"I'll name it… Let me think…"
Bibi Dong rested her petite hand against her chin, gradually sinking into deep thought. After a long while, she suddenly slumped over the table, looking utterly defeated.
"Forget it. I can't think of anything. You name it yourself, Junior Brother."
"Haha, Senior Sister, if even you can't come up with a name, then I definitely can't. I'm terrible at naming things too."
Gu Han chuckled, waving his hand lightly before shifting the topic. "Alright, Senior Sister, let's wrap up our library tour here. Let me tell you the next part of Sun Wukong's story."
"Yay!"
Bibi Dong instantly perked up, tossing aside the whole naming dilemma as if it had vanished to the ends of the world.
With practiced ease, she took out a tray of pastries and fruits she had stored in her soul tool. Her large wine-red eyes sparkled with anticipation as she looked eagerly at Gu Han.
"Today's story is about how Wukong was expelled from his master's sect for showing off his skills."
Gu Han chose to tell Bibi Dong stories from Journey to the West not only because Sun Wukong's tale was captivating, but also because he wanted to subtly instill certain lessons about sect loyalty and perspective.
By weaving these ideas into a story, he hoped to help Bibi Dong understand the complexities of sect relations from a narrative standpoint.
After all, if he were to explain it through standard martial soul theory, Bibi Dong—still a young girl—might not be receptive. But Journey to the West was a classic loved by people of all ages.
By guiding her understanding through storytelling, the lesson would sink in much more naturally than if he simply lectured her daily.
"Wait—Junior Brother, all Wukong did was perform a few tricks for his fellow disciples. Why would his master kick him out for that?"
When Bibi Dong heard that Wukong had been expelled just for showing off in front of others, she covered her mouth in surprise, her face full of confusion.
Gu Han smiled faintly. Rather than answer her directly, he continued the tale.
"Then the master said: 'Today, you flaunt your magic. But in the future, should a villain see your talents and demand to know where you learned them, and you refuse to tell—he may hurt you, or worse, harm those close to you. This will bring disaster.'"
"Though Sun Wukong apologized repeatedly, his master remained resolute. No matter how Wukong begged or kowtowed, it was to no avail. The master even issued a stern warning:
'From this day forward, you will bring calamity. Remember this well—no matter who asks about your teacher or where you learned your arts, you must not reveal anything. Not a single word. If you do, I shall know at once. And when that day comes, I will strip your skin, tear out your tendons, and cast your soul into the deepest level of hell, never to rise again!'"
"Ah!"
Hearing this, Bibi Dong's face turned pale with fright, as if she were living the moment herself.
Gu Han was secretly amused but maintained a serious tone as he went on.
"Senior Sister, this was actually the final lesson the master gave Wukong."
"His final lesson?"
"Yes. He was teaching him never to show off his abilities recklessly. Otherwise, the price could be devastating."
"And the price Wukong paid was being expelled from the sect, and being forbidden from revealing his origins."
"Remember this: never intend harm to others, but always be vigilant against those who may harm you."
"What seems evil may be good; what appears good may be evil. You can never truly know someone's heart. Senior Sister, we must learn from this. Unless our master explicitly says something can be shared, we must never disclose it on our own."
"Mm-hmm, I understand now."
Bibi Dong nodded thoughtfully.
Clap, clap, clap.
A round of applause rang out. The two of them turned their heads to see Qian Xunji walking into the library with a satisfied smile on his face.
After absorbing the entire stock of ten-thousand-year whale jelly, Qian Xunji had heard that his beloved disciple Bibi Dong had actually come to the library. This had genuinely surprised him.
After all, in his mind, Bibi Dong was the type of "hopeless student" who fell asleep at the mere sight of a book. For her to come to the library voluntarily today—something truly out of the ordinary—there had to be some hidden reason.
Driven by curiosity, Qian Xunji came to investigate. Just as he arrived at the entrance, he overheard Gu Han telling her a story.
Intrigued, he quietly stood outside and listened in.
When he heard the phrase, "Never intend harm, but always be vigilant," he could no longer contain his admiration and applauded on the spot.
"Excellent, truly excellent. 'Never intend harm, but always be vigilant'—what a perfect line to reveal the dangers lurking within the human heart."
"Master." x2
Bibi Dong and Gu Han stood up at once, placing their hands respectfully over their chests in salute.
"No need for formalities."
"Thank you, Master."
Qian Xunji turned his gaze to Gu Han and nodded approvingly. "Xiao Han, you continue to surprise me. I didn't expect someone so young to speak words that strike so deeply at human nature."
"You flatter me, Master. That line was actually something I read in an old, nameless book. I can't claim it as my own."
"Then it must have been written by some wise elder." Qian Xunji nodded slightly, then praised him further, "Very good. You could have claimed it as your own, but you chose not to. That proves you're honest and humble."
"Master, stop exchanging compliments with Junior Brother already," Bibi Dong said as she skipped over, giggling as she grabbed his arm. "How did you know we were here?"
Qian Xunji fondly ruffled her hair. "I heard that my little disciple—who usually falls asleep at the sight of a book—actually came to the library today. Of course I had to come see what was going on."
"Hmph…" Bibi Dong pouted and crossed her arms, turning her back in mock defiance. "Who says I don't like reading? That's only because your lectures are so boring."
"You little rascal…"
Qian Xunji smiled helplessly. But he didn't argue—after all, even he found those dry martial soul theories hard to digest. Soul Masters were cultivators first and foremost.
As for theory, there would always be time for that later.
"But I did come here for a reason," he said, retrieving ten pieces of thousand-year whale jelly from his soul tool.
"This is whale jelly."
Gu Han recognized them instantly. He had eaten a few pieces before, though they were only hundred-year ones. Still, the shape and features were the same.
"Correct. These ten are about five thousand years old. You two take five each and refine them."
"Master, Junior Brother said this stuff enhances one's physique and latent potential. His talent isn't as good as mine, so he should take more."
Bibi Dong shook her head. In her eyes, Gu Han's innate soul power was much lower than hers, and his potential ceiling was also lower. So naturally, the better resources should go to him.
Even without the whale jelly, she believed she could still grow strong—strong enough to match their teacher.
Gu Han raised an eyebrow. This girl really looked after her own people—first sharing her advanced cultivation technique, now even offering him more whale jelly.
But he simply smiled and shook his head. "Senior Sister, you're almost at Rank 30, right? This jelly strengthens a Soul Master's body, which lets them absorb higher-year soul rings. You should take more."
"You two, enough arguing. Five each. That's final."
Seeing the siblings-in-arms push the benefits back and forth, Qian Xunji felt deeply gratified. Still, as a master, he had to step in and settle it.
Considering Gu Han's weaker innate talent, he had already reserved the best-quality piece for him. That way, no one was shortchanged.
Seeing that, both of them stopped arguing and accepted their share of the whale jelly.
~~~
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