Disciple and Master

When Zhou Wuwei confirmed the challenge with Jiu Ing, he chose to walk and stop by Xueming's side and beckoned Zi Hui who was behind him to come closer. However, before Zhou Wuwei could reach Xueming's side, Jiu Ing interrupted by saying something.

"Young lad, even though you have no talent, I must recognize your courage. But since you are not yet a disciple of the Azure Dragon Academy, you can’t live in the Academy, nor can you use the Academy’s resources until you win the battle.” Jiu Ing turned and sneered at Zhou Wuwei.

"Of course,” Zhou Wuwei replied on Xueming’s behalf with a loud shout. "Hey kid, follow me." Zi Hui nodded and smiled at Xueming since he couldn't follow Xueming and his grandfather. There was still another step for him to officially become a disciple of the Azure Dragon Academy.

After Zhou Wuwei walked Xueming away from the scene, Jiu Ing then informed the outer disciples to take those who passed the test to the martial training round to prepare for the disciple acceptance ceremony of the Azure Dragon Academy that was about to happen.

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"Young boy, your name is Xueming, right?" Zhou Wuwei took Xueming to the front area of the Azure Dragon Academy before asking.

“Yes, Vice President Zhou. My family name is Long, and my name is Xueming.”

"Mmm ..." Zhou Wuwei noticed curiosity on Xueming's face. "You must be wondering why I reached out to help you.”

"If you don’t mind, I would like to know the reason, Vice President Jiu.”

"Hahaha, good. I also like frank persons. Since you want to know, I'll tell you." Zhou Wuwei turned a merciful gaze upon Xueming. "There are three reasons for that." Zhou Wuwei raised three fingers in front of him. "First, I am Zi Hui’s grandfather, and when my dear grandson said that his beloved friend was in trouble, I can't just sit and watch.” Zhou Wuwei lowered one finger before explaining the next reason. "Second, I don't like that evil fox Jiu Ing. Therefore, I consider helping you just for my own pleasure.” Now, there was only one finger of Zhou Wuwei held up. Zhou Wuwei's eyes suddenly brightened up. “I, Zhou Wuwei, have been in the Azure Dragon Academy for sixty years now. Many people want to become my disciple, but unfortunately, I had never accepted anyone as my own disciple. However, today I want you to become a disciple under my supervision ... a direct disciple of Zhou Wuwei."

At the end of Zhou Wuwei's speech about wanting Xueming to become his direct disciple, Xueming was immediately stunned. He knew that being a direct disciple was even higher than being an inner disciple of the Academy because being a direct disciple would be taught particular knowledge and additional resources directly from the master. Moreover, the one who made this offer to him was the Vice President of the Azure Dragon Academy whose status was as great as the Governor of the Purple Jade City.

"Why are you stunned? Are you not willing to be a disciple of this old man?” Zhou Wuwei knew that Xueming was in shock, so he intentionally teased Xueming and didn’t mean what was said.

"No, not at all. Who would not be happy? It’s just ..."

"If something troubles you, say it now because once you become my disciple, there must be no other matter in your heart that remains hidden.”

"Vice President Jiu already saw that I lack talent. So, why…?” Xueming said in a soft voice.

"Hahaha. I, Zhou Wuwei, do what I please. If I feel doing something, I do it, and if not, I don’t. A tiny stone shouldn't be used to judge a person's entire life. I can feel that your character is different from ordinary people. When I spoke out and stepped forward against the more powerful than you, you were considerate enough to worry about an old man like me, asking me to reconsider my thoughts even though the potential benefits are yours. Therefore, I would like to support this kind of man.” Zhou Wuwei didn't hide the slightest bit of heart. He used a large rough hand to pat Xueming's head. "Most importantly, when I saw you arguing with Jiu Ing and putting yourself at risk by requesting another condition that I would benefit from this challenge as well, I'm even more confident that you are not a fool like Jiu Ing claimed. Instead, it is you who try to conceal your true self. Like one saying, ‘No matter how great and sharp, a sword without a sheath may accidentally injure the person holding it if he used it carelessly.’ This is no different from humans. If you don’t learn to keep your story a secret, you’d be like a sword without a sheath. Even now, you may not understand yourself well. But I, Zhou Wuwei, believe that you, little boy, is hiding your light under a bushel.” Zhou Wuwei stared at Xueming, who was in a state of contemplating Wuwei’s words.

“Thank you, Vice President Zhou, for praising me. But what if I were not like what you said?"

"So what? I already told you that I only do what I please. Even if you lose in the battle and I have to lose my position as Vice President, I won’t regret it. Do you understand?”

Xueming seemed to not understand but still nodded accordingly because he recognized the sincerity in every word of Vice President Zhou Wuwei. When Zhou Wuwei said he wouldn’t regret his actions, the young man's eyes suddenly filled with tears. Xueming did not say any more words. He kneeled on the ground before bowing his head to the Master three times.

The cold in his heart since he had left the Golden Bird City—always there tight in his chest—was now mitigated. The warmth began spreading in his weary heart, causing him to lift two hands to wipe his face several times after he looked up at his Master.

Zhou Wuwei saw Xueming’s condition and felt touched. He did not know what experiences the 15-year-old boy in front of him had experienced, but from his guesswork, the stories must have been heavy. "Be a man and keep your head up. Let there be no more tears. Remember, to be my disciple, Zhou Wuwei, you must be stronger than this.” Zhou Wuwei said with an aggro voice disguising the tremble inside. His right hand continued to pat Xueming's head with affection.

“Yes, Vice President…” Zhou Wuwei raised his hand to pause Xueming. The latter grinned slightly before rewording his speech. “Yes, Master. I will keep that in mind.”

"Good ... very good." After his words, Zhou Wuwei walked Xueming to the Azure Dragon Academy’s martial training ground.