Chapter 2: Nan Hua, the Old Immortal

"Murder, murder!" The old lady selling sugarcane, originally just watching the show with an amused attitude, witnessed the drama that unfolded almost daily at the entrance of the university. However, she could never have imagined that the clean and gentle young man before her would stab that despicable fat man in the neck with a knife, and what surprised her even more was that the knife belonged to her.

Amidst the chaotic shouts resembling a pig slaughter, the bustling entrance of the school descended into chaos. Snowy, wide-eyed like a dead fish, couldn't believe that Qin Mufeng, who usually hesitated to resort to violence, would actually make a move. She let out a hysterical scream. In the midst of the two women's screams, Qin Mufeng finally snapped out of it and faced the breathless Jianghe. Qin Mufeng knew that Jianghe was dead.

Jianghe deserved to die. This scum deserved to die a hundred times over. But now, Jianghe's death was caused by his own hands. As Qin Mufeng awakened from his anger, his heartbeat quickened uncontrollably. Looking at the fruit knife in his hand stained with blood, Qin Mufeng knew that it was this knife that sealed Jianghe's fate, as well as his own.

However, Qin Mufeng felt no regrets. He knew that if he could turn back time, he would still do the same thing, not for the woman named Snowy, but for his own dignity, the dignity of a man! Looking at the chaotic crowd in front of him, a cold smile appeared on Qin Mufeng's lips. He paid no attention to the spectators and walked briskly towards the outskirts of the crowd.

"Don't let him escape, he's a murderer!" "Stop him, stop him!" Amidst the chaotic crowd, words of bravery and justice were occasionally heard, but not a single person came forward. At this moment, Qin Mufeng seemed like a fearsome god that scared everyone away. Within a five-meter radius of him, hardly anyone dared to approach.

Frozen in fear, Snowy continued to scream, but Qin Mufeng didn't even spare her a glance as he walked away. He didn't care if someone called the police or the continuous discussions that echoed around him. Qin Mufeng suddenly felt hungry.

It's about time to eat something. Knowing his fate, Qin Mufeng had no intention of running away because he knew he couldn't escape. With no money, no allies, and countless eyes fixated on him, no matter how he tried to escape, the police would inevitably catch up.

About two hundred meters away, at a night market stall, the aroma of grilled lamb skewers wafted through the air. While everyone at the scene thought Qin Mufeng was about to escape, he instead sat down next to this stall. The stall owners, a couple in their fifties, almost cried when they saw Qin Mufeng sitting at their booth. They thought to themselves that they must have terrible luck today. If they had known that such a disaster would befall them, they wouldn't have opened their stall today. Qin Mufeng looked at the couple, their faces pale with fear, and a slight smile appeared on his lips. Perhaps this was the most awe-inspiring moment of his life, but he knew that he would have to trade his entire life for these few minutes of glory.

"Boss, give me twenty skewers of lamb kebabs and two bottles of beer, this is for the meal."

As Qin Mufeng spoke, he took out his wallet from his pocket and placed it on the table.

Reluctantly, the couple prepared a heap of lamb skewers and a few bottles of beer, trembling with fear as they placed them on Qin Mufeng's table. Then, as if running for their lives, they hurriedly fled from the scene.

Ignoring the presence of the stall owners, Qin Mufeng picked up a bottle of beer and used his teeth to open the cap. He drank it down in one gulp. With the beer down in his stomach, Qin Mufeng felt a bit hungry. As he reached out to take a skewer of lamb in front of him, he noticed someone sitting next to his table.

"You must be a police officer. Wait a moment, I haven't finished eating. Let me finish my meal, and then I'll go with you. I haven't eaten today," Qin Mufeng shouted without even looking at the person. At this moment, he had already disregarded life and death, so he no longer cared if the person was a cop or not.

"To remain so calm in the midst of a murder scene, the fortitude of your mind truly impresses me," the person responded calmly, showing no annoyance. They spoke in a casual manner to Qin Mufeng.

Listening to the person's voice, Qin Mufeng felt as if he was surrounded by flowing rivers and towering mountains, finding it quite pleasant. However, when the person mentioned the term "old Taoist," Qin Mufeng was startled. When he looked up, he realized that the person sitting in front of him was not a police officer as he had imagined, but a Taoist dressed in traditional Taoist robes and hat adorned with nine liangs.

It's rare to see a Taoist dressed like this nowadays. Looking at this Taoist, the first thought that came to Qin Mufeng's mind was whether his eyes were playing tricks on him. Rubbing his eyes and looking closer, he confirmed that he was indeed not only looking at a Taoist but quite possibly a foreign Taoist.

With flowing white hair and a youthful appearance, the Taoist seemed to embody the qualities of a celestial being. However, his pair of emerald green eyes felt out of place no matter how Qin Mufeng looked at them. Taoism was a religion native to China, so when did a foreign Taoist appear?

"Who are you and why are you sitting here? Aren't you afraid that I'll get angry and kill you?" Unable to determine the reality behind this person, Qin Mufeng had no intention of getting involved with this peculiar Taoist. So, he put on a fierce expression, hoping to scare him away.

"Hahaha, young friend, if you're wondering who I am, I am an immortal sent to save your life. You've committed a murder amidst a bustling market, so you should be aware of the consequences," the Taoist replied to Qin Mufeng's scolding, not showing any fear but instead watching Qin Mufeng with a mocking gaze in his emerald green eyes.

Upon hearing the Taoist mention saving his life, Qin Mufeng's heart, which had already turned to ashes, stirred once again. Although he had prepared for the worst, he wouldn't let go of the chance to stay alive. Calming his racing heart, Qin Mufeng asked a question that made the Taoist grin slyly: "Elder, do you happen to have connections with the police, prosecutors, and courts?"

Qin Mufeng had his reasons for asking this. In today's society, Taoists were not to be underestimated just like monks. Some well-known monks and Taoists were either members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) or the National People's Congress (NPC), showing their influential connections.

"Hahaha!" With a thunderous laughter, the Taoist responded, "Young friend, didn't you hear what I said? I am an immortal, naturally capable of saving your life. It has been over ten minutes since you committed the murder. Aren't you curious why the police haven't arrived?"

Upon hearing the Taoist's words, Qin Mufeng suddenly realized that it had been over ten minutes since he committed the murder. According to the response time of the police, they should have already been there. But why hadn't the police arrived yet? As he looked around, he saw that darkness surrounded him. Not only had the bustling crowd vanished, but even the grill with the lamb skewers seemed to have disappeared. All that remained was the table with the beer and lamb skewers, nothing else.

"What's going on?" An astonished Qin Mufeng trembled as he asked the Taoist. Although he never believed in supernatural beings, the current situation shocked him to the core.

The Taoist looked at Qin Mufeng's shocked expression and smiled triumphantly. Glints of starlight flickered in his emerald eyes.

"I've already told you, I am an immortal. Now, do you believe me? The police did come, but they simply cannot see us," the Taoist said, waving his hand lightly. Suddenly, everything around Qin Mufeng illuminated. The dark space was now filled with numerous police cars, and police officers carrying steel guns were searching the area.

Amidst the chaotic crowd, Qin Mufeng saw Snowy crying as she was being questioned by two police officers. The old lady selling sugarcane and the stall owners were also being interrogated by the police.

As he saw the fleet of police cars, Qin Mufeng's face turned pale. At that moment, he heard the Taoist's voice in his ear again, "You don't need to be afraid. They cannot see you. Even if you were to slap them right now, the police still wouldn't see you."

Turning to face the unmoving Taoist, Qin Mufeng's heart gradually calmed down. In this serene state, he understood that there was no hatred without reason, nor was there love without cause. This Taoist wouldn't save him without a reason. But regardless of the reason, now was not the time to argue. After all, his life was at stake. With this thought in mind, Qin Mufeng asked in a deep voice, "Elder, I will forever be grateful for your life-saving grace. Now, my life is in your hands. What do you command me to do?"

The Taoist with emerald green eyes had shown Qin Mufeng the police mobilizing just to intimidate him into compliance. Seeing Qinufeng obediently listen, the Taoist laughed and said, "Young friend, you are indeed clever. I, Nan Hua, the Old Immortal, saved you because we have a fate as master and disciple. I wonder if you are willing to become my disciple, cultivate the Dao together, and seek immortality."

Time waits for no one, and while Qin Mufeng understood this, it was impossible to refuse when he was under someone else's roof. At this moment, he knew very well that if he didn't comply with the Old Immortal's wishes, he would face countless pursuing police officers. Without any hesitation, Qin Mufeng knelt down, respectfully saying, "Disciple Qin Mufeng pays respects to Master."

After kowtowing a few times, the Old Immortal pulled Qin Mufeng up from the ground. Looking at Qin Mufeng's calm expression, the Old Immortal sighed and said, "Mufeng, I have taken in many disciples, but when it comes to decisiveness in life and death, it is only you."

Hearing the Old Immortal's words, Qin Mufeng felt a sense of relief wash over him. After all, it was better to have someone else as company rather than struggling alone. Overjoyed, he couldn't help but ask, "Master, where are my fellow disciples now?"

The Old Immortal's expression darkened, and it took him a while before he said softly, "Your eldest martial brother Zhang Jiao, second martial brother Zhu Wen, third martial brother Li Futong, fourth martial sister Tang Saier... including your last martial brother Hong Xiuquan, they have all died."

Hearing the familiar names, Qin Mufeng's mind buzzed, and everything went blank for a moment.