劍問蒼天 - 第8章 初始 - 翰墨軒

Du Biyan slapped his thigh, and in an instant his whole manner became radiant and full of spirit. "Little junior brother, so tell me—among master, mistress, and little junior sister, who exactly will be the first to come in?"

Everyone's eyes fell on Zhang Qingyue. He turned it over in his mind: the Canglan Sect revered its teachers, so surely Master Tian Buhui would be the first to enter. At once he said loudly, "I bet it's definitely Master."

Everyone roared with laughter. Lü Daxin shook his head and said, "Never thought Old Six would actually win one today by tricking someone."

Du Biyan was beside himself with delight. Looking at a bewildered Zhang Qingyue, he said gleefully, "Little junior brother, let me tell you—actually, every time, among master's family, it's always little junior sister who comes rushing in first. Haha, you'll be helping me wash dishes later."

Zhang Qingyue scratched his head and could not help laughing too. He nodded and said, "Yes, sixth senior brother."

The third disciple, Zheng Dali, short and stocky, laughed. "Old Six, aren't you ashamed?"

Du Biyan said, "What are you talking about, Old Three? I didn't force or coerce anyone. A bet's a bet—isn't that right, little junior brother?"

Zhang Qingyue nodded, when suddenly he heard Song Dayi say, "Master's here."

Everyone straightened up and rose to their feet, facing the door to welcome their teacher. A moment later, Tian Buhui's short, stout figure appeared in the doorway—and behind him was...

Nothing at all!

He had come alone.

Everyone was stunned. Du Biyan said, "Master, where are the mistress and little junior sister?"

Tian Buhui glanced at him and said mildly, "Your mistress has taken your little junior sister to visit her family."

Everyone was taken aback, but a moment later someone could not help laughing out loud. They watched Tian Buhui amble in, while Zhang Qingyue looked thoroughly embarrassed, wanting to laugh but not daring to, and Du Biyan stood there gaping.

Tian Buhui sat down in his large chair, waved his hand, and said, "Let's eat."

Only then did the disciples sit down, each of them looking at Du Biyan with a half-smile. Tian Buhui glanced at Zhang Qingyue and said to Song Dayi, "Have you told him the sect rules and precepts?"

Song Dayi nodded. "Yes. The twelve sect rules and twenty precepts—I've told our little junior brother all of them. As for the basic cultivation methods, I saw that our little junior brother was a bit tired from arriving today, so I plan to formally teach him tomorrow."

Tian Buhui nodded in approval, then said to Zhang Qingyue, "Old Seven."

Zhang Qingyue did not catch on at first, until Du Biyan beside him gave him a nudge. Only then did he realize the master was calling him, and he hurriedly stood up. "Your disciple is here."

Tian Buhui shook his head, his confidence in this slow-witted disciple slipping another notch. "For now, follow your eldest senior brother. Remember to study with all your heart. The sea of the Way has no shore; diligence is the boat. Even if your aptitude is somewhat poor, so long as you endure and work hard, it is not impossible that you will succeed. Understand?"

Zhang Qingyue received this as though it were a sacred edict and said respectfully, "Yes."

Tian Buhui waved a hand. "Eat."

Zhang Qingyue was young and small, and holding a large bowl as he sat in his chair, he could not reach the dishes farther away. But Du Biyan beside him was quite kind and helped him to several portions, murmuring with a smile, "Little junior brother, eat more." From the look of him, he did not mind at all that he had lost the bet—his gambling honor was indeed sound.

Zhang Qingyue was grateful and nodded again and again. After eating a while, he asked quietly, "Sixth senior brother."

Du Biyan said, "What?"

Zhang Qingyue said, "Does the mistress really have a family to visit?" In his young mind, the people of the Canglan Sect were all immortals—how could they have worldly ties?