The Third Watch (In Celebration of ZZZ Xin Miao's Alliance Leader Title!)

"Sir, someone's eavesdropping!"

"It's that cowherd kid again!"

"It's Jiang Wang!"

The pupils immediately began chattering among themselves, eager to stir up trouble.

"Silence!"

Fang Yuan tapped his ruler. The mischievous children all flinched and didn't dare make another sound or move.

He stroked his beard and walked outside.

A little boy in rough hemp clothes lay sprawled on the ground, looking miserable. He had clearly been so startled that he'd fallen from the window.

Fang Yuan knew the little rascal. His name was Jiang Wang. His family was poor, with barely enough room to stand in their house, and both his parents scraped by doing odd jobs for wealthy families in the city.

Since the age of six, he had helped his family with the chores, or gone out to herd cattle and sheep for others. That was how he'd earned the nickname Cowherd Kid.

He couldn't compare at all with these children, who could sit in a classroom and learn to read and write.

Still, the boy had been clever and quick-witted from a young age. Even when he couldn't pay tuition, he made use of his spare time to sneak over here and learn by listening in.

Fang Yuan couldn't be bothered to take issue with him. Usually, he simply turned a blind eye.

Today, he'd just done it on a whim.

"Greetings, Sir!"

Jiang Wang got to his feet, eyes brimming with tears and cheeks flushed with embarrassment, then bowed to Fang Yuan.

"Mm. Good manners are the foundation of learning. You've truly absorbed your books to the bone..."

Fang Yuan nodded, then shook his head. As he gazed at the wisps of bluish-purple qi within the boy's aura, he too felt a little wistful.

In truth, it was only because he was the Devil Master.