Wang Baole: Master, Am I the Worst Disciple You've Ever Taught?

"I see."

Chu Feng noticed a growing sadness in his young disciple's eyes as he spoke.

Then I knew there was more to this story than met the eye, since the boy was unwilling to talk about it.

Then, as his master, he couldn't very well continue to press the matter.

Everyone has a past they'd rather not talk about.

He changed the subject. "So, what do you plan to learn from your teacher?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Baole's eyes lit up, and he excitedly stood up, but he quickly suppressed his excitement.

"I will learn whatever Master teaches me. I believe that even a little bit of instruction from a great master like you will be enough to benefit me immensely."

Chu Feng laughed and said, "You're quite the smooth talker, kid. Alright, starting tomorrow, you'll follow Master every day, and Master can demonstrate a unique skill for you each day. You can learn whatever you like."

"Thank you, Master."

Wang Baole bowed deeply to Chu Feng, thinking to himself:

I've finally gained my master's approval, but what should I learn now?

The three continued their meal happily.

The next day, Chu Feng slept until late morning as usual.

He pondered for a moment, thinking about what he should show Wang Baole today.

This kid is like a rough diamond, unpolished and uncarved.

First, we need to help him find a suitable path for cultivation.

Chu Feng glanced around his room and decided to start with the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and then move on to the eighteen martial arts.

Thinking of this, Chu Feng pushed open the door and went out. As soon as he stepped out, he saw Wang Baole standing in the courtyard waiting for him.

"Did you get here really early this morning?"

Wang Baole shook his head. "No, I went to the kitchen to chop firewood first, and then filled the water tank. I came here after I finished these chores."

Having been at the Miscellaneous Dao Institute for over a month, Wang Baole knew that his master rarely got up very early in the morning.

Therefore, he continued with his usual lifestyle.

"Alright, after you finish eating, your master will take you to play the zither."

Wang Baole was taken aback. "Master, could... could we choose another one? I know absolutely nothing about music."

Chu Feng asked, "Have you dabbled in this before?"

Wang Baole nodded. "My wife loves listening to music, so I learned it for a while, but it drove all the musicians in our household away."

What about chess, calligraphy, and painting?

Chu Feng then asked.

Wang Baole shook his head. "These aren't my strengths. Although I know a little, I learn them slower than others, and I'm still only at an average level."

Chu Feng didn't say much, and changed his mind, saying, "Alright, then let's start with the eighteen weapons today."

"Okay."

Wang Baole jumped up excitedly.

After lunch.

Chu Feng led Wang Baole to a bamboo forest outside the back mountain.

He took out his sword and casually whittled a bamboo sword, handing it to Wang Baole.

Have you ever learned swordsmanship before?

Wang Baole shook his head. "No, it's just some basic martial arts."

"OK."

Chu Feng slowly opened his mouth and said, "Since that's the case, then your master will explain it to you from the most basic sword techniques. As the saying goes, there are thousands of sword techniques in the world."

However, when broken down one by one, they all revolve around the thirteen basic sword techniques: chopping, thrusting, parrying, sweeping, striking, slashing, blocking, intercepting, picking, deflecting, hanging, pointing, and clouding.

As the sound rang out, Chu Feng slowly drew his sword.

Each sword strike was slow, almost to the extreme.

Even so, each of his sword strikes was accompanied by a clear, ringing sound.

With each sword strike, Wang Baole watched in utter terror.

He had seen people practice swordsmanship before, and some of them were even famous sword techniques.

But those seemingly impressive sword techniques pale in comparison to Master's seemingly ordinary sword strike.

Just how powerful is Master?

After Chu Feng finished rehearsing once, he turned to look at Wang Baole beside him.

Which move do you like the most?

Wang Baole:???

He scratched his head awkwardly. "Master, I was so focused on watching you use your sword that I thought every move was amazing and I wanted to learn them all."

"No problem. Basic sword techniques are a required course for every swordsman. Let's start with thrusting."

Chu Feng began to teach him step by step.

Wang Baole was completely focused and dared not slack off in the slightest.

An afternoon passed quickly.

Wang Baole had barely memorized the thirteen basic sword moves when he practiced them once. Afterward, he cautiously looked at his master.

That look was just like a failing student encountering their teacher after finishing an exam.

Chu Feng smiled and patted Wang Baole on the shoulder.

"Go back and study these thirteen sword techniques carefully. See which move you like best, then start practicing it. Come back tomorrow and tell your master if you're interested in learning swordsmanship."

"Promise."

After responding, Wang Baole scratched his head and asked, "Master, I've heard people say that cultivation is a very difficult thing, and you can't just choose it based on personal preference. Why do you keep asking me if I'm interested?"

Chu Feng laughed and said, "You mean to say that Master is fooling you?"

Wang Baole shook his head vigorously, "No, no, this disciple absolutely did not mean that. I just feel that Master's way of transmitting the Dharma is a bit strange."

Have you ever heard of individualized instruction?

Chu Feng asked with great interest.

Wang Baole replied, "I have read quite a few books, but I have never heard of it before."

Chu Feng explained slowly and deliberately.

"It seems that you have only encountered mediocre teachers before. The reason why the Dao-Seeking Academy is divided into ten academies is that the cultivation directions of the nine academies are all different."

The goal is to enable each disciple to develop their strengths and reach the pinnacle of their craft in a particular area.

Although the Dao-Seeking Academy also has no shortage of people who are proficient in all kinds of arts and have superb skills.

But among their many skills, there is definitely one that surpasses the others.

As you mentioned before, spiritual practice is a very difficult thing. It not only requires going against the will of Heaven, but also requires talent, comprehension, and other qualities.

If you have absolutely no interest in something, would you seriously study it, eventually master it, and forge an extraordinary path?

After listening, Wang Baole's face showed a look of sudden realization.

He bowed deeply to Chu Feng: "Thank you for your guidance, Master. I was truly ignorant."

"It's good that you've figured it out. Let's go back now."

Chu Feng sheathed his longsword and returned to his residence.

The following day, he brought Wang Baole to the bamboo forest at the same time.

"Have you thought it through after you went back last night?"

Wang Baole said, "Master, this disciple wishes to change my cultivation method."

"No problem, today I will teach you swordsmanship."

As Chu Feng spoke, he began to demonstrate basic sword techniques.

Two weeks later.

In the bamboo forest.

Chu Feng looked at Wang Baole, who had his head buried like an ostrich, and said, "Judging from your expression, you don't seem interested in body cultivation methods."

Wang Baole nodded like a chick pecking at rice.

"Master, am I the worst disciple you've ever had?"

You little brat, you stole all my lines!

Chu Feng cleared his throat. "You're quite self-aware, kid. Have you seriously considered what your favorite thing is these past two weeks?"

Wang Baole was stunned. He began to recall his past life, wanting to know what he had truly loved from the bottom of his heart over the past ten years.

Seeing that the boy was lost in thought, Chu Feng didn't disturb him. He simply found a clean spot to sit down and quietly waited for the boy's answer.

After a long while.

Wang Baole scratched his head and walked up to Chu Feng: "Master, I've thought about it for a long time, and I think the thing I love most in this life is eating."

Even when I'm living under someone else's roof, I'll still find ways to eat good food.

Chu Feng scrutinized Wang Baole: "You really are a glutton. Do you have the resources to cultivate just by eating?"

Wang Baole was stunned for a moment. "Master can cultivate just by eating?"

"That's natural, but it also needs to be combined with some auxiliary methods to refine and convert what we eat into spiritual power and combat strength."

Chu Feng then asked, "But do you even have the ability to do this?"

I have no money.

Wang Baole blurted it out without even thinking.

"No."

Chu Feng interrupted him, "What I said is true. Do you have such a special physique?"

As for food, I have no shortage of it. Although your appetite has been increasing these days, it's not as exaggerated as the rumors suggest, that you have Taotie Constitution.

However, you can start by looking for your preferred food to cultivate your own unique cultivation method.

Go back and think about it for a few days, then give me your answer.

Wang Baole: "Yes."