Chapter 113 - 112: My Disciples Have Strength
On Monday at Nanliang High School, the atmosphere was gradually growing tense.
Besides the non-stop countdown to the college entrance exam, it was also because the "final monthly exam" was set to begin next week.
The days flew by. The countdown on the blackboard changed every day, and today it had finally dropped below "30," landing on 29.
By the time the next monthly exam was over, there would probably only be twenty days left until the college entrance exam, not even counting the usual pre-exam vacation.
Their youth was down to its last half-month.
Unfortunately, under all the pressure, no one had the spare mental energy to think about it.
Of course, there were also those one-in-a-million prodigies who felt no pressure at all.
"I’m telling you, I’ll definitely reach Bone Training before the exam! If I don’t, I’ll do a Golden Chicken Standalone while eating shit!"
Some anonymous student’s tastes remained as consistent as ever.
Yang Shen was quite conspicuous walking through the school gates with the "Standard Long Spear" on his back, drawing looks from many people.
He was Nanliang’s man of the hour, the "young hero" from the news.
But because he was no longer in the same ecological niche as most other students, people just stared. Few dared to strike up a conversation.
Arriving at his desk, Yang Shen began reviewing his academic subjects as usual.
People with clear goals are always more sensitive to the passage of time. He had known what he needed to do for a long time, and the countdown had long since started ticking in his mind.
He had made it about halfway through a practice test when, just before class started, someone came to the classroom door looking for him.
It was the same old story, drawing everyone’s attention, but this visitor was even more surprising than when Cao Wei had come last time.
Yuan Rui, currently first in their grade.
This once-perennial number two had, for the past three years, absolutely been one of Nanliang High School’s top figures.
No matter how much people talked about him always getting second on the monthly exams, it didn’t change the fact that he was an apex predator in the school’s ecosystem.
Yuan Rui was 1.84 meters tall, slightly taller than Yang Shen at present. He was handsome with strong, masculine features; there were probably a few girls in Class 6 who had a secret crush on him.
Just as many of the boys had a secret crush on Cao Wei.
But as soon as the grade’s number one student opened his mouth, he shocked all the surrounding classmates who were eavesdropping for gossip.
"Master, regarding this afternoon’s P.E. class, I have something I’d like to discuss with you."
As a system-certified "Pragmatist," Yuan Rui wasn’t the least bit embarrassed, calling him Master and even using the formal "you" right in front of so many of their peers.
Many people’s eyes widened.
Yuan Rui didn’t know why Yang Shen conducted his tutoring under the guise of a "master-disciple" relationship, but since it had its benefits, he would play along.
’Face? How many points is face worth?’
’This Master is legitimately worth five points to me!’
Of course, this was all contingent on Yang Shen’s guidance being "genuinely effective." If Yang Shen were just putting up a sheep’s head to sell dog meat, Yuan Rui definitely wouldn’t be this obedient.
In a way, a "disciple" like this was easy to deal with. Yang Shen didn’t expect to get any real "master-disciple affection" from Yuan Rui, but as long as their relationship remained transactional, he was a very clear-headed person.
Cao Wei, on the other hand, had a mind full of indescribable filth about her master.
Yuan Rui said, "Master, our ten-person group had a discussion last night. Five new students would also like to join and receive your guidance."
Yang Shen was a little surprised. ’There’s been no movement for so many days, and now five pop up at once?’
’Looks like the discussion in their group chat last night was pretty intense. People really do like to follow the crowd; they’ve all rallied their friends to join.’
’Although I’m still one short of the main quest’s requirement... I’m close to finishing it.’
After the two discussed the matter, Yuan Rui clasped his hands in a salute to Yang Shen, paid his respects, and took his leave.
His attitude was so proper it was flawless.
Yang Shen felt that if he could raise Yuan Rui’s score by ten points, the guy would perform three kowtows and nine prostrations every time they met.
Huang Gang leaned in. "Holy shit, that’s Yuan Rui, the grade’s number one! What did he call you?"
Yang Shen said casually, "Master."
"No... How did you pull *this* one?"
"This was also natural-born."
...
During P.E. class that afternoon, Yang Shen and Xu Bamboo were taken to the basement as usual.
Huo Jun’s special training today once again consisted of live combat, evasion, and weapons fighting. Logically speaking, given that Yang Shen had nearly a perfect score in live combat, a normal teacher would have shifted focus to his weaker areas.
But Huo Jun was definitely not a normal teacher.
He wasn’t even a teacher...
His training objective could be summed up in one sentence: Be able to fight and kill! Then fight better and kill better!
And then go on a killing spree!
In the short term, this seemed slightly detrimental to the college entrance exam.
But in the long term, it was extremely beneficial for improving his real strength.
The Madman’s teaching methods were largely to thank for Yang Shen’s ability to escape all sorts of dangerous incidents unscathed, and even to dominate many of his opponents.
Huo Jun still spent the first two hours entirely in the basement before going back to have some fun with the "wet trash" for the last hour. However, the "ten-person group" in the distance was somewhat distracted, casting furtive glances in their direction.
After Huo Jun left, it was time for Yang Shen to guide his "disciples."
Yang Shen walked over, and a curious Xu Bamboo followed behind him.
The P.E. teacher for the ten-person group was already used to this and had tacitly approved of Yang Shen’s teaching activities.
Just as Yang Shen was about to discuss how they should proceed, Yuan Rui interrupted.
"Master, please wait a moment. We need to make some preparations."
Yang Shen nodded. He assumed they were tired and just needed to change clothes or get a drink of water.
But then Yuan Rui pulled several bowls out of his school bag and handed one to each of the students.
The five new members, plus Yuan Rui and Cao Wei, stood before Yang Shen. The seven of them were arranged neatly, with two in the front row and five in the back.
Yuan Rui raised his bowl towards the upper right and began, "Master Yang above! Please accept this bow from your disciples!"
THUD. Yuan Rui dropped to his knees with a solid, resounding sound.
The others behind him hesitated slightly, but at the thought of gaining five points, their knees bent and they smoothly dropped down as well.
What did five points mean? Even for top students like them, a single point could put you ahead of a hundred people!
Master was helping you beat 500 people! Wasn’t that worth kneeling for?
Forget just acknowledging him as Master Yang; they wouldn’t even mind acknowledging him as Mr. Yang!
Among them, Cao Wei’s expression was the most beatific, as if she were performing a ritual sacrifice to the heavens.
Together, they all raised their bowls to the upper right and drank the water inside in one gulp. Yuan Rui said, "Today, Master Yang has opened his doors to accept disciples. You all must remember your duties as students! As the senior disciple, I will supervise you all properly."
"Master, if you have any dissatisfaction with them in the future, please tell me!"
Yang Shen: ...
’What the hell is this?’
’Are we still in the modern era?!’
In truth... Yuan Rui had his own calculations...
Theoretically, if Yang Shen only had him as a disciple, he would have an entire hour of guidance to himself. Adding one more, Cao Wei, was still acceptable.
But if seven or eight showed up, the time he received would undoubtedly be greatly diluted.
As a "Pragmatist," it would be foolish to try and stop Yang Shen from accepting more disciples. Yang Shen enjoyed playing this "master-disciple game," and trying to stop him would only ruin their relationship.
But using his status as "senior disciple" to become the most special one among all the disciples was a viable option.
Not only could he reclaim a portion of Yang Shen’s energy and attention, but he could also establish a certain degree of authority over the others!
By obtaining this "status-based authority" from Yang Shen, he could manage the others.
And by helping Yang Shen "manage" the others, he could in turn curry favor with his master! And be taught with more dedication.
’Look at that! Just look at that!’
’Isn’t this the perfect positive feedback loop?!’
And so, today’s scene came to be.
His frantic efforts in the ten-person group chat last night had led to this grand discipleship ceremony, and this abstract sense of ritual was all part of his, Yuan Rui’s, plan.
After putting on this show, he would forever be Master Yang’s most sensible and favored senior disciple!
Yang Shen was stunned by the sight of them lining up to kneel, and even the few P.E. teachers were dumbfounded...
If word of this got out, it would probably shatter the worldview of the other students!
Xu Bamboo had a strange expression on his face, thinking, ’These point-grubbers are insane...’
’Well, except for Yang Shen. Yang Shen must have been deceived by these schemers.’
Yang Shen took a deep breath, put on a serious expression, and said a few appropriate words, "Very good. I appreciate the sentiment. Get up, quickly. I will be sure to teach you everything I know..."
Cao Wei’s face suddenly turned red...
After helping them up one by one, Yang Shen said without batting an eye:
"That makes seven people. However, my time and energy are limited, and I must be responsible for all of you. I will only accept eight disciples, so there is now only one spot left..."
He decided to cast a line, whether there were fish or not, to see if he could complete the mission today.
Seven out of the ten-person group had now become his disciples. The remaining three had their own reasons for not following the crowd, but upon hearing there was only one spot left, the door-panel-sized Tian Zihan grit his teeth and offered up his own knees.
It was like a jade pillar collapsing before a mountain of gold!
’A man’s knees are precious as gold! And for that very reason, I must let Master see the purity of my gold!’
’It’s for five points! No shame in this!’
As someone whose lower head was practically non-existent and whose upper head did all the work, Tian Zihan was plenty smart!
"Ma... Master, I want to improve, too!"