Chapter 127

Li Jisi reached the threshold of observing qi, but Pan Yun hit a towering, solid wall; she had questions she couldn't hold back, so the moment Wang Feiyin finished seeing off Xiao Cui and her family of four, she stepped right into his path.

Pan Yun grinned at him, "Senior Brother~~"

Wang Feiyin pushed her face away, "Speak your piece, don't get so close. How did I hear you took a disciple?"

"Just a one-day disciple, nothing more than a day of good deeds," Pan Yun waved her hand. "Not worth mentioning—but Senior Brother, how do you know Xiao Cui?"

"I know plenty of people—look how much older I am than you," Wang Feiyin paused, then explained Xiao Cui's background: "She's from Lower River Village. Her husband died when her child was three."

"Her life is hard. Her in-laws want her property and plan to kill her for a chastity tablet. Her natal family wants her to remarry for another bride price. She refuses all of it—she just wants to raise her child alone."

Pan Yun: "What does this have to do with Daoist Priests or Monks? I noticed she hates them intensely."

"For two years, to force her into submission, the Luo and He families sent Monks, Daoist Priests, and nuns constantly—some claimed she cursed her husband, others said she cursed her child, some even tempted her to marry into wealth. They used every kind of threat and bribe," Wang Feiyin paused, then added: "There was even a wandering fake Daoist Priest who tried to abduct her by force. That's why she despises Daoist Priests and Monks."

"Then you—"

"I'm different," Wang Feiyin said. "I'm a real, legitimate Daoist Priest with official credentials. She's still somewhat friendly toward Daoist Priests from Mount Sanqing—just tell her your sect name later."

After a moment of silence, Pan Yun asked, "Senior Brother, is it because she worships Master that she's been cursed with such misfortune?"

"Of course not," Wang Feiyin said. "Though our Master is extremely unlucky, he only affects his direct disciples—not his followers."

"At most, he can't help them when disaster strikes—but that's their fate anyway. How could you blame our Master's bad luck?"

Pan Yun murmured, "Then it's just the world that's cruel. This is too tragic…"

Wang Feiyin said coldly, "All people suffer. She has her suffering, others have theirs. All we can do is lend a hand when we see it. Tribulation Crossing depends entirely on oneself."

Pan Yun fell silent.

Wang Feiyin glanced at her. "You're young. Don't dwell on these things. Focus on your cultivation. Is your disciple really just a one-day affair? I took a look—he has talent. Taking him as a disciple wouldn't be bad."

"Would Senior Brother take him?"

Wang Feiyin immediately shifted his head, changing the subject: "I'm hungry. Let's go buy something to eat. What do you want?"

Pan Yun: "I've already eaten. I'm going to teach my disciple. I think my eye for talent is excellent—I'll have him mastered in three days."

Wang Feiyin snorted.

Pan Yun turned and went to teach Li Jisi, instructing him in the internal breathing technique.

He truly had talent. After a few lessons, he touched the threshold—stronger than both her brothers.

She also gave Pan Yue and Pan Yu an internal breathing technique and a sword method, studied them thoroughly, then taught them in letters.

But after two rounds of letters between her father and her, Pan Hong never mentioned any progress in Wu Gong.

Clearly, there are innate differences between people.

Li Jisi understood instantly.

Pan Yun couldn't help but feel the urge to take him as a permanent disciple, so she tentatively asked, "Do you want to be my disciple forever?"

Li Jisi stiffened, then carefully replied, "Master, once a teacher, always a mother. In my heart, you will always be my Master. But I'm already grown. I fear I can't live the austere life of a mountain recluse, so I—"

"I understand. You don't want to," Pan Yun patted his shoulder. "Don't worry—I won't force you."

Pan Yun quietly exhaled. Truthfully, she hadn't prepared herself to take a disciple either.

Though they never became permanent master and disciple, Pan Yun still taught him seriously, continuing until the gathering ended and everyone returned home.

The two agreed to meet again tomorrow.

Miao and Seeing Miao Zhen and Tao Yanbai were also ready. The next day, they took turns: one taught him how to read people's expressions as a healer, the other taught him how to subtly feel a person's pulse while reading their palm, to judge their health, birth, and life experiences.

Seeing Miao Zhen and Pan Yun alternated teaching him the internal breathing technique and using it to observe qi.

The four didn't care whether Li Jisi could learn it—they just kept teaching. Li Jisi brought a notebook and small pen, listened intently, and scribbled furiously.

As the saying goes: a poor pen is better than a good memory. He didn't fully grasp it now, but if he wrote it down and pondered it repeatedly, maybe he'd eventually understand.

Pan Yun was moved by his diligent, earnest attitude. She herself began studying furiously, digging out her old class notes and reviewing them. To her surprise, she gained new insights. A new disciple not only paid tuition—he gave her new realizations. Pan Yun truly felt reluctant, so she asked again, "You really won't become my permanent disciple?"

After three days together, Li Jisi knew Pan Yun was direct and decisive, disliked dragging things out, so he said plainly: "Master, you will always be my Master. But I've seen the glitter of the mortal world. I learned to observe qi to earn money, to live better. The pursuit of the Dao like you— I dare not even imagine it, and I never will. I can't endure the austerity of mountain life. If you asked me to climb the mountain and cultivate, I'd probably betray the sect in less than three months."

"So to avoid master and disciple turning against each other, I'd rather refuse you now."

Pan Yun's heart stirred. "You like the mortal world so much—my senior nephew has a caravan—"

Li Jisi still shook his head. "I love money, but I love freedom more. I earn wherever I go, spend wherever I go. I truly hate being constrained."

Pan Yun felt she'd met a kindred spirit. She patted his shoulder. "Little disciple, those are exactly my thoughts. Wait—I'll give you a copy of my cultivation notes."

Li Jisi's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Of course. Though I can't live the free, wealthy life you do, I can support you. Seeing you thrive is as good as fulfilling my own wish."

Pan Yun rummaged in her spiritual realm, pulled out her notes, and handed them to him. "I have only one wish—that you fulfill it for me."

Li Jisi gripped the notebook tightly, eyes glistening. "Master, tell me."

"In the future, when you do good deeds, and believers ask about your lineage, you must say: 'Disciple of Pan Yun, under the Divine Seat of Mount Sanqing.' When they burn incense, remember to burn it for me—or your Grandmaster."

!. Read

Li Jisi nodded. "Master, rest assured. I only seek wealth, not incense. As long as I master the skill and never get beaten or cursed again for bad divinations, I'll make sure they burn incense for you and Grandmaster."

"Good disciple. Learning any art always brings setbacks. If you have questions, write to me. Give me an address where I can reach you—I'll answer your doubts. With me, I'll help you succeed sooner."

Li Jisi agreed, tugged at the notebook, but couldn't pull it free. He looked up. "Master?"

"One more thing—if you make a mistake or do something evil, you must never mention my name or your Grandmaster's. Do you understand?"

Li Jisi: "Master, rest assured. I'll take full responsibility for any wrongdoing—I'll never drag you or Grandmaster into it."

"Good disciple." Pan Yun finally released her grip, letting him take the notebook.

Pan Yun thought for a moment, then pulled out the money bag he'd given her the day before, opened it, and grabbed a handful of copper coins and treasure notes. "Poor home, rich road—you can't travel with no money. Take this."

Li Jisi's eyes filled with tears. "Master~~"

Merit +1

Pan Yun insisted on shoving the money into his hand. "Take it. Don't use treasure notes anymore. Last time in the county, one tael bought 950 copper coins. This time, only 890. Their credibility is terrible. Whenever possible, use copper coins. If you must, exchange them for silver notes from other banks."

In this era, private banks had better credibility than the imperial court's banks.

Virtue +1

Pan Yun began rummaging in her pockets, pulled out a Peace Talisman, and handed it to him. "Here, a Peace Talisman—drawn by your master, blessed before the Three Pure Ones. Carry it with you; it will protect your safety."

Virtue +1

Pan Yun winced, glancing up at him. This kid was something else—he'd spent three full days teaching him with all his heart, yet earned not a single point of virtue. Now, just giving him a few small gifts before he left, and suddenly it came.

Pan Yun thought for a moment, then pulled out a Lei Fu and gave it to him. "This is a Lei Fu. You may never need it, but take it. If you encounter evil spirits or danger, tear it and chant the name of the Thunder Ancestor—it might save your life."

Li Jisi accepted it, his eyes still glistening with tears.

Virtue +1

With virtue accumulating bit by bit, Pan Yun suddenly lost all interest in milking him. She waved her hand. "That's all. Go now. Just do good deeds, don't be a bad person."

Li Jisi's playful smile vanished. He rose, knelt before Pan Yun, and bowed his head respectfully. "Disciple takes leave of his master."

Virtue +100

Pan Yun's eyes welled with tears. She grabbed his arm, trembling with emotion and joy. "Good disciple, rise quickly!"

All three days were finally worth it.

Li Jisi went to bid farewell to the other three "masters." Of course, he would not call them master—they were his peers—so he addressed them as Senior Brother and Senior Sister.

Miao He and Seeing Miao Zhen were both reluctant. It was their first time teaching a disciple, and they had gained much; they still felt deeply attached to Li Jisi.

"But all feasts must eventually end," Seeing Miao Zhen said before Li Jisi could comfort her. "Not just him and us—even among us, one day we too will part. When you take a disciple in the future, he will leave you too. Even your own flesh and blood will leave you."

Pan Yun: "Exactly. In the end, everyone walks alone. So what's one person leaving? Let them go."

As if she hadn't been the one just now feeling sorrow and regret.

Tail number 1

(End of Chapter)