The Programmer Cultivator

"Huixin of Xuande Temple is a candidate for Saint Heir—well, Buddha’s Son. This ’Traveler of the World’ journey is something of a preliminary competition for the title, a way to build momentum and pave the way for his entry into the Holy Land. It’ll make things easier for him once he’s inside.

So, a lot of eyes are on him. We’re sending you to mix into the reception party to show your face ahead of time. If everything goes smoothly, there shouldn’t be any problems.

That way, when we later make the announcements about you being a Law-Level Spirit Nurturer and a Peak Master, the Sect just needs to scrub and clean up your prior records beforehand. Then there shouldn’t be any issues," Yuee Mengsheng explained.

Zhang Deming frowned. "It doesn’t have to be this complicated. I’m telling you, it’s fine."

Gan Zili said, "Just go and give it a try. It’s better to be careful. Wansheng Bodhisattva is one of the Bodhisattvas from Spirit Mountain most likely to achieve Buddhahood in recent years. Therefore, to settle the Merit accrued on credit from their great Original Vow as quickly as possible...

...matters like Rebirth and fetal entrapment have been causing quite a stir lately. Besides, this reception is just a formality. Nothing will happen."

Guk Liancai shot Gan Zili a look upon hearing this. His lips twitched, but in the end, he didn’t say a word.

Seeing that Yuee Mengsheng and Gan Zili were both insistent, and wanting to finally put their worries about this whole "Rebirth" issue to rest, Zhang Deming finally nodded. "Fine, I’ll go have a look. But I’m not leading the party."

’It’s just a performing monkey show anyway,’ he thought. ’If making an appearance can solve a lot of problems, then going along with it is no big deal.’

Gan Zili smiled. "Right, we couldn’t make you the leader anyway. This involves the Holy Land, after all. No matter how perfunctory we are, we still have to send a Three Talents Cultivator. We’ve led the party all these years; it’s about time another Peak pulled their weight."

"As long as I don’t have to lead, I don’t mind going to have a look," Zhang Deming replied.

"So it’s settled then?" Gan Zili asked.

The men glanced at each other. No one raised any further objections, so the matter was more or less settled. The four of them chatted idly for a long while before Zhang Deming rose to take his leave.

After watching Zhang Deming leave, Guk Liancai spoke up. "Senior Brother Gan, were you serious when you said, ’this reception is just a formality. Nothing will happen’?"

Gan Zili glanced back at Guk Liancai, his expression sour. "Hah, was I wrong? In the past, did they not insist that our Spirit Nurturing Peak handle it? Were there ever any other ’matters’ during the reception before? Why don’t you go yourself?"

The path of a Wish Cultivator mostly involves tempering the heart in the Red Dust, experiencing the hardships of the common people, and feeling the myriad states of human existence. They hope that in this process, their heart will connect with the Dao, leading to an epiphany where they can establish their Original Vow.

Therefore, when they undertake their journey as a Traveler of the World, they mostly travel alone. In the past, the Sect’s Honor Guard would only greet a ceremonial entourage after the journey was complete. The main person wasn’t even there; everyone was just going through the motions.

It’s only in recent years, because of Guk Liancai’s issues, that each Traveler of the World, upon reaching our Sect, has forgone the solitary ascetic journey and instead traveled with their ’ceremonial entourage’ all the way to the Celestial Spirit Sect.

"Forget it. Those bald donkeys are a real pain," Guk Liancai said, shaking his head.

Yuee Mengsheng spoke up. "It’s good for him to go and debate the Dao. Being targeted will put him in the spotlight. Add to that the fact that he’s representing Spirit Nurturing Peak—and as your replacement, no less—and he’ll definitely be seen by a lot of people."

"If nothing goes wrong this time, we should be able to proceed boldly with our plans. This trip has more pros than cons for him. Besides, it’s not like you don’t choke him with your words all the time. He should be used to it!"

Guk Liancai sputtered, "I..."

Gan Zili said worriedly, "I’m a little concerned. What if something goes wrong? What if they see through him?"

"Relax. It’s rare for the Sect to get a Law-Level Spirit Nurturer, and Master Dang still has people who need healing. Nothing will happen to him. If anything is discovered, someone will take the fall.

As for being found out... if he really is a Rebirth and wants to make a name for himself at this stage, but he can’t even get by unnoticed in the periphery of Huixin’s entourage, then he’ll never get by in the future.

It’s better to face this trial now. If there’s a problem, it’s better to find out early and go into hiding, rather than discovering it only when things have gotten serious and become a complete mess," Yuee Mengsheng replied.

Gan Zili nodded. Guk Liancai muttered, "I think you’re just getting revenge. Revenge because he stole your disciple...

No, wait, you stole his wife. That’s not right either. If that’s the case, Junior Brother Zhang should be the one causing trouble for you... So how come you’re the one setting him up?

This whole business of yours... it’s so messed up. Let me get this straight!"

Yuee Mengsheng gave Guk Liancai a faint look. He didn’t argue or retort, simply saying softly, "I think there might be something wrong with those three taels of Breath Jade Qi Tea I have stored away. Perhaps we should drink it soon?"

Gan Zili suppressed a laugh. "Yes, yes! Master Dang has been coveting that for years. How about today?"

"..." Guk Liancai shot to his feet instantly, flung his sleeves, and said without turning back, "I’m going into seclusion!"

"What’s with him? We found someone to take the heat for the mess he made, and he’s still not satisfied," Gan Zili griped as he watched Guk Liancai leave.

Yuee Mengsheng chuckled. "He’s just stubborn. He probably feels bad about making Junior Brother Zhang take the fall for him.

He wants to say he’ll go himself but can’t bring himself to do it because he’d lose face. After all, he’s spent years kicking and screaming about not going. That’s why he’s here beating around the bush and trying to stir up trouble."

Gan Zili was stunned. "That... Which of his sentences even remotely implied that?"

Yuee Mengsheng stood up as well and looked at Gan Zili. "Who are you asking? Who am I supposed to ask? I’m just guessing! Besides, are you really expecting a subtle and eloquent expression from him?"