Sadly, we were not destined to be master and disciple

True Mystery Peak, Mystic Law Hall.

When Xuanming entered, Xuanxu was deep in pleasant conversation with a middle-aged man.

The man wore a brocade robe. He had a full Heavenly Court, a broad, square chin, regular features, and a mustache that made him look as though he had four eyebrows. His smile was kindly as he spoke, making others instinctively warm to him.

Behind him stood a handsome young man in blue, his spine straight. He was at that stage between boyhood and manhood, his features well-defined yet softly contoured. His distinctive bearing combined youthful vitality with a young man's sharp edge.

These two were the head of the Chen Residence and his son.

As Xuanming studied them, they were also studying him. In the eyes of father and son, Xuanming certainly looked the part.

With his grizzled beard, white hair, and gray Daoist robe, he glowed with health, vigorous despite his age. His eyes were deep and weathered, as though they held the passage of time and concealed boundless wisdom, compelling others to seek out their secrets.

With a Fly-Whisk in hand, he looked every inch an Immortal, his Daoist bearing utterly natural, as though he truly were an exiled Immortal descended to the mortal world.

Upon this first meeting, Xuanxu made the introductions. After they exchanged greetings and took their seats, the head of the Truth-Seeking Abbey pretended not to know that his senior brother had already received word and explained why the Chen Family father and son had come.

"Senior brother, Patriarch Chen has come to ask that you take his son under your tutelage, so he may hear the Dao and explore its mysteries."

Xuanxu briefly said his piece, then fell silent, quietly fading into the background and leaving the floor to Xuanming and the Chen Family father and son.

Whether to accept a disciple was his senior brother's decision.

People had differing degrees of closeness. He would not run his mouth and heap indiscriminate praise on the Chen Family son, lest he influence his senior brother's decision.

Besides, he privately hoped the boy's attempt would fail, so he was even less inclined to chatter on.

Whether he succeeded would depend on the Chen Family boy's fortune.

A brilliant smile spread across Chen Liang's face. He instructed his son to step forward and bow, then said warmly, "This is my unworthy son, Chen Qingshu. He is sixth among the children at home and has been away studying all this time. He only recently returned to the Lineage."

"The boy has a decent root bone and has always been quite interested in Daoist Tradition legends and scriptures. After completing his studies and returning home, he conceived the desire to leave secular life and pursue cultivation, and wishes to join the Truth-Seeking Abbey."

"After learning of Daoist Xuanming's single-minded pursuit of the Dao and late-blooming achievements, he was filled with admiration and reverence. He specifically begged me to bring him here, hoping to become your disciple."

As he spoke, Chen Liang opened the wooden box on the table and continued, "Please don't laugh at me, Daoist. My son left home at a tender age, and I owe him much. I have always felt guilty. Now that he has this one request, I naturally must do everything possible to fulfill it."

Changing tack, he continued:

"The Dao is not lightly imparted, nor are its arts lightly taught. Master and disciple share the same breath, like branches of one tree, so one cannot be careless in choosing a disciple."

"I understand that a few words alone can hardly move you, Daoist. These are the apprenticeship gifts I carefully prepared: three five-hundred-year-old Spirit Herbs and one Jade Radiance Pill."

Chen Liang rose and bowed.

His words were sincere, every syllable coming from the heart.

"I sincerely wish for my unworthy son to enter your tutelage. I earnestly beg Daoist Xuanming to grant this wish."

Quick-witted, Chen Qingshu immediately dropped to his knees with a thud. His expression serious and his gaze intent, he looked utterly sincere as he said:

"I beg Daoist Xuanming to accept me as your disciple and give this junior the chance to hear your teachings. Henceforth, I will devote myself to seeking the Dao and attend to you diligently. I will never disappoint you."

In the seat of honor on the right side of Mystic Law Hall.

Xuanming's brows lifted slightly.

Three five-hundred-year-old spirit herbs had remarkable effects even for those in the fourth realm of essence refining, while the Jade Radiance Pill was a spiritual pill for breaking through realms.

Not only could it allow a Third Realm cultivator to enter the Fourth Realm without any side effects, it could also strengthen their foundation and purify their Magic Power, making cultivation in the Fourth Realm smoother. Such a pill was no worse than a five-hundred-year-old Spirit Herb, and perhaps even slightly better.

Strike a snake seven inches down its body; dig out a tree by its roots first.

This pill held tremendous appeal for Third Realm cultivators. It was a veritable trump card, and even the Chen Residence likely had very few in stock.

The Chen Residence had certainly put thought into this apprenticeship.

A genuine Third Realm cultivator would surely have been tempted already. Even with reservations, they would likely agree after some consideration. But he was different.

His Third Realm cultivation was a sham.

The name did not match the reality; the exterior did not match what lay within.

These gifts would hardly persuade Xuanming to relent.

Besides, he had already made his decision.

The Chen Family father and son bowed together.

Xuanming turned aside to avoid accepting their bows, then returned Chen Liang's greeting.

"Those who come are guests. Layman Chen, there is no need for such ceremony."

Once they were seated again, Xuanming dispensed with any preamble and said directly, "Parents who love their children plan far ahead for them. Your heartfelt love for your son is moving, Layman Chen.

"Unfortunately, I must disappoint you. In our Daoist Tradition, accepting disciples depends on destiny. Though your son is fine indeed, he and this humble Daoist are not destined to be master and disciple."

Having spoken, Xuanming did not linger.

He shook his head regretfully, excused himself, then rose and left.

He firmly denied the Chen Family father and son any further chance to speak.

As long as he, the person concerned, left, what did it matter how well prepared they were or how many tricks they had?

He simply would not take the bait, and he simply would not accept a disciple.

He would let their punches land on cotton, leaving all their strength with nowhere to go.

In the seat of honor on the left, Xuanxu found himself in a bind.

Though his senior brother's refusal had sent joy blooming in his heart,

But seeing the ugly expressions on the Chen Family father's and son's faces immediately gave Xuanxu a headache. He watched Xuanming's retreating back with a reproachful look.

Senior brother, that's hardly Earthly Dao!

You stirred things up and left, dumping the whole mess on me. You're setting your junior brother up!

However much he grumbled inwardly, Xuanxu had to rally himself and clean up after his senior brother.

After all, he was the junior brother!

After all, he was the abbey head!!

After all, he had a strong sense of responsibility!!!

Forcing a smile, Xuanxu began soothing them.

After descending True Mystery Peak, Xuanming turned to gaze at the hall's upturned eaves, the corners of his mouth rising.

The capable should shoulder more work. He trusted Junior Brother Xuanxu to handle the aftermath.

As for whether this would sour relations between the Truth-Seeking Abbey and the Chen Residence, Xuanming was not worried.

Seeking a master was the Chen Family father and son's business.

Accepting a disciple was Xuanming's own business.

Whether or not schemes were involved, on the surface these were private matters.

Even if the Chen Family father and son were displeased, they would have to swallow it. They could not openly mix private grievances with public affairs and make an enemy for the Chen Residence.

Otherwise, his tenure as patriarch would come to an end.

The same went for everyone else in the Chen Residence. Otherwise, once the reason for the feud between the two sides spread, people would laugh their teeth out.

The entire Chen Residence would acquire a reputation for pettiness.

As for any secret schemes or retaliation, so long as the Chen Residence had no True Person, Xuanming had nothing to fear.

When soldiers came, send a general to meet them; when water came, pile up earth to stop it.

Once he became a True Person, there would be even less to worry about.

After leaving True Mystery Peak, Xuanming did not immediately return to Dao-Treasuring Peak. Since he was already out, he might as well roam the mountains, admire the drifting clouds and scenery, cultivate his sensibilities, relax body and mind, and learn from nature.

He walked perilous cliffs to admire snow-mountain lotuses, entered empty valleys to behold secluded orchids, and wandered the mountainsides to watch the grasses and trees vie for spring.

Sitting at leisure on a ridge, he watched the vast sea of clouds rise and tumble.

Reclining in a little boat, he saw successive mountain peaks clustered in layers of emerald.

Cool breezes, fragrant grass, mountain streams, bamboo groves, fresh flowers, birds, Sika Deer...

As Xuanming immersed body and mind in it all, his understanding of heaven, earth, and nature quietly deepened, cleansing his Dao Heart and nourishing his Divine spirit.

Judging that the Chen Family father and son had left, he turned and climbed True Mystery Peak again.

At the summit, two figures stood side by side.

Watching the Chen party descend the mountain, Xuanxu asked doubtfully, "Senior brother, was the Chen Residence sincere about seeking a master, or did they have some other design?"

The two sides were too close together for him not to give it further thought.

As for the reasons Chen Liang had offered in the hall, though factual, they also sounded somewhat like excuses.

The boy had indeed gone away to study.

Whether his interest in the Daoist Tradition was real was harder to determine.

The two sides were close neighbors. If Chen Qingshu truly wished to seek the Dao, why had he not come before? Why wait until now?

Looking down the mountain, Xuanming stroked his beard and said:

"Whether they were sincere or merely pretending,

"whether he truly wished to leave secular life or, like the old drunkard, had his sights on something other than the wine, he would not enter this old Daoist's tutelage anyway."

"There is nothing troubling in the world until the foolish trouble themselves."

"We need not fret over this. When the scroll is fully unrolled, the dagger appears. If they truly have some design, they will surely come again. Then we can open the door and see the mountain—speak plainly—and everything will become clear."

Changing the subject, Xuanming said:

"Junior brother, you are the abbey head."

"If the Chen Residence comes again, sorry for troubling you to give it some extra attention."

"Oh, and remember to reserve a place at Heaven and Earth Academy for Chang'anzi."

"It would be best if he could qualify through his own ability."

"If not, he will still have that place to fall back on."

"Senior Brother Xuan Ye treated us generously back then. The cause of his death has always been a thorn lodged in our Truth-Seeking Abbey's throat."

"No matter what, we must have an answer."