Chapter 32: Are You Afraid of Death?
Still that small wooden house, still that old octagonal table, still that long wooden bench, still that same spot, still that tea cup, still that inferior tea, still those two people.
“Young Yang, you've worked hard these past few days. You've donated all sorts of supplies to our temple, volunteered your time, and helped manage the temple's mundane affairs. As the temple master of this Death God Temple, I express my gratitude on behalf of all the temple keepers. ”
Master Jiang finished speaking, then rose, bowing slightly at the waist. He cupped one hand in the other and bowed to Yang Haoran, his attitude sincere, without a hint of pretense.
Seeing this, Yang Haoran quickly rose as well and returned the gesture.
To be honest, seeing Master Jiang act this way, Yang Haoran felt a pang of shame. After all, he was doing all these things with an agenda. Though he hadn't voiced it, others weren't fools; how could they not know what he truly desired?
He simply had no other choice. If he didn't act this way, was he supposed to just let things happen, to drift with the current? That would be too passive, and the final outcome would certainly not be what he wanted. While his actions might be a little shameless, they weren't exactly heinous crimes. So, despite his shame, he didn't feel a heavy burden on his conscience.
“Master Jiang, you're too kind,” Yang Haoran replied with a smile. “We are all followers of the Death God. While I may not be a temple keeper of this Death God Temple, as a devotee, it is only right for me to do something for my faith. ”
Master Jiang chuckled, made a gesture inviting him to sit, then resumed his seat on the bench.
Only after Master Jiang was seated did Yang Haoran follow suit.
Yang Haoran, a smile still on his face, said, “There aren't many temple keepers in the temple. If I do a bit more, I can help alleviate some of their pressure. ”
“Haha, indeed, your help has certainly eased their burden a great deal,” Master Jiang said, taking a sip of tea and speaking meaningfully, “but this is only temporary. Eventually, things will return to how they were. ”
Yang Haoran understood the hidden meaning in Master Jiang's words. His smile didn't falter, but he didn't interject.
Seeing his reaction, Master Jiang gently set down his teacup and continued, “I'm well aware of your objective, but I must still apologize to you. Taking on disciples, that's something I genuinely haven't considered. ”
As expected, Yang Haoran's face showed disappointment, but his disappointment quickly vanished, replaced by a smile once more.
Although Master Jiang's words were the last thing he wanted to hear, and they deeply disappointed him, he had already mentally prepared himself, so he did not lose his composure.
“It seems this will truly become a protracted battle. ”
Just as Yang Haoran was thinking this, Master Jiang across from him spoke again.
“However, while I cannot take you as a disciple, I can give you my full assistance once. As for whether you ultimately succeed, I cannot guarantee it, for that depends entirely on you. ”
Upon hearing these words, Yang Haoran was overjoyed. To him, this was truly a turn of events. However, he was a little confused about what Master Jiang meant by "helping him once. " Before he could ask, Master Jiang's voice once again entered his ears.
“First, you must answer a question for me,” Master Jiang began.
Yang Haoran nodded, his smile fading as his demeanor grew exceptionally serious.
“Do you wish to become my disciple simply to gain powers that ordinary people do not possess, or do you have other motives? I need you to answer me honestly,” Master Jiang said, his expression also turning solemn.
“No other motives. I just want to learn some genuine skills,” Yang Haoran replied without hesitation.
Master Jiang nodded after hearing him. “Very well. I cannot help you if you wish to become my disciple, but if you truly want to learn genuine skills, I can assist you once. Still, I cannot guarantee success. ”
“Thank you, Master Jiang! Your immense kindness, I, Yang Haoran, will never forget it for all my life! ” Yang Haoran said, his face full of gratitude and his attitude sincere.
“There are some things I cannot tell you just yet. Please wait for me for a moment; I need to make a phone call outside. ”
Master Jiang uttered these words, then left the small wooden house, leaving Yang Haoran alone.
At this moment, Yang Haoran felt extremely nervous and apprehensive. That Master Jiang would make a phone call at such a time meant, even to a fool, that it surely concerned him. Moreover, whether this matter succeeded or failed, this phone call was likely the key. How could he possibly remain calm?
Time passed, minute by minute. The tea in the cup slowly lost its warmth. Yang Haoran held the teacup with both hands, unsure if he wanted to warm the tea with his own body heat, or if he sought to warm his hands with the tea's fading warmth.
He wasn't kept waiting for too long. After about ten minutes, the tightly shut door opened, and Master Jiang walked in from outside.
There had been no sounds of conversation outside the wooden house just now. Clearly, Master Jiang had intentionally walked a good distance to make his call, so Yang Haoran naturally couldn't hear what was said.
Seeing Master Jiang enter from outside, Yang Haoran quickly stood up to greet him. The former walked directly to his own seat and, while gesturing for Yang Haoran to sit, also took his own.
“Master Jiang—”
Yang Haoran was just about to say something when Master Jiang cut him off with a raised hand. Master Jiang's expression was even more solemn than before, and this look made Yang Haoran's heart sink.
“It can't be that it's all fallen through again, can it? ”
Such a thought involuntarily surfaced in Yang Haoran's mind. What he was thinking at that moment was the very outcome he least wanted to see.
“I have a question for you, and you must answer me honestly: Are you afraid of death? ” Master Jiang's voice had grown somewhat low, his gaze fixed on Yang Haoran, watching his every change in expression.
Yang Haoran was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected Master Jiang to go out, make a phone call, and then return to ask him such a question.
It was sudden, and shocking!
He didn't answer immediately, nor did Master Jiang urge him. Instead, he simply stared at him without blinking, waiting for his reply.
Yang Haoran, of course, had no idea what trick Master Jiang was playing. He didn't answer immediately, his face instead etched in deep thought.
He knew this answer determined whether he would achieve his goal. If his answer satisfied the other party, he might get the outcome he desired. If it didn't, he would surely face the result he least wanted.
After a moment of contemplation, Yang Haoran nodded and replied, “Yes, of course I'm afraid. Unless you're a lunatic or a twisted individual, how many people aren't afraid of death? ”
He wasn't joking. Don't look at how many people claim not to fear death, boasting louder than the next; when it truly comes down to life and death, they're all bigger cowards than the last.
It's not to say there aren't truly ruthless individuals in this world who have seen through life and death, but such people are simply too few. Yang Haoran clearly wasn't one of them.
He pondered for a long time, then spoke the truth. Yet, this truth caused Master Jiang to frown, clearly indicating that he wasn't entirely satisfied with Yang Haoran's answer.
If Yang Haoran had answered that he wasn't afraid, the subsequent matters would have been much simpler. But he chose not to play by the usual rules; that's not how it's portrayed in TV dramas.
“Since you're afraid of death—”
Master Jiang looked regretful. He was halfway through his sentence when Yang Haoran continued speaking.
“Master Jiang, wait a moment,” Yang Haoran said, his face solemn and his voice low. “I'm just an ordinary person. I have my joys and sorrows; I get happy, and I get scared. It's perfectly normal to fear death; it's only reasonable. However, if it truly comes to a point where death is unavoidable, even if I'm afraid, I will not shrink back. While I won't face it with a smile, I will absolutely muster all my courage to confront it! ”
Clap, clap, clap, clap. Applause sounded as Master Jiang gently clapped his hands, a hint of admiration in his gaze as he looked at Yang Haoran.
“Well said. That was an interview question. Congratulations, you've passed. ” Master Jiang stopped clapping and said to Yang Haoran.
“An interview question? ” Yang Haoran felt a little bewildered, but he didn't ask further.
“What you just passed was merely an interview question,” Master Jiang said. “Only by clearing this hurdle will you have the chance to proceed to the next. ”
Yang Haoran grew even more perplexed, but he maintained his silence, not asking anything.
He didn't speak, but Master Jiang wasn't blind. Seeing the doubt in Yang Haoran's heart, he began, “If you want to possess genuine abilities that surpass ordinary people, then we must first see if you are qualified to obtain them. If everyone could easily acquire skills that ordinary people lack, wouldn't this world be in chaos? ”
At this point, Master Jiang looked directly at Yang Haoran and continued, “I was once just an ordinary person, like you. To reach where I am today, I sacrificed a great deal. If you wish to possess abilities like mine, you will also need to sacrifice a great deal. Are you still willing? ”
Yang Haoran thought for a moment, then asked, “What would I need to sacrifice? ”
“A great deal, possibly even your life,” Master Jiang replied without hesitation.
Yang Haoran fell silent, his brows slightly furrowed.
“Anything that involves one's life is no small matter, and your hesitation is natural. However, I won't give you too much time to consider. One minute. After one minute, I want your answer. This minute is my personal gift to you. ”
As his words fell, Master Jiang picked up his teacup and took a sip, watching Yang Haoran, who was deep in thought. He had no intention of letting Yang Haoran ponder in silence, so he continued, “The opportunity is already before you. The choice is yours to make. You'd best think it through carefully, because this might not necessarily be a good thing. ”
“I am willing! ”
Yang Haoran hesitated for a moment, but still gave a definite answer. From his hesitation to speaking, less than a minute had passed.
At this moment, Yang Haoran was still being a little clever. Regardless, he decided to agree first and deal with future matters later. While it might have been impulsive, opportunities were fleeting, and after laying the groundwork for so long, he didn't want to miss this chance due to his own hesitation.
An opportunity is like a person in one's life; once missed, it's truly gone, never to be had again.
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