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Zang Ai hovered above the courtyard, arms crossed, expression locked in "maximum annoyance." Wu Ken stood below her, determined and slightly sweaty, having repeated the same question for the fiftieth time.
"Please, Senior Zang Ai," he said, bowing again. "I want to learn. I want to protect my village."
"No," she said flatly.
"But—"
"No."
"I'm serious!"
"So am I. Go meditate or chase chickens or whatever you people do. I'm not taking disciples."
Wu Ken clenched his fists. "I'll keep asking."
"Then I'll keep saying no."
This went on for four days.
He followed her around the courtyard. He knelt outside her spirit chamber. He tried to cook her soup (it was terrible). He even carved "Please teach me" into a tree trunk. Zang Ai pretended not to notice, but the tree mocked her every time she floated past.
On the fifth day, she finally snapped.
"Fine!" she shouted, appearing in a swirl of purple mist. "You win, magpie! I'll teach you. Not because you're talented—but because I'm tired of hearing your voice echo through my soul ring!"
Wu Ken blinked. "Really?"
"Don't make me regret it," she muttered. "You're officially my disciple. Congratulations. Your suffering begins now."
He bowed deeply. "Thank you, Master!"
"Don't call me that yet. I haven't tortured you enough."
She floated closer, inspecting him like a suspicious cabbage. "You've got guts. I like guts. But guts aren't enough. You'll need discipline, pain tolerance, and the ability to survive my sarcasm."
Wu Ken nodded. "I'm ready."
Zang Ai sighed. "We'll see."
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