Chapter 43: Apprenticeship Ceremony Completed (2/2)

Thus, even though Zhao Na gave birth, the fetus had died before delivery. Though the body was born, the soul remained trapped in the mother's womb. After seven days, all those Li Qian suspected before her death would become targets of the tomb-sealed ghost's revenge. I hoped Zhao Na wasn't the final target.

Leaving the villa, I felt no pain from losing wealth—instead, a profound relief. Taking a taxi home, I lay in bed, reflecting. It was time to start over, a challenge that bred confidence.

Amazingly, I'd let go of Zhao Na's betrayal overnight. Though Yi Zhai had earned me money, I couldn't idle. As I packed to street - practice feng shui, Old Wang called.

He'd vanished for two days after Zhoujiazhuang, so I'd thought the apprenticeship was forgotten. Shockingly, he'd traveled across the city and even taken a taxi!

I treated him to beef noodles. He still looked the same—gaunt, eyes wandering at pretty girls. Gulping soup, he wiped his mouth: "This meal seals your apprenticeship."

"Master, why the hurry?" I pointed to his woven bag—clothes, socks, slippers, a mess.

"I must leave." He stood abruptly. "We need to perform the ceremony now. After taking you as my disciple, I must flee. Last night, a pine tree by my door was struck by lightning in clear weather—it landed right before me. My death tribulation has come early."

"That serious?" I was astonished, having thought his son might have kicked him out.

Panicking, Old Wang dragged me to a crossroads in a residential alley, producing an incense burner. Unlike the grand ceremonies in martial arts dramas, a real Maoshan apprenticeship needed only an incense burner, three bows, and nine kowtows to master, gods, and the four directions.

He ordered me to insert three incense sticks. First, I bowed to him, then to the burner, then to each of the four directions. "You're now a Maoshan disciple, sworn to the patriarch and bound by precepts."

"Precepts?" I asked.

Suddenly, he jabbed a lit incense stick at my waist. I yelped, nearly striking him. "What's that for?!"

Chuckling, he tore the hole wider. "Now you've observed the precept. Maoshan ancestors ruled we must wear tattered clothes and save no money—lest worldly power corrupt us. Your burnt robe and incense mark confirm your status. Also, never eat dog meat—it ruins a lifetime of cultivation."

"Save no money?" I nearly cried. How would I buy a house? He kicked me: "Idiot—can't you accept gifts?"

I admired his cunning. "Maoshan has Esoteric and Exoteric sects. Your eldest senior brother heads the Exoteric branch; the second went to Hong Kong. You're the third. Maoshan 秘法 (secret arts) have three 古籍 (ancient texts): Dragon - Tracing Treasures, Talisman Incantations, and Yin - Yang Immortal Canon. The Maoshan Sorcery Annals I gave you is Talisman Incantations. Your grandpa's Dragon - Tracing branch shares roots, so you'll master it easily."

Stunned, I realized I held two texts! Packing the ceremony items, he explained the texts had been renamed to avoid persecution.

He gave three orders: master Talisman Incantations, find the Yin - Yang Immortal Canon, and never contact him.

Suddenly grave, he said: "In this world, 人心叵测 (hearts are unpredictable), ghosts lurk. The patriarch taught a protective spell—only masters can pass it to disciples. Stand firm."