Listening to these words, Chen Chao felt somewhat annoyed, but he quickly burst into laughter.
He really found it laughable.
He had never expected the dean to speak in this manner. In his inherent understanding, the leader of scholars in the world should be a very serious person. But now, upon meeting him, Chen Chao realized how far off he was in his assumptions.
However, he still felt that the dean was a true scholar.
There was no specific reason; it was purely a subconscious perception.
The impression that the dean gave him was actually quite good.
The dean reached out and grabbed a handful of fish food, tossing it onto the lake surface as he said, "Actually, whether one comes from a noble or humble background, as long as they have some talent and work hard, they can obtain what they want. Of course, having a noble background can save you a lot of trouble. Speaking of which, I just remembered a story..."
The dean looked at Chen Chao.
Chen Chao understood what he needed to do at this moment, so he asked earnestly, "What is the story that Dean mentioned?"
The dean nodded in satisfaction and said, "It's not some amazing story. It's just that many years ago, a poor and humble scholar from the south traveled on foot, crossing countless mountains and rivers, and experiencing hardships. Fortunately, he didn't die at the hands of those demons. Finally, he arrived at the academy seeking admission, but was rejected. He then worked as an assistant in a nearby tavern for many months. One day, he was lucky enough to meet the Dean at that time and was even luckier to be accepted as his disciple..."
Listening to this story that was not considered too tacky, but was very cliche, Chen Chao sincerely praised, "That poor and humble scholar was truly amazing. With unwavering determination, he became a role model for people like me. I believe he achieved great success afterward, right?"
The dean nodded and said with vicissitudes of emotion. "Afterward, he devoted himself to studying and cultivated diligently. After many years, he finally achieved success and inherited the mantle of the dean. He's now the current dean of the academy."
Chen Chao exclaimed, "So, that person is the Dean! No wonder, no wonder!"
The dean looked at him and asked, "What do you think?"
Chen Chao replied earnestly, "I believe only someone with a tremendous fortitude like you, Dean, could achieve such success. Without such great perseverance, how could one accomplish anything?"
The dean nodded with some satisfaction and said, "I've told this story to many people, but I'm the most satisfied with your reaction."
"Presumably, it's because this junior is sincere and truly admires you."
"No, it's because among all these people, you're the most shameless one."
The dean sneered and said, "When others hear the first half of the story, they would know that it's my story. You're so clever, yet you pretend not to know and continue to flatter me. The level of shamelessness you possess is unmatched."
Chen Chao felt embarrassed, thinking, "How could I have known that you were such a cunning old fox? I was just going along with what you said and now you're accusing me of being shameless."
The dean did not mind and just casually said, "I quite like your character. If I didn't meet Nandu that lass, you'd have become my final disciple."
Since he was already accused of being shameless, Chen Chao did not mind being shameless all the way. "Since Dean is willing, this junior is also willing to become Dean's 73rd disciple."
In the entire Great Liang Dynasty, there were only a few thick legs to hug. The one before him was naturally one of them. Since there was an opportunity to hug his leg, he would embrace it, why hesitate?
"In my early years, I made a solemn vow to only take in 72 disciples in this lifetime. It has already been fulfilled. Even though there are some regrets, it is what it is."
With a flick of his sleeve, the dean displayed his air of a master.
Chen Chao sincerely said, "In this world, vows can only reflect one's intentions at the point in time. How can they remain unchanged for eternity? Since Dean is one of the most remarkable individuals in the world, why confine yourself to the constraints of a vow?"
The Dean listened to these words and was absorbed in thought. But then he smiled and said, "Kid, you've got a really glib tongue."
"Do you know what is actually the most important thing in this story?" the dean suddenly looked at Chen Chao.
Without hesitation, Chen Chao replied, "It's oneself."
"If one isn't suited for cultivation, if one isn't suited for studying, no matter how hard they worked, and even if they were fortunate enough to encounter the Dean and be lucky enough to enter the academy, they won't achieve the same level of success. Some things in this world are very cruel, where no matter how hard you try, at certain times, it can't surpass talent and suitability."
"She merely read a manual on sword cultivation, spent half a month's time, and she can control a flying sword. I once aspired to become an immortal cultivator, but in the end, I could only become a martial artist."
Chen Chao felt rather emotional. He was not jealous of Xie Nandu; it was just that some things were really as he said. There was no logic to it. Some people were born without needing to worry about many things, this was a gift bestowed by the heavens.
The dean sighed and said, "That girl's talent is indeed rare. Otherwise, I wouldn't have wanted to take her as my disciple when I met her at the pavilion."
Daoism and sword, dual cultivation. In the future, she could walk extremely far on both paths. A character was destined to shock the world, leaving her name in history.
"As for you, there's nothing wrong with being a martial artist. The ones with the greatest moral integrity in our Great Liang Dynasty are martial artists, and the ones with the straightest backbone are martial artists too. Although you, young man, are a bit slick-tongued, you're not bad after all."
After saying this, he did not give Chen Chao a chance to interject and continued, "You saved Zhu Xia on that day, the Myriad Heaven Palace should have rewarded you with a generous gift. However, there's an old fart who's being unreasonable and actually refuses to acknowledge that debt. Tell me, what do you want? Spirit medicines? Magic weapons? I'll help you."
Chen Chao pondered for a moment and said hesitantly, "This junior and Zhu Xia are already friends. It might not be appropriate to ask for more."
The dean sneered and said, "You don't want the generous gift, looks like you have your eye on that girl?"
The corners of Chen Chao's mouth twitched, feeling rather speechless. How did it link to this?
"Speaking of which, do you also have designs on my disciple, kid?"
The dean looked at Chen Chao and a hint of killing intent seemed to flash in his eyes.
Chen Chao remained silent. It was just that his expression became somewhat ugly.
Whether was it Zhu Xia or Xie Nandu, it seemed that there was always someone unreasonable behind them. He could not handle it.
However, the dean's change of attitude was swift. Soon, he patted Chen Chao on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Kid, the Myriad Willow Convention is about to begin. Help to bring credit to the Great Liang Dynasty. Sometimes, no matter how much people speculate about your identity, it's actually not as interesting as taking action yourself."
Returning to the lakeside, Wei Xu had already left.
Xie Nandu was still here.
The two looked at each other, both not saying anything. They just walked side by side towards a nearby place.
After walking for a long time, Xie Nandu asked, "What kind of person do you think Teacher is?"
Xie Nandu was not concerned about other things, such as what they had discussed. She was concerned about this question.
Chen Chao thought for a moment and said very seriously, "The Dean is a scholar."
The first time he laid eyes on the dean, he felt that he was a scholar.
"What kind of scholar?"
Chen Chao shook his head. He could not describe what kind of scholar he was, but that was the impression he had at first sight: the Dean was a scholar.
Xie Nandu thought for a moment but did not continue to ask. They walked quietly by the lakeside.
Suddenly, Chen Chao said, "The literary exam is coming up soon. I hope you can emerge victorious."
Xie Nandu asked, "Even if my opponent is Zhu Xia?"
Chen Chao nodded and said, "No matter who it is."
"I also wish that you get first place in the martial exam."
"I feel that it won't be too easy. Martial artists are at a great disadvantage."
"Let them handle the easy tasks in the world, we'll focus on the difficult ones."
Xie Nandu was silent for a while and they walked a little further.
"Then, do you like me now?"
The young girl opened her mouth to ask, her voice very faint, leaving people uncertain of her emotions.
The young man in black clothes thought for a bit and said, "Guess."
The girl smiled and nodded, saying, "Good."
The young man in black clothes also asked, "And what about you?"
The girl shook her head and said, "Not telling you."
The two exchanged a glance and burst into laughter.