Chapter 12: Zhou Chu
Pushing open the door, Lu Li entered the house to find Zhou Gongzi, a burly man, sitting on a long bench, drinking tea. Zhou Gongzi glanced at Lu Li but said nothing initially. After finishing his drink, Zhou Gongzi asked, "Who might you be, scholar? What's your name, and why are you here?"
"My name is Lu Li," Lu Li introduced himself, prompting a reaction from Zhou Gongzi, who inquired further, "Where are you from, scholar? Are you perhaps from Wuxian, Wu County?"
"Indeed," Lu Li confirmed, even though he had no idea where that was. He smiled slightly, observing Zhou Gongzi as a series of data flickered in his vision, eventually forming a panel:
**[Zhou Gongzi]**
**[Body Evaluation:** 5.00; **Life Energy Derivative:** 4.8]**
**[Soul Evaluation:** 2.3; **Spiritual Energy Derivative:** 1.2]**
**[Category:** Human]**
**[Special Abilities: (1) Innate Divine Strength: Far surpasses ordinary human strength, (2) Fearless Spirit: Unknown effect, (3) ?]**
**[Weaknesses:** Normal human weaknesses?]**
**[Evaluation: This guy is the protagonist. Better stick close to him.]**
This was the information Lu Li obtained using his newly formed reconnaissance skill after scanning Zhou Gongzi. This person's physical attributes were more than twice those of Lu Li. However, Lu Li's attempt to read the data of the skeletal woman earlier had failed due to some unknown interference.
This skill was composed of seven modules, with the magic module extracting mana. Although Lu Li's own mana manipulation wasn't slow, it was mentally taxing. The magic was then injected into the vision manipulation module, set to activate after three seconds of concentration. Following that were the rule modules: detection, reading, information, concealment, and the final form module, which created the panel.
Except for the magic module, which Lu Li obtained by trading a qi module (paying half the transaction fee of 25 game points), all other modules were either bought from the shop or acquired from the forum, with some price inflation. For this skill, Lu Li paid a total of 680 game points and a qi module.
While relatively complete, the skill still needed several additional modules, such as a breakthrough true-seeing anti-interference module, and the concealment module needed upgrading. Without these modules, Zhou Gongzi might have noticed Lu Li using the skill.
"I didn't expect a scholar from the famous Lu family of Wu County. My name is Zhou Chu. I'm just a rough man; please don't take offense," Zhou Gongzi, now identified as the protagonist of this instance, Zhou Chu, said, embracing Lu Li's presence.
"Zhou Gongzi is naturally heroic and unrestrained, a true hero. Why would I take offense?" Lu Li responded, taking a seat on a wooden stool.
"Ha! You're not like those cowards who treat me like a monster, making me sick just looking at them. Call me Ziyin. What's your style name, Lu brother?" Zhou Chu asked, clearly delighted. [TL: Style name more like Daoist name]
"Lu Yingzhi," Lu Li responded, quickly improvising a style name. He had researched ancient customs, knowing their significance.
Normally, people avoided Zhou Chu like the plague, but Lu Li's praise made him overjoyed. Learning Lu Li's style name, Zhou Chu called into the inner room, "Bring another cup! I want to have a good drink with this scholar. It's a pity there's no wine in this remote place; otherwise, I'd drink with Yingzhi all night!"
A frail man emerged from the inner room, fearfully bringing another cup and a pot of hot water. After setting them on the table, he cautiously retreated, while a little girl peeked from the inner room, her big dark eyes watching Lu Li.
Lu Li smiled at her, causing her to quickly retreat. Turning back, Zhou Chu filled Lu Li's cup, saying heartily, "Here, have some tea, Yingzhi. Tomorrow, let's go to Yangxian City. I'll show you a good time!"
"Sounds great!" Lu Li accepted the cup. Observing the tea leaves and the steam, he touched the hot water pot, finding it cold despite its appearance. Realizing something was off, Lu Li pretended to burn himself, spilling his tea.
Zhou Chu's face changed, but he saw Lu Li signaling towards the pot and shaking his hand. Realizing there might be a problem with the water, Zhou Chu focused his qi, making any malicious presence retreat. He then noticed the tea leaves were bits of pale, fleshy fingernails, and the water was thick, like spit-laden river water.
Furious, Zhou Chu spat repeatedly, slamming his large palm on the wooden table, splitting it. He roared, "You dare try to harm me, Zhou? Small, petty spirits!"
Standing up, Zhou Chu assured Lu Li, "Don't be afraid, Yingzhi. It's just a few small ghosts. Watch me get rid of them."
Following Zhou Chu inside, Lu Li saw the frail man leap from behind the door, spewing black mist at Zhou Chu's face. At the same time, the skeletal woman entered from outside, her bones rattling and extending sharp, blood-stained spikes towards Lu Li.
Lu Li smiled, feeling underestimated. He moved swiftly, forming a shadow-infused spear. A quick thrust pierced the skeletal woman's forehead, though she continued to move, attacking Lu Li with her spike-covered limbs. Infusing his spear with shadow magic, he dispersed the eerie energy within her, reducing her to a pile of bones.