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n“Uh, what’s going on?” Zhuo Fan was floored.

nThe two youngster’s eyes steeled and they cupped their hands, “Please master, take us in!”

n“Ha-ha-ha, congratulations, Steward Zhuo. You have new disciples!” Elder Yuan laughed.

nKui Lang and Yue Ling joined him without shame. Like he’d just have to agree no matter what.

nFace twitching, Zhuo Fan’s mind ran a mile a minute and he snapped, “Congrats my foot! I’m still just a disciple myself! If you want a master, go to those old timers!”

n“Especially you!”

nZhuo Fan pointed at Yue’er, “Don’t you dare tell me that you lost. You should be replacing that fox instead as an inner disciple. What have you come running back for?”

nYue’er pondered, then looked him in the eye, “Take me in!”

n“Take my foot! All those old timers await your bow to bring you a bright future. What the hell are you doing back in this dump, for me? I’m a disciple, god damn it!” Zhuo Fan sighed.

nYue’er was stubborn, “Being under your care will make me stronger than them!”

n“Strong my ass! I’m just a laborer who can’t do anything right!” Zhuo Fan flared his nose.

nYue Ling and Kui Lang chimed in, “Steward Zhuo, it’s not the place that’s famous but the one residing in it. I’ve never seen anyone make a disciple so strong in just three months. I believe Yue’er can only live up to her potential under you.”

n“My brat shall be in your care as well. I hope he’ll soon catch up to his senior sister, ha-ha-ha…” Kui Lang pushed his son over with no shame.

nZhuo Fan was brooding, then shrugged, “You better not complain about it later. There’s nothing in the Labor Office. I have no resources or pills to give them either. How far do you think they’ll go?”

n“Ha-ha-ha, with Steward Zhuo being the moneybags, a few disciples will barely strain his pockets. Giving the kids to him is the best decision.”

nElder Yuan butted in, “Look at Yue’er’s gear that got all those elders and venerables vying for her. All of it came from Steward Zhuo!”

nKui Lang and Yue Ling’s eyes sparkled.

nRather than be pals with a moneybag, taking him as godfather was way better. And master wasn’t that far off either. With the brats under Zhuo Fan, they believed not even the Labor Office could thwart their progress.

nThey’d have done the same but since they already had a master, they couldn’t. Zhuo Fan’s wealth had that kind of effect on people.

nZhuo Fan eyed Elder Yuan and sighed, “Elder Yuan, could you please not cramp my style?”

n“Ha-ha-ha, but I’m not, only helping you set the stage. Your disciples will come back running and lift you up. Why let them go to waste? As for being a disciple, you shouldn’t nitpick, since teaching isn’t dependent on age.” Elder Yuan chuckled.

nYue Ling and Kui Lang bobbed their heads.

nZhuo Fan’s face was hard, “I can never accept disciples, not now, not ever.

n“And Kui Gang.”

n“If you want to be like Yue’er, I can teach you for three months, but that’s it. Take it or leave it.”

nZhuo Fan entered the house.

nYue Ling and Kui Lang froze. What’s with Steward Zhuo? Isn’t it just some disciples?

n“Steward Zhuo, Yue’er refused to be an inner disciple and willingly returned to your side. You’ll condemn her by refusing!” Yue Ling implored.

nBut all that came was a cold voice, “That’s her choice, nothing to do with me.”

nYue Ling looked at the rest shaking their heads and everyone placed their last hopes on Elder Yuan.

nThe old man pondered before turning serious, “Wait here, I will settle this. This is about your honor and the sect’s design.”

nThey were puzzled while looking at Zhuo Fan’s door. Isn’t it just about us?

nElder Yuan entered the house.

nHere they could speak at leisure.

nAt Zhuo Fan’s glum look, Elder Yuan smiled, “Steward Zhuo, are you touchy?”

n“As if!”

n“Then a sore spot?”

n“Even less.” Zhuo Fan denied.

nElder Yuan smiled, “Oh yes, a sore spot.”

n“I said I don’t have a sore spot!” Zhuo Fan was annoyed.

n“Why won’t you take them then, yet show such dislike and revulsion…”

n“I’m a maverick!” Zhuo Fan cut him off

nElder Yuan smiled, “Ha-ha-ha, I’ve lived for so long and seen so many things, so you can’t fool me. You’d be indifferent or ignore them if it’s just being a maverick, not show such a strong hate for it. Something must gnaw at you. Talk to me, maybe I can help.”

nZhuo Fan glanced at the short elder and sighed, “Elder Yuan, did a disciple ever betray you?”

n“He-he-he, Steward Zhuo you’re such a kidder. Look at me, I’m but a frail old laborer. Who’d want me as their master? Why, did a disciple betray you?” Elder Yuan probed.

nNodding, Zhuo Fan sighed, “He truly surpassed his master. Back then, we were close as kin, yet to steal from me he colluded with others and wounded me deeply. I vowed to never have a disciple.”

nZhuo Fan’s eyes were filled with fear and bloodthirst.

n“Oh, did you kill him? Got revenge?” Elder Yuan said.

nThe issue would’ve been more or less settled if he did. His silence was answer enough, that this point bothered him more and more.

nZhuo Fan shook his head in hatred, “He is too far away. But one day, I will find him and pulverize him for his betrayal!”

nElder Yuan nodded.

nThen said, “All the more reason for you to take in the kids.”

nUgh!

nZhuo Fan stared back, “Elder Yuan, are you pouring salt on my wounds? You know my pain and still insist…”

n“No no no, I only have your best at heart when I say this.”

nElder Yuan continued, “Since your disciple caused you pain, it will only end with disciples. If you shirk away, you’ll never overcome the pain, while keeping it bottled in and one day it will become a trauma. It will only harm you instead.

n“By teaching honorable disciples, it might soothe your anguish. As demonic cultivators, we go against the world order, braving any dangers and obstacles. This is one of them. Bear through it to relish its fruits. Ignoring it and avoiding the issue will hold you back from reaching the best you can be no matter how high you go. Because your heart is incomplete.”

nElder Yuan pointed at his chest.

nZhuo Fan felt his heart become broader and freeing his Yuan Qi into flowing faster.

nHe had grown once more in his heart and mind…

n“Elder Yuan, I would’ve taken you as my master if not for your low cultivation.” Zhuo Fan grinned.

nElder Yuan gave a warm nod, “With you as my disciple, my life has found meaning.”

nThey both laughed.

nFinding such a close friend, they both relished the experience.

nZhuo Fan and Elder Yuan walked out and saw the two still kneeling. He agreed and Kui Lang and Yue Ling were overjoyed.

nThe kids’ future was going to be brighter than ever.

nLike, where are the experts only to find they already beat them all…

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