The Happy Farmer Wanderer

Li Qing had long intended to join the Ninth Bureau, and after listening to the old Daoist’s words, he nodded without hesitation.

"Master, did you all plan this from the start?" Li Qing asked.

The old Daoist stroked his messy beard, "Sending someone to join is inevitable!"

"However, due to Nine Truth Palace’s unique status, it should neither be too early nor too late. Now that the Ninth Bureau has gained momentum, it is the right time."

Li Qing nodded thoughtfully.

Previously, he only needed to worry about his own three-acre plot of land; later, the most complex concern Li Qing had was the Qi Family.

Suddenly faced with such a massive affair, it was a bit mind-boggling for Li Qing.

"Seeing you bear no psychological burden about joining the Ninth Bureau, I won’t say much," the old Daoist looked at Li Qing with a contented face. "Others will explain the other matters to you clearly, and I am not as knowledgeable as they are."

"That said, let me explain why I have been with you for half a month!"

"Discovering such a promising seedling, for an old Daoist like me, who is near death, is certainly exciting both to the eyes and heart."

"But Nine Truth Palace’s disciple recruitment considers the disciple’s character. My disciple, even more so, cannot be of bad seed — it’s that simple."

Li Qing: ...

"Then what did you mean when you kept calling me a ’stone’ and the like?" he pressed.

"Oh, that? It was just a metaphor," the old Daoist said offhandedly. "Your fate is afflicted with a severe Romantic Trial. Aren’t you like a beautiful stone with distinct edges? Wherever you roll, someone will like you, but whoever picks you up could get hurt."

"This is the negative impact of your body attuned to the Dao. With fate laid out like this, no one can do anything about it; you have to bear it yourself!"

"As for how far you can bear it, that’s up to your own fortune!"

These words made Li Qing feel not only uncomfortable but also gave him the urge to pin his cheap master to the ground and give him a thorough beating.

After all this fuss, it was just a metaphor.

"Master, I think it might not necessarily hurt people," Li Qing muttered.

The old Daoist shook his head and chuckled, "If it doesn’t hurt others, that’s cause for universal joy, but a trial is still a trial!"

"I also said just now, it’s all about your fortune. Heaven determines seventy percent of fate, leaving thirty percent in the hands of humans. Whether you can grasp that thirty percent is up to you. Ninety percent of people in this world cannot escape that seventy percent of fate, and the remaining thirty percent is beyond their reach."

A thought stirred in Li Qing’s mind as he gazed at the old Daoist thoughtfully, "Master, I remember you didn’t want to talk too much about my fate before; why are you saying so much today?" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"Back then I was fragile, truly near death, and couldn’t bear the karma you carried with you," the old Daoist said with a smile, brushing his beard. "But what did I just say? Actually, I haven’t said anything, just translated what you couldn’t understand into something you could."

A slight twitch appeared at the corner of Li Qing’s mouth.

Fine then, after all is said and done, his cheap master isn’t exactly a serious person.

Just listen to the way he talks.

If you don’t listen carefully and have a bit of wit, you can’t even distinguish which of his words are useful.

"Stay on the mountain for a couple more days. I’ll prepare your initiation ceremony, and afterwards you’ll go down the mountain with that old fellow Dian!" the old Daoist said lightly, laughing, as he patted Li Qing’s shoulder.

"Alright."

When Li Qing and the old Daoist returned to the hall, Hong Fang Zhenren and others were discussing the red-haired zombie.

From what they said, that thing was terrifying.

If it came out, it would surely annihilate a region.

Li Qing had nothing to add, but he too felt a chill run down his spine as he listened.

It was fortunate that the old Daoist had discovered it in time and dealt with that thing; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Afterward, the old Daoist personally cast a divination, confirming the initiation ceremony for Li Qing would be held three days later.

Dian Chunqiu also said he would wait for Li Qing, eager to witness the rare initiation ceremony of Nine Truth Palace, after which they would descend the mountain together.

Li Qing told the old Taoist that he had a friend at the foot of the mountain, and after he’d return to the mountain the day after tomorrow, he bid farewell to everyone and descended the mountain.

By this time, the sky had almost completely darkened.

Li Qing walked down the winding mountain path and entered the guesthouse.

The guesthouses here were all separate small courtyards, one here, one there, all fairly scattered.

Jiuling Mountain was full of spirit-enhancing beauty, and these guesthouses pursued tranquility and elegance.

Although the price was a bit high, the scenery was indeed splendid.

Many followers of the Tao would rent these small courtyards long-term, to live and cultivate in quietude.

When Li Qing reached the entrance of the courtyard, he suddenly remembered Yu Baishuo constantly yearning to try being forcefully taken.

Now seemed like a good opportunity.

If he were to sneak in quietly now, he should be able to give her an immense surprise.

At this thought, Li Qing felt a heat rising in his heart.

Trying such a thing did indeed seem thrilling.

He quietly took out the room card, opened the gate, and slipped into the yard stealthily.

Controlling his footsteps, Li Qing tried to make absolutely no sound at all.

He slowly moved forward, hiding beneath the windowsill.

These guesthouses had a suite-style layout; a small living room with a bathroom outside and a bedroom inside.

Li Qing quietly poked his head out, checking the bedroom first.

The bedroom, lit only by a bedside lamp, was empty.

However, the window was open, ventilation being provided by just a screen.

Li Qing faintly heard the sound of a television from the living room; it seemed that Yu Baishuo was watching TV.

He tiptoed with very light movements, opened the screen, and climbed in.

To be ready for later, Li Qing stripped off all his clothes in the bedroom but kept his underwear on.

He felt very uncomfortable wearing nothing at all.

Barefoot, Li Qing stepped out of the bedroom and peeked around the corner of the wall into the living room.

The television was loud, and Yu Baishuo was practicing yoga in her workout wear.

The grey tight yoga pants outlined her exquisite figure, raising waves of heat in Li Qing’s chest.

Yu Baishuo loved to exercise on regular days; clearly, her hard work was not in vain.

Her figure was indeed well-maintained.

Li Qing reached over to the side and took down Yu Baishuo’s silk scarf from the clothes rack, then tiptoed toward her.

In the moment of approach, he suddenly sprung forward, covering Yu Baishuo’s face with the scarf.

At the same time, he grabbed her hands, and yanked down the tight yoga pants in one fell swoop.

"Who is it? What do you want to do? Let go of me!"

Yu Baishuo shouted in panic.

Without a word, Li Qing pressed down on Yu Baishuo’s flailing legs with his body and, improvising with what was at hand, tied her hands with her pants.

"What are you doing? Let me go! Release me!!"

Li Qing said nothing, spread her fiercely struggling legs, moistened his saliva, and forced his way in.