Chapter 6: Seeking a Master

Zhang Xiaofan slowly awoke, dazed for a moment, then gradually sat up. The memories flooded back like a relentless tide, overwhelming him.

It felt like a terrible nightmare!

“Ah, you’re awake! That’s good,” a voice echoed from the doorway as a figure walked in.

Zhang Xiaofan looked up and recognized Song Daren, whom he had met on Mount Tongtian. He was tall and rugged, and there was something oddly comforting about seeing a familiar face, even with his current mood.

“Brother Song,” Zhang Xiaofan called out.

Song Daren, though a big man, couldn’t help but feel a twinge of pity. He walked to the bed and gently patted Zhang Xiaofan’s head, saying softly, “Little Junior Brother, don’t be sad. From now on, we are one family.”

Zhang Xiaofan was taken aback, “What do you mean, one family?”

With a smile, Song Daren explained how Master Tian Yishi had accepted Zhang Xiaofan as his disciple. Of course, he didn’t know about the small dispute that occurred among the senior members of the Azure Ethereal Conclave in the Jade Purity Hall on Mount Tongtian that day.

Zhang Xiaofan was momentarily lost. The Azure Ethereal Conclave, in his peasant heart, was a realm of the divine, and he never dreamed he would have the chance to join such a prestigious sect. However, the cost was not something he was willing to bear.

Biting his lip, he realized that brooding would do no good and called out, “Senior Brother Song.”

Song Daren smiled and nodded, “Very well, Little Junior Brother. You’ve been asleep for a whole day and night. You must be hungry.”

Zhang Xiaofan hadn’t noticed until now, but his stomach began to rumble audibly.

Song Daren chuckled, “Come, Little Junior Brother, let’s get some food first. I’ll also tell you more about our sect. Then we can go and pay our respects to Master and Mistress, and meet the other senior brothers.”

Zhang Xiaofan nodded and got out of bed, noticing that the room he was in was similar to the living quarters of the Azure Ethereal disciples on Mount Tongtian, but slightly more spacious.

As they walked out, Song Daren said, “Our Great Bamboo Peak is not like the other peaks. We have very few people. Even with you, we only have ten in total, so the rooms are a bit larger.”

They walked through a small courtyard and then a corridor, leading to a modest collection of houses, far fewer than those on Mount Tongtian.

As they headed towards the kitchen, Zhang Xiaofan learned that the Great Bamboo Peak lineage started with the fourth disciple of the patriarch, Master Zheng Tong, and has continued for six generations, with sparse numbers. The current elder generation consists of the First Seat, Master Tian Yishi, and the other teacher, Shu Ru, who is also Master Tian Yishi’s wife.

They have a daughter, Tian Ling’er, who is thirteen years old, two years older than Zhang Xiaofan, making him the youngest disciple here.

Among Master Tian Yishi’s disciples, Song Daren is the Eldest Senior Brother, followed by Wu Dayi, Zheng Dalǐ, He Dazhi, Lu Daxin, and Du Bishu.

Zhang Xiaofan memorized the names, “Oh, Senior Brother Dayi, Senior Brother Dalǐ, Senior Brother Dazhi, Senior Brother Daxin, Senior Brother Bishu…”

Song Daren laughed, “Actually, it’s Senior Brother Du Bishu.”

Zhang Xiaofan was puzzled, “Why is this sixth senior brother different?”

Song Daren explained, “He was originally called Du Dashi, but try calling it a few times.”

Zhang Xiaofan muttered, “Du Dashi, Du Dashi, Uncle Du…” and burst into laughter.

Song Daren also laughed, “You get it. Master wasn’t too bothered, but Mistress was furious. She thought Du Senior Brother was disrespectful and wanted to punish him. So, she renamed him ‘Du Bishu.’ Say it a few more times.”

Zhang Xiaofan whispered, “Du Bishu, Du Bishu, Must Lose in Gambling…” and burst into laughter again.

Song Daren, seeing Zhang Xiaofan’s joy, was pleased to have lightened his mood. “Sixth Senior Brother had a gambling habit before, but after being taken in by Master, he no longer gambles. Still, he loves to bet for fun. Mistress’ renaming was a warning.”

Zhang Xiaofan, feeling the warmth, forgot much of his sadness. After eating, Song Daren took him to the main hall of the Great Bamboo Peak, the Hall of Tranquil Silence. Everyone was gathered there, with red bricks and tiles, and a large Taiji symbol on the floor.

In front of the hall, Master Tian Yishi and a graceful woman, Shu Ru, were seated. Beside her stood a young girl, Tian Ling’er, with bright, expressive eyes.

The other five male disciples stood in a line, their gazes all on Zhang Xiaofan.

Song Daren approached and said respectfully, “Master, Mistress, I have brought Little Junior Brother.”

Master Tian Yishi grunted, showing impatience, but Shu Ru looked at Zhang Xiaofan and said, “Daren, he’s probably hungry after sleeping for a day and night. Feed him first.”

Song Daren replied, “I have already taken him to the kitchen, Mistress.”

Shu Ru nodded, glancing at Master Tian Yishi, who grunted again, “Let’s begin.”

Confused, Zhang Xiaofan heard Song Daren whisper, “Little Junior Brother, kneel and kowtow to Master.”

Zhang Xiaofan knelt and bowed repeatedly, making loud, reverberating sounds.

Tian Ling’er giggled, “Mama, he only needs to kowtow nine times.”

Zhang Xiaofan stopped and looked up, his forehead red. Everyone laughed, but Master Tian Yishi found it insufferable, thinking about having to teach such a fool.

“Enough. Daren, you take him and teach him the rules and basics,” Master Tian Yishi said, walking away. The disciples bowed, “Farewell, Master.”

Once Master Tian Yishi left, Tian Ling’er rushed to Zhang Xiaofan, examining him closely. Zhang Xiaofan, blushing, had never seen such a beautiful girl his age in Cao Miao Village.

“He blushed when he saw me!” Tian Ling’er exclaimed, laughing.

Everyone laughed, and Zhang Xiaofan blushed even more. Shu Ru chided, “Ling’er, don’t tease your junior brother.”

Tian Ling’er made a face but ignored her mother, standing tall and saying to Zhang Xiaofan, “Call me Senior Sister.”

Zhang Xiaofan, charmed by her, complied, “Senior Sister.”

Tian Ling’er, delighted to have a younger brother, said, “Be good, Little Junior Brother. Listen to Senior Sister.”

Zhang Xiaofan nodded, “Yes.”

Shu Ru pulled her daughter away, “No nonsense. Daren, look after him. He’s still young and might find the tasks difficult.”

Song Daren nodded, “Yes.”

The other five disciples, snickering, watched with amusement. Suddenly, Shu Ru made a strange movement, and the hall fell silent. The disciples, starting with Song Daren, froze, expecting trouble.

Shu Ru cleared her throat, “You…”

“Madam!” Song Daren, sweating, interrupted.

Shu Ru raised an eyebrow, “What?”

The other disciples also shouted, “Eldest Senior Brother, what are you doing?”

Song Daren hurriedly said, “Madam, Little Junior Brother is new. I need to teach him the rules and basics. I’m going now.”

Shu Ru considered, then nodded, “Alright, go.”

“What?” the other disciples shouted.

Song Daren, chuckling, scooped up Zhang Xiaofan and rushed out, “Little Junior Brother, I’ll teach you the rules in a quiet place.”

Tian Ling’er, amused, followed, hearing someone shout, “Eldest Senior Brother, you scoundrel!”

“Coward!”

Zhang Xiaofan, confused, wondered why teaching him the rules made him a coward.

Shu Ru’s cold, clear voice cut through the air, “Silence!”

The hall quieted. Shu Ru scolded, “You lazy fools, you tremble at the thought of testing. In five years, there’s the Sixty-Year Competition. Last time, you disgraced us. This time, if you don’t work hard, we’ll be a laughingstock. Come, all five of you…”

Song Daren ran faster, heading to the back mountain. Zhang Xiaofan, carried on his shoulder, saw the trees rushing past. Behind them, Tian Ling’er flew on a crimson silk, the “Amber Crimson Sash,” a renowned magical treasure.

Zhang Xiaofan, awestruck, saw Tian Ling’er flying gracefully and envied her deeply.

Tian Ling’er, seeing his admiration, boasted, “Impressive, right?”

Zhang Xiaofan nodded, “Yes, Senior Sister. So fast, even on a red ribbon!”

Tian Ling’er, realizing what he meant, huffed but laughed, “Big dummy!”

Zhang Xiaofan, puzzled, heard Song Daren laugh, “Little Junior Brother, that ‘Amber Crimson Sash’ is a famous treasure. It’s not just a red ribbon!”

Zhang Xiaofan, blushing, saw Tian Ling’er’s smiling dimples.

After a while, they reached a bamboo grove. Song Daren said, “Little Junior Brother, our custom is for new disciples to cut bamboo. Cut one per day for three months. Any size is fine.”

Zhang Xiaofan, used to cutting wood, was relieved. “Eldest Senior Brother, I can do it.”

Song Daren, smiling, said, “Good. I’ll show you the way back and teach you the rules.”

Tian Ling’er teased, “Eldest Senior Brother, are you running so far just to avoid Mama’s punishment?”

Song Daren, blushing, ignored her and began, “First rule: respect your teachers…”

The Great Bamboo Peak, led by the lazy Master Tian Yishi, usually left the disciples to their own devices. But his wife, Shu Ru, was strict and enjoyed martial arts. Disappointed by the repeated failures in the competitions, she often disciplined the disciples herself, making them fear her more than their master.

As the sun set, the trio walked down the mountain. The distant barking and cries of pain reminded them of the rigorous training ahead.