HPMC Chapter 28

Bonus chapter (3/5)

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Mu Zirun knelt down obediently, performing the three kneelings and nine kowtows, and respectfully called out, “Master.”

Yu Tianze took the tea offered to him, took a sip, and covered the corner of his slightly upturned lips. He quickly put on a stern face and began to lecture: “From today onwards, you are my only personal disciple.”

Mu Zirun was stunned again. The only one?

Yu Tianze added expressionlessly, “If you die, I’ll find another one.”

Mu Zirun replied, “…This disciple will definitely not die young.”

Yu Tianze nodded: “Very good.”

The lecture was over. Then, he pulled up his newly appointed disciple and felt that although the little brat had grown up, he was still very obedient, which suited his taste. Mu Zirun stood up with the force of the pull and breathed a sigh of relief. It had been a huge risk, but now that everything had settled, he was even happier.

This new master did not disappoint him, and he had said he was the “only disciple”… If that were true, Mu Zirun would definitely repay him with all his might. In his past life, he had no one who truly cared for him and lived a lonely life. In this life, the path of cultivation was long, and he rarely had time to interact with others. This master was the most lovable person he had ever met. If the master and disciple got along well, he wouldn’t hesitate to give up a system artifact eventually.

He decided he should do his best to bring his master more benefits before the system left. Because of Yu Tianze’s trust, Mu Zirun bowed happily after becoming his disciple: “I haven’t yet congratulated Master on your great progress in cultivation.” This increased aura, besides the possibility of him being about to explode, was most likely due to a breakthrough. Since he hadn’t exploded yet, it could only be the latter.

Mu Zirun thought about it; before his seclusion, his new master had already been in the late Nascent Soul stage. Now that he had broken through, wasn’t he a master in the Soul Transformation stage? As his disciple, he really should congratulate him.

Yu Tianze snorted coldly: “You must not slack off either.”

Mu Zirun replied, “Yes.”

The master and apprentice exchanged a glance. Mu Zirun thought for a moment and then said, “Master has been working hard in seclusion. This disciple will go and prepare a meal for Master?”

Yu Tianze glanced at him: “Why didn’t you prepare it earlier?”

Mu Zirun replied, “It was my oversight.”

Yu Tianze snorted again, “Hurry up and go!”

Mu Zirun silently stepped back: “Yes, Master.”

Yu Tianze watched Mu Zirun’s retreating figure, flicked his sleeve, and walked towards the stone table under the shade of the tree. He enjoyed the flowers, drank his tea, and waited for someone to cook. He was in a pretty good mood.

Meanwhile, Mu Zirun hurriedly went to the kitchen to prepare the meal, somewhat bewildered. His new master’s subsequent reaction seemed to be that he was angry, but Mu Zirun didn’t think he was truly upset. Well, actually, he felt a bit rebellious and thought the other party was just sulking, right…?

Thinking this way seemed a bit disrespectful to one’s teacher. He knew he should follow the ancient idea of “a teacher for a day is a father for life,” but this new master looked to be only in his early twenties. How could he, an old man in his forties from two lifetimes combined, treat him as a father? To be honest, it felt more like he was treating a younger brother.

Regardless of what their relationship felt like, the master-disciple bond was equivalent to family in this world. He used to be patient with his new master because the man was genuine and like a friend, but now he felt he could value him even more. If Yu Tianze did not betray him, he would not betray him either. With this in mind, Mu Zirun put in all his effort to prepare a celebration meal.

While waiting for the food, Yu Tianze thought about Mu Zirun’s current state and felt quite satisfied. He decided that since he had accepted him as his personal disciple, he would take him to the main sect’s management office to register and receive his disciple’s token. Also, if there was a monthly allowance, he couldn’t let it go to waste.

In addition, he needed to buy pills, herbs, clothes, and other items for the little brat—no, he should call him “Zirun” now. As Yu Tianze’s personal disciple, the boy couldn’t be so shabby! He also needed to prepare magical artifacts, protective talismans, and magic arrays.

Yu Tianze silently calculated in his mind and took stock of his belongings. Basically, it was still enough; at least it wouldn’t be difficult to help Zirun reach the Golden Core stage. Besides, that guy had had his own fortuitous encounter, so he probably knew exactly what he needed. Yu would just have to pay with spirit stones when the time came.

After becoming master and disciple, Yu Tianze and Mu Zirun became much closer to each other, and the distance between them, which was previously that of a peak master and a servant, became very small. Mu Zirun still served Yu Tianze meals, but while this service was once a form of flattery, it was now genuine care.

Yu Tianze was increasingly satisfied. After finishing the delicious food on the table, he wiped his mouth with a blank face and said, “Come with me.”

Mu Zirun put away the bowls and chopsticks, then stood up: “Master, where are we going?” The tone was more casual than before, or perhaps more intimate.

Yu Tianze glanced at him: “Go register your identity.”

Although he no longer cared about his former master, he now had another disciple to teach. At this moment, the displeasure and resentment he had felt after his rebirth finally dissipated completely. From then on, the master and disciple would go far on the path to immortality!

The Disciple Management Office of the Zhenggang Immortal Sect, also known as the Hall of Affairs, was where elders and many stewards were stationed year-round to handle affairs for the disciples. Whether it was distributing allowances or assigning tasks, they managed it all. Naturally, the profits there were substantial, and there were often loopholes to exploit.

When Yu Tianze brought Mu Zirun over, he saw a Foundation Establishment disciple who was so angry that his face had turned red, yet he still had to take a cloth bag from a steward who was looking at him with contempt. Inside that cloth bag was undoubtedly his allowance, but a considerable amount had clearly been withheld. Unfortunately, that disciple had no powerful backing. No wonder the steward was so brazen.

There wasn’t just one window in the hall, so the master and apprentice went to an empty one. Normally, cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage or above wouldn’t come to collect their allowance themselves, as it would be embarrassing. They would send disciples or servants. When managers found out it was a Nascent Soul cultivator’s allowance, they wouldn’t dare deduct anything. Mu Zirun consciously went to deal with the person on behalf of his master.

The manager looked like a seasoned veteran. Upon seeing Mu Zirun, a stranger in the Foundation Establishment stage, he first put on a stern face and was about to speak haughtily.

Mu Zirun interrupted him abruptly: “This lowly one is collecting the monthly allowance on behalf of my master, Yu Tianze, a Soul Transformation stage cultivator.”

If he let this guy speak first, he would inevitably have to go through the process of “being scolded, refuting, and revealing identity, and the other party begging for mercy.” His Master had little patience, so it was best not to keep him waiting. The old fox had his words stuck in his throat, but his reaction was quick. He hurriedly flipped through his books, found Yu Tianze’s name, and then raised his eyes: “Isn’t Master Yu a Nascent Soul cultivator?”

Mu Zirun respectfully cupped his hands: “Master has broken through.”

The old fox raised an eyebrow: “As far as I know, Master Yu has not taken any disciples, only a lowly servant…”

Mu Zirun’s attitude became more composed: “When I came here, I was indeed a servant, but my master said that once I successfully established my foundation, he would accept me as his disciple. Now, I have already emerged from seclusion.”

The veteran checked the points and found them reasonable, so he didn’t dare do anything shady. He certainly didn’t dare to provoke a powerful cultivator who had transitioned from Nascent Soul to the Divine Realm in just five years. Immediately, he prepared the monthly allowance for the previous five years and the current month’s allowance for a Soul Transformation cultivator, putting them all into a storage bag.

“Young man, it is truly a great blessing to be Senior Yu’s disciple,” the steward said eagerly. “Please count it and see?”

Mu Zirun checked it with his divine sense and nodded: “Not a single one is missing.”

The old fox chuckled, then pulled a mid-grade spirit stone from his sleeve and stuffed it into Mu Zirun’s hand: “This is for you to buy some wine, young man.” Mu Zirun accepted it. The old fox then stuffed another bag over: “Senior Yu has broken through; this is a small gift from this humble old man. Please pass it on to him…”

Mu Zirun raised an eyebrow, then said, “I will certainly inform my master.”

The old hand was relieved and said warmly, “Take care, young man.”

Mu Zirun turned around and walked quickly toward his master. As the old fox watched him go, he saw a dignified purple-robed cultivator not far away, eyes flashing seemingly with lightning. He shuddered, glad he hadn’t made things difficult. Meanwhile, Yu Tianze watched coldly as his disciple chattered with the steward, feeling a bit irritated. Just as his patience was about to run out, Mu Zirun returned.

Yu Tianze frowned: “Dawdling.”

Mu Zirun smiled: “Yes, yes.” He handed over the bag. “This is what the steward presented to Master.” He then showed the mid-grade spirit stone. “This is to bribe the disciples. Master’s reputation is indeed extraordinary.”

Yu Tianze’s expression was cold: “Why bother with him? He’s just a petty person!”

Mu Zirun nodded: “He is indeed a petty person, but ‘even a minor demon is hard to deal with.’ It’s good to put his mind at ease by taking it.”

Yu Tianze replied, “Hmph, you’re so clever.”

Mu Zirun added, “Yes, yes, Master is right.”

Then Yu Tianze turned his head: “Come in with me to receive your disciple’s token.” He led Mu Zirun to the main entrance of the Hall of Affairs, and the two of them went inside together.

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Note: I’ve noticed that the text says that Tianze was stabilizing his realm, but it also states that he has broken through. I’ll edit this once I’veconfirmed the exact situation. For now however, Tianze is at thhe Soul Transformation Stage (which may also be referred to as the Deity Transformation stage)

Thank you for reading<3

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