A Master’s Hidden Price

Chapter 212: Clarity

The chance to be taken as a disciple by a Core Formation cultivator was, by any rational measure, a dream come true for any low-level practitioner. But Han Li, after his initial shock, instinctively sensed something wrong.

With his talent and his cultivation method, there was simply no way such a windfall would land on him. As for the excuse of rewarding him for his great service to Yellow Maple Valley—Han Li did not believe a word of it. If the Ancestral Master had won his bet and, in a moment of enthusiasm, accepted him as a reward for his contribution, that would at least carry some sincerity. But he had lost, thoroughly, and still wanted to take him as a disciple. That was far more suspicious.

Countless thoughts raced through Han Li’s mind. Meanwhile, Ancestral Master Li was growing impatient.

When he had announced his intention to accept Han Li as a disciple, he had expected the boy to be overjoyed and accept immediately. Instead, Han Li stood rooted to the spot, frozen with surprise, making no move to reply. This irritated him slightly.

But on the surface, Ancestral Master Li naturally maintained the bearing of a senior. In a flat tone, he added:

“Han Li, if you do not wish to become my disciple, you have only to say so. I will not force you. Instead, I can gift you a few magic tools as compensation.”

Han Li understood immediately. The words sounded generous, but the meaning was clear: refusing would earn the man’s displeasure. He did not need to think hard to imagine the consequences of offending a Core Formation Ancestral Master. And for a mere Qi Condensation disciple to reject a Core Formation cultivator’s offer of discipleship—that would be too unusual to escape scrutiny. Refusing would likely invite even greater trouble.

He grit his teeth. Whatever the man’s true intentions, he would get through this immediate crisis first. In any case, even if he refused, there was no way the outcome would be good.

“To be accepted into your tutelage, Ancestral Master—of course I am willing! It is my honor. I was simply too stunned with joy just now. I forgot to speak. Please forgive me, Ancestral Master!” Han Li forced a flush of red to his face, pretending to have just snapped out of his excitement, and spoke with an eager, almost impatient tone.

Then, with proper deference, he knelt and performed the full disciple-bowing ceremony before Ancestral Master Li.

“Excellent. From this day forward, you are my disciple, Li Huayuan’s. Take this碧光刀 magic tool as your master’s meeting gift.” Li Huayuan’s face was wreathed in smiles as he helped Han Li to his feet and handed him a long, bluish-green blade. Its spiritual light shimmered—clearly a top-grade magic tool.

Han Li accepted the long blade solemnly with both hands, bowed once more in respect, and only then rose to his feet, appearing overjoyed.

The other disciples, who had been watching with wide eyes and burning gazes, stared at Han Li as though they wished it were them holding that magic tool instead of the man they had long disliked.

Han Li could not read their minds, but the scorching stares boring into his back told him enough. He could only laugh inwardly, bitterly.

If it were possible, he would have gladly let the Ancestral Master pick someone else instead of him, this unlucky wretch. The lesson of his previous master, Doctor Mo, was still fresh in his memory. And now another master—even more powerful, and with his own hidden agenda—had fallen into his lap. Truly, Han Li was at a loss for words.

“Once you succeed in Foundation Establishment some time in the future, I will summon you to my residence and accept you as a formal disciple,” Ancestral Master Li instructed. “If you fail, it is no matter either. I will still offer some guidance on your cultivation method.”

“Yes, Master,” Han Li replied obediently, having no other opinion to offer.

“Good. It’s getting late. Let’s return to Yellow Maple Valley,” Li Huayuan said, glancing at the sky.

The party once again mounted the silver-armored horned python. After several days of flight, they returned to Yellow Maple Valley.

As soon as they entered the valley, Ancestral Master Li Huayuan took the two stewards and headed for the议事殿. The others dispersed, returning to their respective lodgings to await the rewards that would be distributed in a few days.

…

In a thatched hut within Yellow Maple Valley’s Hundred Herbs Garden, the little old man, Steward Ma, stared wide-eyed at Han Li as though he had seen a ghost. His mouth kept muttering:

“Impossible. Not only did you not die, but you managed to pick up scraps in the forbidden land, turned in over twenty spirit herbs at once, and got taken in by Ancestral Master Li as a disciple-on-probation?”

“That’s right, Steward Ma. Would you say my fortune is deep and my karma extraordinary?” Han Li sat across from the little old man, a faint, almost smug smile on his face.

Steward Ma’s expression returned to normal at Han Li’s words, but a strange, searching look appeared in his eyes as he stared at Han Li. It made Han Li’s skin crawl. He had no idea what the man was thinking.

“Han, you really did gain a lot on this trip to the forbidden land. Far more than I expected,” the little old man said with a long sigh.

“I didn’t expect it myself,” Han Li replied offhandedly.

“But do you know Ancestral Master Li’s true intention in accepting you as a disciple-on-probation?”

The little old man’s next words, tinged with a hint of regret, made Han Li freeze. But then a surge of joy washed over him. He suppressed his excitement, however, and put on a face of naive surprise:

“Steward Ma, is there another reason Ancestral Master Li accepted me as a disciple?”

“Steward Ma? Heh. Now that you’ve officially been accepted under Ancestral Master Li’s tutelage, you can call me Martial Brother Ma from now on. I dare not accept the title ‘Steward’ any longer,” the little old man said slowly, shaking his head.

“Cough. Steward Ma, why mock me? Everyone in the cultivation world knows that seniority is based on cultivation level. As long as I have not yet entered Foundation Establishment, you are still my elder,” Han Li said with great sincerity, pouring a cup of medicinal tea for the old man and handing it to him.

“Not bad, not bad. The lad can be taught. It seems you haven’t let these events go to your head. Very well, I’ll tell you in advance. Even if I didn’t, you’d find out in three or four days anyway.” The little old man nodded with satisfaction, his tone light.

Han Li was slightly taken aback, but he focused his attention. Any inside information about Ancestral Master Li’s sudden decision to take him as a disciple was something he desperately needed. He had been on tenterhooks ever since the matter arose.

“What reward do you think you’ll get for turning in so many spirit herbs?” the little old man suddenly asked, changing the subject.

“Two Foundation Establishment Pills, I suppose. I asked around earlier. Turning in around ten spirit herbs earns one pill.” Han Li knew the old man had a purpose in asking, so he answered honestly.

“Hmph. When the rewards are distributed in a few days, you’ll be lucky to get one Foundation Establishment Pill. Forget about two. Don’t even dream of it,” the little old man said with a hint of mockery.

“What? How can that be? Is someone skimming the rewards?” Han Li nearly jumped out of his seat, his face a mask of disbelief.

“There’s no skimming, and no one would dare. It’s only you whose reward is reduced. Everyone else will get the full amount. Otherwise, who would participate in the Blood Forbidden Trial next time?” the little old man said with a dismissive pout.

“Is it because of Ancestral Master Li?” Han Li asked, his expression serious after a moment of thought.

“You’re not too slow. You got it quickly. Yes, it’s because Ancestral Master Li accepted you as a disciple.” A flicker of approval passed through the little old man’s eyes as he nodded.

“Our sect has an unwritten rule. For any formal master-disciple relationship, the master has the right to claim half of the disciple’s tribute to the sect as a ‘thank-you-for-teaching gift.’ This applies only once, of course—not as a recurring rule. The spirit herbs you gathered in the forbidden land count as a form of tribute. So, from what I estimate, Ancestral Master Li was so eager to accept you as a disciple because he had his eye on those ten-odd spirit herbs for his ‘thank-you gift.’ Once the herbs are reduced to half at the sect level, your reward is naturally halved too. Don’t hope for two Foundation Establishment Pills,” the little old man explained in detail.

Han Li frowned, but showed no sign of anger or displeasure. He simply lowered his head and remained silent. This surprised the little old man. He had no idea that, far from being upset, Han Li was actually breathing a sigh of relief. The weight that had been pressing on his heart finally lifted.

So his new master had his eye on the spirit herbs. That was unexpected, but it also put Han Li at ease. One Foundation Establishment Pill was nothing to him, now that he was on the verge of starting his own alchemy. As long as he could succeed in pill refining, a single pill was beneath his notice.

The little old man, unaware of Han Li’s true thoughts, saw only silence and assumed Han Li was holding back frustration out of self-control. He chuckled lightly and offered some comfort:

“You may have lost one Foundation Establishment Pill, but being accepted as a disciple-on-probation by Ancestral Master Li is not a bad trade. You haven’t come out too poorly. Think about it—your talent isn’t very good. Even with two pills, your chances of successfully establishing a foundation are slim. You’re better off trading one pill for the backing of Ancestral Master Li. Even if you stay in Qi Condensation for the rest of your days, no one in the sect will dare bully you. He may not have accepted you with his whole heart, but you still carry his name. Ordinary disciples and stewards won’t casually make trouble for you. And from what I know, Ancestral Master Li is quite protective of his own people.”

Han Li felt a flicker of gratitude. He had already recognized, when the old man gave him two bottles of pills before he left for the forbidden land, that Steward Ma was a man of warm heart beneath a cold exterior. These words only deepened that impression. This was someone worth knowing.

But on the surface, Han Li forced himself to look as though he was barely convinced by the old man’s reasoning. He gave a bitter laugh and finally spoke, exchanging a few casual words.

Seeing that Han Li seemed to have recovered from the blow, the little old man was quite pleased. He soon took his leave. The Hundred Herbs Garden was returned to Han Li’s care.