Shifu and Disciple
“Is my shifu really at Formation Sect?” Cai Lie queried, unsettled.
Mu Yu dragged Shi Dengtian, who was vexed he could not commit suicide, along as he answered, “There are only two places he’d go, Formation Sect or my dad’s valley. My conjecture is that he wants to pick up Daoist Yuande and take the latter to the valley so that his daughter can take care of her father. Knowing Alchemist Yao, he’s worried about Daoist Yuande.”
Alchemist Yao knew that, though Formation Sect would not harm Daoist Yuande owing to Mu Yu’s relationship with them, they would not respect Daoist Yuande, which was why he was concerned.
“I hope Third Heaven Palace goes to hell.”
“Third Heaven Palace is now synonymous for ‘scum’.”
After being on the road for half a day, Mu Yu and Cai Lie finally arrived at Formation Sect. Thanks to the formations set up, Zhuge Xiaosheng detected Mu Yu’s return and promptly went to greet the latter.
“Mu Yu, they are?”
“Patriarch, did Alchemist Yao come by?” Mu Yu inquired, noticing the anxiety written on Cai Lie’s face.
“He arrived an hour ago and is visiting Daoist Yuande in Formation Hall at the moment. He asked to take Daoist Yuande off our hands.”
“Thank heavens!” Cai Lie let out a big breath.
“Thank you, Patriarch.” Mu Yu regarded Zhuge Xiaosheng with a nod and zipped off to Formation Palace with Cai Lie.
***
Formation Sect constructed a room underneath Formation Palace specifically for Daoist Yuande and provided necessities, but he refused to leave the corner and still muttered, “I’m not a coward” to himself.
“Uncle, you are not a coward,” assured Alchemist Yao, helping Daoist Yuande out of the corner and onto the bed despite himself still recovering from his injuries. Smiling bitterly, he continued, “It is just the two of us now. You are not a coward, but I have been a coward once now. I came to yesterday, but I could not even face Cai Lie and had to wait for him to leave before I got up. Just as you are sad Junior Sister will not forgive you, I am afraid Cai Lie will not forgive me.
“Cai Lie did the right thing, and I am glad he was the first one to take a stand in that situation. Such a brave disciple should not have such a useless shifu. I do not know how to explain myself to him, nor do I know if he will believe me. I think sneaking away was the best option. Time will erase my existence, and people will not see me as a dirty mark on his record. Besides, his accomplishments will eventually override the mark. He is mature enough to handle himself without me now. I could not be any prouder of him. Uncle, do you want to see Junior Sister Xue’er?”
Upon hearing “Xue’er”, Daoist Yuande started wagging his hands as though his life depended on it. “No, I’m not a coward. I’m not a coward. Forgive me. Forgive me.”
Yao Wuji patted Daoist Yuande on the back. “You are not a coward. You are not. I hope I do not become someone Cai Lie is embarrassed to mention.”
“You will never be, Shifu!” Cai Lie exclaimed, seemingly zapping Yao Wuji with his words.
“Cai Lie…”
“Shifu, I am the one who must beg for forgiveness. I am the coward and scum for cursing you!” Cai Lie offered Yao Wuji his knees and forehead perpetually. To show his sincerity, he did not shield himself with his spiritual energy, resulting in blood and tears coursing down his face. “I was ignorant. Mu Yu has explained what happened to me. I apologise for cursing you.”
Yao Wuji seized Cai Lie’s shoulders to stop his disciple kowtowing. Eyes red, he stated, “Don’t do this. I’m no longer your shifu.”
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry for not doing my job as your disciple. Please forgive me, Shifu! Please forgive me,” begged Cai Lie, slapping himself.
This time, Yao Wuji had to clutch Cai Lie’s hands. “Stop. Stop hurting yourself. I don’t want you to get hurt in any shape or form.”
“Please give me a chance to make it up to you, Shifu. I want to continue learning from you. I promise to never be such a scumbag again. I want to make it up to you.”
Yao Wuji smiled hopelessly. “Even though I am a coward?”
“Shifu, I know the truth now. While you shouldered everything thrown your way, I was immaturely yelling emotionally instead of trying to understand you. I let you down. I have been so scared you would not forgive me. I will obey your every word from now. I do not want to lose you,” pleaded Cai Lie, holding Yao Wuji’s hands.
“People will mock you for having me as your shifu.”
Cai Lie wiped his tears. “I could not care less about what others think. I grew up with only my brother until you took me in. I have always seen you as my father. They can mock me all they want as I will never downplay who you are. Selfishly telling myself I did nothing wrong is what deserves to be mocked.”
Yao Wuji shut his eyes and exhaled slowly. “You know, your evaluation of me matters more than anyone else’s. I’m glad you trust me. Very glad.”
***
“I have always seen you as my father, huh?” Mu Yu repeated under his breath, leaning on the wall outside the room and playing with the jade piece Kumu hibernated in. “That brings back memories. I’m going to have to revive you so that you can hear me call you, ‘Dad’. I won’t let anyone else experience what I had to go through when I lost you.”
Had Mu Yu not already been sitting on the ground, Cai Lie’s words might have just tripped him onto the ground for as it reminded him of his own loss and tormenting weakness.
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