Ninghai Zen was very disappointed.
How could it be an acquaintance!
The green robe descended from the sky, casually tossing the lifeless red fox onto the ground.
The twin blades in his eyes couldn't hide the look of regret; this trip to Fulong Mountain hadn't encountered any tough opponents, and he was hoping to stretch out in Black River County.
"Master Ning!"
Li Yuan shouted out, feeling relieved, but in the blink of an eye, Ninghai Zen appeared out of thin air.
His heart squeezed suddenly, Qi Blood reversed, nearly making him lose his breath and collapse on the spot.
The martial arts and craftsmanship worlds equally emphasize inheritance, and competing for disciples is a big taboo.
Therefore, after witnessing Bai Qi's exceptional talent in forging, Li Yuan rushed straight to Tongwen Hall.
If he didn't inform Brother Dao, and sohow offended Ninghai Zen, even being beaten half to death would make it hard to claim innocence.
After all, he would be at fault!
"Old Li, it's been many years, your voice is still so loud, truly vigorous in your old age."
Ninghai Zen raised his chin, greeting casually, snatching the hot teapot from Lao Dao's hand, and drank two mouthfuls.
The latter laughed and said:
"Young master, I thought you wouldn't return until the New Year."
From Lao Dao's understanding of Ninghai Zen, as soon as he was a hundred miles away from ho, this gentleman wouldn't really watch the road, highlighting a free and easy, casual approach.
It wasn't so much getting lost as not bothering to recognize the way.
"Heaven finally opened its eyes, and brought a little demon from Black River County to , saving from wandering outside."
Ninghai Zen picked a round stool and sat down carelessly, his gaze swept over Bai Qi in the front yard, showing a bit of satisfaction:
"Skills haven't lagged, Qi Blood abundant, muscles solid, looking the part."
Bai Qi stepped forward two steps, bowed and replied:
"It's all thanks to the good teaching of Master."
Ninghai Zen accepted it openly:
"Indeed, I've told Qiu Changtian a thousand tis, my skills in teaching disciples are not inferior to martial arts, but he stubbornly refuses to believe it."
Lao Dao's mouth twitched; his young master's face was as thick as a city wall as always.
There's no perfect teacher in the world who can just hand out a few martial arts secrets and be done with it.
Fortunately, Young Master Qi had extraordinary comprehension, otherwise, he would be like his Senior Brother Ah Cheng, sitting around scratching his head every day, trying to understand the content of the Cultivation Technique.
"Old Li, do you want to take Ah Qi as a disciple?"
Ninghai Zen enjoyed himself for a mont, then got back to the main topic.
He was naturally gentle and amiable, disliking fights and killings the most.
Of course, as long as no one crossed his taboos.
"Qi Lang is the direct disciple of Tongwen Hall, I dare not compete, but I just hope he can learn the craft from , and pass on the craft of the fire kiln."
Li Yuan replied cautiously.
"Ah Qi, what do you say? I really didn't see it coming, you're not only good with water but also have a remarkable talent for ironworking.
Being close to both water and fire, your destiny seems well-rounded.
Find a capable Taoist one day to carefully assess your fate."
Ninghai Zen spoke lightly, realizing that his direct disciple being valued by an outsider, who braved wind and snow to seek talent, was also a form of affirmation.
"I'll leave it to the decision of Master."
Bai Qi, like kicking a ball, threw the conversation back to Ninghai Zen.
Whether martial arts or Taoist arts, all require resources and support.
He wasn't from a high family in Yihai Prefecture, and Tongwen Hall never fully prepared everything ticulously.
Besides the necessary Cultivation Technique, other things mostly had to be figured out on his own.
Fishing and ironworking were both ways to earn money.
Following a Master Craftsman to learn the craft where progress is made swiftly could be a beautiful thing.
But, there is an order in paying respect to masters.
Since he was already a disciple of Ninghai Zen, unless he nodded and gave permission.
Even if the Divine Craftsman ennobled by the Dragon Court favored him, Bai Qi would have to remain indifferent, showing no signs of wavering.
Commit to one discipline, honor one master, and respect one principle.
The rules of the trade must be adhered to.
Otherwise, the bonds between master and disciple would be aningless.
Going forward, those willing to impart their skills selflessly would be fewer.
"Little trickster, if you're keen on learning Old Li's skills, I won't stop you."
Ninghai Zen's eyes were piercing as he perceived Bai Qi's little intentions, quite satisfied with his disciple's sense of propriety:
"Old Li's craftsmanship is indeed decent, or he would not have been able to forge the gold, silver, bronze, and iron four pairs of hamr weapons. When I painstakingly researched the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle and Peacock Feather back then, it was thanks to his help that they were made."
Bai Qi was startled, his eyes subtly glancing at the towering Li Yuan, surprised that this bushy-browed master had crafted hidden weapons?
"Cough, cough... Reckless and ignorant in youth, ssing around for fun."
Li Yuan's face twitched, as within craftsmanship circles, weapon forging is considered serious, while hidden weapons are disparaged as lower class.
He didn't expect Ninghai Zen to reveal such old stories without any concealnt.
You used the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle and Peacock Feather against a Su Family expert, was that very glorious!
"All kinds of martial skills, the victor is the king! Kungfu stands tall, while the ones lying down can't curse those standing."
Ninghai Zen lifted his eyelids, stating calmly:
"In wandering Jianghu, hit hard if you can, flee if you can't, close off for three to five years, and after significant progress, resolve this grudge. If you encounter that kind who likes to suppress with seniority, it's fine, let them breathe a few more tis, wait until you have an advantage to take their entire family down.
Ah Qi, these are the teachings from the master. Martial Dao victory seeks nothing but three things: one is overpowering others with force, another is the few bullying the old, and the last is using intent against the unsuspecting.
Integrate them all, and defeat becos rare."
Swing punches, exhaust the elders, and deliver stealthy hits!
Bai Qi understood, truly worthy of being seen as a formidable Plague Deity by the noble families of Yihai Prefecture, following Ninghai Zen's style, anyone who provokes ends up worse off.
"Disciple will rember!"
Having imparted his insights, Ninghai Zen turned to Li Yuan, starting to calculate on his fingers:
"Old Li, such a good seedling like Ah Qi is rare, he's young, eloquent, respectful to elders, and diligently learns, a future talent that's hard to find even with a lantern! Without my keen eye, how could you discover such a prodigy in Black River County?"
Bai Qi's eye twitched, inexplicably feeling his master's unreserved praise reminiscent of a parent demanding a dowry while selling a daughter.
"Master Ning, what do you an?"
Li Yuan asked.
"You've been a Master Craftsman for so many years, you should've amassed a solid foundation, abducting my disciple is minor, but you can't wrong Ah Qi, right.
A weapon forged a thousand tis, a treasure obtained, else you'll tarnish your prestige as a Master Li.
Dozens of pounds of Star Iron, seven or eight ounces of refined gold, plus so Spiritual Sand produced by the Nu Yun River, Jade Marrow commonly used by Yihai Prefecture noble families…"
Listening to the items Ninghai Zen ntioned, Li Yuan instantly broke out in a cold sweat.
This isn't taking on a disciple, it's akin to looting!
Lao Dao watched gleefully, knowing the young master isn't greed-driven. With Ninghai Zen's reputation, if he wanted these external items, the Thirteen Guilds would eagerly pile them up like a mountain at Tongwen Hall.
Sending your own disciple elsewhere to learn inevitably implies the sect can't nurture talent, thus giving away a good seedling.
Ninghai Zen, being carefree, doesn't mind so gossip, but with Tongwen Hall's na, it's still part of the martial circle, so things should be handled according to rules.
Otherwise, the master's stature diminishes, and the disciple would be judged.
Visiting Tongwen Hall for materials, Li Yuan gave hefty gifts, full of sincerity.
This matter can thus be a win-win!
"Master Ning… left in a hurry, what you ntioned as a kiln is affordable and should be afforded!"
Sacrificing so assets to gain a promising successor, this deal undeniably profits oneself; having realized this, Li Yuan agreed without hesitation:
"Qi Lang is destined to make a na in the craftsmanship trade, in the future my Hongming Firm will rely on him for reputation, how can I begrudge rely financial goods!
Besides all above, I must give a welco gift, a century-old Human Soul Pearl!"
This statent made Lao Dao, who was watching, raise an eyebrow, showing a bit of seriousness:
"Younger Brother Li is indeed generous, without a doubt, mastering a craft secures an inco stream."
Treasured weapons, fine materials, Spiritual Sand, Jade Marrow… these are standard reserves for a reputed Weapon Shop in the County City.
But a century-old Human Soul Pearl holds a different significance.
This is a rare Martial Dao gem, extrely scarce!
Among the eldest household of Yihai Prefecture's thirteen noble families, few can afford it!
"Old Li, you are indeed magnanimous."
Ninghai Zen clapped and laughed, nodding slightly:
"From now on, let Ah Qi follow you to learn skills."
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