"However, *teecu* still sees violence behind their skill. *Teecu* admires *Locianpwe* not only for your divine martial arts, but especially for the compassion within *Locianpwe*."
"But you intend to learn *silat* (martial arts), what do you intend to use it for? Aren't you more needed and useful here for the residents around Jeng-hoa-san?"
"Forgive me, *Locianpwe*. *Teecu* does not harbor even a hair's breadth of intention to use divine martial arts for violence. And it is also inaccurate to say that *teecu*'s skills here are useful to the residents. The proof is, *teecu* can only treat the sick, and only if fate allows, while these eleven people met a deadly fate and died without *teecu* being able to prevent it at all. If *teecu* possessed skills like *Locianpwe*, would these eleven people have perished so miserably? *Teecu* now sees that helping people does not rely solely on medical knowledge; to save fellow humans from the oppression of wicked strongmen, skill is necessary. I beg *Locianpwe* to grant *teecu*'s request."
"I am an inhabitant of *Pulau Es* (Ice Island). Life there is neither easy nor pleasant, unlike here. You will face hardship, even suffering in that cold place."
"Any hardship whatsoever *teecu* will accept willingly, because no result can be achieved without effort, *Locianpwe*."
Han Ti Ong smiled.
Indeed, he was already very intrigued by this boy, nicknamed *Sin-tong*. This boy was not concerned about himself at all, but rather for the safety of other weak people. Furthermore, his sharp gaze could see that this boy was truly a prodigy, possessing extraordinary mental acuity and vision, as well as clean blood and bone structure; his talent was even far greater than his own! If he had previously refused to accept this boy as a disciple, it was because he felt ashamed of himself, for if he took this child as a disciple, what difference would there be between him and the seven people he had driven away earlier? However, there was a difference now that Sin Liong himself had submitted the request to be accepted as his disciple.
"If your will to become my disciple is truly firm, very well, Sin Liong. Come, follow me, but do not regret it later. Let's go!"
Han Ti Ong turned his body back and was about to step away.
"*Suhu*, wait a moment...!"
The Prince furrowed his brows. Again, he heard an extraordinary influence behind the child's voice that forced him to turn! With an annoyed tone, he said,
"What do you want now?"
"Forgive me, *Suhu*. How can *teecu* just leave those eleven corpses here like this?"
"Well, what do you want?"
"*Teecu* must bury them first before leaving."
"What if I forbid you?"
"*Teecu* does not believe that *Suhu* would be so cruel; *teecu* is certain of *Suhu*'s kindness. However, should *Suhu* truly forbid *teecu*, *teecu* will be forced to disobey and will still bury these corpses."
The Prince's eyes widened in astonishment. A seven-year-old child already dared to possess a conviction as firm as bedrock.
"What kind of disciple are you? You're ready to disobey your Master before even starting!"
"*Teecu* does not become a disciple blindly, and *teecu* wishes to learn good knowledge. If *teecu* merely obeys *Suhu*'s incorrect orders, it would be the same as *teecu* dragging *Suhu* into error."
Han Ti Ong's eyes widened further. He almost became angry, but he could see what was hidden behind this seemingly insolent remark, and he nodded.
"Do as you wish, I will wait."
"Thank you! *Teecu* truly knows that *Suhu* is a virtuous master!"
With a beaming face, Sin Liong then dug a hole. However, because he was just a small child and the tool used for digging was only a small, ordinary hoe given by the villagers, which he usually used to dig and search for medicinal roots, digging a hole large enough to bury eleven corpses was certainly not light or easy work!
At first, Han Ti Ong sat under a tree and glanced at his disciple working hard. He thought the boy would surely tire and rest. But he was mistaken. Sin Liong continued working even though his limbs were aching all over, and sweat soaked his entire body, dripping from his forehead and sometimes wiped away with his sleeve. Yet, he never stopped working. After half a day of hoeing, he had only managed to create a hole large enough for just two corpses. If he continued