Chapter 95: Apprenticeship ceremony (1):

Mei Xiang, Chang Ling, Xie Si Yuan, Xiu Ying, Wei Xian, Wei Ying, Chang Xue, Zi Shu, Ke Xing, Feng Jiu, Yang Yang, Ah Qi, Yan Jing, Ju Long and Nian Chun. These were the 15 names that won in the top 15. 

The apprenticeship ceremony consisted of the disciples kneeling and giving their master tea. After that, the masters usually give the disciples the same surname so that they can treat each other like siblings. 

Tomorrow would be a very long day. 

*

The next day: 

On the 15 of November 1433, the Moon Valley was holding its very first apprenticeship ceremony since the new lord's reign. Everyone was wearing purple hanfu with the inner part fully white. This was the outfit since I was here as a student. I have ordered new clothes so hopefully will will represent the Moon Valley better. Today I was wearing black hanfu and my hair was in a bun with a jade green stick. 

"Greetings student, can we please give a loud applause to the top 15 students," I ordered whilst standing up on the platform facing the students. were only 40 from the 60 in the beginning. Most of them had left but others stayed to be outer disciples. Everyone was clapping loudly and I noticed that the 15 students' faces were happy with a smile. 

"Since you all know the reward then let us begin the ceremony. I will only be accepting 5 inner disciples, all inner disciples will be given the surname Han. As for the rest of the disciples will either be chosen as Shang Guan Yue's inner disciples or Shang Guan Tao's," I explained as everyone nodded. 

"Now let me call out the names of the disciples that will be under childe," mumbled YU Xuan as he called out the names. "Cheng Ling, Cheng Xue, Mei Xiang, Xiu Ying and Xie Su Yuan," shouted Yu Xuan as the 5 stepped forward. 

I stood in front of Mei Xiang and Xiu Ying and asked if they wanted to become my disciples they looked at each other and nodded. Shang Gu was holding a tray with cups of tea. "Mei Xiang from now on you will be the older senior sister given the surname Han. From now on you are Han Mei Xiang," I muttered as she handed me tea. I drank a sip and placed the tea back onto the tray. I handed her Duan Qing as her present. This Duan Qing had been changed for better uses.

She smiled and I turned towards Xiu Ying whilst I gestured for Mei Xiang to stand up. "Xiu Ying from now on you will be Han Xiu Ying. You are the second senior sister. I have also asked Gong Jue to modify your Yuan Naing. Hopefully, you will like it," I muttered whilst drinking the tea Xiu Ying gave me. I lifted her up and whispered "I hope you can learn to manage your temper," as she laughed. Mei Xiang and Xiu Ying stood backwards in a line. 

I stood in front of them and mumbled "Cheng Ling and Cheng Xue because of your special case I hope you guys can take on a double surname and still keep your own surname. I hope one day you both can re-establish the Cheng sword sect just as it was before,". They both nodded and walking forward they knelt down. 

"Han-Cheng Ling from now on you will be my third disciple. I will give you this sword Bai Yi as your present. You must bind with it. Please use this sword to the best of your ability. Bai Yi used to be my shifu's personal blade," I mumbled addressing Cheng Ling as I placed the sword in his hand. He placed the sword on the floor and gave me some tea. I took a sip and placed it back on the tray. 

"Han-Cheng Xue from now on you will be the fourth disciple. In this bag, there is a flute called Bai Yu. Hopefully, you can practice music cultivation instead. I believe that is the best route for you. Would you like that?" I asked as she nodded. I suppose she must have realised she had no luck with swords and stuff like that. She too gave me tea. The bag I gave her had an unlimited space. Hopefully, she will use it properly. 

Lastly, there was Xie Su Yuan. To be honest I wanted to choose Wei Ying but I cannot allow the Phoneix or Xie clan to talk because I didn't choose Xie Su Yuan as my inner disciple. "Xie Su Yuan was another special case so are you willing to take on a hyphened surname?" I asked as he nodded and knelt. "From now on Han-Xie Su Yuan will be my fifth disciple. I give you this ring which has an unlimited space that will allow you to put anything on it," I acknowledge whilst giving him the ring. 

Right, I was all done. I took the tray from Shang Gu's hand and asked Yu Xuan to get more tea.