Chapter 15: The Handsome Singer Tricks His Master, and His Broke Sidekick Is Called a Fool

"Qian Jin, the principal offender, stormed my sect’s gates, insulted my elders, humiliated my disciples, and tarnished my reputation."

"The verdict: break both his legs, abolish his cultivation, and cast him out of the sect as punishment."

"Shuai Ge, accomplice, bears lesser guilt. Considering this is his first offense and he was misled, his actions will not be pursued."

"Furthermore, my esteemed master cherishes talent and pities your hardship. He wishes to take you as a disciple and teach you with care."

In the Law Enforcement Hall of Cloud Ascension Pavilion, a young man in white recited the judgment for Qian Jin and Shuai Ge.

"Shuai Ge, hurry and thank your new master for his great grace, or you too will not escape the fate of having your cultivation crippled," the young man urged, signaling for Shuai Ge to kneel and give thanks to the burly middle-aged man at his side.

"Brother Qian is my brother by different fathers and mothers. I will live and die with him!"

Seeing Qian Jin’s silent tears, Shuai Ge’s heart ached beyond words, and without hesitation, he refused the olive branch extended to him.

"Insolent wretch!" the young man snapped in anger.

His master was the mighty Law Enforcement Elder of Cloud Ascension Pavilion, wielding immense power. Countless people would have battered their heads bloody to become his disciple, yet today he was refused by a simple-minded brute. How could he not be furious?

"Ha ha ha! Good! You are loyal!"

The middle-aged man, usually cold and aloof, now laughed heartily, his mouth full of praise.

'When Master laughs, life and death hang in the balance!'

The young man in white was startled. He seldom saw his master laugh aloud; only when truly enraged would he do so. In his heart, he already imagined Shuai Ge’s miserable fate.

"Let that lad go as well. Still, his crimes are grave. If I let him off lightly, the other elders will not approve. Let him serve as a menial in the pavilion as punishment!"

With a wave of his large hand, the middle-aged man amended Qian Jin’s sentence.

"Master? You?" The young man in white was dumbfounded.

"In this world, loyalty comes first. If you abandon loyalty for profit, you’re nothing but an ingrate. Shuai Ge, I must have you as my disciple."

The middle-aged man looked at Shuai Ge with ever greater approval, the more he looked the more he liked him.

"Brother Qian, what do you think?" Shuai Ge hesitated, looking to Qian Jin for guidance.

"Take him as your master! Better a menial than a cripple," Qian Jin urged hastily, fearing the elder might change his mind and break his legs after all.

With a thud—

And three resounding knocks—

"Master above, please accept your disciple’s three bows!"

With Qian Jin’s approval, Shuai Ge did not hesitate to kneel before the middle-aged man.

"Good! Good! Good!" The elder was delighted, repeating his praise thrice, then stepped forward to help Shuai Ge up, a gleaming silver sword appearing in his hand.

"This is the Sword of Golden Radiance, a mid-grade magical artifact. Take it as your greeting gift from your master!"

"Thank you, Master!" Shuai Ge, knowing its worth, took the sword and, turning around, handed it to Qian Jin. "Brother Qian, take this for your protection."

The middle-aged man’s smile froze instantly, his mouth twitching as he considered how to revoke his offer to accept Shuai Ge as a disciple.

‘Can I really keep such a disciple? His loyalty is admirable—but this is too much!’

Qian Jin’s eyes flashed with cunning. ‘I shouldn’t fleece my own brother, but this old codger wanted to cripple me just now. I’ll fleece him instead.’

Having made up his mind, Qian Jin said sincerely, "Brother, don’t do this. It’s not appropriate."

The middle-aged man nodded approvingly, thinking, ‘At least this one knows his place.’

"Your master is a generous soul. He won’t forget me. Who knows, my greeting gift might be even better than yours!"

Qian Jin’s next words nearly made the elder ill.

All three—Qian Jin, Shuai Ge, and the young man in white—turned to look at the elder.

‘Damn, I was too hasty! I shouldn’t have let him off!’

Regret flooded the elder’s heart, but in front of his new and old disciples, he could not lose face. Gritting his teeth, he pulled a pitch-black staff from his storage pouch.

"Qian Jin is right—how could I forget you?" The elder’s words seemed squeezed from between his teeth.

"Many thanks for your gift, Elder!" Qian Jin’s eyes sparkled as he eagerly reached for the staff, but found it wouldn’t budge.

"Elder, if you truly care for me, perhaps you could buy me dinner tonight? I can start my menial duties a few days later—it’s no trouble." Qian Jin tugged twice more to no avail, finally resorting to his ultimate move.

"Ahem, I have matters to attend to. I won’t keep you for dinner," the elder muttered, quickly letting go and all but fleeing the hall.

"How stingy!" Qian Jin scoffed, but his eyes were alight with excitement as he examined the black iron staff.

"A mid-grade magical artifact! Ha, what a windfall." Cheerfully, Qian Jin stowed the staff and clapped Shuai Ge on the shoulder.

"Brother, you truly are a bringer of fortune! I owe you this time."

"Heh, all thanks to your wise guidance!" Shuai Ge replied with an honest smile, a hint of sly triumph beneath it.

The young man in white was stunned, having just witnessed a disciple and outsider collude to hoodwink his own master—none other than the notorious Law Enforcement Elder himself.

"Brother Qian, do you need another follower? Take me in!"

Nearly dropping to his knees, the young man gazed at Qian Jin with admiration.

What an eye-opener! Qian Jin and Shuai Ge had caused havoc in Cloud Ascension Pavilion, yet not only escaped unscathed, but each walked away with a mid-grade magical artifact. He was green with envy.

"Uh… Senior Brother, you—?"

Qian Jin was confused. Just moments ago, this young man had been threatening violence, and now he wanted to be his little brother.

"You are Senior Brother! From now on, if you point east, I’ll never go west; if you tell me to chase a dog, I won’t catch a chicken. Take me in!"

The young man was utterly convinced, his face full of sincerity.

"Very well. What’s your name?" After some thought, Qian Jin decided to expand his team.

"Junior ‘Han Huo’ greets Brother Qian!" the young man introduced himself hurriedly, as if afraid Qian Jin might change his mind.

"Simpleton, from now on, I’m the boss, Shuai Ge is second, and you’re third. In time, we’ll find ourselves a fourth and fifth."

Qian Jin clapped Han Huo on the shoulder with heroic flair—for a leader who can’t promise a bright future is no leader at all.

"Strive for greatness! Let’s reach new heights together!" Han Huo felt sure that following Qian Jin would be a profitable venture.

All three exchanged a hearty laugh, a sense of kindred spirits blooming between them.

Under Han Huo’s guidance, they made their way to the largest tavern in Cloud Ascension Pavilion. After a few drinks, Han Huo wept bitterly with joy, finally feeling like a thoroughbred discovered by a discerning patron.

The next day, when the wine had faded, Han Huo, though reluctant, could only obey his master’s order and escort Qian Jin to the menial hall.

"Old Huang, this is my big brother Qian Jin. From now on, he works under you. Give him good food and drink, or I’ll have you hauled into the Law Enforcement Hall for tea!" Han Huo threatened, grabbing the steward’s collar.

"Rest assured, Senior Brother Han. I will serve Big Brother Qian with all my heart—he will want for nothing."