#master disciple

[blackjadejiu]

In the narrow cave, Yao Lao watched with closed eyes as Xiao Yan trained his Dou Qi. Rubbing his reddish eyes with his hands, Yao Lao knew that he was one of the reasons why Xiao Yan had chosen this dangerous technique. Emotions welled up within his old heart as he turned to face the sky. With a low sigh, he murmured: “Rest assured, I will definitely nurture you into the most outstanding Alchemist……”

[blackjadejiu]

Although Situ Nan was sleeping for a long period of time, Wang Lin could clearly feel Situ Nan’s existence through the heaven defying bead. In his eyes, Situ Nan was no different than a teacher. This time, it was a true goodbye between them; the melancholy in his heart was very strong. “I wonder if we’ll meet again in our lifetime…” Wang Lin silently stood there for a long time. He then knelt down on the star compass and kowtowed three times toward where Situ Nan went. “I, Wang Lin, have never in my life bowed to the heavens or earth, and I don’t pay my respects to ghost or gods; I only bow to my parents and to show respect to Situ…” Wang Lin looked up, suppressed the melancholy in his heart, and the star compass flew off into the distance. His direction was the opposite of Situ Nan’s and they moved farther and farther apart. After Wang Lin left, a white light appeared where the two of them were. Situ Nan’s figure appeared. He looked at Wang Lin and let out a sigh. “Without cruel trials, one can’t be considered a real cultivator. Wang Lin, the reason I took you down the demonic path is because the demonic path is the best one for staying alive. After you created an avatar, you walked out of the demonic path and created your own path. I can no longer be around you because this old man is a demon inside and out!” Situ Nan took a deep glance at where Wang Lin went and muttered, “Little friend, farewell!” He let out a long sigh and disappeared in a flash of white light…

[blackjadejiu]

It was a bit strange though.… By rights, I should be filled with dismay and sorrow. The first disciple of my life, Lu Can, was so heartless, ferrying his master to the underworld. However, I felt a faint hint of joy. In my eyes, Lu Can was exactly missing this heartlessness and stubbornness. Only with this could he be considered as a disciple that I could be proud of. I silently listened to the sounds outside. I understood that I was basically useless in this situation. If I were to die here, I wonder how ridiculous it would be.

[blackjadejiu]

Qiao Chu and the others stared at Jun Wu Xie in puzzlement when they saw that a silver ring had suddenly appeared in her hand. Jun Wu Xie’s head was lowered as she looked at the old and unused ring she held. That ring had been found in a corner asking the wall and was assumed to have belonged to the previous owner of the stone house. When he had died, the ring spirit had also departed and the ring was now just an ordinary ring without any spirit power. Jun Wu Xie rubbed at the shiny surface of the ring and kept silent for awhile before she suddenly put the ring onto her finger. The next moment, she was suddenly kneeling upon the ground! And facing the stone house, she solemnly bowed and hit her head three times loudly upon the ground. “I know not of your name, but you had still imparted knowledge to me and is now acknowledged as a revered Master of Jun Wu Xie. Although you are no longer living in this world, I would still like to bring you out of the Heaven’s End Cliff as was your wish.” Jun Wu Xie’s voice was solemn and steady, her clear eyes steely and determined. Although it had been just a short line, it had allowed her to acquire an important skill. No matter from how long ago the man had died, he would forever be her Master!

[blackjadejiu]

Lu Can stared blankly at me when he caught sight of me, only returning to his senses when he heard me speak. He promptly stepped forward. Kneeling to the ground, he declared, “Disciple formally pays my respects to respected teacher.” His tone surprisingly was choked with emotion. I knew that he grieved for my current appearance.

[blackjadejiu]

Under the silvery lamp, with his face partially concealed in shadow, Lu Can softly said, “From youth, I was naughty and mischievous. If I was not climbing walls and trees, I was brandishing spears and sticks. Otherwise, I would scuffle with hooligans on the streets. Father was unwilling to see me remain ignorant and incompetent, and sought a teacher to teach me. Relying on my tough fists, I ran off several teachers. Sir Jiang was my fourth teacher. I originally wanted to deal him a blow at our first encounter. However, when he arrived, he told me that he had only taken this job to make ends meet. If I were to run him off, my father would find and invite a new teacher. If I were willing to compromise with him, then he would ensure that both of us would have an easy time.” Speaking to this point, Lu Can’s face revealed a faint smile. Following, he continued, “Sir Jiang stated that as long as I spent every morning in the study, he would allow me to spend my afternoons as I willed. He would not assign excessive amounts of homework and would also help me deceive Father. I agreed at once. However, I regretted it after only a few days had passed. I would sit in the study bored every morning, only able to watch as Sir Jiang read with great interest and not acknowledge my presence. However, if I were to renege on our deal, I would unavoidably lose a great deal of face. Afterwards, I could only ask Sir Jiang to think of a way to help me kill time. Sir Jiang then stated that since this was the case, there was no harm for him to lecture me on these books he was reading. Although I felt this was boring, it was still superior to being bored with nothing to do. However, unexpectedly, Sir Jiang was really a unique talent. He did not have me memorize and recite the Four Books and Five Classics,3 nor did he have me compose poetry and write essays. He said that it was useless learning these as I was a descendant of an influential family and there was no need for me to take part in the imperial examinations. He first lectured on the Analects, transforming what was otherwise a tedious and dreary discourse into something endlessly interesting. After that, he lectured me on the histories. He did not lecture directly from the text, instead only telling me historical stories, mixing in his own views and understanding, as well as some of the unofficial histories and popular legends. From that point on, I would spend every morning listening to his stories. When he saw that I was fond of the art of war, he lectured me on military strategies and tactics and battles. I do not know how he knew so much, especially as it was obvious that he was only a few years older than me. Unfortunately, at the time, I only wanted to have fun, not understanding how precious Sir’s lectures were. It was only afterwards, when I led troops to battle, did I understand the importance of Sir’s teachings. Sadly, at that point, I no longer had the opportunity to ask for Sir’s guidance.