Chapter 51: Hidden Wood

The next day, Mr. Zhuang did something rare: he didn't sleep in. Upon seeing Mo Hua, he beckoned to him. "Mo Hua, follow me."

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

Mo Hua felt deeply grateful to Mr. Zhuang and had no intention of hiding anything, but the matter of the Dao Monument was somewhat mysterious and difficult to explain. However, he did not want to lie, so he spoke candidly

"To answer you, Teacher, I practiced it three or four times on paper, and then another seven or eight times in my dreams."

It was the truth, though he omitted the mention of the Dao Monument.

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

"Yes," Mo Hua said. "After I fall asleep, I can continue to draw formations in my dreams."

Mr. Zhuang frowned slightly and looked at Mo Hua, only to find that the boy's expression was honest, his eyes so clear that one could almost see their own reflection in them.

Mr. Zhuang let out a short laugh. "I see."

*See what?*

Mo Hua looked at Mr. Zhuang in confusion.

After a moment of contemplation, Mr. Zhuang turned to Mo Hua and instructed

"Keep this conversation between us. In the future, no matter who asks, you have no need to answer, and certainly do not mention drawing formations in your dreams."

"But what if others press for the truth?"

"If they press, you say exactly what I told you before: that because you studied Meditation Techniques, you learn formations quickly."

"And if they ask me for the methods of the 'Meditation Technique'?"

Mr. Zhuang replied nonchalantly, "If you can avoid giving it, don't. If they try to snatch it by force, kill them. If you can't kill them, can't fight them, and can't escape, then just give them the Meditation Technique. Methods are merely external things; your life is your own."

Mo Hua thought about it and felt it made sense, but he still asked

"What if someone learns the Meditation Technique and finds that it doesn't actually speed up their learning of formations?"

"In that case..."

Mr. Zhuang thought for a moment and said, "You can only say that you possess extraordinary talent and a photographic memory—that you master a formation after seeing it only a few times. And remember, when you say this, you must be arrogant. You must adopt a disdainful attitude that looks down on everyone, making them believe you are a once-in-a-million genius."

"A disdainful attitude?"

"I'll demonstrate it once. Watch and learn."

As he spoke, Mr. Zhuang shed his casual demeanor. It was as if a resting Azure Dragon had suddenly raised its head, adopting an air of haughty self-assurance, looking down upon the mountains as if they were mere pebbles.

After his brief display of arrogance, Mr. Zhuang's expression returned to its usual lethargy. He said to Mo Hua, "Just like that. Learn it well when you have time."

Mo Hua was deeply shaken.

Mr. Zhuang usually appeared to have the air of a transcendent immortal, but when it came to talking nonsense and deceiving people, he was quite proficient.

When Mo Hua was alone, he would stand by the pond with his hands on his hips and his chest puffed out, trying to look arrogant, but he could never quite achieve the intimidating presence Mr. Zhuang possessed.

"Cultivation is a vast field of knowledge. It seems that besides cultivation and formations, I must learn many other things from Teacher."

Mo Hua made up his mind: he would definitely practice this art of pretension whenever he had the chance.

As evening approached and dusk fell, Mo Hua bid Mr. Zhuang farewell and headed home.

After Mo Hua left, Mr. Zhuang lay on the lounge chair in the bamboo pavilion, lost in thought. Old Man Puppet sat nearby, playing chess by himself.

A gentle breeze drifted through the pavilion. After a long period of contemplation, Mr. Zhuang suddenly said, "It's not right."

Old Man Puppet lifted his eyelids. "What's not right?"

"That child, Mo Hua..."

Old Man Puppet glanced at Mr. Zhuang. "Do you think he wasn't telling the truth?"

"Whether he told the truth or not doesn't matter. Some things are simply not meant to be said aloud."

"Then what is the problem?"

"He's learning too fast," Mr. Zhuang said with a frown.

Old Man Puppet was slightly taken aback. "Didn't you say that already?"

Mr. Zhuang replied, "He is my registered disciple. If he learns too quickly, it will invite trouble."

Old Man Puppet placed a piece. "He isn't learning *that* fast. Mo Hua's natural talent and comprehension are still far inferior to yours back in the day. Compared to many children from great clans, there is still a significant gap."

Mr. Zhuang shook his head. "You can't compare them like that. Great clans have their own foundations and legacies. Growing up surrounded by such things, even a pig would learn formations faster than an average person. As for me..."

Mr. Zhuang spoke with an air of indifference, "In the world of cultivation, those with formation talent superior to mine are already few and far between. It is only natural that I cannot compete."

Mr. Zhuang spoke arrogant words in a plain tone.

Unfortunately, there was no one to applaud him; Old Man Puppet was busy with his chess and didn't even bother to lift his head.

Mr. Zhuang found himself missing Mo Hua a little. If Mo Hua were here, those bright, sparkling eyes would surely be filled with admiration.

Mr. Zhuang sighed and said

"Mo Hua is different after all. He comes from a rogue cultivator background with no family lineage or heritage. His foundation in formations is too weak. If his skills progress too rapidly, it will inevitably draw attention, and might even bring life-threatening danger."

"You've become cautious and calculating. That's quite rare," Old Man Puppet said with a half-smile.

Mr. Zhuang stretched. "The tree that stands out above the forest is the first to be broken by the wind. I didn't understand the principle of hiding one's light in the past; I wasn't cautious, which is why I suffered losses."

"So what do you plan to do? Stop teaching him?"

Mr. Zhuang lay on the bamboo chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. "I will still teach him. Having become my disciple, even if not a direct disciple, he cannot be left with only this much knowledge. Otherwise, if others found out, it would not only damage my reputation but also dishonor my sect."

Old Man Puppet remarked, "You didn't care about such empty titles before."

"As one gets older, one begins to care about face."

Old Man Puppet looked at the lethargic Mr. Zhuang. "I'm not so sure."

Mr. Zhuang ignored him. After speaking, he closed his eyes, appearing either to be deep in thought or drifting into a nap.

Old Man Puppet continued playing chess as usual.

As the night deepened, the evening wind brushed through the mountains, making the trees rustle.

Mr. Zhuang suddenly opened his eyes. Looking at the mountain forest under the night sky, he murmured softly

"The tree that stands out above the forest is the first to be broken by the wind... then, if the tree does not stand out, the wind cannot break it."

Old Man Puppet looked at him with slight confusion. Mr. Zhuang's gaze followed the undulations of the forest, and he said meaningfully, "If one hides the tree within the forest, it will no longer stand out alone."

Old Man Puppet frowned.

Mr. Zhuang's gaze swept past the forest and landed on the entrance of the courtyard.

Every morning, the Bai siblings would come up the mountain to visit.

Those two children possessed exceptional talent; they were the most outstanding of the trees.

The next morning, the Bai siblings arrived at the mountain as usual. However, unlike previous days, when they reached the gate to pay their respects, the bamboo gate that was usually tightly closed suddenly swung open.

At the same time, a plaque reading "Zuo Wang Residence" appeared before the gate.

Behind the gate lay a courtyard. Inside, locust trees reached toward the sky, small bridges spanned flowing water, and mist swirled about, creating an atmosphere of celestial grace.

Bai Zisheng said in a daze

"Aunt Xue... the courtyard gate is open. Does this mean Mr. Zhuang is willing to see us?"

The usually calm Aunt Xue felt a surge of emotion. "It should be so."

She thought to herself: *It is well that Mr. Zhuang is willing to see us. Even if he does not take the young master and young lady as disciples right now, he can at least allow them to serve by his side. With their talent, Mr. Zhuang will eventually agree.*

Bai Zisheng looked slightly anxious. He glanced at his sister and found that Bai Zixi's exquisite face remained as cold and composed as ever, devoid of excess emotion.

A flash of heartache crossed Bai Zisheng's eyes. He silently stepped in front of his sister to shield her and walked into the courtyard.