The Programmer Cultivator

Chapter 322 - 35: Smart People Choose Their Own Lives

Qin Shizhong replied, "I have enough Spirit Stones for my cultivation now."

Zhang Deming paused for a moment, then looked at Qin Shizhong. "You do know there’s a difference between making money and not, right?"

Qin Shizhong looked at Zhang Deming earnestly. "If it weren’t for you, Master Zhang, how could a failed Apprentice like me enter the Inner Sect? Let alone Spirit Nurturing Peak, or hold a position at the Flying Spring Waterfall Tower, one of the Seven Floors of Spirit Nurturing.

Besides, with my status back then, even if I’d gotten lucky and reached the Tai Chi realm, I would have just been a nobody in the Inner Sect.

I’m still just an Apprentice, but not only have I entered Spirit Nurturing Peak, but people make things easy for me wherever I go.

I don’t have much time to stand watch at the Guardian Cliff during the day, so Junior Brother Yang barely puts me on the schedule.

When I wanted to open a shop, my application was approved almost as soon as I submitted it.

When I went to the market, the smaller Business Alliances took the initiative to recruit me, and various social circles welcomed me.

In these past few months, I’ve experienced things I wouldn’t have dared to dream of in my entire life. I understand perfectly well why all this has happened.

So, Master Zhang, I know what this means.

Whether as a Child Attendant or a Disciple, I am willing. I have no complaints and no regrets.

Even if you wanted a servant, Master, I would be willing. I wouldn’t feel the least bit wronged.

The struggles of my life so far have taught me the meaning of opportunity, of cherishing what I have, of contentment, and of gratitude."

Zhang Deming paused, looking at Qin Shizhong. The man’s expression was utterly serious.

But Zhang Deming didn’t respond. ’He knew that Qin Shizhong was sincere in his desire to latch onto someone powerful.’

’As for the rest... actions speak louder than words. I’ll just have to wait and see.’

’After all, his true mental age wasn’t that of a twenty-year-old, easily swayed by a few passionate words.’

’If I’m truly satisfied with him, I wouldn’t mind considering it after I finish testing his Qi Fortune and Merit. Supporting him is no different from supporting anyone else, as long as it brings in Energy.’

’Besides, it’s better to give an opportunity to someone I know rather than a stranger. Of course, that’s only if they’re the right kind of person.’

Zhang Deming mulled it over for a moment, then nodded. "Do as you wish. A servant won’t be necessary. As for a Child Attendant...

At your age... and since you haven’t been with me since you were a child, if you were to suddenly become my Child Attendant now...

...I imagine all my martial brothers would think I have some... peculiar tastes.

Then I’d have a real headache on my hands, with people trying to curry favor by sending all sorts of ’gifts’ to my Flying Spring Waterfall Tower.

Besides, look at you. You’re not young-looking, you’re not cute, and you’re certainly not adorable. You don’t have a shred of potential to be a Child Attendant.

So you’d better give up on that idea right now. You won’t get what you want from me.

If I really wanted a Child Attendant, I’d find a cute little boy or an adorable little girl. You don’t stand a chance."

As Zhang Deming delivered these words with a stern voice and severe expression, the earnest look on Qin Shizhong’s face froze. His lips twitched, and his expression turned strange.

But Zhang Deming’s words had broken the heavy atmosphere, and the dynamic between them returned to how it was before.

"If you have no other orders, Master Zhang, then I’ll take my leave," Qin Shizhong said after a moment of stiffness.

Zhang Deming nodded. "Right, there’s nothing else.

Oh... right. Do you have any thoughts about reaching the Tai Chi realm?

Hmm... over this past year, I imagine you’ve earned a fair amount through your channels.

You’re probably thinking about it. If so, unless you’re planning to construct your Rune Core with a Tier Two Technique, you should probably wait a while longer.

You’ve already waited for decades. A little more time shouldn’t make a difference."

Qin Shizhong froze mid-turn. He whipped his head back around, his expression ecstatic as he stared at Zhang Deming. The light in his eyes was exceptionally bright.

It was the look of someone who, after an eternity in darkness, finally sees the light of dawn.

Zhang Deming hadn’t spelled it out, but Qin Shizhong wasn’t an idiot. How could he not understand the implication!

He was, after all, one of the first people to have contact with Zhang Deming. Before, he might not have known what Zhang Deming was using all those materials for.

But now, this master had come to Spirit Nurturing Peak, taken charge of one of the Seven Floors, and despite only having a Tai Chi Cultivation, received treatment that surpassed even that of a Three Talents Elder.

Rumors were rampant on the peak that Master Zhang was the luckiest man alive, a truly remarkable fellow who had reached his current position by living off a woman.

But he didn’t think so. From what he understood, even Senior Sister Ling’er hadn’t received such treatment back in the day.

’Could a kept man really enjoy a higher status than the woman supporting him? That shouldn’t be possible, right!’

Of course, everyone said Master Zhang’s treatment had improved so much because Senior Sister Ling’er had entered the Holy Land. But Qin Shizhong knew that the materials he had purchased had a specific destination right here on Spirit Nurturing Peak.

Ever since coming to Spirit Nurturing Peak and forming these suspicions, he had kept them buried deep in his heart, never breathing a word to anyone.

He didn’t dare say it, he didn’t want to say it, and he was utterly unwilling to say it. If word got out, the position of Guardian at the Flying Spring Waterfall Tower’s cliff would surely become much more crowded!

Qin Shizhong’s glittering eyes sent a slight chill down Zhang Deming’s spine. "What are you staring at me for?" he said. "If you’re not interested, you can just pretend I never said anything."

Qin Shizhong snapped back to his senses and said immediately, "I am willing! From this day forward, if Master Zhang does not give the word, I am willing to remain an Apprentice until I die of old age."

Zhang Deming shook his head. "That won’t be necessary. If you can comprehend a Tier Two Technique on your own and construct a Rune Core, that’s fine too. But if it’s only a Tier One, there’s no harm in waiting."

Hearing this, Qin Shizhong gave a bitter smile. "If I had that kind of Talent, I wouldn’t have failed even a preliminary Inner Sect trial all those years ago."