Chapter 127: My Little Disciple ===GLOSSARY=== [{

Li Jisi had reached the threshold of Qi-observation, but Pan Yun had hit a towering, solid wall; she had questions she couldn't hold back, so the moment Wang Feiyin saw off Xiao Cui and her family of four, she stepped right up to him.

Pan Yun grinned at him. "Big Brother!"

Wang Feiyin pushed her face away. "Say what you need to say. Don't get so close. I heard you took on a disciple?"

"Just a one-day disciple—nothing more than a day of good deeds," Pan Yun waved dismissively. "Not worth mentioning. But Big 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 their child was three."

"Her life was hard. Her in-laws wanted her property and even her life to claim a chastity tablet. Her own family wanted her to remarry for another bride-price. She refused all of it—she just wanted to raise her child alone."

Pan Yun: "What does this have to do with Daoists or monks? I noticed she really dislikes them."

"For two years, to force her into submission, the Luo and He families kept sending monks, Daoists, and nuns—accusing her of killing her husband, killing her child, even tempting her to marry into wealth. They used every trick: threats, bribes," Wang Feiyin paused. "Then there was a wandering fake Daoist who tried to kidnap her by force. That's why she hates Daoists and monks so much."

"Then you—"

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

After a moment's silence, Pan Yun asked, "Big 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 incredibly unlucky, he only affects his direct disciples—not believers."

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

Pan Yun murmured: "So it's just the world that's cruel. This is too terrible…"

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 is entirely up to the individual."

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 thing? I took a look—he's talented. He'd make a decent disciple."

"Would Big Brother take him?"

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

Pan Yun: "I already ate. I'm going to teach my disciple. I've got good taste—I'll have him ready to graduate in three days."

Wang Feiyin snorted.

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

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

She'd also given Pan Yue and Pan Yu internal breathing methods and sword techniques, 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 their Wu Gong.

Clearly, talent varies between people.

Li Jisi understood instantly.

Pan Yun couldn't help but consider taking him as a permanent disciple. She tentatively asked, "Do you want to be my disciple forever?"

Li Jisi stiffened. After a pause, he carefully replied, "Master, once a teacher, always a mother. In my heart, you'll always be my teacher. But I'm older now—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 been ready to take on a disciple either.

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

The two agreed to meet again tomorrow.

Miao He, Miao Zhen, and Tao Yanbai were all ready. The next day, they took turns: one taught him how to read facial expressions as a physician, another taught him how to subtly feel a patient's pulse while reading palms to judge their health, birth, and life experiences.

Miao Zhen and Pan Yun alternated teaching him internal breathing methods and Qi-observation techniques.

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

As the saying goes: a poor pen beats a good memory. He might not grasp it now, but if he wrote it down and pondered it repeatedly, maybe he'd understand eventually.

Pan Yun was moved by his diligence. She found herself studying harder too, digging out her old class notes and rereading them. Revisiting the old, she gained new insights. Her new disciple not only paid tuition—he gave her new realizations. She truly didn't want to let him go. She asked again: "Are you really not going to become my permanent disciple?"

After three days together, Li Jisi knew Pan Yun was direct and disliked dragging things out. He said plainly: "Master, you'll always be my teacher. But I've seen the world's splendor. I learned Qi-observation to make money and live better. The pursuit of the Dao like yours—I dare not even imagine it, and I never will. I couldn't endure the austerity of mountain life. If you asked me to climb the mountain and cultivate, I'd probably abandon the sect in less than three months."

"So to avoid becoming enemies, I'd rather refuse you now."

Pan Yun's heart stirred. "You like worldly splendor 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 can't stand being tied down."

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 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 my wish fulfilled."

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 brimming with tears. "Master, tell me."

"Whenever 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."

!.

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 for bad readings again, I'll make sure they burn incense for you and Grandmaster."

"Good disciple. Learning 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, you'll succeed sooner."

Li Jisi agreed. He tugged at the notebook—it wouldn't budge. He looked up. "Master?"

"One more thing: if you misread someone or do something wrong, never, never mention my name or your Grandmaster's. Understood?"

Li Jisi: "Master, rest easy. I'll take full blame. I won't drag you or Grandmaster into it."

"Good disciple." Pan Yun finally released the notebook.

Pan Yun thought a moment, then pulled out the moneybag he'd given her days ago. She opened it, grabbed a handful of copper coins and treasure notes, and shoved them into his hands. "Poor home, rich road. Don't go out with nothing. Take this."

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

Virtue +1

Pan Yun insisted he take it. "Hold onto it. Don't use treasure notes anymore. Last time in the county, one tael bought 950 copper coins. This time, only 890. Their credibility's collapsing. Use copper coins whenever you can. If you must, exchange them for silver drafts from other banks."

In this era, private banks had better credibility than imperial ones.

Virtue +1

Pan Yun pulled out a talisman of safety. "Here. A safety talisman—drawn by me, blessed before the Three Pure Ones. Carry it. It'll protect you."

Virtue +1

Pan Yun winced. She looked at him. This kid was good—she'd spent three days teaching him earnestly, and not a single virtue point. Now, giving him small gifts earned her three.

She thought again, then pulled out a Thunder Talisman. "This is a Thunder Talisman. 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, still tearful.

Virtue +1

Bit by bit, the virtue piled up. Pan Yun suddenly lost interest in milking him. She waved him off. "That's all. Go. Just do good, don't be evil."

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

Virtue +100

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

These three days were not wasted.

Li Jisi then bade farewell to the other three "masters." Of course, he didn't call them Master—they were peers. He called them Senior Brother and Senior Sister.

Miao He and Miao Zhen were reluctant. It was their first time teaching a disciple, and they'd gained much. They truly didn't want him to leave.

"But all feasts must end," Miao Zhen said, before Li Jisi could comfort her. "Not just him and us—even among us, one day we'll part. When you take a disciple, they'll leave you too. Even your own child will leave you."

Pan Yun: "Exactly. In the end, you're always alone with yourself. So what's one person leaving? Let them go."

As if she hadn't been the one feeling sorrow just moments ago.

End of Chapter 1

(End of Chapter)