Chapter 44: Inspiration
Chapter 44: Inspiration
The Fundamentals of Array Theory could only be studied at Mister Zhuang's place and was not allowed to be taken out.
For the following days, Mo Hua arrived early at Mister Zhuang's Zuo Wang Ju and would then find a quiet and comfortable spot to read by herself.
Whenever she had any questions, she would quietly jot them down and wait until Mister Zhuang finished his break before asking him. Mister Zhuang always answered her inquiries, often resolving her doubts with just a few words, which left Mo Hua full of admiration.
In just a short amount of time, Mo Hua's understanding of arrays had grown significantly.
Mo Shan and his wife wanted to visit and express their gratitude, but Mister Zhuang declined. He said that he preferred seclusion and didn't socialize much, but he appreciated their kind intentions. However, he asked them not to come to his place.
Despite his words, Mo Shan and his wife still felt indebted to him.
Mo Shan went up the mountain and hunted down a wild bull. Liu Ruhua then marinated and stewed the beef, infusing it with flavor, and also made various kinds of snacks. She asked Mo Hua to take them to Mister Zhuang, instructing her:
"Since Mister Zhuang enjoys his peace and quiet, we won't disturb him, but we should still offer a token of our appreciation. He probably doesn't lack spirit stones or anything like that, but even though these snacks aren't expensive, they represent our heartfelt gratitude. Hua'er, I hope Mister doesn't mind this humble gift."
"Okay," Mo Hua nodded in agreement.
As Mo Hua presented the food box to Mister Zhuang, she felt a bit nervous.
Given Mister Zhuang's status, he had probably tasted all kinds of delicacies, and he might not appreciate the food prepared by ordinary loose cultivators like them.
But Mister Zhuang seemed intrigued by the food box. He sampled a few slices of beef and gently nodded in approval.
Although it was low-grade wild demon beast meat without any spiritual energy, the way it was cooked was unique. The natural fragrance of the wild beef blended with the spicy seasonings, creating a wild flavor unlike anything he had experienced before.
This was the first time Mister Zhuang had tasted beef with such a unique flavor, and he couldn't help but eat a few more slices, even setting some aside to pair with his wine.
Mo Hua also gave some snacks to Guai Lao. He was a little surprised to receive them but didn't treat Mo Hua coldly because of it. He took a few bites and neither praised nor complained about the taste.
Seeing that both of them accepted the gifts and even tasted them without any signs of dissatisfaction, Mo Hua felt relieved.
Liu Ruhua was also delighted and took the time to cook various dishes for Mo Hua to deliver to Mister Zhuang and Guai Lao.
There were quite a few types of demon beasts in the mountains, each with its own unique flavor. When Liu Ruhua was free from managing the restaurant, she focused on experimenting with cooking, using the meat that Mo Shan hunted to try different recipes. She combined different types of meat with various seasonings and cooking methods, resulting in a range of distinct flavors.
Some of these creations tasted wonderful, while others were less appealing. Liu Ruhua selected the dishes with the best flavors and asked Mo Hua to bring them to Mister Zhuang for him to taste.
As for Guai Lao, he had a soft spot for snacks, and Mo Hua observed that he particularly enjoyed crispy treats and eating them while playing chess. So, Liu Ruhua made some crispy pastries, and every few days, Mo Hua would bring some to Guai Lao.
Over time, Mister Zhuang grew accustomed to their cooking and didn't fancy Guai Lao's dishes as much anymore.
One day, after Mo Hua delivered some braised meat and snacks to Mister Zhuang and Guai Lao, she spent the day studying and asking a few questions before bidding them farewell and returning home.
As dusk fell, Mister Zhuang sat by the pond, admiring the evening glow on the horizon while savoring the beef and sipping his wine, his expression relaxed and carefree.
Guai Lao was munching on some snacks while playing chess against himself. After a moment, he looked up at Mister Zhuang and said, "Your Dantian is damaged, so you should be careful not to overeat. But do make sure to have the medicinal meals I prepare for you."
Mister Zhuang shrugged indifferently, "It's hard to piece together a broken mirror, and spilled water is difficult to gather back into the pot."
A frown creased Guai Lao's face as he said, "In your life, is there any delicacy you haven't tasted? Why are you suddenly becoming a glutton?"
"Indeed." Mister Zhuang's expression turned thoughtful, his eyes reflecting the complexities of life. "I've grown tired of lavish feasts. These simple dishes, though humble, are prepared with sincere intentions, which makes them all the more precious."
"Oh," Guai Lao replied, seemingly uninterested, his focus still on the chess game as he popped a piece of the crispy fruit into his mouth.
Mister Zhuang regarded him for a moment before asking, "Can't you taste the difference? Why bother eating them, then?"
Guai Lao, his attention solely on the chessboard, replied after a moment's pause, "I chew on them for the sound."
With that, he picked up a piece of the crispy pastry and began crunching noisily.
Half a month later, after Mo Hua had finished reading the Fundamentals of Array Theory, Mister Zhuang began teaching her about arrays.
The array theories he taught were broader and more abstruse than what Yan Jiaoxiu had taught her. They were filled with array terminology that Mo Hua had never heard before, and she struggled to keep up with the lessons.
Mister Zhuang seemed nonchalant about her progress, neither rushing nor pressuring her. Whether she learned quickly or slowly, or whether her understanding was good or bad, he never uttered a word of criticism or praise.
However, perhaps due to the excessive amount of beef he had been consuming, Mister Zhuang felt a twinge of unease and asked Mo Hua, "What kind of array master do you aspire to become?"
Mo Hua wanted to say that she aspired to become a first-rate array master, but she feared that such a goal might seem insignificant to Mister Zhuang, and she had no idea what other types of array masters existed. So, she honestly replied, "Disciple doesn't know what kind of array master I can become."
Mister Zhuang fell silent for a moment before speaking, "Your spiritual root is not top-notch. Even with an abundance of spirit stones and cultivation techniques, it won't be easy for you to reach the Golden Core stage. Your cultivation realm determines the upper limit of your potential as an array master. No matter how high your comprehension is, without a sufficient realm, you won't be able to grasp more profound array formations..."
"Furthermore, while your comprehension is indeed decent, the problem lies in your late start. You lack a solid foundation in understanding various array theories. The offspring of noble clans are exposed to this knowledge from a young age, and they become familiar with profound array concepts early on. You missed out on that immersion, so even if you start from the basics now, your progress will be much slower."
"When I taught my previous disciples, I would first instruct them in array theories, helping them memorize the myriad array formations and theories in the cultivation world, thus laying a solid foundation. This approach would make it easier for them to achieve a deeper understanding and progress further on the path of arrays."
Mister Zhuang looked at Mo Hua, his expression tinged with a hint of apology, but he continued, "However, you may never progress very far. Reaching the level of a third-rate array master might be your limit. So, teaching you using the previous method would be a waste of time and wouldn't benefit you much."
Mo Hua's face fell, and she felt a twinge of disappointment.
But after a moment's reflection, she realized that even becoming a second-rate array master would be a remarkable achievement. After all, there were only a handful of first-rate array masters in all of Tongxian City.
She had almost let Mister Zhuang's words inflate her ambitions...
After a moment of thought, Mo Hua replied earnestly, "Everything in the world has its destined path. Disciple will simply focus on studying array formations, and whatever level I reach will be my destiny. Worrying too much about gains and losses will only distract me from my true purpose. I humbly request that you continue to guide me without holding back."
Mister Zhuang looked at her, a hint of surprise in his eyes, and then he smiled faintly, "You speak the truth. We plan, but the heavens decide. Becoming too caught up in gains and losses will only hinder your progress. Very well, then. Starting tomorrow, I will change my method of instruction."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
