Longevity Begins With Zongmen Handyman

Chapter 103: Earned His Deep Affection

Li An's residence was not large, just a simple small house, but it was clean and tidy.

Especially the three rooms, all of them were study rooms!

Filled with books that Li An had bought from various sources.

Astronomy, geography, snakes, insects, birds, beasts, alchemy, talismans, medicine... everything was there.

Moreover, although these books were all clean, they also appeared somewhat worn, obviously having been carefully read.

Song Mingzhang casually picked up one or two books and carefully flipped through them, only to see that Li An had made notes and markings on the key points in the books.

These miscellaneous books were actually not considered important to cultivators, their main purpose was to broaden their knowledge!

But from Li An's notes, Song Mingzhang could imagine that when Li An was immersed in reading, his heart must have truly been absorbed in the books, flowing slowly and unwilling to leave.

He put down the book in his hand and randomly picked up another from elsewhere.

But every book was the same!

Full of annotations and notes.

"These are all shallow books, with shallow knowledge. It's embarrassing for Master Song to see..." Li An spoke up.

But in his heart, he was like a student who had done his homework solidly, naturally not flustered at all when facing the teacher's inspection.

In these five years, while he focused on cultivation, he also treated reading as his main occupation!

Li An had reached the Foundation Establishment stage in his previous life and had seen higher levels of scenery, so his knowledge was naturally far beyond that of ordinary people. Therefore, he could naturally read deeply and find different things in the books.

Moreover, since his spiritual platform and the branches of his life seed were connected, he had the ability to remember everything he saw.

That was why five years ago, he was able to finish reading "The Art of Alchemy Debate" and "The Knowledge of Herb Identification" in just three days.

"Young friend's profound reading impresses this old man!" Song Mingzhang spoke up, but although he was growing more and more fond of Li An in his heart, he still smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Li, in this 'Formation Theory', your annotation 'Formations are not essential, methods are what matters' has puzzled me..."

Verification!

Li An didn't hesitate: "This should be discussed on page twenty-seven, in fact, there is an explanation on page thirty-five..."

Song Mingzhang was surprised and turned to page thirty-five, and sure enough, it was as Li An had said.

He couldn't help but nod his head, completely relieved.

This person Li An truly loved books and could read them!

Moreover, he knew how to be grateful!

It was just borrowing books for three days, but he remembered it in his heart, even after four or five years had passed, he hadn't forgotten.

This kind of gratitude was too rare in this treacherous cultivation world.

His desire in his heart grew stronger, but he deliberately said, "Fellow Daoist Li truly is a lover of books, but these books... are somewhat unworthy of Fellow Daoist Li's talent."

"They are all too shallow!"

He didn't hesitate to criticize, "The content of these books is mostly superficial, if you want to learn more profound knowledge, relying on these books is not enough."

Li An's expression also changed dramatically, pained and indignant, "What Senior said is absolutely right!"

"In these years, I have suffered exactly because of this. The books circulating in the market are mostly wrong and incomplete, and I have suffered greatly from their drawbacks..."

Song Mingzhang smiled slightly, stroked his beard, and Li An, who loved books so much, was easy for him to manipulate. He continued, "In my study, there are three thousand books, and not one of them is not a masterpiece. Even the 'Knowledge of Herb Identification' and 'The Art of Alchemy Debate' are just ordinary books..."

Li An yearned for it and said, "Master Song... could I have the honor of visiting your study?"

Cai Chao couldn't help but speak up, "That study is Master Song's treasure... it is where he has put all his efforts throughout his life. If you want to go and read, Fellow Daoist Li should show the respect of a disciple!"

There was a hint of a smile in his eyes, he was deliberately hinting at Li An.

Cai Chao had already seen Song Mingzhang's fondness for Li An.

He was now giving Li An a hint, if Li An could successfully become Song Mingzhang's disciple, then he would also have formed a good relationship.

This was exactly what Song Mingzhang intended. When Cai Chao mentioned it, he was also quite pleased. Having Cai Chao say it would be the best.

But then he thought again, feeling that something was not right!

This person Li An... was too indifferent!

In five years, they had only had a peripheral encounter once, and he had never taken the initiative to pay respects. Song Mingzhang understood with just a thought that this was the arrogance and etiquette of a scholar.

The friendship between gentlemen is as light as water, and moreover, the friendship between gentlemen should be equal.

It was clear that although Li An lived in a humble room, he was unwilling to be influenced by his secular identity in his pursuit of knowledge.

Upon thinking about it, he felt that he should take his time in dealing with Li An and not rush. So he said, "Today, meeting with Young Master Li, if we can become close friends, then all these formalities are unnecessary. Just follow me."

If it were someone else, the disciple's etiquette would be unavoidable.

Etiquette, to put it plainly, is a form of restraint.

But he felt that there was no need for such restraint towards Li An, because Li An knows gratitude and is not someone who forgets favors.

Cai Chao was suddenly surprised. The implication in Song Mingzhang's words was clearly treating Li An as an equal.

To be recognized by Song Mingzhang was already a rare honor, and to receive such recognition... Li An truly was exceptional.

Li An couldn't help but feel extremely grateful, "Senior's kindness is so great... I will never forget it!"

Actually, if it was really necessary, he could accept the disciple's etiquette and willingly do it himself.

Although he was once a Nascent Soul expert, Li An had long abandoned that sense of dignity and would not be arrogant because of his past identity.

Because it was useless!

Those things were also just illusions to Li An. Only the path to immortality, only continuous improvement, was the most important.

Of course, Li An was quite satisfied with the treatment he was receiving now.

The accumulation and waiting he had done over the past five years had finally not been in vain.

Immediately, Li An got on Song Mingzhang's carriage and headed towards Song Mingzhang's residence.

Cai Chao stood at the street corner and watched the two of them.

"From today onwards, this unknown scholar on Anle Street is probably going to rise to great heights..."

He couldn't help but sigh.

...

Song Mingzhang lived on "Taihua Street."

Taihua Street was right next to "Wuyang Street," but it was in the "Third Tier" spiritual vein area.

However, the spiritual veins here were relatively weak.

He had a standalone small courtyard, which Li An knew was extremely valuable.

It belonged to the private property of the Treasure Pavilion. Even if one was an appraiser, they would need to serve in the pavilion for more than ten years to be allocated one, and once they left the Treasure Pavilion, the small courtyard would be taken back.

Song Mingzhang had worked for the Treasure Pavilion his whole life, and his lifespan was already close to three hundred years. He didn't have much time left, so he wasn't worried about this issue.

The two of them talked almost exclusively about books along the way, becoming happier the more they talked.

They got off the carriage and entered the small courtyard.

A servant opened the door, and Song Mingzhang led Li An inside, entering the living room where a maid served them tea.

"Where is Anning? Let her come out and meet the guest."

Song Mingzhang waved his hand, and the maid immediately left.

Not long after, a young girl wearing a green robe walked over gracefully. Her figure was graceful and elegant, but she wore a veil that covered half of her face.

But even so, the remaining half of her face still had many pockmarks and scars!

"Anning, this is Mr. Zuo, who saved you from a life of suffering," Song Mingzhang said.

Song Anning bowed to Li An and said, "Thank you, Mr. Zuo, for saving my life!"

Li An hurriedly said, "Miss Anning, please rise. There's no need for such formality."

After the greeting, Song Anning immediately left without staying long.

"Come, my young friend, let me show you my study."

Song Mingzhang spoke directly, and the two of them immediately entered the study.

The study was much more spacious and bright than Li An's simple study. There were calligraphy and paintings by famous artists hanging on the walls, and the study was meticulously maintained by maids, so a faint sandalwood fragrance filled the air, instantly calming one's heart.

Li An stood in place, his eyes filled with envy.

"If you don't mind, my young friend, how about staying in this humble abode?" Song Mingzhang timely spoke, leisurely saying, "Study here for three to five years, and by then, you will surely gain more!"

Li An hesitated for a moment, but in the end, he bowed and said, "To receive such great favor from Senior, Li An is truly fortunate!"

"Respectful obedience is better than resistance!"

He agreed.

...

These two chapters are from yesterday.

(End of this chapter)