"Haven't you figured out yet that you're not allowed to hang around here, you little rat?" came the gruff voice of the guy who was looking down at the sky.
There were about 5 other figures standing over the pathetic hunched figure, who were clearly not in a good mood. One of those tall figures swung his leg to kick the pathetic guy in the ribs. But abruptly this guy jumped up, ignoring the pain spreading through his body.
This guy who was bullied was Xue Yang, the protagonist of the novel "The Last Hero".
Xue Yang quickly ran forward through the trees, feeling that his Shixiong pursuers would quickly catch up with him. Of course, the Shixiong were stronger than Xue Yang, so it was difficult for Xue Yang to escape. Running out into a small clearing, Xue Yang abruptly turned back, dodging a small needle that flew a millimeter from his cheek, flying forward. Running into a small clearing, Xue Yang did not notice the figure that was sitting on a stone, so when he turned to look where the needle that originally flew at him flew away, his blood froze in his veins.
Elder Mo Chou was meditating on the stone, and there was a small scratch on his cheek from a needle dripping with blood. Not only did Xue Yang feel fear, but also the other 5 guys who were chasing Xue Yang.
...Fuck.
_______
It had already been about a week when Min Hoo got into Mo Chou's body and he gradually began to get used to it..walking around with an indifferent face. No matter how Ming Hu was in his previous life, walking like this all day is too much even for him.
But since he must adhere to the image of a "cold, powerful, inaccessible Elder", as well as prepare for a meeting with the main character, he should first learn how to generally be a caster. It will be easier with the help of Mo Chou's body's system and muscle memory. Therefore, the former professor decided to start with a "simple" meditation.
At Hanqin Peak, there was a forest with a large excess of spiritual qi, where peak disciples usually went to meditate. Of course, Mo Chou, as an elder, had a private place to meditate, like other elders, but there was too much spiritual qi and Min Hoo was afraid that he simply could not cope with it.
Finding a secluded spot, Min Hoo perched on a large stone that stood in the center of a small clearing, taking a meditation pose.
At first, everything was smooth so far..
Abruptly, Min Hoo felt a pain in his cheek, opening his eyes, staring with his golden eyes first at one silent boy with a bruise on the floor of his cheek, and then at a group of 5 people who were clearly older than the beaten boy. The faces of all these six people expressed fright, or so it seemed to Min Hoo.
"Uh..mm..t-teacher.." One of the younger disciples muttered, looking away, as if he hadn't thrown the needle that eventually hit Elder Mo.
Min Hoo's gaze swept over the group of disciples, his expression as icy as the winter frost. The golden eyes that had once intrigued many, now held a hint of danger that made even the bravest disciple hesitate to meet them.
"Explain." Mo Chou's voice commanded, the single word echoing through the clearing with a force that belied his calm demeanor.
The disciples exchanged nervous glances, the silence stretching out uncomfortably under the weight of their elder's scrutiny. Finally, one of them, a tall lad with a defiant tilt to his chin, stepped forward.
"Xue Yang, that thorn in our side, was running through our training ground again, disrupting our practice," he began, his voice steady despite the fear that lurked beneath the surface. "We were merely trying to teach him a lesson in respect."
Xue Yang, who had been silently observing the exchange, flinched at the mention of his name. His eyes, filled with a mixture of fear and defiance, darted briefly towards Mo Chou before he looked away, as if expecting a reprimand.
Min Hoo, still adjusting to the role of Mo Chou, felt a twinge of sympathy for the boy. He remembered the character from the novel, the underdog who would eventually rise to power. But that was a future he intended to alter. For now, he had to maintain the facade of the cold elder.
"And you thought it wise to chase him into my meditation spot?" Mo Chou's voice was low, the edge of annoyance sharp enough to cut through the thicket of excuses that hung in the air.
The disciples bowed their heads, realizing the gravity of their mistake. It was common knowledge that disturbing an elder during meditation was a severe offense, one that could lead to expulsion from the school.
"F-forgive us, teacher!.." the defiant one implored, his voice tinged with genuine remorse. "We did not mean to interrupt your sacred time."
Mo Chou rose from his stone perch, his movements fluid and graceful despite his towering height. He approached Xue Yang, whose breath hitched as the elder drew near. Mo Chou's hand came up, and for a moment, everyone held their breath, expecting the worst.
But instead of a reprimand, Mo Chou merely inspected the scratch on Xue Yang's cheek. It was a minor injury, one that would heal quickly, but the message behind the action was clear. Mo Chou was not pleased, and his displeasure was a force to be reckoned with.
"Leave," Min Hoo in Mo Chou's body ordered, not bothering to look at the other disciples. "And remember, the next time you decide to 'teach' someone a lesson, consider the consequences."
The disciples didn't need to be told twice. They swiftly retreated, leaving Xue Yang alone with Mo Chou. The silence that followed was tense, filled with unspoken words and lingering uncertainty.
Xue Yang finally broke the silence. "Thank you..teacher," he said quietly, his eyes downcast.
Min Hoo did not answer, but only silently looked at Xue Yang, as if lost in his thoughts. Although this was true, now Min Hoo in Mo Chou's body was heatedly discussing with the System in his thoughts what stage of the novel they were at and whether Xue Yang hated him now.
The clearing fell into an uneasy silence once again, with only the rustle of leaves and the distant chatter of wildlife punctuating the quiet. Xue Yang stood rooted to the spot, his heart pounding in his chest as he stole occasional glances at the figure of Mo Chou, who appeared to be deep in thought.
Inside his mind, Min Hoo was Anything but silent. "System," he began, his mental voice barely above a whisper, "Where are we in the story? Is Xue Yang supposed to hate me now?"
The System, ever present in Min Hoo's consciousness, replied in its usual monotone, "We are at the early stages of the narrative arc where Xue Yang is continually mistreated by his peers and neglected by you, the esteemed Elder Mo Chou. As for the boy's feelings towards you, they are currently wavering between fear and a desperate need for approval."
Min Hoo's brow furrowed, a hint of concern creasing his features. He was acutely aware of the boy's gaze, and he found himself at a crossroads. The original Mo Chou would have left Xue Yang standing there, a silent and looming reminder of his insignificance. But Min Hoo was not Mo Chou, and his instincts as a former educator were clashing with the role he had been thrust into.
"System, I can't just ignore him. What if I... intervene? Maybe I can change the course of events somehow," Min Hoo suggested, his eyes never leaving Xue Yang.
"That would be...unconventional," the System mused, its tone laced with a hint of curiosity. "Changing the narrative could lead to unpredictable consequences, but it is not expressly forbidden by the rules. You are free to alter the protagonist's path, provided it does not lead to your demise."
Min Hoo nodded to himself, a decision forming in his mind. He turned his attention back to Xue Yang, who was still standing there, his posture rigid with anticipation.
"Xue Yang," Min Hoo called out, his voice firm yet not unkind. The boy flinched at the sound of his name, quickly straightening up as he met the elder's gaze for the first time.
"Yes, Teacher?" Xue Yang replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I expect better from my disciples, including you," Mo Chou stated, his golden eyes piercing into Xue Yang's. "You have potential, but it will amount to nothing if you continue to run from your problems instead of facing them head-on."
Xue Yang's eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, he seemed at a loss for words. The reprimand was not what he had expected, but it was far from the scolding he had braced himself for.
Min Hoo continued, "You will report to me at dawn every day for personal training. We will work on your control and your confidence. Understood?"
"Understood, Teacher," Xue Yang stammered, a spark of determination igniting in his eyes.
But Min Hoo still did not let go of Xue Yang. Deciding that he seemed too kind to be Mo Chou's antagonist, his tone became contemptuous. "And go to Medicine Peak. I don't want beaten students walking around my peak, ruining my reputation."
"U-understood, Teacher.." The voice of the guy sounded again, who shuddered noticeably after such a tone, again turning away his eyes that had just lit up with hope.
Min Hoo folded his hands behind his back as he watched the miniature figure of the main character disappear among the trees. When Xue Yang definitely left, the former professor sighed heavily, running his hand over his sweaty forehead. He's never been so dominant..it's really..interesting.
He then ran his fingers over his cheek, noticing that the wound that was previously there had healed. This is also very good. In fact, Min Hoo was now damn proud of himself, feeling famous with a Hollywood movie actor! The man coughed, covering his lips with his fist, which began to treacherously rise into a malicious smile. It can't be that he enjoys being so domineering..?
"Host.." The female robotic voice of the System sounded. "In fact, your offer to Xue Yang to personally study with you is very much beyond Mo Chou's character and I could give you OOC, because Mo Chou never had 'personal' students. But...since this is your first time I won't give you punishment. Your reward is +1000 points for successfully completing the task 'Saving the White Sheep'. Congratulations! From now on, if your points reach 0 you will be hastily eliminated :3 "
Saving the white sheep? What the hell is this? And what is this stupid ":3" emoticon?
Min Hoo sighed and covered his eyes for a second before opening them again quietly muttering. "Yeah,
thank you."
_______
Min Hoo's plan was simple enough. To gain the protagonist's trust in order to avoid further death. It's not worth thinking about the ultimate destruction of the world at the end of the novel because the protagonist went mad. After all, if Xue Yang doesn't kill Mo Chou, it must mean that he won't destroy the world either...right?
A few hours before Xue Yang's "training" began, Min Hoo looked through quite a few books related to swordsmanship and to his surprise, everything he read, he memorized. After moving into Mo Chou's body, the former professor's memory had improved significantly. The system said that this was due to Mo Chou's body itself, so the good memory and strength of the elder now belonged to Min Hoo.
"Keep your back straight!" said the Min Hoo in Mo Chou's body sternly, poking the boy's back with a wooden stick, causing him to jump up with his training sword in his hands. Min Hoo was not a fan of "beating up" students, but now he was Mo Chou and the System did not allow him to do otherwise.
"Feet shoulder-width apart, weight evenly distributed," Min Hoo instructed, his voice firm but not unkind. "You're still leaning forward, Xue Yang. A swordsman must always be balanced, like a leaf on the wind."
Xue Yang nodded, his eyes darting up to meet Min Hoo's before focusing on the wooden sword in his hand. The boy's grip was tentative, his fingers white-knuckled as he tried to mimic the precise movements Min Hoo had demonstrated earlier.
Min Hoo sighed, his thoughts straying to the countless hours he had spent pacing in front of a blackboard, explaining complex mathematical concepts to uninterested students. This was different, though. This was a matter of life and death, and Xue Yang's swordsmanship skills were far from impressive.
As he began to correct Xue Yang's stance, Min Hoo's hands moved with a fluid grace that belied his lack of experience. The System's influence was evident, granting him a temporary mastery of the sword that he couldn't quite explain. It was as if Mo Chou's body was responding to some deep-seated muscle memory, one that Min Hoo couldn't fully access.
"Again," Min Hoo commanded, his eyes never leaving Xue Yang's form. "And this time, focus on your center of gravity. Imagine a thread pulling you upright, from the crown of your head to the soles of your feet."
Xue Yang nodded, his determination evident in the set of his jaw. He lifted his sword, the wooden blade trembling slightly as he executed a series of clumsy strokes. Min Hoo's stick tapped out a rhythm, guiding the boy's movements as he corrected each mistake.
The morning sun cast long shadows across the clearing, the air filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers. It was a peaceful scene, one that belied the tension coiling within Min Hoo's chest. He knew that every mistake, every misstep, could have far-reaching consequences. The fate of the world hung in the balance, and he was the only one who knew it.
The training session ended with the sun high in the sky, the sounds of chirping birds a stark contrast to the grunts and clacks of wooden swords that had filled the clearing just moments before. Xue Yang stood panting, his white hanfu soaked with sweat, the wooden training sword held loosely in his grasp.
Min Hoo, in Mo Chou's body, scrutinized the boy with a critical eye. He had pushed him hard, perhaps harder than any of the other disciples at Zhenmi Peak, but he knew the trials Xue Yang would face in the future. The novel's plot was etched into his memory, a roadmap of danger and deception that he was determined to alter.
"You did well today," Min Hoo said, offering a rare bit of praise. "Your progress is commendable."
Xue Yang's eyes lit up at the words, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Thank you, Teacher Mo," he replied, his voice filled with gratitude and a newfound sense of pride.
"Remember, discipline and practice are the keys to unlocking your potential," Min Hoo continued, sheathing his own wooden sword. "Do not neglect your studies, and show respect to your peers. Your actions reflect on me as your teacher, and I will not tolerate any more... incidents."
"Yes, Teacher," Xue Yang nodded, his gaze focused and resolute. "I will do my best."
As Xue Yang turned to leave, Min Hoo called out to him once more. "Xue Yang, before you go, I have one more thing to discuss with you," he said, his tone serious. "It's about your spirit animal."
Xue Yang froze, his expression one of surprise and curiosity. The bond between a spellcaster and their spirit animal was a sacred and powerful connection, one that could greatly enhance a spellcaster's abilities. However, Xue Yang had yet to form such a bond, a fact that had been a source of ridicule among his peers.
Min Hoo could see the flicker of apprehension in Xue Yang's eyes, and he quickly sought to reassure him. "Do not worry. I am not going to assign you a task you cannot handle," he said, his voice steady and reassuring. "But if you are to survive the challenges ahead, you will need a spirit animal by your side."
Xue Yang swallowed, wiping the sweat that dripped down from his forehead with his hand. In fact, he still didn't understand why the teacher would be so concerned about him. Had he done something wrong and the teacher wanted to take revenge in this way...? But it was actually a stupid idea that Xue Yang had come up with. Why would someone as powerful as Elder Mo want to take revenge on someone as pathetic as him? It would be easier for the teacher to just kill him.
Xue Yang pressed his lips together and replied in a slightly suppressed tone. "Yes, teacher. I will do as you said." The protagonist bowed low to Mo Chou clenching his trembling hands into fists. This was actually the first time in a long time that he felt that very warmth in his chest, albeit in a small amount.