Section 7: Young Fame, A True Heart
Author: Gu Zhenren
“No problem, of course, no problem.” The Academy staff member who had just screamed out was now beaming, their eyes sparkling as they looked at Chu Yun, filled with excitement.
“Chu Yun, are you truly the Young Island Master Chu Yun from Shu Island?” someone eagerly confirmed.
“Indeed, that is I.”
“Heavens! We’ve finally met the man himself!”
“We’ve waited so long, and now we’ve finally met him.”
“We specifically chose this task of distributing Jade Pendants just to see this year’s rookie king. It’s exhausted me.”
The Academy staff members discussed amongst themselves. From their tone, they weren’t teachers but rather senior students.
A sense of confusion filled the young men, and they all cast looks of curiosity, observation, suspicion, and scrutiny towards Chu Yun. They were bewildered, but Chu Yun was even more so.
“To save his adoptive father, he sailed through a storm and slew the sea bandit ‘Savage Wolf.’ The renowned ‘Fledgling Tiger,’ and we meet him in person today!”
“Do you know you’ve been ranked on the Elite List? And you possess the honorary title of Monster Tamer – ‘Fledgling Tiger’?! The Academy has been buzzing about you these past few days.”
“At only 13 years old, you can control a Great Demon Soldier and have earned an honorary title that many Monster Tamers dream of. Tsk tsk, many people in the Academy are going mad with jealousy.”
“Gaining a title at 13, this record is unprecedented in the Academy. Do you know that everyone already considers you the ‘Strongest Rookie’!”
“However, your troubles are not small either. We heard you publicly rejected the Ning family’s marriage proposal, what does that do for the reputation of our Academy’s Flower? Heh heh, Ning Yiyi has quite a temper, and many suitors are itching for a chance.”
…
The Academy staff members, as if injected with adrenaline, became incredibly animated. The gazes they cast at Chu Yun burned with the fiery spirit of gossip.
The young men around also shot various looks his way: jealousy, surprise, dawning realization, disdain…
In short, Chu Yun instantly became the focal point, pushed onto the crest of a wave, becoming the center of attention.
Chu Yun had not anticipated this.
Fledgling Tiger?
He never imagined he’d actually earned such a title. He could readily understand others’ jealousy. An honorary title was an affirmation of a Monster Tamer’s achievements and strength. Monster Tamers with titles were considered renowned masters. Wherever they went, announcing their title would immediately draw countless admiring glances.
Often, a title would completely overshadow a person’s given name. People would talk at length, remembering only the title and not the true name of its holder.
Savage Wolf was a title, White Wolf was a title, and the White-Browed Alchemist was also a title. In his previous life, in his thirties, Chu Yun had also earned a title – Young Master Fire Fox. He had forged that reputation after hundreds of battles with his imperfect Sky Fox. Later, when the Sky Fox perished, the title was consequently retired and vanished.
It was extremely difficult for a Monster Tamer to earn a title, especially at a young age. Those who did were invariably figures renowned in their regions, each possessing unique skills.
“I truly never imagined I’d unexpectedly gain a title so early. Is ‘Fledgling Tiger’ somehow connected to my father’s title, ‘Fierce Tiger of Many Stars’? It doesn’t sound bad, though.”
Chu Yun smiled, but his heart was calm.
Youth craves fame and pursues wealth, thus relentlessly chasing titles and honors. But Chu Yun was past that age. The memories of his past life had taught him a truth –
Titles were all empty. True strength was fundamental. It didn’t even matter whether one had a title or not. It was merely how others acknowledged them.
“Gaining a title was truly an accident. However, you all are great talents cultivated by Tiange Academy, and you will undoubtedly earn titles yourselves one day. May I have my Jade Pendant now?” Chu Yun flattered the Academy staff members. If his guess was correct, these individuals were students from the previous or the previous-but-one cohort, essentially Chu Yun’s seniors.
“Heh heh heh, Fledgling Tiger, you are far too modest. Titles aren’t something you can just get if you want them.” The Academy staff member in front shook his head and sighed. He then took out a Jade Pendant that he had already drawn, handing it to Chu Yun.
“Hold onto it carefully and don’t lose it. Identity Jade Pendants are considered Young Demon-level Demon Soldiers, infused with faint spirituality that records academic credits. The procedures for replacement are very troublesome, especially losing your credits, you’d be crying then.” The Academy staff member offered enthusiastic advice, his attitude completely changed from before.
“Credits?” Chu Yun asked in surprise.
“I can’t say too much, but it’s extremely important. You’ll learn more once you enter the Academy,” the staff member said in a low voice, glancing at the White-Browed Alchemist not far away.
“I understand,” Chu Yun nodded and took the Jade Pendant. As he was about to walk away, he paused. “Oh, right. Please don’t call me Fledgling Tiger. Call me Chu Yun. I still prefer the name Chu Yun.”
The Academy staff member paused.
He didn’t want the honorary title that represented glory, but preferred his given name?
The staff member scratched his head, at a loss to understand the thoughts of this ‘Rookie King.’
“Whether ‘Fledgling Tiger’ in this life or ‘Young Master Fire Fox’ in the past, they are all just titles. What remains unchanged is Chu Yun!”
I am who I am, why should I disregard my true name because of titles given by others?
I have always only been myself, regardless of what others say.
Passing through the gatehouse, Chu Yun suddenly felt a surge of emotion and looked back.
The gatehouse was grand, adorned with vermilion lacquer and gold patterns, its pillars and lintels painted with various Demonic Beast designs. Its base was made of cyan-gray stone bricks, covered in the mottled marks of age. The entire gatehouse was exquisite and magnificent, yet it also exuded a sense of timelessness.
Oh, gatehouse, gatehouse.
You have stood unyielding through countless winds and rains.
Witnessing the ebb and flow of power, calmly observing the shifts of worldly affairs.
Beneath you, how many young talents, elegant scholars, and formidable warriors have passed?
In days gone by, these individuals, like the chattering youths of today, lined up and, under your gaze, entered the green mountains and delved into the Academy one by one.
How many joys and sorrows, hardships and bitterness has your existence witnessed?
Then, with their wings initially formed, they set sail from here once more, battling the skies.
Countless legends of triumphant returns, numerous tales of returning home in glory, have added to your splendor and prestige.
And now, it is my turn, Chu Yun!
(PS: I can only say, you brothers are too fierce! This whole day, I’ve had three immediate successes. We are truly not far from our goal. Throw those recommendation votes my way, we need them all. Let’s charge forward and conquer the objective!)
