Slag Shou Cultivating Manual Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Advice

Even though Zhen Pu Yang was willing to read the books given to him, he remained difficult to get along with. In the following days, he displayed his youthful nature to the extreme, intentionally provoking and challenging He Lang at every turn, seemingly eager to upset him and make him uncomfortable. Afterwards, he would watch him with great interest as He Lang’s eyes filled with annoyance, and then he would laugh wickedly.

He Lang realized that dealing with this prince was no easy task. However, he couldn’t help but find amusement in his behavior. When faced with Zhen Pu Yang’s deliberate defiance, He Lang couldn’t bring himself to get angry anymore.

Since Zhen Pu Yang didn’t come to him, He Lang took the initiative and approached him instead, trying to make him accustomed to his presence.

One day, as he entered Zhen Pu Yang’s Chang Le Hall, he heard familiar sounds—cries and pleas of a woman mixed with the prince’s voice.

He Lang was alarmed and hurriedly went in to investigate.

Zhen Pu Yang seemed to have just woken up; his clothes were disheveled, and his silky black hair cascaded down. Kneeling before him was a woman, her tearful eyes pleading and bowing incessantly, a pitiful sight to behold.

The following parts of the text will be scrambled to prevent theft from aggregators and unauthorized epub making. Please support our translators by reading on secondlifetranslations (dot) com. If you are currently on the site and and you are seeing this, please clear your cache.

Wynkdt vbl osxyd’p clttkdt, Hbld Vw Zydt alxykdle wdxshle. Rdpvlye, bkp lulp pbsole ekptwpv, yde bl ralryale vs jknj bla yoyu, nyzzkdt bla y “qkzvbu vbkdt.”

Tl Nydt nswzed’v blzr cwv lmnzykx, “Fvsr vbkp dsdpldpl!”

Hbld Vw Zydt blpkvyvle qsa y xsxldv, pvsrrkdt bkp ynvksd, yde zssjle yv Tl Nydt okvb y ekprzlyple lmralppksd, pwarakple cu bkp lyazu yaakhyz.

Tl Nydt pktble pzktbvzu yv bkp alnjzlppdlpp yde oyzjle shla, kdiwkakdt ycswv obyv bye byrrldle.

Hbld Vw Zydt alxykdle pkzldv yde vwadle bkp blye yoyu, pbsokdt ds lxsvksd.

Fllkdt vbl jdllzkdt xyke, Tl Nydt vbswtbv vbyv pbl xktbv pll bkx yp bla zypv bsrl qsa pwahkhyz, ps pbl awpble vsoyaep bkx yde jdlzv yv bkp qllv, elprlayvlzu rzlyekdt, “Ebld R oyp vukdt Tkp Tktbdlpp’p byka, R ynnkeldvyzzu ydtlale bkx. Vzlypl, Rxrlakyz Mwvsa, pyhl xl!”

Lsaxyzzu, pbl oswze dlhla eyal vs prlyj wr, cwv obld bla zkql oyp yv pvyjl, pbl qlzv vblal oyp ds svbla srvksd cwv vs pllj blzr qasx vbl Rxrlakyz Mwvsa.

Tlyakdt bla osaep, Tl Nydt nswzed’v blzr cwv qasod. Rq y plahydv xyel y xkpvyjl, vblu nswze cl rwdkpble, cwv obu eke vbl xyke pyu vbyv Hbld Vw Zydt ekalnvzu vakle vs byax bla? Eyp bl yzoyup ps hkszldv, vyjkdt swv bkp qawpvayvksdp sd svblap’ zkhlp obldlhla vbkdtp eked’v ts bkp oyu?

He felt a great deal of sympathy for the maid and helped her up.

Zhen Pu Yang sneered at the sight, his gaze filled with equal disgust for both of them, as if He Lang had done something to anger him.

Undeterred by his stare, He Lang looked back at him confidently and said, “I never expected Your Highness to be so callous and lacking in compassion.”

He didn’t see himself as just a servant or subject to Zhen Pu Yang; rather, he saw himself as his mentor.

Facing Zhen Pu Yang’s bullying behavior, He Lang naturally stepped forward to correct his ways, bit by bit.

Zhen Pu Yang, however, remained unabashed, dismissing everyone with disdain. He let out a cold snort, “In my eyes, all are just servants.”

In his view, regardless of gender, all people were equally inferior.

…

This arrogant and terrifying statement unsettled He Lang. He furrowed his brows, gazing intently at Zhen Pu Yang, his eyes turning cold.

He now realized how difficult this prince’s temperament was and how far it diverged from the benevolent gentleman he had hoped for. Zhen Pu Yang’s arrogance and sense of superiority were beyond his expectations.

Without saying a word, He Lang continued to stare at Zhen Pu Yang, causing the prince to feel a tense sensation creeping up his scalp. Refusing to lose face, he forcefully retorted, “This Prince has the right to discipline my servants. What business is it of yours?”

He Lang found the words rather grating, but he softened his tone, treating him as one would a child, “I am Your Highness’s Imperial Tutor, and you should address me as ‘Teacher.’ I believe you don’t need me to teach you this, do you?”

Unexpectedly, the young prince retorted insolently, “Are you worthy?”

These disrespectful words felt like a slap in the face to He Lang.

This statement was not just arrogant; it was also deeply disrespectful. If Zhen Pu Yang continued like this, refusing to listen to his guidance and failing to correct his bad behavior, how could He Lang teach and support him?

Zhen Pu Yang had the capital to rebel, to dismiss anyone and everyone, but that didn’t mean He Lang was willing to let his dignity be trampled upon.

The slight anger in He Lang’s heart settled down, not disappearing, but instead brewing inside him.

His expression became eerily composed, almost excessively calm, concealing the anger that was simmering beneath the surface.

Ever since he came into this world, Zhen Pu Yang had been his heart’s desire. Day and night, he pondered how to make Zhen Pu Yang more sensible and read books that would make him more knowledgeable.

Moreover, in Zhen Pu Yang, he could vaguely see the shadow of He Zheng from his youth – the same arrogance and self-importance. He believed that such a sharp-edged child would have an extremely tender heart.

These days, he had gradually shifted his focus to Zhen Pu Yang, and the deep affection in his eyes was all the high expectations he had for him.

Little did he know that this child did not regard him as a teacher but as a subject, or even a servant.

This left him disheartened. Couldn’t this prince sense even a bit of his intentions?

With countless thoughts swirling in his mind, he ultimately chose to retreat to advance. He made a respectful bow, his tone cold, and his eyes exuding an icy aloofness.

“I am not worthy to be Your Highness’s teacher, so please find someone more suitable.”

Zhen Pu Yang raised his eyelids in disbelief, gazing at him.

He Lang turned away and continued, “The books and ornaments taken from me, as well as the calligraphy and paintings I gave to my students, please return them today, Your Highness.”

He wanted to settle everything with Zhen Pu Yang, as if to completely draw the line. He was no longer his student, so there was no reason to keep his personal belongings.

Zhen Pu Yang clenched his fists, and a surge of frustration, mixed with anger or panic, gathered in his heart. He cursed inwardly, why was this person so stingy? Did he need to make such a fuss over these insignificant things?

Furthermore, he liked those things very much, so he refused to return them!

He had always punished others as he pleased, and no one had dared to stop him. Why did he have to restrain himself now? Even his mother never interfered to this extent.

Moreover, he merely said it casually, why did this person act so self-righteous?

Seeing the icy expression on his face, he felt uncomfortable. If this person didn’t want to teach him, then who would he teach?

Seeing Zhen Pu Yang’s changing complexion, He Lang nodded slightly, not knowing if it was a sigh or irony. “Your Highness is fortunate. The Grand Imperial Tutor has just finished annotating documents, so he’s free now.” This implied that Zhen Pu Yang’s next teacher might very well be the erudite Grand Imperial Tutor.

Speaking of the Grand Imperial Tutor, he was an elderly man with white hair, highly learned in various subjects, and had an unparalleled passion for knowledge. He detested those who showed disrespect or arrogance towards learning, and his temper was foul and unyielding.

Moreover, the Emperor had received his guidance during his childhood and held him in immense respect. Several previous princes, due to their mischief, had been disciplined by the erudite Grand Imperial Tutor to the point where the palms of their hands were battered. The Emperor strongly approved of the Grand Imperial Tutor’s methods.

If Zhen Pu Yang were to fall into the Imperial Tutor’s hands and still refuse to rein in his temper, the outcome could be easily imagined.

However, he didn’t know if the Emperor would continue to dote on him as before, or if he would indulge him in front of the Grand Imperial Tutor.

Alarmed, warning bells rang in Zhen Pu Yang’s heart as the stern face of the Grand Imperial Tutor appeared in his mind, causing him to frown in disgust. He didn’t want his father to bring any old man to teach him.

When He Lang finished speaking, he didn’t linger and was about to take his leave.

In a panic, Zhen Pu Yang called out loudly to stop He Lang.

Although He Lang’s pace didn’t slow down, Zhen Pu Yang gritted his teeth and caught up with him. Despite the frustration building up inside him, he still urgently exclaimed, “Teacher, please don’t leave.”

Finally hearing the address “Teacher,” He Lang halted his steps and slightly turned his head, glancing at Zhen Pu Yang as if he hadn’t heard clearly or didn’t want to turn back.

Zhen Pu Yang had no choice but to repeat himself, trying to make himself appear more willing, and spoke with determination, “Teacher.”

Satisfied with the desired address, He Lang couldn’t help but curl his lips into a faint smile. It seemed as if the early spring sun was reflected in his eyes, even treating Zhen Pu Yang as if he were a young child, gently praising, “Good.”

Frowning, a subtle feeling surged within Zhen Pu Yang. This emotion overwhelmed him, filling his heart completely. Despite his eloquence, he found himself momentarily speechless, unsure how to face such tenderness.

He thought he would be repulsed, but in reality, he couldn’t quite describe his feelings. After a careful consideration, it seemed to carry a hint of sweetness.

The initial resentment of bowing to someone else slowly dissipated, and his mood finally calmed down considerably. He couldn’t help but wonder what other unique emotions this man, unlike anyone he had encountered before, could reveal.

His lips moved, and once again, almost unconsciously, Zhen Pu Yang called out, “Teacher, don’t be angry.” His tone carried an unexpected joy that caused He Lang to shiver slightly. He thought the child was acting coquettish with him, but upon seeing the mature expression on Zhen Pu Yang’s face, he dispelled that notion. Knowing that the boy was willing to compromise at this stage, He Lang felt deeply relieved, and the smile in his eyes deepened uncontrollably.

A sense of triumph surged in Zhen Pu Yang’s heart. Indeed, this person looked even better when he smiled.

His laughter seemed to contain a touch of surprise, and his attentive eyes looked over, so focused that Zhen Pu Yang felt, for the first time, not bad about being this person’s student.

However, this man appeared wise and intelligent on the surface, but internally, he seemed rather foolish and clumsy. Could just a casual address make him so delighted? Zhen Pu Yang snickered to himself.

With He Lang’s interference, Zhen Pu Yang lost interest in scolding the servant and impatiently waved her away, letting her leave.

The maid knew it was all thanks to He Lang’s intervention and gratefully kowtowed to him.

Having received a few grand gestures of gratitude, He Lang dismissed her, considering this small matter resolved.

After saving the person’s life, He Lang’s initial frustration dissipated, and he secretly rejoiced in his smooth handling of the situation.

Little did he know that Zhen Pu Yang was watching him, feeling smug, as he realized that as long as he displayed a hint of docility, the Imperial Tutor would completely succumb to him. If things continued like this, it was only a matter of time before he held complete control over the situation.

He Lang sensed Zhen Pu Yang’s scrutinizing gaze and returned a faint smile.

As for the future, who could say for certain? Who would ultimately control whom was not so absolute.

*****************************************************