The Lay Flat Life: My Wife's Cultivation Makes Me Stronger - Chapter 67

“Huh? Revenge?”

Wang Mian was momentarily stunned before his face lit up with delight. He quickly said,
“Of course I want to! But… killing is against sect rules, and I’d have to pay with my life for it.”

“Ugh, look at you. All you think about is killing. Don’t be so bloodthirsty. Wouldn’t it be better to find another way to vent your anger and settle the score? Something just as satisfying without breaking the rules?

When practicing martial arts, it’s important to stay calm, cultivate a peaceful mind, and refine your character. Understand?”

Wang Mian was speechless. Senior, with your temper, do those virtues really apply to you?

“Let’s go,” Pan Shan said, clearly in high spirits. He opened the door and stepped out, leading Wang Mian and Si Yu back outside.

As they emerged, all eyes turned to them.

Han Feng glanced at Wang Mian, who gave him a look that signaled everything had gone well. Only then did Han Feng relax.

Pan Shan casually sat back in his bamboo chair and looked toward the Ye family disciples.
“I’ve changed my mind,” he said. “There’s an old saying: saving a life is more virtuous than building a seven-story pagoda.

These children are young, and their immortal paths have been severed—what a pity.

Out of respect for my friendship with your elders, I’ll take these five as registered disciples. In my spare time, I’ll guide them in martial arts.”

The Ye family members were ecstatic at this unexpected turn of events. Ye Longquan, Ye Wen, and the other three immediately knelt down and shouted,
“Disciple greets Master!”

Han Feng’s expression instantly darkened. Now that Wang Mian has been accepted, but so have these people… won’t they gang up to bully him later?

Meanwhile, the Ye family members were oblivious to Wang Mian’s situation. They took delight in the thought that Han Feng’s group must have failed spectacularly. What a joke—trying to one-up us, only to end up helping Pan Shan accept us instead. The look on Han Feng’s face! So grim it could drip water. Absolutely satisfying.

But the next moment, Pan Shan smiled and added,
“Alright, alright, everyone stand up and pay your respects to your senior brother.”

Pan Shan gestured toward Wang Mian.

The Ye family disciples’ minds went blank.

What?

Senior brother?

What’s going on?

This country bumpkin was now their senior brother? Just like that?

“Master… is there some kind of misunderstanding here? How could Wang Mian possibly be our senior brother?” Ye Longquan asked in disbelief.

“He is my first disciple and also my only personal disciple. Why wouldn’t he be your senior brother?” Pan Shan replied.

“Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Master, Wang Mian is just a bumpkin from the countryside. How could he ever be our senior brother? He doesn’t deserve it!”

Pan Shan’s face immediately darkened. Letting out a cold snort, he said,
“Hmm? Are you questioning my decision? Hmph! Questioning your master and insulting your senior brother—such offenses cannot go unpunished!

Wang Mian, go give him ten slaps to teach him a lesson!”

“Master… is there some kind of misunderstanding here? How could Wang Mian possibly be our senior brother?” Ye Longquan asked in disbelief.

“He is my first disciple and also my only personal disciple. Why wouldn’t he be your senior brother?” Pan Shan replied.

“Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Master, Wang Mian is just a bumpkin from the countryside. How could he ever be our senior brother? He doesn’t deserve it!”

Pan Shan’s face immediately darkened. Letting out a cold snort, he said,
“Hmm? Are you questioning my decision? Hmph! Questioning your master and insulting your senior brother—such offenses cannot go unpunished!

Wang Mian, go give him ten slaps to teach him a lesson!”

Wang Mian’s spirits soared at the command. Despite his shaky footing, he forced himself to stride over, rolling up his sleeves with a sinister grin and raised his hand to deliver a heavy slap across Ye Longquan’s face.

Han Feng stood to the side, laughing so hard it felt like his stomach might cramp.

Ye Longquan’s expression twisted with rage as he prepared to retaliate, but Wang Mian glared at him and barked,
“I’m your senior brother!”

“I…”

Ye Longquan froze. His raised fist hovered mid-air, unsure whether to hit or retreat.

Ye Longquan’s father furrowed his brow and said,
“Senior, what is the meaning of this?”

“What’s the meaning?” Pan Shan replied. “They’ve knelt. They’ve bowed. They’re my disciples now. On my turf, they follow my rules.

Every family has its rules, and so does every sect.

But no matter where you go, respecting your master and honoring your elders is fundamental, isn’t it?”

“That may be true,” Ye Longquan’s father said, “but Wang Mian’s aptitude is mediocre. What qualifies him to be your chief disciple?”

Pan Shan snorted coldly.
“That’s my business, not yours. If you’re dissatisfied, feel free to take your gifts and leave.

I’m giving you one last chance. If you want to stay and learn martial arts, you’ll follow my arrangements completely.

If you don’t want to stay, leave now while you still can.

And let me make this clear: martial arts training isn’t like cultivating immortality. Refining the body is grueling and painful—it’s not for the faint of heart.

If you stay now and later decide you can’t handle it, don’t expect me to let you leave!”

The Ye family disciples hesitated.

When they arrived, they had desperately hoped Pan Shan would accept them. Now, he had, but the prospect of suffering under Wang Mian’s authority was unbearable.

As the chief disciple and personal disciple, Wang Mian outranked them as mere registered disciples. There was no doubt they’d be subjected to endless humiliation under him.

But leaving wasn’t an option either. Opportunities to learn martial arts from someone of Pan Shan’s caliber were exceedingly rare. If they walked away now, their chances of finding another master were slim to none.

Faced with the choice between momentary humiliation and a lifetime of wasted potential, the answer was clear.

Ye Longquan gritted his teeth and said,
“Master, I misspoke earlier. I accept my punishment. There are still nine slaps remaining. I ask Senior Brother Wang Mian to finish them so I can learn my lesson and better respect my elders in the future.”

Wang Mian sneered.
“Hmph. You said it yourself!”

Without hesitation, he began slapping Ye Longquan across the face, switching hands as he went. He didn’t hold back in the slightest.

The satisfaction of openly striking an enemy who couldn’t fight back was indescribable.

By the time Wang Mian finished the ten slaps, Ye Longquan’s face was swollen beyond recognition. It was clear Wang Mian had vented every ounce of his frustration.

After all, when the Ye family had shattered his dantian, they hadn’t held back either. And when Ye Longquan had betrayed Han Feng’s whereabouts to Ye Longyuan, he hadn’t shown any mercy then, either.

Wiping his hands clean, Wang Mian turned to Pan Shan and bowed.
“Master, I’ve completed the task.”

“Good.”

Pan Shan shifted his gaze to the Ye family members and said,
“Alright, leave your disciples and gifts here, then go back and send some servants over to build additional houses. My disciples can’t be expected to sleep outdoors. Build them quarters, a kitchen, and latrines—everything they’ll need.”

“Of course, Senior. We’ll see to it immediately,” Ye Longquan’s father said hurriedly.
“However, Senior, we also hope that while teaching these children, you’ll ensure their safety. They are innocent and good kids who happen to have grievances with Wang Mian. Please make sure he doesn’t abuse his position to harm them.”

“Don’t worry. Outside this valley, I don’t care what happens. But within this territory, none of my disciples will die—unless I die first!”