Arrays of Immortality

Chapter 7: You Yuan Zhai

A sign hung in front of the trading hall, with the words "You Yuan Zhai" written on it.

The interior was small and somewhat simple, with various array formations hanging on the walls. Some of them appeared to have been there for a long time, with the ink starting to fade.

The counter was quite high, and sitting behind it was a middle-aged, plump cultivator with a fair face and no beard, who seemed to be the person in charge of the trading hall.

A bell hung at the eaves, and as Mo Hua entered, it rang with a crisp sound.

The plump manager, who had been nodding off, half-closed his eyes, and hearing the bell, looked around. Not seeing anyone, he was about to get angry, but when he looked down, he saw a little head poking up above the counter.

The plump manager was momentarily stunned, and upon seeing Mo Hua alone, he asked, "Little brother, where are your parents?"

Mo Hua shook his head. "My parents aren't looking for you. I'm here to find you."

The plump manager was confused. "You're looking for me? What for?"

"Do you need help with drawing array formations?"

The plump manager found it interesting and teased, "What? A little kid like you can draw array formations?"

Mo Hua humbly replied, "I can do a little."

The plump manager laughed. "A little won't do. You need to be at the sixth level of Qi Refining, have a sect's jade slip for studies, and be an apprentice array master with a formal array master as a teacher. Then, you pay a deposit to draw array formations for us here."

Mo Hua was shocked. He hadn't known there were so many requirements. It seemed that he didn't meet any of them.

Mo Hua had a sudden idea. "Alright, I lied. I don't know much. I'm actually here for my brother."

The plump manager didn't mind and asked, "What does your older brother do?"

"My brother is an apprentice array master. He learns array formations from a teacher, and he helps the trading hall draw basic array formations for some ink fees. He's too busy with his studies, so I'm running an errand for him."

Mo Hua quickly adjusted his story, using his distant uncle from the Meng family as his "brother."

The plump manager stroked his chin, thinking for a moment, then declined, "No, it's not reliable just by word of mouth. If your brother wants to draw array formations for our trading hall, he has to come himself."

Mo Hua's eyes lit up, and he said, "Don't you also require a deposit?"

The plump manager nodded. "That's right."

"Doesn't the deposit cover the array diagrams and the materials for drawing? Since that's the case, if I pay the deposit, even if I'm lying to you, it would be like you're selling the array and materials at a fair price. You won't make a profit, but you won't lose either."

Actually, the deposit was higher than the cost of the materials, and the array diagrams were the most basic ones, so they didn't require many spirit stones.

The plump manager hesitated a bit after thinking about it.

"Is your business not doing well?" Mo Hua asked.

The plump manager was unwilling to admit it, but his shop had few customers, and with few array formations sold, there were also very few array masters or apprentices willing to work for them. Otherwise, the shop wouldn't be so empty.

But he kept his head high and didn't want to show weakness.

Mo Hua took the opportunity and continued, "My brother is really good at drawing array formations. Everyone says that in a few years, he'll definitely become an array master. If he becomes one, he could study for another 10 or 20 years, and through refining his skills, he might even become a first-tier array master. At that time, he could draw higher-level array formations for you, and you'd make a profit, wouldn't you?"

A first-tier array master? That was not so easy.

The plump manager sneered inwardly, but as the saying goes, "Don't judge a young man by his poverty." No one could predict the future. If Mo Hua's brother became a first-tier array master, it would indeed be beneficial to maintain a good relationship with him for future needs.

The rules were just for outsiders; as long as they could draw the formations, it didn't matter much.

"You make a good point," the plump manager said, "But you say your brother is good at drawing array formations, but that's just your word. How would a child like you know whether it's good or not? How about this—if you can bring me an array your brother drew, and it's really good, then I'll agree to do business with you."

Mo Hua didn't have an older brother, so he couldn't get a drawing from him.

But he had his own drawings.

Mo Hua had several array diagrams he had drawn, but they were from his sect's coursework—basic array patterns or combinations of array symbols, not complete formations. They were incomplete and would be easily identified by an expert.

Mo Hua thought for a moment, then his eyes brightened. "I didn't bring the array my brother drew, but he did teach me a little. Let me draw one for you, and then you'll see whether my brother's drawings are good or not."

"You can draw array formations?" The manager was taken aback.

"Sure," Mo Hua replied confidently.

The plump manager was curious about how well a child could draw and handed Mo Hua a diagram, along with some ink and paper. The diagram was titled "Bright Fire Array" and was a complete array involving three symbols, making it quite difficult.

Mo Hua knew he couldn't draw a complete array. The arrays taught at his sect were basic, involving one or two simple symbols, but this complete array required at least three interlinked symbols—like the "Bright Fire Array" before him.

Mo Hua glanced at the diagram, then confidently said, "This one's too difficult. If I could draw it, I'd be drawing array formations for spirit stones myself, not bothering with my brother."

The manager smacked his forehead, realizing he had forgotten—of course, a ten-year-old couldn't draw a complete array. It was a mistake on his part, as he had never dealt with children before.

He pointed to the top-left corner of the diagram. "If you can draw just this small part of the array, I'll agree to let your brother draw for us."

Mo Hua looked at the array symbols in the corner, sighed in relief. It was a fire-related basic array he had learned, with just a few extra details and connections, well within his ability.

He took the pen and quickly sketched out the symbols on the paper. After a moment, the diagram was complete.

The plump manager nodded in approval as he watched Mo Hua draw. Mo Hua's technique was skilled, and the symbols were drawn with precision. If it weren't for family teaching, then it must have been his brother who had taught him well.

The plump manager was inclined to think it was his brother who taught him, since Mo Hua's simple clothes suggested he wasn't from a wealthy family.

He looked at the completed array, satisfied, and said, "The deposit is ten spirit stones, and I'll give you the materials and diagrams you need."

"Ten?" Mo Hua was stunned.

He only had three spirit stones on him. He had earned twelve by copying array diagrams for his fellow disciples, but he had spent ten on a fire-resistant pin and saved one. That was all his assets.

He had no idea how long it would take to earn enough for the deposit.

The manager saw his expression and understood that Mo Hua didn't have enough spirit stones, but didn't say anything. It was normal for a child to not have that much.

"Without the spirit stones for the deposit, you can't take the job," the manager reminded kindly.

He saw Mo Hua seemed a bit down and added, "I'll keep this order for your brother. When you have the spirit stones, come back and take it."

Mo Hua quickly nodded. "Yeah, I'll go back and get the spirit stones from my brother and come back for the order!"

The plump manager waved his hand. "Go play, it's still early. I'll take a nap for a while..." He then slowly closed his eyes and fell back into a doze.

Mo Hua left the trading hall, squatting on the steps, deep in thought.

"Seven spirit stones..."

Mo Hua wanted to earn spirit stones by drawing array formations, but to do that, he needed spirit stones to begin with. Without the spirit stones, he couldn't earn any...

Mo Hua felt dizzy.

Should he ask his parents for help?

He shook his head. His family had to use spirit stones for everyday expenses. He had overheard this morning that Uncle Chu, from the Demon Hunting Team, had broken his arm and needed spirit stones for healing. Also, there were school fees for next semester. There wouldn't be any extra spirit stones at home.

Should he borrow from someone?

His friends were poorer than he was—none of them had spirit stones to lend him.

While Mo Hua was lost in thought, he suddenly heard a loud cry.

"Mo Hua, you're here!"

He looked up and saw a small, well-dressed chubby boy, surrounded by a few servants, glaring angrily at him.

End of Chapter

Note

The term "有缘斋" (You Yuan Zhai) can be translated as "Fate's Workshop" or "The Fate Hall."

Sometimes also referred as Array Pavilion