Master, What Dao Do You Cultivate?

Chapter 49: You Motherf***ers Better Stop Me!

Several Elders who had already mentally checked out were originally planning to stir up some noise today on behalf of other Commerce Guild factions, so they wouldn’t be criticized later if they jumped ship.

Who would’ve thought Ji Qinglin would go straight in with a loyalty pledge and throw everyone’s rhythm off? The Elders exchanged glances—no one had the guts to stand up and take the “worse than pigs and dogs, unworthy of being heard” title first.

Lei Qiuyun understood this was her teacher setting her up for the win—when the cookie’s already at your lips, you don’t say no. She nodded and said:

“In that case, I understand everyone’s intentions. So during this special period, Xindong Commerce Guild will double benefits and halve dues. During this time, I promise none of you will suffer any loss.”

As soon as she said that, the few Elders who had planned to stir trouble lost their excuse.

Just when Lei Qiuyun thought at least today she could stabilize the Elders present, Yu Jizi of Zilong Peak suddenly said in a low voice:

“We’ve received the Guild’s grace, and naturally we’re loyal. But without President Lei Qiong holding down the fort, how can we alone resist the encroachment of other Commerce Guilds?”

The other Elders immediately chimed in. Liu Sanshui from Hongyun Fisheries, who’d been silenced by Ji Qinglin earlier, took the opportunity to add:

“Who isn’t? Someone came trying to take over our turf just this morning. With the President gone, I didn’t even dare fight back directly.”

Feng Siniang of Perfect Entertainment Club blew out a puff of smoke and said:“Yeah, last night a bunch of guys from the Xichang Guild came by our place. The Elder leading them was barely past thirty and already baring his teeth at me.”

Yu Jizi coughed lightly and said:

“Bangkok’s always been a place where the strong prey on the weak. All of us here are just Commerce Guild Elders. If we overestimate ourselves and try to stand against them, we might end up losing both our people and our businesses.”

On the surface, this was directed at the other Elders. In reality, it was a jab at Lei Qiuyun, telling her: thinking you can go head-to-head with other Guilds is pure arrogance.

“Elder Yu Jizi is absolutely right.”

“Same here.”

Xindong Street Commerce Guild, as one of the Four Great Guilds, used to dominate its region.

But ever since the old President Lei Qiong semi-retired, the Guild’s stance softened a lot. “Fighting for every inch” turned into “Harmony Brings Wealth.”

But even a dying camel is bigger than a horse. Although President Lei Qiong was gravely injured, given Xindong Commerce Guild’s deep foundation, unless something went terribly wrong, it wouldn’t be split apart—more likely, it would be slowly eaten away.

Lei Qiuyun knew that as an old-timer in the Guild, Yu Jizi probably wasn’t trying to betray them. Most likely, he wanted to use her father’s fall as a chance to grab more power within the Guild.

But Yu Jizi had once fought alongside her father. His seniority was undeniable, and Lei Qiuyun couldn’t argue back. So she asked:

“Then what wise advice does Elder Yu Jizi have?”

Yu Jizi slowly stood up and paced around the meeting room, saying:

“Whether Elders or members, everyone’s in it for profit. Where or with whom doesn’t matter. I just want to remind the Acting President not to throw your life away for something you can’t achieve, and follow in the old President’s footste—”

Before he could finish, Lei Qiuyun stood up and interrupted:

“If Elder Yu Jizi has doubts about my strength, feel free to test it. I’m ready anytime. But there’s no need to bring up my father here.”

That she wasn’t as strong as her father, lacked his experience, and didn’t have his prestige—Lei Qiuyun could admit all that. But questioning a father who’d fought his whole life for the Guild? That was something she couldn’t tolerate.

Yu Jizi stopped at the end of the table, looking at Lei Qiuyun.

The other Elders around the table all looked serious.

If the two of them fought now, it wouldn’t just be a spar or a disagreement anymore.

When a President and an Elder come to blows, it either turns into “cleaning house” or “betraying the sect.” And no matter the outcome, Lei Qiuyun would be the one at a disadvantage. If she won, it would be seen as justified but maybe called “a tyrant in her own house.” If she lost, her authority as Acting President would be totally gone.

Lei Qiuyun started feeling a little regret, but this wasn’t the time to show weakness.

Right at the moment when a fight was about to break out, Ji Qinglin—who had been sitting next to Yu Jizi—suddenly spoke:

“Elder Yu Jizi, before entering a temple to worship, you bow at the gate first. Challenging the President directly—you sure you’re qualified?”

Everyone froze and turned to look at Ji Qinglin. Everyone knew the President had always treated him well, and today this kid really was living up to that favor with guts.

But seriously? He’s claiming to be the gate now?

Yu Jizi quickly calculated in his mind and instantly understood that this brat was giving him a way out. If he struck Ji Qinglin down here, it wouldn’t count as directly challenging the President, nor would it look like he was backing down. Best of both worlds.

Smart kid, loyal to the Guild. Once I become President, I’ll make sure to promote you!

With that thought, Yu Jizi raised his brows and lifted his hand.

“This isn’t a place for you to butt in!”

A strong wave of energy whipped up the robes of the surrounding Elders as his palm struck straight for Ji Qinglin’s chest.

*Pa—*

Just like everyone expected, the power was no joke. The air exploded as the palm landed.

What no one expected was that Ji Qinglin didn’t budge.

He just sat there in his chair, calmly raising his right hand and catching Yu Jizi’s strike with ease.

Everyone here was part of the Guild—they knew exactly how strong Yu Jizi was. Most Elders would struggle to block that strike full force.

But Ji Qinglin? He didn’t even stand. His chair didn’t move a single inch.

Every Elder’s eyes went wide, including Lei Qiuyun who had been ready to jump in. Only Yu Ye, sitting behind Ji Qinglin, pouted her sexy little lips, squinting slightly with a “you guys really haven’t seen sh*t” kind of look.

The most shocked of all was Yu Jizi himself. That powerful palm strike felt like it had sunk into the ocean without a trace.

Sensing something was off, the first thing that popped into Yu Jizi’s mind was a new term someone had been explaining to him recently: Guild Guardian.

Realizing this, Yu Jizi quickly tried to pull back—but Ji Qinglin wasn’t giving him the chance. He grabbed Yu Jizi’s wrist with one hand, then formed a fist, and using the technique of Eight Extremes Crushing Punch, drove his elbow across the table straight into Yu Jizi’s chest.

Yu Jizi tried to block it, but the moment he felt the impact, he finally understood why no one tries to stop a moving car with their bare hands.

*Thud—*

With a solid, muffled bang, Yu Jizi flew sideways and slammed into the far wall of the meeting room.

Before the nearest Elder could even blurt out a “holy sh*t,” Ji Qinglin vanished into streaks of phantom shadows, flashing past their eyes and appearing in front of Yu Jizi in a blink.

Yu Jizi hadn’t even begun to fall from the wall when Ji Qinglin reached out, grabbed the collar of his cultivation robe, and lifted him up. Then, he raised his right fist high, charging it with force.

Even from behind, everyone could see it—Ji Qinglin was ready to kill.

No one knew how Ji Qinglin got this kind of skill, but judging from that explosive power earlier, one thing was certain: if that punch landed, Yu Jizi was dead. The only bet left was whether or not his corpse would stay in one piece.

Even Ji Qinglin was thinking the same thing:

If I throw this punch, he’s dead.

So— 

You motherf***ers better stop me already! 

What the h*ll are you all standing there watching for? 

Are you seriously gonna let me kill him?! 

Where’s Lei Qiuyun? 

Wasn’t this supposed to be a whole act, half pressure, half kindness? 

I’ve already pushed the pressure to the edge of murder— 

Your kindness still not coming?!