Kiss the gentlest lips, embrace the roughest legs.
Tang Fei didn’t know who had the gentlest lips, but he knew that within this academy, Xuanyuan Mingjing possessed the roughest legs.
As soon as he heard Xuanyuan Mingjing asking him to serve a cup of tea, Tang Fei understood the implication and knelt down with a thud.
Hesitating for even a second was disrespect to the "big legs."
Xuanyuan Mingjing did not stand on ceremony either. He took the tea served by Tang Fei and downed it in one gulp, then spoke out, "Alright, from today on, the master-apprentice relationship is officially established."
"Thank you, Master," Tang Fei said, his face alight with excitement.
Si Yinchuan, holding his hands clasped in front of him, smiled as he said, "Congratulations, Dean, on gaining a beloved disciple. This calls for a proper celebration."
Xuanyuan Mingjing pointed at the box of grape worms on the table and said, "Didn’t Xing Lan catch a box of insects? Later, let him fry them in oil as a snack with wine."
"Aiya, this is really great stuff. If we could have a bowl of the Dean’s personally brewed Peach Blossom Wine, that would be blissfully delightful to death," Si Yinchuan said, eyeing the box of white worm-like insects as if they were the world’s most exquisite delicacy.
He had previously guessed the Dean’s softened stance, suspecting he might be considering taking on this disciple.
Hence, he went with the flow, doing Tang Fei a favor, and now things were unfolding just as he had anticipated; his favor had been well placed.
Becoming Xuanyuan Mingjing’s disciple meant immeasurable future accomplishments...
Tang Fei was bold yet meticulous, thick-skinned enough to say things others wouldn’t and do things others dare not; he indeed seemed likely to succeed in the future.
There’s no need to mention Shen Xinglan; his strength was exceptional, and with the Shen Family, a massive entity, as his backing, it wouldn’t surprise anyone if he even became King...
"There will be enough Peach Blossom Wine," Xuanyuan Mingjing declared generously.
Shen Xinglan also came over, smiling, and said, "Congratulations to Master for taking another excellent disciple... It’s rare for Master to take disciples; this is indeed a big occasion. We should celebrate it properly."
Then he looked toward Tang Fei and said, "From today on, we are brothers in arms."
Tang Fei stood up and bowed to Shen Xinglan, saying, "Thank you, senior brother, for your help in facilitating this."
Tang Fei felt he didn’t understand Shen Xinglan. He should like Phoenix, and he knew his own relationship with Phoenix.
But during the sparring match earlier, Shen Xinglan indeed lent him a helping hand.
If Shen Xinglan hadn’t consumed his Sword Qi with Fist Energy, that sword’s power might have chopped the Dean’s grapevines into countless pieces...
Assuming, of course, Xuanyuan Mingjing had not stepped in to intercept.
Yet, he had done just that.
As if the two had arranged it in advance...
Moreover, after the assessment at the Imperial First Military Academy ended, he surely could have stirred up trouble in front of Xuanyuan Mingjing...
Tang Fei had been at White Crane Academy for less than half a day, but he had already deeply felt Xuanyuan Mingjing’s prestige within it.
It could be said that he had the final say in all affairs, large and small; both teachers and students regarded him as divine.
Yet Tang Fei had enrolled smoothly.
Had Xuanyuan Mingjing not asked for his opinion? Or was it that... Shen Xinglan was truly a generous and noble gentleman, who hadn’t spoken ill at all?
Tang Fei knew he couldn’t do that.
If he had a grudge against Shen Xinglan, he would have tried everything possible to block him, certainly not allowing him the opportunity to become his Master’s disciple...
Even siblings born of the same parents competed for favor, so how could he allow someone else a chance with his Master’s kindness?
He needed that damn sense of security.
"The power of junior brother’s sword was truly astonishing," Shen Xinglan said calmly, not willing to owe Tang Fei this favor.
"I will have to ask for senior brother’s guidance in the future."
"I dare not teach, but as brothers of the same school, we should consult each other and strive to improve together."
"Trouble you then, senior brother."
"Junior brother is too polite."
Shen Xinglan looked at Xuanyuan Mingjing and said, "Master, it’s getting late. Shall I go and make a few dishes to accompany the wine for you and Dean Si?"
"Good," Xuanyuan Mingjing nodded and said, "Chill two more bottles of Peach Blossom Brew. You brothers should drink a little as well."
"Yes, Master," Shen Xinglan responded, picking up the box of grape worms and heading toward the kitchen to get busy.
"Master, may I help?" Tang Fei piped up.
As the junior brother, it was his responsibility to handle these tasks.
Besides, he was skilled at cooking and couldn’t let Shen Xinglan get all the credit...
"Go ahead," Xuanyuan Mingjing nodded, popping another grape into his mouth.
Upon entering the kitchen, he saw Shen Xinglan tying an apron and pouring oil into a pot.
Family matters, who would understand?
Had it not been witnessed with his own eyes, who could imagine that Shen Xinglan, the direct descendant of the Shen Family, the leading clan among the nine major families of the Phoenix Empire, touted to likely be the next Family Head, was now bustling around the kitchen like a common homemaker.
Tang Fei approached and said with a smile, "Senior brother, is there anything I can help with?"
Shen Xinglan glanced at Tang Fei and didn’t stand on ceremony, asking, "Have you cooked before?"
"I have. In the Old Land, I was the one who cooked... just not sure if you’re accustomed to the taste."
"Then tonight we’ll taste your cooking," Shen Xinglan said with a smile. "I’ll use this pot to fry the grape worms; you handle the rest... there are vegetables and meat in the fridge, take whatever you can use."