Not Everyone Can Be My Student

Return countdown: 127:00:00.

Evening.

As night was about to fall.

The weather was clear, and the setting sun cast fiery clouds that stretched from afar over the Banshan Manor.

As Li Ke cleared the table, he said, "Sir, tonight my father will bring other people to perform the apprenticeship ceremony for you."

Qing Chen lay on the recliner, using the mysterious world of "Conquer by Virtue" to cultivate his spirit. He simply hummed in response and did not offer any further comment.

Ever since he discovered that the secret of the tunnel had been leaked, he hadn't felt at ease for a single moment, fearing that some monster might crawl out and kill him instantly.

If Li Ke hadn't come to cook, he would probably still be sitting on the steps at the entrance of the passageway.

Seeing that his teacher didn't seem to care about the matter, Li Ke didn't say anything more.

At this moment, a large group of people from the Banshan Manor were marching towards the Autumn Leaf Villa.

The leader was none other than Li Ke's father, who held the position of head of the Privy Council...

Li Yunshou.

Curious onlookers followed to observe, only to discover that several key staff officers from the Privy Council were also in the group.

In the procession, servants carried red visiting cards and tea sets.

Those who were watching were stunned. These were the items used in the old Li family tradition for the apprenticeship ceremony.

As the procession headed towards the Autumn Leaf Villa, could it be that the rising stars of the Li family were about to formally become disciples?

This is incredible! If Li Shu and the others become disciples, then that instructor's seniority will be on par with the second generation of the Li family, and he will be qualified to participate in family meetings!

However, the first thing Li Shu and the others did upon returning was to sign a confidentiality document at the Privy Council.

Why are you now making such a big fuss about becoming my disciple?

Some people were wondering what was going on.

Parents who used to let their children sleep in late are now filled with deep regret.

Before the procession reached Autumn Leaf Villa and before the matter was settled, someone hurried to the front of the procession and whispered to Li Yunshou, "Brother, I was confused before and let the child sleep in. Why don't you punish me? But you must include your nephew in the visiting card."

Li Yunshou glanced at the other party. "I gave you two days. If you had been even slightly more sincere in admitting your mistake, you wouldn't be here begging me for leniency. You still don't understand that the main person involved in this matter is that gentleman from the Autumn Leaf Villa, and it has nothing to do with me."

The man pleading for mercy said with a pained expression, "Brother, does the old man know how ungrateful you are to your brother?"

Li Yunshou stopped, and the entire group behind him also came to a halt.

This important figure from the Li family's Privy Council stared at his half-brother in front of him. "I was going to tell you tomorrow, but the old man wants you both to go to Baopu Tower to collect your whips. If I show favoritism today, I'll have to go collect my whips tomorrow too."

The whipping was a family rule, but the old man hadn't used it for over ten years, so much so that everyone had gradually forgotten about it.

The man pleading for mercy turned pale. He was now also a powerful figure in the Li family. Although he was not as prominent as Li Yunshou or Li Changqing, he still had his pride.

If I kneel in front of Baopu Tower and receive a whipping tomorrow, how can I face people afterward?

However, he knew very well that he couldn't escape.

The next moment, the group arrived at the gate of the Autumn Leaf Villa.

Li Yunshou knocked gently on the door. "Li Yunshou has brought members of the Li family to deliver a visiting card."

"Please come in."

Qing Chen's clear voice came from the Autumn Leaf Villa.

Li Yunshou went inside first. This was the first time he had seen Qing Chen. For some reason, he felt that the other party had a strange aura.

Despite the grand ceremony Li made for the apprenticeship, the young man before him remained completely unmoved.

Qing Chen also sized up the middle-aged man, only to find that he had sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, graying temples, and eyes that seemed to see right through people in the blink of an eye.

The other person walked with a powerful stride, suggesting they had likely served in the Federation Group Army.

Li Shu and the others followed into the Autumn Leaf Villa, but these elite soldiers were stunned when they saw the young man on the recliner.

They knew they had returned to become apprentices and learn orthodox cultivation methods, but they never expected that the master they were to become apprentices to would be so young!

This was the first time the master and his disciples had met. Before this, the Li family members who had returned from the army had signed a confidentiality agreement. They did not come to the Autumn Leaf Villa to see their master in private, nor did they inquire with anyone else. They just waited silently for the surprise that was about to arrive.

Unexpectedly, what awaited me was a surprise.

Li Shu is twenty-six years old this year. Among the elite troops in his group, the youngest is twenty-four years old.

And Qing Chen? They could tell at a glance that this master was probably not even twenty years old.

Moreover, this gentleman looks very tired. Is he really a practitioner?

Li Shu realized that his expression seemed a little off, and he also saw the doubt and questioning in the eyes of others, but he quickly reminded them with his eyes that he would have to become an apprentice sooner or later, and since they were already here, they shouldn't question anything.

Upon receiving Li Shu's reminder, everyone composed themselves.

At this moment, as soon as Li Yunshou entered Autumn Leaf Villa, he saw his son washing dishes and wiping the stove in the kitchen.

Many people had already gathered in the courtyard, but Li Ke acted as if he didn't see them, and washed another plate of winter peaches and put it on the stone table.

The 14-year-old boy was still thinking to himself that he had washed six winter peaches yesterday, and his teacher had eaten them all, which meant that his teacher liked to eat them.

Should we send some more to the husband? We need to make sure the daily supply doesn't run out.

Also, regarding the trees that need to be replaced next to the Autumn Leaf Villa, should we just replace them with winter peach varieties? They'd look beautiful when they bloom in spring...

But won't this attract some unwanted romantic attention to her husband?

Li Ke didn't care what others would think if they saw this scene; he was just doing what he wanted to do and what he should do, without any distractions.

However, this scene was different for Li Shu and the others. They knew that the old man liked Li Ke, and last year Li Ke had even represented the First Branch in the ancestral hall.

This proud son of the Li family was actually serving tea and water to others.

Li Shu and the others calmed down a bit, knowing that there must be a reason behind this.

At this moment, Li Yunshou gave his son a deep look, then turned back to look at the large crowd behind him. "Disperse, those who are supposed to come in, come in; those who are supposed to leave, leave. Close the door."

Upon hearing this, only the Twenty-Two who wanted to become disciples and Li Changshou himself remained in the Autumn Leaf Villa.

Li Yunshou looked at Qing Chen: "Although I am older than you, we are now of the same generation after they became disciples. I won't stand on ceremony with you, please sit down."

Qing Chen glanced at the recliner next to him.

At this moment, Li Ke actually came out of the kitchen with a rag and carefully wiped the recliner.

Then he stood to the side and said, "Master, please sit down."

Li Yunshou watched this scene, seemingly lost in thought. After a moment, he said, "According to the Li family's rules for apprenticeship, from now on, you will be invited to attend all family meetings, large and small. You can offer your suggestions, Privy Council will seriously consider. In addition, according to the old rules, all disciples must perform the three kowtows and nine prostrations ceremony to you, offering tea as a sign of their respect."

When the topic of three kowtows and nine prostrations came up, Li Ke's classmates didn't seem to understand, but Li Shu and the others exchanged a silent glance once again.

Nan Gengchen hid in the back, thinking to himself that he was completely stunned by Brother Chen's super seniority combo. If everyone else was kneeling, wouldn't he be kneeling too...?

But the people who found it hardest to accept it were not these people, but Qing Yi...

Qing Yi had absolutely no desire to cultivate, because he knew that one of his ancestors was an ancestor whose wisdom was unparalleled and who disdained becoming Awakened.

Ultimately, as an ordinary person, he participated in the rise and fall of the second era of human civilization and made a tremendous contribution.

He greatly admired his ancestor, Qing Zhen, and wanted to emulate him.

The problem is, after he came to the Banshan Manor, he was not only forced to learn martial arts, but now he is being forced to kowtow and become an apprentice.

Of course, he could choose not to worship, but when Qing Yi thought about the increase in martial arts power that Li Ke would gain after practicing, he felt a sense of worry about his future.

However, Qing Chen said with a smile, "Don't kneel down yet. I know some of you are not convinced, but that's okay. I can teach you first, and we can talk about becoming disciples after you are convinced."

The group of people who wanted to become Li's disciples looked at each other in bewilderment. It was Li Shu who spoke first, saying, "Sir, we have no other intentions. The apprenticeship ceremony is what we should do."

As he spoke, Li Shu took the visiting card from the side and stepped forward.

Li Yunshou explained from the side, "Once you accept their visiting cards and their three kowtows and nine prostrations, you must teach them real skills, and they must treat you like their own father. If they ever violate this rule, the Privy Council will punish them. This is the foundation of order within the Li family, so you don't need to worry."

Qing Chen smiled and said, "Li Ke, burn the apprenticeship certificate as well. I am only here to teach and enlighten you because I was entrusted to do so. There is no need to bind you with any rules. As I said before, if one day you feel that I am qualified to be your master, it is not too late to become your apprentice."

Qing Chen was well aware that these young people came to him with something in mind; however, he was simply too young, too young to be easily trusted.

Li Shu and the others were very well-mannered and intelligent. The Li family also promised that if they met on the battlefield in the future, these students would keep their distance.

But Qing Chen didn't think that a formal letter of invitation or a master-disciple relationship could really protect anything.

The last person to say "retreat three she" on the battlefield was Duke Wen of Jin.

Duke Wen of Jin initially avoided the state of Chu, but soon after, he crippled Chu, consuming its grain, killing its people, and seizing its land...

Therefore, there is no such thing as retreating on the battlefield. If the positions are different, victory or defeat and life or death should be determined.

Qing Chen didn't care about any of that. In his view, the old man gave him the cultivation method, and he helped the old man teach some orthodox cultivators of the Li family. It was that simple.

This is a deal.

"Furthermore," Qing Chen added, "Not just anyone can be my apprentice."

Now, Li Shu and the others looked at each other in bewilderment once again. It wasn't a question of whether they wanted to worship or not; it was that the other party didn't want to accept their worship!

You have to understand that they are rising stars of the Li family. I doubt anyone in the entire Federation would say such a thing.

The last person in the Li family to say something like that, refusing countless promising young men to become his apprentices, seems to have been their Uncle Qi Li Shutong.

I wonder what gives this young man his confidence?

Li Yunshou carefully examined Qing Chen.

The fact that twelve elite soldiers from the Li Clan's army, along with the best students from the Li Clan Academy, all became disciples together signifies something. In twenty years, Qing Chen will not only enjoy a very high reputation within the Li Clan, but even within the Federation, as long as one doesn't oppose the Li Clan, one can absolutely roam freely.

Whenever he needs help, Li Shu and the others will always help, whether out of gratitude for the cultivation method or out of consideration for their master-disciple relationship.

However, the boy in front of him didn't seem to care about that.

A person must have enough confidence to resist a great temptation, so where does this young man's confidence come from?

Or perhaps it's because they're too young, arrogant, and haven't figured out the pros and cons?

But Li Yunshou was no ordinary person; he chose to believe that the young man had enough confidence.

Although he didn't know what gave him that confidence.

The old man never explained it clearly.

Li Yunshou pondered for a moment and said, "How about this: we'll continue to claim publicly that the apprenticeship ceremony has already taken place. This will make things easier for you within the Li family. As for whether these young people are truly sincere about becoming apprentices in the future, that's their own choice."

"Okay," Qing Chen said with a smile.

What pleased him most tonight was that although Li Shu and the others were surprised by his age, they still respectfully presented him with their apprenticeship certificate. Although Li Yunshou did not understand his choice, he did not treat him as a fool.

There are no fools in the Autumn Leaf Villa right now, so teaching them should be much easier.

The happiest person in this whole affair was Qing Yi, who no longer had to kowtow...

Qing Chen looked at Li Yunshou: "If there's nothing else, please leave. The rest of you, stay and begin your cultivation."

"Starting today?" Li Yunshou was genuinely surprised this time.

"Yes, let's start today," Qing Chen smiled. "Time is precious."

After a moment of contemplation, Li Yunshou took his leave, saying, "Alright, I'll take my men back now. From now on, apart from these people, no one will disturb Mr. Qing's peace and quiet."

"By the way," Qing Chen said, "I hope that the news of taking on disciples will not spread Banshan Manor for the time being."

"Alright," Li Yunshou nodded, "I can guarantee that. In fact, the Banshan Manor will be under martial law starting tonight."

At this very moment, the defenses outside the Banshan Manor were rotated again. Li Yunshou's elite troops, the 081 Garrison Brigade of the Federal First Group Army, had completely taken over the defense of the entire Banshan Manor.

From this moment on, apart from a few people who could still enter and leave the manor, everyone else was practically under house arrest within the manor.

Moreover, the 081 Garrison Brigade also brought in more than ten "strategic information vehicles." From that moment on, all messages sent out from the Banshan Manor and all phone calls made were under constant surveillance.

This time, the level of martial law is higher than ever before.

The high-ranking officials and nobles throughout the Upper Third District all sensed something unusual.

After Li Yunshou left, Qing Chen looked at Li Shu and the others and said, "Sit cross-legged on the ground, I will begin to teach you the methods of cultivation."

Li Shu and the others were stunned; this was too direct.

The gentleman shouldn't start by saying something like, "Five major points" or "Three minor points."

"Sir, you should say something, otherwise we feel something is amiss," Li Shu said.

Qing Chen thought for a moment, "Before I approve of you, don't say you're my student in public."

Li Shu and the others almost vomited blood. They came to become his disciples but found him too young, so they didn't say anything. Now, however Qing Chen was looking down on them.

But for some reason, the more Qing Chen acted this way, the more curious they became about what he was going to teach and how skilled Qing Chen was.

The age that people questioned earlier doesn't seem to be an issue anymore.

On the contrary, the younger Qing Chen was, the more they felt that Qing Chen might be a prodigy.

Qing Chen didn't waste any more words and directly used his Breathing Technique to bring everyone into a state of stillness one by one.

Easy and convenient.

Someone had just entered a meditative state when they were startled awake again. "Sir, I can feel the presence of Qi!"

Qing Chen didn't blame him, but simply brought the other person back into a meditative state and said, "Don't make a fuss, seriously use your Qi to impact the Shen Ting acupoint."

Li Shu watched as his companions entered meditation one by one, and wondered to himself, is cultivation really that simple?

They had heard of the orthodox methods of cultivation, which supposedly required several years of arduous practice of useless things before one could begin true cultivation, and then wait another six months before one could sense the existence of Qi.

However, it seems that my husband's method of cultivation skips many steps and leads directly to the Great Dao.

Li Shu watched as Qing Chen bent down to take the pulse, and one of the students immediately entered a meditative state. Then Qing Chen got up and took the pulse of the next student, who was also immediately brought into a meditative state.

The sacred and orthodox methods of spiritual practice have been turned into a mere assembly line operation by my husband, much like a farm manager checking piglets for illness.

That's too informal...

"Sir," Li Shu asked, suppressing his surprise, "Can one cultivate and generate Qi directly?"

Qing Chen thought for a moment and asked in return, "Otherwise what?"

"However, many spiritual organizations require their disciples to first hone their physical abilities..."

"That's just a hoax," Qing Chen explained patiently. "They just want to use physical training as a means to increase your respect and sense of belonging to the organization. There's no need to do all that nonsense."

If he were to teach like other cultivation organizations, Qing Chen would have to spend several more years at the Li family before seeing results. Where would he find that much time?

His time is very precious!

Soon, Li Shu was also drawn into a meditative state, feeling the 'qi' and the surprise in his heart.

Upon seeing Qing Chen approach, Qing Yi suddenly asked with surprise and doubt, "Are you willing to teach me this orthodox cultivation method?"

"You are also my student, why don't you teach me?" Qing Chen said, placing his slender fingers on Qing Yi's pulse.

Qing Yi felt his breathing rate suddenly change and involuntarily closed his eyes.

But he couldn't understand it. Could it be that Li Ke's beating of him was really not at the instruction of this teacher?

Otherwise, why would the other party be so kind as to teach me the orthodox methods of cultivation?

This is the orthodox method of cultivation!

Lost in thought, Qing Yi unexpectedly fell out of his meditative state.

But Qing Chen gently guided him back into a meditative state, patiently instructing him, "Don't let your mind wander."

For a moment, Qing Yi's feelings became complicated.

The chapter is 5,000 words long. 10,000 words have been updated today. I've Huan Yu one update, and I still owe him two updates.

Thank you to Nine Hundred Million Girls' Dream, jkzz, and Flying Bajie for becoming new allies of this book. You are all very generous. I wish you all good luck in playing games and that you won't encounter any bad teammates.