The construction progress of the artifact refining workshop was proceeding as Master Ban had anticipated.
Approaching the year-end, if the workshop could be completed earlier, he could settle the spiritual stone payments sooner, provide explanations to his craftsmen and disciples, and everyone could go home for a good New Year.
Master Ban was very dedicated, spending most of his days at the workshop, supervising the craftsmen, instructing the demon hunters who came to assist, and occasionally personally handling matters that his disciples couldn't manage.
During this period, Master Ban often saw Mo Hua.
Mo Hua wandered around with his hands behind his back, observing here and there, occasionally muttering something, and jotting down notes on a piece of paper.
If one didn't know better, they might think he was also a young craftsman.
Master Ban remembered Elder Yu's words: let him do as he pleased. So, he didn't interfere.
Occasionally, Mo Hua would ask him questions, and if Master Ban had time, he would answer them all. Mo Hua would then use the food and wine from his family's restaurant as thanks. After Master Ban had tried it once, he couldn't forget the taste.
Tender yet chewy, spicy with a hint of wild game.
Master Ban had eaten meat before, but never such delicious meat. He usually ate hastily due to his busy schedule, not paying much attention to food, but the taste of this meat was truly unforgettable.
Master Ban silently noted down the name of Mo Hua's family restaurant, planning that once the workshop was completed and he had settled his accounts and earned some spiritual stones, he would buy more to let his grandson and granddaughter taste it.
About a month and a half later, the basic structure of the artifact refining workshop was completed.
Next, the array masters would draw arrays on the walls, inside the rooms, and on the foundation stones of some key buildings. After that, the craftsmen would further construct using earth and wooden bricks to enclose the arrays, followed by minor repairs, and then the entire workshop would be completed.
Master Ban was somewhat worried.
Next, the array masters needed to draw the arrays, but where were they?
Occasionally, he would consult Elder Yu about matters, but despite many visits back and forth, he hadn't seen the shadow of an array master.
Normally, at the beginning of the construction of the artifact refining workshop, the array masters would survey the terrain and layout of the buildings. During construction, they should also come by frequently to inspect.
However, during this long period, as far as Master Ban could recall, he hadn't seen a single array master.
If the array masters didn't understand the building layout, how could they draw the arrays?
Moreover, he had seen the architectural array diagrams. Although he didn't understand arrays, at a glance, he could tell that the arrays used in this building were numerous and complex, not something an ordinary array master could draw, nor could one or two array masters complete them.
If the arrays were not drawn well, the project couldn't be completed.
Similarly, if the arrays were drawn too slowly, they wouldn't finish on time. If delayed, it might drag on indefinitely, and by year-end, they might not settle the accounts.
With these thoughts in mind, Master Ban felt anxious.
After enduring for a while, he finally approached Elder Yu, unable to conceal his worry, "Elder Yu, the current phase of our work is almost done. What about the arrays..."
"No rush," Elder Yu replied calmly, showing no urgency.
If you're not in a rush, I am...
Master Ban thought to himself, then asked Elder Yu, "Have you hired the array masters?"
"We hired them a while ago."
"That's good," Master Ban breathed a sigh of relief, then couldn't help but ask, "But why haven't I seen them?"
Elder Yu smiled mysteriously, "You have seen them."
Master Ban was puzzled, "Where have I seen them?"
"They'll start drawing the arrays tomorrow. You'll see them then," Elder Yu said.
Master Ban furrowed his brow. He couldn't recall seeing any array master, but since Elder Yu said they would start drawing the arrays tomorrow, he would find out then.
The next day, Master Ban arrived early at the artifact refining workshop.
He hadn't slept well all night, constantly worried that Elder Yu had deceived him.
With such a large project at the workshop, if anything went wrong and they couldn't settle the spiritual stone payments, he wouldn't know how to explain it to his craftsmen and disciples.
In theory, Elder Yu was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and they had a good relationship. He wouldn't intentionally deceive him. But theories aside, in practice, Master Ban couldn't help but worry.
People's hearts are unpredictable, who can say for certain?
As the sky gradually brightened, around the hour of the Rabbit (approximately 5-7 am), Elder Yu arrived.
Master Ban stared at Elder Yu for a long time, then glanced behind him, unable to resist asking, "You came alone? Where is the array master?"
Seeing his anxious expression, Elder Yu comforted him, "Don't worry, they'll be here soon."
Master Ban could only patiently wait.
After a while, nearing the hour of the Rabbit, Mo Hua arrived carrying a storage bag and holding a big bun, eating as he walked towards the artifact refining workshop.
The morning sun pierced through the clouds, casting a faint golden edge on his figure.
Mo Hua struggled to finish the bun, then looked up and spotted Elder Yu and Master Ban, waving to them from afar.
Master Ban was puzzled for a while. When Mo Hua approached, he couldn't help but ask, "Mo Hua? What are you here to do..."
Mo Hua patted his storage bag and chuckled, "I'm here to do my job."
Before Master Ban could ask what job, Elder Yu smiled and asked, "Are you ready?"
Mo Hua nodded, "All set."
With that, Mo Hua walked into the artifact refining workshop, followed by Elder Yu.
Master Ban didn't have time to ask further questions and could only follow them inside, but he remained perplexed:
What job? What exactly is this child going to do?
Soon enough, Master Ban found out.
Mo Hua arrived at a building's foundation stone, spread out a densely packed architectural array diagram, took out three types of array pens from his storage bag—micro, medium, and large—and carefully prepared spiritual ink of five colors representing the elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Then, he began drawing the array formations.
Mo Hua's small hands held the pen, dipped in spiritual ink. After a glance at the array diagram, he skillfully delineated array patterns on the foundation stone.
His demeanor was calm, his technique skilled, handling the pen with ease and grace.
It looked grand and impressive!
Master Ban was dumbfounded.
This child Mo Hua was the array master that Elder Yu had mentioned?
This boy of about ten years old, an array master?
Master Ban's emotions fluctuated, his thoughts somewhat chaotic.
After pondering for a while, he remembered why Elder Yu had said he had seen an array master.
Of course, Mo Hua frequently roamed nearby. Whenever he had time, he would drink and chat with him. How could he have not seen him?
Master Ban recalled that the first time he saw Mo Hua, he was lying on the ground looking at the foundation stone. He must have been surveying the terrain and understanding the building layout. Later, when he came by often, he was probably checking if the building layout matched the architectural array diagrams...
Thinking about it, these were indeed things an array master would do. He just hadn't thought in that direction.
Master Ban's mood was complicated and difficult to express. It wasn't entirely his fault for not thinking of it—how could anyone have anticipated this?
Master Ban looked at Mo Hua again.
Mo Hua was deeply focused on drawing the arrays, his expression serious, his gaze slightly concentrated. Stroke by stroke, he calmly and methodically created Compound Array patterns, linking them into mysterious and unfathomable formations.
This focused demeanor was starkly different from the carefree, smiling child of the past few days.
Master Ban sighed. After living for so many years and encountering numerous cultivators, he hadn't expected to misjudge someone like this...
(End of the Chapter)