Ji Mo wandered through the琅琊书院 (Langya Academy), promoting himself to the students.
His decent appearance did attract the attention of quite a few young boys and girls.
At first, he was full of confidence, believing it would be easy to recruit three students and that he would find them quickly.
However, reality quickly slapped him in the face.
"Liar, you damn liar!"
A spoiled and adorable girl stomped her foot, glaring fiercely at Ji Mo, and turned away in disgust.
Ji Mo was helpless, why was he a liar?
And if you're going to call someone a liar, why add "damn," that's so hurtful!
"A mere mortal dares to try and trick us into becoming his students, how shameless."
"To think he looked so presentable, turns out he's a liar, pfft."
...
Amidst the curses, the students who had gathered around angrily left.
If you can't guide cultivation, who would want to be your student?
In the Xuanling Realm, martial arts are valued over literature, and strength reigns supreme.
Without the backing of powerful strength, who would even look at you?
"You ignore me today, but I will make you unable to reach me in the future. I am a peerless master; miss this village, and you'll miss this shop."
Ji Mo declared loudly.
However, all he received in return was laughter and mockery.
"Get lost, even if you were an Imperial Tutor, we wouldn't care."
"Even if you could teach someone to reach the Mortal Immortal Realm, I wouldn't become your disciple."
The first day of recruitment ended amidst骂声 (curses).
Ji Mo returned to Lu Wukai's courtyard with a dejected expression.
"How did it go? Did you successfully become a student at Langya Academy!"
Lu Wukai looked at Ji Mo, speaking excitedly.
As long as he successfully infiltrated Langya Academy, it would be the most crucial step, and finding the entrance to the Dragon's Lair would be within reach.
"Langya Academy didn't accept me as a student; I didn't pass the assessment."
Ji Mo said calmly.
"Ah? That shouldn't be the case. I told you to keep a low profile. Did you perhaps lay it on too thick, failing even such a simple assessment?"
Lu Wukai frowned.
He felt Ji Mo was utterly useless, messing up such a minor task. Was he mistaken in choosing such a good-for-nothing as a partner?
"Although I didn't become a student, I might become a teacher," Ji Mo sighed lightly.
"Hoo..."
Lu Wukai breathed a heavy sigh of relief. "You were too high-profile. With your abilities, being a teacher is more than enough. However, your status would be too conspicuous, which is not conducive to our operation. But it's not bad either; as long as you can successfully blend into Langya Academy without arousing suspicion, it's fine."
Ji Mo was a little confused. Why did Lu Wukai say the same thing to him as that old man from Langya Academy, both saying he was more than capable of being a teacher there?
Could it be that his talent was already too dazzling to hide, like a firefly in the darkness?
"To become a teacher, you first need to recruit three students."
Ji Mo explained.
"Langya Academy has at least tens of thousands of students. Recruiting just three is a piece of cake for you."
Lu Wukai was full of confidence in Ji Mo, believing such a small matter could be settled in no time.
Encouraged by Lu Wukai's words, Ji Mo regained his confidence.
However, reality remained incredibly cruel.
For the next three consecutive days, Ji Mo returned empty-handed.
As Song Weixi had said, for a mortal to recruit cultivators as students was like a fantasy.
Lu Wukai began to doubt Ji Mo's abilities again, even considering whether to terminate their cooperation. Failing to even get three students, how could he achieve great things?
On the fifth day, Ji Mo arrived at Langya Academy again. Unlike his spirited demeanor from days prior, he had lost much of his confidence.
He looked dejected, his face filled with disappointment and loneliness.
Mortals were indeed not well-regarded by cultivators.
However, just as Ji Mo was feeling lonely, fate seemed to begin to favor him; luck was on his side.
"Sir, excuse me, are you Teacher Wu Kong? I heard you are the most famous teacher at Langya Academy, and every class you hold is fully booked. May I learn by your side?"
A pure, cute girl with innocent, large eyes and a naturally naive look approached Ji Mo and asked him crisply.
She was humble and polite, her attitude deferential, and coupled with her naive cuteness, Ji Mo felt favorably towards her.
"My name is Ji Mo, and I am not the Teacher Wu Kong you are looking for."
Ji Mo clarified, lamenting the missed opportunity, as the person she wanted to apprentice under was not him.
"Ah, I heard from other students that Teacher Wu Kong always has a stern face, looking like everyone owes him two hundred and fifty taels of silver. I thought you were him. Could it be you think I'm stupid and that's why you don't want to teach me?"
The girl widened her eyes and questioned him directly.
Ji Mo's forehead was covered in black lines. It seemed the girl wasn't just naive but also adorably foolish.
If those words were heard by the Teacher Wu Kong, that person would surely discipline her severely.
What a straightforward girl, but was his expression really that stern?
He forced a smile onto his face and said sincerely, "I am truly not Wu Kong, and as a teacher, I teach without discrimination; I wouldn't refuse to teach someone just because they are slow. Moreover, I don't think you are stupid; you are a wonderful girl."
"Really? Others always say I'm silly, but only you praise me. You are the best teacher I've ever met. I want to learn from you, can you teach me?" the girl said sincerely, her eyes shining like stars.
"I would naturally be willing to teach you, but..."
Just as Ji Mo was about to reveal that he was not a cultivator, someone suddenly rushed over and knelt on one knee before him.
"Teacher, my name is Zhang Qiang, and I am also willing to learn from you. Please accept me."
The one kneeling was a sturdy young boy. He had overheard someone calling out "best teacher" from afar and then saw Ji Mo's rather punchable face, immediately mistaking Ji Mo for that Wu Kong.
So, he rushed over, intending to secure Ji Mo's approval before the girl.
Ji Mo was bewildered by the situation. Had the good fortune arrived so quickly? Had heaven finally opened its eyes, and he had suddenly gained two students' approval?
The girl said, "Teacher Ji Mo, I was here first, wasn't I? You can't be fickle and look down on me just because you found someone better."
Sensing the spiritual energy fluctuations from Zhang Qiang were much stronger than hers, the girl started to panic.
"Teacher Ji Mo? You're not Wu Kong, but that mortal Ji Mo everyone's been talking about these days, the one who wants to eat swan meat?"
Zhang Qiang immediately jumped up from the ground and roared angrily at Ji Mo, "You trashy liar, impersonating Wu Kong to trick me! You almost fooled me with your dog tricks."
He spat and ran off, cursing.
Ji Mo felt utterly confused. Who had he lied to? He never claimed to be Wu Kong from the beginning.
This guy must have been kicked by a donkey; if he wants to be my student, no way.
"I forgot to tell you, I'm actually a mortal. Do you still want to learn from me?"
Ji Mo's face darkened.
Logically, the girl should also curse him as a liar like Zhang Qiang and then turn to leave.
"Student Lin Mengmeng pays respects to Teacher Ji Mo."
The girl immediately knelt, demonstrating her decision with her actions.
And this kneel changed her entire life!