Li Muyang nodded and replied with a simple and genuine smile: âI have not asked for teacherâs name?â
âMy surname is Yang, my first name is Xiaohu.â Bookworm said, seemingly slightly embarrassed.
However, his parents gave the name so he did not want to change it. Although he was not like a tiger at all but he insisted on using the name âXiaohuâ. (TN Note: Xiaohu means little tiger)
âTeacher Yang, nice to meet you.â Li Muyang said, bowing respectfully to Yang Xiaohu: âI will need teacher Yang to take care of me in the future.â
âOf course.â Yang Xiaohu patted his thick chest as he exclaimed. âI will teach you everything I know to thank you for trusting me today.â
âMy dream since I was young is to be a dragon slayer, I admire the dragon warriors the mostâ-â Li Muyang whispered, grinning foolishly: âTeacher Yang, I heard you guys talk about the âone hundred and twenty seven possibilities to slay dragonâââIf I learned everything, is there really one hundred and twenty seven ways to slay a dragon?â
âAccording to the theory itâs possible.â Yang Xiaohu replied confidently.
Li Muyang could feel his heart racing as he asked: âIt really is so amazing?â
âThe secret dragon slaying techniques are left behind by the former sages, I just summarised them and then did some systematic research and organisationâ-the sages in the past used these secret techniques to slay dragons and have been successful. What they can do back then, how can we be outdone? Student Muayng, you have to believe me, believe in our Dragon Slayer courseâ-I will make you become the most dazzling dragon slayer in Starry Sky, make your childhood dream come true.â
Li Muyang was âemotionally touchedâ that his eyes were brimming with tears of excitement. He tightly clenched Yang Xiaohuâs fat hand and cried aloud: âThank you teacherâ-I will certainly study hard and live up to teacherâs high expectations. Teacher, you must never hide anything. Any secrets or dragon slaying techniques must be passed down, be sure to teach me them in a timely mannerâ-prevent me from being killed by the dragon. â
âOf course. Of course.â Yang Xiaohu laughed heartily, he seemed thrilled to bits.
While Kong Li was extremely disappointed with Li Muyangâs self-defeating behaviour, pointing to Li Muyang he said: âBoyââthe vicious tendency in your heart is too heavy and your killing intent is too strong, if you do not use the sacred Buddhist method to guide you back to the right path, afraid you may have more trouble later and brew a big disaster.â
âTaoist mental cultivation methods are governed by non-interference with nature. He should be majoring in Taoismââthe âsonorous humâ is a supreme method of meditation.â
Kong Li was at the end of his patience with his stupid teammate next to him. He huffed: âXiahou Qianbai, you idiot, Li Muyang has been snatched away by Bookworm, but youâre still arguing with me?â
Xiahou Qianbai paused for a moment, then shifted his furious glare to Bookworm once again: âBookworm, you are secretly manipulating the studentâs freedom of choice, I will definitely report this matter to the academyâââ
Bookworm was beaming from ear to ear as he bowed his head respectfully to Xiahou Qianbai and Kong Li: âTeachersââthanks for letting me win.â
âWho let you win?â
âYou cheatâââ
Xiahou Qianbai and Kong Li suddenly dashed forward to attack.
Li Muyang immediately leaped out, blocking Kong Li and Xiahou Qianbai who was in a state of rage: âTeachersâitâs not that I donât want to learn Buddhism and Taoism scriptures. Buddhism and Taoism are both such lofty mountains I wholeheartedly admires. The grandfather who treated my illness when I was a childâ-he is also a Taoist. I liked being with him. However, the reason I chose Dragon Slayer is because I have my own difficulties so I have to act against my will.â
âWhat difficulties?â Kong Li asked. âTell us, maybe we can help you.â
âââIt might not be too convenient now.â Li Muyang said, hesitating. âHowever, I can still practice Buddhism and Taoismâ-â
âHuh? You changed your mind?â Xiahou Qianbai exclaimed in delight.
âNot that.â Li Muyang shook his head: âThe elder said earlier, I can study dragon slaying and also attend other classesââAs long as I have the energy and the interest, why not?â
Kong Liâs brows furrowed into a frown. âDonât tell me you want to minor in Buddhism and Taoism? Just so you know, their spells and techniques are profound, wide-ranging, and difficult to understand, countless people have been unable to get a glimpse of its true face even in their entire life. Those who can break the door are highly treasured. If one wants to master them, then they must study diligently and put in much more effort than othersâ-Those who could stand at the top are geniuses. Youâre so young yet you dare to say that you want to practice both Taoism and Buddhism? You must know that if you covet all you lose all, I fear that when youâre older you still wonât achieve anything and regret how you wasted your whole life. â
Kong Liâs words were honest and sincere, he simply did not want to see a talented student taking the wrong step and become an ordinary person. If that was the case, it would be due to his negligence as a Starry Sky teacher and also the negligence of Starry Sky Academy.
How to maximise a studentâs potential is something they have to do.
Li Muyang brushed his clothes before he respectfully saluted: âThank you teacher. Teacher, I will keep it in mindâ-I only dared to say something like that was because Iâm willing to put in more effort than any other person. I am willing to endure hardship and suffering. As long as I try hard, pay two or three times more effort than others or even ten times the energy and timeâit is the only way I can protect my family and keep them alive.â
âHuh?â Kong Li looked at Li Muyangâs eyes that were welled up with tears: âIs there something wrong?â
âI angered some strong enemies on my way here, my familyâs life are in grim danger. My heart is torn with worry but I canât stay by their side at all timesâ-I enrolled into Starry Sky Academy and is protected and cherished by many teachers, so my safety is not a problem. But my father and mother, and my sisterâ-Iâm extremely worried about them. I fear the enemies will seek revenge from them.â
âOutrageous.â Kong Li was infuriated. âSomeone dares to bully a student of Starry Sky?â
âExactly.â Xiahou Qianbaiâs language was even more direct: âThey really are seeking their own death. If I run into them, I would take their skulls with my sword.â
Kong Li pondered for a brief moment before he said: âStarry Sky has its own rules, we are not allowed to interfere with affairs of the outside world. However, if you are constantly worried, then of course, it would be hard to concentrate and learn. A gifted student is wasted like that, it is a very unfortunate thing. Thatâs it, where are your family? Iâll see if I can do something to help.â
âThank you teacher. Thank you teacher.â Li Muyang repeatedly bowed once again. âMy father is Li Yan, my mother is called Luo Qi, my sister is called Li Shinian, they live at Hu Bu lane in Jiangnan city of West Wind KingdomââRespected teacher, please help me keep my family safe.â
Kong Li waved his hand dismissively: âItâs a piece of cake.â
Li Muyang then immediately bowed to Xiahou Qianbai: âAlthough teacher Xiahou wonât help but I am still thankfulââI still admire Taoism greatly. I will certainly learn well and not disappoint teacher Xiahou.â
Xiahou Qianbai looked furious as he said aloud: âWho says I wonât help? The things the Buddhist can do, do you think us Taoist canât? You wait and watch me call on the disciples of the Taoist sect to protect your familyââ-â