Fate Pavilion

A plaque hung above the entrance of the trading house, bearing the three words "Fate Pavilion."

The interior was small and somewhat shabby. Array techniques of different patterns hung all around, and some had apparently been there for so long that their ink had begun to fade.

The counter was rather high. A plump middle-aged cultivator sat behind it, his face pale and beardless. He appeared to be the trading house's manager.

A bell hung beneath the eaves. When Mo Hua entered, it gave a crisp ring.

Fat Manager had been dozing, his eyes half-open and half-closed. Hearing the bell, he raised his head and looked around. Seeing no one, he was about to lose his temper when he lowered his head and discovered a little head peeking over the counter.

Fat Manager froze for a moment. Seeing that Mo Hua was alone, he finally asked, "Little brother, where are your parents?"

Mo Hua shook his head. "My parents aren't looking for you. I am."

Fat Manager was taken aback again. "You're looking for me? What for?"

"Do you need someone here to help draw array techniques?"

Fat Manager found that amusing and teased him, "What? A little one like you knows how to draw array techniques?"

Mo Hua answered modestly, "A little."

Fat Manager laughed. "A little won't do. At the very least, one must be at Sixth-Layer Qi Refining, have a sect-issued Jade Slip for coursework, be an array technique apprentice, study under an Array Master, and pay a deposit before drawing array techniques for us."

Mo Hua clicked his tongue inwardly. He had not known there were so many requirements. It seemed he did not meet a single one of them.

An idea flashed through Mo Hua's mind. "All right, I lied. I don't really know how. I'm getting this for my older brother."

Fat Manager did not make a fuss over it and asked, "What does your older brother do?"

"My brother is an array technique apprentice. He studies array techniques under an Array Master and usually helps trading houses draw some basic array techniques to earn money for ink and paper. He's too busy studying array techniques and has no time, so I came to run this errand for him."

Mo Hua simply altered the identity of that distant uncle from the Meng Family and borrowed it for himself.

Fat Manager stroked his chin. After thinking for a moment, he still refused. "No. Words alone prove nothing. If your brother wishes to draw array techniques for our trading house, he must come himself."

Mo Hua's eyes turned, and he added, "You charge a deposit too, right?"

Fat Manager nodded. "That's right."

"Doesn't the deposit cover the array diagram and the ink, paper, and other materials needed to draw the array technique? In that case, if I pay the deposit, then even if I'm deceiving you, it would only be like you sold an array technique and materials at a fair price. You might not profit, but you wouldn't lose anything either."

In truth, they would still earn a little. The deposit was higher than the cost of array-drawing materials, and as for the array diagrams, they were all the most basic goods that could be found everywhere, costing barely any Spirit Stones.

Thinking it over, Fat Manager began to hesitate.

"Is business in your shop not very good?" Mo Hua asked again.

It truly was not very good. There were only a few customers each day. With few customers, few array techniques were sold, and there were even fewer Array Masters—or even apprentices—willing to draw array techniques for them. Otherwise, the shop would not be so deserted.

But Fat Manager would never admit it. He still held his head high, though there was a trace of guilt beneath it.

Seeing this, Mo Hua pressed his advantage. "My brother draws array techniques very well. Everyone says that in a few more years, he'll definitely become an Array Master. Once he becomes one, and studies for another ten or twenty years, he might even pass the grading and become a First-Grade Array Master. Then he'll naturally help you draw some more advanced array techniques. Wouldn't you profit from that?"

Pass the grading? How could it be so easy?

Fat Manager snorted inwardly. Still, as the saying went, never bully the poor youth; no one could tell what the future held. If he could become a First-Grade Array Master, then it would indeed be worthwhile to forge a good bond, making it easier to ask for help in the future.

Rules, after all, were really just for outsiders to see. So long as someone could draw array techniques, there was no real issue.

"You do have a point," Fat Manager said. "But you claim your brother draws array techniques well, and empty words cannot be trusted. You're only a child and don't understand array techniques, so how would you know whether they're good or bad? How about this: bring me one array technique your brother has drawn. If it is indeed decent, I'll agree to this business."

Mo Hua did not have an older brother. Where was he supposed to find an array technique drawn by one?

He had none drawn by an older brother, but he did have some he had drawn himself.

Mo Hua had several array techniques he had drawn in his Storage Bag, but they were all sect assignments—disassembled basic Array Patterns, or combinations of Array Patterns—and differed somewhat from complete array techniques.

Anyone with a discerning eye would spot it at once. If he handed one over, his lie would be exposed.

Mo Hua thought for a moment, then his eyes lit up. "I didn't bring any array techniques my brother drew, but he taught me a little. I'll draw one for you, and then you'll know whether my brother's array techniques are good or not."

"You can draw array techniques too?"

The manager paused, thought about it, and said, "That works."

He was curious to see how well the child before him could draw, so he casually pulled out an array diagram from beneath the counter, then took out ink, paper, and a brush and handed them to Mo Hua.

The diagram bore the words "Bright Fire Formation." It was one the sect Instructor had not taught: a complete array technique containing three Array Patterns, and it looked difficult.

Mo Hua definitely could not draw a complete array technique. Although the array techniques taught by the sect were called array techniques, they contained only one, or at most two, basic Array Patterns. These were introductory formations and did not deserve to be called array techniques outside the sect.

A true array technique had to contain at least three Array Patterns, with interconnected Array Pattern structures, like the Bright Fire Formation before him.

Mo Hua glanced at the manager and said with perfect confidence, "This is too difficult. If I could draw it, I'd help you draw array techniques and earn Spirit Stones myself. What would I need my brother for?"

The manager smacked his forehead. He had forgotten. A child of ten or so naturally could not draw a complete array technique. That was asking too much, and because he had never dealt with children in the trading house, he had overlooked it.

The manager pointed to the upper-left corner of the array technique. "If you can draw this small portion of the Array Patterns, I'll agree to hire your brother to draw array techniques."

Mo Hua examined the Array Patterns in the upper-left corner and quietly breathed a sigh of relief. It was one type of basic fire-element Array Pattern he had learned in the sect, merely with some added details, variations, and connections. It was still within his grasp.

Mo Hua picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, and traced the Array Patterns onto the paper. A short while later, the Array Patterns were complete.

Fat Manager had already nodded slightly when Mo Hua took up the brush. Mo Hua's grip was highly practiced, and his brushwork was natural and smooth, without the slightest nervousness. His foundation was clearly solid. The Array Patterns he drew also conformed to the standards, without any mistakes or omissions. Either he had family instruction, or his older brother taught him well.

Fat Manager was more inclined toward the latter. Mo Hua's clothes were clean and neat but far too plain. He clearly did not come from a wealthy family, and cultivators with inherited array technique knowledge would never be so strapped for money.

Fat Manager looked once more at the Array Patterns Mo Hua had drawn. Quite satisfied, he said, "The deposit is ten Spirit Stones. Then I'll give you the required array diagram and materials."

"Ten!"

Mo Hua froze.

He only had three Spirit Stones on him. He had previously earned twelve by helping fellow disciples copy their array technique assignments, spent ten buying the Fire-Averting Hairpin, and saved one through frugality in his daily life. Then... there was no then. That was all Mo Hua possessed.

He would have to wait until some day when array technique assignments were being assessed and draw array techniques for his fellow disciples before he could earn that many Spirit Stones.

Who knew how long that would take!

Seeing Mo Hua's expression, the manager realized he had no Spirit Stones. He said nothing about it; it was normal for a child not to have that many Spirit Stones.

Life on the path of cultivation was not easy. Even managers like him had times when their pockets were empty, let alone Rogue Cultivators from poor families.

The manager merely reminded him kindly, "Without Spirit Stones for the deposit, you cannot take this job."

Seeing that Mo Hua seemed somewhat dispirited after saying this, he could not help adding, "I'll keep this job for your brother. Whenever you have the Spirit Stones, come back and take it."

Mo Hua immediately nodded. "Mm-hm, mm-hm. Once I go back and scrape together... ask my brother for the Spirit Stones, I'll come back and take this job!"

Fat Manager waved a hand. "Go play for now. It's still early. I'll close my eyes and rest a while..." As he spoke, he slowly narrowed his eyes and drifted back into a doze.

Mo Hua left the trading house, squatted on the steps, and propped up his chin as he frowned in distress.

"Seven Spirit Stones..."

Mo Hua wanted to earn Spirit Stones by drawing array techniques, but to draw array techniques and earn Spirit Stones, he first needed Spirit Stones. Without Spirit Stones, he could not draw array techniques to earn Spirit Stones...

Mo Hua's head spun.

Ask his parents for them?

Mo Hua shook his head. The family needed Spirit Stones for food, clothing, and daily expenses. That morning, he had heard his parents talking: Uncle Chu from the Monster Hunting Squad had lost an arm, and they needed to lend him Spirit Stones so he could recover. There was also Mo Hua's sect tuition for the next term. There probably would not be any extra Spirit Stones at home.

Borrow from someone?

Mo Hua's little companions were even poorer than he was. Where would they find Spirit Stones to lend him?

Just as Mo Hua was racking his brains, he suddenly heard someone let out a loud cry.

"Mo Hua, you're actually here!"

Mo Hua looked up and saw a richly dressed little fat boy, surrounded by attendants, glaring at him furiously.