HPMC Chapter 7

　　Inside Minghua Mansion.

　　Ming Yuan was smiling as he spoke with his new disciple when he suddenly heard the demon spirit relaying the news. His teacup fell to the ground with a sharp crack.

　　His expression was strained, “You mean Tianze… took in a servant?”

　　The new disciple was puzzled. It was just a servant; why did his master look so displeased? Although he hadn’t interacted much with his senior brother, he knew that now that his senior brother had moved out and established his own mansion, it was perfectly normal for him to have several servants. While most cultivators nowadays preferred to command demon spirits, having demon spirits didn’t mean they didn’t need servants. He also knew that his senior brother deeply respected their master. Could a mere servant possibly hold a place in his senior brother’s heart above their master’s?

　　For a moment, he felt that his master was perhaps a little too… sensitive.

　　But since it was his master, the new disciple still advised, “If Master doesn’t understand, why not summon Senior Brother and ask him?”

　　He didn’t really believe it, but if Senior Brother came, he could see him more often, and if Senior Brother felt good about him, perhaps he could be of some help.

　　Ming Yuan quickly nodded, “Yes, Yiwei, you’re right…” He then instructed the demon spirit, “Go to Tianze and invite him here. Tell him… tell him that Master misses him and wants to see him.” Upon hearing this, the new disciple, Sun Yiwei, looked even stranger.

　　Was his master too dependent on Senior Brother? For a master to say such things to a disciple… it was really not very respectful.

　　Thinking about it, he had heard that his master’s aptitude wasn’t great, and that his cultivation was all nurtured by Senior Brother searching for rare and precious materials. Perhaps it was because his master had earnestly persuaded him to stay, and Senior Brother respected his master, that he had remained. Now that his senior brother has specifically named him, Sun Yiwei, as their master’s disciple, is it also because he wants him to share some of the burden? If so, he will take good care of their master. If he does well, perhaps his senior brother will reward him. Moreover, their master might also possess some excellent cultivation techniques that his senior brother has found, which he could then try to acquire…

　　Over there, Ming Yuan watched the demon spirit leave the cave to deliver a message, feeling somewhat anxious and uneasy. The new disciple Yiwei didn’t understand, but he himself knew very well. His disciple, Yu Tianze, had always been very strange. Even he, as their master, rarely had any physical contact with him. When the two of them were together, it was usually only in his territory, and he didn’t allow anyone else to enter. Now, suddenly, a servant had come and carried him away… What was going on?

　　He couldn’t shake off this feeling.

　　On the other side, Yu Tianze, carrying Mu Zirun, quickly returned to his peak. He didn’t know how many people’s jaws he had knocked off along the way, and even if he did, he wouldn’t care. The light of his escape landed in front of his Thunderfire Hall. Yu Tianze led him directly into the hall, and after passing through several long corridors, they entered a natural spiritual spring in the center of the hall.

　　This spring water was a hot spring, which he had drawn into the hall and used as his usual bathing place. Yu Tianze moved swiftly, tearing off Mu Zirun’s tattered clothes in a few swift movements, and then threw him into the spring water, splashing a large spray, “Wash your bones first.”

　　Mu Zirun’s smile was a little stiff. He could tell that Yu Tianze was quick-witted and straightforward, but he didn’t expect him to be this straightforward… Before he could react, he was already naked. In both his lives combined, even in the hardships of his childhood in his previous life, he had never been this disheveled… But, let’s just say it was concern.

　　After adjusting his mindset, Mu Zirun naturally looked up, “Thank you, Peak Master.”

　　Yu Tianze was expressionless and casually tossed something in. Mu Zirun saw that it was a clean towel, and he couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

　　It seems that although this new “master” is sometimes a bit rough, he’s actually quite meticulous…right? Then he smiled slightly, “Zirun thanks Peak Master.”

　　Yu Tianze waved his hand and sat down to watch him bathe. Mu Zirun coughed lightly, picked up a towel, and began to wash himself little by little.

　　He washed very carefully because he had suffered too much as a child in his previous life, and after he struggled to gain some ability, he developed a slight obsession with cleanliness. But after transmigrating, as a low-level handyman disciple, he didn’t have such good conditions at all, and he was already extremely uncomfortable—he had been thinking of finding a mountain spring in the woods near the gate to bathe in a few days once he was familiar with the area. Being thrown into the pool this time made him feel very comfortable, and he couldn’t wait. Moreover, he hadn’t fully figured out Yu Tianze’s temper yet, so for now, he had to complete every order Yu Tianze gave him meticulously. Only in this way would the “boss” be satisfied with him, the “employee.”

　　After washing it clean, Mu Zirun took the robe that Yu Tianze tossed to him.

　　The fabric of the robe was incredibly fine to the touch; upon closer inspection, one could even see that there wasn’t a single seam—it was truly “seamless.” The subtle patterns and the dignified dark blue color clearly indicated that this wasn’t a cheap item.

　　Of course, it certainly didn’t look like the clothes worn by a servant.

　　But… wasn’t it a little too big?

　　Mu Zirun thought that perhaps Yu Tianze had suddenly decided to make him a servant, hence the lack of suitable clothing. His job was to ensure Yu Tianze wouldn’t regret it; a slightly larger robe was still a hundred times better than the previous one. Having been accustomed to luxury in his later life, Mu Zirun didn’t refuse and readily put on the robe. As soon as he put it on, the robe suddenly shrank, becoming perfectly fitted in an instant. He was somewhat surprised; was this actually a magical artifact?

　　The new “boss” is really generous; he’d better work even harder. Thinking this, Mu Zirun stood obediently, awaiting Yu Tianze’s next instructions.

　　Yu Tianze glanced at him, “Follow me.”

　　Mu Zirun followed obediently again. Soon, the two arrived at separate sleeping quarters.

　　Looking at the furnishings, Mu Zirun knew this was definitely not a place for him to live.

　　Sure enough, Yu Tianze pointed,  “You’ll live here.”

　　Mu Zirun turned his head and saw a small room, similar to a heated room, not far from the sleeping quarters. Although it was small, it was more than ten times larger and a hundred times more comfortable than his previous dilapidated room, which was worse than a woodshed. Especially since it was less than ten meters from Yu Tianze’s living quarters. Was this for his convenience in serving him?

　　Then, Yu Tianze began to instruct, “From today onwards, you’ll live here. You can start cultivating on your own. Take this.” He tossed over a jade talisman, “Crush it, and you’ll naturally see the cultivation method.” Was this some kind of pre-job training?

　　Mu Zirun replied respectfully, “Yes.”

　　Yu Tianze tossed him another storage bag, “You can use this as soon as you open it. For now, you can only use your hands to take and store things. Once you’ve mastered it, you can manipulate it freely with your divine sense. The sect will send you a monthly allowance through a disciple. I don’t need that; you can keep it for yourself.”

　　This should be his salary.

　　Mu Zirun continued respectfully, “Yes.”

　　Yu Tianze tossed another token over, “There’s a large formation on the mountain. Take this with you when you enter or leave, otherwise you’ll be attacked by the formation. I’ve already engraved your aura on it, but don’t lend it to anyone else, and don’t bring anyone up here. This token only recognizes your and my auras.”

　　This is like a pass and an ID card.

　　Mu Zirun remained respectful, “Yes.”

　　Yu Tianze’s expression suddenly turned cold. “There are three demon spirits at the foot of the mountain. You can have them buy whatever you need, but they are absolutely not allowed to enter above the mountainside. You can command them as you please, but you cannot trust them.”

　　Is this considered part of his duties?

　　Mu Zirun remained respectful, “Yes.”

　　Yu Tianze thought for a moment, “The command techniques are in the study. Other techniques, cultivation methods, and supernatural abilities are also included. If you need them, you can look them up yourself. Just be careful, if you activate them rashly before your cultivation is sufficient, it will affect you. If you don’t want to be turned into an idiot by the backlash, you must be cautious.”

　　This is a perk!

　　Mu Zirun remained respectful throughout, replying, “Yes.”

　　Yu Tianze seemed to have finished his instructions, turning away, “I’m going into seclusion. You can go by yourself.”

　　Mu Zirun’s expression was somewhat strange. He took a few steps forward and tugged at Yu Tianze’s sleeve, “Peak Master, wait.”

　　Yu Tianze turned back, frowning, “What is it?”

　　Mu Zirun coughed lightly, “…Peak Master, what should I do?”

　　From beginning to end, he was given various things and permissions, but the tasks expected of a servant… were completely ignored. Did this venerable one genuinely want him to be a servant? Mu Zirun, in both his past and present lives, believed that one must give to receive. Now, receiving without expecting anything in return made him uneasy.

　　This straightforward and blunt Peak Master didn’t seem like the cunning type to scheme for him to serve in the future; it was more like he’d been adopted or made a disciple. Was this a sudden act of kindness? Yu Tianze looked at Mu Zirun expressionlessly, remaining silent. For some reason, Mu Zirun suddenly felt somewhat embarrassed. This reaction is kind of cute…

　　Yu Tianze said sternly, “Take good care of Lei Huo Hall.” Then he paused, “…Prepare meals for me every day.”

　　Mu Zirun nodded solemnly, “Yes, I will not disappoint the Peak Master!”

　　Yu Tianze flicked his sleeve again, turned, and went into the room.

　　Mu Zirun watched his figure disappear before returning to his own small room.

　　Afterwards, he couldn’t help but laugh.

　　That’s right, this Peak Master is really quite adorable.

 

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Tn; Heyy. Let me know if you’d like me to include brief explanations of some/any of the terms. Feel free to point out any errors/corrections. Happy reading <3