At dinner time, the sky had already darkened.

  On the top of Dazhu Peak, the back mountain is a large area of bamboo forest. The houses of all people are built on the front peak, and the largest and most important one is the main hall, Shou Jing Tang. Tian Bu Yis wife and daughter live in the back hall. Next to Shou Jing Tang is the corridor courtyard where the disciples live, but because there are too few people, the houses are more than the people, and each person lives alone in a room, even the newcomer Zhang Xiao Fan has one. In terms of living conditions, Dazhu Peak is rare among the same sects.

  The only ones left were the Tai Chi cave for practicing and the kitchen and dining hall. At this time, all the disciples gathered in the dining hall, and Du Bishu, who was in charge of food, brought dish after dish to the table, mostly vegetarian dishes with a few meat dishes. The disciples took their seats on the right side of the long table in the hall, Song Daren sat at the front, and Zhang Xiaofan accompanied him at the end. At the head and opposite sides of the table were placed one large chair and two smaller chairs, apparently prepared for Tian Nanyi and his family.

  Zhang Xiaofan looked at the empty seat next to him, which was Du Bishus seat. After a while, Du Bishu finally finished serving the dishes, washed his hands clean, and sat back in his seat, waiting for their master with everyone else.

  Du Bishu looked quite young, with a thin and pointed face, big triangular eyes, and a sly and agile appearance. He sat down and looked at Zhang Xiaofan, smiling: "Little brother, whats your name?"

  "Zhang Xiaofan."

  "I am your sixth senior brother Du Bi Shu."

  "Sixth Brother."

  Du Bi Shu cleared his throat and patted him on the shoulder, smiling: "Wait a moment, you can taste the skills of your senior brother."

  Zhang Xiaofan saw the full table of dishes with a fragrance that was overwhelming, and he couldnt help but swallow his saliva, nodding vigorously.

  Du Bi Shu suddenly smiled, with a hint of ambiguity, pointing to the entrance of the main hall and said: "Younger martial brother, later Master and Mistress will come in from there along with younger martial sister, want to make a bet?"

  Zhang Xiaofan was stunned, and the others at the table all turned their heads, with smiles on their faces. The one sitting next to Du said: "Old Six, your gambling habit has relapsed again?"

  Next to him, He Dazhi, who had a lean and refined face, smiled and said: "He hasnt won for too long, now he wants to cheat a little kid?"

  "Go, go, go!" Du Bishu waved his hand repeatedly, ignoring the crowd, with a smile on his face, and said to Zhang Xiaofan: "Little brother, guess which one of Masters family of three will be the first to step through this door? Hmm, you just entered the sect, let you guess first, dont say that as an older brother Im bullying you."

  "Second Brother Wu Daoyi, sitting far away, shouted loudly: Little Shidi, even if its a bet, you should ask him what happens if he loses and what happens if he wins?"

  Du Bi: "Are you guys afraid Ill welch on a bet? My reputation as Du Bi, the wandering scholar, is built on my good faith and fair play (everyone bursts out laughing: Youve never won a bet!). Little brother, if you guess correctly, Ill help you cut bamboo for ten days. But if you lose, youll help me wash dishes for ten days. What do you say?"

  Everyone burst out laughing again, and Song Daren laughed and scolded: "No talent."

  Zhang Xiaofan saw that everyones smile was warm and their attitude was close, without treating themselves as outsiders. A warmth rose in his heart, and he said, "Good."

  Du Bi Shu slapped his thigh, and suddenly his whole person was radiant with energy, saying: "Little brother, then you tell me, which one of Master, Mistress or Little Sister will come in first?"

  Everyones eyes fell on Zhang Xiaofan, and Zhang Xiaofan thought to himself that Qingyunmen was a respected sect, so it must be Master Tianyi who entered first. He then said loudly: "I bet it must have been Master who came in first."

  Everyone burst out laughing, and Lv Daxin shook his head, saying: "I didnt expect to be cheated by Lao Liu today."

  Du Bi Shu Le couldnt help but laugh, looking at Zhang Xiao Fans confused face. He chuckled and said: "Little brother, let me tell you, actually every time the masters family is gathered, its always Little Sister who rushes in first. Haha, youll be helping me wash dishes later."

  Zhang Xiaofan rubbed his head and couldnt help but laugh too, nodding: "Yes, Sixth Brother."

  Zheng Dalie, who was a bit on the shorter side but robust, chuckled and said: "Old Six, youve got some nerve!"

  Du Bi: "Old Three, what are you talking about? I didnt force anyone. We all agreed to gamble and accept the outcome, right, Little Brother?"

  Zhang Xiaofan nodded, and suddenly heard Song Daren say: "The master is here."

  Everyones face was solemn, and they all stood up, facing the door, to welcome their teacher. A moment later, Tian Bu Yis short and stout figure appeared at the door, and behind him was...

  Nothing at all!

  He actually came alone.

  Everyone was stunned, Du asked: "Master, mistress and little sister?"

  Tian glanced at him and said lightly: "Your wife took your little sister back to her parents home."

  Everyone was stunned, but a moment later someone couldnt help but burst out laughing. They watched as Tian Bu Yi sauntered in, Zhang Xiao Fans face was awkward, wanting to laugh but not daring to, while Du Bi Shus eyes were wide with shock.

  Tian sat down in his own big chair and waved his hand: "Lets eat."

  The disciples sat down, each looking at Du Bishu with a hint of a smile. Tian Buyi glanced at Zhang Xiaofan and asked Song Daren, "Have you told him the rules and regulations?"

  Song Daren nodded and said, "Yes, the twelve door rules and twenty precepts, Ive all told your junior brother. As for those basic cultivation methods, since you see that your junior brother is a bit tired today after just arriving, well plan to formally teach him tomorrow."

  Tian nodded in agreement and said to Zhang Xiaofan: "Old Seven."

  Zhang Xiaofan hadnt reacted yet, when Du Bishu pushed him and he came to his senses. His master was calling him, so he hastily stood up and said: "Disciple is here."

  Tian shook his head, and his confidence in this dull disciple decreased again. He said, "Youd better follow Big Brother Shifu for now. Remember to study diligently. The path of Tao is boundless, and hard work is the boat that will take you across. Even if your innate talent is not great, as long as you persevere and work hard, its not necessarily impossible for you to succeed. Do you understand?"

  Zhang Xiaofan replied respectfully as if receiving a sacred decree: "Yes."

  "Lets eat."

  Zhang Xiaofan, being small and short, sat on a chair with a large bowl in his hands. The dishes that were slightly farther away were out of his reach, but Du Bishu, who was sitting next to him, was quite kind-hearted and helped him get some food several times, whispering with a smile: "Young Master, eat more." Looking at his carefree appearance, it seemed he didnt mind losing the bet at all. The quality of the wager was indeed not bad.

  Zhang Xiaofan felt grateful in his heart and nodded repeatedly. After eating for a while, he secretly asked: "Sixth Brother."

  "What?"

  Zhang Xiaofan said: "How can the masters wife still have a natal family?" In his small mind, the people of Qingyunmen were all gods and immortals, how could they have worldly attachments.

  Du Bi: "Of course, Shifus wife is also a human being. However, Shifu said that his wife has returned to her maiden home, but its not really her maiden home, rather she has gone to the place of our sects junior sister, Xiaozhu Peaks Water Moon Shu Shi."

  "What?" Zhang Xiaofan exclaimed in surprise.

  Du Bi: "When Shifus wife was young, she originally came from the Xiaozhu Peak sect and was a sister of Shuiyue Dashi. They had an extremely good relationship. Later on, I dont know what happened, but Shifus wife, who was as beautiful as a flower, actually married Shifu. Its said that at that time, many male masters from the Qingyun Gate were heartbroken..."

  "Plop", a chopstick hit Du Bis back, leaving a red mark. The two were startled, but saw Tian Bu Yi with an angry face, one chopstick short in his hand. Du Bi Shu turned his head and stuck out his tongue at Zhang Xiao Fan, the two didnt dare say anything else, and lowered their heads to eat quickly.

  At this time, Song Daren said to Tian Buyi: "Master, this time the head of the sect has gathered the seven veins, why hasnt Shuiyue Master come?"

  Tian hummed and picked up another pair of chopsticks, saying: "Its not that the old Taoist nun pretended to be ill and sent someone to tell our sect leader that she had a headache and couldnt come. Our sect leader was also deceived, actually believing it. Hmph, if she were here today, even if I didnt get any good ones, I wouldnt necessarily lose..."

  The fourth disciple under the seat, He Dazhi, coughed twice and whispered: "Master, Shuizhuyis lineage has never accepted male disciples."

  Tian didnt dare to speak, shook his head and said: "And your masters wife, as soon as she heard that Shuǐ Yuè had some illness, immediately took Línger over to see her, making a big fuss like the sky was falling, really."

  The disciples looked at each other, all with joyful expressions. Song Daren hesitated for a moment before asking tentatively: "Master, how long will Masters wife be staying with Water Moon Shifu?"

  Tian glared at him and said in a bad temper: "Whats with the some days, well go today and come back tonight."

  "Alas!" The disciples let out a sigh of disappointment, each with a look of dismay on their faces. Tian Bu Yi looked around and hummed, then asked Song Da Ren, "Did Masters wife instruct you all in your practice today?"

  Song Daren had not spoken yet, when Wu Dayi, the second eldest, hastily interrupted: "Master, dont ask him. Eldest Brother fled in disarray today, what a shameless thing to do."

  Song Daren angrily said: "Nonsense! Im here on Masters orders to help my junior brother..."

  "Hiss..." The crowd erupted in a chorus of boos and hisses.

  This meal took half a time, after everyone left, Zhang Xiaofan originally wanted to stay and help Du Bi: "Little brother, thank you, but I can handle things here. You won the bet, dont worry, tomorrow Ill help you cut bamboo."

  Zhang Xiaofan felt a bit embarrassed, just wanting to say something, but heard Song Darens voice saying: "Old Six, dont help him." As soon as the words fell, he saw Song Daren walking in from outside the door and said to Zhang Xiaofan: "Young Master, come, Ill take you to your room."

  Zhang Xiaofan nodded and asked: "Big Brother Duan, what did you say?"

  Song Daren said: "Little Shidi has just entered the door and is about to lay a good foundation. Its not time to be lazy yet."

  Du Bi: "Thats also true. Alright, little brother, this time lets just say I owe you one. In the future if you have anything that needs to be done, just ask and Ill take care of it, okay?"

  Zhang Xiaofan said: "Sixth Brother, why dont we just forget about it, after all..."

  Du Bi: "What are you talking about? Am I the kind of person who cant tell right from wrong, or loyalty from treachery? If I promised you something, Ill naturally do it. Otherwise, Id be leaving myself open to ridicule and being laughed at by all my fellow disciples."

  Zhang Xiaofan nodded, but still didnt understand what this had to do with distinguishing right from wrong or loyalty from treachery.

  Song Daren pulled up Zhang Xiaofans hand and said, "Little brother, come on, Ill take you to your new room."

  Two people walked out of the kitchen, and the sky had already turned dark. A bright moon slowly rose and hung in the eastern sky. They passed by the entrance of the Quiet Hall, Zhang Xiaofan looked inside, only to see that all the lights were extinguished, it was pitch black, with only the moonlight spilling onto the front of the hall, giving off a somewhat eerie atmosphere.

  After walking for a while, they returned to the corridor where the disciples lived. Song Daren took him to the last room on the right and said: "Little brother, the room you woke up in during the day is mine, the other brothers live next door, all on the right side, the seven rooms on the left are empty." He paused for a moment, looking at Zhang Xiaofan: "Youre living alone, arent you afraid?"

  Zhang Xiaofan shook his head.

  Song Daren smiled and said: "Thats it, how can we men be afraid of being alone? Come on, lets go in." He then led Zhang Xiaofan inside.

  Zhang Xiaofan looked at this strange but future long-term companion place: a small courtyard, with a green pine tree on the left and five or six stalks of bamboo on the right, about two to three people tall. The yard was paved with small stones, with lawns on both sides. As the night wind blew, the leaves and branches swayed gently, and a fragrance of green grass wafted over, very refreshing.

  Song Daren opened the door and turned on the light, saying: "Little Shidi, come in."

  Zhang Xiaofan walked in and saw that the room was decorated just like Song Darens house, simple and unadorned. There were only a desk, chairs, bed, and nothing else.

  Song Daren said, "Today I have cleaned up here a bit, so you can temporarily stay. Living in the mountains is simple and bitter, and you are still young, or you may feel lonely, but we who learn the Tao must endure all kinds of hardships. From now on, you will have to take care of your own daily life."

  Zhang Xiaofan said: "Got it, Big Brother Master."

  Song Daren nodded and looked around before saying, "If theres nothing else, Ill be off. Youve had a long day too, so get some rest early."

  Zhang Xiaofan responded with a sound, sending Da Shixiong to the door, suddenly thought of something, and said: "Da Shixiong, why is it just dark now, but none of my fellow apprentices have come out for a walk?"

  Song Daren smiled and said, "You dont know, even the least of us have been studying Taoism on this great bamboo peak for decades. Normally, its hard to go out, so were all too familiar with this place and dont feel like moving around. Like Old Fourth loves reading books, Old Second loves humming tunes, and those who are more diligent, like Old Third, cultivate in their rooms. Generally, no one goes out."

  Zhang Xiaofan finally understood, Song Daren smiled and patted his head, then reminded him of two more things before turning around and leaving.

  Zhang Xiaofan returned to the house, closed the door, and suddenly felt that the whole world had quieted down. There was not a single sound of human voice. He silently walked to the table, sat there for a while, doing nothing, then blew out the lamp, took off his outer clothes and lay on the bed. Rolling over and over, he didnt know how long it had been before he fell asleep in a daze.

  "Ah!"

  In the darkness, Zhang Xiaofan let out a low cry and sat up with a start, panting uncontrollably. Just now he had dreamed of returning to Caomiao Village, seeing his parents again, seeing his childhood playmates, as well as other uncles, aunts, and elders, all joyful and harmonious. But suddenly they all turned into corpses, blood flowing like rivers, extremely terrifying. His whole body shook, and he woke up in this manner.

  He sat on the bed for a while, his breathing gradually calming down, and his eyes slowly adapting to the darkness. The window was slightly ajar, with a faint beam of moonlight slanting in, casting a pale glow on the blue brick floor, like frost or snow.

  Zhang Xiaofan lost his sleepiness, got up and walked to the door, "creaked" and opened the door to go out.

  The surroundings were quiet and still, with an unknown place faintly transmitting the sound of insects chirping, one or two sounds, low and clear, the moonlight was like water, sprinkling on his body.

  He raised his head to look at the sky, and saw that the stars were twinkling, the moon was full and bright.

  "I wonder how Jing Yu is doing now, cant sleep either?" He muttered to himself, sighed, and was about to turn around and enter the house when suddenly his chest loosened, an object rolled out from under his tight clothes and fell to the ground.

  Zhang Xiaofan was startled, bent down to pick it up, and found that it was the deep purple dull bead with no light on it. There was a small hole in the middle of the bead, which seemed to be the one that Puzhi had strung on the jade rosary. In these days, he had gone through great changes and had long forgotten this thing, only now did he remember that Puzhi had instructed him to throw away this bead at that time.

  As he thought of this, his heart suddenly felt a pang. His parents had left him nothing, and Pu Zhis connection with him was shallow, but after one night together, they were like family, and this ugly pearl was the only thing Pu Zhi had left him.

  Zhang Xiaofan raised his hand, holding the pearl up to the moonlight. The color of the pearl had become lighter, turning into a pale purple and semi-transparent state. A faint green gas could be seen swirling inside, as if it had spiritual energy and was about to break out of its shell. However, every time the green gas approached the surface of the pearl, a small "卐" character would light up at that spot, blocking it from coming out.

  Zhang Xiaofan looked at it for half a day, and his heart couldnt help but feel a few points of fondness. He also thought that this was the only thing left by Pu Zhi, and he really didnt want to throw it away. After thinking for half a day, he took off a red rope from his neck, which was tied by his parents to bless him with longevity and peace. Most families would hang gold plaques or silver locks, but his family was poor, so they could only use a red rope as a substitute.

  He then threaded the pearl onto a red string, tied it up and hung it on his chest, close to his skin. He didnt feel any coldness, but rather a warmth. He smiled to himself, looked up at the bright moon in the sky again, turned around and walked back into the room, and went back to sleep.

  His first day at Qingyunmen ended like this.