Therefore, Lu Xuan will not actively save the world this time. If any injustices happen to cross his line, it's understandable that he might intervene. However, it's impossible for him to expend his energy to save a dynasty that has no sense of belonging to him whatsoever.
This time, Lu Xuan's goal is to travel the world, seek immortality and enlightenment, and attain eternal life and freedom.
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Chapter 345 Ning Caichen
Although he could already fly on a sword or use teleportation techniques like shrinking the distance between lands, Lu Xuan would never waste his magic power on traveling unless there were exceptional circumstances. Traveling the world is all about the act of traveling itself. Flying on a sword would detract from that experience.
So Lu Xuan bought a luxurious four-wheeled carriage. After some modifications, he filled it with fine wine and food, and then leisurely strolled around inside.
He possesses the abilities of a Beast Spirit Walker, allowing him to easily communicate with ordinary animals. There's no need for him to drive; the horses will follow his will and leisurely stroll along the road.
Along the way, I've traversed countless mountain villages and towns. I've punished the wicked and vanquished demons. Unbeknownst to me, I've earned a reputation.
Because he was always accompanied by a white fox, some called him the White Fox Immortal. The Green Snake, feeling resentful of this, abandoned her usual laziness and began to actively participate in activities. Thus, some also called Lu Xuan the Green Snake Immortal.
Lu Xuan didn't care about these empty titles. He traveled the world seeking only a clear and open mind. When he encountered a problem, he simply took care of it without expecting anything in return. Of course, he wouldn't tolerate ingratitude either. He simply followed his own heart, and he didn't care what others called him.
In the desolate wilderness, Lu Xuan's carriage, aided by various magical spells, traveled steadily. The weather was uncooperative today; dark clouds had hung in the sky when he set out. Not long after, a torrential downpour began.
Lu Xuan was naturally unaffected. After all, his carriage had been modified at great expense, and with the added protection of various spells, mere ordinary rain could not affect him in the slightest.
However, for some people, this rain was a disaster.
On the mountain path, a young man, mostly a scholar carrying a satchel, was running frantically. The rain was pouring down, and neither the sunshade above his head nor the oil-paper umbrella with twenty holes in it could help him.
Soaked to the bone, the scholar ran forward, covering his head, when he suddenly bumped into an obstacle. Looking up, he saw that he had crashed into a magnificent carriage.
Before he could apologize, the carriage window was pulled open. But instead of a person, a fox's head appeared. The scholar was terrified, thinking he had encountered a mountain spirit or monster. He screamed and fell backward, plunging headfirst into the muddy water.
Just then, a hand pried open the fox's head, revealing the scholar outside.
"I'm sorry, my pet scared you. We met outside, come up and take shelter from the rain."
The scholar wiped his rain-blurred eyes. He finally realized that the other person wasn't some mountain spirit or monster, but a young gentleman. Only, a beautiful, delicate white fox perched on his shoulder.
The scholar was slightly puzzled to find a carriage in the middle of nowhere. However, the rain was pouring down. Without time to think further, he thanked the carriage and climbed inside.
Upon entering the carriage, the scholar was stunned. The interior was simply too luxurious. Even the floor was covered with thick fur. The surrounding walls were intricately carved and adorned with sparkling gemstones.
For some reason, the scholar felt the carriage was too spacious. It felt like sitting in a real room. There were even exquisitely crafted swords hanging on the walls. The scholar didn't know martial arts, but he could still sense a faint, menacing aura emanating from those seemingly delicate swords. They were probably more than just decorations.
The scholar hesitated, unsure whether to sit down. He was completely soaked. The soft, luxurious fur beneath him made him feel somewhat inferior, as he feared he might soil the expensive cushions.
“Brother, there’s no need to be so formal. These things are merely external possessions. I see you’re carrying a book box, so you must be a scholar. As a scholar, your primary focus should be on the knowledge you have acquired. If you’re bound by these external things, wouldn’t it be a waste of your time reading the classics?”
The scholar stood there dumbfounded, feeling that what the other person said made sense, yet something was amiss. He couldn't refute it, for it was undeniable wisdom from the sages. So he apologized, put down the satchel on his back, and sat down on the cushion.
Then he quickly rummaged through his book box and saw that several books were wet, but not too badly, so it didn't bother him. After letting out a long sigh of relief, he cupped his hands in greeting to Lu Xuan.
"Thank you for your help, brother. These books were all borrowed. If they had been ruined by the water, I wouldn't have been able to teach them. This account book is also crucial for this trip, and it is absolutely essential that it not be lost."
"Haha. Brother, you're soaked to the bone and look quite disheveled. But after settling in, you didn't care about yourself at all, only focusing on the books in your box. That's truly the demeanor of a scholar. But to read, you need a healthy body, so change your clothes first."
As he spoke, he reached out and took down the long robe hanging to the side, handing it to the scholar.
The scholar initially wanted to refuse, but being soaked to the bone was unbearable. After some thought, he accepted the long robe and changed out of his wet clothes.
After straightening his clothes, the scholar solemnly stood up.
"My name is Ning Caichen. Thank you for your help, brother. I will remember your great kindness."
"I only helped you avoid a rainstorm. There's no need to take it to heart."
“It may be a small matter for you, but it is a big deal for me. Please accept my bow.”
Lu Xuan did not stand up and accepted the bow calmly. Afterwards, Ning Caichen seemed to be hungry and took out something from his bag and put it in his mouth.
Lu Xuan clearly heard a crunching sound. Then he saw Ning Caichen's pained expression. The food he put in his mouth didn't change at all. Instead, Ning Caichen covered his mouth and groaned.
"Hehe, Brother Ning, why be so formal? I have some chives here." As he spoke, Lu Xuan opened a food box beside him, which contained several delicate side dishes and a pot of wine.
"Brother Ning, you've been caught in the rain. Have a drink to warm yourself up."
Ning Caichen, ah, he's one of the strongest male protagonists in film history. It wasn't until he revealed his identity as Ning Caichen that Lu Xuan finally realized he had entered the world of *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio*. No wonder there were ghosts and monsters everywhere he went.
The two ate and chatted in the carriage.
"Brother Lu, where are you headed?"
"I don't have any particular goal. My family has some assets, and after being cooped up at home for so long, I'm itching for some rest, so I've come out to wander around as I please, which I suppose is a way of traveling the world. Brother Ning, what about you? Do you have any particular destination in mind?"
Ning Caichen's eyes gleamed with envy. It was like a modern person watching a rich second-generation heir driving a luxury car on a road trip with a girl. You ask where they're going, and they say, "We can go wherever we want..."
However, he is kind-hearted and would not feel jealous.
"I'm going to Guobei County to collect an old debt for someone. It's a long-standing debt. The client promised me that if I can collect it successfully, he'll give me 20% of the money. Then, together with some of my savings, it will be enough for my travel expenses to the capital for the imperial examination."
Lu Xuan quietly observed Ning Caichen. This scholar had managed to walk from Jinhua Prefecture to Guobei County without being ambushed. He was truly a man of great fortune.
In the original story, however, his ledger was ruined by the rain. Nothing was visible, so he couldn't collect the debts. This time, it got less rained on. The ledger wasn't stained, but Lu Xuan couldn't help but worry for him. Without the ledger, the boss would naturally default on the debt; with the ledger…
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