Roaming the Four Seas, Chapter 130: The Five Rites

"In terms of omnipotence, I am far superior to my wife," Island Master Mo said, sitting at the table and tilting his head back to boast.

Catching a glimpse of Madam Mo’s expression out of the corner of his eye, he immediately lowered his arrogant head. "But when it comes to the art of artifact refining, I must concede that I am a notch below her."

A smile bloomed on Madam Mo’s face.

"That’s more like it."

Steam rose from the teapot, carrying a wisp of delicate fragrance.

"Fellow Daoist Su, you mentioned you are an outer disciple of the Yuxuan Sect," Madam Mo said, her bright eyes fixed on Su Ye. "Yet, to my knowledge, the Yuxuan Sect has no disciple named Su Wuming."

Su Ye observed Madam Mo, whose eyes held hidden meaning, and decided to go along with the flow.

"The crowds at the island’s entrance were complex and prying; I had no choice but to conceal my identity. This junior is Su Ye..."

"This junior is Luo Jinghong..."

"...and we offer our respects to the two seniors."

To harbor the intent of learning artifact refining while deceiving the very person teaching the craft was, by any measure, unreasonable and unjustifiable.

"So it was you two all along!" Island Master Mo was so excited he jumped off his stone stool.

Madam Mo remained smiling. "I have heard that you are a nominal disciple of Master Cixin."

"I have received her teachings, but there is no formal master-disciple bond."

"To put it bluntly, the reason she taught you Buddhist dharma was to repay a favor to Fellow Daoist Su," Island Master Mo said, tapping the table with his index finger. "The deeds Fellow Daoist Su has performed for the Buddhist sect are no minor achievement. Not to mention her, even if Master Qinglian were still alive, she would not dare to accept Fellow Daoist Luo as a disciple."

"They may not dare, but I do," Madam Mo said with a bold tone.

Hearing this, Island Master Mo turned his head sharply toward his wife, shocked. "Are you truly certain?"

"Although Fellow Daoist Luo’s talent is modest, she possesses a heart that strives for improvement. As long as she is willing to put in the effort, one day she will become an artifact refiner renowned throughout the Great Qian."

Luo Jinghong had not expected that the top-ranked artifact refiner on Lingxi Island would ignore the karmic burdens she carried and offer to take her as a disciple. She was momentarily struck speechless.

Su Ye cupped his hands. "On behalf of my companion, I thank you, Senior."

Madam Mo looked at Luo Jinghong with a smile and asked, "Are you willing to take me as your master?"

Luo Jinghong hurriedly stood up, kicking over the stone stool she had been sitting on. Ignoring the need to right it, she spoke with urgency:

"I am willing to take you as my master."

Madam Mo raised her right hand slightly, and the self-heating teapot lifted into the air, pouring the freshly brewed tea into a purple clay cup.

Ever since Su Ye had left Peach Blossom Village, he had been a wanderer outside the traditional paths. Whenever he encountered experts, he would always beg them to teach him a trick or two. By leveraging his identity as a potential savior, he had indeed learned many spiritual arts. Yet, burdened by a vast and mysterious destiny, no one dared to accept him as a formal disciple. To this day, he did not even know the proper procedures for becoming an apprentice.

Madam Mo happened to be a traditionalist who upheld these customs. This would be a glimpse into the process.

Holding her black cat, Heixuan, Madam Mo led Luo Jinghong through the circular gate on the left toward the courtyard where she practiced her craft.

The spacious main courtyard was left with only Island Master Mo and Su Ye.

"You and Chen-er are close friends," Island Master Mo said, counting on his fingers. "And my wife has now taken your companion as a disciple... by the hierarchy of master and apprentice, you have effectively become Chen-er's martial uncle."

"It isn't me who is apprenticing," Su Ye said. "If we treat each relationship independently, wouldn't that solve the trouble?"

"Traditional apprenticeship follows extremely strict rules; not a single detail can be missed," Island Master Mo, also a traditionalist, replied. "Since Chen-er's grandmother has made up her mind, I suppose he will just have to endure a bit of slight."

"This..."

"Have you never taken a master?" Island Master Mo observed Su Ye’s hesitation.

"Many people have taught me skills, but no one has ever dared to accept me as a disciple."

"That is exactly right," Island Master Mo laughed. "Cultivating immortality is an act of going against the heavens, a grand transgression of seizing the fortune of heaven and earth, which inevitably invites heavenly retribution. Aside from you, no one can withstand the pressure of the Heavenly Dao. Whether they kill you or accept you as a disciple, their cultivation would be completely废 (ruined) for this lifetime..."

Su Ye felt a secret shock. So, to bear a mandate of heaven was such a perilous thing...

Island Master Mo leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Before you possess sufficient strength, never rashly attempt to assume the mantle of destiny, or you will likely be shattered to pieces. You must know, there are as many as three hundred potential candidates for this destiny..."

Su Ye grasped the Island Master's meaning and chuckled softly. "The flowing water does not compete for the lead; it competes for the endlessness of its flow."

"Traveling under an alias is indeed a clever move," Island Master Mo advised further. "Your Primordial Sword is too recognizable and could easily expose your identity."

"Might I ask..."

Before he could voice his request, he heard soft footsteps. Turning his head, his pupils dilated.

Luo Jinghong had bathed and changed into a pale pink long dress. She looked like a lotus rising from the water, appearing like a celestial being descending to the mortal realm. Madam Mo was already beautiful, but walking side-by-side with Luo Jinghong, she was completely eclipsed.

Island Master Mo lowered his head, staring at the tips of his shoes. The house rules were strict.

Madam Mo stood on the north side of the stone table and announced in a clear voice:

"Since ancient times, there have been five stages to apprenticeship: adjusting one's attire, the cleansing ritual, the kowtow ceremony, the presentation of the six gifts, and the offering of tea at the auspicious hour. I have already accepted Hong-er’s six gifts, and she has completed her cleansing and incense ceremony..."

Island Master Mo picked up where she left off: "Offer the tea."

Luo Jinghong walked with light steps to the table and picked up the purple clay teacup with its saucer. She walked respectfully to Madam Mo and presented the tea with both hands. Madam Mo, sitting in the Grandmaster’s chair, took the cup and sipped the perfectly tempered tea. She rinsed her mouth and spat it into the spittoon.

This was known as the "mouth-rinsing tea."

She then extended her hand and placed the cup on a square table that had quietly appeared.

"The artifact refining master Huayang is the forefather of our trade," Madam Mo said softly. "The Painting Saint Qian Daoqing once painted a portrait of him personally."

With that, she summoned a scroll painting. It floated into the air, and the bottom rod unrolled naturally. The entire painting unfolded, drifting in mid-air. The figure in the painting had an extraordinary bearing, looking like a youth of sixteen. Beside him stood a twin-eared Vermilion Bird refining cauldron, from which several divine rays emanated. Looking at it, the figure seemed vivid and lifelike, as if Huayang himself were manifesting. One did not need to examine the brushwork to know it was an authentic work by Qian Daoqing.

Luo Jinghong knelt on both knees, first bowing to the Heaven and Earth that nurture all things. Then, she bowed to the forefather in the painting. Finally, she performed the three-kowtow ritual to her master, who sat in the Grandmaster’s chair.

Madam Mo helped Luo Jinghong up.

Island Master Mo said, "Offer the tea again."

Luo Jinghong returned to the table, personally picked up the teapot, and poured a cup of clear tea into the blue-and-white porcelain cup prepared by Island Master Mo. She returned to Madam Mo and offered the tea a second time. This was known as the "master-apprentice tea."

Madam Mo drank the tea completely, then placed the blue-and-white cup beside the purple clay one and spoke slowly:

"An artifact refiner’s foundation lies in the crafting of spiritual treasures. Under my tutelage, you must not forge soul-based artifacts, you must not aid the wicked, and you must not forge evil weapons. You must use your skills to uphold justice. If you disobey your master’s orders or commit these taboos, you will be cast out, and you are forbidden from ever using the techniques I have taught you." Madam Mo’s expression was solemn. "Have you remembered all of this?"

Luo Jinghong cupped her hands and bowed in response. "Disciple will strictly remember these teachings."

"Fellow Daoist Su, once you have purged the demons and evils from Lingxi Island, you should depart and continue your cultivation alone. I intend to keep Hong-er on the island to teach her the art of artifact refining."

Su Ye stood up and cupped his hands. "This junior sincerely thanks you, Senior, for your kindness... I entrust Hong-er to your care."

Traveling the world as a potential bearer of destiny was exceptionally perilous. Traveling with Luo Jinghong doubled the chances of his identity being exposed, and the level of danger was unpredictable. Madam Mo’s action was, in reality, a great favor to Su Ye. Thus, his gratitude was sincere.

Island Master Mo smiled brightly. "We can continue our previous business discussion now."