Master, What Dao Do You Cultivate?

Chapter 20: Everything Except the Disciple Can Go

President Lei Qiong had always been straightforward in both words and actions, which was also the usual way of doing things on Xindong Street. So, after just one drink, he got straight to the point.

Ji Qinglin knew that the president wasn’t someone who coveted Commerce Guild properties. If he had this idea, there must be a reason.

“If the president needs it, I naturally have no objections. You must have your own reasons as well.”

Lei Qiong knew Ji Qinglin had always respected him, but hearing this still felt a little off. He explained:

“Do you think I’d be after your little store? It’s just that in two months, the Commerce Guild will be holding a major cultivation tournament. Besides the debates and wish-granting battles, some areas will also have their influence redistributed. Most importantly, other Commerce Guilds might participate as well.

Qinglin, your store may be small, but you are still an Elder. If you end up facing another guild… I think you’d be better off handing over the shop now. That way, at least it’ll be done with dignity.”

Ji Qinglin could tell that this was about preventing him from embarrassing Xindong Street in the cultivation tournament. If he performed poorly, both internal and external forces would have issues with it. In the end, he wouldn’t be able to keep the store or save face.

Even though Ji Qinglin had managed to hold onto his general store through his other skills, he had yet to actually start cultivating. He was well aware that in a direct confrontation, he probably wouldn’t stand a chance.

Before Ji Qinglin could respond, the white-robed man behind Lei Qiong, who had been pouring wine, suddenly added:

“The president is doing this for your own good. Please don’t let his kindness go to waste.”Ji Qinglin understood Lei Qiong’s good intentions, but he hadn’t expected this newcomer to speak out so boldly. He immediately raised his head and frowned.

“Oh? You’re teaching me how to handle things now?”

Lei Qiong also realized the misstep and turned back with a stern voice:

“Congliang, mind your manners!”

“Yes.”

Seeing an opportunity to shift the conversation, Ji Qinglin didn’t let it slip.

“President, who is he?”

Lei Qiong remained seated and gestured with his hand as he introduced:

“This is Ji Congliang, a disciple of Yu Jizi from Zilong Peak. He has excellent natural talent, and Yu Jizi sent him here to learn the Meridian Lightning Passage technique from me.”

After hearing the name, not only did Ji Qinglin nod, but even Yu Ye behind him followed suit.

Ji Congliang? Good name.

Yu Ye: This name is kind of weird.

Mad Ye: What’s weird about it? Just a little nod to his past profession.

But Ji Qinglin quickly noticed something odd.

From the disciple selection ceremony until now, it had only been one day. This guy couldn’t possibly have “turned over a new leaf” so quickly. Even if he had been selling himself to Yu Jizi, he wouldn’t have gotten this close this fast—unless they had known each other before.

Just as he was thinking, Ji Congliang stepped forward and bowed.

“I was careless with my words just now and offended Elder. Please forgive me.”

His words were respectful, but Ji Qinglin could tell that his gaze never actually landed on him. Instead, he kept glancing toward Yu Ye.

This guy really ‘turned over a new leaf’?

Yu Ye hadn’t had the chance to change clothes after being brought here by her master. Though her sailor uniform was mostly covered by a trench coat, it couldn’t hide her curvaceous figure. Not to mention the two long, fair legs and the lace collar around her neck.

Ji Congliang openly admired Yu Ye’s beauty, and his dissatisfaction with Ji Qinglin as a mere figurehead Elder grew even stronger.

This Ji Qinglin might look dignified and impressive, but he’s nothing more than a beast in human clothing. Dressing his own disciple like this—what other reason could there be besides indulging his own perverse desires?

But then again, if this stunning girl had already been “trained,” wouldn’t that be even more exciting?

Yu Ye, however, felt like she was being watched by something filthy. Unconsciously, she moved a little closer to Ji Qinglin.

Seeing that Ji Qinglin still hadn’t responded, Lei Qiong added:

“Qinglin, I’ve thought this through. I’ll let you keep your Elder title, and besides the settlement fee, I’ll personally give you a monthly allowance. That way, you won’t have to struggle managing the general store anymore. How about it?”

Lei Qiong had already done his best to consider Ji Qinglin’s situation. To Ji Congliang, this deal seemed so generous it was almost unreasonable.

Ji Qinglin, too, was seriously considering it. The general store itself didn’t generate much income, and Old Hu, a longtime resident of Xindong Street, had mainly been worried about it falling into the hands of another faction. Handing it over to Lei Qiong would at least be reassuring.

“If the president asks, how could I refuse? But I have one condition to discuss.”

Hearing that his master was agreeing, Yu Ye frowned.

They had just formally become master and disciple, and they were already parting ways?

Lei Qiong was delighted.

“Speak freely, I will do my best to accommodate.”

“I don’t care about the store or the goods, but my disciple, Yu Ye, must remain my disciple.”

There was nothing particularly valuable in the general store aside from the defense system. But Yu Ye was a rare find—someone connected to the Old Era and, at the moment, someone he could trust.

The moment he said this, Lei Qiong and Yu Ye were both momentarily stunned. Only Ji Congliang’s brows furrowed tightly.

Yu Ye: At least he has some conscience.

Mad Ye: So, the Coal Boss is out? Can I keep him?

Lei Qiong hadn’t expected that, in this situation, Ji Qinglin would be most concerned about his disciple. But on second thought, this was his first disciple, so it made sense that he’d be extra attached.

“A strong bond between master and disciple is rare. Of course, I’ll grant your request.”

Not only that, but if you wanted to marry her, that wouldn’t be a problem either. Though judging by her current outfit, it doesn’t seem like you’d need any help with that.

“You’re called Yu Ye, right? Don’t let your master’s kindness go to waste.”

Yu Ye gave a slight nod.

“Yes.”

Lei Qiong was about to discuss the details with Ji Qinglin when Yu Ye suddenly straightened up, gave a slow bow, and looked up.

“President, I have a question I don’t quite understand. May I ask you for guidance?”

“Hm? Speak.”

“My master told me that you built your empire from the ground up, step by step. So why aren’t you giving my master the same opportunity? Instead, you’re persuading him to give up voluntarily.

Is it because you think my master can’t hold onto his territory or that he doesn’t have the ability to fight for it?”

Lei Qiong hadn’t expected this young girl to be so bold. Not only did she question him to his face, but she even spoke the plain truth.

Lei Qiong wanted to respond, but after thinking about it, Ji Qinglin was still a man. If he said it outright in front of his disciple, how could Qinglin keep his dignity?

He shook his head instead of answering directly and turned to Ji Qinglin.

“Qinglin, you need to properly guide your disciple.”

Ji Qinglin was eating. He swallowed a mouthful before replying:

“Yu Ye, that’s exactly how it is.”

Lei Qiong had just taken a sip of wine and nearly spat it out.

Qinglin, you bastard, you really know how to guide someone.

Ji Qinglin wasn’t just slacking off—he simply didn’t want to make things difficult for the president. After all, it wasn’t easy to find someone in Xindong Street who genuinely cared about him.

Besides, agreeing now meant owing Lei Qiong a favor. The worse he made his situation seem, the bigger that favor would be.

Yu Ye understood the reasoning behind it. She had seen Ji Qinglin’s strength firsthand. Even though she had only seen one move, she believed that even an upper-level Qi Refiner in the Qi Refining Realm might not be able to do the same. She knew her master was merely holding back.

She had spoken up because she knew her master didn’t care much about face. But she hadn’t expected his answer to be this shameless.

Seeing that the president was having trouble responding, Yu Ye pressed further:

“President, I understand now. So, if we can prove my master’s ability, does that mean we can keep the store?”

“Yu Ye!”

Ji Qinglin wanted to turn around and stop her, but Lei Qiong waved his hand.

“Let her continue.”

“If I can achieve a good ranking in the cultivation tournament, would that be enough to prove my master’s ability and allow him to keep the store?”

Mad Ye: She’s even crazier than me. Are you trying to repay him for getting you the Cultivation Meridian Set?

Yu Ye: Not entirely. I know Master is deliberately holding back, but if the president agrees, Master will definitely teach us something. And this way, he doesn’t have to take the risk himself.