Burning-Tail Academy, Old Friends Cut Off Old Friends

"Burning-Tail Academy."

Fang Shu stood before an imposing building, reading the three dark-gold characters on its plaque.

Its blue brick walls and red tiles bore the scorched marks of smoke and fire, yet rather than making it seem dilapidated, they lent it a distinctive charm.

His second uncle, Yu Le, stood beside him, his face alight with excitement as he nodded repeatedly. He looked even happier than Fang Shu.

Fang Shu had wanted to ask what the words "Burning Tail" meant, and whether they had anything to do with cultivation. But he recalled something in time and immediately pressed his lips shut.

Just then, a voice came from within the academy:

"Are you two laymen here to enter the academy and learn the arts?"

A young woman in a fitted Daoist robe emerged from inside. Standing atop the stairs, bright-eyed and fair-toothed, she held a whisk as though it were a flowering branch and invited the two of them in.

She could not have been older than eighteen.

Fang Shu and his second uncle Yu Le hurriedly returned the greeting. After a brief hesitation, they stepped up the stairs.

Smiling, the whisk-wielding woman led them inward and introduced the place of her own accord:

"As for Burning Tail, one saying goes that when a tiger transforms into a human, only its tail remains unchanged and must be burned away before it can become human; hence, burning the tail. Another says that when a new sheep enters a flock, the other sheep butt it and refuse to accept it, but if its tail is burned with fire, the flock settles down. A third says that when a fish leaps the Dragon Gate and transforms into a dragon, it must be burned by thunder and lightning, and only then does its tail transform."

She waved her whisk and said:

"Our academy takes its name from 'Burning Tail,' drawing a little from each of these three meanings. We wish only for our disciples to become men and dragons, to restrain themselves and return to propriety."

Understanding dawned on Fang Shu's face. At the right moment, he also let a trace of yearning show and cupped his hands to the young woman.

A mere name for a Daoist academy carried so many allusions. It sounded far more refined than something like Black Tiger Daoist Hall!

Seeing Fang Shu's expression, the eloquent young woman felt rather pleased. She said:

"This academy exists to enlighten Daoist children for the Five Directions Immortal Sect in the mountains. Though anyone may enter, remaining here requires fate and affinity.

"Do you possess such fate and affinity?"

Before Fang Shu could answer, his second uncle Yu Le nodded like a chick pecking at grain. He hurriedly cupped his hands and offered up a letter, along with the spirit stone tuition wrapped in cloth.

The whisk-wielding woman casually took the spirit stone, weighed it in her hand a few times, and paid it little heed.

Only after glancing at the letter's envelope did a smile return to her face.

"So you know my father, Xiao Hu. I'll go ask him at once.

"Please wait here."

With that, the young woman walked deeper into the academy, leaving Fang Shu and Yu Le waiting in the open space outside.

As they waited, the sounds of the academy's disciples occasionally drifted out—some chanting scriptures, some shouting in practice. This truly did not seem like some tiny Daoist academy; it was quite lively.

After they had waited for a long while, the sun had risen high overhead, yet the young woman still had not returned.

Fang Shu looked up at the sun, wanting to find some shade.

But when he glanced sideways, he saw that although sweat had beaded on his second uncle's nose, Yu Le still stood perfectly motionless. Fang Shu followed suit and continued standing there like a post.

Inside Burning-Tail Academy, in a private quiet room.

The steward, Xiao Hu, looked in surprise at his daughter as she entered, then said with a grin:

"Who could have persuaded our Lady Xiao Lili to come lobbying for them?"

He reached out to take the letter handed over by the whisk-wielding woman, only to hear his daughter reply with mild annoyance:

"It wasn't me. One of Father's acquaintances has come, and I'm merely delivering a letter for him."

At her words, Steward Xiao Hu frowned first.

He stared at the handwriting on the letter, unable to recall which acquaintance had written it. At once, he thought it was probably some sort of "poor relative."

Only after opening the letter and reading a few lines did he sigh.

"So it's Yu Le, one of the academy's old hands from back then."

Yet his brow did not relax. Instead, he wore an awkward expression and muttered, "Is that old Blood Ghost looking to mooch off me?"

He spoke with a sigh. "Lili, as your father, I serve as this academy's steward, responsible for provisions, accounts, and personnel. Since I am trusted with the role, how can I show favoritism and break the academy's rules for accepting disciples?"

Xiao Hu pointed at the letter and shook his head. "Besides, this batch of Daoist children was filled long ago. Here is another one asking your father to make an exception. Go send them away, and get a few steamed buns from the kitchen for them."

"You airhead, they brought tuition."

Xiao Lili rolled her eyes at that and tossed the hemp-cloth bundle in her hand onto the table.

Steward Xiao Hu looked surprised. He immediately reached out and felt the spiritual aura within the bundle. It was a spirit stone, and not a poor-quality one at that. After weighing it several times, he found that it should meet the required amount of three taels.

He let out a long breath and quickly said:

"Since they have come properly to take a master and learn the Dao, that makes things easy."

At once, he unfolded the letter again and began chatting with his daughter about the past with considerable interest.

"When the academy had just opened, the academy master and the rest of us were filled with grand ambitions. Who could have known that before we had been open for even half a month, challengers came to kick down our doors four times every three days? Within half a year, six of our fellow disciples were crippled."

His voice was full of melancholy.

"Later, we could not recruit a single disciple in the market town, so the academy master simply had us go to the mortal world to recruit them.

"Your Uncle Yu Le and I went down the mountain together. Fortunately, we got in with a pair of snake demon brothers. Not only did we avoid dying halfway there, we also struck a deal with them, making it easier for our other fellow disciples to travel down and back up the mountain...

"I hear those snake demon brothers are still doing that route-running business even now."

Xiao Lili paid no attention to this. She only urged, "Father, hurry up. Your brother from back then is still waiting outside."

Steward Xiao Hu said helplessly:

"All right, all right. This batch of Daoist children may be full, but squeezing in one more should still be manageable."

Though he spoke nicely enough, he first took the spirit stone, opened the hemp cloth and yellow paper, and examined it for some time. Then he took out a small scale and weighed it carefully. Only then did he take a sheet of paper from the table and begin copying out a receipt.

The fellow wrote at a snail's pace, dawdling for quite a while before finishing the receipt, as though he were deliberately waiting for something.

Just as Xiao Lili was about to take the paper herself, footsteps sounded outside the quiet room.

Understanding appeared on Steward Xiao Hu's face. He pressed down the receipt in his hand and told Xiao Lili to invite the visitor inside.

Very soon.

Something happened that left Xiao Lili staring blankly. The newcomer seemed to know her father as well, and had directly brought a youth with her to discuss squeezing him into the academy. She spoke with the ease of an old acquaintance.

Her father, meanwhile, wore a deeply troubled expression and waved the completed receipt in his hand.

"What unfortunate timing, truly unfortunate. I've already squeezed one in. I cannot squeeze in another."

"Aiya! Brother Tiger, what is the relationship between us? Back then, you were my senior brother—you looked after me."

"Junior Sister Yin, you are an old brother, and this one is also an old brother. First come, first served. You are putting me in a difficult position..."

"I understand, I understand. I'll pay more!"

After a round of back-and-forth, Xiao Lili watched her father sigh and accidentally set the receipt on the table. Then, accidentally, the woman surnamed Yin snatched it up and tore it into pieces.

Afterward, the woman surnamed Yin left in satisfaction with a newly copied receipt, taking the gaunt youth with her.

As she passed Xiao Lili, she instructed the youth, "Quick, sweeten your mouth. Call her Sister Lili. She'll be looking after you from now on."

"S-Sister Lili."

The youth's face and ears were scarlet, and the look in his eyes displeased Xiao Lili greatly.

Once everyone had left, Xiao Lili stood in the quiet room and looked at her smug father.

She hesitated, then finally sighed.

"Father, did you do that deliberately just now?"

But to her surprise, now that only father and daughter remained, Xiao Hu still wore an expression of profound grief and indignation.

"It isn't that your father does not value old ties. It's that this woman surnamed Yin is far too cunning... She actually tore up the receipt. Given the chance, your father will certainly teach her a proper lesson!"

Then Xiao Lili heard her father add casually:

"Go tell Yu Le that all the places for this batch of Daoist children have long since been filled. There truly is no way to squeeze anyone else in.

"But for the sake of our old friendship, I can let that child become a menial worker and do chores in my quiet room.

"With me, Xiao Hu, here, there is no difference between a menial worker and a Daoist child. He can still learn spells, eat spiritual food, and occasionally even meet the academy master."

These words left Xiao Lili utterly dumbfounded.

Especially when she watched, with her own eyes, as the spirit stone sent by the uncle and nephew pair slipped directly into her father's sleeve pocket.

Her father sat there as steady as an old god and asked her with his eyes, "Anything else?"

With a strange expression, Xiao Lili took a menial worker contract and silently left the quiet room.

Fang Shu stood beneath the steps of Burning-Tail Academy's main hall. His gaze flickered as he watched a passing figure inside and pondered:

Why does that figure look like Yin Xiaojian... Has he come here to take a master too?

Seeing the other's buoyant steps, then looking at his own numb legs, Fang Shu's mood sank for no reason.

His second uncle Yu Le noticed Fang Shu's unease and restlessness. His brow furrowed slightly as well, but he still smiled and gestured for him to relax.

But just then, a plump figure swayed past the two of them. She had only meant to pass by, yet seemed to spot the uncle and nephew pair and deliberately walked over.

The newcomer was a mature woman in her thirties or forties, wearing a false smile.

"Ah! It really is you, Brother Yu Le."

Yu Le was slightly startled and nodded politely to her.

"It's me, Sister Yin!

"Back when I went up the mountain, you were the one who led me along the route run by those pair of snake-headed brothers."

Recognition finally dawned on Yu Le's face, and a warm smile spread across it.

The two exchanged pleasantries. The mature woman was quite enthusiastic and even praised Fang Shu a few times.

"This child looks destined for great things! Has he come to take a master and learn the arts? He'll definitely be admitted. Brother Yu, you are blessed indeed!"

Then she seemed to notice that the uncle and nephew's gazes kept drifting toward the main hall.

The mature woman glanced over, spotted Xiao Lili's figure, and smiled.

"Brother Yu, little nephew, you two attend to your business first. I won't disturb you."

After courteously seeing off the mature woman, Yu Le looked at the whisk-wielding woman approaching at a measured pace. He clearly could no longer suppress the anxiety in his heart.

He took the initiative to step forward and greet her with cupped hands.

Seeing the hesitation on the young woman's face, Fang Shu's heart thumped.

Sure enough, Xiao Lili furrowed her brows and said helplessly:

"Uncle Yu, little brother Fang, your timing was unfortunate. There truly is no way around it—the places for this batch of Daoist children have long since been filled.

"If you insist on entering the academy, you may wait until the second half of the year. At the latest, a new batch of Daoist children will be recruited next year."

At these words, both Yu Le and Fang Shu's expressions stiffened slightly.

But Xiao Lili suddenly changed tack. After glancing around, she lowered her voice.

"However, Father says that for the sake of old ties, he can first admit little brother Fang Shu as a menial worker, doing chores in Father's quiet room. He can still learn the Dao, and may even occasionally meet the academy master.

"With Father here, there is no difference between a menial worker and a Daoist child.

"Besides, if he gets in first and claims a spot, he can apply again when the next batch of Daoist children is recruited. That is better than... wasting his years."

After explaining the benefits of being a menial worker, she did not ask whether they were willing. She merely fell silent, giving them time to consider.

The young woman seemed certain that they would choose to enter the academy as menial workers, so she directly took out the menial worker contract.

Though Fang Shu was unhappy upon hearing this, he thought to himself:

Second Uncle recommended this academy so strongly, and I saw Yin Xiaojian here as well. It seems this Daoist academy really does have some skill.

One radish, one hole. Starting as a menial worker and claiming a place was somewhat like being a temporary worker in his previous life. Perhaps it was not unacceptable?

But his second uncle beside him considered it for only three breaths before a resolute look appeared on his face. He immediately shook his head.

Seeing this reaction, Xiao Lili froze for a moment.

"Uncle Yu, what do you mean by this?"

Yu Le wore a polite smile.

He pointed at the menial worker contract in the young woman's hand and made a hollow pushing gesture, then assumed the posture of taking his leave with cupped hands.

Xiao Lili understood at once.

Especially when Yu Le looked her over, spread his palm, and asked with his eyes where the spirit stone tuition had gone.

At once, Xiao Lili's face became somewhat flustered. She seemed never to have expected this turn of events.

She wanted to speak but stopped herself, then looked toward Fang Shu.

Fang Shu said in a low voice, "I'll listen to Second Uncle."

Thus, beneath the uncle and nephew's watching gazes, she could only hurriedly cup her hands. Clutching the menial worker contract, she quickly walked into the main hall, apparently to find her father.

After the young woman left once more.

Fang Shu stood at the entrance to Burning-Tail Academy, feeling somewhat more relaxed. He kept studying his second uncle beside him.

Today, Second Uncle had specially brought him here, and had even made him stand under the sun for more than half an hour. Yet now, Second Uncle had decided to leave at once, without the slightest hesitation.

Second Uncle is truly decisive! Fang Shu silently praised.

He immediately understood as well. Though that young woman had looked proper enough, her words had likely concealed hidden pits at every turn.

And what happened next made Fang Shu feel that his second uncle was exceedingly shrewd and steady.

After quite some time, the young woman hurried back out.

With a relaxed expression, she handed over the wrapped spirit stone. Yet after Yu Le respectfully accepted it, he did not turn and leave.

Instead, right in front of her, he first weighed the spirit stone in his hand. Then he opened the hemp cloth and inspected it carefully.

Finally, smiling, Yu Le covered the spirit stone with the hemp cloth again, pushed it back to the young woman, and shook his head.

This sight caught both Fang Shu and the young woman completely off guard, leaving them staring blankly.

Fang Shu's heart stirred, and he noticed it as well.

Compared to his memory, the spirit stone before him was visibly duller in color!

The whisk-wielding woman suddenly realized what had happened, and her face flushed red as if it had caught fire.

"Th-this..." She clutched the bundle containing the spirit stone in flustered unease, unsure whether she wanted to argue or offer an explanation.

But no words came out. She could only stamp her feet where she stood, looking pitiful enough to inspire sympathy.

Yet when Fang Shu saw her like this, his eyes only turned colder. He found the woman thoroughly detestable.

Sure enough, trusting Second Uncle had been right!

This Burning-Tail Academy, this young woman—over one tiny matter alone, who knew how many pits they had laid, waiting for the uncle and nephew to fall into them.

Had he truly entered the academy as a menial worker, who knew how they might have exploited him!

Still, perhaps some people would find Xiao Lili's running back and forth truly pitiful and adorable.

And upon seeing it, they could not help stepping forward to stand up for her.

"Humph!" A figure shot out with a snap. He was a tall, lean young man with fierce brows and vicious eyes.

The moment he emerged, Xiao Lili immediately bowed to him and called softly, "Senior Brother Ling."

Senior Brother Ling of Burning Tail Hall swept his sharp, knife-like gaze over the uncle and nephew, his eyes carrying a trace of chill.

"Daring to cause trouble at my Burning Tail Hall—are you here to challenge the hall?"

Second Uncle Yu Le hurriedly shook his head with an ingratiating smile, while stretching out a foot to pin Fang Shu down, preemptively preventing him from getting hot-blooded in his youth.

"Oh?" This man surnamed Ling had no shallow cultivation. After glancing several times at the uncle and nephew's lips and throats, he saw through the situation.

With a half-smile, he said, "You've studied this hall's Tongue Sword arts. It seems you're old hands of the hall.

"Since you're old hands, you ought to know the rules. Once you start making trouble, it is only right for me to strip the spells from your bodies!"

After giving the uncle and nephew a warning, Senior Brother Ling turned his questioning gaze toward Xiao Lili.

"Senior Brother, there truly isn't any major matter here..." Xiao Lili looked even more uneasy, but with outsiders present, she found it too embarrassing to speak of her father's sordid affairs.

In the end, Fang Shu bowed and said quietly, "This Taoist master, it should be that Uncle Xiao took the wrong item. My uncle merely wished for Uncle Xiao to take another look."

Everyone's gaze fell on Xiao Lili.

Xiao Lili nodded in silence. Then, holding the spirit stone, she turned and hurried back into the hall, as though afraid to remain even a moment longer.

Senior Brother Ling frowned, evidently having guessed something. Yet he did not leave. Instead, he remained standing on the steps, watching over the uncle and nephew like a guard.

In the end, Xiao Lili, the whisk-bearing young woman, did not come back out.

"Tch!" Only an unfamiliar servant came out. With a shout, he tossed an unwrapped spirit stone through the air to the uncle and nephew.

Second Uncle Yu Le hurriedly caught it. Only after carefully inspecting it again and again and confirming that nothing was amiss did he pull Fang Shu away with an embarrassed grin.

The man surnamed Ling did not stop them. But just as the uncle and nephew were about to leave, a voice rang out behind them.

"What a shabby lot."

It was the man surnamed Ling. Expressionless, he delivered his judgment.

Yet he seemed to be speaking of Fang Shu and his uncle, while also sighing over Xiao Lili and her father. Or perhaps, both.