Chapter Fifteen: Taking a Master? I Have No Interest!

The entire hall was stunned!

Everyone knew what status Su Ye held, and the fight just now made it clear that Young Master Jiu Zheng didn’t care for him at all. Now, unexpectedly, things had turned around, and Su Ye had obtained a chance to be guided?

However, many people also knew that, though Su Ye had once made a sensation in Yang City, he was now infamous as a good-for-nothing. If Miss Jiu Yaye hadn’t intervened, Su Ye would probably have been sent flying by Jiu Zheng just moments ago.

Now, Yu Tianhua, the guide, was actually going to instruct a useless man? This was bound to be an entertaining spectacle.

Jiu Zheng looked at Su Ye with a smile, as if only waiting for the guide to confirm Su Ye’s worthlessness. Then, the title of “good-for-nothing” would follow Su Ye for the rest of his life—no matter how hard he tried, it would be of no avail.

“You… Your technique just now wasn’t fully revealed, and the cultivation method you practice is too complicated—rather like a patchwork of styles,” Yu Tianhua mused.

At this, muttering and whispered discussions rippled through the crowd.

Weren’t these words just a roundabout way of calling Su Ye useless? Patchwork? Useless!

Jiu Zheng could barely contain his laughter; if the guide weren’t present, he would have burst out openly.

Jiu Yaye, on the other hand, looked worried. It seemed Su Ye’s technique really did have problems! Her family had cultivation methods, and even if she had to steal one, she’d make sure Su Ye got one that suited him.

Jian Muqian hurriedly interjected, “Please, Master Yu, do continue to offer your guidance!”

Yu Tianhua nodded, sighing, “Very well! Perform your technique once more—I’ll take another look.”

What?

Many people turned to look at Yu Tianhua in surprise—was he really going to guide Su Ye in earnest? Such an opportunity was almost too generous. Envy shone in many eyes.

“Damn, he’s just a good-for-nothing—how did he get so lucky to have Master Yu personally guide him?”

“Exactly! Even Miss Jiu Yaye only received a brief word or two. Is this useless fellow about to shed his label and rise above us all?”

Everyone waited for Su Ye to perform his technique.

But Su Ye only shook his head slowly. He knew there was no need. The method he practiced was one he’d glimpsed from heavenly thunder—if Yu Tianhua could see its mysteries, he would have already pointed them out.

“No need. Thank you for your guidance,” Su Ye declined directly.

This surprised Yu Tianhua—someone refusing his guidance? Even the spiritual school teachers of Yang City eagerly sought his advice, and countless universities invited him to lecture.

Yet Su Ye refused?

“Oh? Don’t be afraid. Though your technique is patchwork, I see something special in it. Go ahead and try again. I think you must have opened more than thirty meridian points for it to look like this, but when you exert force, you don’t focus your strength—like a novice martial artist?” Yu Tianhua was even more intrigued.

Jiu Zheng grew uneasy. Yu Tianhua was known for his brevity, yet today he seemed intent on offering Su Ye a thorough lesson. If Su Ye truly managed to turn things around, it would be a disaster! Once, Su Ye had shone so brightly—in his nature, if he rose again, he’d surely turn against them.

“Grandpa Yu, haha, there’s no need to continue!” Jiu Zheng said quickly, as if eager for praise. “He really is just a good-for-nothing. Though he once opened some meridians, in the past three years, he’s dropped back to zero. He’s tried countless techniques, but none suit him. Such a person will never be able to cultivate again.”

Su Ye clenched his fist, glaring at Jiu Zheng. This fellow had publicly called him a good-for-nothing more than once—one day, he’d make him pay tenfold.

Jiu Zheng, seeing Su Ye’s expression, felt an immense satisfaction. What right did this useless man have to compete with him? He had no status, no power, no money—if not for the Jiang family’s protection, Jiu Zheng could have finished him off at any time.

With this, Jiu Zheng’s face grew more arrogant—even Yu Zhisha hadn’t dared strike him publicly, yet today, Su Ye had been thoroughly subdued by him.

“What? Zero meridian points?” Yu Tianhua was startled.

Jiu Zheng nodded eagerly. “That’s right, that’s right, he’s a useless man who can’t cultivate. Grandpa Yu, why not give me a few more pointers?”

But Yu Tianhua didn’t seem to hear him. He stepped forward, regarding Su Ye up and down, and then smiled, “Excellent, excellent! I am Yu Tianhua, a one-star guide. I wish to take you as my disciple—are you willing?”

Boom—

Everyone present thought they had misheard, and all formality was forgotten as the hall erupted in exclamations.

“What? Did I hear that right? He wants to take Su Ye as his disciple?”

“How is this possible? Isn’t Su Ye a good-for-nothing? Master Yu wants to take him as a disciple?”

“What are we going to do? We’ve treated him so poorly—if he becomes the guide’s disciple, what if he seeks revenge? That’s the disciple of a guide!”

Many were shocked and frightened—a guide’s strength was beyond their imagination.

In Yang City, for instance, if Yu Tianhua said he wanted to take a stroll, all the martial families would send invitations and dispatch escorts to welcome him.

After all, a guide’s words could change the fate of a martial artist, or even a whole family.

Jiu Zheng’s face turned ashen in an instant. Now, he wished he could slap himself—how had a few extra words led Yu Tianhua to take Su Ye as his disciple?

If Yu Zhisha learned of this, what would become of him?

How could this good-for-nothing be so lucky? He was useless, yet managed to catch Yu Tianhua’s eye. Even if he remained useless, simply having “Yu Tianhua’s disciple” after his name would guarantee a prosperous life.

Jiu Yaye and Jian Muqian were overjoyed, urging Su Ye, “What are you waiting for, Su Ye? Hurry and accept him as your master! Pay your respects to your teacher!”

If Su Ye became the guide’s disciple, their own school would share in the good fortune.

Amid countless envious and jealous stares, Su Ye lightly touched his nose, weighing the pros and cons. He soon had his answer.

“Master Yu, perhaps you should take another disciple. Miss Jiu Yaye would be an excellent choice.” Su Ye cupped his hands in respect. “Forgive me—I have no interest in becoming your disciple. I must decline.”

A wave of shock rippled through the crowd.

What? He refused?

“Damn, this good-for-nothing refused?”

“I thought I was hearing things—he even turned down a guide’s offer of discipleship? Is he trying to defy fate?”

Even Yu Tianhua was surprised, looking at Su Ye with raised brows and pressing him, “Are you certain? With your physique, I can guide you and help you cultivate again.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t need guidance,” Su Ye insisted, shaking his head.

Jian Muqian was nearly beside herself with anxiety, rushing forward to persuade Su Ye to reconsider. Such an opportunity was incredibly rare—even Yu Zhisha at the school had only received brief pointers from the guide, not an offer of discipleship.

How could Su Ye let such a golden chance slip away?

“Look around—everyone came tonight hoping for a word of guidance, and you’d even refuse to become a disciple? Opportunities like this are what people dream of! You’re driving me mad!”

But Su Ye remained unmoved, almost provoking Jian Muqian to real anger.

He knew, however, that if he became an apprentice, how long could he keep the secret of his cultivation technique? Moreover, as a disciple, he’d have to serve at Yu Tianhua’s side and obey his teachings—something he could not accept.

The crowd was still abuzz with commotion, but Jiu Zheng wiped sweat from his brow, secretly relieved: this good-for-nothing really lacked such fortune. And to think he wanted to challenge Yu Zhisha in three months—he was digging his own grave!

“Ah, it seems we truly are not fated,” Yu Tianhua sighed. “This is my number. If you ever need anything, you may call me.” He handed Su Ye a business card.

Though he was a guide, he was still a modern man, after all—a mobile number was not unusual.

“Thank you.” Su Ye glanced at the card and tucked it away.

Many still envied the card, but it was something most families already possessed—well within the scope of their expectations.

The banquet faded away amid the hum of discussion.

During the remainder of the evening, Yu Tianhua offered brief guidance to several more people, but his mood was clearly dampened, his advice limited to a few words. The only exception was that he truly took Su Ye’s suggestion and spent extra time advising Jiu Yaye, giving her several moments of profound enlightenment.

After the banquet.

Su Ye and Jian Muqian sat together in the car on their way home. Jian Muqian was in high spirits, slightly drunk, her cheeks rosy and fragrant.

Su Ye, meanwhile, quietly replayed his bout with Jiu Zheng in his mind. It was clear his strength was still far from enough. Though his thunder meridians had been reborn, he still could not truly control their power.

“Heavenly thunder… What could possibly command heavenly thunder?”

At that moment, the alcohol-scented Jian Muqian’s body suddenly went limp beside him, as soft as a boneless water snake, collapsing gently against him…