chapter 11 The wind blows

"Right, here comes your favourite!" Nachaman Chang chuckled and opened a webpage from his favourites, "Southwest Associated University's campus beauty contest”, these are all candid shots taken by the photography association on campus. Look at this, Belle Tang, a first year from school of International Finance, a classic beauty with wealth and looks, and this one, Viola Su from Dance major, a top beauty with classical temperament, and then this..."
"Okay, I'm not really interested." Andrew Qi indeed didn't have much interest in this campus beauty contest. Every school surely had such a list, just that it was either an official one or unofficial one. But in his centuries of cultivation memories, Andrew Qi had seen many fairies, saints, and enchantresses with stunning beauty, so he was not so easily captivated by a couple of campus beauties.
"Not interested? You're just pretending! You really do know how to bluff!" Nachaman Chang scorned Andrew Qi, then seriously reminded him to be cautious lately, as he might have caught Freda Qiu’s eye.
"Thanks for the reminder." Andrew Qi didn't mind that Freda Qiu seemed to be gathering more "evidence" against him. His mind was entirely focused on improving his cultivation level, paying no attention to other matters. He was thinking about buying materials and casually asked Nachaman Chang where he could buy everything he needed all at once.
"Damn! You're asking such a childish question, how did you even get into university - of course, on Taobao! Do you want me to give you the link?" Nachaman Chang felt that Andrew Qi's mind was a bit rusty, to ask such a silly question.
Well, upon hearing Nachaman Chang's words, Andrew Qi really did feel that his mind wasn't very sharp, having been only focused on cultivation and talisman-making, forgetting such common knowledge. On Taobao, one could buy anything they wanted.
Andrew Qi wanted to buy some whale spinal bones, glutinous rice from Mo Jiang, and some special mineral powders. These items weren't easy to find all at once in Jin Cheng City, but with a few clicks on his phone and Taobao, it only took him a few minutes. Except for the whale bones being slightly expensive, the rest of the materials didn't cost much.
Andrew Qi chose the fastest and most expensive shipping option, sending everything to the small courtyard he rented, which he intended to use for his cultivation temporarily.
Then, Andrew Qi thought about selling talismans on Taobao, but after a search, he found that there were already countless "Talisman sellers" listed on Taobao, with prices ranging from thirty to fifty yuan, and even some as low as ten or eight yuan. This discovery almost made Andrew Qi spit blood in frustration.
The next day, Andrew Qi still went to Bragrance Mountain Park to cultivate just as the sky began to brighten.
However, his breathing and meditation session didn't last long before he sensed the girl with the ponytail and the old man with three others, clearly coming for him again. Andrew Qi still didn't want to encounter them, so he left before they arrived.
When the girl with the ponytail had arrived at the pavilion, she could only see Andrew Qi's figure leaving. Knowing she couldn't catch up, she pushed the old man to the ancient pine where Andrew Qi had been cultivating and said, "Uncle Chu, you told me before that the pavilion's location is the best spot for Geomancy in the entire Bragrance Mountain and most suitable for practicing. But why do I feel this place is even better?"
"Yes, this spot indeed has the best Geomancy!" The old man, a martial artist who had reached the peak of internal strength, could naturally sense the flow of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, though not as precisely as Andrew Qi.
"How did that guy know about it?" The girl with a ponytail was full of doubt and then determinedly said, "I must find him! He must live nearby!"
***
After descending the mountain, Andrew Qi returned to his dormitory.
His cultivation was disturbed, which slightly annoyed him and made him feel there was an urgent need to move out and build his own cultivation place.
He took some time to pack thoroughly and, after receiving a call from the landlady, Andrew Qi couldn't wait to leave the dormitory. Nachaman Chang even joked that Andrew Qi must have gotten a girlfriend, which was why he was in such a hurry to move out.
Despite carrying two heavy bags, Andrew Qi, having reached a high level in body refining, he found that even a long journey was as easy as a walk in the park.
Upon arriving at the small courtyard, he saw the landlady had already cleaned it and even arranged some simple cypress furniture. Satisfied, Andrew Qi paid a year's rent, making the landlady ecstatic.
When it was around 9 p.m., Andrew Qi received a call from a delivery guy. The items he ordered from Taobao last night had already arrived and were on their way, but because the small courtyard he rented was quite remote, the delivery guy couldn't find the exact location.
Unable to explain clearly over the phone, Andrew Qi agreed to meet the delivery guy at a forked road about a kilometre away from the courtyard, under a streetlight.
After receiving the package, Andrew Qi showed the delivery guy the location of the small courtyard to avoid future delivery issues.
Screech!
Suddenly, a harsh screeching of brakes was heard.
A van stopped next to Andrew Qi, the doors of it opened, and several menacing figures armed with steel pipes and iron chains emerged, with men clearly up to no good intentions.
"Gentlemen! I'm just a delivery guy, I don't make much money in a month and I have a family to support... Please spare me, you are Brother Jordan..." The delivery guy thought they were after him or his package, so he immediately begged for mercy upon sensing danger.
"Get lost!" The bald and muscular leader with a twisted gold chain impatiently told the delivery guy to scram. The latter didn't hesitate to jump on his tricycle and quickly left the scene.
Since they were not after the delivery guy, it was clear they were targeting Andrew Qi. However, Andrew Qi had no intention of running. He counted the men, "Just eight of them? Although eight is quite an auspicious number!"
"Auspicious my foot!" The bald man thought dealing with a young student would be easy and expected Andrew Qi to start begging for mercy within a minute, as was usually the case. But today, this young man didn't run or tremble with fear, showing no signs of fear at all.
"Get him!"
Feeling his authority being challenged, the bald man ordered his men to attack. He wanted to teach this student a lesson, to show him that the world is a harsh place.
"Wait..." Andrew Qi suddenly said.
"Are you scared now?" The bald man sneered, "But it's too late! Even if you kneel and beg, I'm going to teach you a lesson today! Who told you to meddle in other people's business!"
"Beg for mercy? Don't misunderstand, I have no such intention," Andrew Qi calmly smiled, "I mean, if you have more brothers, call them over. Let's settle this all at once to save everyone's time. I still have things to do."
"Everyone, get him!" The bald man was utterly enraged. A mere student, daring to be so brazen in front of him, how would he continue asserting his dominance in this area? More infuriatingly, this young man didn't even put down his packages, completely ignoring his authority as "Brother Jordan" of the West Street.
Andrew Qi shook his head, threw his packages up in the air, activated a wind charm, and shouted lowly, "Wind!"
Instantly, a gust of wind arose!
Meanwhile, from a dark corner nearby, the delivery guy on his tricycle exclaimed in awe, "Damn! This is so thrilling! This video is going to be viral! I'm going to be famous!"