"Youâre not getting chubbier; your skin is just getting thicker..." Old Kui couldnât help but say.
Mr. Zhuang denied it:n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
"Impossible, my skin has always been this thick."
Old Kui sighed, not wanting to bicker with him, and asked about serious matters, "Have you thought about how to avoid karma? "
Mr. Zhuang nodded, "I have."
Old Kui silently looked at him.
Mr. Zhuang took a sip of wine and said lightly:
"Karma is predetermined, just like this wine, you canât avoid it just by wishing not to. Once you drink it, you canât avoid getting the scent of it."
"Since it canât be avoided, then use other karmas to confuse it."
"By confusing the smell of the wine, others might not be able to smell it; by confusing karma, others might not be able to see through it."
Confusing karma...
Old Kui frowned and thought about it, understanding, but still said,
"Wonât this make karma even more complicated?"
"Itâs not me whoâs making it complicated..."
Mr. Zhuang shook his head, then his gaze became distant as he looked towards the courtyard.
In the courtyard, under the large pagoda tree, three disciples were happily together.
Mo Hua and Bai Zisheng were talking about something, and Bai Zixiâs beautiful eyes were bright as she quietly listened, occasionally revealing a smile as faint and gentle as a crescent moon.
Mr. Zhuangâs gaze was deep, "Itâs just that some karmas already exist."
...
The next day, as usual, Mo Hua went to visit Mr. Zhuang, bringing many edibles in large and small boxes.
"Gentleman, my mother asked me to bring these for you to try!"
Mo Huaâs tone was cheerful, his eyes bright as if filled with starlight.
The morning sun was splendid, and the room was filled with a clear glow.
Looking at Mo Hua, Mr. Zhuangâs demeanor suddenly softened and gently said:
"Mo Hua, would you like to be my disciple?"
Mo Hua was slightly startled, "Arenât I already your disciple?"
Mr. Zhuang shook his head, "Not a nominal disciple, but a direct disciple!"
Mo Hua was stunned.
His mouth hung open, for a moment, he couldnât believe his ears and thought he had misheard.
"Direct... direct disciple?"
Mr. Zhuang smiled slightly and nodded gently.
Mo Hua was thrilled, but then he cautiously asked,
"Gentleman, you wonât regret taking me as your direct disciple, right? My spiritual root is very poor..."
Mr. Zhuang chuckled, "It doesnât matter..."
Mo Hua thought he was dreaming, but even if it were a dream, he had to agree to such a thing.
Just as Mo Hua was about to agree, Mr. Zhuang stopped him.
Mr. Zhuang said solemnly, "You need to think it through."
"Is there anything to think about?"
Mo Hua frowned, not understanding what there was to consider.
Mr. Zhuang then said, "Iâm leaving Tongxian City. If you become my disciple and learn formations from me, youâll have to wander with me."
"Wandering without knowing the time, you should discuss with your parents, consider their feelings, and then decide whether you want to become a disciple."
Mr. Zhuangâs considerations were considerate and thoughtful.
Mo Huaâs small eyebrows knitted together, quite troubled.
He wanted to acknowledge Mr. Zhuang as his master and learn higher formations, but he didnât want to leave his parents and worried they would be concerned.
Mr. Zhuang gently said, "Go ask your parents, think it over, and then give me your answer."
"Okay."
Mo Hua nodded seriously.
After returning home, Mo Hua told his parents about the matter.
Mo Shan and Liu Ruhua both showed happy expressions, then both hesitated a bit.
Mo Shan was about to say something with a frown, when Liu Ruhua said firmly:
"Huar, take Mr. Zhuang as your master."
Mo Hua was briefly taken aback, "But..."
But once he became a disciple, he would have to leave with Mr. Zhuang, and he didnât know when he would be able to return, when he could see his parents again...
Liu Ruhuaâs demeanor was gentle, she shook her head and said:
"Donât worry about so much. If you have accomplishments in formations, the world is vast, and you can go anywhere. Donât mind the temporary separation."
"To learn formations from Mr. Zhuang is an incredible opportunity that you must not miss!"
"We are just loose cultivators without name or gain, and despite that, Mr. Zhuang is willing to take you as a disciple, which is an immense kindness."
"We have no way to repay this kindness."
"By taking Mr. Zhuang as a master and attending to him, you would be showing some gratitude for his kindness..."
Liu Ruhuaâs tone was gentle but firm.
Mo Shan also nodded, "Listen to your mother."
"Alright, Iâll remember!"
Mo Hua seriously nodded.
After Mo Hua returned to his room, Liu Ruhuaâs resolute expression disappeared, turning hesitant and anxious, torn with indecision.
Mo Shan held her hand and softly said:
"Are you reluctant to let him go?"
Liu Ruhuaâs eyes tinged with sourness, she nodded.
How could she bear to let go of the child who had been by her side since childhood, especially one so caring and considerate...
But there was no choice in the matter of reluctance.
Liu Ruhua sighed,
"Huarâs mastery of formations is so good that no one in Tongxian City can teach him anymore. Staying here his whole life, itâs likely difficult for him to make any further progress..."
"I know he likes to study formations and wants to learn more, but heâs also concerned about us and canât make up his mind."
"Parentsâ love for their child leads them to plan for his future..."
"I canât delay his future just because I canât bear to let him go."
Mo Shan also found it hard to let go in his heart, but he didnât show it and just smiled to comfort her,
"Donât worry, itâs just traveling the clouds; itâs not like heâs not coming back. Who didnât travel when they were young?"
"Maybe after a few years, heâll come back."
"By then, he might even bring back a little bride for you."
Liu Ruhua burst into laughter through her tears and scolded him, "What nonsense are you talking about?"
Seeing that his wifeâs mood had improved, Mo Shan held her hand tightly and reassured her,
"No matter where he roams, he will always have a day of return; as parents, we simply wait for him here..."
Liu Ruhuaâs mood gradually stabilized, and she silently nodded her head.
...
The next day, Mo Hua went to find Mr. Zhuang again, remembering his parentsâ instructions, he respectfully performed a deep bow and crisply said,
"Mo Hua is untalented and humbly requests Mr. Zhuang to accept me as a disciple!"
Mr. Zhuang was stunned.
It was clear that he wanted to take a disciple, but Mo Hua came to respectfully request apprenticeship...
A warmth arose in Mr. Zhuangâs heart; he came forward to help Mo Hua up and even dusted off his clothes for him, "No need for such big formalities, itâs too stand-offish..."
Mo Hua squinted his eyes and smiled.
Seeing Mo Huaâs innocently joyful smile, Mr. Zhuang also smiled warmly, feeling a weight lifted from his heart.
No matter what, he had finally accepted this disciple.
No matter how the world may change, and how causes and effects evolve, this matter will remain unchanged.
Since it had been decided, there was no need to hesitate or wander; it was best to proceed with firm steps.
Mr. Zhuang suddenly felt much lighter in his heart.
It seemed after so many years of uncertainty, he had finally found his bearings and the many years of sullen hardships had all gone with the wind.
Mo Hua was happy for a while, then suddenly thought of something and became somewhat troubled again.
He quietly asked, "Gentleman, do you plan to take several disciples?"
Mr. Zhuang looked at him with a hint of a smile, "What is it you want to ask?"
Mo Hua felt it wasnât quite appropriate and hesitated before saying, "What about Zisheng and Zixi? Arenât you going to take them as well?"
If everyone was a nominal disciple together, but only he were to become Mr. Zhuangâs direct disciple, it probably wouldnât sit well with them...
Mr. Zhuang laughed, "They have good aptitudes, and thereâs some connection with me; Iâll accept them."
Mo Hua breathed a sigh of relief and was very happy.
With this, everyone would start off as nominal disciples together and then become direct disciples together; then they would truly be of the same sect.
Mo Hua then thought that Zisheng and Zixi were extremely talented and had a family heritage; maybe Mr. Zhuang had thought of accepting them as disciples long ago.
Compared to them, he was born frail, with an inadequate spiritual root and a poor background; it was only his strong divine sense and his slightly better skill in formations.
It was only natural for Mr. Zhuang to accept Zisheng and Zixi as disciples while taking him on seemed a bit like making up the numbers.
But Mo Hua didnât care; he was happy that Mr. Zhuang was willing to take him as a disciple.
After Mo Hua left happily, Mr. Zhuang called Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi over and directly asked them,
"Are you willing to take me as your teacher?"
Bai Zisheng and the others were also shocked.
After a moment, Bai Zishengâs face lit up with excitement, and Bai Zixi also showed signs of delight.
They originally thought Mr. Zhuang wouldnât accept them, but unexpectedly, there was a twist in the end, and the gentleman agreed to take them as disciples.
The two immediately performed the rituals and respectfully said,
"We greet our master."
Mr. Zhuang nodded slightly and said, "Rise."
They respectfully stood up again.
Mr. Zhuang said, "Weâll choose an auspicious day to burn incense and offer tea before formally taking me as your master."
"As for the rest, your mother should know everything and must have told you."
Mr. Zhuangâs gaze became profound, "Since Iâve agreed to take you as disciples, naturally Iâll teach you everything I should, and give her an explanation as well."
Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi nodded in agreement.
They just needed to become disciples; the rest was not for them to overly concern themselves with.
Before becoming disciples, they followed their motherâs arrangements; after becoming disciples, they would follow Mr. Zhuangâs orders.
The matters within, in fact, were not up to the siblings to decide.
Or it might be said that in noble clans, these clan disciples, even though they might be direct descendants and exceptionally talented, often had no say in such matters.
The more important the matter, the less room there was for change.
After giving brief instructions, Mr. Zhuang sent them on their way.
With her keen mind, Bai Zixi hesitated before leaving, but finally asked,
"Gentleman, about Mo Hua..."
Bai Zixi didnât finish her question when Bai Zisheng caught on and also asked on her behalf,
"Gentleman, will you accept Mo Hua as your disciple too?"
If everyone started off as nominal disciples, and now they had all become Mr. Zhuangâs disciples, it would undoubtedly weigh on Mo Huaâs heart if he were left out, even if it went unspoken.
Mr. Zhuang was taken aback, feeling an inexplicable sense of gratification, and nodded,
"Yes!"
The two of them were even happier now.
Bai Zishengâs face showed his elation, and Bai Zixi smiled gently, her smile blooming like a night-blooming cereus, beautiful and breathtaking.
Seeing this, Mr. Zhuang reflected inwardly,
This childâs appearance is even better than her motherâs.
One wonders if that will be a good thing in the future...