Slag Shou Cultivating Manual - Chapter 102

Chapter 102: A Dao Companion Dispute

Zhenren – True Immortal/ True Master

He Lang happened to encounter the two of them alone. Since it was rare for his disciple to interact with others, he couldn’t help but stop and observe.

Come to think of it, Bai Lingzhi had been the first to step forward and try to save Jiang Hanzheng back then. Because of his own intervention, Jiang Hanzheng came to admire him. If he had stood by and let Bai Lingzhi handle it, would Jiang Hanzheng have developed special feelings for her instead?

Although his disciple had always upheld a benevolent attitude toward others, over the years, he hadn’t made many sincere friends in the sect and could only rely on He Lang for support. Bai Lingzhi, however, was an exception; at least Jiang Hanzheng was willing to share things with her that he wouldn’t share with his master.

Moreover, the two of them were of similar age, a perfect match of talent and beauty, and a pleasing sight to behold.

His little disciple was also of age—when would he begin to feel the stirrings of love and consider finding a Dao companion? It was said that dual cultivation was an effective way to enhance one’s abilities. Once his disciple had an awakening, perhaps he could give it a try.

The two were chatting happily, so He Lang didn’t disturb them.

However, Jiang Hanzheng, with his sharp senses and cultivation level no weaker than He Lang’s, quickly noticed his presence. Pulled out of his conversation with Bai Lingzhi, he stepped forward to greet him with a radiant smile.

“Master.”

He Lang smiled and nodded, casually asking a few questions, which Jiang Hanzheng answered with his usual cheerful demeanor.

“The weather is so nice today. Why not go out for a walk with your senior sister?”

“No, Master. My legs hurt.”

“Oh? Leg pain? I’ve checked and you’re perfectly fine. Don’t waste your time; go about your business. Why stay cooped up in the cave dwelling?”

Jiang Hanzheng pouted in disappointment, seemingly unwilling to leave, “But I don’t want to go out. Now that Master is scolding me, my heart aches too. What should I do?”

“You’re just looking for a beating, aren’t you?” He Lang laughed, knocking him lightly on the forehead. Jiang Hanzheng didn’t dodge, willingly leaning forward.

Bai Lingzhi also wanted to join the conversation but found herself unable to insert herself between the two. Helpless, she shook her head and tactfully withdrew.

Before long, the guest had left. He Lang felt a bit powerless, troubled by his disciple’s excessive attention to him. He had just been thinking about how well-matched Jiang Hanzheng and Bai Lingzhi were, yet in the blink of an eye, the young lady had already disappeared.

Jiang Hanzheng, seemingly unaware, leaned against He Lang’s shoulder with a bright smile.

Though he seemed incredibly cheerful these days, he was also cautious of the saying, “Too much joy leads to sorrow.” While he enjoyed his growing power, the sect’s favor, and his master’s care, he was also filled with anxiety. Having gained so much, he was even more unwilling to lose any of it.

Kong Huai had not been seen for days. Though the three of them shared a cave dwelling, he had become silent, unsure of how to proceed.

For Jiang Hanzheng, this was temporarily a good thing. He feared that Kong Huai might have other plans and that after this brief calm, he would resurface to reveal everything, upending Jiang Hanzheng’s hard-won achievements.

He regretted not finishing Kong Huai off in the secret realm. However, it seemed Kong Huai was not as threatening as he had feared. Instead, Kong Huai fully embraced silence, announcing a three-month seclusion the next day.

Jiang Hanzheng came to understand that Kong Huai, now in avoidance mode, was unlikely to make public the events of that day.

For one, others might not believe his accusations of Jiang Hanzheng’s misdeeds, as Jiang Hanzheng had confidence in his long-standing reputation. Moreover, Kong Huai’s disgraceful act of harming Jiang Hanzheng to escape would be difficult for the self-righteous Kong Huai to admit.

Thanks to Kong Huai and the cave collapse, Jiang Hanzheng’s potential had been unleashed, turning misfortune into a blessing.

The inheritance had brought him significant benefits, not only providing an excuse for unsealing his inner core but also granting him the cultivation experiences of a peak-stage cultivator. He had gained a deeper understanding of advanced techniques and ancient swordsmanship.

The more Jiang Hanzheng practiced these techniques, the more he discovered their subtleties. Although he was satisfied with his progress, his cultivation level was advancing even faster than expected.

This progress had pushed his cultivation beyond the now-stagnant He Lang.

It wasn’t surprising—He Lang had little interest in cultivation, while Jiang Hanzheng had both opportunities and diligence. The gap from their initial meeting had been narrowed by these miracles.

Previously, Jiang Hanzheng only worried about advancing faster. Now, for the first time, he was concerned: if he became too powerful, would his master decide he no longer needed to focus on him and let him graduate early?

This concern troubled him, causing notable changes in his behavior. When He Lang noticed, he couldn’t help but chuckle, though he also recognized his own shortcomings.

Living in this world, he should follow its rules. Yet for a long time, he had continued to act like a teacher, rarely imparting genuine martial skills to his disciple.

If this continued, he, the master, would become a laughingstock for being weaker than his disciple.

In truth, it wasn’t that He Lang didn’t want to cultivate but that he had reached a bottleneck.

His original body’s cultivation had indeed been impressive. However, ever since falling for Kong Huai, his heart had been entangled by love, making it difficult to focus on cultivation. By the time he took over this body, its spiritual energy had long stagnated. He rarely left the cave dwelling or the sect, so he didn’t use much spiritual power and hadn’t intentionally cultivated.

Now, with his disciple making breakthroughs, He Lang finally felt some pressure, realizing he needed to strengthen his own abilities.

However, He Lang was not the original soul of this body. Naturally, he couldn’t quickly comprehend the world’s rules or the essence needed to break through his bottleneck.

When Wuding Zhenren heard of his troubles, he offered many suggestions despite his busy schedule.

First and foremost, Wuding suggested he find a Dao companion.

Most cultivators preferred to maintain their virginity to preserve their energy. However, the balance of yin and yang and the fusion of different spiritual roots were also valid cultivation methods.

Wuding, being straightforward, didn’t find this a sensitive topic and became increasingly enthusiastic about the idea.

“I wonder what kind of spiritual root, appearance, or lineage you’d prefer, Senior Brother?” Wuding asked excitedly, completely ignoring He Lang’s awkward expression.

The two were meeting in Wuding’s cave dwelling, which bustled with disciples coming and going. He Lang’s rare visit drew constant attention, and overheard snippets of their conversation soon spread.

Within a month, news circulated throughout the sect.

“Did you hear? Wushang Zhenren is looking for a Dao companion!”

“What? Wushang Zhenren wants a Dao companion? Wow… Who could possibly be worthy of him? That would be a blessing cultivated over lifetimes!”

Though it could have been dismissed as mere gossip, Wushang Zhenren’s affairs naturally garnered attention throughout the sect. Even Jiang Hanzheng, who normally ignored such rumors, couldn’t remain unaware.

No wonder his master had been visiting Wuding Zhenren so frequently lately—they must have been discussing joyous matters.

So soon, he would meet his new “Master’s Wife”? Considering how courteous his master was toward female cultivators, this new partner would surely enjoy his full tenderness and unparalleled closeness.

Jiang Hanzheng’s body suddenly tensed, his pupils contracting before he collapsed weakly onto his master’s bed, clutching the bedding to absorb his scent. His brows remained tightly furrowed.

He silently cursed the unpredictability of fate. Why, just when everything seemed to be going smoothly, did new troubles arise to disturb his peace?

Having just driven away Kong Huai, was he now going to face someone else in the way? Jiang Hanzheng gritted his teeth, his gaze conflicted.

In his battles with Kong Huai, whether overt or covert, his master had turned a blind eye while favoring him. That was why he had ultimately triumphed over Kong Huai.

But a master’s wife was entirely different. His master would cherish and love her. This alone struck at Jiang Hanzheng’s weak spot, leaving him helpless.

If he could remain content as merely a disciple, that would be one thing. But as time passed, he realized he desired more. If his master wasn’t willing to grant him peace, how could he cope?

He knew his master wasn’t someone who extended patience and tenderness to just anyone. Kong Huai had become coldly ignored because of his excessive demands and entanglements.

Would he suffer the same fate? If one day his master’s attention shifted entirely to someone else, Jiang Hanzheng feared he would collapse even more utterly than Kong Huai.

This sensitivity and distress made him realize that his feelings for his master might not be purely those of a disciple. His envy of the future “Master’s Wife” stemmed from his desire for such intimacy with his master—a closeness that went beyond simple affection, to the point of sharing breath and touch.

But how could he cross the boundary between master and disciple? Although his master seemed to indulge his every request, would he ever agree to this one? Jiang Hanzheng dared not act rashly, knowing that rejection and alienation from his master were risks he couldn’t bear.

That night, Jiang Hanzheng moved out of He Lang’s quarters, ending over a month of using recovery as an excuse to stay.

But that wasn’t all. He Lang soon felt something amiss. Where his disciple had once answered his questions with absolute candor, he now seemed evasive and unwilling to meet his gaze.

“Finally moved out? Done being clingy?”

“Thanks to Master’s care, I’ve fully recovered and wouldn’t dare impose further,” Jiang Hanzheng replied politely, his tone carrying an unfamiliar sense of distance.

He Lang tilted his head, offering a teasing smile. “Weren’t you the one who said you’d stay even after recovering, just to serve your master?”

Jiang Hanzheng choked on his words, jealousy welling up. “Isn’t it better for Master? Soon, the Master’s Wife will take over serving you.” Lowering his head to hide his expression, he avoided meeting He Lang’s eyes.

He Lang paused, realizing his disciple might have heard about Wuding’s matchmaking efforts.

But he had already declined the idea, knowing Wuding was simply fretting over his celibacy.

Most people saw him as ascetic and disinterested in women. It wasn’t by choice—once, like any young man, he had pursued love with reckless abandon, defying worldly conventions for He Zheng.

Who wouldn’t want to feel the thrill of their heart beating wildly for someone else? Yet the bitterness of that love outweighed its sweetness. In the end, it had all come to nothing. The loss of his soul’s emotional core meant he could no longer feel romantic stirrings. Seeking a Dao companion would only disappoint someone expecting lifelong devotion.

“I’m not interested in romance and have no desire to waste anyone’s time.”

Hearing this, Jiang Hanzheng felt an immediate sense of relief. Knowing his master’s thoughts directly made it easy to dismiss the rumors circulating in the sect.

Still, becoming his master’s Dao companion would be a tremendous blessing—how could it be considered a waste? Speaking without thinking, Jiang Hanzheng blurted, “Disciple wouldn’t mind being wasted!”

Both froze at his words. He Lang, however, was the first to react, showing no anger. Instead, he smiled faintly, tapping his disciple’s forehead. “So, you want to be both my disciple and my Dao companion?”

Jiang Hanzheng stiffened, unsure if his master was serious. Too flustered to answer, he fled, face flushed.

Author’s Note: He Lang has been “enlightened” by previous worlds and is no longer awkward about such things.