Chapter 90: A Dragon In A Shallow Pool Is Laughed At By Shrimp
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Chang An was a little curious. “Young Master, this peach blossom frozen stone was won from Mr. Xian Yun when you had a discussion with him back then. It has always been very precious. Even when Eldest Miss asked you for it and wanted to carve a seal on it, you rejected her. You said that this peach blossom frozen stone was for collection. Why do you suddenly want to carve a seal on it?”
At the mention of this, Zhou Linghuai was reminded of another incident.
When he was eleven, Mr. Xian Yun traveled to You Zhou.
When his father found out about this, he had visited several times, wanting to ask Mr. Xian Yun to take him in as a disciple, but was rejected.
He was young and arrogant. When he accidentally found out about this, he disguised himself and visited in the name of Yang Mu without revealing his name.
Mr. Xian Yun was famous throughout the world, but there were countless students who wanted to visit him. He had set up a chess game at the entrance. Whoever could solve it would be able to meet him and receive his guidance.
In the end, he had cracked this seemingly unbreakable chess game.
As he wished, he saw Mr. Xian Yun. “I’ve heard that you’re quite knowledgeable in Confucianism and Buddhism, so I want to learn from you. If you lose, I’ll make a request of you. If I lose, I won’t go over today.”
When Mr. Xian Yun heard this, he stroked his long beard and smiled.
Other people had tried all sorts of ways to meet him, all hoping that he would guide them in their studies and teach them. However, this kid was really arrogant and interesting. “Sure!”
Zhou Linghuai proposed a thesis discussion.
In the end, he won by a little.
Mr. Xian Yun asked, “What do you want from me?”
Zhou Linghuai recalled that Mr. Xian Yun had rejected his father time and time again. “I just wanted to ask you for something so that I could prove that you were not as skilled as me and lost to me.”
When Mr. Xian Yun heard this, he laughed loudly. “Kid, you’re really arrogant.”
Then, he asked the servant boy beside him to give him a Longevity peach blossom stone that he had kept for many years.
How could Zhou Linghuai not like such an expensive jade material? He immediately accepted it with a clear conscience. Just as he was about to leave, he heard Mr. Xian Yun say something.
“Kid, I still lack a disciple who serves me tea and works for me. I like you very much. Although you’re a little arrogant, you’re still young. Why don’t you follow me?”
When Zhou Linghuai heard this, his mouth twitched. If this old man found out that he was the “disciple” who had been repeatedly rejected by this old man, he wondered what he would think.
“I’m not interested in being your slave.”
Mr. Xian Yun was so angry that his beard trembled. “Kid, you don’t know what’s good for you. You have to know that there are countless people in the world who are doing everything they can to beg me to be their master.”
Zhou Linghuai sneered. “Why didn’t you accept it?”
Mr. Xian Yun was stunned. He put down the teacup in his hand and looked at him seriously. This old man who wasn’t serious had turned into an otherworldly expert. He exuded a sense of virtue and importance.
Zhou Linghuai’s right eyelid twitched.
Mr. Xian Yun had an unfathomable expression. “Kid, I learned some physiognomy skills from Grandmaster Hui Neng of the Precious Peace Temple in my early years.”
Zhou Linghuai had a bad feeling. He had a nagging feeling that this old man was up to no good.
Sure enough, Mr. Xian Yun said with a smile, “Rhinoceros bones cover the central courtyard, and their foreheads are facing the sky. According to the Natural History, there’s something between the two sharp ages of the golden dragon head, like the shape of a mountain. The essence of its spirit is completely condensed here. Only with this spiritual object can one breathe and soar into the sky, ascending to the Nine Heavens. This is an especially expensive item, so it’s ranked first.”
The rhinoceros bones referred to the frontal bones that protruded from the middle of the forehead. The more plump and square they were, the better.
“Don’t say anything.” Zhou Linghuai cursed the old man in his heart.
The art of physiognomy originated from the Daoist school. It was said that in order to verify the Buddhist teachings, Grandmaster Hui Neng had once discussed Daoism with a Daoist expert. Grandmaster Hui Neng’s art of physiognomy was taught by that Daoist expert.
Zhou Linghuai was familiar with Daoist cla.s.sics, so he naturally knew a little about these mystic techniques.
There were three bones—
Sky Facing Rhino Bone (aka: f.u.xi) is the most expensive. It can enjoy the blessings of the emperor and his great name.
Juao Rhino Bones were scholarly and n.o.ble, and were extremely important officials.
Wuku Rhino Bones were highly respected, and were conferred t.i.tles.
Mr. Xian Yun changed the topic. “Not only that, but your forehead has rhinoceros bones that form a square seal. It’s like an imperial jade seal. It’s the fate of a true dragon that’s destined to live forever.”
At this point, Zhou Linghuai felt that something was amiss. “Old man, didn’t I just win a longevity peach blossom stone from you? Do you have to spout nonsense and make it unfair for me? It’s fine if you say this here, but after this, I won’t be able to keep my head.”
Mr. Xian Yun said with a faint smile, “However, there’s a saying that goes, ‘When a dragon is trapped in a shallow pool, it will be laughed at by shrimp."”
The root of the mountain indicated health!
Zhou Linghuai covered his ears and shook his head. “I can’t hear what you’re saying.”
Mr. Xian Yun laughed and shook his head. “Kid, ordinary people don’t have your reputation. You don’t want to reveal your name, but you won’t be able to escape the word ‘Yin’.”
Just the word “Yin” was enough to reveal his ident.i.ty.
Zhou Linghuai said with a cold expression, “Old man, you’re really interesting. Others have come to beg you to take them in as your disciple, but you don’t accept them. Now, you’re begging to take them in instead.”
Mr. Xian Yun smiled in understanding. “You don’t know this, but taking in a disciple depends on fate. Fate also depends on the right time, place, and people. Those who come knocking on my door to ask for it have nothing to do with me. You deliberately came knocking on my door to ruin my reputation, but it suits my taste.”
Zhou Linghuai was born to be rebellious. The more others begged him, the more they fawned on him. Instead, they couldn’t do anything good in front of him, so he pulled a long face and said, “Fate matters when it comes to acknowledging someone as your master. If you defeat me today, it’s fine for me to acknowledge you as my master, but you’re inferior to me and have lost to me. How dare you ask me to acknowledge you as my master? How shameless are you?”
.
These words were indeed not pleasant to the ears, but Mr. Xian Yun was not angry. “Kid, you came prepared with the intention of winning this time. Ever since you entered my sect, you’ve been scheming. Your sword moves in an unorthodox manner. Winning is not based on real talent or knowledge, but on calculation.”
Zhou Linghuai said nothing.
However, Mr. Xian Yun changed the topic. “However, you’re already a great talent like Duke Zhou at such a young age, but the heavens are jealous of such a talent. Listen to my advice. If you plot too far, it will harm your life, and if you’re too wise, you’ll definitely be hurt. Hurry up and follow me. Cultivate your body and mind. I’ll guarantee you a long life.”
Zhou Linghuai said calmly, “A loss is a loss, and a win is a win. You can’t be a sore loser, right?”