Hiding in the Woods

The next day, Mr. Zhuang, unusually early, did not sleep in. When he saw Mo Hua, he waved him over. "Mo Hua, come with me."

Mr. Zhuang led Mo Hua to the study and asked, "How many times have you practiced the Three Talents Formation?"

Mo Hua felt grateful to Mr. Zhuang and didn't want to hide anything from him. However, the matter of the Dao Tablet was somewhat mysterious, and he found it hard to explain. Nevertheless, he didn't want to lie, so he honestly replied:

"Sir, I practiced it on paper three or four times and then practiced it seven or eight times in my dreams."

He spoke the truth but didn't mention the Dao Tablet.

Mr. Zhuang was slightly startled. "In your dreams?"

"Yes," Mo Hua said. "After I fell asleep, I could continue drawing the formations in my dreams."

Mr. Zhuang frowned slightly and looked at Mo Hua, but he saw that Mo Hua's expression was sincere, his eyes clear as if reflecting his own image.

Mr. Zhuang chuckled, "I see."

See what...?

Mo Hua looked at Mr. Zhuang in confusion.

Mr. Zhuang pondered for a moment and then admonished Mo Hua:

"What was said here stays here. In the future, regardless of who asks, you don't need to answer. And never mention drawing formations in your dreams."

"What if someone insists on finding out?"

"If someone insists, you stick to what I previously told you: it's because you learned the meditation technique, so you mastered the formations quickly."

"What if they ask me for the meditation technique?"

Mr. Zhuang said indifferently, "Don't give it to them if you can avoid it. If they force you, kill them. If you can't kill them or fight them off and can't escape, then give it to them. Techniques are external; your life is your own."

Mo Hua thought for a moment and found it reasonable but still asked:

"What if they learn the meditation technique and find it doesn't speed up learning formations?"

"In that case..."

Mr. Zhuang thought for a moment and said, "You can only say that you have an extraordinary talent, a photographic memory, and can learn formations after seeing them a few times. And remember, when you say this, you must be arrogant, with a condescending attitude, making others believe you are a rare genius."

"A condescending attitude?"

"I'll demonstrate, watch and learn."

Mr. Zhuang then changed his casual demeanor, suddenly adopting the posture of a proud dragon awakening, displaying an arrogant, self-assured, and disdainful attitude.

After a moment of arrogance, Mr. Zhuang returned to his lazy demeanor and said to Mo Hua:

"Just like that, practice it when you have time."

Mo Hua was deeply shocked.

Mr. Zhuang usually seemed like an immortal with a refined demeanor, but when he talked nonsense and deceived people, he did it without hesitation.

When Mo Hua was alone by the pond, he imitated the arrogant posture, but he couldn't match Mr. Zhuang's imposing presence.

"Practice is a vast knowledge. It seems that in addition to cultivation and formations, I must learn other things from the teacher."

Mo Hua resolved that he must master this skill of pretending.

As evening approached and dusk fell, Mo Hua bade farewell to Mr. Zhuang and went home.

After Mo Hua left, Mr. Zhuang lay on a recliner in the bamboo pavilion, lost in thought. Old Kui was playing chess by himself nearby.

A gentle breeze passed through the pavilion, and after a long period of contemplation, Mr. Zhuang suddenly said, "This is not good."

Old Kui lifted his eyelids. "What's not good?"

"That child, Mo Hua..."

Old Kui glanced at Mr. Zhuang. "You think he didn't tell the truth?"

"It doesn't matter if he told the truth or not. Some things are just not meant to be spoken."

"Then what is not good?"

"He is learning too quickly," Mr. Zhuang said with a frown.

Old Kui was slightly surprised. "Didn't you already mention this?"

Mr. Zhuang said, "He is just my in-name disciple. Learning too quickly will attract trouble."

Old Kui placed a chess piece. "He's not learning that quickly. Mo Hua's talent and comprehension are far below yours back then. Compared to many disciples from noble families, he still has a significant gap."

Mr. Zhuang shook his head, "You can't compare like that. Aristocratic families have their own heritage and traditions. Even a pig would learn formations faster due to constant exposure from a young age. As for me..."

Mr. Zhuang's expression remained calm, "There are few in the cultivation world with better formation talent than mine. It's normal not to surpass me."

Mr. Zhuang spoke arrogantly, but with a flat tone.

Unfortunately, no one appreciated it. Old Kui continued playing chess, not even bothering to lift his head.

Mr. Zhuang missed Mo Hua a bit. If Mo Hua were here, his bright eyes would surely be full of admiration.

Mr. Zhuang sighed and said, "Mo Hua is different. He comes from a rogue cultivator background, without family heritage or traditions. His foundation in formations is too weak. If he progresses too quickly, it will attract attention and possibly bring fatal danger."

"You've become cautious, quite rare," Old Kui said with a half-smile.

Mr. Zhuang stretched lazily, "A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind. I didn't understand the principle of lying low before, which is why I suffered."

"So what will you do? Stop teaching him?"

Mr. Zhuang lay on the bamboo chair, tapping the armrest lightly, "I will still teach him. Since he is my disciple, even if not a direct one, he can't learn just a little. Otherwise, if people find out, it would damage my reputation and disgrace my sect."

Old Kui said, "You didn't care about such vanity before."

"With age, people become more concerned about face."

Old Kui looked at the lazy Mr. Zhuang, "I don't think so."

Mr. Zhuang ignored Old Kui, closed his eyes, and seemed to be lost in thought or perhaps started dozing off.

Old Kui continued playing chess as usual.

As night fell and the evening breeze rustled the trees, Mr. Zhuang suddenly opened his eyes, gazing at the forest under the night sky, and murmured:

"A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind... So if it doesn't stand out, the wind can't destroy it."

Old Kui looked at him with a hint of confusion, while Mr. Zhuang's gaze followed the swaying trees in the forest, meaningfully saying, "Hide the tree in the forest, and it won't stand out."

Old Kui frowned.

Mr. Zhuang's gaze shifted past the forest to the gate of the courtyard.

Every morning, the Bai siblings would come to visit.

Those two children had exceptional talent, like the finest trees in the forest.

The next morning, the Bai siblings came to visit as usual. Unlike before, when they bowed at the gate, the usually closed bamboo door suddenly opened.

At the same time, a plaque reading "Zuowang Residence" appeared above the gate.

Inside the gate was a courtyard with towering locust trees, a small bridge over flowing water, mist swirling, and an ethereal atmosphere.

Bai Zisheng said dumbfoundedly:

"Aunt Xue... The gate opened. Does it mean Mr. Zhuang is willing to see us?"

Aunt Xue, usually calm, felt a stir of emotions, "It seems so."

She silently thought to herself:

"It's good that Mr. Zhuang is willing to see us. Even if he doesn't take the young master and miss as disciples now, at least they can stay by his side. With their talent, Mr. Zhuang will agree sooner or later."

Bai Zisheng, slightly apprehensive, looked at his sister. He saw that Bai Zixi's delicate face remained as cold as ever, with no extra emotion.

Bai Zisheng's eyes flashed with a hint of pity. He then quietly shielded his sister behind him and stepped into the courtyard.

(End of the chapter)