However, he quickly calmed down.
How could someone possessing such a treasure not have protective measures? With his strength at the third level of Qi Refining, he feared he would turn into fly ash before he could even exert any force.
“This esteemed sir, I wonder who your master is? Which sect do you hail from?”
A smile instantly plastered itself onto the Goat-Bearded man’s face. He approached Wen Zui step by step, but his target seemed completely oblivious to his malice, maintaining that arrogant, overbearing expression.
“Heh, who do you think you are? You are not worthy of asking me such a question!” Wen Zui’s hands were shaking with nerves, but he maintained his persona. He knew that the moment he showed weakness, he would be in deep trouble.
Was he truly that foolish, or was he simply unafraid because he had backing?
Goat-Beard swallowed hard. Greed gradually overrode his reason. In an instant, a yellow talisman appeared in his hand. Without even blinking, he moved to slap it directly onto Wen Zui.
A swish sounded as the yellow talisman ignited instantly. A palm-sized bolt of lightning, as thick as a thumb, burst from Goat-Beard’s palm. Seeing it about to strike his shoulder, Wen Zui’s pupils contracted. A water curtain shimmering with purple light immediately appeared before him, and the lightning was instantly absorbed into it.
Wen Zui slapped his left hand forward. The water curtain, now crackling with electricity, pulled a sudden turn and flew over Goat-Beard’s head, splashing down entirely in an instant.
There was a loud sizzle and crackle!
In a flash, the topknot Goat-Beard had coiled on his head was blasted into a messy heap by the lightning. His face was covered in scorch marks. He opened his mouth to spit out a puff of black smoke and collapsed.
His back was soaked with sweat. Wen Zui froze for a second, then raised his foot and kicked Goat-Beard’s head. Two large footprints, stained with melting slush, were imprinted on the man’s face, looking utterly ridiculous.
“What? Is my little disciple scared out of his wits?” Yun Qi’s teasing voice echoed in his mind. It acted like a powerful shot of adrenaline to Wen Zui’s spine, causing his tense back to relax instantly.
Amidst the swirling snowflakes, the streetlights flickered on one by one. Wen Zui’s figure wove through the light, appearing and disappearing.
Tianyao Zichen Mansion, Room 1609
The moment Wen Zui opened the door, he saw Yun Qi curled up on the sofa. He was wearing a white, fluffy sweater with several books resting on his knees. The dim yellow light of the desk lamp illuminated his left shoulder, making him look like a cozy, warm ragdoll cat.
Without a word, Wen Zui rushed to Yun Qi’s side and threw his arms around him.
The heater was on indoors, so Yun Qi’s body temperature was pleasantly warm. However, Wen Zui had just come from outside; he carried the scent of unthawed ice and snow, which gradually melted in Yun Qi’s embrace.
Yun Qi was stunned for a moment. He blinked, and after a while, he imitated how his own master used to behave, gently patting Wen Zui’s back and stroking his hair, exactly as if he were petting a puppy.
“What is the matter? Did you not win?”
After an unknown amount of time, the body in his arms finally warmed up and stopped trembling. With red ears, Wen Zui abruptly pushed Yun Qi away.
“I, I was just a bit cold,” Wen Zui stammered, desperately trying to save face while feeling so much regret he wanted to jump off the balcony. He was in such a hurry to slip away that he did not notice the books Yun Qi had piled by the sofa. His left foot tripped over his right, and just as he was about to fall flat on his face, a massive tug at his waist pulled him backward, landing him straight onto the sofa.
The body beneath him was both firm and soft. Wen Zui happened to land with the back of his head near Yun Qi’s abdomen. He was held firmly in Yun Qi’s arms, much like the first time they met when Yun Qi had coiled around him as a giant snake.
“Have you not had enough of hugging?”
A crisp fragrance of morning mist instantly filled Wen Zui’s nostrils. Before he could recover from his daze, he was carried by the waist into the bathroom. He only realized what was happening once his clothes had been completely stripped off.
Just as he was about to speak, a spray of water descended from the shower, hitting him so hard he could not open his eyes.
Yun Qi smiled and patted his face, stuffed the showerhead into his hand, and turned to leave the bathroom.
“If you are still cold, wash a bit more, okay?”
The System spoke: “Master! The protagonist finally showed such a vulnerable side, why did you not comfort him?”
Yun Qi pinched the System’s soft silver body, toying with it unconsciously. Only after sitting back on the sofa did he toss the System aside and pick up his book again.
“Because I am very busy now. Did I not just coax him?”
The System replied: “I finally know why you are still single after a thousand years despite being so beautiful.”
The Next Day
As usual, Yun Qi woke up early. He sat by the floor-to-ceiling window to meditate while Wen Zui was still sleeping.
The doorbell rang suddenly. Yun Qi received a local express delivery. Upon opening it, he found his identification card and household registration.
“Lan Yun Qi?” He murmured his new name softly. He opened the bedroom door and scooped up the still-dreaming Wen Zui.
Pinching Wen Zui’s cheek, Yun Qi asked with a hint of confusion, “Why does it not share your surname?”
“My uncle’s family happens to be named Lan. Do you not think it suits you perfectly?” Wen Zui stretched, revealing his slender yet powerful waist.
To be honest, Yun Qi quite liked the surname. He narrowed his eyes with a smile and reached out to give Wen Zui’s waist a stroke.
“Our A-Zui is so obedient. How about I reward you by letting you buy me a phone?”
“Hey! Do not touch me like that!” Wen Zui was ticklish; the moment his waist was touched, his body went soft. He took the opportunity to roll across the bed, putting distance between himself and Yun Qi.
It was still morning; if Yun Qi kept teasing him like this, he was going to have a physical reaction.
He puffed out his cheeks and pointed to the wardrobe behind them. “There is five thousand yuan in cash inside. Go buy one yourself.”
Though he was stingy, he was not that stingy. Wen Zui felt quite proud of himself, thinking that letting Yun Qi spend five thousand on a phone was very generous.
After all, his own phone only cost three thousand!
“It is gone,” Yun Qi said, looking very innocent.
“What do you mean gone? It is right in…” Wen Zui did not believe him and tore the wardrobe apart, turning it upside down, but he could not find his hidden private savings.
“Master, you stole my money!” Wen Zui glared and scolded him, though he felt a bit guilty. After all, all his money existed because of Yun Qi.
“Hmm?” Yun Qi raised an eyebrow as if to say, do you hear yourself right now?
“Fine, I will buy you whatever you want, alright!”
They spent the afternoon getting Yun Qi’s bank card, phone, tablet, and computer all set up. Wen Zui tearfully transferred four million yuan into Yun Qi’s account, feeling as though the sky were falling.
“So obedient,” Yun Qi said, patting his head with a sincere smile.
He had learned enough; it was time to start making money. Yun Qi calculated his plans, feeling that four million was still not enough. But seeing Wen Zui’s teary-eyed expression, he fell silent for a moment, forced to admit that this iron rooster of a man probably would not let another feather be plucked.
“Master!” A clear, youthful male voice suddenly rang out.
Following that, a man who looked about eighteen or nineteen appeared before Yun Qi and Wen Zui.
Wen Zui immediately frowned. He glared at Yun Qi and whispered, “You have other disciples?”
Yun Qi rested his head on his hand and shrugged helplessly.
“Master! You must accept me as your disciple!” the newcomer cried out with deep sincerity, looking as though he were about to kneel before Wen Zui.
Wen Zui grabbed him by the wrist and hauled him up, asking hesitantly, “Are you calling me Master?”
“Exactly!” The man lifted his chin and began his self-introduction.
The System explained: “Master! He is Mu Zhiheng, the younger brother of the third female lead, Mu Zhiyu. He has been a fan of cultivation since he was a child. That Goat-Beard from last night was his cheap excuse for a master. In the original book, the protagonist defeated Goat-Beard while helping the Green Dragon Gang, and Mu Zhiheng witnessed it, which is why he started pestering the protagonist.”
Yun Qi grew pensive, the smile in his eyes deepening. Was this not the perfect timing? Just as he was getting sleepy, someone brought him a pillow.
Mu Zhiheng babbled on for a long time before Wen Zui finally understood his purpose. Wen Zui blinked in disbelief, reached out to pinch Mu Zhiheng’s face, and squeezed hard.
“Are you mental? Careful, or I will blast you with lightning too.” Wen Zui was still shaken by the previous night’s events; he had not expected Goat-Beard’s disciple to come knocking on his door.
Maybe I should just silence him permanently! Wen Zui’s eyes darkened as he considered where best to strike.
Yun Qi, who had been watching the scene for a while, finally spoke.
“Zhiheng, where is your apprenticeship gift?”
The voice, as cold and clear as jade, made Mu Zhiheng freeze for a second. He finally shifted his gaze from his dear Master to Yun Qi.
Stunned by Yun Qi’s beauty, Mu Zhiheng frantically pulled a red booklet and a bank card from his bag, handing them both to Yun Qi.
“Greetings, Mistress! This is my tuition, please accept it!”
Wen Zui said nothing.
Yun Qi said nothing.
Mu Zhiheng looked confused.
The System laughed: “Hahahahahahahahaha! Master! You! Hahahahahaha!”
The silver ball was crudely silenced. The smile on Yun Qi’s lips deepened as he tucked the tuition into his shopping bag, preparing to give this reckless, silly boy a proper lesson.
“Ahem! This is my older cousin. What are you shouting for?” Wen Zui said, secretly enjoying the situation while reaching for the shopping bag. Yun Qi slapped his hand away.
“Greetings, Great-Uncle! Blame me for having eyes but failing to recognize Mount Tai!” Mu Zhiheng’s face turned slightly red, though he felt he was not entirely wrong. How could a man be this beautiful? It was not his fault for guessing wrong!
“It is no matter. Xiao Heng, do you know what the most important step in cultivation is?” Yun Qi asked with a smile.
“Is it learning the most powerful techniques?” Mu Zhiheng scratched his ear, feeling a bit embarrassed.
“Not so. The body is the foundation of everything. For a cultivator, physical training is indispensable. How about you jog all the way back to your house and return this evening?”
Wen Zui frowned upon hearing this. He secretly grabbed Yun Qi’s hand behind his back and whispered in his mind: “Is there actually such a requirement? Why did you not tell me?”
“Eh?” This was also the first time Mu Zhiheng had heard of such a cultivation method. He looked at Wen Zui doubtfully. “Is that true, Master?”
“Of course! Go quickly. If you come back tonight, I will accept you as my disciple.”
“Understood!” Mu Zhiheng vanished in a flash.
Yun Qi chuckled softly. He gripped Wen Zui’s waist with one hand, effortlessly blocking his hand from reaching for the shopping bag again.