"You’re not getting chubbier; your skin is just getting thicker..." Old Kui couldn’t help but say.
Mr. Zhuang denied it:
"Impossible, my skin has always been this thick."
Old Kui sighed, not wanting to bicker with him, and asked about serious matters, "Have you thought about how to avoid karma? "
Mr. Zhuang nodded, "I have."
Old Kui silently looked at him.
Mr. Zhuang took a sip of wine and said lightly:
"Karma is predetermined, just like this wine, you can’t avoid it just by wishing not to. Once you drink it, you can’t avoid getting the scent of it."
"Since it can’t be avoided, then use other karmas to confuse it."
"By confusing the smell of the wine, others might not be able to smell it; by confusing karma, others might not be able to see through it."
Confusing karma...
Old Kui frowned and thought about it, understanding, but still said,
"Won’t this make karma even more complicated?"
"It’s not me who’s making it complicated..."
Mr. Zhuang shook his head, then his gaze became distant as he looked towards the courtyard.
In the courtyard, under the large pagoda tree, three disciples were happily together.
Mo Hua and Bai Zisheng were talking about something, and Bai Zixi’s beautiful eyes were bright as she quietly listened, occasionally revealing a smile as faint and gentle as a crescent moon.
Mr. Zhuang’s gaze was deep, "It’s just that some karmas already exist."
...
The next day, as usual, Mo Hua went to visit Mr. Zhuang, bringing many edibles in large and small boxes.
"Gentleman, my mother asked me to bring these for you to try!"
Mo Hua’s tone was cheerful, his eyes bright as if filled with starlight.
The morning sun was splendid, and the room was filled with a clear glow.
Looking at Mo Hua, Mr. Zhuang’s demeanor suddenly softened and gently said:
"Mo Hua, would you like to be my disciple?"
Mo Hua was slightly startled, "Aren’t I already your disciple?"
Mr. Zhuang shook his head, "Not a nominal disciple, but a direct disciple!"
Mo Hua was stunned.
His mouth hung open, for a moment, he couldn’t believe his ears and thought he had misheard.
"Direct... direct disciple?"
Mr. Zhuang smiled slightly and nodded gently.
Mo Hua was thrilled, but then he cautiously asked,
"Gentleman, you won’t regret taking me as your direct disciple, right? My spiritual root is very poor..."
Mr. Zhuang chuckled, "It doesn’t matter..."
Mo Hua thought he was dreaming, but even if it were a dream, he had to agree to such a thing.
Just as Mo Hua was about to agree, Mr. Zhuang stopped him.
Mr. Zhuang said solemnly, "You need to think it through."
"Is there anything to think about?"
Mo Hua frowned, not understanding what there was to consider.
Mr. Zhuang then said, "I’m leaving Tongxian City. If you become my disciple and learn formations from me, you’ll have to wander with me."
"Wandering without knowing the time, you should discuss with your parents, consider their feelings, and then decide whether you want to become a disciple."
Mr. Zhuang’s considerations were considerate and thoughtful.
Mo Hua’s small eyebrows knitted together, quite troubled.
He wanted to acknowledge Mr. Zhuang as his master and learn higher formations, but he didn’t want to leave his parents and worried they would be concerned.
Mr. Zhuang gently said, "Go ask your parents, think it over, and then give me your answer."
"Okay."
Mo Hua nodded seriously.
After returning home, Mo Hua told his parents about the matter.
Mo Shan and Liu Ruhua both showed happy expressions, then both hesitated a bit.
Mo Shan was about to say something with a frown, when Liu Ruhua said firmly: