4 Old Teacher Bai

- In order to understand the Dao of Words, young master must first understand the Dao of the Pen. Only then will young master be allowed to use water to paint words on the ground.

Ye Huang listened attentively to the old man in front of him. He was Bai Shuo from the Hall of Learning.

Even though Old Bai was the oldest teacher at the Hall, he still saw it as an honor to teach the young master of the Han household.

In fact, Ye Han recruited him long before founding his sect, and he had a very old bond with this formidable man, as his personal secretary.

- So, can Young Master think of what should be the first step on his cultivation of words?

Ye Huang stopped for a few moments, thinking with his little head. No memories of previous lives, no worries which to create the need for quick-wittedness.

A 3 years-old child wouldn't have any idea on what to do, so the feeling inside little Ye Huangs' chest was the best he could count on to answer this question.

- Fur?

Ye Huang had seen pens before, and they seemed to have fur tips. Some were soft, some were rigid, but all had fur tips.

- Hahaha. That will be for when Young Master is older. Before that, Young Master will learn using bamboo pens. Have Young Master ever seen one of those?

Bai Shou expected for Ye Huangs' answer. Being the son of the Sect Founder, the child had probably never seen a bamboo pen on his whole life.

Not that it was too bad to be pampered like that - it would bring disaster if he was forced to grow up ahead of time.

"Parents shall be truthful and unreserved. Their lives must be open for the child to see. And the child must be brought up amidst its' parents, friends and colleagues truthfulness. Otherwise, they won't be filial. One must not change the habits of the household because of the child - indeed, the child must be the one to understand the habits of the household and bring honor to its ancestors by valuing them. Such is the Way." - Old Bai told so to himself, justifying, like that, the fact of Ye Huang having never seen a bamboo pen in his life.

Then, he proceeded to take out a small bamboo pen - this one was exquisitely crafted, with a beautiful edge.

Ye Huang made a motion to grab the pen, but his teacher soon took it out of his reach. His movement was a little rigid, but, still, fluid and smooth like water. This teacher had a good understanding of the Dao of Teaching, so he knew that, by being too forceful or acting in an aggressive manner he would do no good - indeed, he would only spoil Ye Huang even further!

- Little Huang, you must never touch something that isn't yours, unless the person allows you to touch it!

Disappointment was written on Ye Huangs' face, and some little tears began to form at the corners of his eyes. He was about to cry, but Old Bai didn't bulge.

A few moments later, seeing that Old Bai wouldn't budge by seeing his teared face, he then begun to cry and loudly shout.

A few moments later, his mother and father, both, appeared at the door. Both had calm expressions and also a calm demeanor.

Still, the Parental Dao required that a parent, after listening its childs' cries in front of a stranger, answered to them!

- Old Bai greets the Lord. Old Bai greets the Lady.

Bai Shou greeted both parents of his child by bowing deeply.

As for his parents, they bowed back, but a little less than Bai did.

- Ye Han greets teacher Bai.

- Ye Shin greets teacher Bai.

As for Ye Huang, he ran to his mother and began tucking her sleeves. Ye Shin squatted and looked at her sons' eyes.

- Little Huang, what happened?

Of course, she knew beforehand. Nothing in the house could go unperceived by her and her husband. However, such was the Parental Dao.

- MOOOM! MOOM!

Ye Huang tucked her sleeves and throwed a tantrum. His mother, however, stood unfazed.

- Come here.

As she pulled him closer to hug him, Ye Huang refused by extending his hand against her chest and pointing at his teacher. At the same time, his keept throwing his tantrum.

- No good.

Ye Shin got up from her squatting position and looked at Old Bai.

- I'm very sorry for my sons' rude behavior, teacher Bai. He doesn't seem to be hurt. Its' just a tantrum. Please keep teaching him in the future.

- It is my own fault for not being skilled enough. Unfortunately, my Dao of Teaching isn't advanced enough for me to discipline correctly the Young Master.

Ye Shin bowed lightly in apology, and Old Bai replied in a naturally lower tone, while also bowing.

- Not at all, Old Bai. My son is indeed being unreasonable this time. Please accept this as an apology.

Ye Han took a little coin from his pocket. This was the same as the payment for two days of teaching.

- A teacher must not feel tempted to accept gifts once a child start behaving badly, otherwise they may be tempted to stop learning. Learning the Dao of Teaching with young master is enough.

- Very well. Thank you for your patience, Old Bai.

Ye Han and Ye Shin soon made their ways out of the room, while Ye Huang dropped into the ground and begun screaming even louder.

Old Bai sat in front of him and waited, his eyes full of patience.