Chapter 036 Senior Brother – “The First Step in Whitewashing” (01/19)
Jiang Lingqing was dumbfounded.
Not just him—even System 111 was dumbfounded.
【What the hell is going on here?】
How did he suddenly enter meditation? He hadn’t even activated the host’s golden finger yet!
Shi Jingge didn’t know what was happening either, but he felt no discomfort whatsoever.
He was enveloped in an incredibly gentle aura. The crisp chirping of birds seemed to fill his ears, while a gentle breeze carried waves of floral fragrance, leaving him utterly refreshed and at peace.
This sensation felt so familiar, even exquisite.
System 111 couldn’t help but observe its host. Soon, it realized its host was adapting to this world remarkably quickly.
He seemed to possess a soul-deep familiarity and affinity for this realm. Despite having no prior exposure to any of this, after entering meditation, he began circulating the spiritual energy within his body with such natural ease.
…As if he’d done it a thousand times before.
Yet, his host was ostensibly just an ordinary person.
System 111 pondered this for quite some time, unable to arrive at any conclusion. Finally, it decisively gave up.
But immediately following that, a new thought struck System 111.
—Did it even need to provide the host with a golden finger?
—It felt like the host didn’t need it at all!
Having reached this conclusion, System 111 experienced a moment of self-doubt. Then, it discovered someone even more depressed. It was Jiang Lingqing.
His expression was as sour as if he’d swallowed a fly.
Instantly, System 111 felt comforted.
Jiang Lingqing was genuinely frustrated.
He had genuinely come with ill intent to provoke and disgust Shi Jingge, but now, he had no choice but to stand here and protect Shi Jingge.
But this was the Liuchong Sect’s rule: whenever a disciple entered enlightenment, all nearby Liuchong Sect disciples were obligated to guard them. Failure to do so was a grave offense; disrupting the process was tantamount to treason!
What choice did Jiang Lingqing have?
He could only grit his teeth and endure it!
Yet as Shi Jingge’s enlightenment prolonged, his own spiritual energy circulation began to falter. He struggled to suppress his frustration, but couldn’t help muttering several curses under his breath.
Shi Jingge had entered enlightenment suddenly, so naturally he hadn’t prepared resources like spirit stones beforehand. But continuing without support risked severe backlash, forcing Jiang Lingqing to offer his own spirit stones to sustain Shi Jingge’s energy flow!
Why?
Because the sect’s regulations mandated that assistance must be provided to any sect disciple in enlightenment!
Moreover, Shi Jingge’s status was unique. Even when Jiang Lingqing wanted to mock or provoke him, he had to cloak it under the guise of “acting in his best interest.” How could he possibly stand by and do nothing now?
If Shi Jingge reported him to the higher-ups later, he’d definitely face dire consequences.
What does it mean to shoot yourself in the foot? What does it mean to lose both the battle and the spoils?
This is it!
Why didn’t he leave just now?
Why did he have to linger here?
This time, Jiang Lingqing was truly filled with bitter regret.
Gritting his teeth, he placed a few low-grade spirit stones down. But no sooner had he set them than the spiritual energy inside was sucked dry.
Jiang Lingqing had to force himself to suppress his urge to explode, placing out several more low-grade spirit stones.
Then another, and another, and another.
He had no more low-grade spirit stones left on him.
Jiang Lingqing took a deep breath, painfully pulling a mid-grade spirit stone from his storage pouch, truly reluctant to let it go.
His right hand held the spirit stone, his left hand gripped his right, and his eyes seemed to well up with tears.
The very next second, Jiang Lingqing sensed something was terribly wrong.
The spiritual energy within the mid-grade spirit stone was being absorbed!
He hadn’t even placed the stone near Shi Jingge, yet he was absorbing its essence!
Was this the innate power of a top-tier Heavenly Spirit Root?
At that moment, Jiang Lingqing’s heart was filled with complex emotions. But one mid-grade spirit stone was clearly insufficient.
Despairing, Jiang Lingqing could only release the mid-grade spirit stones one by one. With each stone he handed over, it felt like cutting flesh from his own body.
Then, he suddenly recalled the squirrels he’d seen in the mountains before. The reluctant way they carried out their nuts, one by one—wasn’t that exactly his own situation now?
His heart ached.
The mid-grade spirit stones in Jiang Lingqing’s storage pouch were completely depleted!
All he wanted to do was turn and run.
But if he left now, everything he’d done before would be for nothing. What if Shi Jingge reported him later? The consequences would be far worse than mere “misery.”
Yet at this point, he had no other choice!
Jiang Lingqing fished an upper-grade spirit stone from his storage pouch and clenched it tightly.
Such upper-grade spirit stones were rationed to Foundation Establishment disciples at only three per month.
Jiang Lingqing couldn’t bear to let go of one. Even if its spiritual energy had been drained, at least it had died in his hands, never straying from his side.
It was his upper-grade spirit stone.
Just then, the fluctuations around Shi Jingge gradually subsided. The trickle of blood at the corner of his lips also began to fade.
Soon, he opened his eyes. His dark pupils shimmered with a radiant brilliance, utterly captivating.
In that instant, Jiang Lingqing keenly sensed something different about Shi Jingge.
It was only natural. Who wouldn’t undergo some change after advancing their cultivation?
Yes, Shi Jingge’s cultivation had undoubtedly risen.
It was painfully obvious. Even though Jiang Lingqing’s realm was lower than Shi Jingge’s, he could clearly see it. Barring any accidents, Shi Jingge had likely reached the peak of Foundation Establishment, standing but a step away from the Golden Core stage.
Jiang Lingqing pinched his fingertips, his heart aching with regret.
He had just heaped insults upon Shi Jingge with his backhanded compliments, driving the man to the brink of fury! And now, the man had actually advanced his cultivation!
Could anything be more humiliating?
Nothing.
“Sen… Senior Brother Shi…” Jiang Lingqing’s face was stiff as he began to speak, only to see Shi Jingge rise to his feet.
In that instant, Jiang Lingqing felt his hair stand on end.
Countless possibilities flashed through his mind, none of them promising. He even began regretting not running away immediately.
Just as Jiang Lingqing’s tension peaked, Shi Jingge bowed slightly and said earnestly, “Thank you, Fellow Disciple Jiang, for protecting me.”
Jiang Lingqing’s body stiffened for a moment before relaxing.
Thank goodness—thank goodness the little bastard still had a shred of conscience.
Did that mean he could recoup his spirit stones…?
Jiang Lingqing’s eyes lit up. This was the only piece of good news he’d received since Shi Jingge entered meditation.
Jiang Lingqing cleared his throat and nodded with restrained composure, his implication crystal clear. “Fellow Brother Shi entered meditation so suddenly that I hadn’t prepared many spirit stones. Fortunately, I had three high-grade spirit stones from this month’s earnings, which allowed me to guard you.”
So, hurry up and return those spirit stones!
As for the two extra stones he claimed, Jiang Lingqing felt not a shred of guilt.
Shi Jingge was different from them. As the provisional master of Shuixing Peak, all its resources were at his disposal. While magical treasures might be hard to come by since the disappearance of Immortal Gu Yun, items like spirit stones? Shi Jingge had more than enough!
Shuixing Peak possessed a spirit vein. And a primary one at that! Add to that the resources allocated monthly by the sect to Shi Jingge, everything was distributed according to the standards of a true Peak Master.
Shi Jingge might lack other things, but spirit stones? Never!
And this was precisely what Jiang Lingqing despised most about him.
A late Foundation Establishment cultivator, enjoying the resources of a Peak Master with a spirit vein behind him, yet still trying to snatch crumbs from his junior brothers and sisters? What kind of person does that make him?
It wouldn’t hurt to squeeze him a little! He couldn’t just protect Shi Jingge for free, could he?
Jiang Lingqing had a pretty nice plan.
But…
He phrased it too subtly and indirectly, and Shi Jingge simply didn’t catch the hint.
Shi Jingge fixed a serious, earnest gaze on Jiang Lingqing, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. “Thank you, fellow disciple Jiang,” he said solemnly. “Your noble character is truly an example for us all.”
Jiang Lingqing: “?”
That’s… it?
Spirit stones! Where are my spirit stones?!
Just as Jiang Lingqing was about to be more direct, Shi Jingge spoke first, “Brother Jiang, the juniors from Shuixing Peak are still waiting for me. How about we head to the secret realm first?”
A flicker of urgency flickered in his eyes, though his expression remained stern and cold, revealing nothing.
Jiang Lingqing suddenly felt a pang of irritation. What’s with the act?
But since he’d come seeking Shi Jingge under that very pretext, he couldn’t refuse the proposal. Forcing a hollow smile, he replied, “Fine.”
Damn it, he wouldn’t believe he couldn’t get his spirit stones back!!
The Liuchong Sect possessed numerous secret realms. This particular one admitted only disciples below the Foundation Establishment stage, opening once every five years for a mere seven-day period.
After seven days, all disciples would be ejected from the realm.
The conflict between the disciples of Shuixing Peak and those of Lingyue Peak had erupted over a single branch of spirit fruit.
The spirit fruit was called the Xue Ling Fruit[mfn]雪 灵 果 / Snow Spirit Fruit/ Xuě Líng Guǒ[/mfn]. A single vine bore eight Xue Ling Fruits, offering great benefits to low-level cultivators with water-attribute spiritual roots. Ji Qiulan, the junior sister of Shuixing Peak, possessed a water spiritual root. Thus, when the Xue Ling Fruit was discovered, the disciples of Shuixing Peak were overjoyed.
However, such spiritual fruits are typically guarded by demonic beasts. The Shuixing Peak disciples became entangled in a fight with two such beasts. As the battle raged on, they wandered far from the fruit. After finally defeating the beasts and returning, they were horrified to find Lingyue Peak disciples had scooped up the Xue Ling Fruit right before their eyes and stowed it in their storage pouches!
How could the Shuixing Peak disciples tolerate this? An argument erupted immediately between the two sides.
Unfortunately, this happened on the seventh day, when all the people in the secret realm were being released. The dispute between the Shuixing Peak and Lingyue Peak disciples had reached a boiling point. As soon as they were released, they nearly came to blows. If disciples from other peaks hadn’t intervened, who knows how bad things would have gotten.
Therefore, everyone acted decisively, sending word to the administrators of both peaks to resolve the matter.
The eldest and second disciples of Lingyue Peak arrived swiftly, but Shi Jingge, the leading disciple of Shuixing Peak, didn’t even respond to the transmission.
Precisely because of this, Jiang Lingqing volunteered to seek out Shi Jingge, solely to find an opportunity to provoke him.
On the way, Shi Jingge entered enlightenment and remained in it for quite some time. With the situation unresolved, it escalated directly to the Disciplinary Hall, even alerting the Disciplinary Elder!
By the time Shi Jingge and Jiang Lingqing arrived, the others had already been taken to the Disciplinary Hall. Being brought there was never a good sign.
Upon hearing this news, Jiang Lingqing felt a slight easing of the pent-up frustration in his heart. Yet he still put on a worried expression and said, “Brother Shi, you… sigh… Don’t blame your junior brothers and sisters either. They barely have a few spirit stones to their names, so clinging to something like the Xue Ling Fruit is only natural.
“Even though they’ve been sent to the Disciplinary Hall, it’s nothing more than them being unable to swallow their pride. Who would willingly go to the Disciplinary Hall? It’s not just their own face they’re losing, but the face of your entire peak. If your juniors had any other options, they wouldn’t have let things come to this.
“You weren’t here earlier. When the Lingyue Peak people arrived, heaven knows what kind of humiliation your juniors endured. You must comfort them properly later. The entire Shuixing Peak is counting on you.”
Jiang Lingqing’s words were delivered with such solemn earnestness, yet each phrase stabbed deep into Shi Jingge’s heart.
Every sentence was unbearably harsh. It was as if he were pointing his finger at Shi Jingge and declaring the Shuixing Peak disciples a disgrace.
If this were the original host, exploding on the spot would have been the height of restraint. But those Shuixing Peak disciples who went to the Punishment Hall would surely bear the brunt of the blame.
But Shi Jingge had just achieved enlightenment—his cultivation had even risen. And it was Jiang Lingqing’s words that had led to his enlightenment.
So he was different now, especially when facing Jiang Lingqing.
See? Shi Jingge had already prepared a perfect OOC excuse for himself.
Upon hearing this, Shi Jingge halted his steps. He lowered his head, seemingly deep in thought. That expression carried an unexpected sense of lonely anguish.
Jiang Lingqing raised an eyebrow, a hint of smugness visible.
The next moment, Shi Jingge bowed respectfully toward him. Though his face remained stern and aloof, his tone brimmed with profound gratitude. “This Senior Brother speaks wisely.”
Jiang Lingqing: “?”
“You truly see things clearly. I fall far short of your insight.”
Jiang Lingqing: “??”
“Rest assured, Senior Brother Jiang.” Shi Jingge curved his lips into a faint smile. “This Senior knows what must be done.” After a pause, he added, “I shall not disappoint your expectations.”
Jiang Lingqing: “???”
He understood every word Shi Jingge spoke, yet when those words formed a sentence, why did they all become incomprehensible?
What exactly was Shi Jingge trying to say?
This bewilderment lingered with Jiang Lingqing all the way to the Disciplinary Hall.
Upon arriving at the Disciplinary Hall, Shi Jingge first bowed respectfully to the Disciplinary Elder, his demeanor courteous and his etiquette impeccable—so much so that the Elder was slightly taken aback.
Ever since the disappearance of Immortal Gu Yun three thousand years ago, Shi Jingge’s manners had been perfunctory at best.
The Disciplinary Elder’s gaze swept over him. “You’ve improved,” he remarked in a deep voice.
Shi Jingge had clearly reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, not far from the Tribulation Crossing. The Disciplinary Elder felt a slight relief in his heart.
As long as Shi Jingge successfully crossed the tribulation, became a Golden Core Immortal, and formally took over Shuixing Peak, their headaches would be over.
The main issue was Shuixing Peak’s current situation. Not only was the pressure immense for Shi Jingge, but it was also difficult for them to handle.
You say it should be managed, but who should be sent to manage it? How should it be managed? Shuixing Peak’s affairs were already in the hands of its future Peak Master. For them to meddle, what would that look like? A conspiracy? An attempt to undermine?
Moreover, Shuixing Peak possessed a spiritual vein, a primary one at that. Who would ever complain about having too many spiritual veins? What if the person they sent actually set their sights on Shuixing Peak’s spiritual vein? Even if no one coveted it, wouldn’t Shi Jingge feel uneasy? Wouldn’t he be wary?
And Shi Jingge never wanted anyone near Shuixing Peak to begin with, which, of course, was understandable.
But to just ignore them? Seeing Shuixing Peak so deserted, with internal troubles brewing—who wouldn’t feel uneasy? What if rumors spread later that the Liuchong Sect bullied Immortal Gu Yun’s disciples? Wouldn’t they be unfairly blamed?
This had the elders in a terrible bind. Though they issued both overt and covert warnings, the Liuchong Sect was vast, with countless disciples spread across the main peak, secondary peaks, inner sect, and outer sect. They couldn’t possibly watch over them day and night. Who among them didn’t need to cultivate? Who didn’t need to enter seclusion?
Therefore, they wished more than anyone for Shi Jingge to cultivate diligently and become a Golden Core Immortal sooner. They openly and covertly funneled resources to Shuixing Peak. Yet, Shi Jingge’s cultivation progress had stubbornly stalled!
It felt like a mouthful of old blood was stuck in their throats.
Fortunately, a glimmer of hope had finally appeared.
“Yes.” Shi Jingge lowered his head slightly, seeming somewhat embarrassed. “It’s all thanks to fellow disciple, Brother Jiang.”
Jiang Lingqing: “?”
The Disciplinary Elder looked at Jiang Lingqing. Jiang Lingqing clasped his hands in a bow and said stiffly, “It’s because Brother Shi has exceptional talent and quick comprehension.”
Lies were born of desperation.
“No, it was Brother Jiang who illuminated my path.” Shi Jingge abruptly lifted his head, his expression still stern and cool, yet his eyes alone shone with brilliance.
The sudden movement caused his hair to swing back, revealing crimson-tinged ears that caught the Disciplinary Elder’s gaze.
The elder paused, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes.
Was he blushing?
“Brother Jiang is open-minded and compassionate, unwilling to see me mired in confusion and straying from the path.” Shi Jingge paused. “He sought me out specifically. Along the way, he patiently resolved my doubts with earnest words. Though his language was somewhat sharp, it was all to awaken me.
“Deeply influenced by Brother Jiang’s words, I gained sudden insight and entered enlightenment on the spot. With time so short and no preparation, it was only thanks to Brother Jiang’s protection that I remained safe.
“Brother Jiang’s heart shines as brightly as the sun and moon. I shall engrave this truth upon my soul and never forget it.” As he spoke, Shi Jingge shot Jiang Lingqing a look of profound gratitude.
The Disciplinary Elder was stunned. Disciples from both Shuixing Peak and Lingyue Peak stood frozen in shock. Even Jiang Lingqing himself was dumbfounded!
The essence of Shi Jingge’s lengthy speech boiled down to one thing: Jiang Lingqing was brilliant, Jiang Lingqing was marvelous, Jiang Lingqing was utterly exceptional. Why had his cultivation advanced? It was all thanks to Jiang Lingqing!
Yet Shi Jingge’s sincerity was so palpable, it made one doubt, but where to even begin?
Even Jiang Lingqing, seeing Shi Jingge’s expression, felt his face flush slightly, a faint pang of guilt stirring within.
Was he… really as good as Shi Jingge described?
Before Jiang Lingqing could sort his thoughts, the Disciplinary Elder’s calm voice cut through the air, “Indeed.”
Jiang Lingqing: !!!
This was the first time in his life he’d received praise from the Disciplinary Elder!
Whether he truly deserved it or not, from this moment onward, he would be that good!!
“It was simply my duty,” Jiang Lingqing hastened to say, his expression earnest. “I didn’t really help much. Senior Brother Shi possesses exceptional talent and insight. Even without my few words, he would have eventually grasped it and advanced his cultivation.”
The Disciplinary Elder merely nodded, then turned his gaze to Shi Jingge. “Since you’re here, we can now address the dispute between the disciples of Shuixing Peak and Lingyue Peak that occurred within the secret realm.”
Shi Jingge responded, “Yes.”
The senior and second disciples of Lingyue Peak also acknowledged, “Yes.”
The Disciplinary Elder’s voice grew solemn. “Our Liuchong Sect has stood for generations. Though we have primary and secondary peaks, we remain one body of disciples. Though we have inner and outer sects, there is no distinction among us!
“For a thousand years, our sect has stood united, working together in harmony, which is why we have been able to pass down our legacy through generations. Disciples should be as close as one body. Yet, you have allowed a single Xue Ling Fruit to escalate a dispute from within the secret realm to outside it. Your complete lack of sect consciousness has made a laughingstock of disciples from all peaks. Should you not be punished?”
The Disciplinary Elder spoke with such authority that the disciples could scarcely lift their heads. Finally, Shi Jingge stepped forward and voiced agreement first, prompting the others to murmur their assent.
The Disciplinary Elder glanced at Shi Jingge. Though his expression remained cold, the gaze he cast upon the disciples of Shuixing Peak held a hint of genuine concern.
At that moment, Shi Jingge seemed to notice the Elder’s gaze and quickly averted his eyes, bowing his head. Yet the faint flush on his ears betrayed his true feelings.
The Elder found this slightly amusing, a hint of relief flickering in his eyes. This child still cared for his fellow disciples after all.
The internal conflicts within Shuixing Peak were nowhere near as extreme as outsiders claimed.
This realization eased the Disciplinary Elder’s mind somewhat.
His gaze swept over the assembled disciples, causing their heads to bow even lower. His eyes lingered briefly on Shi Jingge, ultimately resting on him and Shuixing Peak with a touch more favor. He then called upon the Shuixing Peak to recount the events first.
The Shuixing Peak disciples, upon seeing Shi Jingge, all shrank like quails. Even when called upon by the Discipline Elder, they stammered and stalled, reluctant to speak.
Their demeanor screamed guilt. The disciples from the adjacent Lingyue Peak instantly grew haughty, their condescending gazes sweeping over them, unbearable to endure.
He Yongming, a disciple of Shuixing Peak, was the one who couldn’t bear it. “I’ll speak!”
He Yongming raised his hand, trying to push his way forward from the back. Two disciples behind him tugged at his sleeve, their expressions anxious, seemingly trying to dissuade him.
But He Yongming couldn’t hold back any longer. A fire burned within him.
They hadn’t done anything wrong in this matter. Why should they bow their heads and be mocked?
Even if it meant facing his Eldest Brother’s scolding back at the peak, he would make this matter crystal clear today!
The Lingyue Peak disciples could not turn black into white! They could not!!
He Yongming glared furiously at the Lingyue Peak disciples, both frustrated and irate. He was never one for words, but now, overcome by rage, he could barely speak coherently.
At that very moment, Shi Jingge spoke. “Calm down,” he said slowly, his face cold. “Speak clearly.”
In an instant, all the disciples of Shuixing Peak turned to look at him. Especially He Yongming, the one at the center of it all—he was utterly shocked, his eyes nearly popping out of his head!
T–T–This—This is coming from the Eldest Brother?
Shouldn’t he be glaring at them, berating them for disgracing Shuixing Peak?
How could… How could he be so gentle?!
F–Fake, right??
He Yongming shivered, utterly lost for words.
Shi Jingge remained silent for a moment before finally stepping forward. He raised his hand and rested it on He Yongming’s shoulder.
In that fraction of a second, He Yongming braced for impact. Desperation flickered in his eyes as he clenched his fists, waiting for the pain to come.
But it didn’t. No pain came.
The hand merely rested lightly on his shoulder before withdrawing as the figure turned away.
He Yongming stared at Shi Jingge in utter bewilderment.
Shi Jingge pressed his lips together and murmured softly, “Don’t be nervous. “I—” Shi Jingge drew a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and said gravely, “—I’m here.”
He Yongming stared blankly at Shi Jingge.
This… This… This really is my Eldest Brother?
He Yongming instinctively took a step back.
Shi Jingge froze for a moment, then turned, casting a puzzled glance at Jiang Lingqing, a look that subtly conveyed a plea for help. Soon, everyone’s gaze followed Shi Jingge’s and landed on Jiang Lingqing.
Jiang Lingqing: “?”
Shi Jingge lowered his head and whispered, “Sorry, Brother Jiang. I’ve disappointed you.”
Jiang Lingqing: “???”
—What exactly was he supposed to be disappointed about?
—He didn’t even know himself!!
————————–
Author’s Note: #On the Importance of Finding a Scapegoat#
Shi Jingge: What? My cultivation improved? It’s all thanks to Brother Jiang’s guidance!
Shi Jingge: What? My temperament improved? All thanks to Brother Jiang’s guidance!
Shi Jingge: “Words of Brother Jiang”—written by yours truly. Five low-grade spirit stones per copy. Any takers?
Shi Jingge: Discounts available.
Jiang Lingqing: ???
Jiang Lingqing: Though something about this feels off… it actually… sounds great!
Minor edits made 07Mar26
Edit: Krone
Proofread: Choux_choux
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