Bizarre Cultivation: Starting from Being Beaten Up by Reality

Chapter 184 Fighting between left and right

Just as Lin Fan was about to wave Ma Liangcai away, he waved his folding fan, indicating that he had more to say.

"However, there is a method that is less costly and more effective?" Ma Liangcai paused, keeping the question a secret.

"explain."

"Lin... Master, do you know where a person's memories are stored?"

"The brain," Lin Fan answered subconsciously, then said impatiently, "Stop being so mysterious, just tell me already."

“Master, don’t rush. Your insight is indeed beyond that of ordinary people. I can only explain it if you understand this. In the foolish opinion of ordinary people, we always think that what people know is either stored in their hearts or in their souls. But that’s not true. We only see fleeting glimpses in our lives, and they are all in our minds.”

As Ma Liangcai spoke, he pointed to his head and said, "So what's the use of asking the dead, like those foolish men and women searching for empty souls?"

He pointed his folding fan at Miaozhu's head, "Isn't all her thoughts and ideas stored here?"

Lin Fan frowned. He realized that Ma Liangcai was praising his knowledge on the surface, but was actually indirectly criticizing him for being stupid. Although it was infuriating, Lin Fan found it quite reasonable and couldn't help but want to hear more.

However, the 'Spirit Lord' couldn't stand it anymore. Zi Yue said unhappily, "Do you always have to make fun of others when you talk? You say that the soul doesn't carry memories, then what are you?"

Ma Liangcai quickly changed the subject and answered Ziyue's question, "Mistress, that's a good question. I've thought about this matter for a long time. First of all, I'm skeptical about the existence of so-called souls, and since Ma Liangcai was killed by having his heart ripped out, he might have already completely perished. So who am I? I am naturally also Ma Liangcai. But I am not myself, and I am myself. But time is like a long river; a wave downstream crashes onto a rock and shatters, while upstream, there may be a similar wave just beginning to sprout..."

Before Ma Liangcai could finish speaking, a shoe print appeared on his face. Ziyue roared, "What nonsense are you spouting? Don't you understand?"

Ma Liangcai touched his burning face. "What I'm talking to you two about may be related to the essence of this world. Aren't you curious?"

Lin Fan firmly stated, "I'm not curious."

Ziyue hesitated for a moment, then touched her ponytail. "I was a little curious at first, but if it's something complicated, I won't be curious."

Lin Fan sighed. "I'm giving you one last chance. Get down to business, or get out of here."

Ma Liangcai's lips curled up slightly. "Of course, don't rush, I'm about to tell you. This is a spell that Master Yuxuzi once taught me, called 'Divine Movement' or the technique of astral projection. It is said that people with spiritual roots can separate a wisp of their soul and attach it to an inanimate object."

As he spoke, Ma Liangcai formed a few simple hand seals with one hand, and then slapped them onto the folding fan in his hand.

"You don't mean to think it's that easy to separate a soul into an inanimate object, do you? Could you have been tricked by that Taoist priest?" Lin Fan asked without hesitation.

Ma Liangcai nodded. "It's very possible. Anyway, I've tried many times, but to no avail. You see, I even gave my soul to this paper fan, but it still didn't come back to life. Daoist Yuxuzi said it's because I don't have the spiritual root for cultivation, but I think he's just lying to me."

Lin Fan felt speechless, realizing he had wasted his time on this.

Ma Liangcai continued, "But there's no real cost involved. Master, why don't you give it a try? The fairy's remains have been sewn up, so they're still intact. If you put a wisp of her soul in, you might be able to learn about her memories."

Lin Fan had already memorized those simple one-hand seals, but, needless to say, how could he possibly be so easily persuaded?

"Alright, Ziyue, just get rid of him. I was so ridiculous to actually think this person could be of any help."

Before Zi Yue could act, Ma Liangcai bowed and his figure disappeared.

Lin Fan touched his aching temples and turned to face the others.

"Why are you all staring at me like that? I didn't do anything."

"Brother Fan, your one-man show is getting longer and longer," Chen Ergou said.

Doctor Lei said with concern, "Brother, why don't you think of a way to relax? If not, you could go up the mountain and find some bandits to vent your frustrations. What you're doing is really..."

Lin Fan waved his hand, not wanting to explain further. "Don't worry about me. By the way, I've made up my mind. Let my junior sister rest in peace."

It must be said that coming to Bowang Town was a very wise choice. You know, if you went elsewhere, the government wouldn't let outsiders buy coffins and bury people at will.

Everything went smoothly in Duan Ye's fiefdom.

The two grooms went back and changed into the uniforms that the Marquis's private army had worn, and they were able to borrow a fine coffin from the coffin shop without any trouble.

It wasn't that Lin Fan didn't want to pay, but each coffin sold by the coffin shop required an official certificate from the government; it wasn't something anyone could just buy. However, since the two marquises' private armies had pledged the tokens given by the marquises as collateral, the formalities could naturally be completed later.

The carriage left the town and found a scenic spot on a desolate mountain where the coffin was unloaded.

Lin Fan removed all the wooden nails from Miao Zhuzi's body, as these would prevent the corpse from decaying. Lin Fan believed that the dead should return to nature, so much so that he was initially willing to accept not having a coffin. However, he was persuaded that since burial was to be peaceful, a coffin was necessary.

Of course, no tombstone was erected, as Lin Fan was still worried about the body being stolen a second time. So after burying the coffin, he simply transplanted a small ginkgo tree next to it as a marker.

Of course, there was no fanfare; Lin Fan meant that the fewer people who knew, the better.

They burned some paper money, placed the takeout food from the restaurant on the table, and then had Chen Ergou put on a Taoist robe and recite a rebirth mantra. The funeral, which was simple to the extreme, was then completed.

Lin Fan looked at the ginkgo sapling and remained silent.

Actually, everyone thought he would say something. After all, the body that was rescued at great risk must have been someone important to him, and he would have to say something to say goodbye.

The sun was already setting in the west, and the day was about to end. However, Lin Fan didn't say much from beginning to end. He just stared at the leaves for a while before silently turning around and leaving.

On the carriage ride back, Chen Ergou, who was taking off his Taoist robe, finally couldn't hold back any longer. "Ah, all done, all done! I'm starving! What should we eat? Brother Fan, are you going to treat me...?"

Chen Ergou glanced at Lin Fan, who was still deep in thought and silent, and gave up on trying to strike up a conversation with him.

Fortunately, a knight quickly picked up the conversation, preventing an awkward silence, "There's a noodle shop at the entrance of town that's pretty good, why don't you just grab a bite?"

Unexpectedly, Lin Fan suddenly spoke up, "Thank you all for your hard work, let me treat you."

"Okay." Everyone responded immediately upon hearing Lin Fan speak. However, they fell silent afterward.

Chen Ergou wanted to suggest that since Brother Fan was treating, he should go to a restaurant. However, realizing the awkward atmosphere, he swallowed his words.

Niu Dadan and Sun Ruolan exchanged a glance and snuggled together. Like the others, they had misunderstood the relationship between Lin Fan and his junior sister, and thus felt a sense of shared sorrow.

Dr. Lei was also deep in thought, as if he had been touched by the same sentiment.

Chen Ergou scoffed and muttered to himself, "They all complain that I think about women all the time, but they're just pretending."

Two porcelain bowls, each the size of a washbasin, were placed in front of Lin Fan, filled with noodles and seasonings.

Lin Fan picked up a pair of chopsticks with one hand and started eating with both hands.

The knight sitting opposite him was dumbfounded. How could this person eat noodles like that?

Chen Ergou found it amusing and nudged the knight with his elbow, saying, "Brother, you're making a big fuss over nothing. My brother Fan is just practicing martial arts."

The knight looked at Chen Ergou with curiosity.

Chen Ergou smirked, "You don't even understand this? No wonder you can only be a lowly soldier under the Hunter Marquis, unlike my brother Fan who can be on friendly terms with him. Skill is in every movement, whether walking, sitting, or lying down. Brother Fan is constantly practicing. How much of a day do you actually spend practicing martial arts?"

These words struck a nerve with the knight. Who wouldn't want to be highly skilled in martial arts and respected by others?

The knight asked anxiously, "Please enlighten me, brother." He also wanted to ask Lin Fan, but Lin Fan was busy eating noodles with both hands while chatting with thin air, so it was not good to disturb him.

Chen Ergou remained silent, lowered his head and ate his noodles, muttering, "The noodles are good, but they're a bit bland."

The knight immediately understood and beckoned to the waiter, "Waiter, please add a plate of ratfish to my plate."

Chen Ergou smiled with satisfaction: "Hey, brother, you're too kind. We can't possibly finish all this."

"How can you practice martial arts if you don't eat your fill? Brother Chen, could you continue?"

Chen Ergou nodded, "It's actually very simple. Brother Fan's kung fu is called..."

He lowered his head, ate a mouthful of noodles, and after thinking for a moment, said, "It's called Ambidextrous Fighting!"

"Appreciate further details."

"Brother, who is the strongest among your Marquis's private troops?" Chen Ergou asked.

"It's our Wudutou."

Chen Ergou continued, "Could he have hit you with one hand?"

The knight replied, "Sure."

Chen Ergou asked again, "Could he beat two of you?"

The knight scratched his head sheepishly, "I haven't tried it, but it should work."

Chen Ergou fell silent for a moment. "No, buddy, how can you be so weak? How am I supposed to continue?"

Chen Ergou had no choice but to reluctantly say, "Suppose, just suppose, there's someone who can beat you with one hand, but two of you can beat him."

The knight nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

"What does this mean? It means that using two hands is not twice as powerful as using one hand. The purpose of practicing ambidextrous fighting is to train both hands to be equally strong, not only equally strong, but also capable of fighting independently with each hand, and to have both eyes able to look left and right separately. That way, if one hand can defeat you, two hands can defeat two of you!"

Chen Ergou finished speaking in one breath, thinking to himself, "Finally, I've made up for it."

The knight initially didn't quite understand, but then it dawned on him. He clapped his hands and exclaimed, "So that's it! One me in my left hand, one me in my right hand, two me in both hands. One me can't beat the captain, and two me... I still can't win..."

Chen Ergou twitched his lips helplessly.

However, the knight was very excited. "Brother Chen, I understand. But how do I cultivate this? Please enlighten me, brother."

Chen Ergou had already prepared his plan: "It's simple. Whatever you do, do the same thing with your left hand, and do it separately and alternately. Just imagine you have two of you, each doing your own thing."

The knight nodded. Instead of ordering another bowl of noodles, he took an extra pair of chopsticks and began to eat with both hands, just like Lin Fan.

Sitting across from Chen Ergou, Doctor Lei couldn't help but burst out laughing. "Young man, don't believe Ergou's nonsense. He talks a good game, but why don't you let him fight with both hands?"

Before Chen Ergou could retort, the knight said righteously, "Doctor, I have always respected you, but martial arts is what I pursue in my life. How can you stop me from pursuing my ambition?"

Chen Ergou forced himself not to laugh out loud, while Doctor Lei choked and looked pale.

Lin Fan looked up at them and said, "Eat quickly, stop chatting."

Just as the waiter was squatting over with the 'ratfish', another customer arrived at the table next to Lin Fan's. A burly man with a bushy beard sat down with two others.

The burly man with a thick beard sat down with an air of authority and began to complain, "We can't find Liu Feng at all. I was in such a hurry to get out that I didn't even ask that guy surnamed Li what he looked like or how old he was. It's like looking for a needle in a haystack, where am I supposed to find him?"

Lin Fan paused upon hearing this, then continued eating his noodles with his head down.

To be fair, this Commander of Crab Mountain was quite lucky; he never expected to run into him like this. However, even if Liu Feng were sitting right across from him, he wouldn't recognize him.

Zi Yue held Lin Fan's hand, "Acheng, calm down, it's okay. He definitely didn't recognize you. As long as we don't panic and don't give anything away, we definitely won't be recognized."

Lin Fan lowered his voice and said, "I know."

Then I saw thin black noodles emerging from my bowl.

He almost jumped up if he hadn't managed to stay calm.

A wet head slowly floated out of the bowl of noodles. Lin Fan's eyelids twitched, and he glanced at the burly man with a bushy beard out of the corner of his eye.

The other party is pretending not to know me while already launching an attack? Should I pretend not to see it, or take the initiative and strike first?

Upon seeing Ma Liangcai's face covered in noodles, Lin Fan stabbed him hard with his chopsticks.

He really wanted to stab this freak to death with his chopsticks, but unfortunately the chopsticks went right through his head, so Lin Fan could only pretend to pick up a noodle.

Ma Liangcai said mysteriously, "Boss, I've seen that guy at the next table before. He's the commander of Crab Mountain. Don't let his seemingly dim-witted appearance fool you; he's got amazing skills. You'd better be careful."

"Ah! You dog, where did your head come from?" Ziyue shouted, then raised her boot high and stomped into the bowl of noodles.

His foot went straight through the tabletop, stomping Ma Liangcai into the ground.

Lin Fan stared at the head that appeared before him and the leg that ran from top to bottom, holding his chopsticks, unsure how to begin. The noodles didn't seem to have much seasoning, but what was he supposed to do? Should he eat this bowl of noodles or not?

However, Lin Fan soon no longer needed to worry about it.

With a crash, the bowl of noodles was overturned.

Lin Fan subconsciously looked at the bowls in front of him and Zi Yue, and they were unharmed.

But Dr. Lei fell to the ground, and his bowl of noodles was overturned between his legs, spilling noodles and soup all over the floor.

Dr. Lei was pale and breathing heavily, as if it was because of his own loss of composure.

As Lin Fan was helping him up, the burly man with a thick beard at the next table also stood up and walked over with a mocking smile.