A Forceful Suppression; The Curtain Rises!

"Children shouldn't play with fire. Put it out!"

The burly man gave a quiet command, and the flames in Red Boy's mouth instantly went out.

Red Boy was stunned. He hurriedly formed hand seals, sending streaks of red light into his mouth.

But an enigmatic force surrounded his lips.

No matter what Red Boy tried, he couldn't summon the Samadhi True Fire.

"Little one, who taught you to use your power so recklessly and threaten other people?

Where are your parents? Is this how they taught you?"

The burly man sternly scolded Red Boy.

For some reason, Red Boy, who was usually afraid of nothing,

didn't feel the usual irritation at the burly man's reprimand, unlike when his parents lectured him.

Instead, he felt even more apprehensive and answered timidly,

"I-I... Nobody taught me. My father took another woman outside.

My mother doesn't care about me either. She lets me do whatever I want and has never taught me anything!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Red Boy's eyes widened, and he looked utterly incredulous.

Was that really something the King of Hao Mountain would say?

No! He couldn't let anyone hear how timid he'd been.

This man had to die!

"If a child is not taught, it is the father's fault. If a teacher is lax, it is the teacher's failing!

Your father was wrong to dote on his concubine and neglect his wife. Your mother was wrong to wallow in self-pity, too.

Who is your teacher? Has he never taught you how to conduct yourself?"

The burly man furrowed his brow, his heart filling with displeasure toward Red Boy's father.

Red Boy froze at those words. He had never heard anyone put it that way before.

Whenever people spoke of his father, they called the Bull Demon King a great hero who could hold up the heavens.

They said Princess Iron Fan was an unreasonable shrew for making a fuss over him taking a concubine.

Or they said the Bull Demon King was a despicable villain who coveted the Fox King of Longevity's vast wealth.

Whenever Red Boy got into trouble, the Bull Demon King scolded him.

But no one had ever taken his side.

And no one had ever told him that the Bull Demon King and Princess Iron Fan were wrong to raise him as they did.

Red Boy glanced at the burly man and suddenly felt that he wasn't quite so deserving of death after all.

"I don't have a teacher!"

"You're a promising child. The Demon Race will never amount to much."

At the burly man's words, Red Boy broke into a cold sweat, his eyes wide with disbelief.

A spiritual treasure protected him, concealing the demonic aura within him.

The treasure had been bestowed upon him by a red-haired elder when Princess Iron Fan took him to her family home.

Even his father couldn't easily see through his condition.

Yet this burly man had seen the demonic aura within him without effort. It was terrifying.

"Come with me for a while. Remember, you mustn't casually spit out flames again!"

"Yes, Teacher!"

Red Boy's eyes darted about. He bowed his head and answered obediently.

The burly man nodded, noticing the hint of defiance in Red Boy's eyes.

But it didn't matter. He'd taken on disciples even more unruly than Red Boy.

Under his guidance, they had all become students who were learned and well-mannered.

"Come. Today, I'll take you to meet a Great Sage!"

The burly man adjusted the bamboo hat on his head and looked resolutely toward Zhao Family Village.

Red Boy bounced along behind him and asked,

"Teacher, what's your name?"

"My surname is Kong. I come from Lu. And what's your name?"

"I'm called Red Boy. I don't have a proper name. Father says I'm not grown up yet, so he hasn't given me one!"

"Mm. That is indeed a Demon Race custom. The wilderness is dangerous, and few beasts survive to adulthood.

That's why the Demon Race doesn't name its young. It's an ancient custom from the days of the Demon Race's Heavenly Court. Your father must have come from a distinguished family."

"Wow, Teacher, you even know that?"

"It's nothing. Read more, and you'll understand it yourself."

"Ah, I have to read books too?"

Red Boy's head immediately began to ache. His eyes darted around as he plotted an escape.

The burly man lowered his hat, scooped Red Boy up, and set him on his shoulder.

Then he burst into laughter.

"Ha ha! You're thinking of running away now? No chance!"

"I wasn't going to run!"

Red Boy stubbornly denied it, squirming his little bottom uneasily.

Aside from Princess Iron Fan, no one had ever been this close to him.

The burly man and Red Boy made their way without hindrance to Chen Fan, who was surveying the area.

"I'm Kong Dunling. I heard you were hiring?"

Chen Fan turned at his words, a hint of confusion in his eyes.

The hiring was being handled over at Zhao Family Village. How had this man found his way here?

Was he lost?

Chen Fan suddenly grew curious. He put down the map in his hands and greeted Kong Dunling.

"Greetings, brother. Your surname is Kong. Might you be related to the Supreme Sage Teacher..."

"A relative of the same family!"

Kong Dunling grinned, revealing a row of white teeth. Chen Fan's eyes lit up.

Someone from the Kong family of Lu! Just the sort of talent he was lacking!

When it came to teaching and educating people, the Kong family were experts!

Bai Qianli, who was marking out the terrain nearby, was shaken. His eyes flashed.

"Who is this man? I didn't even notice him!"

"Brother Chen, who is this?"

Kong Dunling's gaze swept over Bai Qianli, a hint of hostility in his eyes.

Bai Qianli's expression changed. A powerful aura locked onto him.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

The sound of surging waves rang out through the void.

Understanding flashed in Bai Qianli's eyes, and a smile appeared on his face.

The Confucian Dao Long River—the Supreme Sage Teacher!

"Brother Bai, you're quick! You've already finished surveying the terrain?"

Chen Fan turned around and introduced them with a smile.

"Brother Kong, this is Bai Qianli. Don't let his refined appearance fool you, Brother Bai is a formidable fighter.

He knows the heavens above and the earth below, and he's exceptionally wise!

Brother Bai, this is Kong Dunling, from the Kong family of Lu. He's come to lend us a hand today!"

Chen Fan looked at Kong Dunling admiringly, impressed.

As expected of a family with a thousand years of history. They got wind of things so quickly!