Chapter 44: Enlightenment

The Array Method Source Theory could only be read at Mr. Zhuang's place and could not be taken out.

For several days afterward, Mo Hua would arrive at Mr. Zhuang's Zuowang Residence early, find a quiet, comfortable spot, and read alone.

If he had questions, he would silently note them down and wait until Mr. Zhuang finished his short rest before going to ask for advice. Mr. Zhuang answered all his questions, often resolving Mo Hua's doubts with just a few words, which Mo Hua greatly admired.

In just a few short days, Mo Hua's knowledge of array methods increased significantly.

Mo Shan and his wife wanted to visit and thank Mr. Zhuang, but were politely refused. Mr. Zhuang said that he naturally preferred quiet and didn't socialize much. He appreciated their kind intentions, but a visit wasn't necessary.

Though he said this, he showed no particular expression. However, Mo Shan and his wife still felt uneasy.

Mo Shan then went up the mountain and killed a wild cow. Liu Ru Hua marinated the beef, stewed it until flavorful, and also made various pastries. She had Mo Hua take them up to Mr. Zhuang, instructing him:

"Since Mr. Zhuang likes quiet, we won't disturb him, but we should at least send some small gifts. Mr. Zhuang probably doesn't lack spirit stones or similar things. Although these foods aren't precious, they at least represent our good intentions. Hua'er, take them to mister, and hopefully, he won't dislike them."

"Okay, okay," Mo Hua nodded in agreement.

When Mo Hua brought the food box to Mr. Zhuang, he felt a bit nervous.

Looking at Mr. Zhuang's appearance, he estimated that he had likely eaten all sorts of rare delicacies and might not like these ordinary foods from loose cultivators.

However, Mr. Zhuang received the food box and seemed quite intrigued. He tasted several pieces of beef and nodded slightly.

Although it was a low-grade wild demon beast and lacked spirit energy, the cooking method was very unique. The wild beef's fragrance mixed with spicy seasonings had a wild flavor he hadn't experienced before.

This was the first time Mr. Zhuang had tasted beef prepared this way. He couldn't help but eat several more pieces and even set some aside, intending to have them with wine.

Mo Hua then took some pastries to Kui Lao. Kui Lao received the pastries, looking somewhat surprised, but he didn't stand on ceremony with Mo Hua. He tasted a few bites, neither saying they were good nor bad.

Seeing that both of them had accepted the gifts and tasted them personally, and that they didn't seem dissatisfied, Mo Hua finally relaxed.

Liu Ru Hua was also very happy. Whenever she had free time, she would make more different kinds of dishes and have Mo Hua send them to Mr. Zhuang and Kui Lao.

There were many kinds of demon beasts on the mountain, and they tasted different. Liu Ru Hua was usually busy with the food shop, but in her leisure time, she focused on culinary research. She used the meat from demon beasts hunted by Mo Shan to try various cooking methods. Different types of meat, combined with different seasonings and stewing techniques, yielded different flavors.

Some of these flavors were very good, while others were not easy for people to accept. Liu Ru Hua would select the delicious ones and have Mo Hua bring them for Mr. Zhuang to taste.

Kui Lao, on the other hand, loved to eat pastries, and according to Mo Hua's observation, Kui Lao enjoyed crispy pastries, especially while playing chess. So, Liu Ru Hua would make some crispy fruit snacks every few days and have Mo Hua send them to Kui Lao.

Over time, Mr. Zhuang got used to eating them and didn't care much for the meals Kui Lao made anymore.

One day, Mo Hua again delivered cured meat and pastries to Mr. Zhuang and Kui Lao. He read for the day, asked a few questions, and then said goodbye to go home.

It was already late. Mr. Zhuang sat by the pond, watching the evening glow in the sky, eating beef and sipping wine. He seemed quite at ease.

Kui Lao sat nearby, eating pastries and playing chess against himself. After a moment, he looked up at Mr. Zhuang and said:

"Your qi sea is shattered. You can eat other things, but you shouldn't overindulge. My medicinal meals also shouldn't go to waste."

Mr. Zhuang replied indifferently, "A broken mirror is hard to mend, spilled water is hard to collect. My qi sea is already shattered. Nothing I eat is useful anyway. It's better to eat things that make me happy."

Kui Lao was too lazy to bother with him. After a moment, he suddenly asked, "Is it really that good to eat?"

Mr. Zhuang picked up another piece of meat with his chopsticks, put it in his mouth, and savored it. "The taste is very unique."

Kui Lao frowned and said, "You've eaten every rare food imaginable in your life. Why are you starting to crave food now?"

"Yes, indeed."

Mr. Zhuang showed a hint of amusement, though a coldness born of worldly experience lurked in his eyes:

"Mountain delicacies and seafood grow tiring. While these things are simple, the intention they carry is also simple, which is why they are the most rare."

"Oh," Kui Lao listened as if not hearing, still focusing on his chess game, picking up a piece of crispy fruit and putting it in his mouth.

Mr. Zhuang looked at him and suddenly asked, "You can't taste the flavor anyway, can you? What are you eating these for?"

Kui Lao concentrated on the chess board. After a moment, he said, "I chew to listen to the sound."

Having said that, he picked up a crispy biscuit and chewed it with a crunching sound.

Half a month later, Mo Hua had almost finished reading the Array Method Source Theory. Mr. Zhuang then began teaching Mo Hua array theory.

The array theory Mr. Zhuang taught was broader and more profound than what Teacher Yan had taught. All the array method terms were new to Mo Hua, and he learned very slowly.

Mr. Zhuang seemed to be taking a laissez-faire approach. He didn't say a single extra word about whether Mo Hua learned fast or slow, well or poorly.

However, perhaps because he had eaten too much beef, Mr. Zhuang felt a bit uneasy in his heart, so he asked Mo Hua:

"What kind of array master do you want to become?"

Mo Hua wanted to say he wanted to become a first-grade array master first, but this goal might seem too small in Mr. Zhuang's eyes, and he also didn't fundamentally know what kinds of array masters there were. So, he still answered honestly:

"Disciple doesn't know what kind of array master he can become."

Mr. Zhuang pondered for a moment and said, "Your spirit root isn't considered superior. Even if you don't lack spirit stones and cultivation methods, it's not easy to cultivate to the Golden Core stage. And your realm determines the upper limit of an array master. Even with high comprehension ability, without enough realm, you can't touch higher, profound array methods..."

"Furthermore, regarding comprehension, your comprehension is actually quite good, but it's a pity that you started too late. You lack a foundation in various array theories. Descendants of worldly families receive nurturing from a young age. Their understanding of some profound array methods is very familiar from childhood. You simply lack this accumulation. Even learning from scratch now will be much slower."

"Before, when I taught disciples, I would first teach array theory, having them memorize the thousands of array method schools and theories in this cultivation world to build a foundation. This makes it easier to integrate and penetrate in the future, and to go further on the path of array methods."

Mr. Zhuang looked at Mo Hua, his expression slightly apologetic, but he still said frankly, "But you might fundamentally not be able to go far. Perhaps a third-grade array master is already your limit. So, teaching you according to the previous method would only be a waste of time and wouldn't benefit you at all."

Mo Hua's expression dimmed, feeling somewhat disappointed.

But on second thought, never mind a third-grade array master, even becoming a second-grade array master was something he could be secretly happy about. After all, in the entire Tongxian City, the first-grade array masters could be counted on one's fingers.

He had almost been swept up by Mr. Zhuang...

Mo Hua thought for a moment and said solemnly, "All things in heaven and earth have their own fixed number. Disciple only needs to learn array methods with a focused heart. I will learn to whatever level I can. Calculating gains and losses too much will instead make me lose my original heart. Please, mister, don't be stingy with your guidance."

Mr. Zhuang's expression was slightly surprised. He looked at Mo Hua silently, then smiled indifferently:

"What you said is correct. Planning is done by people, but gains and losses are decided by heaven. One shouldn't waste their inner energy by worrying about gains and losses. Since that's the case, tomorrow I will change the teaching method."