Chapter 42 - M.D.B 42: How Humble! (1/2)
Chapter 42: How Humble!
”My God! Please stop speaking Chinese!” Saint grinned, and then his answer was the furthest possible of the question: ”Some respect please! You're should be struggling even with Vernacular Chinese, let alone Classical! Oh god! Hearing your accent makes me want to kill myself…”
”…”
Coulson stared at Saint for a moment, in awe of his reaction, and then understood that it was just Saint being Saint: ”Mr. Lee, be a little more serious, please!”
”You have sense of humor… Well, of course there are secret techniques, but there aren't too many Kame School disciples, and not too many rules. If what we are teaching is just our own observations, and not Kame School specific techniques, we are free to do so.”
”So that's the case!” Coulson nodded: ”Then, let's ȧssume that we're willing to hire you as an instructor; would you be willing to train our agents?”
Saint's face showed an evil smile, and he raised his eyebrow saying: ”How much will I get paid? If it's too low, I'm not in!”
”…”
Coulson looked at Saint who was looking back at him eagerly and answer helplessly: ”We're merely talking hypothetically here. Could you please answer my question first?”
”Well, if you can, hypothetically, afford my services, then I would hypothetically provide them…” Saint said, taking a pause, and then added pessimistically: ”But, can your agents understand my instructions? Colleen and Danny Rand have both spent at least ten years laying the foundation. I don't think SHIELD has agents of such a caliber. Perhaps, you should ask me again in ten years?”
”Uh… In fact, we want your help with laying that foundation…” Coulson said embarrassedly.
”That won't work. I can't help an absolute beginner get started. To do so, I would have to teach them the secret foundations of Kame School. I would end up dead!”
”Dead? Mr. Lee, you're exaggerating; right?” Coulson narrowed his eyes.
Saint shook his head and said: ”No I'm not. Agent Coulson, you've been working on your Chinese lately; have you ever heard of the term 清理门户 'Cleaning out the courtyard'?
”Understood!”
Coulson was a little disappointed, but he couldn't argue. Knowing that he had nothing else to ask about, he simply said: ”Mr. Lee, Ms. Wing, I have to go now; I need to visit 'Rand Enterprises'. I'll see you again soon!”
After sending Coulson away, Colleen approached Saint with a worried expression on her face, saying softly: ”Saint, by just practicing Ki with you, I already feel a lot stronger. Therefore, you don't need to teach me anything else; this is too dangerous for you!”
Hearing her, Saint smiled, slightly happy about her being so worried, and then leaned his head over to her whispering: ”Don't worry! All that 'Cleaning up the Courtyard' stuff is made up!”