Say That About My Master Again

It had to be said that the Layered Shadow Soul Chasing Step was indeed difficult to learn. One had to perfectly coordinate their grasp of the meridians and acupoints with their footwork to achieve that ghostlike effect.

It was not until dawn was beginning to break that Ji Qinglin finally grasped the essentials of the move. He had originally wanted to practice a little longer, but discovered that more than half the data he had absorbed from the Sea of Data had already been used up.

Besides, his ghostlike leaps back and forth at the courtyard entrance had already frightened several waves of Old City residents out for their morning exercises.

Having not slept the day before, then trained through the entire night, Ji Qinglin—who had been exhausted for two days—returned to the second-hand bedroom and made up for it with a proper sleep. By the time he woke, it was already the following afternoon.

After waking up, he casually ate a few bites before continuing to absorb the Sea of Data's power. As expected, his absorption speed this time was much faster than before.

Once his strength had recovered, Ji Qinglin thoroughly searched the house again. He even moved the medical pod into the courtyard, poured out the soil inside, and carefully inspected it. Only after confirming there were no clues whatsoever did he begin packing to leave.

Ji Qinglin had originally planned to stay here a while longer, but what had happened yesterday made him feel that he should lie low for now. If that Red-Eyed Girl called Qian Feng really was some heinous criminal, or if the company caught her and she spilled the beans about him, things would become rather troublesome.

Besides, the more he thought about leaving little Yu Ye home alone to guard the place, the less at ease he felt.

And since he could scan cultivation techniques and learn them, Bangkok had far more high-level techniques than this place. Going back to learn there would yield better results.

Thus, Ji Qinglin bought an old tricycle from a nearby vendor and loaded most of the "study materials" from the bookshelf onto it. These were the only clues he possessed; naturally, he could not feel at ease leaving them here.

Once everything was packed, Ji Qinglin did not hurry off. Instead, he waited until night had fully fallen before secretly wheeling the Night Owl 750 out of the West Wing and filling it with gas.

Getting back to the city was one thing, but if he flaunted his wealth here, by the time he came back next time, perhaps not even this door would remain.

The battered tricycle was hitched behind the brand-new Night Owl 750. It looked like a stunning girl in black silk stockings carrying a ragged garbage sack stuffed with plastic bottles—the image could not have been more jarring.

But to bring these things back, he had no choice but to resort to this expedient.

Ji Qinglin swung himself onto it and twisted the throttle.

Vroooom—

The Night Owl 750's first engine roar was not the least bit coy; it was full of confidence.

Vroom—

As Ji Qinglin released the clutch, the Night Owl 750 finally shot forward. Since it was towing a tricycle full of things behind it, Ji Qinglin kept his speed low, but he could still feel that powerful force surging beneath him, as though he were riding a magnificent stallion.

The Coal Boss, nearly unable to stay on his feet, could only choose to follow through the air.

Before long, Ji Qinglin rode this five-wheeled vehicle into Xin Dong Street. Knowing that this combination was far too eye-catching, he avoided nearly every crowded area.

Before reaching the alley, Ji Qinglin shut off the engine and got down in advance. He had not told Yu Ye he was coming back, and this surprise inspection was also meant to see whether the little girl had been training diligently while home alone.

After separating the tricycle from the Night Owl 750 and parking them to one side, the Coal Boss silently landed on Ji Qinglin's shoulder. One man and two birds slowly approached Ji's General Store, whose lights were still on and whose door remained open.

From the side, the furnishings inside appeared completely normal. It seemed Shopkeeper Yu had not made a move these past two days; otherwise, the defensive system inside would surely have wrecked the store quite badly.

Then he saw two figures moving about inside, and could faintly hear voices.

Just as he was about to press his ear close and eavesdrop, a figure flew out of Ji's General Store, startling Ji Qinglin, who was crouched against the base of the wall. Were everyone's movement techniques this incredible now? Arriving in the blink of an eye?

But when he looked up, he discovered that the person who had flown out was horizontal.

Sensing something was off, Ji Qinglin instinctively retreated into the shadows.

Thud—

The flying person slammed straight into the wall across the alley. From the sound, the fall had been solid, but he did not lose consciousness from the blow. He turned over, pushed himself up with one hand, though he was still grimacing in pain, and rubbed his lower abdomen. "Miss Yu Ye, you really hit me?"

The voice sounded rather familiar. Ji Qinglin scrutinized him carefully from the darkness.

Wasn't that Ji Congliang? He had changed clothes and flown out too fast, so Ji Qinglin had nearly failed to recognize him. They had not met for two days—how had he become this pathetic? Had Yu Ye sent him flying?

Then Yu Ye walked out of the General Store. Her blue tracksuit hugged the curves of her body, and she wore a baseball cap, with her small ponytail slipping out from the back. She looked youthful and capable.

As she rolled her right wrist, she replied,

"Say that about my Master again. Go on, try it."

"Cough, cough. Miss Yu Ye, but what I said was the truth."

Originally, President Lei Qiong had intended to send an experienced member of the chamber of commerce to guide Yu Ye's cultivation. Ji Congliang, who had long harbored designs on Yu Ye, volunteered himself. Considering that he and Yu Ye had met before and would not be strangers, the president sent him over.

But Yu Ye had not had a good impression of this man. After all, he had stared at her for a whole hour that day. Still, since it was the president's kind intention, it would not be appropriate for her to refuse.

During the day, Ji Congliang heaped every kind of praise upon Yu Ye until she was sick of hearing it. Crazy Night had even suggested knocking him out with a hammer and telling him, once he woke up, that he had overworked himself.

Considering that he was, after all, the disciple of another chamber elder, Yu Ye worried that if her Master came back and found that she had ruined the relationship, it would be difficult to smooth things over. So she had kept enduring it.

When Ji Congliang saw that flattery did not work, he changed tactics and began boasting that Elder Yu Ji Zi of Purple Dragon Peak had abundant cultivation resources. Ji Qinglin, on the other hand, did not even have a high-level Cultivation Suit, and was truly holding back her future. Why not abandon darkness and turn toward the light with him, and so on and so forth.

Yu Ye found it amusing. If Master hadn't told me before leaving not to reveal that I'd already had a Grade A Meridians set installed, I'd show it off and scare you to death.

Then Ji Congliang's words became increasingly excessive. Yu Ye thought that was perfect—she could teach him a lesson in the name of defending her Master's honor. Ji Congliang had not expected Yu Ye to strike without the slightest hesitation. Before he could react, a Mountain-Pushing Palm sent him flying.

Seeing that Ji Congliang was still being stubborn, Yu Ye clenched both fists. "What truth?"

"Elder Ji Qinglin, he—"

Halfway through his sentence, Ji Congliang caught sight of Ji Qinglin himself standing in the darkness. He immediately changed his tune.

"Although Elder Ji Qinglin's strength may not rank among the very best in the chamber of commerce, his appearance, character, and wisdom are all superior among the superior. Otherwise, he would not have become a chamber elder at such a young age. He surely cares for a disciple like Miss Yu Ye with meticulous devotion. He absolutely counts as a mainstay of the chamber of commerce, and Miss's benefactor who gave her a new life."

Hearing Ji Congliang suddenly switch tunes and deliver such a long string of praise for her Master, Yu Ye found it somewhat strange. She assumed that the palm strike had frightened him. Listening to his bootlicking, she waved a hand to stop him.

"Enough. The more you boast, the more outrageous it gets. My Master is very good, but he isn't some god. Be a little more realistic when you speak."

The moment her words fell, a familiar voice sounded from behind Yu Ye. "Oh? Then tell me—what would count as being realistic?"