Chapter 049 Senior Brother – “He wants to expose Shi Jingge’s true colors!” (14/19)
Although the senior disciple of Lingyue Peak cursed fiercely, he was still feeling a bit anxious inside. If he were to apologize to Shi Jingge in front of the entire sect, setting aside how embarrassing it would be, the fact that he had been secretly despising Shi Jingge would inevitably be exposed. How would the sect elders view him then?
The senior brother hurriedly dragged Second Brother to the sect’s alchemy chamber to ask if Shi Jingge had ever been there or requested the services of an alchemist.
Upon receiving a negative answer, Senior Brother let out a small sigh of relief. He then headed to the weapon forging chamber, asked the same two questions, and again received negative answers.
At this point, the senior disciple of Lingyue Peak finally relaxed, once again adopting an air of confidence and arrogance.
Second Brother said in confusion, “But Shi Jingge could very well come to request a pill refiner after we’ve left.”
The senior brother’s expression froze, and he snapped, “Of course I know that. Then why not just station someone there to watch?”
The senior brother of Lingyue Peak sneered, his gaze gradually shifting to the Second Brother.
The second brother felt a chill run down his spine. “Your wisdom is unmatched, Junior Brother.”
The senior brother of Lingyue Peak smiled. “Then I’ll leave that to you.”
Second Brother: “……”
Damn it, why did he have to say that? Why hadn’t he realized before just how unlikable his Senior Brother was?
They were both senior disciples, but why did it feel like they weren’t even as good as the ones from Shuixing Peak?
Meanwhile, news of the Shuixing Peak incident had spread throughout the sect, with countless disciples discussing it.
Shi Jingge’s move not only stunned the disciples of Shuixing Peak but also those of other peaks. It corroborated the previous rumors, completely confirming the truth behind how “everything is for Shuixing Peak” and “treating Shuixing Peak disciples exceptionally well.”
“I used to think Qiu Lan and the others had been brainwashed or threatened by Senior Brother Shi, but I never expected him to surprise everyone so dramatically. My previous speculations now seem ridiculous.”
“Who hasn’t had some dark thoughts before? We just held back out of consideration for Qiu Lan and the others. But since we’re outsiders, not disciples of Shuixing Peak, we couldn’t tell the truth from the lies. Now that I think about it, if all the disciples of Shuixing Peak think Senior Brother Shi is good, how could he possibly be anything but?”
“Senior Sister is right. I was being too extreme before.”
“Senior Brother Shi is just amazing! I heard he’s even prepared alchemy furnaces for the disciples of Shuixing Peak, along with thousands of bottles of elixirs and all sorts of spiritual artifacts suitable for Qi Cultivation Stage disciples. He’s even prepared everything needed for artifact forging!”
“That’s not all. I also heard that Senior Brother Shi intends for Shuixing Peak disciples to learn alchemy and artifact forging with all in-class consumables covered by the Peak. For practice outside of class, they can purchase raw materials at extremely low prices since the artifact forging and alchemy workshops haven’t been open these past years.”
“I-I-I-Is that really true? Truly? How low are the prices?”
“They say it’s only half the price we pay within our peak.”
“!!!!”
You had to understand, the prices they offered disciples within their peak were already extremely low. If it was half that, they’d be unable to afford the replacement materials at all!
Looking at his junior brother’s stunned expression, the senior brother said slowly, “Doesn’t that sound tempting?”
“Many junior disciples and those obsessed with elixirs yearn to join Shuixing Peak. Unfortunately, since Senior Brother Shi hasn’t yet attained the status of a Golden Core Immortal, Shuixing Peak isn’t currently accepting new disciples.”
“Tell me,” the junior disciple murmured, “do those Shuixing Peak disciples who left the peak regret it?”
How could they not regret it? They regret it to death, you know!
Ever since Shi Jingge’s reputation began to rise, disciples who had left Shuixing Peak have been regretting their decision one after another. It wasn’t because of any issues with treatment or because someone on the peak treated them badly now. It was purely out of shame.
Especially those disciples who’d struck it lucky before leaving; they’d now come to credit all their good fortune to Shi Jingge, feeling indebted to their senior brother. To have run off harboring resentment without ever realizing this—how could they not be ashamed?
But this regret and shame were limited to a small minority; after all, not everyone experienced such strokes of luck.
But things were different now!
Why did they leave Shuixing Peak back then?
First, because True Immortal Gu Yun had vanished, leaving the sect without a single Golden Core cultivator, and they feared being bullied; second, because Shuixing Peak could no longer guarantee the disciples’ welfare, even the Mission Hall had been shut down; third, because Shi Jingge, as the senior disciple, lacked the magnanimity to tolerate others and the ability to lead Shuixing Peak, and later even set his sights on the spirit stones and elixirs of the lower Qi Cultivation disciples. Everyone felt they had made the right choice in leaving.
But now, which of those three points even mattered?
True Immortal Gu Yun might be missing, but the sect provided ample support. Moreover, the Senior Disciple had already reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, just a step away from becoming a Golden Core cultivator. Wasn’t that something that was bound to happen in the next few years anyway?
The second and third points are even less of an issue. Aren’t Shuixing Peak’s benefits now better than those of the other peaks?
Even the alchemy and artifact-forging classes there were more numerous, and Shuixing Peak even covered the costs of materials used in class, something the other peaks wouldn’t even dare to dream of!
With so many disciples there, they simply couldn’t afford such expenses.
Only Shuixing Peak, with its smaller number of disciples, could bear this cost.
On top of that, the tasks assigned by Shuixing Peak’s Mission Hall were relatively simple, yet they yielded more contribution points. The items available for exchange were quite decent, and the required points weren’t high at all. Given time, virtually every disciple could obtain a spiritual artifact.
Keep in mind that for most ordinary disciples, it wasn’t until they reached the Foundation Establishment stage that they managed to acquire their very first spiritual artifact!
So, how could the disciples who left Shuixing Peak not regret it? It was enough to drive anyone mad!
News of Shuixing Peak spread far and wide; people discussed it daily. Gradually, word reached the outside world, making many yearn to join.
Shuixing Peak, which had been dormant for so long, finally showed signs of revival.
Soon, the 25th of this month would arrive. the date of Shuixing Peak’s first alchemy class.
The senior disciple of Lingyue Peak had specifically kept watch at the alchemy chamber for two days and two nights, yet he hadn’t seen Shi Jingge once. After confirming with the alchemy chamber once more, he was certain that Shi Jingge hadn’t hired an alchemist at all!
Without one, how could there possibly be an alchemy class? Who would teach it?
Or was it that Shi Jingge never intended to hold any alchemy class in the first place? Was it just to deceive him?
How cunning, Shi Jingge! He was nothing but a fraud! A scheming, treacherous fraud who sought only to boost his own reputation!
The senior disciple of Lingyue Peak decided to expose Shi Jingge’s true colors in front of everyone.
So, the day before, he gathered the disciples of Lingyue Peak, prepared congratulatory gifts, and invited everyone to go to Shuixing Peak to offer their congratulations.
The disciples were all quite puzzled, but since the senior disciple showed no intention of explaining, they obediently followed his lead.
Only Second Senior Brother sensed something was off; the senior brother was not the type to bow to Shi Jingge.
Going to Shuixing Peak to offer congratulations—wasn’t that exactly bowing down?
But Second Senior Brother didn’t want to know any more than that. Even though he could guess as much, he pretended not to know. Even if the senior brother of Lingyue Peak chased after him trying to reveal the plan, he’d find an excuse to run away.
It wasn’t for any other reason; Second Senior Brother simply thought his senior brother was a bit of a fool.
Every time he followed Senior Brother’s lead, the outcome had been pretty miserable.
Having been set up so many times, if he didn’t run now, wouldn’t he just be a fool?
The senior brother of Lingyue Peak grounded his teeth.
Go on, run. Tomorrow, I’ll make you regret it!
—– —— —
Early on the 25th, the senior brother of Lingyue Peak led his disciples, fully prepared and ready to go. To make the charade look convincing, he had no choice but to bring out some fine gifts as a token of congratulations.
Seeing those gifts laid out on the tray, he felt a sharp pang of pain in his heart.
“Let’s go.” Seeing that the preparations were nearly complete, he called out loudly, “Let us congratulate Shuixing Peak on restoring its former glory!”
And so, the Lingyue Peak delegation set off in a grand procession while carrying their gifts.
Along the way, they encountered many disciples from other peaks who found the spectacle quite amusing and decided to tag along.
So by the time they actually reached Shuixing Peak, the “congratulatory” procession included not only disciples from Lingyue Peak but also many from other peaks.
When Ji Qiulian spotted the group from afar, she sensed something was amiss and immediately reported it to Shi Jingge. Shi Jingge’s eyes flickered; though he feigned confusion, he understood exactly what Lingyue Peak’s Senior Brother had in mind.
“Why not hurry and go greet Senior Brother Sun?” Shi Jingge stood up and was the first to go greet him.
Ji Qiulan hesitated, wanting to speak but held back, and could only hope she was overthinking things.
Shi Jingge led the disciples of Suixing Peak over. The senior brother of Lingyue Peak conversed with Shi Jingge, speaking with great composure, but when he looked at the congratulatory gifts, he could not hide the pain in his heart.
Yet the thought of being able to expose Shi Jingge’s true colors made the pain bearable.
Thus, he subtly steered the conversation toward the alchemy class, his words and gestures clearly implying a desire to observe the session. Shi Jingge deliberately adopted a hesitant posture. A gleam flashed in the senior brother’s eyes, and he inwardly laughed with delight. It was exactly as he had suspected!
Though he was thrilled, he managed to restrain himself, employing a tactic of retreating to advance. “It’s fine. If it’s inconvenient for you, Junior Brother, then let it be. It was I who came unannounced and disturbed you.”
After a pause, he continued, “It’s just that I’ve developed quite an interest in alchemy these past few days, so I’ve been tagging along to classes everywhere. I don’t know how many peaks I’ve annoyed, and I certainly don’t want to trouble you any further.”
At that moment, disciples from other peaks in the vicinity caught on. They were suspecting that Shuixing Peak’s alchemy class was a sham!
Immediately, Lingyue Peak’s senior disciple signaled an accomplice embedded in the crowd to shout, “I’m also very interested in alchemy and would like to attend. Might Senior Brother Shi grant me that favor?”
The expressions of some nearby disciples shifted. Lingyue Peak had clearly come prepared!
The look of distress on Shi Jingge’s face deepened. This not only made Lingyue Peak’s Senior Brother feel even more certain of victory but also left the others feeling uneasy.
…Could Shi Jingge really be pulling a fast one?
“Alright,” Shi Jingge agreed, “then please follow me to the alchemy chamber, fellow disciples.”
A faint smirk played at Ling Yuefeng’s lips, a hint of smugness flashing across his face. He then gave a few Ling Yuefeng disciples a meaningful look, signaling them to contact the disciples stationed at the alchemy chamber to notify them immediately if any alchemist left the room.
Thus, the group marched in a grand procession to the alchemy chamber.
The disciples from Suixing Peak, who had been waiting inside the alchemy chamber, stared blankly at the group, utterly bewildered.
As soon as they arrived at the alchemy chamber, the senior brother of Lingyue Peak could no longer contain himself. Feigning confusion, he asked, “Junior Brother Shi, where is the alchemist?”
Shi Jingge raised his head, his tone indifferent. “It’s me.”
Author’s Note:
Senior Brother of Lingyue Peak: I have a bad feeling about this.
Second Brother of Lingyue Peak: Thank goodness I got out of there early.
Stay tuned for the upcoming “The Biggest Clown Is Actually Me” reality show event hahaha
Edit: Krone
Proofread: Choux_choux
