Chapter 2426: Chapter 77: Bai Niu Heads South

"Master, Master, what kind of person do you hope I become?" On the southbound ox cart, Chu Yao leaned against the window for a long time and suddenly turned back to ask.

At this moment, they were on the road to Sword Pavilion.

A team of Ti Qi was clearing the way in front, while another team was guarding the cart from behind.

The esteemed Marquis Wu’an touring the South Border was unlikely to encounter any trouble.

Even those with loyalties to the old country wouldn’t be foolish enough to disturb a marquis with military achievements recognized by Old Summer’s regular army.

Jiang Wang diverted his focus from his cultivation, smiled, and asked, "Why suddenly ask this?"

Chu Yao nodded his head and replied, "I heard people talking about you, Master, saying you’re amazing. How can I become as amazing as you?"

Jiang Wang replied, "Just earn a lot of money like me and pay their salaries, that’s all."

Chu Yao’s eyes widened, feeling like he had an epiphany.

"How can I earn a lot of money?" he asked excitedly.

Jiang Wang thought for a moment, realizing he shouldn’t mislead the boy. So, he pointed to the boy’s forehead, "What are you thinking! As your master, I’m telling you not to listen to flattery. The evaluations of me only become genuine a hundred years after I’m gone. Now they praise me to please you, ultimately so I hear it."

Chu Yao rubbed his forehead, "Does that mean they’re bad?"

"Why do you say that?" Jiang Wang asked, intrigued.

"Because they’re not sincere, and they don’t truly mean what they say," Chu Yao said. "Didn’t you say we should be sincere with others?"

"Sincerity is a requirement for oneself, not an obligation to impose on others." Jiang Wang laughed, "They work under the Marquis Mansion, wanting to appear in my presence, seeking my approval. These are human nature. How can they be considered ’bad’?"

"But lying is always wrong, isn’t it?" Chu Yao said.

Jiang Wang replied slowly, "For instance, if you have two friends. One always says you’re smart, cute, and talented. The other always says you’re dark and thin, like a burnt twig. Who would you rather play with?"

Chu Yao said earnestly, "None of my friends would insult me."

"So isn’t it obvious who you’d rather play with?" Jiang Wang laughed, "Everyone likes to hear good things, and so inevitably, there are lies in this world."

Like a little grown-up, Chu Yao touched his chin thoughtfully, "So you like hearing good things too, Master. That’s why they compliment you, right?"

Jiang Wang laughed heartily, "This is what’s called ’If those above like something, those below do even more so.’ Chu Yao, take it as a warning."

"Master." Chu Yao asked seriously, "What kind of person do you hope I become? You’ve never told me."

It was perhaps out of gratitude that he wanted to become the person his master hoped he would be, to make his master proud. Yet, his master never seemed to impose any expectations on him.

This was the second time he asked this question.

So Jiang Wang also thought seriously before saying, "Well... actually, I don’t have a set idea of what kind of person I want you to become. I don’t have any specific goals or responsibilities for you. As long as you don’t commit crimes or harm others, you can be whoever you want."

"But you’re Marquis Wu’an of Daqi."

"So what?"

"You wouldn’t want your disciple to embarrass you, right?"

"How could you embarrass me?"

"For example, if I can’t win against others, not as smart as other disciples, not as talented... You’re Marquis Wu’an, you would surely feel humiliated, wouldn’t you?"

"If you consider these things to be humiliating, then that’s your embarrassment, not mine. Because you have your life, and I have mine. If you can’t beat others or aren’t as hardworking, that’s your business. What face would I lose?"

Jiang Wang looked at him and said, "Let me tell you when I would truly feel embarrassed as a master—if you go out claiming to be my disciple and commit wrongdoings. If you learn from me and yet lose good character. If you get harmed and I can’t protect you... In these instances, only then would I feel ashamed."

Chu Yao said, "Master, you’re different from them."

"How so?" Jiang Wang asked.

Chu Yao said, "My mother told me I have to work hard, be very sensible, and pay attention to my behavior so as not to disgrace you. Uncle Lian told me that since you’re an amazing person, I shouldn’t be too bad as your disciple, or it would bring shame to you."

Jiang Wang said sincerely, "Your mother is a good mother, Uncle Lian a good friend, and I might not necessarily be a good master. Of course, we all want the best for you, but you don’t have to listen to everything we say. Because we’re ordinary people too, and we might not always be right."

Chu Yao looked at him with a semblance of understanding.

Jiang Wang thought for a moment and then asked, "When your aunt stood outside your home cursing your mother, how did you feel?"

Chu Yao said, "I was very angry."

"When you grow up and see a group of people bullying a child, how would you feel?"

Chu Yao thought for a moment and said, "I would be very angry too."

"And towards that bullied child?"

"I feel sorry for him."

"What would you do? I mean, if you can’t fight against those people?"