Chapter Thirty-Six: Another Disciple Taken

Chapter Thirty-Six: Another Disciple Taken

Everyone was stunned—especially Li Jiankui and his daughter. They had seen firsthand the extent of Ye Rulong’s martial prowess; opposing him could only end in certain death!

In a flash, as the tension reached its peak, Li Jiankui sensed the danger and, with a sudden movement, slapped his palm to the ground, spun around, and darted toward the door.

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Ye Rulong immediately gave chase.

Ye Rulong’s skills far surpassed Li Jiankui’s. Li Jiankui had barely reached the doorway before Ye Rulong seized him, and the two began to grapple. But Li Jiankui was no match; within twenty moves, Ye Rulong struck him down with a punch, blood seeping from the corner of Li Jiankui’s mouth.

“Master! How should we deal with him?” Ye Rulong called out.

Shi Bai clicked his tongue in surprise; he hadn’t expected the older Ye Rulong to act with such impatience, nearly taking Li Jiankui’s life without hesitation.

He quickly intervened. “Enough. Though he was disrespectful to me, his crime does not warrant death. Let’s put an end to this matter.”

Ye Rulong immediately agreed. Truth be told, he hadn’t really wanted to harm Li Jiankui either. But having just acknowledged Shi Bai as his master, he’d felt compelled to make a show of loyalty. His extreme action was merely to put Shi Bai’s mind at ease.

He barked sharply, “Li Jiankui! My master spares you today, but mark my words—watch over your children, and never again engage in such arrogant and domineering behavior!”

Li Jiankui nodded repeatedly. “Never again! Never again! Should I repeat my offense, the two of you may take my head without hesitation!” With that, he hastily pulled his daughter Li Yue’e and her husband to kneel before Shi Bai.

“Sir, your might is divine! We were ignorant—please, forgive us!”

Li Yue’e and her husband kowtowed as well, pleading for mercy.

The onlookers were speechless. Nothing that happened now could surprise them—today had been filled with too many astonishing events.

Shi Bai nodded slightly. Seeing their genuine remorse, he decided not to pursue the matter further. “Very well, let this matter rest. Words have been said, apologies made. But Li Jiankui, remember what you just promised—should you err again, death will be your only fate.”

Li Jiankui and his daughter shuddered in terror, knocking their heads on the floor as if pounding garlic.

With a snort, Shi Bai turned to leave. Suddenly, Li Jiankui threw his arms around Shi Bai’s leg.

Shi Bai was startled; he had dropped his guard, and if Li Jiankui attacked now, his life would be forfeit.

But to his surprise, Li Jiankui cried out instead, “Sir! Would you consider taking me as your disciple as well?”

The crowd gasped again. This was bizarre! Was this a place to buy houses or to collect disciples? Two people in a row, both clamoring to become apprentices.

Shi Bai chuckled, having never expected such a turn from Li Jiankui.

But after a moment’s thought, he realized it might not be a bad thing. There’s a saying: at home, rely on your parents; outside, on friends. The more friends you have, the smoother your path. If you trade friends for disciples, wouldn’t the road be even easier?

He burst out laughing. “You want to become my disciple too? Who do you take me for, Li Jiankui? Do I take in any stray cat or dog?”

Li Jiankui froze, his expression dimming in an instant. Of course, having offended Shi Bai so deeply, he should be grateful not to be punished—how could he expect to be accepted as a disciple?

Slowly, he let go and collapsed to the floor in despair. His massive frame slumped on the ground like a small mountain, and Shi Bai couldn’t help but find the sight amusing.

“But,” Shi Bai added, “while I can’t take you as a disciple, I could accept you as a disciple’s disciple.”

Li Jiankui’s eyes lit up. “That’s more than enough! As long as you’re willing to take me in, I’ll do anything you ask!”

The crowd was beyond words. The day’s events had become surreal—now there was even competition to be taken on as a disciple’s disciple!

Only Ye Rulong snorted coldly; he alone understood Li Jiankui’s true motives. Now that he had offended Shi Bai—and by extension, the Ye family—even if Shi Bai spared him, his days in the ancient city would be numbered. But if he could also become Shi Bai’s apprentice, everything would change. Not only would he resolve a major crisis, but he would also be linked to the Ye family and have Shi Bai as a powerful patron. Not only would he be out of danger, but he might even rise to greater heights—a plan that killed three birds with one stone.

The thought only made Ye Rulong more annoyed.

Shi Bai smiled faintly and said nothing more, lifting his foot to leave. Unexpectedly, Li Jiankui blocked his way again.

Ye Rulong was about to flare up, but Li Jiankui quickly said, “Grandmaster! You must have come here today for a house. I have nothing else worthy to offer, so please accept a riverside villa under my name as a gift!”

Li Yue’e’s face changed dramatically. The riverside villa? That was their company’s most expensive property, worth thirty million! She hadn’t expected her father to go to such lengths to curry favor.

Shi Bai glanced at Li Jiankui. “Oh?”

Li Jiankui hurriedly ordered someone to fetch the keys. “Grandmaster! The villa is fully furnished and staffed. You may move in anytime you wish.”

Ye Rulong narrowed his eyes. He hadn’t expected Li Jiankui to be so adept at currying favor. He quickly interjected, “Master, the riverside residence is in a low-lying area and too damp. Your disciple also has an apartment halfway up the mountain, on the other side of the Baywater District. Master, you should stay there instead.”

Li Jiankui’s face changed again. This old fox really wouldn’t let him off! He quickly replied, “Grandmaster! The climate in the ancient city is dry—there’s no dampness, if anything, there’s a risk of drought. The riverside villa is nestled between mountain and water, with the ideal climate. You should stay there!”

Shi Bai lifted his head and thought for a moment, then shook it helplessly. “Fine, I’ll accept his riverside villa. The two of you can stop arguing; from now on, we’re all family, so you should get along.”

“Thank you, Grandmaster!” Li Jiankui was overjoyed and bowed deeply.

Shi Bai smiled lightly and suddenly took out a book. “I really do have a surplus of paper to wipe with. Here, I’ll give you this as a meeting gift.”

Li Jiankui accepted it and was overjoyed. “Iron Sand Palm!”

The crowd was stunned again. Who was this man, to hand out ‘Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms’ and ‘Iron Sand Palm’ at will? Was he Jin Yong himself?

Only Shi Bai knew the truth: with the system, he could be as capricious as he pleased. Not just one or two martial arts manuals—he could pull out the entire Shaolin Library if he wished.

Li Jiankui clung to the Iron Sand Palm manual, unable to put it down. Though it lacked the fame of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, it was still a top-tier martial art. Mastered well, it might rival the more famous technique. He offered profuse thanks.

With all matters settled, Shi Bai had no desire to linger. He strode out of the sales office.

Ye Rulong and Li Jiankui hurried after him, while Zhang Kangkang and his second uncle, after a moment’s thought, also followed.

Outside, Old Li was waiting and quickly brought up the Rolls-Royce.

The employees were once again left in an uproar—so he hadn’t lied after all! If he drove such a luxury car, how could he not afford a house? Seeing how plainly he dressed, they were filled with regret; it was clear how foolish it was to judge by appearances.

Shi Bai was about to leave when his second uncle hesitated, then hurried after him.

Ye Rulong moved to stop him, but Shi Bai waved him aside.

The second uncle managed to catch up and respectfully addressed Shi Bai. “Young man—sir! I didn’t want to trouble you, but seeing your great influence and chivalrous spirit, your willingness to help the weak, I have no choice but to ask for your help!”

The crowd scoffed; what could a shepherd possibly need?

But Shi Bai said, “Please speak, uncle.”

The second uncle was flustered by the honor. “You flatter me! I can’t possibly be your uncle!”

The crowd groaned; the man was as blunt as ever.

Shi Bai smiled, unconcerned. “It doesn’t matter. I’m not particular about titles or seniority. Go ahead, uncle.”

Embarrassed, the second uncle scratched his head. “Then I’ll take you at your word?”

Shi Bai laughed. “Go ahead.”

Meanwhile, Ye Rulong and Li Jiankui’s expressions soured. If this shepherd became Shi Bai’s uncle, what would that make them, as disciple and disciple’s disciple?

The second uncle quickly explained, “Actually, our mine has run into trouble. There’s some kind of creature living in one of the tunnels—everyone and every mining cart sent down has vanished! We reported it, but even the officers who went down disappeared. We had no choice but to seal it off, but at night, eerie cries can still be heard, terrifying everyone.”

He sighed. “Our workers are scared, more and more are quitting, and the nearby residents can’t sleep easy. After seeing your might today, sir, I hoped you might be willing to come and rid us of this menace!”

Shi Bai was already considering it when suddenly, the system’s voice sounded in his head.

“Main Quest Three: Go to the mine and eliminate the monster.”