Ling Yuan was stunned. Then he clenched his fists reluctantly. Precisely because he knew that Jiang Yun was telling the truth, he loathed his own weakness even more.
Jiang Yun sat down and waved his fan. "You have good talent. As a handyman who could only learn secretly, to reach this level is really beyond the reach of ordinary people. So... really not considering becoming my disciple?"
Ling Yuan looked at Jiang Yun and asked seriously, "If I become your disciple, can I be as powerful as you?"
Jiang Yun shook his head. "Your talent is no weaker than mine, but you're too old now. So naturally, you'll surely be inferior to me in the future!"
Ling Yuan was unconvinced. "I'll work harder than you. I'm sure I can surpass you!"
Jiang Yun smiled noncommittally. "Really? Who knows?"
But Ling Yuan's next words annoyed Jiang Yun. He said, "I must strive to become stronger because I have to protect Young Master Xia Lin."
Jiang Yun felt annoyed inside. He grabbed Ling Yuan and said coldly, "I'll protect Xiaolin. You don't need to worry about it. Got it?"
Ling Yuan stubbornly shook his head, which made Jiang Yun so angry that he wanted to teach him a good lesson right then. But just then, Xia Lin came back with the servants carrying dishes and rice. Jiang Yun had no choice but to let go of Ling Yuan, thinking that he would train him well after Ling Yuan became his disciple.
During dinner, Ling Yuan told Xia Lin that he was going to become Jiang Yun's disciple. Xia Lin was very happy to hear that. "That's great. I'll have a junior brother then. Actually, I've had this idea too, but I just didn't have the chance to say it. Because you, Xiaoyuan, have talent, work hard and want to learn martial arts. If you become Master's disciple, you'll surpass me in a few months."
In fact, Xia Lin was inferior to Ling Yuan in strength and physical stamina. The reason he could defeat Ling Yuan in a fight was, firstly, due to the few sets of skillful moves taught by Jiang Yun, and secondly, Ling Yuan was also reluctant to use his full strength for fear of accidentally hurting him.
Xia Lin and Ling Yuan, with Qiuzhi occasionally chipping in, were discussing the matter of learning martial arts, while Jiang Yun's attention was on the fact that Xiaolin actually called Ling Yuan Xiaoyuan so affectionately. He felt annoyed. But his title of Master was also a unique and exclusive one, and Xiaolin would only call him Master. Thinking like this, Jiang Yun felt happy again.
Seeing Jiang Yun's ever - changing and vivid expressions, Xia Lin finally couldn't help asking, "Master, is the food not to your taste?"
Jiang Yun came back to his senses and shook his head. "It's okay. The food is delicious. I was just thinking about something just now."
Xia Lin gave Jiang Yun a disapproving look. "Master, don't be in a daze while eating in the future. You might choke."
"Pfft..." Before Jiang Yun could answer his beloved disciple's caring question, he heard Qiuzhi and Ling Yuan laughing at him. "Qiuzhi, I don't mind having one more disciple like you." I'll train you to death!
Qiuzhi's face stiffened. He didn't dare to laugh anymore. He shook his head and covered his mouth. "I'm wrong. I'll eat quietly."
Two days later, the whole Xiaoshan School knew that the sect leader had taken in another disciple named Ling Yuan, who used to be a handyman beside the second elder's disciple.
"Look at him. He's so lucky. He's gone from being a low - level handyman to the sect leader's disciple. See how successfully he's climbed up the ladder!"
"What can we do? He's smart. He stepped forward to protect the sect leader's beloved disciple. I wonder why I just watched at that time. If I had also protected the sect leader's beloved disciple and taken the beating for him, would I have also gone from being a kitchen handyman to the sect leader's disciple now?"
"That's because you're timid!"
"Like you're so brave!"