"Good, very good!" Hao Xuan laughed.
He looked at Mu Taio and smiled, "Are you related to senior Qu?"
Mu Taio was taken by surprise at first but then he laughed snobbishly and looked back at his classmates proudly, "Look, even this madman treats my family with respect!" he thought.
"Yes, he is my father," he replied after a few seconds of gloating.
Hao Xuan shook his head, "Ahh, that's a shame. Senior Qu won't let me have his precious son. It's a real shame to have lost someone so talented out of the palm of my hand," he went up to Mu Taio and patted his head.
No one was expecting Hao Xuan to act so chummy with Mu Taio, especially the Mad Saints who knew he wanted his head. All of them were left speechless. If they didn't know any better they also would have thought Hao Xuan's lamentation was genuine.
The bright smile on Mu Taio's face slowly faded away when he heard Hao Xuan. He was a member of the one and only Mu family and his entire future was already planned out from the day of his birth.
But then Hao Xuan smiled again, "Please let Senior Qu know that I am a big fan of his and plan to 'visit' the Mu family soon, bearing many gifts. Oh, and also," he bent down and whispered something into his ear and patted his head once again.
Everyone was curious what Hao Xuan was saying to him but no one dared to ask. Many of the other students were jealous looking at the preferential treatment he was getting but what could they do? The results of the test were clear.
It was the same for Yun Wentian who watched from the side with a gloomy expression. More than anything else what he couldn't accept was that he lost to someone of the same age as him.
For the last 3 years, he had spent 20 hours of each day practicing, studying, and cultivating. Yet he still lost.
"Am I really that useless?" he thought inwardly looking at Mu Taio.
Hao Xuan stood up and moved back. No one noticed the blank expression of Mu Taio's face during all the commotion.
"Senior, you really have a good batch this year," he said looking at the old man, who smiled in return.
"You have Mu Taio, Yun Wentian, and 'other' students that will all have very bright futures. I hope the vice-principal pays 'special attention' to them," he said looking back at the students. His eyes lingered on the twins for a few seconds and another smile blossomed on his face. The old man noticed this and looked at them as well, taking note.
Hao Xuan paused for a few seconds before continuing, "Unfortunately, Mu Taio is already spoken for, but if you want, I can take you in as my direct disciple," he looked down at Yun Wentian who was staring at his feet.
"Eh?!" All the students and the professors were left speechless. They thought he was looking for someone to join the Red Legion, but just like that he invited someone to be his own direct disciple?! This was a huge deal. Everyone knew the military greatly cherished Hao Xuan and supported him, so being his direct disciple was the same as finding a pile of gold lying next to the road.
Yun Wentian, just like the others, was shocked speechless and stared back at Hao Xuan with wide eyes.
"So? Interested?" he asked when Wentian didn't reply.
"Eh? M-Me?" Yun Wentian pointed at himself, thinking he might have misheard.
"Yeah. What do you say? It won't be easy if you choose to follow me. I have to leave soon to scout out some locations for a new city so most of the time will be on the road. If you're looking for an easy time then stay here. Where I'm going, even devils will think twice about entering."
Hao Xuan replied to the boy and then turned around to say goodbye to the old man.
"Senior, I think those two are diamonds in the rough. I hope you can keep an eye on them until they can fend for themselves," he said while looking at Emi and Olivia who were still playing with Zhurong.
The old man was surprised once again. What was so special about them? Did Hao Xuan know them from somewhere? But since he didn't mention anything himself, it would be rude to ask.
"Sure. For you captain, I'll take them in as my personal disciples. You don't have to worry, I'll take care of them," he patted Hao Xuan's shoulder after promptly making a decision.
The old man was at the profound realm and he was one of the most powerful people at the Academy. All of his students were highly regarded so Emi and Olivia's status would skyrocket.
He had lived for more than a thousand years and had a keen eye for talents. Even though the twins weren't anything special, but just because of Hao Xuan's current status and future potential, it was good enough of a gamble that he wouldn't be at a loss.
"I'll visit sometime later," Hao Xuan bowed towards the old man and started walking back.
"Have you made a decision?" he asked looking at Yun Wentian who was standing at the same spot with furrowed brows, seemingly in deep thought.
"I-I have. I accept but on one condition!" he looked up to meet Hao Xuan's eyes.
"Hmm? Brat, it's already your fortune that I have deemed you worthy of my attention and you want even more?" Hao Xuan was a bit angry. Looking at the boy's condition, it was obvious he was from a very poor background and didn't have much else going for him. Yet he dared make requests?!
"I think you misunderstood, I wasn't actually asking. You're coming with me," he snapped his fingers and Green walked forward and lifted the boy up before throwing him over his shoulder like a bag of rice.
"Stop! What are you doing?! I don't want to go anymore!" Yun Wentian shouted frantically.
"It's not up to you anymore. You will come with, whether you like it or not," Hao Xuan casually waved his hand and Green knocked the boy out.
"I'll take this one with me, senior," he said to the old man and started walking down the stage.
The old man wanted to say something but what was the point. The boy was an orphan and even though he was talented, no one would miss him. It was the harsh reality of this world. You can claim to be a warrior of justice but if you weren't strong enough, it was all for naught.
Hao Xuan passed by the twins but didn't stop, and they didn't notice him either. How could they connect the Hao Xuan of old to the demonic captain of the Red Legion in front of them? The thought never even crossed their mind, nor were they paying attention.
Zhurong licked Emi's face one last time and ran back to Hao Xuan and jumped up into his arms.
"Happy, brat?" Hao Xuan petted his head gently.
"Meow meow," Zhurong looked up at him pleadingly.
"I know I know. I'll buy you some," he shook his head.
And just like that, Hao Xuan left the Academy with one extra person.
The next day a piece of news shook the city.. The youngest son of the infamous Mu family was killed by a Spirit Beast while on a mission.
