After Zhang Qingxi's earnest lesson on integrity, Sun Yanwan was deeply moved. In the world he came from, people like Zhang Qingxi were nearly extinct.
Despite being older than him in total age across both lifetimes, he nodded sincerely and said, "I've learned something today, Senior Brother."
Though upright, Zhang Qingxi wasn't inflexible. He eventually agreed to Sun's idea, and they ordered three custom Daoist robes and matching shoes. Sun also bought three bedding sets. The robes would take a few days, but the bedding was ready that day. The mountain nights were cold, and Sun found himself missing air conditioning… or even a good sleeping bag.
With their martial strength, carrying the bedding back up the mountain wasn't difficult.
Back at the temple, they gathered their things and moved into the newly repaired rear courtyard. The yard backed onto a mountain and had a raised stone platform with a dozen tile-roofed brick houses. The platform likely prevented flooding. The courtyard was spacious.
Renovation signs were still visible, but the area was far brighter and more comfortable than their previous storage room.
Zhang Qingxi said, "Junior Brother, when we first came to Taiyi Temple, only one house here was intact. Master lived in the easternmost room. I chose the one next to his. Feel free to pick whichever you like."
Sun picked a western room with one door and two windows—brighter than the others. It was still bare.
He dropped his bedding, fetched Qingxi, and together they cleaned their master's room. They swept, wiped down the doors and windows, and laid fresh bedding.
Soon after, the carpenter arrived with two hired hands to deliver the furniture. The brothers directed them, then paid and sent them off.
Sun set up his new room. Against the windowed wall, he used stones to raise wooden boards, spread dry grass and his old bedding, and created a rustic "mountain sofa" for meditation.
He placed his new desk under the other window and stacked it with the books and writing supplies he had gathered while traveling with Miao Youxiu. The room no longer felt empty.
When they finished, Zhang Yuanqiao called them for lunch.
With new rooms and upgrades, both disciples were in good spirits, chatting more during the meal.
Zhang Yuanqiao, listening quietly, eventually said, "If we want to restore Taiyi Temple and establish a sect, just working in hardship won't cut it."
"I've learned there's a nearby gang called the Heavenly Serpent Gang. They're known for thuggish behavior. I plan to subdue them, clean them up, and use their resources to support our temple."
Sun, though he'd heard of the Miao family's wealth and the Songyang Sect's business models, was still a bit stunned. "So this is why martial sects are rich…"
If a gang leader lacked skill and tried to extort people, it'd end badly.
Zhang Qingxi rose and cupped his fists. "No need to trouble Master. I'll handle it."
Zhang Yuanqiao chuckled. "You're too quick-tempered. Last time, I sent you to deal with the Black Sail Gang, and you scattered the entire sect. When the elders came to take over, everyone had fled. Sixth Uncle still complains to me."
"I'll go myself this time."
Sun, having only seen Zhang Qingxi test his skills once, was shocked. "He looks so composed… and yet he massacred a gang?"
Zhang Qingxi looked embarrassed but didn't argue. "I'll guard the temple and train Junior Brother. You won't have to worry."
Zhang Yuanqiao smiled. "Excellent."
After lunch, he helped Sun cultivate again, guarding his meridians with his internal energy. That night, he cooked for them.
He didn't leave immediately the next day either. He continued supporting Sun's practice until he was certain there were no mistakes in his cultivation.
When Zhang Yuanqiao finally departed, Sun trained with Zhang Qingxi every day. Qingxi practiced hard, but he wasn't prepared for Sun's modern "grind" mindset. Sun wished for more than 24 hours a day to train.
At first, Zhang Qingxi thought his junior would need supervision—then he realized this guy wasn't human!
In his spare time, Sun rewrote the Hu clan's Hunyuan Thirty-Six Stances and Seventy-Two Demon-Slaying Sword Forms. Miao Youxiu had taught him quickly and roughly, so Sun cross-referenced the meridians with the Ziwu Jing and added detailed annotations and personal insights.
He realized that although the Hunyuan Stances focused on thirty-six meridians, they blended the extraordinary, primary, and hidden meridians with unique logic. The system was more advanced than expected.
After pondering for days, he consulted Zhang Qingxi.
Zhang laughed. "Junior Brother, have you heard of the 'Three Supremes and Five Grandmasters'?"
Sun shook his head. "Never."
Zhang explained, "The three greatest martial artists in the world are: Elder Mu of Sword Manor, the Dry Master of Shaochan Temple, and the Grand Ancestor of the Great Lang royal family."
"The five Grandmasters include our Master, Monk Kongchan of Shaochan Temple, Demon Sect Leader Yang Wuji, Xuanming the top dark arts practitioner, and Sword God Hu Qingdi."
"Hu Qingdi… is the Hu clan's old patriarch. He was their head two generations ago."
He smiled. "And he's the grand-uncle of Hu Fengwei."
Sun's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't even speak.