Chapter Fifty: The Cunning Old Fox

Hui Yan’s words struck like a mournful lightning bolt, mercilessly splitting open the minds of Ye Dong and his companions. In an instant, the upright and noble image of Chen Yao, their revered master, cracked in their hearts. “Everything was arranged by our master!? No! Impossible!!”

Facing Ye Dong’s disbelief, Hui Yan replied coldly, “To think my master even pleaded on your behalf, yet you played such tricks on him. Looking back, he must feel he was blind to trust you!”

“Ah!!”

Ye Dong’s world was collapsing.

“It can’t be! Our master is the one who descended like a heavenly warrior to save us, the Diamond Daoist, a sage who sits with great men discussing Buddhist teachings. How could he toy with his own disciples like this!? No!!!!”

Hui Yan continued, “I don’t know why Master Chen was so ruthless with you, but I swear to heaven, if I’m lying, I’m nothing but a dog!”

With a clang, in the dizzying whirlwind, the radiant and noble image of Chen Yao shattered completely in their hearts.

Ye Dong, Xiao Bao, and Da Chun were filled with guilt toward Officer Li, Instructor He, Xiao Wang, Xiao Yang, and the others. “Have we really done wrong? Was everything our master’s doing!?”

“Why?!” Xiao Bao sobbed uncontrollably. “Dong, my heart hurts!”

Da Chun’s tears and snot flowed together. “We need to speak to our master, to clear things up. We can’t be deceived forever without knowing!”

Their guilt transformed into resentment, and then into anger. After exchanging glances, Ye Dong gritted his teeth and said, “Master, if you can’t give us a reasonable explanation, this won’t end here!”

Hui Yan drew a dagger from her waist and cut the ropes binding Ye Dong and his friends. “Your master will be here soon. Ask him yourselves!”

Annoyed, she kicked each of them hard and, without looking back, left with Xiao Yang and the others.

The people were gone, the dogs no longer barked, and the wind drifted quietly through. Ye Dong had never felt the dog yard so silent; now, his heart was a cacophony. “Hui Yan seems deeply disappointed in me. Officer Li, Xiao Yang, Xiao Wang must think they misjudged me too. I truly am not destined for greatness.”

Chen Yao had always been Ye Dong’s role model, a man of integrity and composure, resolute and courageous, wise and kind, witty and humorous—every virtue a human could possess seemed embodied in him.

But when all beautiful fantasies shattered, Ye Dong’s heart broke.

“Dong, is that our master?” Xiao Bao said, his eyes blurred with tears.

“And the three senior brothers, Zi Long, Wen Xing, and Heng Xing, are with him!”

Ye Dong squinted into the distance. A hundred meters away, Chen Yao and his three disciples were walking toward them.

“Let’s go! We’ll get answers from our master!” Ye Dong led Xiao Bao and Da Chun to meet them.

Chen Yao, always scheming, saw Ye Dong and his companions approaching with anger written on their faces and knew trouble was brewing. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him. “I’ve got it!”

He turned to Zi Long, Wen Xing, and Heng Xing. “You three, go check if Officer Li was injured. I sense Ye Dong and the others have grievances against us—leave this to me. I don’t want you all arguing over this matter. It’s best not to let discord spoil the harmony among brothers. Go on, quickly!”

The three paused, then looked grateful. “Master, you’re so considerate!”

Wen Xing added, “They’re still young, master. Please guide them gently.”

Chen Yao nodded slowly, “As their master, I’ve failed in my duty to educate them. They’re young—when angered, they might even curse you. Go, go. If you stay, you won’t be able to leave once they arrive. Turn around! Run!”

“Master, you’re so good!”

“No wonder you’re our master—always thinking of the bigger picture.”

Seeing Ye Dong’s group approaching furiously, Zi Long, Wen Xing, and Heng Xing grew worried for Chen Yao. “How will master calm them?”

They turned and quickened their pace, finally breaking into a run.

Ye Dong watched the three senior brothers flee and was surprised. He said coldly, “Clearly guilty—they’re running away!”

Ye Dong waved, and Xiao Bao and Da Chun followed him in pursuit.

“Why are they running?!”

Chen Yao also quickened his pace to intercept them, spreading his arms to block their way. He spoke first, “Ye Dong, listen to me—let’s just let this go for my sake. Enough.”

Ye Dong was startled by his words. “Master, what does this mean? Could it be...?”

He pressed Chen Yao, “Master, you came just in time. We have something to ask you!”

Chen Yao gently pressed his hands into the air, signaling them to calm down. “I know what you want to ask. I only wish to say: your senior brothers devised this harsh training for your own good.”

Xiao Bao was shocked. “Ah!? Such a cruel method was their idea?!”

Ye Dong’s brows furrowed. “It was the three senior brothers?!”

Chen Yao took Ye Dong’s hand with fatherly kindness. “They’re your seniors. Ultimately, it’s my failure to guide them properly. Give your master this one favor—let’s just let it go, alright?”

Ye Dong felt warmth in his heart. “I knew master wasn’t heartless! Thank goodness!”

He gripped Chen Yao’s hand tightly, tears in his eyes. “Master! We... we...”

Chen Yao’s eyes flickered, then he quickly looked away, soothing them gently. “Good disciples, surely you just misunderstood me, didn’t you?”

Xiao Bao grasped Chen Yao’s arm tightly. “Master, I realize my mistake! We even cursed you, hoping someone would tie you up and throw you into the sea!”

Da Chun, eyes misty with tears, said, “Master, I knew you weren’t that kind of person! I shouldn’t have cursed you to fall into a latrine! I was wrong! Please punish us, master!”

Chen Yao paused, thinking, “Ah, so you dared call me names behind my back and cursed me? Well, I’ll remember that.”

He wiped Da Chun’s tears, comforting him, “Silly Da Chun, as long as you brothers don’t let discord harm your bond, a little misunderstanding of your master is nothing. Don’t cry, don’t cry!”

Ye Dong sighed, “Master, you’ve worried so much for us. Whatever you say goes—we’ll obey.”

Chen Yao smiled inwardly, patting their shoulders. “Then let’s leave it at that.”

“Agreed, agreed. We’ll follow master in everything!”

Chen Yao nodded with satisfaction. “Good disciples, you truly are my best students!” He gently tapped the back of their heads. “Sorry you had to endure this!”

All four shook their heads, their hearts settling from sorrow to peace. Suddenly, the sky seemed bluer, the breeze more pleasant, even the mongrel dogs in the yard appeared more lovable. Arm in arm, laughing and chatting, they walked out together.

Running ahead, Zi Long felt a chill on the back of his head and stopped abruptly. “Wait!”

Wen Xing and Heng Xing were startled. “Zi Long, what’s wrong?!”

Zi Long’s eyes widened. “We’re in trouble—we’ve been tricked!”

He thought carefully, cold sweat breaking out. “When has our master ever been so kindhearted?! He must have pinned the blame on us!”

Wen Xing wiped his brow, laughing bitterly to soothe himself. “It can’t be, Zi Long. Master wouldn’t do that! He’s our master!”

Zi Long shook his head. “He’s a slippery old fox! Facing Ye Dong’s anger, shifting the blame onto us is the safest move for him!”

Heng Xing frowned deeply. “And he’ll gain Ye Dong’s trust and gratitude in the process!”

“Did master really play us?” Wen Xing murmured. “But thinking about it, master’s never told us to leave first when trouble arises.”

The three exchanged glances, quickly hid themselves in a corner to observe. They watched as Chen Yao and Ye Dong’s group, arms around each other, laughed and chatted happily.

“We’re doomed. Judging by their faces, we’ve definitely been sold out!”

Zi Long clenched his fists, wiped his tears. “Stop watching—let’s go! We’ll explain to Ye Dong another time when we get the chance.”

With hearts full of resentment and unwillingness, the three hurried away.

Inside apartment 2, room 5, Officer Li showered as he contemplated, “Ye Dong’s progress is astonishing. It’s time to move on to the next stage of the plan.”