"Peony and I are in love. How dare you say to my face that you’re going to steal the person I love?"
Lü Bacha’s fists were clenched so tight that even for a scholar, his bones creaked with rage.
Ling Tian, standing to one side, was speechless. No wonder he’s called the Ancestor of Blood Refinement. He’s so domineering, declaring he’ll steal someone’s beloved right in front of them. Anyone else would have done it secretly. Who else would be like the Ancestor of Blood Refinement, so direct and upfront about it?
"Why are you clenching your fists? She won’t have a good life with you," the Ancestor of Blood Refinement said, shaking his head at Lü Bacha’s furious, teeth-grinding expression.
Peony had married into a powerful family. As the saying goes, a woman follows the man she marries, so her fate was sealed. Naturally, she had to try her best to be a good wife. But once the novelty wore off, her husband suspected she might be secretly seeing Lü Bacha behind his back. As a result, he beat and cursed her every day. Peony’s life was one of utter misery.
"She won’t have a good life with me? What... what nonsense are you spouting?"
"One day, my name will be on the golden list of successful candidates! I will rise through the ranks to become a Chief Minister of the nation. She will be the esteemed wife of a First-Rank official! How could she possibly have a bad life?"
Lü Bacha felt the Ancestor of Blood Refinement was insulting both him and Peony, convinced he was destined to give her happiness. Clenching his fists, he roared, "I believe in myself! I can give her happiness!"
"You cannot," the Ancestor of Blood Refinement stated with conviction.
"Nonsense!" Lü Bacha no longer wanted to remain. He shouted, "Let me tell you, I have absolute confidence in the next imperial examination! I’ve read all the required books and can now recite them forwards and backwards. My name is destined for the golden list. The position of top scholar is mine for the taking!"
With a snort, Lü Bacha angrily turned and stormed away.
"Should we go after him?" Ling Tian asked anxiously.
"There’s no need. In the future, he will come back on his knees, kowtowing and begging me," the Ancestor of Blood Refinement said, sitting upright. He waved his hand dismissively, his presence imposing.
"Really?" Ling Tian furrowed his brow. Judging by how self-assured Lü Bacha was just now, he seemed incredibly confident about succeeding in the examinations. How could such a man, after becoming an official, seek the Martial Path?
The Ancestor of Blood Refinement simply smiled. "The secrets of heaven cannot be revealed."
"Understood," Ling Tian nodded.
"Now, let’s talk about you," the Ancestor of Blood Refinement said, turning to him. "I will now take you as my Disciple."
"Your disciple thanks you, Master! Thank you, Master!" Ling Tian exclaimed, immediately falling to his knees and kowtowing in gratitude.
"As for your destiny, I believe you already have some understanding of it in your heart," the Ancestor of Blood Refinement said calmly. "Han Zhongli, that was your name in a past life. I now bestow upon you the Art of Taiyi’s Blade Tablet, the Fire Talisman Golden Core, and a Palm Leaf Fan."
A Palm Leaf Fan! It wasn’t Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad’s wind-attribute Palm Leaf Fan, nor was it the one belonging to Princess Iron Fan. It was a replica crafted by Lord Lao Zi himself. Despite being a copy, it was still immensely powerful and considered a Supreme Treasure in the Immortal Emperor Realm.
Seeing the Ancestor of Blood Refinement’s casual attitude as he gave away a Supreme Treasure and bestowed upon him a Cultivation Technique, Ling Tian’s respect for him deepened. Becoming a disciple of the Ancestor of Blood Refinement is truly wonderful. If I had become Wu Tian’s disciple, I probably wouldn’t have received such benefits.
"..."
Bo Gu and Meng Tian were stunned. Great General Ling Tian is nothing? Don’t tell me you want a Divine King to become your disciple? How is that possible? That’s something you can only dream about.
After leaving the courtyard, Ling Tian sent his mansion soldiers to invite Peony, the Oiran of the brothel, to the General’s Mansion. The soldiers acknowledged the order and left immediately.
"What? Great General Ling Tian wants me to visit his mansion?" Inside the brothel, Peony was astonished when the madam told her the news. Everyone knew Great General Ling Tian was a man who served the country and its people, but being summoned to a man’s residence still made her anxious.
The madam sighed. "There’s no helping it. You must go, or it would be troublesome if the Great General became angry." Resigned, Peony nodded and went to the General’s Mansion.
In the back garden, Ling Tian was practicing his techniques, a fierce wind raging around him as he brandished the Palm Leaf Fan. He noticed Peony’s arrival and stopped, causing the wind to cease instantly.
Looking at the newly arrived Peony, he said, "Miss Peony, I shall impart to you the Fire Talisman Golden Core and guide you onto the Martial Path."
I’m curious, once Peony embarks on the Martial Path, will Lü Bacha still be so singularly focused on his studies?
"You... you want to give me a treasure?" Just from its name, Peony knew the Fire Talisman Golden Core had to be something powerful, and she was shocked he wanted to give it to her. Isn’t this a bit much? I just got here, and he’s already offering me something so valuable. What does this Great General want in return? My body?
Filled with anxiety, Peony immediately refused. "Great General, Peony is a performer. I sell my art, not my body."

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