C19 Apprentice

As Xiao Nan crossed the threshold into the villa's living room, Elder Lin's voice greeted him from within. It was a voice of confidence, clear and resonant. Following the sound, Xiao Nan saw Elder Lin seated directly opposite the entrance, his smile warm as he remarked, "The younger generation shows promise."

Elder Lin today was a stark contrast to his demeanor yesterday. Where previously his presence was stifling, imposing an endless weight upon those around him, now his manner of speaking was remarkably comforting and approachable.

The villa's living room was a testament to opulence, with vibrant colors spilling from every glass piece and an air of grandeur throughout. Each item bore the mark of history: chairs of Qing Dynasty sandalwood, cups of Qing Dynasty jade, and ancient scrolls adorning the walls. The value of each piece was evident to Xiao Nan, who was taken aback by the family's wealth. It brought to mind an internet adage: "Poverty limits my imagination!"

"What do you think of the decor?" Elder Lin inquired, rising to his feet with an amiable smile.

In Elder Lin's expression, Xiao Nan saw no trace of boastfulness, only a serene composure akin to casual conversation that put one at ease. "All I can say is, you're incredibly wealthy! A villa may have its price, but the treasures within it are truly priceless," Xiao Nan responded with a smile.

Elder Lin chuckled and nodded in agreement. "I believe that in the not-so-distant future, you too will own a villa like this, adorned with items that are genuinely beyond price."

Xiao Nan struggled to grasp the full meaning behind Elder Lin's words, yet the sincerity in his eyes was unmistakable. It's often said that too much business can erode trust, but Elder Lin seemed to be the exception, at least in Xiao Nan's eyes, which saw nothing but genuine sincerity.

"Thank you for your kind words, Elder Lin," Xiao Nan replied with a nod.

"You're still going to address me that way?" Elder Lin feigned a stern look, but upon locking eyes with Xiao Nan, he couldn't suppress a chuckle. Xiao Nan, with utmost respect, quickly corrected himself, "Master, please accept your disciple's bow!"

Xiao Nan was spared the formality of bowing, as Elder Lin quickly steadied him and declared, "No need for such formalities. From this moment on, you are my sole disciple!"

Sole disciple? Did that mean Elder Lin had never taken a disciple before? What about Qingfeng—hadn't he learned kung fu from Elder Lin? Was Qingfeng deceiving him?

Noticing Xiao Nan's puzzled look, Elder Lin chuckled and explained, "Indeed, you are my one and only disciple. Throughout my entire career, I never considered taking on a disciple. But as the years have passed, I've grown old, and there are tasks I can no longer manage on my own. That's when I entertained the idea of mentorship. Perhaps my standards were too stringent, as I hadn't found anyone who truly satisfied them. But you—you have the character and capability I've been looking for, so I've chosen to accept you as my disciple."

"But what about Qingfeng and the others? Aren't they your disciples?" Xiao Nan inquired.

Elder Lin nodded with a smile, clarifying, "While I did teach them kung fu, they are not my disciples. They were merely tasked with guarding the house and assisting with the company."

Xiao Nan nodded in understanding, then asked, "Now that you're my master, may I learn kung fu from you?"

"Of course," Elder Lin affirmed. "I intend to teach you not just kung fu, but many other things as well. I've reached an age where retirement is on the horizon, and the future of the martial arts world belongs to the young."

Xiao Nan breathed a sigh of relief. He had anticipated a rigorous initiation involving three prostrations and nine bows, possibly coupled with harassment from fellow disciples. To his surprise, Elder Lin had no disciples, and the process of becoming one was unexpectedly straightforward, without any complex rituals—a revelation that pleasantly astonished him.

Moreover, Elder Lin seemed to have no intention of broadcasting his new status as a closed-door disciple.

"Qingfeng will be by your side from now on. You're not yet ready to stand on your own, and it's important to have someone watching over you," Elder Lin suggested.

"Is that really necessary, Master? We live in a society governed by law; no one would dare act rashly," Xiao Nan protested. He was reluctant to have his freedom curtailed, especially by a fellow boy, which could lead to misunderstandings.

"Rest assured, I understand what's on your mind. Qingfeng will ensure your safety without impinging on your freedom."

With Elder Lin's reassurance, Xiao Nan breathed easier.

"Master, I've come across a treasure that I'd like to offer you as a token of my respect." Xiao Nan presented the Night Pearl he had recently acquired.

Elder Lin's brow creased slightly as he inquired, "A Night Pearl? Where did you find this?"

"You're familiar with it, Master?" Xiao Nan was astonished. Without the aid of the system, he wouldn't have recognized it as a pearl, yet Elder Lin identified it instantly—a truly impressive feat.

"Any collector worth their salt would recognize this," Elder Lin explained. "With such a thick patina, it's bound to be worth a handsome sum, likely in the triple digits. The uninitiated might be put off by the patina. I suspect you obtained it from someone who didn't appreciate its true value."

Elder Lin's insight was nothing short of miraculous. Xiao Nan needed the system's help to understand the pearl's worth, but Elder Lin discerned it with mere insight—an awe-inspiring talent.

"There's an old saying about the Night Pearl: 'The Southern Pearl shines bright, the Northern Pearl feels cool, the Eastern Pearl gives warmth, while the Western Pearl chills to the bone.' If one could gather all four, they'd possess wealth to rival nations!"

Xiao Nan was amazed by the lore surrounding the modest Night Pearl. He realized that choosing Elder Lin as his mentor was indeed a wise decision.

"Since you're so knowledgeable about the Night-Luminescent Pearl, please accept this one as a gift from me. I have no need for it," Xiao Nan offered.

Elder Lin gestured dismissively, "Keep it for yourself. But remember, safeguard this Night-Luminescent Pearl carefully. Should you one day gather all four, you're in for a substantial surprise!"

A surprise? What could it be? A fortune? Or perhaps the pearls could summon a mythical dragon? Xiao Nan chuckled at his own fanciful thoughts.

"Master, I must take my leave now. I have a class later this afternoon."

Elder Lin nodded, "Alright, you can go now."

Xiao Nan, accompanied by Qingfeng, made their way back to the school. But no sooner had they stepped through the gates than Scar, with his telltale mark, emerged out of nowhere and blocked their path.