Mr. Zhuang nodded slightly.
Mo Hua also happily called out "Master."
Mr. Zhuang nodded too, but his gaze flickered, betraying a different emotion.
After the incense was burnt, heaven was bowed to, and the tea was offered, and they had called him Master.
Mo Hua and the others were now truly members of the same alliance.
But now that they were of the same alliance, the matter of seniority arose.
The three began to argue.
"I’m the oldest, I should naturally be the senior brother!" Bai Zisheng argued strongly.
"There is a sequence in learning the way, I entered first, I should be the senior brother!" Mo Hua humphed.
Bai Zixi had a calm expression, but she had her own insistence:
"I want to be the senior sister!"
"In any case, I’m the senior brother."
"You’re the junior brother, I’m the senior brother…"
"I’m the senior sister…"
...
In the end, no one could persuade the other, and three pairs of bright eyes looked toward Mr. Zhuang.
Mr. Zhuang was momentarily startled, his thoughts stirred, and then he said to Mo Hua:
"You’re the youngest, take a little grievance and be the junior disciple."
Mo Hua was greatly disappointed, but since Mr. Zhuang had spoken, he naturally would listen and replied, "Okay, Gentleman."
Mr. Zhuang chuckled, "Are you still calling me Gentleman?"
Mo Hua realized his error and smiled as he called out:
"Master!"
Mr. Zhuang nodded slightly, his eyes full of mirth.
And so, the three named disciples under the great pagoda tree became Direct Disciples of Mr. Zhuang.
There was a pair of siblings born of Noble Clans, with the grace of dragons and phoenixes, and dazzling talents as the senior brother and sister.
And there was one of humble origin, with inferior Spiritual Root, who seemed to be "making up the numbers," the junior brother.