Master of Strange Dao

"Teacher," Su Li said, alarmed, and quickly advised, "Teacher, why decide to make another attempt now? Wait a bit longer. I've just made notable contributions to the Shadow Department, and with a bit more merit, I can obtain a treasure pill with my achievements."

Ji Bochang extended a hand, signaling Su Li not to rush.

"Teacher, I've already mentioned it to Chief Venerate Sir, and he has agreed," Su Li said.

Ji Bochang was slightly taken aback by these words. Gazing at Su Li, whose face was filled with concern and whose eyes shone, he reached out and gently patted Su Li's shoulder.

His expression was complex as he looked at Su Li for a long while before slowly speaking.

"Su Li, I know you're not lacking in ability, what you lack is just the seniority and Cultivation Realm that come with time."

"But you must understand one thing, when facing situations, do not always rush to the forefront."

"One must survive in order to have a future."

"You need to think for yourself."

"Teacher, I have thought about it. I am still young, and although I am less powerful, I have established a solid footing in the Shadow Department. The salary of a Shadow Envoy is not low, and including the resources bestowed upon me and what I've acquired outside, I truly have more than I can use."

"Chief Venerate Sir has already promised to reserve a healing treasure pill for me."

"After making this deal with Jinlan Mountain, I can be considered to have achieved a great feat."

"One more mission, and that will suffice."

"Teacher, you still have life ahead of you, and your physical Qi-Blood has not yet entered the decline phase. There is still time, I beg you not to take such risks."

Su Li's face was full of anxiety, his sincerity palpable as he firmly grasped Ji Bochang's arm, pleading unceasingly.

Seeing that Ji Bochang did not immediately agree, Su Li quickly stood up.

"Teacher, wait for me. I will go to see Chief Venerate Sir immediately and exchange the treasure pill in advance."

Su Li hastened away. Ji Bochang reached out intending to stop him, opened his mouth, but saw that Su Li had already disappeared.

He sat there for a long time, alone, lifted the wine cup, and drank it in one gulp.

Meanwhile, Su Li returned to the Shadow Department to seek an audience with Chief Venerate Fu Xiao and knelt on one knee as soon as he saw him.

"Chief Venerate Sir, Su Li has a request and I implore you to grant it."

"Stand up and speak. We are among our own here, there's no need for such formalities in the government office."

"Sir, I wish to exchange for a treasure pill in advance. I have an urgent need for it, and I am aware that I'm just a little short on merits."

"But I promise to make up for it at the first opportunity, or perhaps I can compensate with other resources."

"Has your teacher encountered trouble?" Fu Xiao asked immediately.

As the Chief Venerate, he was naturally aware that Su Li had taken Ji Bochang as his teacher and frequently visited him for advice.

And Su Li's position as Shadow Envoy was also inherited from Ji Bochang.

"Indeed, there is a... situation," Su Li replied somberly.

Fu Xiao looked at Su Li, smiled slightly, a hint of admiration in his eyes.

The more profound a person's thoughts, the more they enjoy the company of simple people.

Just as the dirtier a person is, the more they admire purity in others.

Because they too hope to have such people around them.

"Your merits are actually almost enough, and giving it to you a bit earlier doesn't really break any rules."

"However, you should still make up with some resources to avoid criticism, and recover them once you've established more merit."

"Thank you, Sir!" Su Li was overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly.

Not even an hour later, Ji Bochang stood up, preparing to leave, when he heard the main door being knocked loudly.

The old servant went to open the door, only to see Su Li burst in like the wind, holding a jade box in his hands that he placed on the table.

"Teacher, Chief Venerate Sir has agreed to let me have it ahead of time."

Su Li was overjoyed as he opened the jade box to reveal a wax-sealed treasure pill within. The Divine Light swirled around it, its True Intent was restrained, and the mere fragrance had an invigorating effect on the mind.

Ji Bochang looked at the treasure pill, his face showing surprise as he stood there, transfixed.

His thoughts drifted far away in the halo of light emanating from the treasure pill.

"Teacher..."

Su Li's voice slowly changed into the memory of a young boy in his mind, and that was himself when he was young.

As a child, he, like Su Li, had a teacher.

But he was not as pure as Su Li.

Then, his aged teacher, having barely recovered from severe injuries and nearing the end of his life, wished to make one last desperate effort.

His teacher had spent all his wealth to obtain a treasure pill in hopes of forcefully breaking through and extending his life.

At the time, he could not understand why his teacher, with such slim chances, would still waste a treasure pill.

Gradually, greed began to take root in his heart, and he pondered whether, if he had that treasure pill, things might have been better.

And then, greed overwhelmed him.

On the last day his teacher was preparing to take the treasure pill, he, as protector, forcibly broke into the place of seclusion.

Who could have expected that his teacher had long been wary of him and had set up various traps and a Formation in advance?

But once the arrow was shot, there was no turning back.

He gave it everything, using everything his teacher had taught him, and finally broke through the barriers to enter the secret chamber of seclusion.

And there, he killed his teacher.

His teacher looked at him with complex eyes, then showed a slight smile before closing his eyes for good.

Back then, he didn't understand why.

Not until he opened the jade box where the treasure pill was stored and found inside a Strengthening the Foundation and Nourishing the Origin pill – used for solidifying the foundation – did he realize his teacher had never intended to break through. A breakthrough pill was not of this kind. This treasure pill was meant for him.

His teacher was about to die, and no pill could help him, so he left him one last lesson.

According to his teacher's teachings, to get what one wants, one must struggle for life itself, one must seize it themselves.