Chapter 72: Accepting a Disciple

Master Mu’s gaze swept across each person before finally settling on Jiang Li. With a gentle demeanor, he asked, “Jiang Li, are you willing to take me as your teacher?”

“I… I…” Jiang Li was stunned. He truly hadn’t expected that Master Mu was referring to him.

Beside him, Liu Qin was overjoyed at Master Mu’s words, happier than if she herself had caught his eye, more excited than winning a fortune in the lottery. Seeing Jiang Li still dazed and unresponsive, she quickly nudged his arm and whispered, “Brother Li.”

That push brought Jiang Li back to his senses. He was clever by nature and, without further hesitation, stepped forward, knelt down on both knees before Master Mu, and said, “Your disciple Jiang Li greets his teacher.” He then earnestly bowed three times.

“Good, good.” Master Mu repeated, his usually stern face now full of smiles, even the sharp sparkle in his eyes softened, brimming with affection.

At the same time, he reached out and made a slight lifting gesture. Jiang Li felt a gentle force supporting him, not overwhelming but firm, as if a hand was lifting him from the ground. Following this force, he rose to his feet, inwardly marveling at his teacher’s martial prowess, which could exert such power from a distance.

No sooner had Jiang Li stood up than Fang Nuo and Chang Xing hurried over, gathering around him, grinning widely. Fang Nuo took his hand and looked up at him, “Brother, congratulations.” Jiang Li felt the sincerity in their blessings, and his own heart was filled with an almost unbelievable joy.

Master Mu looked at the group of youths before him, smiling faintly, and folded his hands behind his back. After a moment, he gazed into the distant sky. Liu Qin, sensitive as ever, noticed that Master Mu’s gaze had changed—becoming complex and profound, like a deep, undisturbed pool suddenly stirred, sending waves rippling through it. Within those waves lay both the satisfaction and happiness of finding a worthy disciple, and an inexplicable sorrow and regret.

Was Master Mu recalling some painful past? Liu Qin blinked, inspiration flashing in her mind. She ran forward with a playful smile, grabbed Master Mu’s hand, and shook it, “Teacher, teacher, I want to be your disciple too!”

At that moment, Mu Qing’s heart was surging like turbulent waves. Her tug brought him back, and he smiled bitterly, surprised that even after years of honing his martial arts, he still couldn’t fully control his emotions. Alas, cultivating oneself, living without desires, letting go of grudges and passions—how difficult it truly is.

Collecting himself, he looked at the mischievous yet lazy girl before him and shook his head with a smile. “It’s not easy to be my disciple.”

Liu Qin blinked her big eyes—was there hope? She quickly put on what she thought was her cutest smile. “As long as teacher says it, I will definitely do it.” She patted her chest, making a promise as if nothing could possibly go wrong.

Her act of assuming the role of disciple before Master Mu had even agreed drew laughter from everyone. They all perked up their ears, eager to hear what requirements Master Mu would set.

“Rise at dawn every day, regardless of season, and practice for an hour and a half each morning and evening. No excuses, no rest. Can you do that?”

Liu Qin did some mental calculations—having been reborn for six years, she still wasn’t used to the ancient timekeeping. “Dawn” meant getting up at five in the morning. Fine in summer, but in winter, the thought of crawling out from a warm bed into the biting cold and practicing for three hours daily—this wasn’t training, it was a death sentence! She would rather die than endure that.

Disheartened, Liu Qin lowered her head. Wasn’t this just Master Mu’s way of refusing her, by posing such impossible demands?

Mu Qing reached out and patted her little head, smiling without further comment. Liu Qin’s eyes spun as she came up with another idea. She looked up at Mu Qing, “Teacher, how about this: Brother Li is your formal disciple, and I will be a registered disciple. Is that alright?”

“A registered disciple?”

“Yes! I’ll honor you just as Brother Li does, but when it comes to training… heh, teacher, please don’t be too strict with me.”

Mu Qing couldn’t help but laugh. So, she wanted to be his disciple but not take training seriously. Xiao Wu, nearby, thought his foster father would sternly refuse, but to his surprise, Mu Qing only smiled, neither affirming nor denying, as if tacitly agreeing. Xiao Wu wondered—was this really the same foster father who was so cold and ruthless when it came to martial arts?

Afterward, Mu Qing allowed everyone to spend their time freely, but called Jiang Li to return to the courtyard with him.

Mu Qing sat in the central chair in the room. Jiang Li brought him a cup of tea, offering it respectfully before standing to the side. Mu Qing took the tea, sipped it, and then asked kindly, “Have you practiced the fist technique I taught you every day?”

Jiang Li stood with hands at his sides, replying respectfully, “Your disciple practices it three times each morning and evening.”

“Good. Come here, let me see.”

Jiang Li walked over and extended his right hand. Mu Qing placed his finger on Jiang Li’s wrist, feeling his pulse intently for a long moment before letting go. “You were born with a weakness, but have compensated well through later care. That fist technique benefits your body—keep practicing it.”

“Yes, teacher.”

“Have you ever studied inner energy methods under a master before?”

Jiang Li shook his head, “Never.”

Mu Qing, seeing no sign of deceit in Jiang Li, was puzzled. “That’s strange. Given your chronic illness, without orthodox inner energy training, your body shouldn’t have recovered to this degree. Did you perhaps consume some rare elixir?”

Jiang Li began to doubt himself, but after thinking it over, replied firmly, “No, I haven’t taken any such elixir. My health was poor as a child, so my mother had me learn some basic martial arts from Zhang the butcher in our village. He had served in the army and knew a bit of rough fighting. He said he wasn’t skilled enough to take me as a disciple, but taught me a breathing technique he’d learned in the military. After practicing those breathing exercises a few times, I felt less chest tightness and much more comfortable. Gradually, I felt warmth in my belly, like a ball of fire, so I’ve kept practicing them all these years.”

As Jiang Li spoke, he too found it hard to believe—could this be the inner energy technique his teacher referred to?

Mu Qing nodded, “That’s it. The breathing technique you mentioned is an inner energy method, and from your description, it’s an orthodox one. It seems Zhang the butcher didn’t realize its true value.”

He smiled with relief, “You are exceptionally gifted, a rare talent. Sadly, your congenital illness prevented deeper martial arts training. If Zhang the butcher hadn’t taught you inner energy methods to strengthen your foundation, not only would you have been unable to train, but your lifespan would have suffered. Now, your body is nearly recovered. As your teacher, I will give you a gift. Take this, and with your fist technique and inner energy method, you will be fully restored within forty-nine days.”

With that, Mu Qing walked to a cabinet and took out a delicate jade box. Opening the lid, he revealed a white lotus inside. The lotus, no larger than a palm, was white tinged with green, crystal clear as if carved from jade. Its golden core complemented the petals, creating a breathtaking beauty.

Exposed to the warmth of the room, wisps of cold vapor rose from the box, swirling above the lotus and making it appear almost divine, pure as a celestial artifact.

“Celestial Snow Lotus?”