Taking a Master

Yu Xiaogang raised his head and looked Tang San up and down, his gaze sharpening as though he wanted to find some flaw in that childish face. There was something in his eyes that Tang San knew all too well: the excitement of a researcher who had spotted a rare specimen.

Tang San stood quietly and let Yu Xiaogang examine him, his face showing just the right amount of confusion and anticipation. He even tilted his head slightly, striking an innocent pose unique to a child.

A moment later, Yu Xiaogang spoke. His voice was calm and steady, but it concealed a trace of barely perceptible eagerness. "Did you come to register by yourself?"

"Yes, teacher." Tang San nodded obediently.

Yu Xiaogang fell silent for a moment, glanced once more at the Martial Soul Awakening certificate, and then said, "I'll take you to register."

"Thank you, teacher!"

A brilliant smile spread across Tang San's face, but inwardly he was cursing. If you hadn't seen my innate full soul power, would you be this kind? You say, "There are no trash Martial Souls, only trash Soul Masters," but your eyes are awfully honest when it comes to choosing a disciple.

"Teacher? I'm not a teacher at the academy," Yu Xiaogang said coolly, with a deliberate air of detachment.

Tang San asked in confusion, "You're not a teacher? Then who are you?"

"I'm just a guest here, sponging off them for food and drink. Like everyone else, you can call me Grandmaster." Yu Xiaogang spoke naturally, as though even the words "sponging off them for food and drink" carried an air of unquestionable entitlement when they came from his mouth.

Hearing this, Tang San felt a wave of disgust. He had never seen such a shameless person! But none of it showed on his face.

"The Spirit Hall's certificate says your name is Tang San, right? Tang San, you must understand that there's a world of difference between a grandmaster and a teacher. Don't get them mixed up again." At this point, Yu Xiaogang changed tack, a fervent light flashing in his eyes. "Unless you truly want me to be your teacher."

His tone seemed indifferent, but beneath it lay an impatience he could hardly contain. Tang San understood perfectly well: the man was waiting for him to take the bait.

"Are you going to teach me to cultivate my Martial Soul?" Tang San asked, his voice carrying just the right amount of curiosity.

Yu Xiaogang stopped, turned around, and said solemnly to Tang San, "Would you be willing? After all, you're the third person with twin Martial Souls in the past hundred years... I once conducted an investigation..."

"I'm willing. Please accept me as your disciple, Grandmaster."

Seeing that Yu Xiaogang was about to launch into a lengthy speech, Tang San hurriedly interrupted and agreed at once. He then bowed slightly, offering a token gesture of respect.

Puke! Puke my guts out!

Tang San's stomach churned like rivers and seas, but the smile on his face did not budge. It even grew a little brighter. With acting skills like these, if he had gone into show business in his previous life, the Oscars would have owed him a golden statuette.

Yu Xiaogang was clearly pleased. His stiff face relaxed slightly, and his voice carried a tremor he could hardly suppress. "Good. Then I agree. I'll be your teacher."

Hearing this, Tang San immediately checked the Life-and-Death Contract in his sea of consciousness. Sure enough, one of the three golden marks had quietly vanished, turning into specks of golden light that merged into the depths of his consciousness.

Two remained.

Tang San did not rush to look at the contents of the second contract. Now was not the time; he had more important things to do.

You've been making me sick for so long. It's time I returned the favor!

"Teacher, but my Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass. Even Grandmaster Su Yuntao of the Spirit Hall said it was a trash Martial Soul, with no potential for cultivation at all." Tang San spoke with a puzzled look, his tone carrying just the right hint of uncertainty.

Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang immediately spoke with pride, as though he had finally been given a chance to show what he could do. "Tang San, remember this: there are no trash Martial Souls, only trash Soul Masters! Any Martial Soul, with the right guidance, can be cultivated into a powerful Soul Master. I once published the ten great..."

"Oh! Teacher! I understand!" Tang San's eyes lit up as though understanding had suddenly dawned on him. He excitedly cut Yu Xiaogang off, his voice clear and loud. "You mean that no matter what their Martial Soul is, if someone hasn't cultivated into a powerful Soul Master, that means they're trash, right?"

Childlike innocence showed on Tang San's face, and his eyes were pure and unblemished, as though he had truly done nothing more than draw the simplest of conclusions.

Yu Xiaogang's expression froze at Tang San's words.

Yu Xiaogang opened his mouth, intending to explain something, but swallowed the words when they reached his lips. There really was no fault to be found with Tang San's logic. Wasn't that exactly the conclusion that followed from his own "famous saying"?

But the problem was, coming from Tang San's mouth, it sounded like a jab at him no matter how he heard it.

Yu Xiaogang's expression shifted again and again. But when he looked down at Tang San's innocent face and saw those eyes shining with admiration and a thirst for knowledge, it really did not seem as though the boy was mocking him on purpose.

"...Uh... that is what it means, but..."

"All right, teacher. I don't want to be trash. I'll definitely become a powerful Soul Master just like you!"

Before Yu Xiaogang could finish explaining, Tang San deliberately gave him another taste of discomfort, then spoke admiringly, his eyes even shining with longing.

A powerful Soul Master just like his teacher! The corner of Yu Xiaogang's mouth twitched.

Just like him... a powerful Soul Master at level twenty-nine, who had been stuck in place for decades?

Yu Xiaogang stood rooted to the spot, at a loss for what to do. The awkwardness flowed upstream into a river, and he did not even know where to put his hands or feet.

"Teacher, what's wrong?" Tang San could hardly wait. He tilted his head up, his face full of concern.

"Oh! It's nothing! I'll take you to register first." Roused by Tang San's voice, Yu Xiaogang hurriedly changed the subject. He turned and walked ahead, his steps a little quicker than before, as though he were fleeing something.

Tang San followed behind him, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly before he quickly forced them down.

He was secretly delighted, but it was not enough to vent his anger.

After a few steps, Tang San came up with a plan. He suddenly stopped and called out with the petulance a child ought to have:

"Teacher!"

"Hmm? What is it?" Yu Xiaogang turned around, the awkwardness not yet entirely gone from his face.

An embarrassed look appeared on Tang San's face. He reached back and touched the small Vajra Warhammer wrapped in strips of cloth on his back. Sounding a little troubled and even somewhat wheedling, he said, "Teacher, the hammer on my back is so heavy. Could you carry it for me?"

Yu Xiaogang glanced at the hammer, then recalled that Tang San's steps had not been heavy while carrying it. He nodded without giving it much thought.

How heavy could a hammer carried by a six-year-old be? He had been worried about having no chance to show a teacher's consideration and ability, so he was naturally happy to perform such a small favor.

Besides, those few remarks had left him struggling to save face. This was the perfect opportunity to recover some ground.

"Hand it over." Yu Xiaogang held out his hand, his tone casual.

Tang San deftly untied the Vajra Hammer from his back and held it out by the handle in one hand. His movements flowed like clouds and water, without the slightest sign of strain.