Two People and a Bird

Listening to Ji Qinglin's account along the way, master and disciple unknowingly returned to the outskirts of Xin Dong Street.

"This is Doctor Shen's past. Was I wrong to call it an Asura Arena?"

Since waking up, Ji Qinglin had seen quite a few similar things. Telling Yu Ye about it now was not only to help her understand Shen Bixin better, but also to warn her to be careful around those companies.

After hearing Ji Qinglin's story, Yu Ye no longer felt like joking around.

She had never expected the seemingly dashing Doctor Shen to have such a blood-soaked past.

Crazy Night: Free and decisive—I like it! So other people have such twisting, tortuous stories too.

Yu Ye: Everyone has a story. It's just that not everyone gets the chance to tell it. I'm more curious about him. His eyes are filled with stories, yet his face bears none of life's weathering.

Looking at Ji Qinglin's back ahead of her, Yu Ye unconsciously sighed.

"Master, have you also had such unusual experiences in your life? Ouch!"

Before Yu Ye could finish her sentimentality, Ji Qinglin, who had no intention of answering directly, flicked her forehead with a finger.

"You haven't even been born yet, and you're sighing over life? Instead of wasting time, think about your own affairs."

That flick sent Yu Ye back to reality. Rubbing her head, she replied, "That's true. After all, the first trial you set was so difficult that I'm already a little afraid of your second round of testing."

Ji Qinglin pretended to be baffled.

"Second-round testing? Didn't I already test you in the car?"

Yu Ye was genuinely a little confused. Could it be that while she was unconscious, Master had done something to her? "In the car? When?"

"When you agreed to let me install this Cultivation Meridian Set for you, you had already passed the second round of testing."

"That was a test too?!"

"Not every test needs to be announced beforehand. The first round tested trust, while the second tested principles. Your choice showed that your principles aligned with mine, so naturally you passed."

"Then what about the third round?"

"Are you addicted to tests or something? Aren't two rounds enough?"

Yu Ye stopped walking. Bangkok's nightscape lent an added touch of illusion to the jade-faced girl's bewildered expression.

"So?"

Ji Qinglin turned around.

"So from this moment on, you are officially my, Ji Qinglin's, disciple. From now on, master and disciple, you and I are of one lineage."

"It's... it's that simple?"

"What? When people where you come from take on a master, do they need a matchmaker, a go-between, and betrothal gifts?"

"Uh, no. It's just that this disciple has never taken a master before, so I don't really understand the procedures."

Crazy Night: Don't you just kowtow together a few times, say something about wishing to die in the same year, month, and day, then bow to each other as husband and wife or something?

Yu Ye: Are you serious?

Ji Qinglin looked at Yu Ye and smiled. "There's no need to make it so complicated. So long as you can sincerely call me 'Master,' I will acknowledge you as my disciple."

Realizing that Ji Qinglin had seen through how her calls of "Master" these past few days had all been against her true feelings, Yu Ye smiled awkwardly. Then she stepped back and bowed deeply. "Master above, this disciple Yu Ye offers her respects."

Unlike the day before, when she had helplessly surrendered under Ji Qinglin's tyrannical might, this time Yu Ye truly wanted to try entering his school.

Ji Qinglin had originally prepared for both possibilities. Under the pretense of accepting a disciple, he wanted to see exactly how Yu Ye knew about matters of the Old Era; taking her as a disciple had been secondary. However, since he was temporarily unable to cultivate, if she was truly suitable, taking her as a disciple and helping her cultivate could also let her handle quite a few matters for him.

But after this incident, Ji Qinglin truly found himself a little more favorable toward this girl who dared to think and act, and possessed capital capable of toppling kingdoms and ruining nations.

Helping Yu Ye up, he lightly patted her fragrant shoulder. "I told you, there's no need for these vulgar formalities. Today calls for celebration. I'll take you to sample Emerald Cloud Peak's food and wine."

Though this was clearly a modern city, in order to cater to the cultivation trend, many high-rise restaurants had adopted antique cultivation-style names.

Crazy Night: This time, we need to make sure they aren't putting it on our tab!

But just after Ji Qinglin said that, his phone rang again. The caller surprised him quite a bit.

"Hello, President. All right, I'll head over right away."

"Master, did something happen?"

"President Lei Qiong has invited me over. You'll come with me. The President treats me well, but such an invitation must mean something is up."

After saying that, Ji Qinglin added, "If he asks about today's itinerary?"

This time, Yu Ye did not hesitate in the slightest.

"During the day, Master taught cultivation techniques at the General Store. At night, Master brought his disciple to familiarize herself with the neighboring businesses on Xin Dong Street."

Crazy Night: That's criminal. Now you can just make up an alibi off the top of your head.

Before long, master and disciple arrived at Thunderclap Manor, located in the center of Xin Dong Street.

Though it stood in the most prime area of Xin Dong Street, it was unlike the surrounding buildings, which were covered in holographic projections and shimmered in illusory splendor.

Thunderclap Manor still retained its ancient simplicity on the outside—high walls, red tiles, layers upon layers. If not for the pair of mechanical lions placed before its gates, Ji Qinglin would have truly felt as if he had returned to the past.

Yu Ye asked curiously, "President Lei has unique tastes, but as the leader of Xin Dong Street, isn't this residence a little too low-key?"

"The President is nostalgic. The restaurant that used to stand here was where he made his fortune. Though he has many businesses now, he still lives here."

After speaking, Ji Qinglin walked over to the mechanical lion on the left side of the entrance and said to the solemn-looking male lion, "Ji Qinglin has come to pay respects to the President."

The lion's eyes lit up. Its head turned, and it unexpectedly came alive, leaping down from its stone pedestal like a real lion and leading the way.

Yu Ye watched with great interest. "Very intelligent."

"Actually, it's ordinary. If it were truly intelligent, who would have it guard their home? Speaking of which, I should remind you: be more cautious when you see intelligent machines in Bangkok. Some of their cultivation is truly not low."

Yu Ye knew this much. Intelligent machines with self-awareness could cultivate as well.

Moreover, without the concerns of a fleshly body, at certain stages, their cultivation could even advance faster than that of humans.

Master and disciple followed the mechanical lion into Thunderclap Manor, turning several corners along the corridor before arriving at a side chamber in the inner courtyard.

The moment Ji Qinglin entered, he saw steaming dishes on a small sandalwood table. President Lei Qiong, dressed in casual short garments, sat at the table drinking wine, while the golden dragon on his Mechanical Arm was not as dazzling as usual.

A long-haired man in white stood beside him. He was an unfamiliar face and was pouring wine for Lei Qiong.

Though Ji Qinglin did not know him, he saw that the man also wore a Positioning Restraint Ring around his neck.

"Oh? Qinglin, you came quite quickly. Sit."

Ji Qinglin nodded and sat opposite him. Yu Ye stood behind her master, looking every inch the obedient disciple, though the lace choker around her neck seemed somewhat strange.

"What a feast. President, are you afraid I won't be able to afford raising a disciple?"

"Quit your glib tongue, kid. I called you over because there's something I want to discuss with you. Come, drink this cup first. You haven't come to see me in quite some time."

Ji Qinglin raised his cup in a toast and drained it in one gulp, already weighing things in his heart. Discuss something with him? It was true that the President had a good relationship with him, but not so good that he would discuss the chamber of commerce's affairs with him. That meant it concerned his General Store.

Ji Qinglin vaguely felt that this was not a good sign.

Lei Qiong drained his cup and set it down, speaking bluntly. "Qinglin, I want to discuss handing your shop over to the chamber of commerce. What do you think?"

Ji Qinglin thought to himself, It seems this meal won't come cheap.

Yu Ye: Why is this President also...

Crazy Night: It's over. The two people and one bird will all have to wander the streets. Does Bangkok have a Beggars' Sect?