Chapter 28: Everyone bows
The trial was over. The big wolf lay on the ground, beaten. Its head was down, showing it gave up.
Disciples who saw it were frozen. Then whispers started.
"He... he beat the wolf."
"It bowed to him..."
"No one has ever done that."
Outer disciples, who once called him trash, lowered their heads in shame. They didn’t dare look at him.
Even inner disciples, proud and cold, cupped their fists to him. For the first time, they spoke with respect.
"Brother Li Ming."
Li Ming blinked. Then he grinned. "Hah! Finally, you all learned some manners."
He pulled out a bun and took a huge bite. Crumbs flew everywhere. "Respect tastes better than meat buns."
Everyone: "..."
---
The sect master floated down with the elders. His robe swayed like clouds. His eyes were sharp.
"The trial is finished," he said. "Disciples, return."
But his gaze stopped on Li Ming. For a moment, no one breathed. Then the sect master said slowly:
"Li Ming. From this day, no one in the sect will treat you lightly."
The forest shook with gasps.
The sect master himself had spoken. Even the elders nodded.
Li Ming scratched his cheek. "Ehh... thanks. But can we also talk about food? Do inner disciples get free buns?"
The elders: "..."
The disciples: "..."
Lan Yue turned away so no one could see the small smile on her lips.
---
Back at the sect, news spread like fire.
"That boy Li Ming..."
"He beat the wolf with his fists."
"The sect master praised him himself!"
When Li Ming walked into the training grounds the next morning, disciples moved aside.
Outer disciples bowed. "Senior Brother Li Ming."
Inner disciples cupped their fists. "Greetings, Brother Li Ming."
Li Ming almost dropped his bun. "Wait... you’re greeting me? Not calling me trash?"
They nodded fast.
Li Ming smirked. "Good. Took you long enough." He patted one disciple’s shoulder. "Don’t worry. I don’t bully juniors. Unless... you steal my buns."
The disciple turned pale. "Never, Senior Brother! I would never touch them!"
Li Ming laughed loudly. "Smart choice!"
---
Lan Yue walked beside him, calm as always. "You seem pleased."
"Of course," Li Ming said, his grin wide. "Yesterday, they looked down on me. Today, they step aside for me. That’s like eating a fresh hot bun instead of a stale cold one."
Lan Yue’s eyes softened. "Then hold on to that respect. You can lose it just as fast."
Li Ming pointed at the sky with his bun. "Don’t worry. As long as I have my fists and my buns, no one can stop me!"
Nearby disciples tried not to laugh but failed. Some actually snorted.
And just like that, the sect was no longer the same. Li Ming’s name was known by all.
---
Bonus Funny Bit
That night, Li Ming dreamed of the wolf again. But this time, the wolf was wearing an apron and cooking buns.
"Eat, Li Ming, eat!" the wolf shouted, throwing buns at him.
Li Ming woke up with crumbs on his face. He looked at his hands. "Wait... I ate my dream buns in real life?"
He checked his sleeve. Only one bun was left.
Li Ming gasped. "Unforgivable! Even in dreams, I lose buns?!"
To be continued...