The first lesson soon ended. Li Chen left without speaking much further with You San.
Seeing him go, You San could not help letting out a long sigh of relief.
He truly did not dare act out in front of Li Chen. Thus, even though the lesson had turned his brain to mush, he had remained patient and forced himself to sit upright.
The conduct of his fellow disciples around him had also set a powerful example. In an environment where everyone else was concentrating and listening attentively, it was difficult for him alone to defy the group and disregard their gazes.
Perhaps this was the power of atmosphere and prevailing attitudes.
You San's eyes darted about. With a furtive air, he sidled up to a boy who looked about his age and draped an arm over him. "Hey, little brother, where are you from?"
"Fufeng Commandery." The boy shot him a glare and said coldly, "Don't bother me. I still have to catch up on today's work."
"Come on, little brother, isn't it just the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art? What's so hard... hard..."
As You San spoke, he saw the boy take out a thick, heavy book as large as a washbasin. Its pages were covered with symbols and markings as baffling and complex as some heavenly scripture, and the boy began reading with complete concentration.
"Introduction to Dao Patterns..."
"Puppet Master apprentices have to learn this damn stuff too?"
You San stared, dumbstruck, his mouth open wide enough to fit a duck egg.
The boy ignored him. Finding this dull and not daring to lose his temper, You San could only wander around. Yet all he saw were people who stayed after class, each holding a book and studying at their original seat, thoroughly engrossed.
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