Mysteries of the Great Zhou Dynasty

Chapter 133 Apprenticeship
Xiao Mu tightened his grip on the fan, squatted down, stared into A Bao's eyes, and said in a low voice, "Kid, you'll see once we get into the town. This town has all sorts of people; it's truly a paradise. I know you'll ask why we saved the Liao people. Liao suffered a defeat, with tens of thousands killed or wounded..."

Ah Bao muttered dismissively, "Good riddance!"

Xiao Mu heard it clearly, but he wasn't annoyed. He continued, "Let's leave aside the generals and soldiers for now, what about the innocent civilians?"

Let me put it this way: those children your age, one moment playing happily in front of their parents, the next moment orphaned, alone, homeless on the streets—what wrong have they done? Women like your mother, forever losing their children, who can take away their heart-wrenching pain? Families destroyed, wives and children separated, even cannibalism. Do you think such a person truly died a good death?

Ah Bao remained silent, but his eyes were filled with deep hatred.

Xiao Mu continued, "War is merely a means for those in power to seize power and profit; the only ones who truly suffer are the common people. We cannot stop war, but at least we can be compassionate. The people suffer when the country prospers, and they suffer when it falls. A true man should have the world in his heart. One day, this country will achieve true unification, just like the Qin and Han dynasties, and all ethnic groups will live in harmony..."

Abao said angrily, "He is not one of my kind; his heart is worthy of condemnation."

Xiao Mu didn't argue with him much. Her eyes were fixed on the dam, filled with longing, and she said firmly, "I won't, and I don't need to, convince you. You have your opinions, and I have mine; it's just that we have different perspectives. But I believe that day will come... it will come!"

After Xiao Mu finished speaking, his tone shifted abruptly, becoming somewhat different: "However, young man, I am very angry about what you just did. First, launching a sneak attack is not the act of a true man, especially since it injured innocent people. It's hateful! Second, every wrong has its perpetrator, and every debt has its debtor. Although I am a Liao person, that's true, but are all Liao people bad? Are all Han people good? You cannot distinguish right from wrong; you are utterly ignorant and shameful! Finally, if you want revenge, you must make yourself strong. The seeds of hatred can only blossom into powerful flowers in the hands of a strong person. In the hands of a humble and cowardly person, it will only lead to internal strife and self-destruction. You—are too weak! Pitiful! Although there are extenuating circumstances, you will have to pay the price for your reckless and foolish actions."

Abao's face flushed red. He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. He was angry, angry at himself, and ashamed at the same time, because Xiao Mu was absolutely right.

Xiao Mu grabbed A Bao, turned his head back, lifted him up with one hand, tucked him under his arm, and turned the fan around to prevent the sharp edge from hurting him. Xiao Mu swung his hand in a wide arc and hit A Bao's buttocks three times hard with the fan. Xiao Mu's blows were heavy, and Mo Yun and Chang Feng were shocked and frowned, but A Bao just endured it without uttering a sound of pain.

Xiao Mu released A Bao, raised his chin and said, "Kid, remember this, I won't let this go. Taoyuan Town is inhabited by both Han and Liao people, and is full of suffering civilians who have fled from the border. If you dare to hurt any of them, see how I deal with you!"

Abao thought about it and, although he didn't completely agree, he realized that he had acted impulsively. However, he was too embarrassed to apologize now, so he blushed, covered his bruised bottom, and turned his head away.

Xiao Mu put away the iron fan and said with a smile, "You little rascal, you have some backbone. It would be a pity if you were to waste your talent without anyone to teach you. So I'll reluctantly take you as my disciple!"

Abao stared at Xiao Mu in shock, unsure whether to feel joy or anger. He knew he had no future and no special skills, so this was a great opportunity. However, their views were completely different, and Xiao Mu was unpredictable. Abao felt apprehensive. The shame and humiliation he had just experienced made it impossible for him to agree.

Xiao Mu's smile vanished, replaced by a serious expression: "Kid, let me teach you your first lesson. In life, you can't have everything. You have to give up some things. Han Xin endured the humiliation of crawling between someone's legs. Do you think that little bit of self-respect is more important, or this opportunity?"

Abao pursed his lips in deep thought, while Xiao Mu remained patient, watching him with a smile and arms crossed. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Abao gritted his teeth, his eyes resolute, knelt down, and performed a deep bow: "Master, please accept my bow!"

A wise man knows when to yield and when to stand firm, and he won't suffer a loss in the short term! This is what life taught Po. If he could learn martial arts, he could take revenge on his enemies.

Xiao Mu looked at him with a smile: "Good boy, you're teachable, but I can't take you in now."

Ah Bao looked up in disbelief, his eyes blazing. Was this person playing a trick on him?

Xiao Mu smiled and slowly said, "If you want me to take you as my disciple, I need to see your sincerity. I need to test you. If you can pass my test, then I will agree."

Abao nodded.

Xiao Mu's next words made A Bao even more incredulous at his ears.

Xiao Mu narrowed his eyes: "My test is that in the days to come, you will use your own methods to assassinate me. There are no limits to the methods or the number of times. As long as you can hurt me, you will win, and I will teach you all my skills."

Everyone stared wide-eyed. What kind of test was this? This person must be crazy; who would joke about their own life? But Xiao Mu's expression showed he wasn't joking.

Abao was stunned for a moment, then got up and walked closer to Xiao Mu, saying pitifully, "Master, please accept me as your disciple. This test is too dangerous. Why don't you choose another one?"

Before he finished speaking, the dagger hidden in A Bao's sleeve slid out and swung out with a backhand. Xiao Mu gathered his strength, lightly touched the ground with his toes, and slid backward, avoiding the attack. Xiao Mu clapped his hands and laughed: "You brat, not bad, you've got it! I like it, but your acting is a bit lacking. Oh, I forgot to mention, every time an assassination attempt fails, if I catch you within an incense stick's time, I'll spank you three times. Alright, now you can start running. I'll give you ten breaths."

Although they had only known each other for a short time, Po knew that his cheap master, who looked like a madman, was indeed a madman. Unlike ordinary people, he was not someone who always kept his word. Thinking of this, Po turned around and ran away, dashing far away in an instant.

Xiao Mu said he would give him ten breaths, but he wasn't in a hurry at all. Instead, he turned around and started chatting with Wan Yin: "Lord Yan, please forgive my rudeness. I'll trouble Mo Yun and Brother Chang Feng to escort these bandits back. Senior Sister, Master has been missing you for a long time. You should hurry back. I'll go catch that wicked disciple and give him a spanking now."

The long line of bandits on the ground were practically weeping. "You finally remembered? We're still lying here all haphazardly! Is nobody going to do anything about this?!"