The Quest for Immortality

Elder Master Xun had not expected that Mo Hua would resolve the situation so quickly, that these proud students would comply so obediently...

Elder Master Xun pondered for a moment and then nodded in approval.

He did not disturb Mo Hua but simply left.

...

Since then, whenever there was a matter to attend to, Elder Master Xun let Mo Hua ”substitute teach.”

Sometimes, even when there was no particular need, Elder Master Xun would take a lazy ”sick day” and let Mo Hua take over, teaching the room full of disciples.

A ”disciple” teaching Formation to other disciples.

This matter quickly came to the knowledge of the elders of the Taixu Gate.

The families of Qian State backing some disciples also became aware of this and, mainly harboring dissatisfaction, they exerted pressure on some authoritative elders of the Taixu Gate to confront Elder Master Xun for an explanation.

Several True Transmission Elders, reluctantly yet unavoidably, approached Elder Master Xun and tentatively said,

”Old sir, about this matter...is it perhaps, against the rules?”

Elder Master Xun lowered his head to sip his tea, not even raising his eyelids, ”What rules?”

”This...”

The elders hesitated.

What could they say...

Many rules of the Taixu Gate were established with this Ancestor’s involvement.

How could they dare speak of rules before him...

However, Elder Master Xun, unlike other ancestors who secluded themselves for cultivation or stayed behind the scenes, devoted himself to the principle of ”preaching and teaching.” At his considerable age, he continued to personally teach Formations. Although he was stubbornly eccentric and somewhat grumpy, he did not put on airs, and that was why they dared to speak up this much.

One elder, after a moment of deep thought, whispered:

”Having a disciple teach other disciples...this is rather improper, not quite in accordance with tradition...”

”Not proper, not conforming to tradition...” Elder Master Xun muttered, then after a moment of frowning and pondering, he nodded, ”Indeed, it is not proper or traditional.”

The elder’s eyes lit up, ”In that case...”

”In that case,” Elder Master Xun said, ”just officially assign him the position of ’Little Instructor,’ and then it would be proper and traditional!”

Little Instructor?!

The elder’s heart sank, hurriedly saying:

”Old sir, this…a fresh Outer Gate disciple taking on the role of ’Little Instructor,’ there’s no precedent for this within the Taixu Gate...”

”Isn’t there one now...” Elder Master Xun nodded, ”Precedent? Well, someone always has to be the first.”

”This, this can’t be done...”

The other elders also said, ”Old sir, this action is inappropriate...”

”It’s really quite...unprecedented.”

”Forgive this junior’s disrespect…but this seems somewhat...trifling...”

”Such a role as ’Little Instructor’ just can’t be established...”

The group of True Transmission Elders buzzed with discussion.

Elder Master Xun took a sip of tea, sighed, and said, ”I am not unreasonable, and since all of you oppose it, let’s compromise. We won’t make him ’Little Instructor.’ Let’s slightly elevate his rank, make him a ’Junior Brother’ instead...”

The other True Transmission Elders froze, hearts skipping a beat.

Uh-oh, this was a trap.

Elder Master Xun was retreating tactically; his original plan likely wasn’t ”Little Instructor” at all...

A True Transmission Elder bit the bullet, still wanting to oppose.

”This fearsome...still seems...”

Elder Master Xun’s expression darkened, slightly angry he said:

”What do you mean?”

”I’ve already compromised enough. If not ’Little Instructor,’ then fine, but a ’Junior Brother,’ just a little oral rank, without a real position, and you still have objections?”

”Do you think I’ve become old and my words hold no weight?”

The group of True Transmission Elders felt bitter, cold sweat forming on their foreheads, finally resorting to flattering:

”Old sir is right, it’s just a title of ’Junior Brother’ after all...”

At this point, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and say:

”...let’s do it then!”

Elder Master Xun was finally satisfied, nodded, waved his hand, and started shooing people away:

”Dismiss, dismiss, it’s just a trivial matter, making a big fuss...”

”This matter is thus settled!”

The group of True Transmission Elders smiled bitterly but had no choice but to accept it.

During the next Formation class, Elder Master Xun called Mo Hua to the podium and told the disciples below:

”In the outside world, each of you have your opinions, and I do not interfere...”

”But from now on, in this Tao Teaching Room devoted to teaching Formations...”

Elder Master Xun pointed at Mo Hua, his voice old but firm, ”all you disciples...must address him as—”

”Junior Brother!”