Chapter 13: The Unfortunate Old Husband

  Another sunny morning, in a quiet and spacious courtyard within the Mount Hua Sect, a group of Mount Hua disciples gathered together - for class? The young man sitting at the back, wearing white clothes, with a strip of cloth on his head, looking pale and dispirited, was none other than our protagonist, Linghu Chong.

  At this time, Linghu Cong was tearless and listless, restless and uneasy. He had thought that after achieving great success in martial arts, he would be carefree and unrestrained. But unexpectedly, Old Yue saw the crooked and clumsy brushwork of his handwriting and directly assigned him to attend classes at Mount Hua's school, where he would study literature just like other Mount Hua disciples!

  Before crossing over, Linghu Cong was a big otaku, laziness was his characteristic. In the past when he went to school, he was a thorn in the eyes of teachers, synonymous with truancy, representative of rebellious students. Moreover, at the age of 24 or 25, even if placed in the 21st century, it would be three or four years after graduation from university. Now, he has fallen to learning classical Chinese with a group of 17- or 18-year-old kids?

  Furthermore, what kind of classroom is this? The white-bearded teacher was dozing off on the podium, while the little loli in front held a small mirror in her left hand and something resembling a sponge in her right hand. From time to time, she would apply some unknown substance that seemed like it might have been stolen from the teacher's wife's room - rouge or powder - and continuously smear it on her face. Every few minutes, she would turn around and ask Linghu Chong: "Big brother, am I beautiful?"

  "Beautiful!"

  After hearing Linghu Chong's mechanical response, the little loli turned her head and continued to paint. Not long after, she turned back and asked, "Master Brother, am I pretty?"

  Linghu Cong grasped his hair in distress, while beside him Lu Dahu was playfully fighting with a young junior brother from the opposing side, books flying everywhere and chrysanthemum petals scattered all over the ground.

  Finally, the Huashan disciples got bored and decided to play something exciting. Lu Dahuang and his gang, along with Yue Lingshan and a group of unruly Huashan disciples, actually went to provoke the old master who was sleeping.

  Lu Da was seen pinching a blade of grass and slowly inserting it into Lao Fu Zi's nostril...

  "Achoo!" The old man let out a massive sneeze and almost knocked his head against the table.

  The old master's hair stood on end, he angrily lifted his head, wanting to catch the culprit who disturbed his afternoon nap. The old master was furious in his heart, this group of people from Mount Hua, every single one of them is a useless piece of wood, stubborn and unteachable, if it weren't for the good treatment here, I would have left long ago.

  I'm an old man, it's not easy to get by in this world, you don't study hard and just waste my money, I'll tolerate it for the sake of our relationship, out of sight, out of mind, you do your thing, I'll take a nap and rest my spirit, everyone minds their own business, but you little brats dare to tease me three times, and even dare to challenge my authority, this time I will make an example of you.

  The old teacher was already advanced in years and an ordinary person who didn't understand martial arts, how could he see clearly the movements of the Huashan disciples? By the time he came looking for them in a rage, the Huashan disciples were already sitting upright and properly, holding their books and reading with great interest.

  The old man had been holding back a belly full of anger with no way to vent it, when suddenly he saw the young man in white clothes at the very last seat, supporting his chin with both hands, looking distracted and idle. This stifling air seemed to have found an outlet, and burst out fiercely.

  "Linghu Cong, you're a rotten wood, wasting time and life, it's the greatest blasphemy to the saints! At this moment, the old man who was originally tottering suddenly possessed an extraordinary lightness of foot, and flew to Linghu Cong's face, scolding loudly: "You wretch, how can you live up to your teacher's teachings?! Copy this book a hundred times as punishment!"

  The old man scolded more and more angrily, the more he scolded, the more excited he became. Suddenly, he fiercely slammed the "Records of the Grand Historian" in his hand towards Linghu Chong.

  Linghu Cong's current martial arts skills are unparalleled in the world. With a slight raise of his hand, he easily caught the book that was coming towards him and placed it on the table. Suddenly, Linghu Cong's eyes widened in shock as he repeatedly confirmed the several large characters on the cover of the book, unable to believe it. The cover indeed read "Historical Records by Sima Qian", but the contents inside were actually a series of vivid and alluring Spring Palace paintings.

  Linghu Cong suddenly raised his head, staring at the old master standing in front of him in shock. "Damn it, you're a dog food-fed, yet you've managed to revise this vivid and soul-stirring Spring Palace Diagram into Sima Qian's 'Records of the Grand Historian' with such an air of righteousness! You even carry it around every day to admire it, earning Old Yue's utmost respect. In this era, a scholar who can achieve what you have is truly a legendary talent, unparalleled in ancient and modern times. You indeed qualify as my teacher, Linghu Cong."

  This adapted version of "Records of the Grand Historian" was slapped onto the table by Linghu Chong, and even Old Master Yousheng's composure couldn't help but flush with anger. He said sternly, "A rotten wood cannot be carved, I, an old man, am unable to teach you this kind of obstinate stone, let your master find another expert!"

  Having said that, Lao Fuzi hastily packed his bags and prepared to leave the mountain, feeling too ashamed to stay any longer. After all, of the 36 strategies, retreating is the best one.

  The Old Master had just rushed to the foot of Mount Hua and was about to leave when he was intercepted by Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze, who had hastened to the scene upon hearing the news.

  Yue Buqun said to the Old Master, "Master, please stay a moment. Why did you leave without saying goodbye? Is it because our Huashan Sect has been remiss in its hospitality? If so, please speak out and I, Yue, will certainly satisfy all your reasonable demands."

  "Head of the Yue Sect, these disciples from Mount Hua are all so stubborn and untalented, they can't be taught. I'm powerless to do anything about it. You'd best invite someone more capable!" The old master couldn't bear to say that his own abilities were lacking and he couldn't teach his students properly.

  "If these children have done anything wrong, please, Master, take into consideration our humble relationship with you and be more tolerant of them, just teach them more." Mr. and Mrs. Yue said respectfully.

  "Alright, I've had enough of you disciples, I can't teach you anymore. You're all just a bunch of spoiled brats. If I continue to teach you, my old life will be over. I still want to live for a few more years." The old master refused resolutely and pushed all the responsibility onto the Huashan disciples before slipping away quietly, which was the right thing to do.

  "It's precisely because these children are ignorant that they need Master Fu to teach them well. I know it will take a lot of effort from Master Fu to teach this group of naughty kids, so how about this: starting next month, the tuition fee will be doubled? What do you think?" Mr. and Mrs. Yue tried to persuade him with one appealing to reason and the other tempting with gain.

  "This...," Lao Fuzi hesitated for a moment, after all, there were not many families that could afford to pay such a generous tuition fee as the Huashan School.

  "Master Brother, think of a way quickly, whatever you do, don't let him stay." Yuke Lingxuan and Lu Dahu said to Lin Fenghuang as they saw Yuke Zhongning trying to persuade Old Master.

  "Don't worry, he won't be able to stay, watch this!" Linghu Chong smiled mysteriously, pulled out a book from his bosom, which was the modified edition of "Records of the Grand Historian" by Old Master. With controlled force, he shot it fiercely at Old Master.

  "Ah yo!" Lao Fuzi was hit with a slant, a gust of wind blew in, the historical records opened, and a vivid human body art guidance textbook appeared before the eyes of Yue Buqun and his two companions.

  "Thank you, Master and Madam Yue, for your kind intentions. I really can't do this job, please spare me! Farewell, farewell!" The old man was so ashamed and angry that he hastily bid farewell and left.

  "Linghu Cong, you bastards, I won't let you off!" Old Yue bellowed loudly and let out a long howl to the sky!

  This book has been signed, the contract was sent out this afternoon, everyone can rest assured to collect it, thank you for the evaluation vote from Xuan Tian Xiao Yao.