The Programmer Cultivator

Zhang Deming listened to Gan Zili’s pointed mention of ”workload” and glanced at the indolent Yuee Mengsheng. The man was leaning back lazily in his chair, as if he hadn’t heard a thing.

”What we need to discuss today is the allocation of shares, and also, Junior Brother Zhang, whether you plan to build a reputation or remain anonymous.”

”However, I need to clarify something beforehand. This order platform, which the three neighboring Sects jointly created, is a bit of a makeshift operation.”

”While it’s considered rather secret, that’s only to Ordinary Cultivators. It’s not much of a secret to the higher-ups.”

”So, no matter which path you choose, it won’t be long before people find out. Unless you let us three old-timers take the credit. In that case, the beads you produce can’t be of a quality too different from ours, and you’d have to remain completely hidden.”

When Gan Zili finished speaking, all three of them looked at Zhang Deming in unison.

This question held a deeper meaning: could their Celestial Spirit Nurturing Peak finally brand itself as having a High-Quality Spirit Nurturer, or even a Law-Level Spirit Nurturer?

That was the reason for this pointed question. If Zhang Deming chose to go public, the implication was obvious. They might not necessarily brand him as Law Level, but they would definitely have to promote him as a Tier Three High-Quality specialist.

If Zhang Deming chose to remain hidden, that would be one scenario. If he chose to let them take the credit, that would be another entirely.

They called it a discussion about shares, but it was really about the future public branding of the Celestial Spirit Nurturing Peak. Zhang Deming understood this now.

Zhang Deming pondered for a moment before saying, ”You can just proceed with the standard arrangements for me.”

The three men paused. Guk Liancai asked in pleasant surprise, ”Really?”

But Gan Zili frowned. ”Junior Brother Zhang, we called you here today precisely to get your thoughts on the matter. You don’t have to consider our Peak’s interests; our position in the Sect is already secure. It would be fine even if you waited a few years to make your move.”

”Your safety is the main priority. After all, even as an Upper Sect, if we get entangled with the Buddhist Sect, things will get very messy.”

”My suggestion is to wait a couple of years. Just take on a few occasional orders from within the Sect. The Sect Leader definitely won’t have any objections to that.”

Before Zhang Deming could reply, Yuee Mengsheng said pointedly, ”When you took out your Identity Order the other day, Junior Brother Zhang, you didn’t intend to back down, did you?”

Gan Zili paused, his eyes only now falling on the Fourth Peak Master’s Command Token hanging from Zhang Deming’s waist.

Zhang Deming smiled and nodded. ”Yes, that’s more or less what I meant. Senior Brother Gan, you don’t need to worry. As I’ve said before, my Rebirth Technique is rather special. After the Duality stage, all traces of my new incarnation will vanish completely.”

”So there’s no need to be overly concerned about that. Senior Brother Gan, you just need to proceed with the normal arrangements.”

Hearing this, Gan Zili said hesitantly, ”How about we have Master Zhou take a look? There’s no harm in being cautious, especially since this involves a Blessed Holy Land.”

Zhang Deming shook his head. ”That won’t be necessary. I’ve already had someone check.”

Gan Zili paused. His mind flashed back to the awe-inspiring display from Elder Huang that had shaken the Sect that day. He nodded and said, ”If that’s the case, then I suppose there’s no issue. I’ll start planning the arrangements then? Once I’ve drafted a proposal for the shares, I’ll have you review it, Junior Brother?”

Zhang Deming nodded. ”Sure. I’m not very familiar with these matters anyway.”

”Heh, you’ll get the hang of it after a few years, Junior Brother,” Gan Zili said with a laugh.

Just then, Yuee Mengsheng interjected, ”In that case, don’t be in a hurry to send out the official notice. For the reception in five days, let Junior Brother Zhang lead the delegation from Spirit Nurturing Peak. If there are no issues after that, we can issue the public announcement for the new Peak Master.”

Zhang Deming looked at Yuee Mengsheng in confusion, but after a brief pause, Gan Zili’s face lit up. ”Of course! Why didn’t I think of that? This way, we can test the waters ahead of time.”

Zhang Deming looked quizzically at Gan Zili and Yuee Mengsheng. ”Senior Brothers, what’s with all the cryptic talk?”

Gan Zili said, ”This brings us to the third matter I wanted to discuss: the ’Honor Guard’ for the reception.”

”Honor Guard?” Zhang Deming asked, looking completely lost.

At this, Guk Liancai’s expression darkened, and he immediately blurted out, ”I’m not going! This year, even if you two old-timers drag me there, even if you invoke Master Dang, I’m still not going.”

Zhang Deming observed Guk Liancai’s reaction. ’There are only two things I know of that make him this avoidant. One is Master Dang, and the other is...’

”Are you Senior Brothers talking about the welcoming party for the Traveler of the World conference?” Zhang Deming asked.

Gan Zili nodded. ”Mm, precisely. The reception for the Xuande Temple’s Traveler of the World conference.”

Zhang Deming paused. ”But didn’t you say we just had to go through the motions? That we just had to put on a bit of a farce to annoy them? I thought the documents meant we weren’t actually doing a formal reception!”

Gan Zili: ”...”

Yuee Mengsheng: ”...”

Guk Liancai: ”A farce? Well... Junior Brother Zhang, your metaphor is certainly apt!”

’Apt? You’re the real talent here! A master of backhanded compliments! Ready with the sarcasm at a moment’s notice!’

”Ahem...” Gan Zili cleared his throat before continuing, ”You’re not wrong, Junior Brother Zhang. It is just going through the motions.”

”However, because of the Spirit Nurturing Peak’s status, and for certain reasons related to Junior Brother Guk, our Peak is required to send a representative to Spirit Mountain for the Traveler of the World reception each time.”

”In previous years, Junior Brother Guk has always been the one to go, since he’s the one who stirred up the trouble in the first place. They make a point of seeking him out for a ’discussion’ of the Dao, and that’s usually the end of it.”

”Because of this, the leader of the welcoming party has always come from our Peak. Since Junior Brother Guk, a Three Talents Cultivator, has to be there, having a Peak Master accompany him is considered a sufficient welcome.”

”This year, I had planned to follow tradition. But after Senior Brother Yuee’s suggestion just now, I think you would be an excellent choice to go, Junior Brother Zhang.”

”What do you mean? I really don’t understand what any of this has to do with me,” Zhang Deming said with a frown.