Chapter Twenty-Four: The Legendary Old Master

As soon as Fang Xiao returned to the temple, he saw Taoist Pang lounging in the courtyard, smoking a cigarette.

The hefty Taoist reclined lazily on a rattan chair, his bulk making the chair creak beneath him. His eyes gazed blankly at the sky, mouth releasing ring after ring of smoke. The white smoke rings drifted upward, only to be scattered by the wind.

Before Fang Xiao could speak, Taoist Pang suddenly raised his left hand and tossed something over to him.

Fang Xiao caught it on instinct—it was a necklace. The cord was dark brown, thin yet tough with a glossy sheen, and in the center, a bone-white fang hung from a knot.

“The most valuable materials on a wolf demon are, first and foremost, the demon core within its body,” Taoist Pang said coolly. “Second are the left and right fangs. I took one, purified it of demonic energy, and made this necklace for you.”

“Wear this necklace and ordinary pests—snakes, insects, rats, mosquitoes, and flies—won’t come near you.”

“Thank you, Master Taoist!” Fang Xiao exclaimed, delighted, and hung the necklace around his neck.

Even setting aside its effectiveness, the wolf fang necklace looked quite impressive.

“No need to thank me,” Taoist Pang waved a dismissive hand. “As for the wolf demon and the weasels outside, I’ll handle them. I can exchange them for some cultivation resources.”

Fang Xiao readily agreed, “Do as you see fit, Master. I have no objections.”

“I just want to make things clear.” Taoist Pang sat up, flicked the cigarette butt to the ground, and said, “Clear accounts make good brothers. I have connections both in the county and at the mountain gate, so getting a few things isn’t difficult.”

“But I can help you for a time, not for a lifetime. In the end, you’ll have to rely on your own efforts.”

“I understand.” Fang Xiao replied without hesitation, “Master, I’ll never forget your help as long as I live!”

To receive even a drop of kindness, one should repay with a spring. Master Pang had helped him far more than a little.

Fang Xiao had made up his mind—if he ever achieved mastery in martial arts, he would repay the Taoist generously.

“Good,” Taoist Pang smiled. “I’ve secured you a place in the Six Rivers Academy’s martial arts division. The term starts on the first of next month—then you’ll head to the county to study martial arts.”

Fang Xiao had been found to possess a body with no affinity for the Dao—incapable of practicing Taoist arts.

Fortunately, his physical foundation was decent enough. The only pity was his age.

Taoist Pang’s original plan was for Fang Xiao to learn some basic martial skills. Even if he could never achieve greatness in martial arts, a little self-defense would serve him well.

But unexpectedly, Fang Xiao displayed remarkable talent in martial arts.

Taoist Pang, being a cultivator, could only guide him so far in martial pursuits. To give Fang Xiao a better start, he had gone out of his way to pull some strings.

Gaining entrance to Six Rivers Academy was only the first step.

But achieving even this first step was no easy feat.

Taoist Pang spoke lightly of it, simply because he didn’t wish to take credit.

“Ah?”

In his wildest dreams, Fang Xiao had never imagined that, having lost the chance to study in his old world, he would come to this new world and actually get to attend school.

Taoist Pang slanted him a glance. “Don’t want to go?”

“No, no, not at all!” Fang Xiao replied quickly. “I’m more than happy—thank you, Master!”

Taoist Pang gave a low chuckle and briefly described Six Rivers Academy.

Six Rivers Academy was the only public school in Six Rivers County, divided into Daoist, Martial, and Literary divisions, with five or six hundred teachers and students in total.

Unlike ordinary private schools, admission to Six Rivers Academy required exams—money alone wouldn’t get you in.

The academy upheld strict entrance and graduation requirements, expelling a number of students every year.

Those who excelled academically could be recommended to the prefectural academy for further study.

Although Fang Xiao had secured a place in the martial division, if his performance was poor, he could be expelled all the same.

There would be no special favors.

“Don’t worry, Master!” Fang Xiao patted his chest. “I promise I won’t embarrass you!”

After a moment’s thought, he asked, “Master, around our temple, are there any more grass sprites?”

Taoist Pang looked puzzled. “Why do you ask?”

Fang Xiao scratched his head awkwardly. “I want to hunt a few monsters, gather some experience, and level up.”

Taoist Pang had described Six Rivers Academy as a veritable dragon’s lair and tiger’s den.

On the surface, Fang Xiao appeared confident, but inside, he was nervous. He feared failing after entering the academy, being expelled, and disgracing his sponsor.

So he thought he’d slay some more monsters, gather experience, and level up both his “Dragon-Tiger Stance” and “Demon-Subduing Fist.” That way, his chances of holding his ground at the academy would be much higher.

“Experience?”

Taoist Pang’s expression looked as if he’d just been struck by lightning—stunned and frazzled. “Are you saying you can level up by slaying monsters?”

“Yes.” Fang Xiao confirmed.

In fact, he’d learned the word “level up” from Taoist Pang himself.

He trusted Master Pang completely and saw no need to hide this from him. It was just that Master Pang had repeatedly warned him not to mention magic treasures, especially his life-bound treasure, so he said no more than this.

“I need to be alone.” Taoist Pang turned and retreated into his room.

Fang Xiao paid it no mind.

He took his stance in the courtyard and began practicing the “Demon-Subduing Fist.”

A true martial artist never lets his fists grow soft or his tongue grow idle.

Even though leveling up was fast and exhilarating, Fang Xiao never abandoned his daily practice.

Because his efforts would not be in vain.

Meanwhile, Taoist Pang, hiding in his room, had already spiraled into madness.

He simply could not accept it.

They had both transmigrated to this world—why was the difference in fortune so vast?

Fang Xiao had multiple exclusive and life-bound treasures, and could even gather experience and level up by hunting monsters.

Was he the illegitimate son of heaven?

The true favorite child!

Taoist Pang wanted to curse the heavens, the earth, and all creation, but recalling past lessons, he forced all his curses down, unable to utter a single word.

It took a long time for his mood to gradually settle.

Then, a terrifying thought sprang to his mind.

Could he be, to Fang Xiao, the proverbial “old master” hidden in the ring?

Giving money, spirit stones, resources, techniques, helpers, even saving his life…

The only things missing were living in a ring and having a daughter or granddaughter.

Hold on!

Suddenly, Taoist Pang thought of the little locust blossom girl.

Thunderstruck once more, his hair stood on end.

At that moment, he really wanted to lie flat on the ground and never get up again.

After a long while, Fang Xiao was already drenched in sweat from tirelessly practicing the “Demon-Subduing Fist” in the courtyard, having repeated its nine moves a hundred times over.

Only then did Taoist Pang emerge from his room, looking utterly dejected.

He eyed Fang Xiao with a sinister gaze. “Come, I’ll take you somewhere.”

Although Fang Xiao sensed something odd about his master, he had long grown used to his ways and thought nothing of it.

Wiping sweat from his brow, Fang Xiao asked casually, “Where to?”

“Ten Mile Slope,” Taoist Pang ground out through clenched teeth.