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Chapter 181: The Array Master
Chapter 181: The Array Master
The construction of the Pill Refinery was progressing according to Master Ban's expectations.
With the end of the year approaching, Master Ban wanted to finish the construction of the refinery as soon as possible so that he could settle the payment in spirit stones, give his workers and disciples a proper account, and let everyone go home to celebrate the holidays.
Master Ban was very dedicated and spent most of his days at the construction site, supervising his craftsmen, instructing the demon hunters who had come to help, and even doing some of the tasks that his disciples struggled with himself.
During this period, Master Ban also often saw Mo Hua.
Mo Hua would wander around with his hands behind his back, occasionally muttering to himself and jotting down notes. To an outsider, he might have looked like a young craftsman himself.
Remembering Elder Yu's words, Master Ban let Mo Hua do as he pleased without interference.
From time to time, Mo Hua would ask him questions, and if Master Ban had the time, he would answer them. In return, Mo Hua would compensate him with delicacies from his restaurant—and after the first taste, Master Ban could never forget that unique flavor.
The meat was tender yet chewy, spicy and fragrant, with a hint of gamey wildness.
Master Ban had eaten meat before, but never anything like this. Despite his busy days, he usually ate his meals hastily and without much thought for taste. But the flavor of this meat was so distinctive that he couldn't get it out of his mind.
Silently, Master Ban memorized the name of Mo Hua's restaurant, intending to buy a large quantity of that meat with his earnings from the refinery project to share with his grandchildren.
About a month and a half later, the basic structure of the Pill Refinery was completed.
The next step was for an array master to inscribe arrays on the walls, inside the rooms, and on the foundation stones of some key buildings. After that, the craftsmen would further refine the construction, sealing the arrays within the walls and floors, and finally, with some additional renovations, the refinery would be complete.
Master Ban felt a headache coming on.
It was time for the array master to start inscribing the arrays, but where was this array master? On the occasions that he consulted with Elder Yu, he had never once seen even a glimpse of the array master.
Normally, at the beginning of a construction project like this, the array master would survey the terrain and building layout, and they would also need to make frequent visits during the construction process.
But in all this time, Master Ban didn't recall ever seeing an array master.
How could the array master design the arrays without understanding the building layout?
Moreover, he had seen the array diagrams, and although he didn't understand arrays himself, he could tell at a glance that the arrays used in this building were numerous and complex. This was not something an ordinary array master could handle, nor could it be accomplished by just one or two array masters.
If the arrays were not properly inscribed, the project could not be completed.
Similarly, if the array inscription process was too slow, they would not be able to meet the deadline. Once they fell behind schedule, there was a good chance that the project would be delayed indefinitely, and they might not be able to settle the payments by the end of the year.
Thinking of this, Master Ban felt increasingly anxious.
Finally, unable to contain his worries, he approached Elder Yu, his anxiety evident in his voice. "Elder Yu, we've finished our part for now, but what about the arrays...?"
"There's no rush," Elder Yu replied, his tone completely unhurried.
I'm not in a rush, but you are! Master Ban thought to himself.
"Have you hired an array master?" he asked Elder Yu.
"Yes, long ago," came the reply.
Master Ban breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good... but why haven't I seen them then?" he asked, unable to contain his curiosity.
Elder Yu gave a cryptic smile. "You have seen them."
Master Ban furrowed his brow, trying to recall when he might have encountered the array master, but he couldn't think of any such occasion. However, since Elder Yu said that the array inscription would begin tomorrow, he would find out then.
As the sky brightened, around the hour of dawn, Elder Yu arrived.
Master Ban stared at him for a long while, then glanced behind him before asking anxiously, "You've come alone? Where's the array master?"
Noticing his anxious expression, Elder Yu reassured him, "Don't worry, they'll be here soon."
Master Ban could do nothing but wait patiently.
A while later, as the hour of dawn approached, Mo Hua strolled towards the Pill Refinery, a pouch slung over his shoulder and a large bun in his hand, which he munched on as he walked.
The morning sun shone through the clouds, casting a soft golden glow around him.
Mo Hua took his time finishing the bun and then looked up to see Elder Yu and Master Ban. He waved at them from a distance.
Master Ban stared at him, bewildered. As Mo Hua approached, he blurted out, "Mo Hua? What are you doing here...?"
Mo Hua patted his pouch and smiled, "I'm here to do some serious business."
Before Master Ban could inquire further, Elder Yu asked with a smile, "Are you all prepared?"
Mo Hua nodded, "All set."
Then, Mo Hua walked into the Pill Refinery, followed by Elder Yu.
Master Ban hurried after them, his mind filled with questions: What serious business? What is this child up to?
Soon, he found out.
Mo Hua reached a foundation stone, unfurled a scroll depicting a complex array diagram, and took out three types of array brushes – fine, medium, and large – from his pouch. He also prepared five-colored spiritual ink of the five elements – gold, wood, water, fire, and earth – and began to paint the array.
With a steady hand, Mo Hua dipped his brush in the ink, glanced at the array diagram, and started drawing intricate array patterns on the foundation stone.
His expression was calm, his movements skilled, and his brushstrokes confident and fluid.
He exuded an air of mastery far beyond his years.
Master Ban was stunned.
Was this child the array master Elder Yu had spoken of?
Could this boy, barely ten years old, truly be an array master?
Master Ban's emotions were in turmoil, his thoughts chaotic.
It took him a while to recall why Elder Yu had said he had already met the array master.
Now he remembered. Mo Hua often wandered around the construction site, sometimes even chatting and drinking with him. How could he have not seen him?
As Master Ban thought back, he realized that the first time he met Mo Hua, the boy had been examining the foundation stones, probably surveying the terrain and understanding the building layout. And his subsequent visits were to ensure that the construction followed the array diagram...
Indeed, these were all tasks of an array master, but he had never made the connection before.
Master Ban's feelings were complicated, but he couldn't blame himself for not guessing. Who could have imagined such a thing?
He looked at Mo Hua again.
The boy, now fully focused on painting the array, had a serious expression, his eyes narrowed in concentration. With each brushstroke, he created intricate and complex array patterns, connecting them into a profound and mysterious formation.
This side of him was a stark contrast to the cheerful, innocent child who had laughed and played just a few days ago.
Master Ban sighed. In all his years and encounters with countless cultivators, he had never expected to misjudge someone so completely.
(End of Chapter)
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