[Why are you giving out your secret to this old man?] Lyxor complained.
'I am only giving out the information that would be made public eventually in exchange for his guidance.' Lucius replied dully.
Master Zhang stood in silence, gazing at Lucius with a stern look as if trying to discern his intentions, but moments later his gaze softened.
"I appreciate your honesty, little one and so much more, I admire your zeal to improve yourself and cover your weaknesses." Master Zhang said in a much softer tone.
'Expose an irrelevant truth and any man will lower their defenses. Giving him public knowledge for his guidance is a good trade to me.' Lucius mentally nodded.
"Unfortunately, you are heading down the wrong path. If you insist on going this way, you will end up wasting your potential." Master Zhang warned sternly.
"What do you mean?" Lucius asked, his interest piqued by the words of the old man.
"A river does not lament the mountains it cannot climb; instead, it flows with grace through the valleys it can traverse. So too must you embrace the strengths you possess and let them guide your path, rather than dwell on the weaknesses that hold you back." Master Zhang said.
Buzz!
Lucius was shocked, and he stepped back a bit while pondering on these words. The old man was basically asking him, why waste time focusing on an aspect of combat where he has no potential when he can focus on improving what he has already?
Memories of how he defeated Alex Briggs with overwhelming power resurfaced, making him realize his mistake all along.
"You are right!" Lucius admitted, causing Master Zhang's eyes to dilate with emotions
Kids with Lucius's potential are narrow-minded and stubborn. They refuse to listen to the advice of others, their sense shrouded in pride of their potential, but Lucius is different!
The fact Lucius took a step back to ponder on his words before giving this response made it even more authentic. He was expecting Lucius to argue with him and insist on getting what he was looking for, but this happened.
'This child is different.' Master Zhang couldn't help but think.
"What martial style master recommend for this dumb student?" Lucius said with his head lowered.
[Lowering yourself and inflating his ego. You crafty snake. If I wasn't on your side, I would be terrified.] Lyxor laughed.
'I can only do this because I can think clearly, all thanks to your genes. You created this.' Lucius responded.
Cough!
Master Zhang couldn't hold back his smile but faked a cough and covered his face to hide it.
"Well, I do have a martial technique I am yet to give out to anyone because most people of this country are too prideful while the others simply lack the talent to master it. But you, I believe you have what it takes." Master Zhang said.
Lucius looked up with a fake look of surprise and appreciation, before falling on his knees and kowtowing repeatedly.
"Thank you, master!" He said repeatedly.
"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 Lucius's reaction and humility. "Come with me."
The man turned around and began walking towards one of the doors. As soon as his back was turned, Lucius's face turned indifferent again, losing the warmth and gratitude it once carried.
They entered the largest training hall, the polished wooden floor gleamed under the sunlight streaming through the windows. The walls were lined with racks holding various traditional weapons—swords, spears, staffs, and nunchaku—all meticulously maintained and ready for use.
Lucius quickly noticed scrolls adorned with calligraphy and ink paintings of martial arts masters in dynamic poses hung from the walls, meanwhile, Master Zhang walked up to the front of the hall and climbed a raised platform.
The platform was covered with tatami mats, providing a cushioned surface for demonstrations and sparring. A pair of large, ornate incense burners flanked the platform, their delicate tendrils of smoke rising and filling the air with a soothing sandalwood fragrance.
He picked up a traditional 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 Lucius before moving toward a stack of scrolls.
Lucius caught the dress and moved towards a square-shaped curtain at the edge of the room where he could change his clothes.
A minute later, Lucius came out in his new attire and Master Zhang was already waiting for him 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 days, so I do not know these matters." Lucius responded truthfully, stunning the old man.
Only now did he realize why Lucius was so down to earth, unlike other students with good potential. The more he knew about this boy, the more intrigued he became.
"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 Lucius's face.
"My parents worked at the mines and died from Aetherscourge and a beast killed my sister, that was how Sergeant Skull discovered me." Lucius said, pain visible in his eyes. "I am the last surviving member of my family."
An uncomfortable silence fell in the room as Master Zhang gazed at Lucius, wondering how much pain this kid had endured in just a decade of his life. He felt sorry for Lucius and admired his good character, even after everything that happened to him.
"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 Lucius's face light up.