Chapter 42: Masters Abound
Qin Ye did not conceal anything and recounted the entire process in full.
After finishing, he said apologetically, “The Ten Directions Demon-Subduing Staff Technique is far too fierce and difficult to restrain. Even the slightest leak of strength can injure others. From now on, I’ll never use this staff technique again when sparring with fellow disciples.”
Li Qingqiu’s expression remained calm as he asked, “How serious are his injuries?”
“His face swelled up.”
“Then you do owe him an apology. You can’t go hitting someone in the face. If you had hurt him elsewhere, his clothes could’ve covered it up. But injuring his face? His Master will surely find out.”
Li Qingqiu’s words left Qin Ye dumbfounded.
He hadn’t considered that point, and after hearing it, his guilt deepened even more.
From his punishment stance, Li Sifeng snickered.
“Third Senior Brother’s a petty man. You’re done for—maybe he’ll come for you himself to avenge his disciple.”
Qin Ye didn’t show fear.
Instead, he said solemnly, “I’m willing to accept punishment from Third Martial Uncle.”
Li Sifeng curled his lips and muttered, “Doesn’t know life from death.”
After learning the cause, Li Qingqiu didn’t take it to heart and said, “Since it was the other party who proposed the spar, you’re not in the wrong. Just be more careful next time. Third Junior Brother is proud by nature and won’t make trouble for you, but Xue Jin will certainly come looking to save face. When that happens, be cautious.”
In duels and sparring, injuries were inevitable.
Li Qingqiu truly didn’t see it as a big deal—it wasn’t as if he could ban disciples from competing altogether.
Though Qin Ye had won, Li Qingqiu didn’t praise him, as he also believed Qin Ye needed better control over his staff technique.
The other disciples were not as resilient as Xue Jin.
Upon hearing this, Qin Ye still seemed hesitant and even suggested going to apologize to Third Martial Uncle.
Li Qingqiu kicked him hard, sending him flying.
“Still not satisfied stirring up trouble? Get lost already!”
Li Qingqiu said irritably.
Qin Ye flew two zhang away before crashing into a wall and stopping.
Landing in the corner, Qin Ye felt his insides churn and his body ache all over.
He secretly marveled at his Master’s terrifying strength, then quickly got up and took his leave.
Li Sifeng turned to look at Li Qingqiu and clicked his tongue.
“Senior Brother, the staff technique Wu Baoyu taught is that powerful? That’s not good news. The Clear Sky Sect needs a martial art of its own to suppress the Ten Directions Demon-Subduing Staff Technique.”
“Hmph! You just worry about yourself. Stand properly!”
Li Qingqiu snorted coldly.
He walked up beside Li Sifeng and kicked him squarely on the butt.
In an instant, a surge of pain shot through Li Sifeng, nearly making him kneel.
That kick carried inner strength condensed from Vital Energy, striking the pain meridians in Li Sifeng’s legs, leaving him unable to endure the agony.
“Still dare to bully disciples again?”
“I just asked him to attend class for me, how’s that bullying?”
“Could he refuse you?”
“Well… not exactly impossible…”
Li Qingqiu kicked him again.
Li Sifeng grimaced in pain, baring his teeth, and quickly apologized, swearing he’d never do it again.
——
At dusk, in a small courtyard, the young Bai Ning’er sat at a table, resting his cheek on his palm as he gazed blankly at the distant mountains.
A disciple hurriedly entered the courtyard, carrying four wild hares in his hands.
He walked up to the table, grinning.
“Hu Feng, today’s catch—four hares, each weighing about five catties.”
Bai Ning’er came back to himself, picked up his brush, and began recording the catch in the ledger before him.
“Why hares again? Do you plan to wipe out all the mountain hares?” he asked.
“The Ancient Great Mountain Range is vast—can’t possibly catch them all. If the hares here are caught, others will come from elsewhere to graze. Besides, when we eat hare meat, I’ve never seen you refuse a bite.”
Hu Feng said with mild annoyance, but when Bai Ning’er carefully wrote down his contribution, his face immediately brightened.
“Bind them properly before you set them down and leave,” Bai Ning’er reminded.
Hu Feng acknowledged with a word, carrying the hares to the back of the courtyard.
The area was already piled high with fruits and game—the disciples’ daily harvest.
Bai Ning’er’s duty was to record these things each day.
With records, the disciples’ motivation stayed high.
After Hu Feng left, Bai Ning’er lay down on the table and sighed.
When would such days come to an end?
Because he had practiced calligraphy since childhood and had a frail body, his Senior Brother assigned him to this duty.
Of course, the greater reason was that his Senior Brother wanted more time to train.
That Senior Brother always took good care of him, so he couldn’t refuse.
Now, apart from morning exercises, he spent most of each day in this courtyard—a truly dull life.
Just as Bai Ning’er sighed again, a pungent urine smell wafted over, making him frown.
He didn’t even need to turn around to know that a wild boar had relieved itself nearby.
He would have to wait for other disciples to come carry away the game and clean up the courtyard before his work for the day was done.
Although roasted boar meat tasted delicious, he truly despised live boars—they were filthy, stinking creatures that snorted incessantly.
Since the Clear Sky Sect was a martial sect, its disciples consumed a great deal of meat.
Many were tasked with hunting, bringing in fresh game daily.
Every time Zhang Yuchun went down the mountain, he bought dried or cured meat as well.
Villagers below would sometimes trade meat for grains, so while the sect’s disciples might not eat meat every meal, they could taste it every day.
When he first arrived, Bai Ning’er had been deeply impressed by such treatment, but over time, dissatisfaction crept in—he wanted to practice martial arts.
As he reminisced, time passed quickly.
By dusk, five disciples finally entered the courtyard.
Seeing them, Bai Ning’er cheered aloud, then hurriedly packed up his ledger and ran out.
The five disciples, long accustomed to his behavior, simply began collecting the game and produce.
Once outside, Bai Ning’er skipped along the mountain path.
He decided to slack off tonight and clean the courtyard early tomorrow instead.
Doing it alone was exhausting—he had to find his Senior Brother and complain so that he’d help.
“Little brother up ahead, please wait.”
A female voice came from behind.
Bai Ning’er stopped and turned to see two women walking up the mountain path.
The one in front wore green, petite in figure, looking about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a delicate, adorable face and twin braids—her sight instantly caught Bai Ning’er’s eyes.
Behind her was a woman in plain white robes, a light veil covering her face.
She carried a long wooden box on her back, her bearing dignified, and her bright eyes full of grace.
Her demeanor clearly marked her as the mistress.
Visitors from down the mountain?
Bai Ning’er felt curious but not nervous.
One shout from him would summon fellow disciples, and besides, these two looked harmless—gentle, even powerless.
When they approached, Bai Ning’er asked, “Who are you two?”
The girl in green smiled.
“My name is Su Xiling. My lady’s surname is Zhu. We were introduced by Liu Fanzhou and wish to speak with your Sect Master about something. Could you show us the way?”
She wasn’t much taller than the fourteen-year-old Bai Ning’er, so he didn’t feel wary of her.
“Ah, Master Liu! He’s a good man—the mountain road was built thanks to him. Come on then, it’s almost dinner time. The Sect Master shouldn’t be hard to find.”
Bai Ning’er agreed cheerfully, waved his hand, and led the way.
Su Xiling and the woman in white followed closely.
Su Xiling, clearly fascinated by the Clear Sky Sect, began asking questions.
Bai Ning’er answered them one by one—they were all trivial matters: whether the sect was peaceful, whether many martial guests came and went, whether bandits ever climbed the mountain.
Along the way, other Clear Sky Sect disciples asked about the two women.
Upon hearing Liu Fanzhou’s name, they immediately understood and didn’t stop them.
After a stick of incense’s time, they arrived at the courtyard atop the mountain.
Seeing Li Qingqiu seated at a long table, Bai Ning’er rushed over to introduce Su Xiling and her mistress.
“You’ve done well. Stay here for dinner tonight—find yourself a seat,” Li Qingqiu said, rubbing Bai Ning’er’s head with a smile before standing and walking toward the two women.
Bai Ning’er beamed, foolishly rubbing his head in delight.
Facing away from him, Li Qingqiu opened his Dao Lineage panel and noticed the child’s loyalty had increased slightly.
He smiled with satisfaction.
Children were indeed easy to please.
Approaching the two women, Li Qingqiu smiled.
“Since you were recommended by Brother Liu, shall we talk inside?”
Su Xiling nodded, and the two women followed Li Qingqiu into the newly built main hall, its doors wide open.
As soon as Li Qingqiu sat down, Su Xiling stepped forward, took out an embroidered pouch from her sleeve, and placed it on the table.
Opening it revealed gold, silver, and jewels.
“My lady heard from Liu Fanzhou that the Clear Sky Sect is a tranquil place, far removed from worldly affairs. She wishes to stay here for two years. We will not eat or live here for free,” Su Xiling said softly.
Her directness made Li Qingqiu glance at the veiled woman.
The woman in white, with the wooden box on her back, simply looked at him quietly without speaking.
Li Qingqiu didn’t agree immediately and instead asked, “May I ask why you wish to stay here? The Clear Sky Sect truly is a secluded place, but we do prefer to avoid trouble.”
Su Xiling replied, “The imperial court is conducting a massive campaign to suppress rebel forces. The lands are in chaos everywhere—only the Ancient Great Mountain Range remains peaceful. My lady is a renowned scholar from Guzhou, named Zhu Yan. She detests strife and conflict. You must have heard of her name.”
Li Qingqiu actually hadn’t.
He was familiar with martial affairs but knew little of the literary world.
“In that case, I agree,” Li Qingqiu said after a short hesitation, smiling as he stood to lead the way.
After exiting the hall, he summoned a disciple to arrange accommodations for them.
Watching the two women’s departing figures, Li Qingqiu couldn’t help but sigh—this martial world truly overflowed with hidden masters.
Zhu Yan appeared a refined and scholarly lady, seemingly without martial strength, yet her Inner Energy was no weaker than when Yang Jueding first arrived at the mountain.
As for her servant Su Xiling, she was even more astonishing—her Vital Energy was the most profound he had ever sensed, even surpassing Lü Taidou of the Seven Peaks Alliance.
With martial prowess like theirs, no wonder they had climbed the mountain safely.
Clearly, they cultivated some secret art that concealed their energy; none of the disciples along the way had detected them.
Li Qingqiu smiled faintly and walked toward the dining table to eat.
In the following days, a melodious zither often resounded through the mountain valleys, sparking lively discussions among the disciples.
When Zhang Yu heard that Zhu Yan had arrived, he was ecstatic and tried to pay her a visit—only to be stopped by Su Xiling.
It was then that Li Qingqiu truly believed Zhu Yan was indeed a scholar of renown.
In this world, anyone who could play the zither was far from ordinary—and as for the usually proud Zhang Yu, it was the first time he’d ever behaved so eagerly.