Chapter 111: Daoist Master, Please Behave

After confirming that Mu Wanxuan had found Chi Ling, Wang Sheng, still dressed in his training clothes, ran back to the seaside.

Wang Sheng had put in so much effort all because he was worried about his master's second chance at romance. Besides, Wang Sheng was always thorough with his actions since he considered every aspect carefully.

Glancing around as if he were guilty of something, Wang Sheng lowered his voice and asked, "Master, as your disciple, I really shouldn't be asking this, but I just can't help but wonder. Is Martial Aunt Jingyun... in a relationship with you?"

"You're still so young, yet instead of focusing on your cultivation, you keep concerning yourself with my affairs!" Qing Yanzi scolded with a chuckle, then shook his head helplessly. "Jingyun and I each had masters who once held feelings for each other. But back then, our sect rules forbade disciples of the same sect from marrying.

"In the end, they were left with lifelong regrets. In fact, your forefather master stopped me from being with Ah-Ling back then precisely because the same matter had hurt him. I understand that now.

"Now that I am the sect master, our lineage will no longer have such restrictions on marriage. However, if one can maintain their virginity, cultivating using the Pure Yang Immortal Mantra does have certain benefits."

"Master, do you want Mistress back?"

"

Mm.

If the primal qi of heaven and earth did not return, I might never have dared to come see her again in this lifetime." Qing Yanzi smiled with a hint of warmth. "Now, I can properly protect and take care of her and our daughter. Naturally, I have to find them and make up for all the years I failed them."

Wang Sheng handed his phone to his master and whispered, "Master, I found a few lines of poetry. You might want to memorize them in case things get too awkward later and you don't know what to say. These can serve as a backup."

Qing Yanzi glanced at the screen, then shook his head with a laugh. "You really underestimate your master too much!"

"It's always good to be prepared."

"I never needed such sappy words when I was young," Qing Yanzi said. A surge of primal qi rose from his palm and took the shape of a razor, which he used to shave off his beard. He also tidied his long hair.

Since the two were similar in build, the Daoist robe fit Qing Yanzi just right. After cleaning up, he turned around. Wang Sheng immediately smiled and nodded.

"In the blink of an eye..." Qing Yanzi sighed softly as he gazed at the camp under the night sky with a complex look. "Twenty years have passed..."

"

Mm.

Master, these years haven't been easy for you either."

"Enough," Qing Yanzi patted Wang Sheng's shoulder. "I will first make up for the regrets and mistakes of the past. After that, I'll give you a proper lecture."

A proper lecture?

Wang Sheng suddenly felt a little uneasy, unsure of what he had done wrong. Ever since he had entered the sect, he had hardly been scolded. Was his master unhappy that he had gone overboard this time?

A disciple was like a son. It was only natural for him to share his master's burdens. However, considering his master's remarks, he might as well prepare himself mentally for a scolding anyway.

About ten minutes later, near a reef by the shore, the sea breeze blew steadily, seemingly stirring someone's heart. Chi Ling, whom Mu Wanxuan had persuaded to come, quietly stood and listened to the waves washing back and forth. She appeared somewhat frail due to the slightly loose camouflage uniform that she was wearing.

From the nearby trees, Qing Yanzi slowly emerged. His steps were at times quick, at times slow, but he never stopped. He kept walking until he was right behind Chi Ling.

"Ah-Ling..." Even with a Dao Heart as clear as a mirror and having reached the Golden Core Realm, Qing Yanzi's voice still trembled slightly.

"I still have a lot of work to do. If you have something to say, please keep it brief—"

Before she could finish, Qing Yanzi took a step forward. At lightning speed, he pulled Chi Ling, who had been away from him for twenty years, into his arms and held her tightly.

Chi Ling's eyes turned red almost instantly. She stood still for a few seconds before forcefully pushing him away.

"Daoist Master, please behave!"

Qing Yanzi lowered his head, looked at his own hands, and sighed softly. His eyes held a deep tenderness, while the white hair covering his temples hinted at a heart worn by sorrow.

"Ah-Ling, I don't want to lose you again. You've been avoiding me for twenty years. The suffocation has nearly driven me to madness."

Chi Ling trembled slightly, but she only stared at Qing Yanzi.

"You're still as lovable as ever, Ah-Ling. I said that without thinking, but even if I gave myself time to think, I would still say the same thing."

"You..."

Qing Yanzi stepped forward and embraced Chi Ling once more. This time, she did not push him away.

In the nearby trees, Wang Sheng and his senior sister lay on the ground, secretly observing. Wang Sheng wiped his face and quietly deleted the poetry that he had prepared on his phone.

His master was truly a mentor in every possible way.

"Senior Sister?"

"

Mm?

"

"

Ahem

, I'm feeling a little cold..."

Mu Wanxuan nodded seriously and then immediately began unbuttoning her long dress. Wang Sheng was so startled that he quickly apologized, saying repeatedly that he was just joking. Behind them, the group hiding in various spots nearly burst into laughter.

Qing Yanzi glanced in their direction. Everyone held their breath, not daring to make a sound.

"Let's go somewhere more private," Qing Yanzi softly suggested.

"Bu Yan." Chi Ling once again broke free from Qing Yanzi's embrace, but this time, her tone had unconsciously softened. "I don't have much energy left to deal with matters outside of work. Back then, I left you out of spite, but in truth, I also wronged you. You don't have to treat me this way anymore."

Qing Yanzi remained silent for a moment before asking, "What exactly does the Special Investigation Unit do?"

Chi Ling wiped her tears and calmly replied, "It is responsible for maintaining the relationship between the cultivation world and the secular world, investigating crimes committed by cultivators, strengthening ties between righteous sects, and overseeing the cultivation world."

Qing Yanzi lowered his voice. "Are you still recruiting?"

Chi Ling was momentarily stunned, but she quickly frowned at Qing Yanzi and whispered, "You don't have to do this for me. You've already embarked on the path of immortality and are now a formidable Daoist master—"

"I just don't want to be separated from you anymore," Qing Yanzi interjected with a smile. "Besides, as long as my state of mind remains steady, the mortal world can't disturb my cultivation. Little Sheng and Little Xuan no longer need me to guide them daily—just the occasional teaching will suffice."

Chi Ling bit her lip lightly. "Fei Yu and Bu Yu refused to waste time in the secular world, yet you..."

"Oh? Those two refused? That's good. My original intention was to have them return to the mountains to cultivate." Qing Yanzi nodded with a smile. "That works out just fine. Now, tell me. What benefits would a Golden Core Realm cultivator like me receive for joining your unit?

"I do have my own motives, after all. My sect consists of just me and my two disciples, and we don't have that many resources. If I work for the government, I might be able to secure some benefits for them."

Chi Ling finally nodded. The way she looked at Qing Yanzi slightly softened. "Fine. I'll give you the highest possible benefits. You won't be doing any errand work. Every month, Fei Yu and Bu Yu will receive as many alchemy pills and Qi-Nurturing Stones as instructors in the Special Warfare Unit."

Qing Yanzi scratched his head. "

Eh?

What about my share?"

"

Hmph.

You'll be working for free!"

"Yes, yes. I see nothing wrong with working for my wife for free."

"Your wife?! You're still as insufferable as ever! I'm your superior now! Mind your conduct! You are to address me as 'Captain'!"

Hidden in the nearby grass, Wang Sheng stared wide-eyed at his mistress, whose tone increasingly resembled that of someone playfully acting spoiled. His respect for his master was now endless.

On the other hand... Did Master really just join the Special Investigation Unit that easily?

His master didn't seem to be joking. On the contrary, he appeared to have deliberately left Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan out of the unit.

Judging by the situation, his master had likely made up his mind to join the investigation unit on the way here. After all, it would make it easier to win the mistress back, and it would allow him to secure a large amount of cultivation resources for his two disciples. To top it all off, he'd get to leverage the official power of the Hua Republic to protect their sect.

At that moment, Wang Sheng wondered why, among the many experts on the Heavenly Rankings, his master remained a constant name on the top of the trending lists related to the immortal path despite rarely appearing in public. He also questioned why, every time Qing Yanzi did appear, all sorts of rumors and gossip would spread wildly across the internet, almost as if there was an intentional publicity campaign.

Maybe in my past life, Master was one of the big shots in the Special Investigation Unit! He was used as a symbol to deter the wicked!

Wang Sheng couldn't help but sigh inwardly. His master had gone so far as to sell both his body and skills just to provide for him and Mu Wanxuan.

***

Despite his master's earlier promise of a lecture, Wang Sheng waited half the night but never received one. However, his master had not gone off to indulge in romance with his wife. Chi Ling still had a mountain of work to handle and had no time to rekindle old flames with Qing Yanzi.

Rather, his old friend Yan Zhengnan had invited Qing Yanzi to provide the instructors some guidance. Since he and Yan Zhengnan were close friends, it was likely difficult for him to refuse.

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Gradually, unease settled in Wang Sheng's heart. He had no idea how his master intended to reprimand him or what he had done wrong. Had he been neglecting his cultivation? Had he become too obsessed with the Dao of the Sword? Or did his master get mad because he acted on his own accord and involved himself in worldly affairs?

Wang Sheng had no clue. He could only sit and meditate with his senior sister.

Eventually, the Special Warfare Unit withdrew, and the surroundings quieted down, yet his master was still nowhere to be found. After some time, at the edge of his spiritual consciousness, Wang Sheng detected a few familiar auras. He opened his eyes and woke up his senior sister.

Qing Yanzi had changed into a camouflage uniform and was holding Wang Sheng's Daoist robe in his hand. To his left was Yan Zhengnan, who still had bandages wrapped around his chest. To his right was Fei Lianzi, who looked particularly pleased with himself.

As the three approached, Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan greeted them. Qing Yanzi, however, merely handed Wang Sheng his robe with a somewhat stern expression.

"Fei Yu."

Wang Sheng immediately lowered his head. "Yes, Master."

"Sit down. Take off your shirt."

"Understood."

Without hesitation, Wang Sheng stripped off his upper garment.