Chapter 043: Master Wu

The bonds between friends are indeed strange.
When two people are on the same level, they might sincerely promise each other that, should either of them prosper one day, they must remember to keep each other warm, never forgetting their friendship in times of fortune.
Yet, when the difference between them finally widens, the relationship often ends with them becoming mere strangers.
After Chen Feng’s sudden growth spurt, his friendship with Yang Tianshu began to fade.
The two who used to walk home together now went their separate ways. At first, Chen Feng tried to bridge the distance, wanting to ease the awkwardness between them. But as Yang Tianshu started avoiding him, Chen Feng could not bring himself to persist with warmth when met only with coldness.
On the other hand, Yang Tianshu was deeply envious of Chen Feng. Yet his introverted nature made it difficult for him to ask Chen Feng directly about his secret.
A week went by, but Yang Tianshu’s thoughts remained restless; he could not let go of his curiosity.
At last, he decided to approach Chen Feng and find out what method allowed him to grow so tall in such a short time.
This day after school, Yang Tianshu followed Chen Feng out of the classroom.
Just as they stepped outside, they saw several senior members of the sports team waiting for Chen Feng at the door, inviting him to play basketball. Chen Feng greeted them with delight and quickly joined their conversation.
Yang Tianshu hesitated. He was about to turn away, but mustered his courage and stood before Chen Feng, saying,
“Feng, I need to talk to you about something. Can I take up a few minutes of your time?”
Chen Feng paused, but quickly nodded,
“Brother, no need to be so formal. Whatever it is, just speak freely between us.”
“This place isn’t convenient. Let’s go to the study room,” Yang Tianshu suggested.
Chen Feng hesitated for a moment, but agreed readily.
After giving a word to his friends, Chen Feng and Yang Tianshu made their way to the study room together.
In high school, the study room was usually deserted after classes.
Since Chen Feng’s growth, Yang Tianshu had kept his distance, making Chen Feng uneasy. He had wanted to find an opportunity to talk, so Yang Tianshu’s invitation made him genuinely happy.
Chen Feng sat down, his face lit with confident, cheerful laughter,
“Brother, why don’t you wait for me after school anymore?”
Yang Tianshu paused,
“I… I noticed you’ve been busy playing basketball after school, so I didn’t want to disturb you. Besides, I’ve been trying to finish ‘Cry of Terror’ at home, so I leave early every day.”
“Hey? You’ve been playing behind my back? Did you already get rid of that blood tree last time?”
“Yeah, but there’s a murderous ghost wielding a chainsaw ahead. Its health is insane, I’ve been fighting it forever and still haven’t beaten it.”
“You’re just too much! We promised to beat the game together, and you’ve gone so far on your own. Wait for me tomorrow, I’ll join you and we’ll play together!”

Yang Tianshu smiled reflexively,
“That works. Let’s play tonight—right now my character’s stuck in the other world. Help me figure out how to break through!”
Chen Feng scratched his head,
“Sorry, brother, I promised the seniors I’d play basketball tonight. They need someone for the power forward spot and no one else can fill in. Looks like we’ll have to play tomorrow instead!”
“Alright, I’ll wait for you,” Yang Tianshu replied.
“Great, but… You came to find me today—there’s something else, isn’t there?”
Asked so directly, Yang Tianshu felt awkward, but after a brief hesitation, he spoke,
“Well… I just wanted to ask…”
Before Yang Tianshu could finish, Chen Feng already guessed his intention and laughed,
“Haha, I know—you want to ask how I managed to grow so tall so suddenly, don’t you?”
Yang Tianshu nodded eagerly, astonished,
“Exactly! How did you do it? You only took two weeks off, and you’ve gotten so tall. Did you have surgery?”
Chen Feng clapped Yang Tianshu on the shoulder, laughing,
“Haha, how could I have surgery? Besides, there’s no such surgery yet! If there was, it’d probably be unbearably painful… Brother, you must’ve played too many horror games…”
Yang Tianshu frowned in doubt,
“Then how did you do it?”
The smile faded from Chen Feng’s face. He thought for a moment, then leaned close to Yang Tianshu’s ear and whispered,
“Brother, I can tell you the secret, but you must promise me—not to tell anyone else. Don’t breathe a word! Otherwise, it could be dangerous. Can you promise me?”
Yang Tianshu was startled. He glanced sideways at Chen Feng, knowing his friend never acted mysteriously without reason.
Since he spoke so seriously, this matter might truly be strange—even dangerous.
After some thought, Yang Tianshu nodded solemnly,
“Don’t worry, I won’t say a word. Besides, you know I have no friends apart from you.”
Chen Feng nodded; he trusted Yang Tianshu completely.
Lowering his voice further, Chen Feng continued,
“Brother, when I get home, I’ll send you an address through QQ. Go to that place and find the master there. He’ll have a way to help you grow taller in a short time!”
“Master?” Yang Tianshu stared at Chen Feng in surprise, picturing in his mind an old Taoist in ceremonial robes, shaking a fortune stick, tricking people everywhere.

“You may find it absurd, but it was indeed thanks to this master that I grew so tall so quickly.
But you must prepare yourself mentally—if you want to grow taller as fast as I did, the price you’ll pay is beyond your imagination. If you’re not brave enough, it’s better not to try!” Chen Feng said.
Yang Tianshu’s longing to grow taller eclipsed all other thoughts. He was willing to endure any price—even risk his life—to try.
“Alright, I’m willing!” Yang Tianshu answered, resolute.
Seeing Yang Tianshu’s determination, Chen Feng said no more, patting him on the shoulder with a smile,
“All right, brother. I’ll wait for your good news!”
Once home, Yang Tianshu impatiently opened QQ.
Among the many flashing group messages, he found Chen Feng’s private message. Clicking the avatar, he saw a link to a website.
Yang Tianshu clicked the link—it opened a map app.
He saw the location marked: a mountain on the outskirts called Gashi Mountain.
The next private message gave the master’s exact address:
Wu Liangjin’s house in Village Three, Sanniang Temple.
Yang Tianshu’s parents were busy with business, and he was sensible, so they trusted him and rarely kept a close eye on him.
Excited by the message, Yang Tianshu didn’t hesitate. He grabbed his backpack and set off for Gashi Mountain to find the master Chen Feng mentioned.
Dusk had already fallen; Yang Tianshu skipped dinner and rushed out to catch the bus.
It was the evening rush hour. The bus was packed, with barely room to stand. Unable to reach the overhead rings, Yang Tianshu clung to the nearest handle, but was soon shoved aside by the jostling crowd.
In the crush, he grabbed onto a man’s coat pocket, only to be cursed at.
Yang Tianshu was used to this—compared to the time he’d been mistaken for a thief, being scolded a few times was already merciful.
After much struggle, he managed to grab the handle again, thinking to himself,
It’s okay. Just a little more patience… Soon I’ll be tall, too… I’ll finally become one of the tall ones…

(End of chapter)