Chapter 366: Taking on Disciples
Chapter 366: Taking on Disciples
"It's not that your face has gotten fatter, it's your thick skin," Gu Laoshi couldn't help but remark.
Mr. Zhuang disagreed:
"Impossible, my skin has always been this thick."
Gu Laoshi sighed, not wanting to bicker, and asked about the more important matter: "Have you figured out how to avoid karmic cause and effect?"
Mr. Zhuang nodded: "I have."
Gu Laoshi silently watched him.
Mr. Zhuang took a sip of his wine, his expression indifferent as he spoke:
"Cause and effect are predetermined, just like this wine. It's not a matter of choosing whether or not to drink it and thus avoid its taste. Once you drink it, you will inevitably be affected by its flavor."
"Since we can't avoid it, then we can use other causes and effects to confuse it."
"Just as others may not be able to distinguish the wine's taste, they will also be unable to discern the true cause and effect."
Confusing cause and effect...
Gu Laoshi frowned in thought, understanding what Mr. Zhuang meant, but still said: "By doing this, aren't you making cause and effect even more complicated?"
"It's not me making it complicated..."
Mr. Zhuang shook his head, his gaze drifting towards the courtyard.
Under the ancient pagoda tree in the courtyard, the three disciples were enjoying each other's company.
Mo Hua and Bai Zisheng were chatting, while Bai Zixi's beautiful eyes shone softly as she listened quietly, occasionally revealing a faint smile like a new moon.
Mr. Zhuang's eyes deepened, "But some causes and effects already exist."
...
The next day, as usual, Mo Hua visited Mr. Zhuang, bringing with him boxes of delicious treats.
"Mr. Zhuang, my mother asked me to bring these for you to try!" Mo Hua's tone was cheerful, his eyes clear and bright, as if they held starlight.
The morning sun shone brightly, filling the room with a soft glow.
Mr. Zhuang looked at Mo Hua, his expression softening as he spoke gently, "Mo Hua, would you like to become my disciple?"
Mo Hua was slightly stunned. "Aren't I already your disciple?"
Mr. Zhuang shook his head. "Not a registered disciple, but a personal disciple!"
Mo Hua was dumbfounded.
His mouth hung open, and for a moment, he found it hard to believe what he had heard.
"Per...personal disciple?"
Mr. Zhuang smiled slightly, nodding gently.
Mo Hua was overjoyed, but then he asked cautiously, "Mr. Zhuang, are you sure you want to take me as your personal disciple? My spiritual root is quite mediocre..."
Mr. Zhuang laughed it off. "It doesn't matter..."
Mo Hua thought he must be dreaming, but even if he was, he knew he had to agree to such an offer.
Just as Mo Hua was about to accept, Mr. Zhuang stopped him.
"Think it through carefully," Mr. Zhuang said solemnly.
"What is there to think about?" Mo Hua frowned, not understanding what needed consideration.
Mr. Zhuang explained, "I'm planning to leave Tongxian City, and if you become my disciple and study array techniques with me, you'll have to travel with me."
"The duration of our journey is uncertain, so you should discuss it with your parents and consider their feelings before deciding whether or not to become my disciple."
Mr. Zhuang's consideration was thoughtful and thorough.
Mo Hua's small brows furrowed together, and he looked conflicted.
He wanted to become Mr. Zhuang's disciple and learn more advanced array techniques, but he was also reluctant to leave his parents, fearing that they would worry about him.
Mr. Zhuang spoke gently, "Go back and ask your parents. Think it over carefully and then give me your answer."
"Okay." Mo Hua nodded seriously.
After returning home, Mo Hua shared the news with his parents.
Mo Shan and Liu Ruhua both looked pleased, but soon, they became hesitant.
Mo Shan furrowed his brows, about to say something, when Liu Ruhua spoke firmly, "Hua'er, go ahead and become Mr. Zhuang's disciple."
Mo Hua was slightly taken aback. "But..."
But once he became a disciple, he would have to leave with Mr. Zhuang, and he didn't know when he would return or when he would see his parents again...
Liu Ruhua's expression was gentle as she shook her head. "Don't worry too much. If you become skilled in arrays, the world is wide open to you. Don't let a temporary farewell hold you back."
"The opportunity to learn arrays from Mr. Zhuang is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. You mustn't miss it!"
"We're just ordinary cultivators, unknown and without influence. Despite that, Mr. Zhuang is willing to take you as his disciple. This is an immense favor."
"We have no way to repay such a debt of gratitude."
"By becoming his disciple and attending to him, you will be showing your appreciation to Mr. Zhuang..."
Liu Ruhua's tone was gentle yet resolute.
Mo Shan nodded in agreement. "Listen to your mother."
"Okay, I will," Mo Hua replied earnestly.
After Mo Hua left the room, Liu Ruhua's determined expression faded, and she became hesitant and anxious, worrying about the potential outcome.
Mo Shan held her hand, his voice soft, "Are you reluctant to let him go?"
Liu Ruhua's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she nodded.
How could she not be reluctant to let go of her child, who had been by her side since he was little and had always been so obedient and considerate?
But even so, they had no choice.
Liu Ruhua sighed, "Hua'er has already learned all he can about arrays in Tongxian City. If he stays here for the rest of his life, I doubt he'll be able to make much more progress..."
"I know he loves studying arrays and wants to continue learning, but he's also concerned about us, which is why he hasn't made up his mind."
"A parent's love for their child is deep, and so their plans for them are far-reaching..."
"I can't let my reluctance stand in the way of his future."
"And who knows, he might even bring back a daughter-in-law for you," Mo Shan added with a smile.
Liu Ruhua, known as Liu Ruhua, wiped away her tears and playfully chastised him. "What nonsense are you spouting now?"
Seeing his wife's improved mood, Mo Shan squeezed her hand and comforted her further. "No matter where he roams, he will always return one day. As his parents, we'll just wait for him right here..."
Liu Ruhua nodded silently, her mood gradually calming.
...
The next day, Mo Hua went to see Mr. Zhuang again, remembering his parents' instructions. He performed a grand ritual with reverence and said in a crisp voice, "I, Mo Hua, wish to become your disciple, Master."
Mr. Zhuang was taken aback. Here he was, intending to take on disciples, and Mo Hua was offering himself as a disciple with such respect.
A warm feeling filled Mr. Zhuang's heart as he helped Mo Hua up and dusted off his clothes. "There's no need for such a grand gesture. You're too formal..."
Mo Hua smiled, his eyes curving into a happy crescent.
Seeing Mo Hua's innocent smile, Mr. Zhuang returned the smile, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders.
Regardless of how the world changed or how karma shifted, at least he had finally taken on this disciple.
With this decision made, there was no need for hesitation or uncertainty. All he had to do was move forward with determination.
Mr. Zhuang felt a sudden lightness in his heart, as if the years of wandering and hardship had finally found their purpose, and the gloom of the past was blown away by the wind.
After a while, Mo Hua's smile faded as he thought of something else, and he looked a little conflicted again.
He asked quietly, "Master, how many disciples do you plan to take on?"
Mr. Zhuang looked at him, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "What are you trying to ask?"
Mo Hua hesitated, feeling it might be inappropriate, but he asked anyway. "What about Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi? Aren't you going to take them as your disciples too?"
If they all became his registered disciples together, Mo Hua thought it might be awkward for them if he was the only one to formally take Mr. Zhuang as his master.
Mr. Zhuang smiled and said, "They have excellent aptitudes, and there is some connection between us. I will take them on as disciples."
Mo Hua breathed a sigh of relief and felt delighted.
So, they would all be registered disciples together, and then they would become personal disciples together, making them true fellow disciples.
But then Mo Hua wondered if Mr. Zhuang had always intended to take Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi as disciples, given their exceptional talents and their family backgrounds.
In comparison, he had a weak body, mediocre spiritual roots, and a humble background. His strengths were his strong spiritual sense and his skill in drawing formations.
It was only natural for Mr. Zhuang to take on Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi as disciples, but taking him on seemed more like an afterthought, a way to "fill a quota."
However, Mo Hua didn't mind. He was just happy that Mr. Zhuang was willing to accept him.
After Mo Hua left happily, Mr. Zhuang called for Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi. Getting straight to the point, he asked, "Are you willing to accept me as your master?"
The Bai siblings were stunned.
After a moment, excitement lit up Bai Zisheng's face, and Bai Zixi's eyes sparkled with joy.
They had assumed that Mr. Zhuang wouldn't take them on as disciples, but now, at the last moment, things had taken a turn, and Mr. Zhuang agreed to accept them.
Without hesitation, they performed a ritual and respectfully said, "Greetings, Master."
Mr. Zhuang nodded slightly and said, "You may rise."
The siblings stood up respectfully.
"We'll set a date for the formal discipleship ceremony with incense and tea," Mr. Zhuang said. "As for the rest, your mother probably already knows and has informed you."
Mr. Zhuang's eyes held a hint of complexity as he continued, "Since I've agreed to take you on as disciples, I will teach you everything I should. This will also be my way of giving your mother an answer."
Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi nodded in agreement.
They understood that their role was to become disciples and follow their master's instructions without questioning.
Before becoming disciples, they listened to their mother's arrangements, and after becoming disciples, they would follow Mr. Zhuang's lead.
In matters concerning the noble family, they, as disciples of the family, had little say, even if they were direct descendants with exceptional talent.
The more important the matter, the less room there was for change.
After giving them a few brief instructions, Mr. Zhuang let them leave.
However, Bai Zixi, being the more perceptive one, paused before leaving and asked, "Master, what about Mo Hua...?"
Before she could finish, Bai Zisheng realized what she was asking and joined in, "Master, will you take on Mo Hua as your disciple too?"
Now that they had all become his disciples, it would be awkward for Mo Hua to be left out, even if they didn't say it aloud.
Mr. Zhuang was surprised by the question, but a strange sense of warmth filled his heart, and he nodded. "Yes."
The siblings were overjoyed.
Bai Zisheng's eyes sparkled with excitement, and Bai Zixi's smile blossomed like a delicate flower in the night, beautiful and breathtaking.
Seeing this, Mr. Zhuang marveled:
"This child's beauty surpasses even that of her mother.
I wonder if it will bring her good fortune or something else in the future..."
(End of Chapter)
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