My Master Knows It All

82: Chapter 78: Last Hit_1 82: Chapter 78: Last Hit_1 The Hundred Peaks Sect is home to many immortal cultivation Taoist institutions, and Returning Heart Taoist Hall is one of them.

Since the establishment of Returning Heart Taoist Hall, it has delivered many disciples to the Hundred Peaks Sect over the years, but this particular institution has never produced any particularly outstanding disciples.

Therefore, whenever disciple selections came around, not many people would visit this institution.

Because of this situation, the tutors here could only make do with the monthly stipend provided by the sect.

Those with a knack for talisman making could earn some extra money to subsidize their cultivation needs.

Those tutors with mediocre talisman-making abilities did not even have the chance to earn extra money.

The tutors here were resigned to the idea that life would simply pass by without opportunities to reap benefits.

It would be naturally very difficult for them to achieve a breakthrough to higher cultivation levels.

When their time came, they thought they would just find a place to bury themselves.

But these days!

The tutors at Returning Heart Taoist Hall found themselves rising to the occasion!

With the emergence of the Spiritual Tide, and the sect deciding to hold early disciple selections, all of the hundred peaks dispatched representatives to meet with Yi Sheng.

In order to leave a better impression with him, the people from various peaks did not skimp on providing benefits to the tutors, requesting their help in speaking favorable words.

Chen Shizhi, lying on a deck chair with one leg crossed over the other, held a purple clay teapot filled with tea leaves in one hand and tapped a folding fan gently on the empty table beside him, “My dear niece, you’re putting me in a difficult position,” he said, “Many peaks have entrusted me to put in a good word with Yi Sheng.”

Standing respectfully beside Chen Shizhi, Ling Xi was all smiles as she said, “What my uncle has said is true.

Please, uncle, out of respect for the fact that you and my father were classmates, help out by saying a few good words.”

Chen Shizhi’s eyelids fluttered, and alongside the growing pride in his heart, he was also feeling increasingly annoyed.

He was almost breaking the table next to him with the fan — why were these people from Four Treasures Peak not following protocol?

Why weren’t they placing their offerings right here for him?

Was Four Treasures Peak really so short-sighted?

Chen Shizhi had already decided on his plan for revenge; not only had Cao Zhen repeatedly humiliated him, but he had flaunted his wealth and even caused him to move back into the most miserable group quarters in the Cave Mansion.

This grudge had to be settled!

And how would he settle it?

Naturally, by taking the benefits from Four Treasures Peak without saying a single good word about them.

He would make them lose out on a deal while striving to praise Five Elements Peak as much as possible!

In the conversations with representatives from various peaks these past few days, Chen Shizhi had already reached an agreement with the people from Five Elements Peak: if he could get Yi Sheng to go to Five Elements Peak, then they would report to the Sect Leader True Person of Hundred Peaks Sect, claiming that Yi Sheng still preferred Mr.

Chen’s lectures.

They would transfer Chen Shizhi into Five Elements Peak and officially make him a member of the Hundred Peaks Sect’s Five Elements Peak!

“Uncle…

please, help me out,” Ling Xi continued to bow deeply, having already made a vow to her father to endure any kind of disdain she might face for the sake of Four Treasures Peak.

Seeing that Ling Xi was only talking without offering any payment, Chen Shizhi’s irritation grew, and with a dissatisfied look on his face, he tapped his fan harder against the table, “Ling Xi, you’re really putting me in a tight spot!

What are you doing?”

“Senior sister, stop begging,” Bei Yan, a chubby little boy at her side, interrupted.

Pointing at the table Chen Shizhi was tapping on, he said, “Mr.

Chen’s table is about to break from his tapping.

Didn’t you notice?

He’s asking for benefits!

Without you offering spirit stones or gifts, why should he do your bidding?”

Chen Shizhi’s face stiffened.

He sat up straight from the deck chair.

Indeed, this was what he was doing, but it shouldn’t be bluntly laid out on the table by others!

These were the unwritten rules!

Suddenly exposed by the words of a child, how could he save face?

Wouldn’t he become the laughingstock of the Hundred Peaks Sect?

Moreover, he could even be subject to disciplinary action!

“You, you, you!

What nonsense are you spouting?” Chen Shizhi pointed his fan at Little Beiyan, nearly touching his nose as he scolded loudly, “How did Cao Zhen teach you?

Have you no manners?

Stop talking nonsense!”

Upon hearing her junior brother’s words, Ling Xi had an epiphany and hurriedly reached into her sleeve for the benefits, only to have her arm held down by a large hand.

Turning, she saw a stranger, though his attire clearly marked him as a Peak Master.

“With just Four Treasures Peak’s standing, you dare to try to snatch Yi Sheng?

Even your master didn’t dare to bring up this matter during the meeting, yet you think you’re worthy?”

The burly man forcefully pulled Ling Xi a few steps backwards, creating quite a distance from Chen Shizhi in an instant.

Before Ling Xi could react, the man no longer looked at her but instead turned to Chen Shizhi with a smile and offered a salute, “Mr.

Chen, I’ve long admired you.

I am Mu Tianhe, the Peak Master of Tianhe Peak…”

Tianhe Peak?

The Seventieth-Third Peak?

Chen Shizhi quickly recalled the information about each peak, feeling an added dissatisfaction toward the sudden appearance of this Peak Master from Tianhe Peak.

If it were any other time, Chen Shizhi would definitely have risen to his feet to clasp his fist and courteously address the other party by brotherhood, but the timing was simply not right!

Benefits?

Chen Shizhi had received quite a few from various peaks these past few days, and one more would naturally be welcomed.

But!

Chen Shizhi was even more eager to receive the benefits from Four Treasures Peak!

It wasn’t because Four Treasures Peak could offer more benefits, but because even scraping one or two Spirit Stones from Cao Zhen would feel like a far greater achievement than accepting ten from another family.

If it weren’t for this Tianhe Peak Master’s interference, he might already have received the benefits from Four Treasures Peak!

Ling Xi, by nature somewhat timid, felt an instinct to give way when she saw the Tianhe Peak Master stirring trouble, but then she thought of the glory of Four Treasures Peak.

She considered her master’s constant efforts for the benefit of the peak, which had only recently started to turn for the better.

Bearing the responsibility of a Senior Disciple, she spoke up, “Tianhe Peak Master, shouldn’t there be an order to things?

Acting like this, isn’t it against the rules?”

When Chen Shizhi heard this, he felt a rush of satisfaction.

He had thought Four Treasures Peak would cower and he wouldn’t have a chance to gain their favor this time.

It seemed Four Treasures Peak was indeed set on securing Yi Sheng!

Cao Zhen?

Hmph!

The hypocrite!

Chen Shizhi also recalled that dinner at Four Treasures Peak when Cao Zhen flaunted his wealth in his presence and hypocritically claimed he absolutely did not want Yi Sheng.

And what about now?

Chen Shizhi grew even more pleased with himself.

Cao Zhen had boasted during that show of wealth, and now feeling awkward about approaching him directly, he had actually sent a Disciple to collect Yi Sheng?

Ridiculous!

“Four Treasures Peak dares to speak to me of rules?” Mu Tianhe rolled his large eyes and raised his thick eyebrows disdainfully as he looked at Ling Xi, “Do you really think, after beating Starshine Peak, you’ve become something special?

Do you think a top talent like Yi Sheng would fancy you?

Do you know how vast the gap between the Hundredth Peak and Seventieth-Third Peak is?”

“Tianhe Peak Master, what are you talking about?” Chen Shizhi’s face darkened as he took on a lecturing tone, “We of the Hundred Peaks Sect are interconnected; the only difference between the First Peak and the Hundredth Peak is their ranking.

Their status is the same!

What’s wrong with Four Treasures Peak?

It is now on the rise, and I’m very optimistic about it!

And my student Yi Sheng seems to have shown a liking for Four Treasures Peak.”

Ling Xi, initially humiliated by Mu Tianhe’s rebuke, felt uncomfortable yet admitted that he had a point—the gap between them was too wide, and people naturally preferred better places for their cultivation.

Competing with Tianhe Peak, Four Treasures Peak indeed had no advantage.

However, with Chen Shizhi’s remarks, Ling Xi felt hope once more.

It wasn’t just the mention of Yi Sheng’s fondness for Four Treasures Peak; she also felt that at such a critical time, facing the Tianhe Peak Master, Mr.

Chen still stood up to speak for Four Treasures Peak, for her—truly a great classmate of her master!

“Tianhe Peak Master, please step outside.

Once I finish speaking with Four Treasures Peak, if you’re still interested, then come find me,” Chen Shizhi reclined back on his lounge chair, not giving Mu Tianhe another glance.

If it were any regular day and he met the Peak Master of Seventieth-Third Peak, he would no doubt have seen him off with great hospitality.

But now, over the past several days, Chen Shizhi had met with far too many Peak Masters, or their first-ranking Senior Disciples—and those were from the Upper Fifty Peaks.

Mu Tianhe stood there stunned, thinking, A mere instructor from a Taoist Institution dares to put on airs with me, the Peak Master?

Has he gone mad?

Little Bei Yan, the chubby boy standing nearby, saw Mu Tianhe not moving and casually remarked, “These past few days, Mr.

Chen probably has seen quite a number of the Peak Masters from the Upper Fifty Peaks.

The Seventieth-Third Peak?

Does it differ much from our Four Treasures Peak?”

Mu Tianhe felt as though he had been stabbed, his just-displayed rank in front of the people of Four Treasures Peak suddenly seeming much less impressive.

“Four Treasures Peak really has no manners!

Young ones speaking out of turn while their elders are talking?” Mu Tianhe stormed out, muttering loud enough for the people of Four Treasures Peak to hear, “When the selections are over and the Hundred Peaks rank again, I’ll let you see the gap between our two peaks!

I’ll give you a lesson on behalf of your master!”

Little Bei Yan ignored the departing Mu Tianhe and turned to Ling Xi, saying, “Senior Sister, hurry and present the benefits fee!

Mr.

Chen is waiting to receive it!

Though I doubt it matters; the benefits Mr.

Chen gets from the Upper Fifty Peaks are not something we can match.”

Chen Shizhi’s forehead throbbed with bulging veins as he secretly suspected this chubby boy was sent by Cao Zhen to irritate him intentionally, making it awkward for him to accept the money!

“Bei Yan!

Shut up!” Ling Xi’s expression was stern as she scolded with the authority of a Senior Disciple, “Didn’t you just see?

When the Tianhe Peak Master was humiliating us, who spoke up for us with fairness?

Who stood on our side?

Mr.

Chen is my master’s best classmate!

His character must be as noble as my master’s…”

Little Bei Yan wanted to retort.

His master’s character…

noble?

Had he not gambled them into the pawnshop…

with such strong cultivation, still pretending to be weak, and acting foolish…

If it weren’t for the master’s clever schemes, would they have been able to earn so much from the gambling den?

Would they have been able to deceive so many people?