Chapter 6: Fortune Favors the Simple

Several instructors waited eagerly for Qingyun to make his choice.

But Qingyun turned to look at Li Ji'an.

Li Ji'an, however, let his gaze pass over the seven instructors before him, instead settling on Instructor Wu not far away, who, as always, was tirelessly and earnestly instructing his students.

Fifteen years ago, when Li Ji'an first entered the Martial Academy, young Instructor Wu had just returned home from the Immortal Seeking Institute in the provincial capital. He was only twenty-one at the time, nine years younger than Li Ji'an. A native of Shangyi County, he had studied at this very academy. Though diligent and hardworking, his talent was average; after failing the martial examination twice, he was ultimately recommended by the former head instructor to pursue further training at the branch of the Immortal Seeking Institute in the provincial capital, being groomed specifically to become an instructor.

After ten years together, Li Ji'an knew Instructor Wu’s temperament well—he was a man who repaid kindness. Returning to the Martial Academy was, for him, an act of gratitude towards the former head instructor. He was introverted and taciturn, but took the teaching of martial arts with utmost seriousness and rigor. He never sought fame or profit—whoever wished to learn, he would teach sincerely, regardless of status. Even when faced with Li Ji'an, already thirty and well past the prime age for martial training, he still gave his all.

If not for this, given Li Ji'an’s age and aptitude back then, even with the experience of a year’s unsuccessful training in his previous life, he would likely have never mastered even the basics of the "Golden Strength Technique," let alone perfected the skin-tempering stage.

"The young Wu of those days is about to step into his forties now. Time shows no mercy," Li Ji'an sighed softly as he looked at the traces of years on Instructor Wu’s face.

"My young friend, seeing your friendship reminds me of my own brothers in youth. Today, for the sake of your bond, no matter your companion’s talent, I will make an exception and take him as my disciple as well. What do you say?" The ever-shrewd Ma Yuan was first to speak as he saw Qingyun glance at Li Ji'an.

Qingyun: "…"

Master Wan: "…"

You really think highly of yourself!

"Thank you for your kind offer, Instructor Ma, but I see that gentleman over there is the most earnest and unsmiling. My master taught me that strict teachers make great students, so I choose him," Li Ji'an replied directly, unwilling to beat around the bush or concern himself with their feelings.

"Hmm?"

"Instructor Wu?"

All seven instructors, along with Master Wan, stared in disbelief at Instructor Wu, who was still teaching diligently and hadn’t paid them any attention.

"You want to choose Wu? Have you thought this through? Wu has been here fifteen years and never once produced a single martial exam disciple. The only reason he doesn’t come to select students is because he feels unworthy of the responsibility," Ma Yuan laughed, casting a mocking look at Li Ji'an.

Li Ji'an was unbothered. Instructor Wu simply shunned rivalry and personal gain; the reason he hadn’t produced a martial exam disciple was only the lack of promising students. He never cared whether his students were talented or not—his dedication lay in truly passing on knowledge and guiding others.

Moreover, with Li Ji'an’s decade-long experience in his previous life of mastering "Golden Strength Technique" and reaching perfection in skin-tempering, combined with the strong physique and meridians of this life and his enhanced mental fortitude, he could likely achieve skin-tempering and enter the Immortal Seeking Institute within two years, even without an instructor.

"I’ve made up my mind. I wish to study under Instructor Wu."

"Very well. Since it is your choice, I have nothing more to say. Just don’t come to regret it," Ma Yuan replied immediately. His willingness to take Li Ji'an was only for the sake of recruiting the highly talented Qingyun. Now that Li Ji'an had given up the opportunity, Ma Yuan was more than happy, having clearly shown his stance to Qingyun. As for Li Ji'an’s own talent, neither he nor the other six instructors cared much—after all, a first-rate talent hadn’t come along in two years, and now suddenly there would be two at once?

"Ah? Xiao Li, you…" Old Wan exclaimed, but quickly reconsidered. In his view, the instructors at the academy were all about the same in skill, but Instructor Wu had the best character and teaching attitude. Besides, with Li Ji'an’s remarkable aptitude, he could surely excel at the martial exam with any instructor. With this in mind, he held his tongue and glanced enviously at Instructor Wu, still absorbed in teaching.

"Perhaps fools have their own fortune?"

This was, after all, a likely future grandmaster in the making. When he advanced to the grandmaster stage, thanks to the bond of master and disciple with Wu… well, the fortunes of all connected would surely rise.

"My young friend, come train with me," Ma Yuan said, focusing on Qingyun.

"I’ll train with Instructor Wu as well," Qingyun replied without hesitation.

"No!"

"No!"

Li Ji'an and Ma Yuan spoke in unison.

Ma Yuan was unwilling to lose such a promising achievement.

Li Ji'an, on the other hand, did not want Qingyun, who had no intention whatsoever to study martial arts, to taint Instructor Wu’s devotion.

In Li Ji'an’s view, there was no such thing as someone achieving great success at something they fundamentally did not want to do—especially in the path of martial arts. Such plots existed only in novels and dramas. No matter how extraordinary your talent, it wasn’t enough. For anything to succeed, you had to truly want it from your heart; only then would you put in the effort required. If you didn’t care, if you were forced to train, you would never give it your all—so how could you possibly succeed?

Based on what he knew of Qingyun, the boy would rather die than try. Unless life dealt him some massive, transformative blow, he would never succeed in martial arts.

"Uh… then, brother, who do you think I should pick?" Qingyun asked, downcast but accustomed to following Li Ji'an’s lead.

At this, the seven instructors all drew a sharp breath. They never imagined that this prodigious talent would be so obedient to the unremarkable boy beside him, not even daring to offer the slightest protest.

"My young friend, even if you follow Instructor Wu, I promise I’ll personally provide you with extra resources," Ma Yuan said urgently, regretting his earlier attitude toward Li Ji'an.

The other six instructors also glanced repeatedly at Li Ji'an, sending him silent but frantic signals.

Li Ji'an looked at Ma Yuan, then turned to Qingyun with a gentle smile. "Since Instructor Ma values you so highly, you should train with him."

Qingyun nodded indifferently. His goal was simple: drift along until the academy could no longer tolerate him and sent him home.

"Ha ha ha, good, good! Qingyun, rest assured, you’ll never regret today’s choice," Ma Yuan exclaimed, elated. He even strode up to Li Ji'an and nodded solemnly. "Xiao Li, you too—if you ever need anything, just come to me."

"Thank you, Instructor Ma," Li Ji'an replied with a slight nod.

Master Wan stood aside, watching as everything settled, and seeing Ma Yuan’s exuberant mood, decided not to disrupt the harmonious scene.

After all, academy regulations expressly forbade revealing a student’s aptitude to the instructors, so that all would be treated equally and not just cherry-pick the best prospects. But over time, as rules were repeatedly bent, the regulations had become little more than a formality.

"In that case, Wu, you have a new apprentice starting today," Old Wan called out to Instructor Wu in the distance.

Instructor Wu, upon hearing this, walked over without any visible emotion. He was used to such situations; usually, he only received the students the other instructors didn’t want after they’d made their selections. It made no difference to him—he treated all students equally.

"Li Ji'an?" Wu Cheng paused for a moment as he looked at the roster Master Wan handed him.

Then, for the first time, a hint of reminiscence softened his usually stern face.

"What is your relation to Li Jichang?"