Chapter 428: Masters of the Templar (2/2)

When Old Fart was of Wang Tong's age, he too was convinced that his fate was in his own hands. After half a century of falling, getting up, and falling again, he had finally given up the hope of shaping up his own destiny. The only wish he had was to make Wang Tong's life better. While living with Wang Tong in Shangjin, Wang Buting had learned to care for others and change his point of view. He found it hard to force Wang Tong to take up the responsibility that was too heavy for even a grizzled old soul, much less a teenager. As a father, Old Fart would be content with whatever Wang Tong chose to be.

”Old Fart, are you fasting? Eat more, or you gonna starve.” Wang Tong shouted.

”Buzz off! I'm still young. If you have time, you should visit the other branches of the Court with Ma Xiaoru.”

”Stop that! You know I hate it when you tell me to do things.” Wang Tong was in no mood to receive old and tired preaching from those old and tired masters.

”Xiaoru, you need to work on him. I had been successful all my life, but I failed to educate him properly. Sigh...”

Ma Xiaoru giggled at Old Fart's whimsical lamentation. The joyful old man with a radiant face was very out of character for a grandmaster.

Ma Xiaoru was grateful for an easygoing father in law. Their marriage from here should be smooth sailing. Ma Xiaoru had reckoned the importance of her marriage, since it would affect not only herself, but also the world.

Disciples life in the outer court was practically no different from that of a regular academy, except for the doubled down sense of pride and honor. However, the life in the inner court was different. Every inner court disciple needed to follow their master's order to the letter. Discipline and dedication were essential qualifications of the inner court disciples, and also what set them apart from the outer court.

In the three centuries after Blade Warrior's passing, never once had the Templar's court failed to produce top warriors thanks to those traditions.

Most of these mighty warriors were unknown to the outside world. The current grandmaster, Wang Buting, for example, was a living legend while he trained under the Blade Branch. The same went for all the other ten masters. However, little was known about their power, especially to the outside world.

The Templars were not bonded together by blood like the great houses. They were connected by a shared belief, the belief of the Blade Warrior.

Ma Xiaoru often wondered what would happen to the world if the Templars decided to reveal all of their secrets? She knew it was a big question, so she never bothered to seek the answer. Looking at Wang Tong sitting next to her, she felt the same question come over her again. From the outside, Wang Tong was still the same person, going about his business with the same nonchalance and carelessness. But deep inside, Ma Xiaoru knew that he had changed.

Old Fart left the table as he has some other matters to take care of.

”Xiaoru, do you think I am ungracious? ”Wang Tong blurted out.

Ma Xiaoru paused for a second and replied, ”Why do you say that?”

Wang Tong finished chewing the food and put down his chopsticks. ”I know that he had high hopes for me. Sigh... I never thought life could become so complicated. I just wanted everyone to be happy. But, after what I have been through, I have to admit that it's not that simple. I can't make EVERYONE happy.”

”Hehe... You have finally grown up.”

”Don't poke fun at me. I don't think I can make the world a better place. I mean... nothing is wrong with the world, is there. So, I doubt it would need me anyways.”