Chapter 7: The Master-Disciple System

“I—damn, so ruthless!”

This was the only thought running through Su Ning’s mind upon reaching level 5—the staff was gone just like that.

Without the staff, she couldn’t use skills or heal. Life felt bleak.

“It’s okay, Su. Even if you lost your staff, others hitting level 5 probably don’t have theirs either. There must be a way to continue playing. If all else fails, we can trade with someone.”

Qiao Duoduo tried to comfort her, though she was also upset for Su Ning. Suddenly, an idea struck her.

“Su, we still have tasks! Let’s go to the teahouse—Boss Zhang likes you. Maybe the task reward is a staff!” The more she said it, the more hopeful she felt, as if the staff was waving at them.

“Teahouse… Boss Zhang’s task?” Su Ning sensed something was off.

“Yes, the teahouse, Boss Zhang… isn’t that right?” Qiao Duoduo also looked confused.

“I’m Madam Li of the inn,” Su Ning realized, feeling the system’s cruelty again. She hadn’t even gotten over losing her staff, and now the tasks weren’t even the same as everyone else’s.

Life—truly still bitter.

With a sigh, Su Ning handed Qiao Duoduo a card.

“There’s no green-grade tea set today, so just make do with this one for now.”

Qiao Duoduo took the card.

White Card: Long-spout teapot, a common tool for tea ceremonies.

“This is good enough. Su, what about you?” Qiao Duoduo was happy with the tea set and figured the teahouse owner wouldn’t make things difficult for Su Ning, but she was still a little worried. Right now, Su Ning was practically helpless—any slightly harder task from Madam Li could put him in danger.

“The gift for Madam Li is rabbit fur from our hunt. She’ll like it, don’t worry.”

Back in the safe zone, Su Ning checked the 258 copper coins in his backpack and decided to stay at the inn. Qiao Duoduo went to the teahouse for the task.

“Madam Li, here’s the rabbit fur I hunted from the northern slope today, specially brought for you,” Su Ning said proactively, fearing Madam Li might assign the task before he could act. The rabbit fur was a white card—perfectly pure white rabbit pelt.

Taking it out of the card, the entire hide was immaculate, fluffy, and beautiful.

“Beep, your favor with Innkeeper Madam Li increased by 20 points. Current favor: 40/100.”

Before the system prompt finished, Madam Li’s voice rang out. She fondled the fur, inspecting it carefully, clearly delighted.

“This fur is perfect! Anyone coming here later won’t escape an 80% price. If you have more, show me—I can make a pair of leather boots for you. They’ll be light and comfortable.”

Su Ning’s eyes lit up. If equipment could be made, and equipment drops were rare, maybe equipment was meant to be crafted. After some thought, Su Ning cautiously spoke.

“I do have plenty of fur, though it’s a bit troublesome, Madam. If convenient, may I learn a bit from you?”

Yes, Su Ning wanted to learn. If successful, it would be a lifelong skill. If not, at worst, he’d lose some favor—no big deal.

Madam Li hesitated slightly, then nodded and spoke with caution:

“I can teach you, but you don’t seem naturally talented. You’ll have to work hard—are you willing?”

Su Ning didn’t hesitate—hard work was nothing. He’d even dig tunnels if needed.

“Of course, I’m more than willing—grateful, even.”

Madam Li nodded approvingly and signaled Su Ning to follow. Behind the counter was a hidden workshop—canopies, fabrics, furs neatly displayed on the walls, and rows of silkworm racks nearby. Clearly, a full production line from sericulture to weaving to tailoring.

Su Ning’s heart leapt—what a treasure! The world had kindness, and humans had love!

“Since you wish to learn, you must become my disciple. But adventurers like you are different; I cannot be too harsh. Let me be upfront:

1. Once you become my disciple, you may not take another master, and I will take no other disciples.
2. When you reach a master level, you must choose a disciple to pass on your skills.
3. If you leave, you must send me one work per month. I will guide your improvement.
   I too will leave someday and make other arrangements. Do you agree to be my disciple and inherit my skills?”

“I agree.” Su Ning immediately knelt on one knee. Though unsure if it was proper etiquette, the sincerity was clear. Being the only disciple—this meant prosperity!

“Beep, master-disciple ceremony complete. Congratulations, player Su Ning! Master-Disciple panel unlocked.”
“Beep, your favor with Innkeeper Madam Li increased by 40 points. Current favor: 80/100.”

“The skills I can teach are all in this room: sericulture, weaving, dyeing, sewing, embroidery.

Let’s start with sericulture. As the saying goes… (blah blah, author doesn’t know, won’t make it up). Here are ten silkworms—try rearing them first.”

Su Ning opened the small wooden box the master handed over. Inside were ten tiny dots—sure enough, silkworms.

“Beep, breeding panel unlocked. You may place breeding creatures into system storage.”

“About spinning and weaving, I don’t have spare machines to give you. If you get better machines in the future, come back.”

The master continued, and Su Ning placed the silkworms into storage to study later.

“For dyeing, I don’t have suitable space now. You can explore on your own or wait until I prepare it.”

“For sewing and embroidery, I have two books. Take them and learn at your pace. If unsure, come back to me.” With that, she left.

Su Ning followed, opening her backpack.

Yellow Grade: Apprentice Sewing Manual, Apprentice Embroidery Manual. True master indeed.

“Beep, friend message received.”

Su Ning opened private chat—sure enough, it was Qiao Duoduo: “Su, rabbit meat card—more is better. Come back quickly.”

Su Ning sent all 18 rabbit meat cards from her backpack—360 pounds total. Should be enough.

“Since you are my disciple, take this card as a token. You get 40% off food and lodging—including restaurants, inns, and guesthouses. All other shops 20% off.”

Su Ning looked at the pure black card—no patterns, just a gold-embossed “Li”—luxurious.

“Right, I have tasks for you. Go east and bring back 20 pairs of cockroach wings. Then go west to the hillside and pick 20 cotton flowers.”

“Beep, promotion task triggered.
Task description: Innkeeper Madam Li needs materials and requests your help.
Task goals: 20 pairs of cockroach wings, 20 cotton flowers.
Task rewards: Receive Madam Li’s reward, leave the novice village, and advance to New Joy Street.
This task cannot be refused. Please accept promptly.”

Well… maybe she wasn’t such a “true master” after all.

At this moment, Su Ning felt like crying—tasks were still bitter, and life was still desperate.