The Price of Loyalty

Ji Xue quickly returned to her seat, lowered her head, and said nothing.

Host Yun did not invite a second person to the stage, nor did she continue speaking. She just turned around and looked at the light screen, as if thinking about where to start.

“Ah, I truly thought the Imperial Princess would offer some unique insights.”

“Me too. In the end, it’s just reciting from a book, isn’t it?”

“It’s already been a month; does she still need to teach us these insights? Couldn’t I just read the book myself?”

“The Imperial Princess isn’t so impressive after all.”

A constant stream of whispers filled the air. Though their voices were lowered, the speakers seemed to have forgotten that everyone present was in the Qi Condensation stage, their hearing already acutely sharpened. Unaware, these individuals failed to realize that their hushed murmurs had already reached the ears of many.

Unlike the quiet exchange he’d shared with Ji Xue earlier, in the spacious Yi-Domain, these whispers were practically indistinguishable from normal conversation.

Lin Mo absorbed every bit of the idle chatter, then observed Ji Xue, her head bowed low, shoulders trembling ever so slightly. Her earlier confidence had completely vanished.

For her, this situation was akin to having her nose broken by a punch.

Ordinarily, Lin Mo wouldn’t have cared.

‘I need to keep a low profile.’

But since he had taken the money and become her subordinate, he had to perform well to earn that hefty sum!

‘How did that saying go?’

‘Two thousand a month, I’m the boss’s dad.’

‘Four thousand a month, the boss is a dog.’

‘Eight thousand a month, the company is a dog.’

‘Twenty thousand a month, the company is my home.’

‘Fifty thousand a month, the boss is my dad.’

The money Ji Xue was paying him now fell into the highest tier.

He absolutely could not allow others to disrespect his boss like this! If his boss’s morale crumbled, who would pay him? These guys?

‘Me!’

‘I must stand up for my boss!’

‘I’m a wicked henchman now!’

‘It’s definitely not because I pity her; this is purely for my salary and my plans.’

“Host Yun! Might you elaborate on the fundamental knowledge of cultivation? Many fellow disciples present, myself included, lack any foundational family inheritance in cultivation, some even originating from mortal backgrounds, possessing no roots whatsoever in the path of immortal cultivation. In such circumstances, I believe directly quoting from the scriptures would greatly aid our understanding. As you, Host, have stated, others can only offer reminders. But isn’t Her Royal Highness’s discourse precisely what’s needed to awaken us to the most basic applications of spiritual energy? If we don’t even grasp the fundamentals, how can we speak of personal insights? Moreover, I believe the Imperial Princess spoke exceptionally well just now! Upon hearing her, I immediately grasped the first point: spiritual energy needs to be refined! Only then did I truly comprehend the reason for cultivating techniques—it is precisely to purify spiritual energy! Only with pure spiritual power can one unleash more potent offensive and defensive maneuvers!”

Having finished, Lin Mo rose to his feet, turning to address the people behind him with a booming voice: “Since you all are so eloquent, why don’t you step forward and share your insights, discuss your profound opinions? For an entire month, others have only taught you how to do things, but have they also explained the principles behind them? Let me ask you then, why can humans walk upright? What within the human body supports us to walk on two legs, and what enables us to control our bodies and take those steps?”

Lin Mo’s words were aggressive, yet they rendered everyone speechless; many were about to retort but were forcefully suppressed.

“Hmph, a bunch of conceited individuals, always believing they possess profound insights, yet in the end, they only cower within their shells—”

“Disciple Lin.” A soft call from Yun Qingfeng brought Lin Mo’s voice to an abrupt halt.

That gentle summons was not merely spoken words; it was a tangible… pressure!

Every word felt stuck in his throat! This was no mere metaphor; it was as if something truly blocked his mouth, and his body felt bound.

It was as if paralysis had reasserted itself!

His body was not his own in the slightest!

“Disciple Lin spoke very truly. Although you have all been cultivating for a month, that month was swiftly spent merely teaching you how to cultivate, without ever explaining why. As it is still early today, let us first address the fundamentals of cultivation. My thanks to Disciple Lin for their insights. Your Royal Highness, I am also at fault.” Yun Qingfeng’s tone suddenly shifted. “Having grown up by His Majesty’s side, you must have learned to empathize with the common people and consider the broader picture. Is this not, in itself, Your Royal Highness’s profound insight? My perspective was too narrow.”

Yun Qingfeng took a step forward, descending directly from the high platform to Ji Xue’s desk, where she bowed deeply and apologized: “My apologies, Your Royal Highness.”

Ji Xue clearly hadn’t expected the Host to possess such magnanimity, apologizing to her publicly. Without hesitation, Ji Xue immediately rose and said, “Host Yun! You exaggerate! Please don’t say such things—”

“Enough, Your Royal Highness. There’s no need to make excuses for me.” Yun Qingfeng interrupted Ji Xue. “A mistake is a mistake. Now, let us resume our lesson.”

The spiritual pressure on him dissipated.

Lin Mo immediately let out a breath, feeling immense relief; his breathing grew a little ragged. He noticed that several others around him were similarly relieved.

‘They must have wanted to clash with me, only to be forcibly suppressed by the Host.’

‘Could those few have been people arranged by Qing You? After all, I am ostensibly a direct disciple of the Sect Master; ordinary people wouldn’t dare to openly oppose me—’

‘Or perhaps they were just provoked by my words, that’s also possible.’

Lin Mo dismissed the thought; in any case, his performance as a sycophantic, humble, and loyal protector of his master should have been clear for all to see.

‘Next, they will surely treat me with disdain.’

With the incident concluded, everyone thereafter listened attentively to Yun Qingfeng’s explanations, with no further disputes, until the session ended.

“Alright, that concludes today’s lecture. The rest of the time is yours.” Yun Qingfeng retracted the glowing screen, turned, uttered these words, and vanished instantly.

Her speed was astonishing, as if she yearned for the class to end even more than her students.

‘Is this what they call a good teacher who never extends class?’

“Let’s go,” Ji Xue said, rising to her feet.

“Oh.” Lin Mo stood up, retrieved Ji Xue’s umbrella from his storage ring, and opened it for her. Though he had no idea why one would need an umbrella indoors, his boss had spoken, so he complied.

Habitually, he was about to fall half a step behind Ji Xue, standing to her left and slightly to the rear.

“Come up here.” Ji Xue halted, her voice carrying a hint of resolve.

“Huh?” Lin Mo froze.

“Come up!” Ji Xue seized Lin Mo’s arm, pulling him decisively to her side. “Don’t stand so far away from now on.”

‘It seems I’ve earned my boss’s appreciation.’

“Hehe.” Lin Mo, realizing the implication, chuckled. “What about my pay, then…?”

“It’s increasing.” Ji Xue replied curtly, turning her face away so Lin Mo couldn’t see, and quickened her pace towards the exit.

Lin Mo was overjoyed, immediately following alongside Ji Xue, walking out together.

He remained completely oblivious to the several pairs of eyes watching him from a hidden corner.

“Hmph, this personal disciple isn’t all that impressive.”

“With that demeanor, I alone would probably suffice.”

“…Don’t be careless. I think… everything seemed too deliberate… as if it were a performance put on for us.”

“Just that fawning, dog-like behavior? Seeing she’s an Imperial Princess, he immediately fawns over her, rushing to be her dog. What schemes could he possibly have? He seems quite loyal as a guard, though.”

“Let’s go, report today’s events to Disciple Qiu.”

With that, the several individuals also departed.

The Yi-Domain quickly emptied of people, yet no one… or perhaps no one was capable of noticing, that two figures stood on a chain high above.

“Pavilion Master Xian, I apologize for not greeting you sooner.” Yun Qingfeng bowed respectfully towards Xian Chengyue.

“No need for such formalities. Tell me, how did Lin Wan’er perform?”

“…Had I not known the underlying reasons, I would certainly have deemed it unsatisfactory. But now, it appears she possesses considerable cunning, though she acted a little too hastily. As for other aspects, I can only say that her talent, evident in her conflict with Ji Xue, left me somewhat astonished. If it is truly as you say, that she had no time to learn how to use spiritual energy yet managed to grasp this application herself—and even dared to boldly employ it in actual combat, all while being the successor of the ‘Bright Jade Profound Yin’, then beneath the Foundation Establishment stage, she is likely unrivaled. Furthermore, this disciple has already given a hint; I merely wonder if she will notice it.”

“That is sufficient.” Xian Chengyue nodded, and her form vanished from the spot, leaving not a trace behind.