Master Zhan Kong

"We're almost there."

Luo Yunbo's sudden words interrupted Mo Xie's memories and pulled him back to the present.

Looking ahead, Mo Xie saw wooded mountains rising one after another.

The forest was lush and deep. Nearby, branches and leaves grew thick above tangled weeds; farther away, peaks rose at uneven heights beneath dense clouds.

One solitary peak was Snow Peak Mountain. Snow Peak Mountain Post Station lay in the valley between Snow Peak Mountain and the Thunderstorm Mountain Barrier.

Snow Peak Mountain Post Station might have been called a small outpost, but it was no ramshackle village.

Sheer cliffs flanked the Post Station, rising a hundred meters high. Mo Xie had to tilt his head all the way back to see the sky.

The cliffs formed natural barriers on both sides, while two massive stone gates sealed off the valley road at either end.

The entire Post Station was a fortress town wedged into the valley.

The off-road vehicle slowly stopped outside the Post Station, and Mo Xie hopped out.

Sentries stood on both sides of the imposing stone gate. One Military Mage stood out from everyone around him.

Although he wore a Military Mage's uniform, he lay on a flat boulder as though he hadn't a care in the world.

With a stalk of foxtail grass between his teeth, his hands behind his head, and one leg crossed over the other, he basked lazily in the sun.

Stranger still, the sentries around him showed no reaction, as if that was exactly where he belonged.

Hearing the engine shut off, he turned his head.

He spotted Mo Xie at once, spat out the grass, and jumped down from the boulder. Grinning, he strode toward him.

"Well, look who's here! Isn't this my precious apprentice? Come give your master a hug."

Zhan Kong spread his arms as he spoke, ready to embrace Mo Xie.

Mo Xie shoved him away. The disgust on his face said it all.

"What? You're too good for a hug now?"

"Ugh. You're a grown man asking for a hug. Isn't that gross?"

"I'm your master!"

"I never agreed to that. You're the one who wouldn't stop pestering me, remember?"

When Zhan Kong had first asked him about becoming his apprentice, Mo Xie had answered without hesitation.

"No."

The moment Zhan Kong heard that word, his face had turned green.

He had gone on about how Mo Xie shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, listing all the benefits of becoming his apprentice.

But none of it had stirred much interest in Mo Xie. It had simply sounded like a hassle.

When Mo Xie stopped responding, Zhan Kong had kept pestering him.

Whether Mo Xie agreed or not, Zhan Kong had continued calling himself his master.

In truth, Zhan Kong had his own little motive. Mo Xie might have several teachers in the future, but he would have only one master: him.

At the thought, Zhan Kong smiled. He gave up on the hug and slung an arm around Mo Xie's shoulders instead.

"It'll happen sooner or later. Sooner or later... Enough of that. Let's get you inside."

With Zhan Kong leading the way, Mo Xie passed through the gate without a hitch.

What puzzled Mo Xie was the way the sentries looked at him. It was almost... almost as if they were looking at an enemy.

His intuition told him clearly that they bore him considerable ill will.

"What's with them?"

Mo Xie turned to Zhan Kong.

"Haha... Don't mind them."

You're hiding something... Mo Xie thought when he saw Zhan Kong's expression.

Beside them, Luo Yunbo carried the backpack and whispered in Mo Xie's ear.

"Didn't I tell you on the way? When you didn't show up, Boss Zhan Kong took it out on us. How could they feel friendly toward you?"

"Ahem!"

Zhan Kong shot Luo Yunbo a glare, displeased that he had blurted it out.

Mo Xie's eye twitched. He hadn't expected things to turn out like this.

He gave Zhan Kong a helpless look and sighed. He would have to spend some time winning them over.

The outpost had a simple layout: one main street lined with shops and stalls. It looked much like a town market.

But instead of meat, fish, and poultry, the stalls sold things mages needed for battle and cultivation.

The street bustled with activity. Amid the vendors' calls, Zhan Kong led Mo Xie to a dormitory building.

"Well? What do you think of this room? Happy with it?"

Mo Xie opened the door, looked around, and nodded.

The bedroom was tidy. Someone had clearly cleaned it with care ahead of time.

"Good. It's nearly noon. Once you've settled in, I'll take you to lunch."

There was little to put away. The bedding and everything else had been prepared; all Mo Xie needed to do was set down his belongings.

Mo Xie and Zhan Kong left the dormitory and went to the Cafeteria.

They picked up two meals, sat across from each other, and began eating.

Halfway through the meal, Zhan Kong spoke up.

"Oh, right. I forgot to tell you. I'm holding a party tonight. Remember to come."

"Huh? Why is there so much going on?"

"Because you're my apprentice, of course. It's a welcome party for you. Besides, I want everyone to relax a little."

It was only after hearing that last part that Mo Xie nodded and agreed to attend.

After lunch, Zhan Kong left to take care of some business. Before going, he reminded Mo Xie to get some rest.

Zhan Kong had never asked for his consent before calling himself his master, but if he really were one, he would be pretty good at it.

Mo Xie had no intention of returning to the dormitory yet. Now that he was here, he wanted to look around.

He had left too early to see much last time. Since he would be staying for about a month, he needed to get familiar with the place.

After wandering for nearly an hour, Mo Xie returned to the dormitory for Meditation.

Cultivation was the one thing he made sure to keep up every day.

He cultivated until a little after five, then slowly made his way out of the dormitory.

That evening, at the central square of Snow Peak Mountain Post Station.

Lanterns filled the square, and everyone bustled about.

Yet no one complained. Instead, happy smiles shone on their faces.

Large round tables lined the square, each laden with an assortment of dishes.

Mo Xie went to the kitchen, found some ingredients, and joined in.

The head chef looked puzzled at first, but after a glance at Mo Xie, he turned back to his work.

This Young Man's cooking skills are far better than mine!

Watching Mo Xie's deft knife work and practiced way with the wok, the head chef marveled to himself.

Mo Xie cooked several dishes and carried them all to the small table he shared with Zhan Kong.

Zhan Kong picked up a piece of meat and savored it. His eyes widened.

"Whoa! I didn't know you could cook this well!"

"You really underestimate me."

"Why don't you cook for me more often? Then I could eat delicious food without spending a fortune."

"I know you're complimenting me, but you're dreaming."

Mo Xie rolled his eyes at him and started eating too.

"I'm your master. What's wrong with cooking me a couple of dishes?"

"Heh."

Faced with Zhan Kong's shamelessness, Mo Xie could only give a dry laugh.

"You want to be my master? Fine."

Mo Xie held out his hand, palm up.

"Then, Master, your apprentice could use some top-quality Cultivation Resources. That's not too much to ask, is it?"

"Uh, well... Money's a little tight for me lately."

Zhan Kong scratched his head awkwardly.

"But don't worry. I'll get you those Cultivation Resources tomorrow."

Mo Xie raised an eyebrow at Zhan Kong's confidence.

"Actually, one of the main reasons I asked you here was to introduce you to someone."

"Someone?"

Mo Xie looked at him in confusion.

"It's a secret for now. You'll find out tomorrow."

Zhan Kong smiled mysteriously.

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Can you guess who that person is?