The Teacher’s Grace Is Like Heaven

8 – Unforgettable (2)

If I could train every day without worrying about anything, that would be so nice. But people need food, clothing, and shelter to live.

And to obtain those, ultimately money was needed. Surprisingly, most martial artists weren’t very good at earning money.

Of course it was different for masters with prestigious reputations. Usually by becoming a martial artist for some power they could earn income stably, but

martial artists who couldn’t do that barely got by doing work like being hired guards. And when even that was hard, they often ended up

doing not so great work like brawlers or market gangsters. From that perspective, I was lucky. Thanks to connections I made in the martial world.

“I heard from Father, Commander.”

“You flatter me.”

“hahahaha, that you are my father’s benefactor has not changed.”

The young man with the fine clothes and kind features laughed as he bowed his head. As the leader of the Changgolsangdan trading firm, he demonstrated considerable business acumen.

Not only monopolizing this region’s commerce with Zhuge Sega’s help, but ultimately aiming to supply luxury goods to the imperial family as well, it was said.

I clicked my tongue. Just how much money would they earn for supplying the imperial family? They would probably gain an unimaginably vast amount of money.

While I was debating whether to just beat away the martial artists now and get hired by the trading firm, the young man smiled awkwardly and spoke to me.

“May I ask one thing?”

“What is it?”

“Is it alright to bring a child as a guard?”

“Ah, you mean Bi Yan.”

I nodded. I knew what he was worried about, but Bi Yan’s skills wouldn’t hold her back, rather she would help the guards.

Cultivation stage could largely be divided into three: initial, intermediate, and advanced. Initial meant having just entered that stage.

Intermediate meant building decent skills, and advanced meant completely mastering it and aiming for the next stage.

In just one year, Bi Yan had reached the advanced stage of the intermediate realm, and was now aiming for the next stage, the initial realm of the advanced realm. It was unbelievable, tremendous talent.

For even a gifted person to reach the initial stage of the intermediate realm took at least 5 to 7 years. And that was with a good master.

If self-studying, or without a very good master, it could take over 10 years. Yet Bi Yan reached intermediate realm advanced stage in just 1 year,

and was now aiming for the next stage. I let out a sigh. If I had been a better master, perhaps she would have entered the advanced realm by now?

“Master? Did something happen?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

At Bi Yan’s question I shook my head. Don’t lament over what I don’t have, be grateful for what I do have, and focus on what I can do now.

I had lived like that until now, and would continue living like that. Although I didn’t have top-notch martial arts or inner energy,

as Bi Yan’s master, I would impart the best teachings I could. And so I had brought Bi Yan along as a guard this time.

“I heard ruffians are active, frequently ambushing.”

“Won’t the officials move?”

“Sadly, they will not move.”

I clicked my tongue. The power struggle between the imperial court and martial world was still ongoing. Of course on the surface the martial world bowed their heads to the imperial court,

and the imperial court also acknowledged the Wulin Alliance, granting positions to the Alliance Master, but in the distant past martial artists had also overthrown the emperor before.

And when imperial power was very strong, the martial world was also greatly persecuted, so there was still lingering resentment, both sides still clashing.

Especially in Zhuge Sega’s case, he was very hated. Like a bat fluttering between the martial world and imperial court, currying favor with both sides.

Thanks to that, the imperial troops stationed at Xifeng, if it was related to Zhuge Sega’s movements, would openly drag their feet and sometimes completely ignore it.

And that was right now. The Changgol Trading Firm prospered thanks to Zhuge Sega’s help. I soon nodded and muttered.

“But how are they supplying the imperial family?”

The Changgol Trading Firm had greatly prospered thanks to Zhuge Sega’s help. Of course the imperial family would know that too. So how…?

I wondered that far, but soon shook off that thought. What use would it be for me, a mere martial artist, to look into it that deeply?

Those of high status would handle it themselves. Thinking so, I entered a nearby inn with Bi Yan. We had a little free time.

“Let’s have lunch here today.”

“Understood!”

“Welcome!”

Despite just being an inn in a small town, the atmosphere was great. They had covered the tables with cloths they had properly washed,

and used unique carved wooden statues and the like as decorations. Perhaps thanks to that, quite a few martial artists were in the inn.

They looked to mostly be martial artists hired as guards for the trading firm. I sat at an appropriate seat with Bi Yan. Soon a waiter approached.

“What shall I bring you to eat?”

“Huh? That was a bit curt.”

“Bi Yan-ah.”

“hahahaha, sorry! I’m a bit busy.”

The waiter quickly corrected himself with a laugh. He looked quite young, but it seems he had a much better personality than he appeared. I clicked my tongue.

I didn’t expect Bi Yan to suddenly get angry as soon as we arrived. After ordering appropriate food, I looked at Bi Yan and spoke.

“Do you have to mind every little thing like that?”

“How could I just brush off such rudeness committed before you, Master?”

“Use an ox cleaver to slaughter oxen, and a chicken cleaver to slaughter chicken.”

“…….”

“Why try to use an ox cleaver to cut a chicken?”

From my experience working as a waiter, most of them were often of low status and unlearned. It made sense in a way.

In the first place, most of the wealthy merchants and commoners were illiterate, so what could one expect from an inn’s waiter?

And so I told Bi Yan, don’t mind the small things, focus on what’s in front of you. Bowing her head, Bi Yan replied to me.

“I understand completely what you mean.”

“Then that’s good. Let’s eat together.”

“Yes, Master.”

From noble mtl dot com

*

At first I thought it was just a light job. Rather, I even felt excited to use work as an excuse to go on a trip with Master.

However, that feeling didn’t last long. Bi Yan quickly glanced around. I wasn’t seeing things. They were right there in my memories.

The Demonic Sect.

The forces of the fanatics following the Sky Devil. And those people giving off the Demonic Sect’s aura were now disguising themselves as martial artists and taking seats.

What was it called, Changgol Trading Firm? I remember. It was one of the front organizations of the Demonic Sect that used bizarre demonic arts to trick the Emperor, right?

For them to openly make their moves right in front of me, could Zhuge Sega really not have noticed? Bi Yan clicked her tongue to herself.

Whether he really doesn’t know anything and is moving, or has some plan, I don’t know well, but this was rather an opportunity given by Master.

“Why try to use an ox cleaver to cut a chicken?”

What does this mean? Don’t mind the rudeness of a mere waiter, go hunt bigger prey – wasn’t that the meaning?

Certainly, Master’s words are right. So right. Although the opponent is the Demonic Sect’s minion, they have much more value than a waiter.

At the same time, Bi Yan felt a fresh wave of respect arise. That’s right, this is how Master had been fighting until now.

No wonder I was honestly dubious when Master said he’d guard some trading firm against hoodlums… So that’s how it was!

‘I still have far to go.’

Guilt continuously hammered at my chest. While Master noticed and moved first, I as his disciple couldn’t even follow at his heels.

Am I still too young? My body not fully developed yet? Those are all excuses, pretexts. In a life-or-death battle, will they give me an excuse?

To make excuses again after losing Master again? No, no. Not anymore. I returned to protect Master with these hands.

Of course Master must be trying to protect me. Bi Yan thought. Since he knows the Demonic Sect is here, why did he bring me along?

The answer is simple. Because this town itself wasn’t safe. In case Bi Yan left alone at home got ambushed by the Demonic Sect.

‘But don’t expect me, Bi Yan, to just stay still.’

Have I never cried until my tears dried and blood flowed from that spot? It was so painful, yet I couldn’t stop my tears.

And so, Bi Yan pledged. From now on, I will protect you, Master.