Master, What Dao Do You Cultivate?

Chapter 19: Two People, One Bird

Listening to Ji Qinglin’s recounting along the way, the master and disciple unknowingly arrived outside Xindong Street.

“So that’s Dr. Shen’s past. Tell me, isn’t calling it a bloodbath perfectly fitting?”

Since waking up, Ji Qinglin had seen many similar things. Telling Yu Ye this wasn’t just to let her understand Shen Bixin better but also to warn her to be cautious of these companies.

After hearing Ji Qinglin’s story, Yu Ye no longer felt like joking.

She hadn’t expected that the seemingly bold and decisive Dr. Shen had such a bloody past.

Mad Ye: Decisive and carefree—I like it! Turns out other people have such complicated stories too.

Yu Ye: Everyone has a story. It’s just that not everyone gets the chance to tell theirs. But what I’m more curious about is him—his eyes are filled with stories, yet his face shows no trace of hardship.

Looking at Ji Qinglin’s back ahead, Yu Ye unconsciously let out a sigh and said:

“Master, have you ever had such special experiences in your life? Ow—!”

Before Yu Ye could finish her emotional sigh, Ji Qinglin, who had no intention of answering seriously, flicked her forehead.“You haven’t even been born long enough to be sighing about life. If you’ve got time for that, why not think about your own situation?”

The flick on the forehead snapped Yu Ye back to reality. Rubbing her head, she replied:

“You have a point. After all, your first test was already so difficult. I’m kind of scared of what the second one will be.”

Ji Qinglin feigned confusion.

“Second test? Didn’t I already test you in the car?”

Yu Ye was truly baffled. Did her master do something to her while she was unconscious?

“In the car? When?”

“When you agreed to install this Cultivation Meridian Set, you already passed the second test.”

“That was a test too?!”

“Not every test has to be announced in advance. The first one was about trust, the second was about values. Your choice showed that your views align with mine, so naturally, you passed.”

“Then what’s the third test?”

“Are you addicted to tests? Two rounds weren’t enough?”

Yu Ye stopped walking. The nightscape of Bangkok added a dreamlike quality to the bewilderment on the young girl’s face.

“So?”

Ji Qinglin turned around and said:

“So from now on, you are officially my disciple. From this moment, we are one as master and disciple.”

“J-Just like that?”

“What? Do people from your place need a matchmaker and a betrothal gift for accepting disciples?”

“Uh, no, it’s just that I’ve never formally apprenticed before, so I don’t really know the process.”

Mad Ye: Isn’t it just kneeling a few times, swearing to live and die together, then bowing to each other like a married couple?

Yu Ye: Are you serious?

Ji Qinglin smiled at Yu Ye and said:

“There’s no need for anything complicated. As long as you can sincerely call me ‘Master,’ then I’ll acknowledge you as my disciple.”

Realizing that Ji Qinglin had seen through her insincere use of the title these past days, Yu Ye let out an awkward smile. Then, she stepped back and gave a deep bow.

“Master, I, your disciple Yu Ye, formally pay my respects.”

Unlike the day before, when she had submitted to Ji Qinglin’s authority out of helplessness, this time, Yu Ye genuinely wanted to enter his tutelage and see where it would lead.

Originally, Ji Qinglin had been making two plans—under the guise of accepting a disciple, he wanted to figure out how Yu Ye knew about the Old Era. Actually taking her in as a disciple was secondary. But given his current inability to cultivate, if she turned out to be suitable, helping her grow would also benefit him in handling various matters.

After tonight, however, Ji Qinglin found himself developing a bit of genuine fondness for this bold and reckless girl—who, he had to admit, possessed a kind of beauty that could bring nations to ruin.

He helped Yu Ye up and patted her shoulder lightly.

“I already said no need for those formalities. Today calls for a celebration—I’ll take you to try Cuiyun Peak’s food and wine.”

Though this was a modern city, many high-end restaurants had adopted old-fashioned cultivation-themed names to match the cultural trend.

Mad Ye: This time, we gotta make sure they’re not putting it on our tab!

But just as she finished speaking, Ji Qinglin’s phone rang again. The caller surprised him.

“Hello, President… Alright, I’ll head over now.”

“Master, did something happen?”

“President Lei Qiong invited me over. You’re coming with me. The president has always treated me well, but an invitation like this must mean something’s up.”

After saying that, Ji Qinglin added:

“If anyone asks about today’s activities?”

This time, Yu Ye answered without hesitation:

“During the day, we were in the general store teaching cultivation techniques. At night, Master took his disciple to get familiar with Xindong Street’s neighboring businesses.”

Mad Ye: Damn, she can just fabricate alibis on the spot now.

Not long after, the master and disciple arrived at Thunderclap Manor, located in the heart of Xindong Street.

Though it occupied the most central location, it wasn’t covered in holographic projections like the surrounding buildings, dazzling and illusory.

Thunderclap Manor’s exterior remained rustic—high walls, red tiles, layers upon layers of courtyards. If not for the mechanical lion at the entrance, Ji Qinglin would’ve thought he had stepped back in time.

Yu Ye curiously asked,

“President Lei has quite a unique taste. But as the leader of Xindong Street, isn’t this place a bit too modest?”

“The president is nostalgic. This used to be the restaurant where he made his fortune. Even though he owns many businesses now, he still chooses to live here.”

After explaining, Ji Qinglin walked up to the mechanical lion on the left side of the gate and spoke to the dignified-looking beast,

“Ji Qinglin requests an audience with the president.”

The lion’s eyes lit up, and its head turned—it actually came to life, leaping off its stone pedestal and leading the way like a real lion.

Yu Ye watched with great interest.

“That’s some advanced intelligence.”

“Not really. If it were truly advanced, it wouldn’t be stuck guarding doors. Speaking of which, remember—be cautious when encountering intelligent machines in Bangkok. Some of them have seriously high cultivation.”

Yu Ye was aware of this. Intelligent machines with self-awareness could also cultivate.

And because they didn’t have physical limitations like humans, their progress was sometimes even faster.

Following the mechanical lion, the two entered Thunderclap Manor, winding through corridors before arriving at a side room in the inner courtyard.

Upon entering, Ji Qinglin saw a small sandalwood table with steaming dishes. President Lei Qiong, dressed in casual short-sleeved clothes, was sitting there sipping wine, his mechanical arm’s golden dragon not as dazzling as usual.

Standing beside him was a long-haired man in white robes—a stranger. He was pouring Lei Qiong’s wine.

Though Ji Qinglin didn’t recognize him, he immediately noticed the positioning restraint collar on the man’s neck.

“Oh? Qinglin, you got here fast. Sit.”

Ji Qinglin nodded and took a seat, while Yu Ye stood behind him like an obedient disciple—except the lace collar around her neck looked a bit odd.

“Quite the feast, President. Are you afraid I won’t be able to afford raising a disciple?”

“Cut the nonsense. I called you here for a reason. But first, drink—it's been a while since you visited me.”

Ji Qinglin raised his cup and drank in one go. He already had a guess.

Discuss something with him? The president was indeed close to him, but not close enough to consult on commerce guild affairs. That meant—it had to be about his general store.

Ji Qinglin had a vague feeling that this wasn’t good news.

Lei Qiong downed his drink in one go, set down the cup, and spoke directly:

“Qinglin, I want to discuss handing over your store to the Commerce Guild. What do you think?”

Ji Qinglin thought to himself: Looks like this meal isn’t going to be cheap.

Yu Ye: Why is this president also...

Mad Ye: We’re doomed. Two people and a bird—are we all going to end up wandering the streets? Does Bangkok have a Beggars’ Sect?