The Legend of the Devil
Ch. 15 - Sorrow and Failure
Kang Jian tapped on the table with his index finger, agitated. He himself has a job to do. His friend Qin Wentian realized the horror.
"Who's thinking about your student?"
Kang Jian was stunned and turned towards him, "Ah, yes, I want to see the results. It keeps me thinking."
"Let me finish your assignment, go meet your student. Looks like he's very valuable to you, let alone his only disciple." A little laugh came from his best friend's mouth, Qin Wentian had known Kang Jian for a long time so no wonder he knew how his best friend's character was.
"really? I thank you very much."
"Yes, I went there before I changed my mind. You know your job is to pile up like a mountain, hais," his grunts moved the files from Kang Jian's desk to his desk.
Kang Jian immediately left for the academy building. But on the way he was approached by five bodyguards carrying an official letter from Emperor Ziran.
Then Kang Jian opened the contents of the letter and already guessed what the contents in it were.
A call to Xue Zhan. The day on which his life or death was determined, Kang Jian had to immediately meet his disciple and bring him to fulfill the call before the Emperor.
On arrival at the academy Kang Jian did not meet his student anywhere. He searched all the way to the corner and the backyard, but the results were nil. Asking with the supervisor they shook their heads did not know, let alone asking with the other students or the teachers there.
"Maybe he's dead, I heard he failed the test. What a pity, your disciple is so shameful, "a white-bearded man quipped with sharp words.
"Haha, I've guessed he won't get away. With such weak strength where could he possibly pass, let alone dream of becoming a Holy Sword."
Kang Jian chose to leave those people, not caring about their words and thinking of them as the wind then.
His steps were stifled when he saw Jiazhen Yan who seemed to be in a hurry.
"You saw Xue Zhan?" kang Jian asked for a moment as he arrived near Jiazhen Yan.
"This is what I'm looking for! I told you that I'd lose! He ran out of nowhere, fucking argh. Look out to see you, Xue Zhan."
Seeing that the young man had also been looking for Xue Zhan since noon earlier, Kang Jian grew even more worried. That student of his might have already left the academy after coming out of the room. No one wanted to tell where the student was.
Therefore until sunset, the two of them still did not find Xue Zhan anywhere. Kang Jian told Jiazhen Yan to rest and he promised to find Xue Zhan as soon as possible.
The afternoon wind blew his hair, Kang Jian headed up the hill located not far from the academy. The most desolate and safe place to avoid the human crowd, he somehow wanted to find his disciple there. But it took about two hours to get to the top.
Kang Jian put away the leaves of the bush, when looking at the edge of the ravine with a view of the central city below, he found Xue Zhan was pensive with a blank face.
*
Xue Zhan regretted many things in his life.
In the past, he felt very happy. Although they were poor, Xue Zhan had felt a sense of warmth in a house. His grandfather, Lin Yu Shan and his younger brother Lin Yu Mei made his days feel wonderful.
One by one, they left. Lin Yu Shan died from being stabbed by his own sister, Lin Yu Mei and his sister were probably not saved in the massacre carried out by the Red Fangs.
If Xue Zhan had not left Lin Yu Mei back then, her sister would have been fine. Lin Yu Mei was a jolly and strong girl, but she was still very innocent and spoiled. Xue Zhan was so fond of her sister that even when they ran out of food she would not hesitate to share all her food for her cute sister.
And if Xue Zhan was not present in the family, he was sure Lin Yu Mei's life was much happier. With a mother, father, and grandfather. Complete without shortcomings. He was just a stranger who brought a lot of misfortune.
The roar of wind from below the valley rose to the top of the abyss, blowing Xue Zhan's hair away. The young man again touched the horn on the left of his head.
Because of the demon blood in his veins, Xue Zhan hated everyone. He wanted to prove them wrong.
Yet when he was given the chance to prove that, Xue Zhan instead wasted it.
Xue Zhan failed to become a good disciple, he would somehow face Kang Jian. The man must have endured great shame. Because it was indeed a genius from the Eternal Valley that was so highlighted by many people and the two became the talk.
"Daddy! I'm lousy, weak, useless! What can I do other than bring shit, what?!"
Xue Zhan continued to shout in frustration until a voice came, a hand trying to shake Xue Zhan's hand off his head.
"Don't talk like that. Calm down, Xue Zhan."
"Teacher ..." Xue Zhan stood up then turned around, facing the smiling Kang Jian towards him.
His red eyeballs were wet with tears, Xue Zhan could not hide his sadness anymore. On one side Xue Zhan was feeling sorry for himself, on the other he was really angry. There was nothing he could do, even during Lin Yu Shan's death. He just fell silent and ran like a coward.
"I've embarrassed you, I failed that test ... I ..."
He clenched both hands trembling.
"You've tried, Zhan'er. I didn't see the results, all I saw was the process. And you managed to show satisfactory development in your practice. Make the test an experience and a lesson ahead so you can be stronger."
Kang Jian did not look angry at all. Making Xue Zhan look even more whiny.
He wiped his cheeks with his arms.
"W-how can I calm down ... Everyone scoffs at teachers because of me. The only thing I can do to silence them is to pass this selection but I failed."
"I've never been afraid of people. I told you, didn't I? The value of ourselves is not measured by the words of others. You still have plenty of time, Xue Zhan. Six more months, you can follow that selection. I'll train you well."
Xue Zhan tried to nod despite his heavy heart.
Kang Jian took out a flower-shaped sugar candy.
"My dad gave me this candy when I failed. He said we'd celebrate your defeat more festively than your victory."
The man looked at Xue Zhan.
"You caught the meaning in it?"
"Teachers have failed too?"
"of course! Not just once or twice, more than a hundred times. There is only one fine line between someone who fails and someone who is great. That is when you fall, you are still able to get back up or not."
It was always that the words from Kang Jian made him come back excited.
"I won't give up that easily."
Kang Jian smiled with relief. "Xue Zhan," he called.
Students turned. "Yes, Teacher?"
"The call from Emperor Ziran has arrived. We have to find him soon."
Like being struck by lightning, Xue Zhan was stunned for a moment and only remembered that matter. His body was cold hot. Xue Zhan finally answered hesitantly.
"I'll be there."
"I'll accompany you. Nothing bad will happen, Xue Zhan. Believe it." Despite knowing Kang Jian was trying to comfort him Xue Zhan kept asking.
"Where does Master know I'm gonna be okay? I could have been hanged alive."
"That's the rule."