Chapter 15 (2/2)

“Great mage.” Xue Ying said humbly.

“What’s the matter. Get to it, I’m busy.” Bai Yuan Zhi said bluntly.

“The great mage is very direct. I’ll just say it then,” Xue Ying said. “My little brother will be ten years old after the New Year and he has a very high talent for magic. I really hope you will be willing to act as his teacher.”

“It’s easy to accept another disciple, as long as some conditions are met.” Bai Yuan Zhi said absentmindedly.

“No.”

Xue Ying shook his head, “I wish for my brother to be your personal student and be taught directly by you!”

“Taught by me?” Bai Yuan Zhi frowned, “I’m over ninety, but that is not considered old amongst mages of the Star rank! I still want to go further as a mage, so I don’t want to waste too much energy in teaching. I have only taught one student personally up until now. You want your brother to be taught by me… That isn’t impossible, but I have two requirements. I will teach your brother as long as you satisfy either one.”

Xue Ying said, “Please tell me.”

“I’m in dire need of a specific magic beast material – the heart of Silver Moon!” Bai Yuan Zhi said excitedly, his eyes shining, “It’s the heart of a rank 4 magic beast, the Silver Moon Wolf King! It must be freshly obtained since it can only be preserved for three days.”

“What’s the other requirement?” Xue Ying asked.

The heart of a Silver Moon Wolf King. And it must be fresh?

This requirement was too harsh.

“Being a mage is expensive,” Bai Yuan Zhi exclaimed. “I need money to support my research, but it’s not easy to make money. I’m willing to accept your brother if you pay me 50,000 gold coins!”

Only a couple nobles across all of Water Rites Town could afford to pay 50,000 gold coins, and even then, only by selling their lands.

But territory was the nobility’s foundation, which meant even fewer people had 50,000 gold coins available.

“Fine, I understand.” Xue Ying stood up.

Bai Zhi Yuan sighed.

He knew his demands were unreasonable.

“I will get you a heart of Silver Moon or 50,000 gold coins in one month.” Xue Ying said.

Bai Yuan Zhi became dazed for a moment.

He actually agreed?

Bai Yuan Zhi couldn’t help but get excited.

“Then I’ll wait for you here.” Bai Yuan Zhi stood up and started acting more politely. His first student was the child his best friend had left behind. If some requirement of his wasn’t satisfied, he would never waste his time on teaching. But his requirements were so demanding that before Xue Ying, nobody had ever agreed!

“Goodbye. Great Mage doesn’t need to see us off.”

Xue Ying stood up and left.

Bai Yuan Zhi stood near the window and looked down at the yard. Xue Ying left the mansion, holding his brother’s hand. The silver haired Six-Armed Serpent Demon accompanied him at his side.

“It seems that the young lord is not an ordinary man.” Bai Yuan Zhi smiled.

…

“Brother, how was it?” Qing Shi asked hopefully.

“You’ll know the result after the New Year.” Xue Ying smiled, “Be at ease, Qing Shi. The great mage will accept you as his student. Just wait ‘til the New Year.”

However, Xue Ying was making a plan in his heart.

I need to get the heart of a Silver Moon or 50,000 gold coins in one month…

‘The time limit isn’t very tight. There shouldn’t be any problems, but I’d rather tell Qing Shi after everything is settled. It wouldn’t do to talk big now.’