so why should he get involved with such a person with a dark history? The disadvantages outweigh the benefits.

Hearing this, Mei Zhanqing felt depressed.

How could she speak about her purpose of cooperating to climb up the ranks of the royal family in public? She still wanted to keep her head on!

She had encountered a god of misfortune today, so she could not achieve his goal. It was better to leave this troublesome place first and plan for the future…

Mei Zhanqing had this thought and wanted to retreat. Thus, she deliberately sighed,

“Perfected One has a preconceived notion of me and has developed a prejudice against me. It seems that I won’t be able to chat today. I’ll take my leave now. I’ll visit again another day.”

With that, she turned to leave. The Zhang family guards at the side also gathered to escort her out.

However, Zhou Jing stopped them and said faintly, “I haven’t let you go yet. If you don’t explain yourself today, you won’t be able to leave.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the Ye family guards moved and immediately blocked the way, surrounding the Zhang family.

Mei Zhanqing was stunned for a moment before she turned around angrily,

“Perfected One, your actions are so domineering. I came specially to visit today and treat you with respect. It’s fine if you don’t want to see me, but what do you mean by not letting me leave?”

Zhang Wentao also stepped forward to mediate. He was a little unhappy as he added, “Scholar Iron Heart is an honored guest of my residence. It’s not appropriate for you to do this…”

Zhou Jing looked at him with a faint smile. Suddenly, he changed the topic and spoke slowly,

“A few days ago, the Old Master Ye was infected with a strange illness, and the entire city was helpless about it. It was I who cured him. Do you know about this?”

Zhang Wentao was stunned for a moment before he nodded cautiously, “Of course I’ve heard about this matter spreading throughout Ning Tian Prefecture.”

Zhou Jing narrowed his eyes and came to the main point,

“But the truth is not like that. What the Old Master Ye is infected with is not an illness, but an evil spirit. It’s very likely that someone used a spell to harm him. Just now, I took a look and realized that this female Daoist has practiced evil techniques, and she’s an honored guest of your residence… Could it be that your Zhang family colluded with her to secretly harm Old Master Ye, as well as the other nobles of Ning Tian Prefecture in the future?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding people burst into an uproar.

Zhang Wentao’s expression changed drastically, “Why would my Zhang family do such a thing? You’re defiling my innocence! Besides, everyone in the city knows that Old Master Ye got sick. How did he become afflicted with an evil spirit? Perfected One, don’t spout nonsense!”

“Hmph, the Perfected One is not spouting nonsense. This old man can testify!”

At this moment, Old Master Ye was helped out of the residence.

“I was pestered by evil spirits a few months ago. Fortunately, Perfected One chased them away and saved my life. I also want to know who harmed me. Perfected One, feel free to ask. If we find the evildoer, my Ye family will not let this matter rest!”