The Masked Strength of the Sect's Trash chapter Chapter 3

Chapter 3 Strategist

Ji Yan casually tossed something to Lu Shaoqing.

Lu Shaoqing caught it and saw that it was a jade pendant.

Ji Yan said calmly, "I won this from a bet."

Lu Shaoqing turned to his master, Shao Cheng, and said with a smirk, "Master, look, Eldest Brother is better at handling people than you."

Shao Cheng snorted, "Anything your Eldest Brother despises can’t be that valuable."

Ji Yan interjected, "It can withstand a blow from a Nascent Soul stage cultivator."

Lu Shaoqing chuckled, "Master, you don't understand. I’ll sell it and say it’s Eldest Brother’s possession. I could easily get a few hundred spirit stones for it."

Shao Cheng's expression turned sour. He had forgotten about that.

To change the subject, he glared at Lu Shaoqing. "When I left, you were lying here. Now that I'm back, you're still lying here."

Shao Cheng sighed in disappointment. "Can’t you learn something from your senior brother?"

Lu Shaoqing glanced away from the Tianji card in his hand and looked at Shao Cheng. "Are you sure you want me to learn from Senior Brother?"

Shao Cheng was momentarily at a loss for words. He quickly changed the subject again, turning to Xiao Chuang. "Senior Brother Xiao, what brings you here?"

Xiao Chuang smiled and said, "Junior Brother Shao, aren't you still short of a direct disciple?"

As he spoke, he pulled Xiao Yi forward and asked, "What do you think of my niece?"

Shao Cheng hesitated, "Do you want to take me as your master?"

Before Shao Cheng could answer, Lu Shaoqing spoke up without lifting his head, "Uncle Xiao is here for Senior Brother. Master, don’t be so full of yourself."

Shao Cheng snapped, "Shut up."

Is there any disciple as disruptive as you?

But Shao Cheng knew he couldn't decide without Ji Yan’s input. Most decisions at Tianyu Peak required Ji Yan’s approval, even accepting disciples. If Ji Yan didn’t approve, Shao Cheng wouldn’t accept this disciple.

Ji Yan's gaze fell on Xiao Yi. Her face immediately turned red, and she didn't know where to place her hands, nervous and worried that she would be looked down upon.

Ji Yan studied Xiao Yi for a moment, then said to Xiao Chuang, "Uncle Xiao, Master’s talent is limited. He needs more time to cultivate. I’m afraid he might struggle to continue teaching disciples."

Xiao Chuang responded with a grin, "But you’re here, aren't you? It’ll be fine."

In other words, for Xiao Chuang, Shao Cheng was more of a figurehead, with Ji Yan being the real teacher.

Xiao Chuang pressed on, "Nephew Ji Yan, don’t you have confidence in helping teach this girl?"

Ji Yan frowned, "Who says I don’t?"

"Even if it were a pig, I, Ji Yan, could make it an immortal."

Xiao Chuang laughed, "That’s the spirit!"

"By the way, I’ve informed the headmaster, and he’s also hoping that the Lingxiao Sect will produce another genius like you, Nephew Ji Yan."

Lu Shaoqing chimed in, "Keep dreaming. If there's going to be another genius, it’ll be someone like me."

Shao Cheng snapped, "Shut up! No one will think you’re dumb if you don’t speak."

Shao Cheng massaged his temples. If Tianyu Peak had another disciple like Lu Shaoqing, he would be too embarrassed to continue as the peak master.

Xiao Chuang continued, "Junior Brother Ji Yan, you know many people saw me bringing this girl to Tianyu Peak."

"If word gets out that your master didn’t accept her, people will say you, as the Eldest Brother, are afraid of being overshadowed by a junior sister."

Ji Yan’s expression darkened. "Who dares?"

Shao Cheng glanced at Lu Shaoqing, who was calmly staring at his Tianji card, completely unconcerned with the situation.

This kid!

If you claim you won’t be scheming in the background, I, as your master, will be the first to disbelieve it.

Shao Cheng said to Ji Yan, "In that case, accept her. I’ll make sure she’s properly trained."

Shao Cheng knew his disciple’s character. With Lu Shaoqing’s scheming advice, this matter was as good as settled. Speaking up now was just giving Ji Yan an out.

Lu Shaoqing remarked, "Master, you can barely manage your own training. Don’t mislead your students."

Shao Cheng’s patience snapped, "Shut up! If you keep talking, I’ll put you in solitary confinement!"

Ji Yan turned to Xiao Yi, "Become his disciple."

Xiao Chuang was overjoyed and quickly had Xiao Yi kneel. "Disciple Xiao Yi, meet your master!"

"Greetings, Senior Brother. Greetings, Second Senior Brother."

Lu Shaoqing chimed in, "Since you’ve become our junior sister, where are the gifts for your senior brothers?"

Shao Cheng shouted at Lu Shaoqing, "Get out of here and shut up."

"Disciple, ignore his nonsense. A simple gesture will do."

Shao Cheng was actually quite pleased with Xiao Yi’s acceptance. Tianyu Peak had far too few disciples, and compared to the other peaks, their numbers were pitifully low. So low that Shao Cheng often felt ashamed in front of the ancestors of Tianyu Peak and had prepared several excuses for when he’d have to face them in the afterlife.

But without Ji Yan’s approval, Shao Cheng was too embarrassed to accept any disciples. Since he inherited Tianyu Peak, it had been in decline. If not for Ji Yan, Tianyu Peak would have been removed from the sect long ago.

Seeing Xiao Yi finally become a disciple of Tianyu Peak, Xiao Chuang was delighted. "Junior Brother Shao, Nephew Ji Yan, I leave Xiao Yi in your care."

"Don’t worry, Senior Brother Xiao. She is now my disciple, and I’ll do my best to teach her," Shao Cheng assured.

After Xiao Chuang took his leave, Shao Cheng said to Xiao Yi, "From now on, you’ll be the third disciple of Tianyu Peak. Cultivate diligently and uphold the reputation of Tianyu Peak."

Xiao Yi obediently nodded, "Yes, Master. I understand."

Shao Cheng then introduced Ji Yan and Lu Shaoqing to Xiao Yi.

"This is your Eldest Brother, Ji Yan. If you don’t understand something, you can ask him."

"And this is your Second Senior Brother, Lu Shaoqing. Stay away from him and don’t learn from his bad habits."

Lu Shaoqing protested, "Master, you’re ruining my image!"

"What’s wrong with me?"

Shao Cheng scolded, "You’re lazy all day and have no manners."

"Don’t lead your junior sister astray. She’s not like you."

"If she follows your example, how will I explain it to Senior Brother Xiao?"

Lu Shaoqing shrugged, "If he has any complaints, let Eldest Brother handle him."

"Oh, by the way, Master, since you have a new disciple, should we celebrate tonight?"

"I heard from Wang Yao that Old Man Hu is heading to a new restaurant called Juxianlou."

"They’re having a grand opening promotion with discounts."

Shao Cheng looked at Ji Yan, "Shall we give it a try?"