Chapter 68: Application

One morning, Mister Zhuang called Mo Hua over, his expression quite profound and inscrutable as he asked:"Mo Hua, what kind of array master do you want to become?"

Mo Hua thought to himself, it would be good if I could become a First Rank Array Master; I could receive an allowance every month and support myself. My father and mother would definitely be happy too.But Mister Zhuang shouldn't have meant that.

"Mister, what are the differences between array masters?" Mo Hua humbly asked.

"There are ten thousand kinds of array methods, and the array masters who learn them are naturally varied and colorful, each with their own strengths."

"Oh..." Mo Hua was a little confused.

Mister Zhuang continued, "Some array masters travel across the Nine Provinces, seeking lost forbidden arrays. Some array masters visit various sects, sparring and exchanging ideas on array methods. Some study diligently, researching wholeheartedly, not bothering with worldly affairs. There are also some who are more practical, wanting to use array methods to reform all kinds of industries..."

Mo Hua was somewhat troubled.Being able to travel across the Nine Provinces and search for lost forbidden arrays sounded enticing—although he still didn't know what forbidden arrays were. Visiting various sects to spar on array methods also seemed not bad. Researching array methods wholeheartedly without worldly distractions felt peaceful and quiet. And being able to use array methods to reform all kinds of industries was also quite meaningful...

Mister Zhuang saw Mo Hua's handsome brows slightly furrowed and smiled slightly, then changed the subject and continued:"But actually, how you choose doesn't matter. The rules of this world are strict, but it can also be said that there are no taboos. No one dictates what kind of person you are, and no one requires you to become what kind of array master."

"As an array master, how you choose doesn't matter. The most important thing is your obsession with array methods, your comprehension of the Heavenly Dao, and you must remember the four words: 'observe, learn, contemplate, apply'."

"Observe, learn, contemplate, apply?"

"Observe is to broaden your horizons, learn is to elevate your attainment, contemplate is to avoid learning without digesting, and apply is to turn what you've learned into practice. The comprehension of array methods begins with observation and ends with application."

Mo Hua nodded, seemingly understanding but not fully. He felt he understood a little, but not thoroughly.

"Observe, learn, and contemplate—you do these three quite well. But that's still not enough; you must also learn to apply. Learning array methods but not applying them is like hiding treasures in the mountains to gather dust, holding talent within but not showing it, ultimately making it hard to achieve greatness. Learning to apply, using practice to refine learning, that is superior."

"Then Mister," Mo Hua sincerely asked, "How should I apply array methods well?"

"Array methods are what cultivators comprehend from heaven and earth. In other words, all things in heaven and earth contain array methods, and also include the methods for applying array methods. As long as you have the heart, a thread, a wisp, a drink, a meal—all are closely related to array methods."

Mo Hua suddenly realized that his previous use of array methods to cultivate tool furnaces and build stove furnaces were actually all applications of array methods.

"Disciple understands," Mo Hua said happily, "Array methods are cultivators' perception of the Heavenly Dao, so naturally they can also be applied to the various industries of the cultivation world. Between heaven and earth, every blade of grass and every tree all contain the way of array methods. As long as one has the heart, all can be used to research and apply array methods. Mister, is that what you mean?"

"Not bad!" Mister Zhuang felt quite gratified. "Furthermore, there is the most important point: learning to apply, integrating and penetrating, can solve the problem of your puzzling arrays and your learning of array methods being miscellaneous but not refined."

Mo Hua's eyes lit up.

Mister Zhuang explained, "Only drawing array methods on paper will inevitably lead to being an armchair strategist. All things in heaven and earth are different, and array mediums are thousands of varieties. Actually going to draw and apply array methods, your understanding of array methods will deepen, your comprehension will be more thorough, and your ability to solve arrays will also be stronger!"

Mo Hua felt it was very reasonable, but then he was a little troubled again: "Disciple might not have that much time..."After all, drawing array methods on specific spirit tools or earth stones is more troublesome than on paper. Considering the debugging of array method applications also requires more time. Then he couldn't come to Mister Zhuang to seek learning at the usual time like this.

"No harm," Mister Zhuang had paved the way for a long time and finally spoke the words he had hidden in his heart:"I can give you leave!"

Mo Hua vaguely sensed something was wrong and looked at Mister Zhuang with some suspicion.

Mister Zhuang raised his head to look at the sky, explaining with an air of pure wind and bright moon:"General disciples only learn one door and one class of array methods, and they don't need to consider the application of array methods so early. However, because of your cultivation method, you need to learn very broad and mixed array methods. The more broad and mixed the array methods are, the harder it is to have a unified approach in learning the principles. Only through 'learning to apply' can you unify various learnings and make different array methods, though taking different paths, reach the same destination."

Mister Zhuang saw Mo Hua's expression change from suspicious to thoughtful, and then suddenly enlightened. He took advantage of the situation and said:"So you don't need to come here every day to seek instruction from me. Coming once every few days is fine. If there's anything you don't understand, I'll point it out to you again."

Mo Hua's doubts were all gone, and he gratefully said in his heart:"Okay, Mister!"

After Mo Hua left, Mister Zhuang lay back in his chair again, comfortably fanning himself.

Puppet Lao showed his form, glanced at him, and coldly snorted, "Misleading the younger generation."

Mister Zhuang said, "At most, it's just assisting their growth a little; you can't say misleading the younger generation."

"The foundation is not yet firm, and you're already considering matters of application. I've never seen array methods taught like this. Is this still not misleading the younger generation?" Puppet Lao's tone was flat, with a hint of sarcasm.

Mister Zhuang's gaze was profound, "How is a foundation considered firm? Compared to people of the same age in Tongxian City, his foundation is already very firm. Compared to disciples of worldly families, especially those two children of the Bai family, even if he learns for another ten or eight years, his foundation still wouldn't be considered firm. This road will forever fail to catch up to others; it's better to try a different road."

"I still thought you had some certainty; turns out you're just trying." Puppet Lao said.

"The Heavenly Dao is constant, yet hard to grasp. Those who stick to the rules, how can they glimpse the Great Dao?"

Puppet Lao's expression moved slightly, seemingly quite touched, and then actually nodded, "You are right."

Mister Zhuang was somewhat uneasy instead, "I'm just talking nonsense. Those who don't stick to the rules might also not end well. You're so old, don't just blindly mess around. Don't try to change things up again; it's easy to harm your Dao heart."

"I understand." Puppet Lao said.

Mister Zhuang glanced at him, lay back again, and muttered, "Do you really understand?"

Puppet Lao asked again, "How long do you plan to teach him?"

Mister Zhuang's expression became a little more serious, "Things have a beginning and an end. Until he becomes a First Rank Array Master, then."

"Those two children of the Bai family? Their talents are both excellent; don't you feel it's a pity?"

Mister Zhuang fanned himself, "What does that have to do with me?"

Puppet Lao said woodenly, "Your junior sister might not give up."

Mister Zhuang looked at the distant floating clouds and said:"She wants me to care about feelings, but she is no longer that little junior sister, and I am no longer her high-spirited second senior brother. She is also clear about this point, she just doesn't dare to accept it in her heart, otherwise, she would have come to find me herself..."

"And that senior brother of mine, he has exhausted himself even more trying to find me..."

Puppet Lao was silent. After a moment, he suddenly said:"Come back to the sect with me, otherwise I cannot protect you for too long."

Mister Zhuang lay on the bamboo chair, looking remotely at the mountains, and said calmly:"Time alternates; there is sunrise, then sunset. The four seasons flow; there is flourishing wood, and there is also withered wood. Human life has a constant cycle; there is birth, and naturally, there is also death. Birth and death are all constant matters between heaven and earth; why worry?"

"I can eat meat, drink wine, and look at the scenery like this, and spend some quiet days; then I have no desires and no pursuits."

Puppet Lao knew he couldn't persuade him, so he no longer spoke, and his form gradually merged into the shadows.