Why Take in Disciples?
In the serene velvet dark were the moon and its friends. The gentle breeze grazed their faces. Everyone was gathered at Dustfallen Precipice, as it was learning time at night. The patriarch shared his heartfelt thoughts with everyone in the chilly night.
Feng Haochen slouched in the old-fashioned wooden armchairplaced under the old tree and gazed into the distance. Uncle An sat next to him and fanned the latter. Kongkong and Miaomiao played on the spring, occasionally swinging beyond the precipice, yet nobody showed any concern for their safety. Xiang Nan lied on the stone sab and gazed at the freckles of shiny pearls. Cheng Yan sat at the edge of the stone slap and dangled his legs off the precipice. Lan Ling’er was sprawled out on the stone slab, watching the two kids on the swings with her chin rested on her hands. Mu Yu sat on a tree branch, watching over the two kids, afraid they’d fall.
Mu Yu eventually broke the silence. “Shifu, I feel our sect is different to other sects.”
Feng Haochen smiled. “What’s your impression of the other sects?”
Mu Yu earnestly deliberated before articulating himself. “They must have somewhere around eight hundred if not more than a thousand disciples. Why do we have so few?”
“Our recruitment principle is to not accept anything less than those who meet our criteria. It doesn’t matter if our sect is populated or not. I am strict with who I mentor. You’re the fast disciple I’ve recruited from the academy.”
Thinking back on when he prayed Dustfallen Sect wouldn’t recruit him, Mu Yu went red in the face. Had his shifu not gone there for formality’s sake, he would still be stuck as a grey-rank disciple.
Xiang Nan scratched his head. “I do not see what makes me special! I am merely the son of a villager from a small village, no less. I did not even go to the academy. Why did you take me in, Shifu?”
Feng Haochen smiled. “I believed you had a talent that could be nurtured. You all have a quality I like about you. I prioritise character over potential. In my opinion, none of you pale in comparison to disciples from other sects. What do you think your chances of defeating Green Pine Sect’s Bai Lang are, Cheng Yan?”
Cheng Yan’s lip gently curved. “Shifu, I have only met him once. I think I could go tit for tat with him.”
Mu Yu almost fell from the tree branch. Cheng Yan was younger than Bai Lang and was an unknown name in the cultivation community. Mu Yu wondered if he was among superstars without realising it. The next question that popped up in his mind was why Cheng Yan would choose Dustfallen Sect if he was so talented; it would make more sense had he chosen Green Pine Sect. The other question was how Feng Haochen recruited disciples if he didn’t recruit from the academy.
“Xiang Nan, you’re relatively clumsy, slow, poor with words and not the most talented. You’re the most susceptible to getting the short end of the stick, a glutton and always looking to sleep…”
“And he likes to fart, loudly,” added Kongkong.
“And snore!” Miaomiao chimed in.
“Am I only flaws?” Xiang Nan muttered.
Everyone burst into laughter. Xiang Nan joined everyone, face red.
“You’re able to accurately determine the gap between you and your opponent in addition to quickly picking up on your opponent’s weakness and analyse his techniques. You are able to analyse, thereby judicious, and then choose the simplest method to seize the win. Those are your positive qualities. You’re not lazy and improve at a decent pace. Otherwise, it would be a waste of your quick wits,” said Feng Haochen.
Embarrassed, Xiang Nan muttered something under his breath. Mu Yu clearly heard Xiang Nan mutter, “How can I be lazy with Uncle An around…?”
Mu Yu had to admit he underestimated Xiang Nan.
“Ling’er, you have good potential and a strong will. Unfortunately, you’re rather naïve. You need to learn from your first senior brother. As for Mu Yu…”
All eyes made their way to Mu Yu. The others on the mountain had yet to know why Mu Yu was recruited. As a matter of fact, the man of the hour didn’t know, either. If it was purely owing to his ability to control trees, it was a rather lame reason. He eagerly awaited the answer.
“He has what it takes to cultivate,” finished Feng Haochen, confusing everyone.
It was a rather meaningless statement since everyone present was apt for cultivation; even the disciples at the academy were.
Noticing everyone’s befuddled expressions, Uncle An explained, “He means Mu Yu is the same as Luo Shang.”
A light lit up for Cheng Yan and Xiang Nan, who changed the way they perceived Mu Yu. Lan Ling’er snorted. Mu Yu blinked in rapid succession.
“Luo Shang is your second senior brother,” explained Feng Haochen.
Mu Yu still struggled to piece it together. He couldn’t connect their similarity and suitability for cultivation.
Kongkong climbed onto Feng Haochen’s thigh. “What about the two of us, Shifu? What about me and Miaomiao?”
Miaomiao joined her brother. “We were recruited because I’m so adorable. Younger Brother, you’re stealing your elder sister’s limelight.”
“You two? No idea. I’m regretting it, though, hahaha.” Feng Haochen scrubbed Kongkong’s head.
The two kids robbed Mu Yu of the chance to pursue Luo Shang’s matter.
Kongkong and Miaomiao later fell asleep on Feng Haochen’s thigh. Feng Haochen shut his eyes. Xiang Nan snored away. Uncle An continued fanning Feng Haochen the entire night. Cheng Yan meditated. Mu Yu admired the view below while dangling a tree branch from his mouth. His impression of a sect totally changed after spending time on the mountain. He smiled, eager to explore a world of cultivation different to what he envisioned.
Lan Ling’er didn’t say a word and looked odd after hearing Mu Yu shared Luo Shang’s cultivation abilities. Mu Yu didn’t notice her perplexing gaze on him. Luo Shang was the individual Lan Ling’er cared for most. She feared Mu Yu was recruited to replace Luo Shang.
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