Chapter 44: Master and Disciple
Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Master and Disciple
Because of Gumu Sheng’s sudden move and Li Ping adding a new patch to the rules for the Foundation Establishment Fund, the mood of the gathering turned a little somber.
However, the overall structure of the Friends Association hadn’t changed—in fact, it was developing in a better direction. As a result, everyone accepted the new developments.
Before long, the somber mood was swept away.
Only Zhang Tie remained silent, drinking sullenly in a corner.
The others didn’t know what to say.
After all, while they sympathized with Zhang Tie, if they were in Gumu Sheng’s position, could they really have held back?
When it came to something as crucial as their own Foundation Establishment, they would never voluntarily back down, no matter how close their relationships were.
Besides, the Friends Association was founded with the express purpose of helping all its members achieve Foundation Establishment.
Whoever contributed more had a higher priority for Foundation Establishment and would be the first to advance. This was perfectly reasonable, and everyone accepted it.
If Li Ping had played favorites—forcing everyone to give Zhang Tie priority for Foundation Establishment simply because he was older and they were close—then everyone would have truly become resentful, and the Friends Association would have fallen apart.
...
During the latter half of the feast, Li Ping began his customary practice of giving guidance to the other six members on their cultivation.
As a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, his experience and insight far surpassed that of Qi Refining Cultivators. Guiding the other six was effortless for him; often, just a few words were enough to bring them to a sudden realization.
As Li Ping spoke, the sky unknowingly began to brighten.
Seeing this, Li Ping stopped and smiled. "All right, you should all get going. Go back and consider your options carefully. Remember to come back and see me in ten days."
"Yes, Big Brother." The six quickly rose and bowed.
A moment later, five of them left together, but one figure remained standing.
Li Ping found this strange. "Hanmo, is something the matter?"
The person standing there, dressed in a long white robe with a face as fair as jade, was none other than his fifth brother, Qi Hanmo, who had recently advanced to become a Tier One Upper Grade Musician.
Hearing Li Ping’s question and seeing that the others were a good distance away, Qi Hanmo spoke respectfully. "I have a private matter I’d like to ask for your opinion on, Big Brother."
"Oh? A private matter?" Li Ping nodded with a smile. "Why don’t you tell me about it? Sit down, don’t just stand there."
"Of course, Big Brother." Qi Hanmo sat down as instructed.
Then, under Li Ping’s curious gaze, he began to explain. "Big Brother, it’s like this. Shortly after I advanced to a Tier One Upper Grade Musician, word got out, and someone hired me to treat a young woman."
Li Ping nodded. In the Cultivation Realm, the Musician profession was a bit like being a psychologist from his past life. They used music to soothe a patient’s spirit, help them eliminate Heart Demons, dissolve mental blocks, and recover from psychological breakdowns.
Qi Hanmo continued, "After a course of my treatment, the results were quite good, and the young woman’s condition improved significantly. It was only as I was leaving that I learned her name is Lin Yue. She’s the same Female Cultivator from the recent rumors in the Immortal City, the one who supposedly lost her mind."
"Because the treatment was effective, they will likely ask me to go back." At this point, Qi Hanmo looked at Li Ping and said candidly, "I heard that you had some unpleasant dealings with the Immortal City over this very matter, Big Brother. So... I wanted to ask your opinion. Should I continue treating Lin Yue?"
"So that’s what this is about." Li Ping waved his hand dismissively. "Don’t listen to hearsay. I have no issues with the Immortal City. And even if I did, I wouldn’t take it out on a pitiful person like Lin Yue."
Hearing this, Qi Hanmo breathed a sigh of relief. He asked, "Then, Big Brother, should I...?"
Li Ping smiled. "You can save a poor woman and earn a large sum of Spirit Stones in the process. What’s not to like? Of course you should continue treating Lin Yue. If you can cure her, you’ll be doing a great deed. And if you can earn a favor from the Immortal City, it will be a great benefit to you."
Given the chance, Li Ping would have no qualms about getting vicious revenge on that wretched Sword Cultivator, Dai Sangyu.
But for her pitiful apprentice, Li Ping felt only sympathy, not a shred of hatred. He would never stop Qi Hanmo from treating her.
"With your blessing, Big Brother, I can proceed with a clear conscience." Qi Hanmo sighed in relief.
As a Musician, he had been genuinely conflicted, torn between his duty to heal and the fear of upsetting his Big Brother. He was glad Li Ping had made the decision for him.
...
「The Tannery in Wuyi Lane.」
Early on New Year’s morning, Old Man Lin was already hard at work. With his precise knife skills, he scraped every last bit of flesh and fat from a Demon Beast Hide, filling the entire shop with a foul, bloody stench.
Just then, Zhang Tie walked in from outside.
Old Man Lin immediately called out to him. "Come lend a hand."
"Oh." Zhang Tie hurried over to help, but his mood was clearly somber.
Old Man Lin was as shrewd as they come and immediately noticed something was off with his apprentice. However, he didn’t ask any questions and simply continued to work on the Demon Beast Hide.
They worked until noon.
Qi Refining Cultivators still couldn’t perform Fasting, so Old Man Lin and Zhang Tie ate some Demon Beast Flesh while they chatted.
Only then did Old Man Lin ask why Zhang Tie was in such low spirits.
Zhang Tie didn’t hide anything from his master, telling him all about Gumu Sheng’s 100 Spirit Stone contribution and the new rule proposed by his Big Brother that contribution amounts could no longer be lowered.
Old Man Lin’s eyes instantly sharpened, but his tone remained casual. "So, did you all submit this year’s contribution?"
"No." Zhang Tie shook his head. "Big Brother told us to go home and think it over carefully, and to make our decision in ten days so we don’t have any regrets later!"
Hearing this, Old Man Lin’s expression softened. "So that’s why you’re upset. It’s not a big deal. Since that Gumu Sheng kid is willing to contribute 100 Spirit Stones a year, then you should just raise your contribution to 100 Spirit Stones as well."
"Master, I..." Zhang Tie looked up, alarmed.
But before he could finish, Old Man Lin cut him off with a sigh. "That Li Ping kid is a crafty one, trying to swindle even this old man’s Spirit Stones. From now on, you’ll still contribute 30 Spirit Stones. I’ll cover the remaining 70 for you."
Zhang Tie grew frantic. "Master, that’s your savings! You..."
"Enough, don’t be so wishy-washy. You call me Master, so I can’t just stand by and let you get bullied." Old Man Lin’s tall frame was slightly stooped, but his words were full of authority. "It’s a paltry 70 Spirit Stones a year. I’ve scraped by in this Immortal City for many years; I can afford that much."
"But what if I fail at Foundation Establishment..." Zhang Tie shook his head again and again, refusing to let Old Man Lin cover the Spirit Stones for him.
If he raised his contribution to 100 Spirit Stones now and succeeded at Foundation Establishment, then 100 Spirit Stones a year would be nothing.
But if he failed, he would still have to contribute 100 Spirit Stones every year. Wouldn’t that drag his master down with him? ’Master has toiled his whole life...’ The thought was too much for Zhang Tie to bear.
He looked up to see his master staring at him, his eyes full of encouragement. "Gumu Sheng dares to take this gamble with Four Spirit Roots. You have Three Spirit Roots, and the opportunity for Foundation Establishment is right in front of you. What is there to fear? If the worst should happen, this old master of yours will shoulder the burden with you!"
...
「Meanwhile, at the Wang family’s ancestral home.」
The Wang family’s Ancestor looked at the cowering figure before him, his eyes filled with frustration. "You have a Dual Spirit Root and a Foundation Establishment Pill to aid you," he scolded. "What are you afraid of!"
At his shout, the cowering figure trembled visibly.