[It's unlike you to give out this much information about yourself to a stranger. Don't tell me you fell in love with the old man?] Lyxor's voice carried hints of mockery, leaving me wondering if I should take his words seriously or as a joke.
'I am only giving out general information that the public will eventually realize in exchange for his guidance. It's a small price to pay,' I countered, but my words were met with silence.
Lyxor did not push any further.
Master Zhang stood in silence, gazing at me with a stern look as if trying to discern my intentions. My body stiffened under his gaze, but my facial expression remained calm.
I'm not the type to panic in situations like this.
As expected, moments later his gaze softened and a small smile crept across his lips.
"Little one, I appreciate your honesty and zeal to improve and cover your weaknesses," Master Zhang said in a much softer tone.
'Expose an irrelevant truth to build trust and any man will lower their defenses. Giving him public knowledge for his guidance is a good trade to me.' I mentally nodded.
It seemed my method was not wrong.
"Unfortunately, you are heading down the wrong path."
Buzz!
My brows knitted at these words and I felt the urge to blurt out why, but I controlled the impulse. My gaze remained fixed on Master Zhang's eyes, revealing no hesitation or contempt toward his words.
"If you insist on going this way, you will end up wasting your potential," Master Zhang continued.
At this point I couldn't hold back my curiosity.
"What do you mean?" I asked, and Master Zhang chuckled in a low tone.
I watched him slowly descend from the elevated platform, only stopping two steps away from me.
"A river does not lament the mountains it cannot climb. Instead, it flows with grace through the valleys it can traverse," Master Zhang said while rubbing his goatee gently. "You must embrace the strengths you possess and let them guide your path, rather than dwell on the weaknesses that hold you back."
Buzz!
I would be lying if I didn't admit I was shocked. Everything this man said made sense to the point where it felt like this should be common knowledge.
So why didn't I think of this?
The old man was basically asking why I should waste time focusing on an aspect of my life where I have no potential, when I could focus on improving what I already have.
Pa!
I facepalmed hard as memories of how I defeated Alex Briggs with overwhelming power resurfaced. I didn't win through technique or fancy movements.
I simply overpowered him.
Instead of learning how to dance around like a fool, why don't I focus on maximizing the strength I already possess?
"I'm Lucius, you are such a fool!" I cursed under my breath.
[You expect too much from yourself. You are only ten, for god's sake.]
This was the first time I heard Lyxor get annoyed with me, but it only pissed me off further.
'Lia wasn't even ten before she died. Age means nothing in this cruel world. It shouldn't be me telling you this.' I snapped at him but outwardly maintained a serene countenance.
"You are right," I admitted, pushing aside Lyxor's concerns.
It wasn't difficult to notice Master Zhang's eyes dilate in surprise at my words.
Even without explaining, I knew people with my level of potential were usually narrow-minded and stubborn.
"What martial style does Master recommend for this dumb student?" I asked with cupped fists.
Cough!
Master Zhang couldn't hold back his smile but faked a cough and covered his face to hide it. He was a tad bit slow, though, because I saw everything.
"Well, I do have a martial technique I have yet to give out to anyone because most people of this country are too prideful, while others simply lack the talent to master it. But you, I believe you have what it takes," Master Zhang said.
Without hesitation, I wore a false look of surprise and appreciation, before falling to my knees and kowtowing repeatedly.
"Thank you, Master!" I said again and again.
"Hahaha. Alright, that's enough. There are other students in the training rooms, I don't want them to see a brilliant student like you in such a position." Master Zhang was satisfied with my reaction and humility. "Come with me."
As soon as Master Zhang turned his back, my face turned indifferent again, losing the warmth and gratitude it once carried.
"Come with me," Master Zhang instructed before walking into one of the training rooms.
We entered a spacious hall with polished wooden floors that gleamed under the sunlight streaming through the windows. The walls were surprisingly empty.
Master Zhang picked up a kung fu uniform of black and white. Each uniform bore the martial school's emblem—a fierce tiger encircled by a wreath of jade leaves—embroidered over the heart.
"Wear this," he said, tossing the uniform at me before moving toward a stack of scrolls.
I caught the uniform and moved toward a square-shaped curtain at the edge of the room where I could change my clothes.
A minute later, I came out in my new attire and Master Zhang was already waiting with a scroll tied shut with a golden lace.
"Tell me what you know about human evolution after the night of the Blue Death event," Master Zhang said.
"I apologize, Master, but all this while I lived outside the city as a mere slave. I have only lived in the city for two weeks, so I do not know these matters," I responded truthfully, stunning the old man.
Only now did he realize why I was so down to earth, unlike other students with good potential.
"So you brought your family out of the harsh world with your talent. Very admirable," Master Zhang said with a smile, but then froze as he noticed a sad look on my face.
"My parents worked at the mines and died from Aetherscourge, and a beast killed my sister. That was how Sergeant Skull discovered me," I said in a low tone. "I am the last surviving member of my family."
An uncomfortable silence fell in the room as Master Zhang gazed at me, wondering how much pain I had endured in just a decade of life—or maybe he simply didn't know how to respond.
"Kid, what do you think about becoming my disciple, and not just another student in the martial class?" Master Zhang broke the silence with words that made my face light up.
'Jackpot!'