Tang San was taken aback. He turned his head to look behind him, and a middle-aged man, appearing to be in his forties or fifties, had somehow appeared behind him.
The man looked quite ordinary, with slightly thick lips, a crew cut, and a heavy stubble. He gave off an air of being somewhat dispirited and lazy.
Seeing the newcomer, the Gatekeeper quickly lowered his raised hand, his angry expression vanishing. It was replaced with a fawning look. "Master, you're back."
Master simply glanced sideways at the Gatekeeper, then at Cheng Xiao, who had already entered the academy but hadn't left. Finally, his gaze fell on Tang San.
Old Jack, as the village head, knew how to read a situation. Judging from the Gatekeeper's expression, the middle-aged man before them was definitely a big shot. He immediately handed over the Martial Soul Certificate and explained what had just happened.
Master looked at the certificate in his hand and said to Old Jack, "This Martial Soul Certificate is genuine. Sir, the academy apologizes for what happened earlier. I'll take care of this child."
The big shot was actually apologizing to him? Old Jack's face flushed, and he waved his hands repeatedly.
"Master, I'll leave this child, Xiao San, in your care. Please help him out."
Master nodded in response.
Then, Old Jack gave Tang San a few more words of instruction before leaving.
After Old Jack was out of earshot, Master finally had a chance to glance at the gatekeeper. "This is the first and last time. If you do it again, I will report the situation to the Headmaster, and you won't be needed here anymore."
Hearing this, the gatekeeper nodded repeatedly, cold sweat pouring down his back.
Master lowered his head to look at Tang San, forcing a smile. His facial muscles were a bit stiff, and his smile was less than flattering. He took Tang San's hand and pointed towards Cheng Xiao, who was walking away behind the iron gate, asking, "Is he also a work-study student who came with you?"
"Him?" Tang San looked at Cheng Xiao, who had already walked away, and shook his head. "He came after me, but that gatekeeper let him in after looking at his Martial Soul Certificate."
"Hmm, I see." A look of wisdom flashed in Master's eyes. If he guessed correctly, that child's Martial Soul must be pretty decent; otherwise, given the gatekeeper's personality, he definitely wouldn't have let him in so easily.
Cheng Xiao walked in front of the other two. Since it was his first time at Notting Academy, he wasn't walking quickly, instead taking his time to look around while trying to find the teaching buildings.
But soon, Master, holding Tang San's hand, caught up to Cheng Xiao.
"Youngster, are you also a work-study student this year?" Master asked Cheng Xiao on his left.
"Hello, Master. My name is Cheng Xiao, and I'm a work-study student from Cheng Family Village." Cheng Xiao paused, looking at Master as he spoke.
"Hehe, I'm not a teacher at the academy," Master said with a shake of his head.
"If you're not a teacher at the academy, but you're called Master, then you must be someone in a leadership position at the academy, right?" Tang San, on Master's right, chimed in.
"You're quite clever for a six-year-old, but you're still wrong. I'm not in a leadership position at the academy," Master denied.
Cheng Xiao feigned confusion and asked, "Then, since you're not a teacher at the academy, why are you called Master?"
Master straightened his back and said profoundly, "I, Yu, am just a freeloader here. As for why I'm called Master, it's because everyone calls me that. I've even forgotten my own name."
"You need to understand that 'Master' and 'teacher' are two different titles with different meanings. Don't get them wrong in the future." A glint flashed in Master's eyes. "Unless you're willing to become my disciples, and let me be your teacher."
"Become your disciple? Are you planning to teach us how to cultivate our Martial Souls?" Tang San asked, a little excitedly.
Master stopped and looked at Tang San, "So, are you willing?"
Tang San also stopped, glanced at Cheng Xiao who was standing beside Master without speaking, and then looked back at Master. He neither agreed nor refused.
"It seems I have to be persistent this time." Master continued, seeing that Tang San hadn't answered, "In any case, you're the only one with Twin Martial Souls in a hundred years."
Hearing Master's words, Tang San was taken aback. His gaze towards Master immediately changed. He quietly raised his left wrist, opened the safety switch on his Hidden Arrow, and looked at Master with suspicion.
Master saw Tang San's expression change slightly, so he took out Tang San's Martial Soul Certificate and explained calmly, "My boy, don't be too nervous. I have no ill intentions. I guessed you had Twin Martial Souls from this Martial Soul Certificate. Besides, if I couldn't even see that, I wouldn't deserve to be called Master."
Hearing Master's explanation, Tang San's eyes gradually calmed down. He was about to speak when Cheng Xiao interrupted him.
"Master, how about we talk while we walk?" Cheng Xiao suggested, not wanting to listen to Master showing off his knowledge.
Hearing this, Tang San gave Cheng Xiao a deep look but didn't say anything.
"Alright, let's talk as we walk then." Master looked at Cheng Xiao, who had a blank expression, and couldn't help but wonder.
Doesn't he understand the importance of Martial Soul theory? Tang San is clearly interested, but why isn't this child willing to listen? That's right, he doesn't know my reputation, nor does he know the value of the Ten Core Theories of Martial Souls.
Thinking this, Master intentionally slowed his pace, explaining his theories.
But after talking for a long time, Cheng Xiao still looked uninterested. Master reluctantly gave up on the idea of taking him as a disciple through theory and focused on explaining things to Tang San. After all, it wouldn't be a loss to take a disciple with Twin Martial Souls.
Master didn't speak quickly; his words were easy to understand. After Tang San finished listening to Master's theories, he realized how impressive this middle-aged man was. He immediately stopped, stepped back, and, under Master's surprised gaze, knelt down, kowtowed three times, and asked Master to accept him as a disciple.
Seeing Tang San kowtow to pay respects, Master said, "Silly child," but he was very pleased in his heart. With such a genius with Twin Martial Souls as his disciple, he would surely be able to prove to the world that he, Yu, was not a waste!
Bending down to help Tang San up, Master said lightly, "You don't need to kowtow to pay your respects; a bow is enough."
Tang San said solemnly, "Once a teacher, always a father. You are my teacher, and you deserve my respect."
Master saw this and then looked at Cheng Xiao, who had stopped walking nearby. Seeing the lack of interest on his face, he hesitated for a moment before asking, "Child, won't you acknowledge me as your teacher?"
"I've already witnessed your knowledge, but I'm not very interested in Martial Soul theoretical knowledge. Thank you for your appreciation, but I think I'll pass on the matter of becoming your disciple." Cheng Xiao's words were flawless, neither offending Master nor displeasing him.
"Alright, becoming a disciple is based on mutual willingness. If you don't want to, I won't force you." Master shook his head, a little regretful. Then, he turned to Tang San and said, "Xiao San, let's go report to the Academic Affairs Office."
After saying this, Master took Tang San's hand and headed towards the Academic Affairs Office, ignoring Cheng Xiao.
He believed that under his guidance on Martial Soul theory, Tang San would quickly surpass this child, and then he would realize how wrong his choice was.
Cheng Xiao watched the two of them leave, shrugged his shoulders, and didn't care. He then followed them.
It seems the purpose of going to a Spirit Master Academy is to study theoretical knowledge, right?