Chapter 50 The Difficulties of Learning

Chapter 50: Chapter 50 The Difficulties of Learning After unloading their bedding from the ox cart, the four young men eagerly entered the east room and laid out their bedding. The kang by the wall was more than ample, long enough to sleep all five of them comfortably. They looked around at the papered windows, sturdy tables and chairs, and spacious room, each unable to contain their joy. It really felt like the excitement of arriving at a new place. But soon enough, they had no idea what to do next. There was no need to heat the kang at this time of year, and the manager hadn’t given any other instructions. The city was bustling, but they didn’t dare to run out and play. Were they supposed to just go to sleep now? Second Master glanced outside and said, "No one is bringing us food tonight, I suppose. You all wait here for me." He retrieved a shoulder bag from the ox cart and left the house. It wasn’t long before he returned with two lotus leaf-wrapped packages of mutton buns, and he’d picked up two taels of liquor along the way. He sat at the stone table and benches in the empty courtyard. Four or five youths hustled over, grabbed the greasy mutton buns, and wolfed them down. Their eyes gleamed with excitement, and if it weren’t for the heat, they would’ve devoured two with each bite. Second Master watched them eat, smiling, and on a whim said, "Come, have a drink with your Second Master." Zhou Datong’s eyes widened slightly, though he remained cautious. "Second Master, are you tricking us? The last time I snuck a sip at home, my grandfather broke his broom punishing me." "That was in the past." Second Master laughed. "Now that you’re in the city, you’re all considered adults. You can savor the taste." "Remember, in the future, you have to bring honor to our village." ... The youths eagerly grabbed at the wine jug, gulping down mouthfuls that burned their tongues, leaving them dangling like hanged spirits. Hu Ma also took a sip out of habit, feeling the hot, spicy liquor burn his throat; the taste was harsh and crude. Compared to the flavors of those meticulously blended, smooth, and mellow liquors from his past life, this was inferior. But what could he do about it? He could only comfort himself with the thought: at least there was no industrial alcohol here—this was proper grain liquor. After eating the buns and drinking the liquor, combined with the fatigue from their recent travels and lack of proper rest, the four youths soon grew sleepy. They drowsily lay on the kang and fell into a sweet slumber. Only then did Second Master take out a handful of peanuts from his pocket. Sighing, he said, "I reckon I’ll return tomorrow or the day after." Hu Ma was a bit taken aback. "Leaving so soon?" "Now that you’re settled, there’s no point in me staying around," Second Master said. "After all, I’ve done what I needed to help and make arrangements. Back in the village, they’re busy and waiting for spring to open up the mines." Hu Ma nodded, realizing it made sense. He handed the wine jug to Second Master with both hands, saying, "Thank you for your hard work, Second Master." "There’s no need for such formalities between us; it makes us sound distant." Second Master replied after a sip. He then got up and returned to the ox cart. From under a pack of herbs, he dug out a cloth-wrapped package and brought it back to Hu Ma. Opening it, Hu Ma saw a piece of smoked salted meat, weighing some two or three pounds. Second Master said, "Before leaving, the Clan Leader entrusted me with these four Tai Sui pieces. I didn’t keep the other three for myself; I gave them to that manager. Whether he keeps them or shares them with other managers, it’s not for us to say." "After all, we can’t just arrive and start handing out gifts everywhere, can we? We’d end up annoying people instead of getting help." "This remaining piece, I quietly kept it for you all, fearing you might not eat enough here and your bodies would suffer. You take good care of it. Later, if you see anyone not making good progress, give this to them as a supplement." "Only five of you have come out from the village in all these years. It wouldn’t be good if any of you fell behind." ... This is the most valuable thing in the village, and he’s entrusting it to me just like that? Hu Ma looked at the piece of salted meat, understanding its immense value. Even though Second Master had already given away three pieces upon arrival and was now giving this one to him, this was truly one of the village’s most prized possessions, something kept hidden away. Although Dayang Village relied on Master Tai Sui for their livelihood and managed to acquire some Tai Sui each year to trade for money or for nourishment, those were mostly White Tai Sui or just scraps. A complete strip of Green Tai Sui like this represented who knew how many years of the village’s reserves. Who would normally dare to even touch it? "You’re the most reliable one to give it to." Second Master looked at him and said, "Firstly, you’re used to... that stuff, so you wouldn’t think too much of this." "Secondly, after what you went through, you’ve become more steady than the others, and one can rest assured when you handle matters." "Moreover..." Second Master lowered his voice. "Others might not know, but I know your current level of cultivation. These kids are all going to be depending on you." "Saying that puts a lot of pressure on me..." Hu Ma smiled wryly, peeled a peanut, flicked off the red skin, and popped it into his mouth. It was fragrant and crisp. Second Master observed Hu Ma’s natural action of peeling the peanut skin and sighed quietly to himself. "It’s all Granny’s doing, spoiling you so much that you don’t even eat peanut skins..." He shook his head, took a small sip from the wine jug, and said, "Back in the village, I could already see that you had high aspirations, wanting to learn great skills. Now your wish has come true; you’ve joined the Blood Food Gang, getting one foot in the door. But there’s something I need to tell you." Hu Ma listened intently upon hearing this. Second Master said, "For a man, gold and silver are all external possessions. What’s most important? A man’s skills are most important." "Speaking of skills, who wouldn’t want to learn them?" "But it’s not like someone will teach you just because you want to learn. When I was young, an old Master saw that I was still in a child body even after thirty years, and he told me to follow him and learn skills." "I was overjoyed, of course. I traveled with that old Master far and wide for several years. Using my Pure Yang Child body, I helped him clear out many evil spirits and demons. I thought that by being so diligent, I would be able to learn some even more powerful skills..." ... Hu Ma listened, slightly startled. "He wouldn’t teach you?" "He did teach me..." Second Master gave a wry laugh. "Just the things you’ve already learned." "Maybe I was too dull, unable to learn anything else even if he taught me." ... Hu Ma sensed the disappointment in Second Master’s words, and his heart grew heavy. He understood the underlying meaning of what Second Master was telling him. To say he was dull was merely self-deprecation. If it were truly just because Second Master was dull, then even if he couldn’t be taught other dharma methods, couldn’t he at least have been fully trained in that one set of techniques? After all, it was merely a dharma method for practicing external power, one that didn’t require exceptional brilliance, only diligent practice could master it. But in reality, Second Master hadn’t even learned that set of techniques completely. "Sigh, anyway, you keep your eyes open. Perhaps things in this Red Lantern Lady’s Club are different from that unorthodox Master I followed back then..." Second Master sighed deeply and lowered his voice. "For the children from our village, just being able to get into the Red Lantern Lady’s Club as an assistant is considered a success. But you’re different. You have high aspirations; you’ll definitely want to climb higher." "I don’t have any great skills to teach you, but I wish you well." "That piece of Green Tai Sui I left for you, there’s a thumb-sized piece at the very tip, covered with black ash. Later, quietly cut it off and keep it safe." "That’s a valuable item. When the time comes, offer it as a gift, so you don’t get accused of being insincere and refused teaching." ... Hu Ma was slightly alarmed, finally understanding that Second Master had given him the very best thing. A wave of gratitude washed over him, but when the words reached his lips, he only said, "Second Master, when I’ve learned powerful skills, I will definitely repay you." "...I’ll find you a young virgin bride and build you a large courtyard house!" ... Second Master looked embarrassed upon hearing this, his old face flushing red. "What nonsense are you spouting? I’m already so old..." "...I don’t need a young virgin bride!" ... That night, after talking with Second Master for a while, Hu Ma went into the room with him to sleep. The next day, Second Master got up and packed some herbal medicine from the ox cart, along with a few jars of the black oil ointment homemade in their village. He went to sell them at a raw drug store outside. In return, he got a few pieces of broken silver, some salt, and soy sauce. He also left one jar of the ointment for Hu Ma. He also reminded Hu Ma that the black oil ointment made in their village was top-grade; the stores that bought it would dilute it with who-knows-what before selling it! Once all his instructions were given, he didn’t wait for the sun to set before driving the ox cart out the gate. Once the children were handed over to the Red Lantern Lady’s Club, they belonged to them. The youths from the village hadn’t expected Second Master to leave so abruptly. They stood there somewhat dazed and quite uneasy. No matter how boisterous they usually were, they were still just half-grown lads. Without an adult around, it was inevitable they’d feel a bit scared. Hu Ma, however, had long been mentally prepared and simply waited patiently. They stayed in this empty residence for two or three days. Gradually, several more groups of youths were sent over. However, they were different from the ones from Dayang Village. Some wore rich clothing and had an imposing, splendid air about them, while others were burly and had a solid foundation. When the youths from the village saw them, they lost much of their confidence and didn’t dare to be too rowdy. Unexpectedly, after a few more days, several more batches of youths were sent over. These ones looked ragged, were barefoot and shirtless, with sallow faces and emaciated bodies. They seemed even poorer than those from Dayang Village. As the number of people increased, the place became lively. The youths scrambled for living spaces, fought for food, snuck out to buy sweets and clay figurines, or to watch street performances; the activities were endless. Only the youths from the village and the group of ragged youths were the most well-behaved. Whether it was meal distribution or other matters, they didn’t dare to compete with the richly-dressed youths. This Red Lantern Society is holding a recruitment for assistants, and it’s certainly attracting all sorts... Hu Ma quietly observed these events. He didn’t dare to underestimate the people or affairs of this world just because of his identity as a Reincarnator. He merely speculated on their respective backgrounds. 「A few days passed.」 It was four or five nights later when, just as he was drifting off to sleep, Hu Ma found himself back in the dimly lit temple pervaded by dark mist. He heard a familiar voice: "Brother Old White, have you arrived?" "I’m here." Although it wasn’t one of the ’zero-ending’ days when they usually met, hearing Er Guotou’s voice brought Hu Ma both surprise and relief. He deliberately replied with a playful smile, "Where are you? Want to meet up?" "Now that you’re here, you’ll definitely see me within three days." Er Guotou laughed. "But whether Reincarnators meet or not isn’t truly important. What matters is that there are some crucial things I need to explain to you first, so you don’t fall into any traps set by the Red Lantern Lady’s Club."