Chapter 50: Chapter 50- A Silly Smile to Topple Kingdoms

“Master, you’re not coming with me?”

“No, I’ll be waiting inside the Academy. Here, take this.”

Sol reached out and took the jade slip his Master was handing him.

On this jade token, a name was carved elegantly onto its surface.

“Young-Hwa…”

Sol muttered the name slowly, noting it looked similar to the jade token his Master had retrieved to show the guards.

“After you climb the steps show this to the person at the top. After entering the Academy, you can either look around or come straight to the Alchemy Pavilion Mountain. I’ll be waiting for you there.”

“Wait, I can enter the Academy just like that? What about the Martial Alliance Academy’s test?”

“Huh? What test?”

The old man showed a confused expression. Sol seeing this was taken aback.

“Master, isn’t there a test to enter the Martial Alliance Academy?”

The old man blinked.

“That test? Brat, that test ended a month ago.”

“Huh!”

Sol stared at his Master completely dumbfounded.

“Brat, you’re entering as a Specially Selected Disciple. These Disciples are people who were selected to be recruited into the Academy by a Pavilion Headmaster. I spent a lot of my fortune getting that jade slip from a real bastard, so don’t lose it.”

Sol nodded, but then he thought of something. He turned to look at all the other youths around him and asked.

“But Master, if the test ended, why are there so many people here?”

“These brats? They’re the ones who failed the first test. The Martial Alliance Academy doesn’t only have one test to admit disciples. If anyone here manages to climb these stairs and enter the Academy, then they will be admitted on the spot.”

“Oh, that’s how it is… Ah! But wait, if I already have this jade token, why do I need to climb these steps?”

“Ugh! Brat, what’s with your persistent questions? You just have to climb the steps! You shouldn’t have any problems doing it. Now, it’s about time I leave. Before I go, remember not to tell anyone I’m your Master or that you’ve come from the Ibbian Mountain Range.”

“Yes, Master! But…”

Sol expression became doubtful as he stared at his Master’s undisguised face.

“If it’s to not let someone know I’m your disciple, wouldn’t it be obvious if I’m seen with you like this?”

The old man was first annoyed with Sol asking more questions but then looked taken aback by his words.

Sol seeing his Master’s reaction wanted to smack his forehead. Over the years, he had come to know that his Master was very knowledgeable and would hardly make a lapse in judgment. But when he did, it would be something as stupid as this.

“Ehem… Well, no matter, this is not my true appearance anyway. Though if someone did find out you’re my disciple, that would be troublesome.”

Sol couldn’t help but widen his eyes after his Master revealed this piece of information. However, now that he thought about it his Master had said that he used to look like a middle-aged man. Indeed, with his current appearance of an old man, no one should be able to recognize him.

Sol wanted to ask some more questions, but the old man roared cutting him off.

“No more questions! Go and climb those steps!”

The old man then turned and was about to fly off, but as if remembering something he paused—deliberated for a few seconds—then glanced back at Sol and said.

“Brat, don’t forget my words from before. When you enter this Academy don’t be foolish, you hear me? You’re just a kid so don’t just spend your entire childhood only seeking to take revenge and hating everyone around you…”

’…and living a life like I did.’

The old man finished those last few words in his heart, revealing why he was trying to convince Sol not to blindingly take revenge.

When Sol heard his Master’s words, he lowered his head and became silent. Even though the words sounded harsh, he could understand that his Master was just worried about him.

However…

“Master, I understand. I really do. But I won’t give up on taking revenge on the person who kill my father and destroyed my village.”

“And then what?”

Sol’s lowered head raised, a confused look appearing on his face.

Seeing his expression, the old man reiterated.

“I asked what are you going to do after killing that person? That would surely anger the Church, so you would have to kill those people as well. Are you willing to take the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in exchange for the few hundred in your village?”

Sol’s expression changed when he heard that.

“I…”

The old man interrupted before he could speak.

“Surely not everyone in the Church approves of their wanton slaughter, some of them are innocent. So, what you would do wouldn’t simply be taking revenge, you would have become a mass murderer. At that point what would be the difference between the Church’s actions and yours?”

“…”

Sol could not answer his Master’s questions, and the expression on his face changed multiple times.

He wanted to declare he would make sure to only take revenge on those who deserve it, but these words got stuck in his throat after he heard his Master’s next words.

“How about that person’s children? They would lose a father because of you, and it might even send them on a path of revenge similar to yours. Are you going to kill them as well when they come looking for revenge? My Disciple, once you start a cycle of hatred it will never end.”

“B-But I didn’t start it! They were the ones who killed my father!!”

Sol couldn’t help but yell in frustration. Tears well up in his eyes, and he clenched his teeth so hard it seemed as if his jaw was about to snap.

The old man had long formed a barrier around them, so Sol’s sudden yell went unnoticed by the crowd some distance away.

After his shout, the old man looked at his disciple and responded.

“You didn’t start it, but don’t you have the ability to end it?”

Sol lowered his head further and chose not to respond.

The old man sighed.

This was supposed to be a joyous occasion since his disciple was about to embark out into the world, but now he went and ruined the mood by opening his mouth.

’Perhaps it’s my own selfishness, but this brat’s worldview is too narrow. If he only seeks revenge, then his worldview will stay that way. His desire for revenge is not inherently bad, and he has a just sense of morality. However, this world is extremely unforgiven. When he eventually comes face to face with a rock and a hard place, his sense of morality might just crumble, leading him astray. What should I do? I might just be creating a monster…’

The old man then looked around at the crowd of youths before something suddenly came to him.

’Perhaps I made the right decision for him to climb this mountain.’

“Sol…”

Sol hearing his Master call him by name was surprised, and he couldn’t help but raise his head to see his Master smiling at him

“You finally raised your head. Are you angry with me?”

“Yes.”

“Ah! You damn brat, you didn’t even hesitate to answer!”

“It’s because Master wants me to forget the death of my Father and everyone, but that’s simply impossible.”

“Alright, then don’t forget their deaths, and I won’t convince you to not take revenge anymore.”

Sol wore a confused expression at his Master’s words.

Walking up to Sol, the old man patted his head and said again.

“I said I was going to support your decision, but now I’m trying to convince you otherwise. However, my disciple, you should know that just as there are nuances to conflict, there are also nuances to its resolution. Killing is not the only way to take revenge. At the very least it should be your last option.”

“What other option is there?”

“If you don’t understand now, you’ll understand when you enter the Academy.”

Sol tilted his head when he heard that.

The old man didn’t explain further and instead waved his hand to lower the barrier. Afterward, he smiled and said.

“My disciple, try being a kid for once. Find a lover, find friends, and seek out rivals. Don’t let anger take away your sight and rob you of a life your father would have wanted for you.”

Sol stiffened at those words, but he scratched the back of his head and spoke softly.

“Master, what are you saying to your disciple? I’m not a pervert like you.”

The old man’s face immediately darkened when he heard that, and just as his hand instinctively rose to smack his disciple, he heard Sol speak again.

“Not to mention having a lover, I don’t think I will be able to make any friends here. Even if I do, it’s bound to be revealed someday that I’m not from the Eastern Continent. At that point wouldn’t they all hate me? Why find a lover, or make friends, when they would leave me eventually.”

The old man’s half raised hand slowly lowered. He then looked at this disciple in front of him, and a deep feeling of sadness well up in his heart as memories from his past surfaced in his mind.

After taking a moment to settle his emotions, the old man snorted and said.

“Listen here brat, would you believe me if I told you that when confronted with someone with heavenly good-looks and extraordinary talent, even the coldest beauty under heaven would forsake everything to chase after you? Brat, you weren’t as handsome as me back in my day, but your talents should still attract some rare beauties to you!”

“Master, you…”

Sol looked up at his Master, not really knowing whether to laugh or cry. Especially when a few youths from the crowd looked over in their direction with strange expressions. He was deeply embarrassed.

“Brat, don’t worry about your background. I only told you not to mention it to avoid the attention of a few unscrupulous people. When compared to the Church, the people of Jianghu and the Eastern Continent as a whole, only values talent and strength. It doesn’t matter where you come from, just beat up anyone who looks down on you. Okay?”

Sol thought for a moment, then nodded and said with a smile.

“Master, I understand.”

Seeing that Sol had regained his smile, the old man felt a weight he hadn’t known pressing down on his heart lifting. He hadn’t realized how accustomed he had become to seeing Sol with a silly smile. It was to the point that when he wasn’t smiling it made him feel quite awful.

The old man thought for moment then determined the feeling was like seeing a small puppy suddenly being slapped for no reason, or witnessing a mother forcefully being separated from her child. Both scenes could evoke one’s protective nature.

Upon reaching here in his thoughts, the old man froze. Glancing at Sol’s face, he couldn’t help but softly click his tongue while thinking internally about how much upheaval this brat was going to cause.

At that moment, a loud bellow suddenly swept over the crowd of disciples before reaching the Master and disciple.

“Those of you planning on climbing the Martial Alliance Academy Mountain, step forward!!”

“It’s time, now go climb those stairs so your Master can boast to that bastard.”

Sol was ushered by his Master towards the crowd of youths. He then watched as he flew into the air towards the Academy.

When Sol could no longer see his Master, he lowered his head and released a sigh.

“Awoo?”

Little Zeel suddenly poked his head out of his clothes and looked at him with what seemed to be a worried expression.

Sol smiled and patted Little Zeel’s head.

“I’m fine Little Zeel but stay hidden for a while. I don’t know how people would react if they saw you.”

Little Zeel nodded before his head disappeared back into Sol’s chest.

“Hey! Move if you aren’t going to climb the steps!”

“Oh, I apologize.”

Sol hurriedly stepped aside and turned to see a young boy in shabby clothes standing behind him.

The boy snorted and was ready to yell at Sol once more, but upon seeing Sol’s face, he paused and stared dumbfounded, his mouth hanging open in shock.

However, the boy quickly recovered and with a bit of jealousy in his eyes, he fiercely roared.

“Damn fool, don’t apologize! Just don’t block someone’s path!”

After yelling this, the boy pushed past Sol and hurriedly followed behind the other youths who were rushing towards the steps.

Sol was completely taken aback by this encounter, but after muttering some unpolite words under his breath, he threw it at the back of his mind before heading for the stairs as well.

’I wonder what the Martial Alliance Academy is like. Hopefully, I’ll meet people like elder brother Son there…’

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep