Unfettered Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Permission

Read chapter 3 of Unfettered by driftwoodblossom on NovelPedia.

After stretching his limbs, the blue-robed child watched the red-robed male expectantly. Unable to hold in his excitement, the child blurted out a few words. "Master! What's your next lesson?" Clearing his throat, the red-robed male decided that it was time to bestow his wisdom on this adorable but ridiculously intelligent child. "Disciple… have you ever been taught to ask for permission to speak?" With a bright smile on his face, the blue-robed child fiddled with the lotus pendant tied around his neck. After a few moments of silence, the little boy spoke up. "Master… what is permission?" "…" Although outwardly displaying a stern expression, the inner thoughts of the red-robed male were far from regulated. He was stunned beyond belief. This child was given a stellar education… and still didn't know what permission was? It seemed to him that a few steps were skipped along the way. "Master…? Are you disappointed in me?" Nervously fidgeting with the lotus pendant, the child stole glances at the red-robed male. "Not with you… Mm. I could never find fault with you. Man proposes; heaven disposes." Although a bit confused, the child found relief that his master wasn't disappointed in him. Feeling better about himself, the red-robed male decided that it would be best if he bestowed on the child some wisdom. "Mm. Permission is something that all children must know. It's something that you ask for from your elders-" "Permission is something you ask for…? Is it like a spiritual artifact… can I fly like the immortals?!" The child's eyes shone with excitement and expectation as he stared at the red-robed male intently. Coughing lightly, the red-robed male flourished his right hand ending the gesture with his pointer finger and thumb forming an O while the other three fingers were folded over his palm. Grasping at his mouth with both hands, the child tried to pry his lips apart but to no avail. After about a minute of flailing around, the child sat down and pouted. His two chubby little cheeks puffed out, and he sat, holding his feet in his hands, trying to bury his face in his knees. This display of displeasure would bring amusement to any who saw it. At this point, his luxurious silk robes were slightly damp and stained from the dirty water that was on the rocky cave ground. "Now… as I was saying, permission is something you ask for from your elders. You know what etiquette is, yes? Asking for permission before you speak is good etiquette toward your elders. These elders can be people in a higher position than you whether it be within your clan, in a government position, in a sect, or at a higher cultivation level. You must remember this well, for this knowledge might be able to save your life one day. Do you understand?" The child nodded but immediately pointed at his mouth frantically. Sighing, the red-robed male flicked his sleeve. Able to speak once more, the child spoke up. "This disciple understands! But, Master, no one in my clan has ever told me to ask for permission before… my father has always told me to speak up if I ever needed to say something. None of the elders have ever rebuked me for talking out of turn…" The red-robed male was quiet. This… was truly beyond his expectations. This child's father and elders had spoiled him rotten. The fact that he isn't acting like a despotic young master yet was beyond him. Although only time would tell, the child showed much promise. "Mm. Although your father and elders have said so, it is still good to ask for permission. It is a sign of respect." This parcel of wisdom was met with silence - unnerving silence. It wasn't until a few minutes of silence passed that the blue-robed child broke the silence. "Um… May I speak, Master?" "Mm… yes, you may." "Did I do it right?" "Mm. Your performance was… satisfactory." Stroking his chin with his left hand, the red-robed male looked at the blue-robed child with a seemingly proud and caring expression. The child's face was beaming with joy; the red-