Chapter 180

The construction progress of the Artisan Workshop was advancing as Master Ban had anticipated.

With the year-end approaching, finishing the workshop sooner would allow him to settle the spirit stone payments promptly, give proper accounting to his craftsmen and disciples, and let everyone return home for a good New Year.

Master Ban was deeply invested; he spent nearly every day at the workshop, overseeing his craftsmen, directing the demon-hunters who came to assist, and personally handling tasks his disciples failed to complete.

During this time, Master Ban often saw Mo Hua.

Mo Hua would stand with his hands behind his back, glancing here and there, occasionally muttering to himself and pulling out a sheet of paper to jot down notes.

To anyone unaware, they might mistake him for a junior artisan.

Remembering Elder Yu's words, Master Ban let him do whatever he wished, so he interfered not at all.

Sometimes Mo Hua would ask him questions; whenever Master Ban had time, he answered them all. In return, Mo Hua offered wine and meat from his own eatery, and after one taste, Master Ban could never forget it.

Tender yet chewy, spicy and fragrant with a hint of wild game.

Master Ban had eaten meat before, but never meat this delicious. He was usually too worn out to care about food, eating hastily and without fuss—but this meat's flavor was uniquely unforgettable.

Master Ban silently memorized the name of Mo Hua's eatery, planning to buy extra portions after the workshop's completion and his spirit stone payment, to let his grandchildren taste it.

About a month and a half later, the basic structure of the Artisan Workshop was largely complete.

The next step was for an Array Master to paint arrays onto the walls, interior surfaces, and key foundation stones; then the artisans would further construct the building, sealing the arrays within earth, wood, brick, and stone, followed by minor refinements to complete the entire workshop.

Master Ban grew anxious.

The next task required an Array Master to paint the arrays—but where was the Array Master?

He had occasionally consulted Elder Yu on matters, but after many back-and-forth visits, he had not seen a single Array Master.

Normally, an Array Master would survey the terrain and building layout from the very start of construction and frequently visit during the process.

Yet throughout this long period, Master Ban could not recall ever seeing an Array Master.

How could an Array Master paint the arrays without understanding the building layout?

Moreover, he had seen the architectural array diagrams; though he understood nothing of arrays, he could instantly tell that the building employed many complex arrays—beyond the capability of an ordinary Array Master, and far too much for one or two to complete alone.

If the arrays were poorly painted, the project could not be completed.

Likewise, if the arrays were painted too slowly, they could not meet the deadline; delays could stretch indefinitely, making it highly likely they would fail to settle payments by year-end.

At this thought, Master Ban grew deeply troubled.

After enduring for so long, he sought out Elder Yu, unable to hide his anxiety: "Elder Yu, our current work is done—what about these arrays…?"

"No rush," Elder Yu replied, utterly calm.

You're not worried, but I am…

Master Ban thought, then asked: "Have you hired an Array Master?"

"Long ago."

"Then that's good," Master Ban sighed in relief, then couldn't help asking, "But why have I never seen one?"

Elder Yu smiled faintly. "You've seen one."

Master Ban blinked. "Where?"

"Tomorrow, when he begins painting the arrays, you'll see him," Elder Yu said.

Master Ban frowned, unable to recall ever having met an Array Master—but since Elder Yu said the arrays would begin tomorrow, he would find out then.

The next day, Master Ban arrived early at the Artisan Workshop.

He had slept poorly all night, constantly fearing Elder Yu was deceiving him.

This was a massive project—if anything went wrong and the spirit stone payment couldn't be settled, he truly wouldn't know how to answer to his craftsmen and disciples.

Logically, Elder Yu was a Foundation Establishment cultivator and had a decent relationship with him; he wouldn't deliberately trick him—but logic didn't quiet his fears.

Hearts are hidden behind ribs—who could truly be certain?

As dawn broke, around the hour of Mao, Elder Yu arrived.

Master Ban stared at Elder Yu for a long while, then glanced behind him, and finally couldn't help asking:

"You came alone? Where's the Array Master?"

Seeing Master Ban's anxious expression, Elder Yu reassured him: "Don't worry—he'll be here soon."

Master Ban could only wait patiently again.

Soon, nearing the hour of Mao, Mo Hua walked toward the workshop, carrying a storage bag and holding a large steamed bun, eating it as he came.

The morning sun filtered through the clouds, casting a faint golden edge along his figure.

Mo Hua finally finished the bun, looked up, saw Elder Yu and Master Ban, and waved from afar.

Master Ban stared, dumbfounded; as Mo Hua approached, he blurted: "Mo Hua? What are you doing here…?"

Mo Hua patted his storage bag and smiled. "I'm here to do my duty."

Before Master Ban could ask what duty, Elder Yu smiled and asked: "All prepared?"

Mo Hua nodded. "Ready."

Then Mo Hua walked into the workshop, and Elder Yu followed.

Master Ban had no time to ask—he could only follow them inside, his mind filled with confusion:

What duty? What is this child planning to do?

Soon, Master Ban would find out.

Mo Hua arrived at a foundation stone, unfolded a densely detailed architectural array diagram, took from his storage bag three types of array brushes—fine, medium, and coarse—grounded the five elemental spirit inks of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, and began painting the array.

With his small hand holding the brush, dipped in spirit ink, he glanced at the diagram and swiftly traced array lines onto the foundation stone.

His expression was calm, his technique fluent, his strokes effortless.

He looked every bit like a master!

Master Ban was stunned.

The Array Master Elder Yu spoke of—was this child?

Could this child, barely ten years old, really be a Array Master?

Master Ban's emotions churned, his thoughts scattered.

After struggling to recall for a long while, he finally remembered why Elder Yu had said he'd met an Array Master.

Of course—he'd often wandered near here, even drank and chatted with him from time to time; how could he not have seen him?

As Master Ban thought more carefully, he remembered that the first time he saw Mo Hua, Mo Hua had been lying on the ground, studying the foundation stones—likely surveying the terrain and understanding the building's layout; afterward, his frequent visits were to check whether the building's structure matched the array diagram…

Now that he thought of it, these were indeed the actions of an Array Master—he'd simply never considered it before.

Master Ban's feelings were complex and hard to put into words; it wasn't his fault for not thinking of it—no one would think of it, no matter who it was…

Master Ban looked at Mo Hua again.

Mo Hua, deeply focused on drawing the array, wore a serious expression, his gaze slightly narrowed; each stroke was calm and composed, the brushwork orderly yet fluid, one complex array pattern after another emerging beneath his brush, interwoven into an unfathomably mysterious array.

This demeanor was utterly unlike the innocent, cheerful child who had smiled sweetly just days ago.

Master Ban sighed; after living so many years and meeting so many cultivators, he never imagined he'd misjudged him so badly…