I'm the Banker

"It's been some time since Master left, hasn't it?"

Cui Hao reached out and picked up a dessert from the table, then playfully waved it in front of San Dong.

San Dong’s little head and gaze followed the treat as it swayed back and forth. Seizing the moment, she took a quick bite.

Chewing the dessert with satisfaction, her expression turned triumphant, as if she’d just won a battle.

Cui Hao, ever the indulgent one, clapped in approval.

Chen Baiqing raised her hand as a gluttonous Tianyan Sect crane spread its wings, dancing gracefully. Hearing Cui Hao’s words, she replied naturally:

"If Master is handling it personally, it must be important. Important matters naturally take time."

"Though it’s rare to see you miss Master like this. Are you scheming again? How long has it even been since you last behaved?"

Cui Hao stayed silent, his gaze drifting enviously toward the training grounds where Yun Li was practicing his forms. The green serpent’s human form was quite striking—almost half as dashing as himself.

The way Yun Li moved added even more flair, though he still fell far short of Cui Hao’s own brilliance.

But Cui Hao’s envy wasn’t really for Yun Li—it was for the spirit treasure sword in his hand.

Tsk…

So cool…

The blade shimmered with a radiant glow, its sharp aura pulsing with power. The sheer elegance of it was unmatched.

He never should’ve listened to Master and taken up fist techniques. He should’ve gone for the sword.

Master had swords, sabers—even Third Senior Sister had her bracelets. But not a single pair of gauntlets.

Even Yun Li, a mere guardian beast Master took in, had a spirit treasure. Meanwhile, he, the true disciple, was still bare-fisted.

Chen Baiqing followed Cui Hao’s gaze and immediately saw through him. He wasn’t missing Master—he was coveting a spirit treasure of his own.

She released the crane, her tone indifferent:

"If Master hasn’t given you one yet, it’s probably because he’s still preparing it properly."

"Of course I know that. The bond between Master and me is unshakable," Cui Hao sighed. "Not to boast, but I genuinely think even you, Third Senior Sister, can’t compare to my relationship with him."

Chen Baiqing’s lips curled into a smirk—little Cui Hao, so delusional.

San Dong swallowed her dessert, patted her belly, and giggled. "I think the Sect Leader gets along better with Third Senior Sister. He always smiles at her, but with you, he starts with a smack to the head."

Cui Hao promptly grabbed another sweet and stuffed it straight into San Dong’s mouth, retorting:

"What does a little thing like you know? The more a master hits you, the closer you are!"

San Dong chewed slowly, her eyes conveying a clear message—even she wasn’t fooled by that.

Cui Hao couldn’t stand it. If even San Dong doubted him, he had to set the record straight:

"Think about it. Strangers greet you with a smile, but close friends? They shove food in your mouth without hesitation."

"Same logic. Master hits me because we’re close! Who else does he hit regularly? Even Second Senior Brother barely gets a tap."

San Dong pondered this as she nibbled on her treat, her expression turning thoughtful.

After a moment, she swallowed and turned to Chen Baiqing with concern:

"If the Sect Leader never hits me, does that mean we’re not close?"

Chen Baiqing, seeing San Dong on the verge of being led astray, didn’t bother explaining. Instead, she clenched her right fist and held it up to Cui Hao.

Her smile was sweet as she asked softly:

"Since Third Senior Sister wants to get closer to you, should I punch your left cheek or your right?"

Cui Hao stared at those delicate yet tiger-slaying hands and didn’t hesitate. His envious gaze instantly cleared as he hurriedly corrected himself:

"Ah, my mistake! That logic only applies to mortals. For cultivators like us, even a casual strike can flatten mountains and part seas. A simple nod or greeting is more than enough."

Chen Baiqing withdrew her fist and pressed:

"Is that so?"

"Absolutely."

Cui Hao nodded vigorously, then noticed San Dong opening her mouth to ask more. He swiftly stuffed another dessert into it.

The gluttonous crane had just escaped Third Senior Sister’s grasp—he had no intention of taking its place.

San Dong mumbled with her mouth full but found Cui Hao’s reasoning sound.

Mortals could roughhouse harmlessly, but cultivators? Their playful taps could shatter the earth.

"Cui Hao, are you tricking San Dong again?"

Li Yingling strolled over leisurely, her brow arching as she watched Cui Hao force-feed San Dong.

Cui Hao grinned and defended himself:

"No, no! I was just wondering what kind of top-tier spirit treasure Master will give me."

Li Yingling nodded knowingly and took a seat, casually popping a dessert into her own mouth.

Disciples naturally had varying degrees of closeness with Master, but he never played favorites.

If Cui Hao still hadn’t received a spirit treasure, there must be a reason.

After all, finding the right treasure for fist techniques required some creativity.

Cui Hao couldn’t resist asking:

"Eldest Senior Sister, what brings you here?"

"Your second senior brother is asking for a beating. I've been putting him off for two days, trying to give him a way out, but he just won’t take it."

Li Yingling tilted her head slightly, signaling as Li Xingtian strode in from outside.

Li Xingtian walked with an imposing air, his gaze resolute as he approached. He then clasped his hands and looked at Li Yingling, saying:

"Eldest Senior Sister, are you ready?"

That saying—"Evil shall never triumph over good"—was something he, Li Xingtian, would make sure his eldest senior sister understood clearly today!

Who represented righteousness, and who stood for wickedness!

Li Yingling rose to her feet:

"Hmph, does the eldest senior sister need preparation to beat her second junior brother?"

Cui Hao's eyes sparkled with even greater curiosity, and he promptly shut his mouth, waiting for the spectacle about to unfold.

Li Yingling glanced at Yun Li on the training field and called out:

"Yun Li, make some space."

Yun Li turned his gaze toward her, then sheathed his sword and stepped aside.

Li Yingling and Li Xingtian stepped onto the dueling platform together.

A spiritual treasure sword and a spiritual treasure bloodblade materialized in their hands.

Just like that day, spiritual energy surged between the two.

A faint smile played on Li Yingling’s lips: "Junior brother—"

"Eldest Senior Sister, let’s skip the pre-battle taunts." Li Xingtian cut her off bluntly, knowing full well his words could never match hers. He chose to bypass the disadvantageous stage entirely.

"We’ll let our skills do the talking!"

Li Yingling’s spiritual energy flared as she gave a slight nod, her flowing water sword intent swirling around her.

The pinnacle prowess of a Nascent Soul-stage cultivator was on full display.

Cui Hao clicked his tongue and stuffed a piece of dessert into his mouth before casually remarking:

"Third Senior Sister, do you think Eldest Senior Sister and Second Senior Brother will settle this quickly?"

Chen Baiqing, seeing that Cui Hao’s question was earnest, replied:

"Unlikely. Second Senior Brother’s aura is exceptionally dense as well."

"I thought so too." Cui Hao grinned before revealing his true intentions. "Since it won’t be over soon, how about you brew some tea, Third Senior Sister? We can enjoy the desserts, sip tea, and watch the fight at leisure—learn a thing or two while we’re at it."

"Brew it. I’ll watch too."

Chu Xingchen seemed to appear out of nowhere, suddenly seated on a stone bench, though he looked somewhat weary.

Cui Hao’s eyes lit up, and he was about to ask—

Chu Xingchen shook his head slightly, signaling Cui Hao not to pry. His gaze shifted to the two on the training field as he said:

"I’ll take bets. Eldest Senior Sister at one-to-one-point-two odds, Second Senior Brother at one-to-one-point-five."

Cui Hao immediately pulled out spirit stones:

"If you’re gonna gamble, go big—I’m betting on Second Senior Brother!"

San Dong didn’t understand the concept of betting, but seeing Cui Hao take out spirit stones, it roughly grasped the idea.

Support whoever you favor by spending on them.

It also took out moon essence and spirit stones, declaring:

"I’m closer with Eldest Senior Sister, so I’ll back her."

If you can’t find the book by title, try searching the author—it might just have been renamed!