Chapter 32: Chapter 0032: Cutting Finger to Show Determination Chapter 32: Chapter 0032: Cutting Finger to Show Determination If you find this book satisfactory, please cast a recommendation vote after reading. Thank you.
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Just as Qi Tian had stepped out of Huangque Hall and intended to return to the National Master Manor to visit the Hundred Spirit Hall, a figure lept from a corner and strode toward him. Before he could even make out who it was, the stranger had already reached him, bending both knees to kneel in front of him.
“Younger brother pays respect to elder brother,” the stranger respectfully kowtowed, then got up halfway.
When Qi Tian recognized the person, he quickly dodged to the side, saying, “Brother Guan Xun, what are you doing? Please stand up.”
“In the Cultivation World, the capable are revered,” Guan Xun said. “Elder brother, you’ve advanced to the 166th place on the Sparrow List. However, due to my low ranking in the Moon-duel and my failure to succeed in the challenge, I was expelled from the Imperial Master Mansion three days ago.”
Qi Tian was aware of the Imperial Master Mansion’s policy to eliminate those with the lowest ranking. Although he felt sympathy for Guan Xun’s misfortune, there was nothing he could do. “Since you’ve already left the National Master Manor, why are you still here? As far as I know, someone at Qi Cultivation First Level like you could return home and live a life of wealth with no issue. Alternatively, many prominent families in Zhangshui City would be willing to hire you for their households. Also, please get up. I’m not used to you kneeling like this.”
“By your command.” Guan Xun replied obediently. He stood up, lowered his head respectfully, and said, “Elder brother, I think you’ve heard some of my circumstances. Because of my low ranking in the National Master Manor, none of the other brothers looked up to me. They wouldn’t even accept my challenge, except for you. I could feel that you didn’t discriminate against or look down on me when I dared to learn from you. When we started sparring, and you addressed me as ‘elder brother,’ it was a warmth I hadn’t felt in a long time. I was even moved to tears.”
Qi Tian awkwardly smiled. His addressing Guan Xun as “elder brother” was merely out of politeness, and he didn’t actually consider Guan Xun a brother. Regardless, it was clear that even these simple acts were enough to warm Guan Xun’s heart. This gave Qi Tian some insight into how unhappy Guan Xun might have been at the National Master Manor.
Guan Xun continued: “Just as you said, I could enjoy a lifetime of riches and glory if I wanted. However, those are worldly honors and wealth, not mine. No matter how hard or suffering the path of cultivation may be, I relish it. Even if I die, I want to die on the path of cultivation. Now that I have been expelled from the National Master Manor, my relations with it have ended. To be frank, I no longer have the privilege to purchase cultivation resources from the National Master Manor. If I want to buy a Middle-grade Essence Qi Pill, I would have to spend twice as much as in the Manor by buying from outside merchants. I don’t have much expertise in making money, and my family isn’t wealthy. If I want to purchase cultivation resources outside the Manor, I’m unlikely to make any progress in my cultivation.”
Qi Tian nodded and said, “So, you want me to buy Middle-grade Essence Qi Pill for you?”
The practice of buying on behalf of others has persisted amongst the disciples of the Imperial Master Mansion. It allows disciples to earn some money on the side, so the Mansion’s management has tacitly allowed it, setting only a limit on the amount of cultivation resources each disciple can exchange. Beyond the limit, the price will increase. Qi Tian knew of this, but as a newcomer without the necessary connections, and considering how time-consuming and capital-intensive the practice was, he never engaged in it.
However, if Guan Xun wanted Qi Tian to buy some pills for him, Qi Tian wouldn’t mind helping him out with this small favor. But if Guan Xun intended to have Qi Tian regularly purchase for him in the future, Qi Tian wouldn’t be able to commit to that because he didn’t have enough free time to run errands for Guan Xun.
“Elder brother, after the Moon-duel, I knew I would likely be eliminated. I have indeed considered becoming a merchant who sells cultivation resources. After pondering for several days, I found that I still want to continue cultivating.” Guan Xun then kneeled in front of Qi Tian again, “I sincerely request you to give me an opportunity. I would gladly serve you with utmost loyalty. Can I follow you?”
“Brother Guan Xun, please get up! This place is crowded. What are you trying to do?” Qi Tian hurriedly attempted to help Guan Xun stand up.
Guan Xun prostrated on the ground and repeatedly kowtowed, “As long as you give me a chance, I swear to follow you to the end of my life. Please grant me this favor.”
Qi Tian pulled on Guan Xun a couple of times but was unsuccessful. Seeing how determined Guan Xun was, Qi Tian couldn’t help but feel pity.
From his personal perspective, Qi Tian had already planned to leave the National Master Manor to become a County Master. Going there alone was obviously not possible, so he needed to find someone to help him. Currently, Qi Tian wasn’t particularly well-known, so it should be true that Guan Xun sincerely wanted to follow him. Guan Xun seemed to have hit rock bottom, so supporting him now would likely make him feel extraordinarily grateful and dedicated to serving Qi Tian.
Sending charcoal in snowy weather is far better than adding flowers to brocade.
Thinking of this, Qi Tian stopped pulling Guan Xun up, took a step back, and said, “Brother Guan Xun, have you really thought it through? Do you really want to follow me? Consider if you really want to do this because in my world, it’s not a place where you can come and go as you please, and it does not tolerate betrayal. I suggest you go back, think it over carefully, and then come back and give me your answer.”
Guan Xun suddenly stood up, drew a dagger from his chest, decisively held it down on his little finger, and chopped it off without hesitation. Enduring the pain, he said, “I, Guan Xun, swear lifelong loyalty to Brother Qi Tian. If I break this oath, my fate will be like this finger.”
Qi Tian was startled, quickly kneeled down, picked up the severed finger, and gave it to Guan Xun. “Brother Guan Xun, hurry and find a doctor. It’s possible that your finger can still be saved.”
Guan Xun pulled on Qi Tian’s arm, his face pleading when he asked, “Will you take me in, elder brother?”
“Take it, take it,” hastily said Qi Tian. “Go reattach the severed finger right away, and come find me once it’s done. Hurry, it’s an order.”
Guan Xun bowed to Qi Tian, then took the broken finger, covered his wound, and hurriedly left.
Watching Guan Xun’s disappearing back, Qi Tian’s determination only grew stronger. Guan Xun had been expelled from the Imperial Master Mansion but chose to sever his own finger to continue his cultivation. His conditions were much better than Qi Tian’s, so he couldn’t afford to slack off at all.
Qi Tian stood up and headed for the National Master Manor, planning to go to the Hundred Spirit Hall for research. As he arrived at the manor’s main gate, he suddenly heard someone shouting his name.” Qi Tian!”
Qi Tian looked towards the sound and his face lit up when he saw who was calling him. He greeted, “Greetings, Brother Liang.”
Liang Xiaolong nodded with a smile and said, “It’s been a while since I last saw you. I have yet to congratulate you on your significant improvement in the Sparrow List.”
“That’s all thanks to you, Brother Liang,” Qi Tian laughed.
Liang Xiaolong chuckled, “You sure know how to speak. By the way, it’s almost time for the County Master’s selection battle, how are your preparations?”
Qi Tian replied, “I’ve been preparing constantly, never daring to slack off a bit. Brother Liang, I have a bit of an emergency and need to head to the Hundred Spirit Hall for research. If you’re free, I’ll head off first. After the County Master’s selection battle, I’ll treat you to a drink.”
Liang Xiaolong said, “Hold on, I have something I want to ask you.”
Qi Tian asked, “What is it?”
Liang Xiaolong waved his hand, signaling Qi Tian to move away from the attention of the main gate of the National Master Manor. They entered a teahouse in the square in front of the mansion. Liang Xiaolong ordered a private room and had tea served. After dismissing the attendants, he took up the teapot to serve Qi Tian, but Qi Tian grabbed it first, “Brother Liang, allow me.”
Liang Xiaolong gave the teapot to Qi Tian who made tea as he asked, “I’ve heard that before the Moon-duel ended, you had a fight at the Practice Field, beating up someone named Liu Haoshuai?”
Qi Tian replied, “It’s not really a fight, just a sparring session. He insisted on competing with me for the use rights of the advanced cultivation room, even though I clearly asked for it first.”
“Do you know who Liu Haoshuai is?” Liang Xiaolong asked.
Qi Tian nonchalantly replied, “I didn’t know at first, but Liu Haoshuai came with a brother named Wang Mingming. When Wang Mingming was talking with Zheng Shaosheng, he briefly mentioned Liu Haoshuai’s identity. It seems he is from a respectable family and is the nephew of another brother named Hu Qifan.”
“Hu Qifan has reached the peak of Qi Cultivation Nine Level and could break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage at any time. With such a powerful backing, aren’t you scared?” Liang Xiaolong stared at Qi Tian, asking.
“Scared? Of course I am. But, what I fear more is my own strength lagging behind others,” replied Qi Tian.
“So, if I asked you once again, would you still punch Liu Haoshuai to the ground?” Liang Xiaolong stared at Qi Tian unblinkingly.
Qi Tian gently put down the teapot, meeting Liang Xiaolong’s gaze, his tone calm but firm. “I don’t regret it. Given the chance to choose again, I’d still do it.”
“Good,” Liang Xiaolong clapped his hands in admiration.” Qi Tian, I indeed have not misjudged you. Here’s your reward.”