The Boy Riding a Bamboo Horse, Green Plums Brewing Wine (Ten)
Beanie Owen got tricked by Left Shore yet again. The Seven Old Monsters all knew about it, but there was nothing they could do to punish Left Shore—he hadn't actually laid a hand on Beanie. Beanie was just so hopelessly dumb, practically begging to be bullied...
"Is this kid really this stupid? How's he ever going to guard the Assassin Alliance in the future?" For the first time, the Seven Old Monsters realized their way of raising Beanie might be a problem—they'd spoiled him far too much.
"Hard to say. Sure, we've got the reputation, but we're getting old—we'll die before he does. We can't protect him forever."
"So what do we do? Send Beanie back to the clan?"
"Send him back for what? To get shoved aside by those old geezers? We raised this kid ourselves—why hand him over just so they can bully him?"
"But if the Phoenixfield Clan elders find out we've raised one of their heirs to be this much of a fool, won't they kill us?"
...
The Seven Old Monsters were so worried their hair was falling out. Even the way they looked at Beanie was filled with unspeakable sorrow. But...
Beanie was as thick-skinned as ever, totally unfazed. Every day he kept playing as usual, and every day he challenged Left Shore to another duel.
After Left Shore had toyed with him ten times or more, he finally showed some mercy and gave Beanie a straight answer: "One month from now—the practice ground!"
By this time, Left Shore had already spent two years in the Assassin Alliance. He wasn't as strong as the older senior brothers, but he was almost on par with Beanie.
Left Shore was talented and willing to work hard, and his master taught him wholeheartedly. Surpassing Beanie was only a matter of time.
"You're finally willing to fight me? That's awesome, Left Shore! Do you know, for the past two years I haven't dared to call myself the number one expert, because I haven't beaten you yet." Beanie hugged Left Shore's leg, moved to tears...
After more than a year, Left Shore finally agreed to fight him.
"Scram." Left Shore lifted his foot in disgust.