Chapter 23: Pity, We Are Not Meant to Be

True Profound Peak, Profound Law Hall.

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

The latter was clad in brocade robes, with a broad forehead, a well-defined jaw, and a dignified countenance. He sported a handlebar mustache that gave the impression of four eyebrows. His smile was warm and amiable, naturally drawing others to feel an affinity toward him.

Standing behind the man was a young lad in a green tunic. His back was straight, his features handsome, and he was at that transitional stage between boyhood and young manhood. His face had sharp, distinct features, yet a soft contour, giving him a unique temperament that balanced the vitality of a youth with the burgeoning sharpness of a man.

These two were none other than the master of the Chen household and his son.

As Xuanming observed them, they were observing him as well. In the eyes of the father and son, Xuanming cut a striking figure.

With a long, hoary beard, a head of white hair, and dressed in gray Taoist robes, he looked radiant and vigorous for his age. His eyes were deep and seasoned, as if they held the weight of time and contained endless wisdom, compelling one to explore them further.

Accompanied by a horsetail whisk, he appeared as if he possessed true immortal air and a profound Taoist spirit, as if a banished immortal had descended to the world.

After the initial introductions by Xuanxu and the exchanging of courtesies as they took their seats, the Abbot of the Seeking Truth Temple feigned ignorance of his senior brother having already received word of the matter and stated the purpose of the Chen family’s visit.

"Senior Brother, the Master of the Chen family has come today to ask that his son be accepted into your tutelage to hear the Dao and study the profound."

Having spoken concisely, Xuanxu fell silent, silently serving as a backdrop, leaving the stage to Xuanming and the Chen father and son.

Whether or not to accept a disciple was up to his senior brother.

People have their varying degrees of closeness, and he would not be glib or shower the Chen youth with empty praise, lest he interfere with his senior brother's decision. Moreover, privately, he did not wish for this apprenticeship to go smoothly, so he was even less inclined to ramble.

Success or failure depended on the fortune of the Chen boy.

Chen Liang’s smile was bright. He signaled his son behind him to step forward and pay his respects, saying warmly, "This is my dog of a son, Chen Qingshu. He is the sixth-born in our family and has been studying abroad, only returning to the family recently."

"The boy has good natural talent and has always been interested in Taoist legends and classics. Having finished his studies and returned home, he has developed a desire to leave the secular life to seek the path, with a heartfelt wish to join the Seeking Truth Temple."

"Upon learning of Daoist Xuanming’s dedication to the path and his achievement of success late in life, he was filled with admiration and respect. He specifically begged me to bring him here, hoping to be accepted as your disciple."

As he spoke, Chen Liang opened a wooden box placed on the table and continued, "I hope you won’t laugh at me, Daoist. My son left home at a young age, and I owe him much, always carrying a sense of guilt. Now that he has only this one request, I must find a way to satisfy it."

His tone shifted, and he continued:

"The Dao is not easily imparted, and the Law is not easily taught. Between master and disciple, there is a bond of shared breath and spirit; one cannot be too cautious in selecting a student."

"I am well aware that a few words are hardly enough to move a Daoist. This is the apprenticeship gift I have carefully prepared: three five-hundred-year-old spirit herbs and a Jade Brilliance Pill."

Chen Liang stood and bowed deeply.

His words were sincere, spoken from the bottom of his heart.

"I am truly, earnestly hoping for my son to be accepted under your tutelage. I sincerely hope Daoist Xuanming can grant this wish."

Chen Qingshu, sharp-witted, immediately knelt with a thud. His expression was serious, his gaze focused, and he spoke with apparent sincerity:

"I implore Daoist Xuanming to accept me as a disciple, so that this junior may have the opportunity to listen to your teachings. I will surely devote myself to the path and serve you with care, never letting you down."

***

In the Profound Law Hall, on the seat to the upper right.

Xuanming raised an eyebrow slightly.

Three five-hundred-year-old spirit herbs had wondrous effects even on those in the fourth stage of Essence Refining, and the Jade Brilliance Pill was a spiritual elixir for breaking through barriers.

It could not only allow a cultivator of the third stage to step into the fourth stage without any side effects but also strengthen one's foundation and purify their magic power, making the journey through the fourth stage smoother. Such a pill was no less valuable than the five-hundred-year-old herbs; it was perhaps even superior.

To strike the snake, one must hit its seven-inch mark; to fell a tree, one must start at the roots.

This pill held immense attraction for a third-stage cultivator—it could be called a trump card. Even for the Chen household, the stock was likely limited.

For this apprenticeship, the Chen family had truly put in the effort.

***

Had it been a true third-stage cultivator, they would surely have been tempted. Even with reservations, after careful consideration, they likely would have accepted. But he was different.

His third-stage cultivation was a sham.

A name without the substance, a facade that did not match the reality.

These gifts were hardly enough to make Xuanming waver. Moreover, he had already made his decision.

The Chen father and son bowed together.

Xuanming stepped aside to avoid the gesture and returned the salute to Chen Liang.

"Guests are guests, Master Chen, there is no need for such formalities."

After they were seated again, Xuanming did not beat around the bush and said directly, "Parents who love their children plan for their long-term future; your fatherly love is truly moving."

"However, I must disappoint you. In our Taoist school, accepting disciples is a matter of destiny. While your son is excellent, he and I are not fated."

Having said this, Xuanming did not linger.

With a regretful shake of his head and an apology, he rose and departed.

He remained resolute, refusing to give the Chen father and son another chance to speak.

As long as he, the party involved, walked away, it mattered not what preparations they had made or what means they possessed.

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

He left them hitting cotton, with no place to exert their force.

On the upper left seat, Xuanxu felt quite awkward.

Although his senior brother’s refusal to accept a disciple made his heart bloom with joy, seeing the ugly expressions on the faces of the Chen father and son gave him a headache. He looked at Xuanming’s retreating back with a resentful expression.

*Senior Brother, that wasn’t very kind of you!*

*You caused the trouble and left, but you threw the mess to me. This is sabotaging your junior brother!*

No matter how much he complained in his heart, Xuanxu had to pull himself together to clean up after his senior brother.

After all, he was the junior brother!

He was the Abbot!!

And he had a strong sense of responsibility!!!

Forcing a smile, Xuanxu began to offer comfort.

After descending True Profound Peak, Xuanming turned back to gaze at the eaves of the grand hall, the corners of his mouth curling upward.

The capable deserve more work; he trusted that Junior Brother Xuanxu could handle the follow-up.

As for whether the relationship between the Seeking Truth Temple and the Chen household would deteriorate because of this, Xuanming was not worried.

Seeking an apprenticeship was the business of the Chen father and son.

Accepting a disciple was the business of Xuanming himself.

Regardless of whether there were ulterior motives, on the surface, it was a private matter.

Even if the Chen father and son were unhappy, they had to swallow it; they could not openly mix private and public affairs and make an enemy of the Seeking Truth Temple.

Otherwise, his tenure as the head of the family would come to an end.

The same applied to the rest of the Chen household; otherwise, if the reason for the two families becoming enemies were to spread, it would be a laughingstock.

***

The Chen household would earn a reputation for being petty.

As for any potential schemes and retaliation in the shadows, as long as the Chen household had no "True Person" within their ranks, Xuanming had nothing to fear.

When the soldiers come, use the generals to block; when the water comes, use earth to cover.

Once he achieved the rank of "True Person," it would be even less of an issue.

***

After leaving True Profound Peak, Xuanming did not immediately return to Hidden Dao Peak. Since he was already out, he wandered the mountains, enjoying the scenery of floating clouds, cultivating his character, relaxing his mind, and learning from nature.

He walked along perilous cliffs to observe the lotus flowers on the snowy peaks, entered empty valleys to see the silent, secluded orchids, and traversed the mountainsides to watch the flora compete in spring.

He sat idly on the ridges, watching the vast, surging sea of clouds.

He lay back in a small boat, seeing the rolling mountain peaks layered like clusters of emeralds.

A gentle breeze, the scent of grass, mountain streams, bamboo forests, fresh flowers, birds, sika deer...

Xuanming wandered through it all, his understanding of heaven, earth, and nature improving imperceptibly, washing his Daoist heart and nourishing his spirit.

Estimating that the Chen father and son had departed, he turned and headed back to True Profound Peak.

At the summit, two figures stood side by side.

Watching the Chen family descending the mountain, Xuanxu asked with doubt, "Senior Brother, was this apprenticeship request from the Chen family sincere, or were there ulterior motives?"

Because the two families were so close, he could not help but be suspicious.

As for the reason Chen Liang gave in the hall, while it was true, it also sounded like a mere pretext.

Studying abroad was true.

But whether they were genuinely interested in the Taoist path was hard to say.

The two families were near neighbors; if Chen Qingshu truly had a heart for the Dao, why hadn't he come before, and why wait until now?

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

"Whether it was sincere or false, it matters not."

"Whether they truly wanted to leave the secular life or if the 'drunkard's heart was not in the wine,' they would never enter the tutelage of this old Daoist."

"There is no trouble in the world; it is only the foolish who disturb themselves."

"We need not fret over this. When the map is unrolled, the dagger will be revealed. If they truly have ulterior motives, they will surely come again. When that time comes, we shall speak plainly, and everything will be made clear."

His tone shifted, and Xuanming said:

"Junior Brother, you are the Abbot."

"If the Chen household comes again, I will have to trouble you to handle it."

"By the way, remember to reserve one spot for Chang'an in the Heavenly Earth Academy."

"It would be best if he can qualify through his own merit."

"If not, there is still the reserved spot as a fallback."

"Senior Brother Xuanye treated us well back in the day, and the cause of his death remains a thorn in the throat of our Seeking Truth Temple."

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