Naming Technique of the Night

Chapter 438: 304, Mister and Master (Requesting Monthly Pass)

It wasn’t long after the old man had given his instructions.

The most authoritative secretariat of the Li Family, which had previously been silent, suddenly changed its attitude and responded one by one to the complaints of the students’ parents: As the future foundation of the clan, Li’s School students must resolutely obey the school’s arrangements, and while learning cultural knowledge, they should not forget to develop comprehensively in morality, intelligence, physique, and aesthetics…

The responses were filled with grandiose words, but as the parents read with widened eyes, they realized that the several hundred-word response actually contained only two words: Obey.

This was strange, silence would have been sufficient, so why take a stance at all?

Perhaps it was out of concern that people would stir up trouble again, so they stressed the point once more!

What was the background of this instructor that even the secretariat issued a response to endorse him?!

...
Now it was settled, if anyone wanted to make trouble again, it would mean disobeying the secretariat’s response, which was a very serious matter in the Li Family.

For example, if a woman without rank or title made a fuss again, her man would also be punished.

On the broken bridge by Longhu Lake, Qing Chen curiously asked, “How many legitimate cultivation methods are there in existence?”

The old man answered indifferently, “There are as many cultivation methods in this world as carps crossing the river, but those legitimate traditions that can extend life do not exceed five, and now, there is one more in your hands.”

“So few?” Qing Chen was astonished.

“Therefore, I have another matter to discuss with you,” the old man said: “It is not just this batch of Li’s School students who will come to learn, but also some young people from the Li Family who have passed tests.”

Qing Chen raised an eyebrow: “You didn’t mention this before, and I haven’t personally tested them. How do I know whether they are qualified or not?”

The old man assured, “Don’t worry, the young people the Li Family places in important positions won’t be spoiled brats. Additionally, if you are concerned they won’t acknowledge you, or that they might threaten you in the future, I can have them kowtow and formally take you as their master over tea.”

Qing Chen was genuinely surprised.

An instructor was respected, but kowtowing over tea as a formal apprentice signified a true core position.

The Li Family values hierarchy, where a master is a master and must not be defied.

If they ever met on the battlefield, these Li Family members who had taken him as their master must also avoid him by a considerable margin.

This was the foundation of the Li Family’s own order; if the order was disturbed, the Li Family would be in chaos.

Furthermore, the young people chosen by the old man to learn the legitimate cultivation methods would likely have a pivotal role in the entire Li Family in the future.

Qing Chen asked calmly, “Do you understand the implications of this?”

The old man chuckled, “The young people I’ve chosen are those who have fought for life and death on the battlefield. With the Federation’s civil war looming, and Jindai and Deer Island amassing troops at the northern border, if the Li Family’s youth can take a cultivation path without side effects, then their chances of survival on the battlefield will also increase. Though modern warfare no longer depends on personal martial strength, and individual force cannot change much, if their physical condition is stronger, their ability to self-heal will increase. It’s always better to try than to do nothing.”

So, the old man’s most fundamental purpose was simply to hope that the future pillars of the Li Family wouldn’t all die on the battlefield.

“I thought you hoped they would all live to a ripe old age,” Qing Chen said.

“That’s the law of nature,” the old man laughed: “So, do you agree?”

After thinking for a moment, Qing Chen said, “The methods of cultivation were given by you, and they will be formally taking me as master. What reasons do I have not to agree?”

The most fundamental reason was that, after all, the cultivation methods were indeed gifted to him.

The old man had already guessed that the Outer World would have similar sentiments, and anyone could slowly translate it with the help of a Time Traveler; it wasn’t necessary to involve him specifically.

Qing Chen suddenly realized that the old man was also making an investment.

Just like Hu Xiaoniu’s father’s investment, they had all realized that after the connection between the Inner and Outer Worlds was established, it could bring new dynamics to both worlds.

Therefore, these truly clever individuals chose to support the most outstanding among Time Travelers with the aim of an uncertain future.

True investment does not necessarily see profit with every venture, and casual acts may sometimes create unexpected shelter.

However, for Qing Chen, this represented a significant leap in status!

Third-generation youngsters would address him as master, and they would call Uncle Li Dong as “Seventh Uncle.” In the future, he could independently stand side by side with Uncle Li Dong…

Wait, the old man’s significant status leap for him didn’t have any other ulterior motives, did it?

“By the way, old man, what do you usually do when you sneak out through the secret passages?” Qing Chen asked curiously, blinking his eyes.

The old man was taken aback: “You’ve discovered the secret passages so quickly?!”

“I’ve also found seven car keys, a wall of firearms… and some flashy clothes,” Qing Chen said: “Oh, and seven mobile phones. Are you usually using seven identities? I’m very curious about what these identities are…”

At this moment, the old man flicked his wrist and lifted the fishing rod, handing the Dragon Fish he had caught to Qing Chen: “Take it and scram.”

“Alright, then,” said Qing Chen, feeling somewhat reluctant.

…

…

Upon returning to Autumn Leaf Courtyard, Qing Chen chopped off a thick branch from a camphor tree in the surroundings and carved himself a wooden sign.

The sign bore only two characters: “No Visitors.”

In the evening, when Li Ke got off school, he came over to cook and do miscellaneous chores.

He also meticulously wiped down the lounge chair that Qing Chen used daily.

At this point, because of the accumulation of lactic acid in his body after excessive exercise, Li Ke was moving somewhat uncomfortably, feeling as though his legs no longer belonged to him.