The scenery in the courtyard differed from what the three of them had imagined. It was tranquil but seemed very casual.
Each pond and view was simply unique, with no fluctuations of spiritual energy, not resembling the abode of a great cultivator.
Mr. Zhuang also differed from their expectations. Though he had a handsome and dashing appearance marked by the trials of life, he seemed to lack the aura they had imagined.
Aunt Xue appeared respectful, silently pondering.
Before leaving, the lady had shown her a portrait. The man in the painting stood with hands behind his back atop a mountain, like an immortal sword fully unsheathed. His overwhelming aura, proud and dominating the world, was almost unbearable to gaze upon.
The current Mr. Zhuang lay in a bamboo chair, lazily rocking, appearing very... languid.
If not for the portrait, it would be hard to believe he was the same person.
Nevertheless, Aunt Xue dared not show any disrespect. She respectfully handed over a token and a jade slip to Mr. Zhuang.
"Before leaving, the lady asked me to give this token and letter to you, saying you would understand upon seeing them."
Mr. Zhuang looked at the token and then at the jade slip, chuckling softly:
"Ah, my dear junior sister, even now she remembers me, always finding ways to trouble me."
Mr. Zhuang turned to Aunt Xue, "When you have a chance, tell your lady this: a woman who schemes too much, ages quickly."
Aunt Xue kept her head down, not daring to respond.
Mr. Zhuang then glanced at Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi, nodding, "Their talents are indeed excellent, worthy of..." He stopped halfway.
Aunt Xue didn't know what Mr. Zhuang intended to say, but seeing him praise Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi's talents, she couldn't help but feel happy, "Then, sir..."
"I do not take direct disciples. At most, they can be in-name disciples." Mr. Zhuang put down the jade slip, "If they are willing, they can stay. If not, they can leave."
This was within the lady's expectations. Aunt Xue remembered the lady's words before departing:
"My senior brother is inherently stubborn. If he agrees, he will follow through; if he doesn't, no amount of pleading will work. But he does have a soft spot. Once he gives in, you can slowly work on him. If they can't become direct disciples, being registered ones is good enough. If not even that, staying to serve tea and water is also fine. As long as he remembers our connection, he will eventually accept Zixi and Zisheng."
Aunt Xue quickly said, "It is already a divine blessing for them to be accepted as registered disciples by you. How could they not be willing?"
"Very well," Mr. Zhuang nodded, "No need for formalities, just call me 'sir.'"
Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi knelt and bowed to Mr. Zhuang, calling out, "Greetings, sir."
Mr. Zhuang looked at the two children, momentarily dazed.
He vaguely saw two children, a handsome boy and a beautiful girl, bowing to a white-haired old man, their young voices echoing, "Greetings, master."
Mr. Zhuang snapped out of it, a hint of self-mockery crossing his face. He then said:
"There aren't many rules here. Your mother's knowledge of formations is not low. She should have taught you what needed to be taught. You are past the age of formation enlightenment and have some foundation. Learn on your own. If you have questions, come to me. But one thing, do not disturb my meditation."
"I have another nominal disciple here named Mo Hua. You should have met him. Get along well with him."
With that, Mr. Zhuang waved his hand, "Go now. Come up the mountain at the dawn and leave in the evening. The rest of the time is free. If you don't understand something, ask Mo Hua."
Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi bowed and left. The three of them exited the bamboo house and arrived in the courtyard.
Aunt Xue felt things had gone more smoothly than she had expected, almost too casually.
Moreover, she wondered why Mr. Zhuang had not seen them before but was willing to now, even accepting Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi as his students so easily.
Aunt Xue frowned, puzzled.
"Could it really be as Mo Hua said, that Mr. Zhuang acts according to fate? He didn't see us because the time wasn't right, but now it is?"
As Aunt Xue walked, she saw Mo Hua under the large locust tree, intently studying a book on formations at a small table.
Aunt Xue believed Mo Hua must have something extraordinary to be accepted as Mr. Zhuang's student, and Bai Zixi and Bai Zisheng were also curious about what Mr. Zhuang taught.
The three approached Mo Hua and saw he was deeply engrossed in a formation book.
Mo Hua, fully focused, looked up upon hearing them and saw Bai Zisheng and his sister. He said, "You met Mr. Zhuang?"
Aunt Xue replied, "Yes, and we have to thank you for your words earlier. Otherwise, we might have waited in vain for a long time."
"I'm not any young master, just call me Mo Hua," Mo Hua waved his hand, "And you should thank Mr. Zhuang, it has nothing to do with me."
Bai Zisheng, unable to contain his curiosity, asked, "Is that book... 'An Introduction to the Five Elements Formation'?"
Mo Hua nodded.
Bai Zisheng, puzzled, said, "You've been with Mr. Zhuang and are only learning this? This is a book used for formation enlightenment for three or four-year-old children in our clan..."
Mo Hua was a bit unhappy.
Questioning oneself is fine, but questioning Mr. Zhuang is not.
Mo Hua retorted, "So, was this book written by three or four-year-olds?"
Bai Zisheng was momentarily taken aback. "No, although these basic formation books seem simple, they involve significant principles and are mostly compiled by highly skilled formation masters."
"If these books are written by such great masters, why can't they be read? The simpler things often contain the most profound truths. The great Dao is simple and returns to its essence. Even the most advanced formations are composed of the most basic formation patterns."
Mo Hua imitated Mr. Zhuang, adopting a mysterious and profound demeanor.
Though he was still inexperienced and only managed to capture thirty or forty percent of the mannerisms, it was enough to impress Bai Zisheng.
Bai Zisheng had a moment of realization, looking at Mo Hua with newfound respect.
However, moments later, he questioned, "But your cultivation level is very low. You seem only two or three years younger than Zixi and me, yet your cultivation is only at the third level of Qi Refining. Normally, it should be at least the fifth or sixth level by now..."
Mo Hua found this person somewhat annoying. He preferred Bai Zisheng's quiet demeanor when he was hungry and had no energy to talk.
Mo Hua didn't want to respond, so Aunt Xue apologized, "I'm sorry, Zisheng was a bit abrupt. What does being Mr. Zhuang's apprentice entail?"
Bai Zisheng wanted to argue, but Bai Zixi gave him a faint glance, and he swallowed his words.
Mo Hua didn't mind and said, "Not much. Just train and study on your own each day. When Mr. Zhuang is available, you can ask him questions, but don't disturb his meditation."
Bai Zisheng couldn't help but ask, "Is Mr. Zhuang's expertise in formations really that high? This courtyard seems quite ordinary, without any special formations. Shouldn't a formation master's residence be covered in formations?"
Mo Hua retorted, "If Mr. Zhuang's expertise wasn't high, why would you go to such lengths to become his apprentice?"
Bai Zisheng replied, "Of course, because..."
"Young master!"
Aunt Xue interrupted Bai Zisheng. Realizing his mistake, he covered up by saying, "It is because we had only heard of him and hadn't seen him for ourselves, so I was just asking you."
"Oh"
Mo Hua gave him a suspicious look but said nothing more.
(End of the chapter)