Chapter 44: Chapter Forty-Four: Inspiration

The book "Origin of Array Techniques" can only be read at Mr. Zhu's place; it cannot be taken away.

In the following days, Mo Hua arrived early each morning at Mr. Zhu's Zuo Wang Cottage, found a quiet and comfortable spot, and read alone.

Whenever he had questions, he silently noted them down, then went to ask after Mr. Zhu finished his nap. Mr. Zhu answered every question, often resolving Mo Hua's doubts with just a few words, leaving Mo Hua deeply impressed.

In just a few short days, Mo Hua's understanding of arrays greatly improved.

Mo Shan and his wife wished to visit and thank him, but Mr. Zhu declined, saying he preferred solitude and avoided social contact; he appreciated their kindness but insisted they need not come to his door.

Though he said so, Mo Shan and his wife still felt uneasy without any gesture of gratitude.

Mo Shan went up the mountain and killed a wild ox; Liu Ruhua cured and stewed the beef to perfection, then prepared all kinds of pastries, and told Mo Hua to take them all to Mr. Zhu, adding:

"Since Mr. Zhu prefers quiet, we won't disturb him—but a small gift is still necessary. Things like spirit stones are probably unnecessary for him; these foods may not be precious, but they're our heartfelt offering. Draw, give them to him and hope he doesn't find them beneath his notice."

"Mm-hmm." Mo Hua nodded in agreement.

When Mo Hua delivered the food box to Mr. Zhu, he felt a flicker of nervousness.

Judging by Mr. Zhu's demeanor, he'd likely tasted every delicacy imaginable—these ordinary cultivator foods might not appeal to him at all.

But when Mr. Zhu received the food box, he seemed genuinely intrigued; he sampled a few slices of beef and gave a slight nod.

Though it was low-grade wild beast meat, devoid of spiritual energy, the cooking method was unique—the savory aroma of the beef blended with spicy seasonings, offering a wild flavor he'd never experienced before.

This was the first time Mr. Zhu had tasted beef like this; he ate several more slices and set some aside to accompany his wine.

Mo Hua also gave some pastries to Master Puppet, who received them with surprise but didn't treat Mo Hua as an outsider; he tasted a few bites, saying neither good nor bad.

Seeing both men had accepted the gifts, tasted them, and showed no dissatisfaction, Mo Hua finally relaxed.

Liu Ruhua was delighted and, whenever free, cooked more varieties of dishes for Mo Hua to deliver to Mr. Zhu and Master Puppet.

The mountains held many kinds of beast meat, each with distinct flavors; while busy with her restaurant, Liu Ruhua spent her free time studying cooking, experimenting with different meats from Mo Shan's hunts, pairing them with various seasonings and stewing methods to produce different tastes.

Some flavors were excellent; others were hard for most to accept. Liu Ruhua would pick the good ones and have Mo Hua bring them to Mr. Zhu to try.

Master Puppet favored pastries, and from Mo Hua's observation, he especially liked crispy ones and enjoyed eating them while playing chess alone. So Liu Ruhua made some crisp fruit pastries and had Mo Hua deliver them to Master Puppet every few days.

Over time, Mr. Zhu grew accustomed to them and no longer favored Master Puppet's medicinal meals.

One day, Mo Hua brought braised meat and pastries to Mr. Zhu and Master Puppet, read a full day's worth of books, asked a few questions, then took his leave and returned home.

Night had fallen; Mr. Zhu sat by the pond, watching the evening clouds, eating beef and sipping wine, his expression serene.

Master Puppet sat beside him, eating pastries and playing chess against himself; after a moment, he looked up at Mr. Zhu and said:

"Your qi sea is shattered. You may eat other things, but don't overindulge—don't skip my medicinal meals."

Mr. Zhu looked unconcerned: "A broken mirror cannot be mended; spilled water cannot be reclaimed. My qi sea is shattered—nothing I eat will help. Better to eat what brings me joy."

Master Puppet懒得管他, after a pause, suddenly asked: "Is it really that good?"

Mr. Zhu picked up another bite of meat, savoring it slowly. "The flavor is unique."

Master Puppet frowned. "What rare delicacies haven't you tasted in your life? Why are you suddenly craving such simple food?"

"Indeed."

Mr. Zhu wore an intrigued expression, yet his eyes held the chill of worldly indifference:

"I've grown tired of mountain treasures and sea delicacies. These simple foods may be plain, but their sincerity is simple too—and that's precisely why they're rarest."

"Oh," Master Puppet replied as if not listening, still focused on his chess, picking up a crisp fruit pastry and putting it in his mouth.

Mr. Zhu looked at him and suddenly asked: "You can't taste flavor at all—why eat these?"

Master Puppet kept his eyes on the board, then said: "I chew them for the sound."

He picked up a crisp cake and crunched it loudly.

Half a month later, Mo Hua had nearly finished reading "Origin of Array Techniques," and Mr. Zhu began teaching him array theory.

Mr. Zhu's array theory was broader and more obscure than Yan Jixi's teachings—entirely new terminology Mo Hua had never heard, and he learned slowly.

Mr. Zhu showed no preference; whether Mo Hua learned quickly or slowly, well or poorly, he never said a word.

But perhaps because he'd eaten too much beef, Mr. Zhu felt uneasy, so he asked Mo Hua:

"What kind of array master do you wish to become?"

Mo Hua wanted to say he wished to become a first-grade array master, but that goal might seem too petty in Mr. Zhu's eyes, and he didn't even know what kinds of array masters existed—so he answered honestly:

"Disciple doesn't know what kind of array master he can become."

Mr. Zhu paused, then said: "Your elemental affinity isn't exceptional. Even with ample spirit stones and cultivation techniques, reaching the Golden Core stage won't be easy—and your realm determines the upper limit of your array mastery. No matter how gifted you are, without sufficient realm, you cannot grasp deeper array techniques…"

"As for talent, you're actually quite gifted—but unfortunately, you started too late. Your understanding of array theories lacks foundational grounding. Children of great clans are immersed from childhood; they're already familiar with advanced array concepts from an early age. You lack that depth—even if you start learning now, you'll progress far more slowly."

"Previously, I taught disciples by first instructing them in array theory—making them memorize the myriad schools and doctrines of the cultivation world, establishing a solid foundation so they could later integrate and comprehend more easily, advancing further in array arts."

Mr. Zhu looked at Mo Hua, a hint of regret in his expression, yet he spoke plainly: "But you may never advance far—third-grade array master might already be your limit. Teaching you by my old method would only waste your time and bring you no benefit."

Mo Hua's expression darkened; he felt a pang of disappointment.

But then he reconsidered: even becoming a second-grade array master would make him overjoyed. After all, in all of Xiancheng, first-grade array masters were few and far between.

He'd almost let Mr. Zhu's expectations inflate him…

After a moment's thought, Mo Hua said solemnly: "All things under heaven and earth follow their own destined paths. Disciple need only devote himself wholeheartedly to learning array arts—whatever level he reaches, he will accept. Obsessing over gain or loss will only lose his true heart. Please, Master, do not withhold your guidance."

Mr. Zhu looked at him, slightly surprised, then smiled faintly:

"You're right. Planning lies with man; outcome lies with heaven. Do not let fear of gain or loss waste your spirit. Very well—tomorrow, I'll change my teaching method."