Chapter 87: Rebuke
Chapter 87: Rebuke
Master Chen stormed in, his anger palpable, causing his disciples to dare not even breathe a word.
"Why are you all so quiet now?"
They exchanged glances, thinking, It's because you came in swinging, Master, not giving us a chance to speak.
They looked at Da Zhu, who reluctantly stepped forward and said, "Master, it's not our fault."
"If it's not your fault, whose fault is it? Are you blaming me? Did I start this fight?" Master Chen rebuked.
"They started it by bullying others!" Da Zhu whispered.
"Yes, Master. They went too far!" the disciples chimed in.
Master Chen let out a cold laugh. "Oh, they went too far, so you're completely blameless? Even if they were in the wrong, did you have to beat them to this state? If the Court of Laws detains you, do you expect me to beg for your release, embarrassing myself in the process? And if someone sustains serious injuries, do I have to compensate them with spirit stones?"
Master Chen's anger grew as he continued, "Let's not even talk about the spirit stones. Are they that easy to come by? How did I end up with such a bunch of troublemakers? You've barely learned anything in terms of artifact refining, yet you've caused me nothing but trouble!"
"Mo Hua was being bullied, so we stepped in!"
"So what if Mo Hua was bullied? Who hasn't been bullied before? Does that mean you have to fight back every time? How many cultivators would be injured or killed if that were the case? I think you all need a good beating today to learn your lesson..."
Master Chen raised his stick as if to strike, but then suddenly stopped and furrowed his brows. "Who was being bullied?"
"Mo Hua..." Da Zhu replied, shrinking back a little as he eyed the stick in his master's hand.
"Mo Hua?"
Master Chen thought of Mo Hua, a well-behaved and harmless child of around ten years old, and couldn't help but ask, "Who's gone crazy now, bullying a child like Mo Hua?"
Da Zhu quickly explained, "It's not just bullying, Master. They were clearly trying to kill him. That's why I had to intervene!"
"Trying to kill him?" Master Chen roared in anger. "They have no regard for the rules!"
"Exactly! Exactly!"
"It's outrageous!"
"They've lost all sense of shame!"
"..."
"Shut up!" Master Chen silenced them with a stern command.
Master Chen was not clear on the details of what had transpired. He had just finished work and was relaxing with a drink to ease his fatigue when he heard that Da Zhu had gotten into another fight. Not only Da Zhu, but the other apprentices had joined in as well, causing quite a commotion. There were injuries, and even the Court of Laws had been alerted.
Enraged, he rushed back to confront his disciples.
"Who was bullying Mo Hua?" Master Chen asked, turning to Da Zhu.
"Qian Xing."
"Qian Xing? The young master of the Qian family?"
"Yes."
"Do you know why?"
Da Zhu shook his head.
Master Chen's brows furrowed deeper. What conflict could there be between the Qian family and Mo Hua? They were like strangers to each other...
But that Qian Xing...
He had heard that the boy was usually up to no good. It was possible that he simply wanted to bully others to show off his power.
Da Zhu continued, "When I arrived, Qian Xing and his group had already surrounded Mo Hua. Someone was about to attack, and they were going to strike hard at his glabella. I panicked and intervened."
Master Chen listened, his anger rising. He felt his suspicions were correct, and he couldn't help but curse, "What a little good-for-nothing..."
He probably got used to acting arrogantly and wanted to bully others to showcase his supposed prowess. Anyone who didn't yield to him would face his wrath.
The head of the Qian family, Qian Hong, was not a good person, but he at least knew where to draw the line. How did he end up with such a son...
Could he really be an illegitimate child?
Master Chen couldn't help but suspect as much.
Seeing that his master was no longer angry, Da Zhu quietly asked, "Master, are you still going to beat us?"
Master Chen glared at him. "What? You don't like a good beating?"
Da Zhu shook his head vigorously. "No, no, no!"
Master Chen threw the stick aside but still said, "It was good of you to help someone, but you wouldn't have beaten them to this state if it was just a simple act of assistance. You must have gotten carried away and lost control, forgetting all restraint."
Master Chen knew his disciples too well. If they had just wanted to help, they would have left after rescuing the person. Something must have sparked a conflict, and being young, they let their anger get the better of them and lost control.
It's admirable for young people to have a sense of righteousness, but their backgrounds and circumstances cannot support their fiery passion.
Master Chen sighed. However, despite his words, right and wrong could not be ignored.
Looking at the group of children before him, Master Chen felt both worry and relief:
"There's a reason for what happened, and I won't pursue it further. Helping others is commendable, but try to avoid casualties. Don't always act on impulse, and don't worry your parents. You won't be punished today. Just kneel here for an hour to reflect on your actions, then you can go."
Da Zhu and the others heaved a sigh of relief. Kneeling for an hour was nothing compared to a beating, and it seemed that their master wasn't truly angry with them. It was merely a symbolic punishment.
With this thought, everyone felt much more at ease, and even as they knelt, they held themselves with straight backs.
Da Zhu then remembered something and said to Master Chen, "Master, Mo Hua said that since we helped him, if we ever need to draw any formations, we can just find him directly. As long as it's not too difficult, he'll be able to draw it for us..."
"Oh?"
Master Chen turned to leave, but after taking a few steps, he turned back, "What did you say?"
Da Zhu felt that his master was acting a bit strangely, so he repeated, "Mo Hua said..."
Da Zhu repeated what Mo Hua had said.
"Did Mo Hua really say that?" Master Chen asked.
Da Zhu nodded, and the other apprentices chimed in, "Yes, that's what he said."
Master Chen took a moment to calm himself, but he still couldn't help rubbing his hands together in anticipation. After a moment's hesitation, he said:
"You helped him, and he's helping us with formations. I don't think we're taking advantage of him, are we...?"
Da Zhu thought for a moment and replied, "Mo Hua said that this is how lone cultivators help each other; it's not taking advantage."
"That's true!"
Master Chen finally couldn't contain his laughter. But then he remembered he was in front of his disciples, so he forced himself to straighten his face, although the smile kept trying to break through.
With Mo Hua's help, the future of the formation drawings in the pill refinery was secured. Even if they just saved on the cost of hiring formation masters, it would still be a significant savings.
With the saved spirit stones, the pill refinery could afford to repair and buy new equipment, and they could invest in better-quality refining iron. The young apprentices under his care could also eat more hearty meals.
Master Chen felt the burden on his shoulders lighten considerably, and he felt rejuvenated.
"What a good child..." Master Chen was in a much better mood now. He turned to his disciples and said, "Mo Hua is young, but he's talented and diligent. It's us taking advantage of him by having him draw formations for us. If his family ever encounters any difficulties, and you are able to help, you must do so! Remember my words!"
"Yes, Master!" Da Zhu and the others nodded eagerly.
"Alright, you may leave now." Master Chen waved his hand.
"Yes, Master," Da Zhu replied, and as he turned to go, he suddenly remembered something and asked softly, "We don't have to kneel?"
Master Chen was both annoyed and amused, "Kneel? Scram!"
"Yes!"
The disciples replied loudly, relieved, and they practically ran off.
Master Chen shook his head as he watched them go, "A bunch of silly boys, when will they ever grow up..."
He had returned with anger, but seeing his disciples now, his mood had improved significantly. He decided to find another place to drink, but after taking a few steps, he stopped again.
Master Chen suddenly snapped his fingers, "I forgot to ask, what about the Qian family? Is everything alright there?"
Although Qian Xing was a good-for-nothing, if something had truly happened, it would be troublesome.
However, upon further thought, the Qian family had many members and guards. No matter what, they wouldn't be at a disadvantage. Besides, it was just a fight between children in the middle stages of Qi Refining. Even if they were injured, it probably wasn't too serious. If something had really happened, these children wouldn't have been able to return safely.
With these thoughts, Master Chen put his worries to rest and went to drink in peace.
(End of Chapter)
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