Genius Beast Taming: Starting from Awakening an S-Rank Talent

Zhou Heng didn't take it seriously: "Actually, it's not a big deal. There are so many of these news articles pushed out every day that most people forget about them quickly after reading them."

Li Lang flattered, "At least you're already famous. Who in the major beast-taming high schools of Xuanxiao Star doesn't know you?"

Zhou Heng's mind was clear: "They know me not because I saved five classmates, but because the beasts I raise far exceed the level of a normal first-year high school student, which is why they have noticed me."

Li Lang wholeheartedly agreed: "That's true. Everything else is secondary. As beast tamers, only the level of our beast taming is real."

Gao Wenwu nodded repeatedly: "The deputy squad leader and the squad leader are right."

The three chatted for a while longer, then Li Lang suddenly raised his communicator and said to Zhou Heng and Gao Wenwu, "Look, Liu Yao's father's matter has also been reported."

Zhou Heng glanced at the headline and it immediately caught his eye.

[Announcement: Liu Hao, Chairman of Yaoyang Group, has defected to Qingyang Society and betrayed them... He has been killed on the spot by Zhou Yuanting, Deputy Director of the Education Bureau... Qingyang Society suffers heavy losses, with eight deacons dying tragically...]

Gao Wenwu frowned: "How come this was reported so openly?"

Zhou Heng countered, "Why can't it be reported?"

Gao Wenwu looked inquisitive: "This kind of thing is a scandal for the league; shouldn't it be covered up?"

Zhou Heng explained, "Such a big thing can't be hidden. There were too many teachers and students present that day, and my father killed Liu Hao and all eight deacons of the Qingyang Society, so it's not really a scandal. Reporting it actually has an inspiring effect."

Gao Wenwu suddenly realized: "I understand now, thank you for clearing up my confusion, Vice Squad Leader."

Liu Yao still didn't come to class the following Wednesday.

Liu Yao finally came to class on Thursday.

He used the treatment, and there were no visible scars on his body, but his energy and spirit were noticeably worse than before.

Even though he had tidied himself up beforehand, Zhou Heng could still sense an overwhelming sense of dejection emanating from him.

Even more surprisingly, a few strands of white hair were faintly visible among Liu Yao's short red hair.

Zhou Heng finally had a clear understanding of the phrase "turned white overnight".

Liu Yao didn't speak to anyone, and neither did Zhou Heng and the others.

No one encouraged Liu Yao, nor did anyone belittle him.

Halfway through class, Zhang Peng suddenly picked up his communicator; he had received an important message.

Then, Zhang Peng's expression changed: "Liu Yao, you'd better go home right now!"

Liu Yao looked up: "Teacher, what happened?"

Zhang Peng said in a low voice, "Come out here, I have something to say to you."

Liu Yao quickly went out with Zhang Peng.

Zhou Heng, Li Lang, and Gao Wenwu watched this scene, their eyes meeting in mid-air, all revealing expressions of inquiry.

Ten minutes later, Zhang Peng returned, but Liu Yao was nowhere to be seen.

Zhou Heng and the others ultimately did not ask any questions.

After all, Zhang Peng calling Liu Yao out was an attempt to avoid them, so something must have happened that involved Liu Yao's privacy.

It would be very impolite for them to insist on getting to the bottom of things.

After class, Zhou Heng put the matter out of his mind.

After school in the afternoon, Zhou Heng said goodbye to Li Lang and Gao Wenwu, and then rode on his father's Yao Ye Peacock back to the family manor, where he had a sumptuous dinner with his parents.

Zhou Heng asked, "Dad, on Tuesday, people from the Xuanxiao Daily came to interview me. Did you arrange that?"

Mr. Zhou nodded: "I asked your Uncle Mu to arrange it. Doing good deeds anonymously is not the style of our aristocratic family."

Zhou Heng then asked, "The principal said that the garrison commander will send someone over next week to commend me. Is that also Dad's doing?"

Mr. Zhou nodded: "It was indeed me who asked your Uncle Mu to submit the application for you. But don't worry, it's completely legal and compliant. After all, you really did save five classmates. If you don't want it, that's fine. I'll have someone block it for you."

"I have no objection to this, and I think it is a necessary measure to recognize people who do good deeds. Only when people who do good deeds are rewarded will more and more people be willing to do good deeds, and the world will become a better place."

Zhou Heng thought for a moment and asked, "Dad, have you ever heard of those two stories from nine thousand years ago? One is called 'Zilu Receives an Ox,' and the other is called 'Zigong Redeems a Person.'"

Zhou's father guessed, "A story from nine thousand years ago is too ancient. It must have been passed down from our ancestral planet, right?"

Zhou Heng nodded: "Yes."

Zhou's mother asked curiously, "My dear son, can you tell us about it?"

Zhou Heng recounted a historical anecdote he knew from his previous life: "The story of Zilu receiving the ox tells of a man named Zilu who saved a drowning person. The person he saved immediately offered him an ox, which Zilu accepted naturally. Some people felt that Zilu's actions were inappropriate, that he saved the person only to receive a reward, and that his intentions were impure. However, when Zilu's teacher learned of this, he was very happy. He said that with Zilu's example, more and more people would do good deeds in the future."

After a moment of contemplation, Zhou's father said, "Zilu did the right thing, and his teacher was right too."

Zhou Heng continued, "As for Zigong redeeming people, it tells of a man named Zigong, who was a fellow disciple of Zilu. He used his own money to rescue a person from a vassal state who had been sold into slavery. According to the laws of the time, the ruler of the vassal state should have rewarded Zigong, but Zigong refused. Zigong's teacher heard about this and was very angry. He said that Zigong's pursuit of his own good reputation would prevent anyone from ever rescuing people from vassal states who had been sold into slavery again. Mom and Dad, do you know why?"

Zhou's father immediately grasped the key point: "In that situation, if someone encounters people from a vassal state being sold into slavery again and chooses to save them without claiming the reward, they might gain a good reputation, but they'd have to pay out of their own pocket. If they choose to save them and then claim the reward, they'd be accused of being greedy. For ordinary people, it's better not to save anyone than to face such a dilemma."

Zhou Heng agreed: "Dad is right, that's just human nature."

Zhou's mother exclaimed, "Zilu and Zigong's teacher was a man of great wisdom. As an ancient person from nine thousand years ago, he was able to see human nature so clearly. It's truly remarkable."

Zhou Heng smiled and said, "So I'm very happy and pleased that the garrison headquarters wants to commend me. I saved someone, so I deserve a reward; it's only fair."

Zhou's father patted Zhou Heng's head: "My good son, you were born extraordinary. You were born to live amidst flowers and applause. You are our greatest pride."

Zhou's mother's eyes were full of doting: "Our precious son is so smart. He has even studied history from nine thousand years ago. He understands so many things at such a young age. He is really amazing."

Zhou Heng sat between his parents, a smile playing on his lips: "Thank you for the compliment, Dad and Mom."