Chapter 180: The Craftsman
The young cultivator looked about ten years old, his brows refined and his features delicate, with a naturally gentle and obedient air. Yet, since he was lying on the ground with mud smeared all over him, he appeared rather dirty and pitiful.
'Whose child is this? Why's he running around here?'
Master Ban paused in surprise and quietly approached. Following the boy's gaze, he saw that the child was staring at the foundation stone below, which seemed to be reserved for inscribing formation patterns.
What would a child want to look at that for?
Master Ban did not understand and bent down for a closer look. Aside from some mud and stone, there was nothing remarkable. Then he suddenly heard the boy speak:
"Are you Master Ban?"
Master Ban blinked. "You know me?"
"Yes. My name is Mo Hua. Elder Yu asked me to come."
Mo Hua stood up and patted the dust from his clothes, only the front, though, since his small arms could not reach the dirt on his back.
Master Ban came over and gently brushed off the dust on the boy's back, asking curiously, "And what did Elder Yu ask you to do here?"
"Elder Yu asked me to take a look."
"Take a look at what?"
Mo Hua chuckled but did not answer.
He had come to check where the formation patterns should be drawn, whether the planned layout was in accordance with formation standards, and whether the craftsmen's construction would obstruct the formation's structure.
However, Elder Yu had told him not to reveal his ability to draw formations, lest someone harbor malicious intent against him, especially in case the Qian Family found out and sought revenge.
Seeing Mo Hua's evasive smile, Master Ban made his own assumption.
Probably just a curious child sneaking over to watch the construction and afraid of being scolded, so he used Elder Yu's name as an excuse.
After all, what could Elder Yu possibly want a child to do here?
Still, from the way the boy spoke, he must be close to Elder Yu, perhaps a relative or a hunter's child.
As long as he wasn't from the Qian Family, that was enough.
Relieved, Master Ban kindly reminded him, "Play for a bit if you must, but head home soon. It's not really safe here for a child."
Mo Hua nodded. "I'll just take a quick look and go back."
Master Ban did not mind him further. He had plenty of work to do, and with so many craftsmen and hunters around, it wasn't as if a child could really get into trouble.
He refocused on his tasks, but after a while, he noticed Mo Hua was still there.
On a half-built wall, the boy was walking slowly along the edge with his hands clasped behind his back, glancing about and muttering softly about "patterns" and "wood and stone."
Several nearby hunters neither stopped him nor paid him any attention, as if they were used to his presence.
Master Ban was bewildered. What on earth was this kid doing?
And why was no one stopping him?
Could it be that he was Elder Yu's grandson, and that was why everyone left him alone?
Master Ban secretly wondered.
"Mo… Hua?" he called, recalling the name.
Only then did he remember, his surname was Mo, not Yu, so he couldn't be Elder Yu's grandson.
Mo Hua heard him and waved. Then, with a light step, he leapt down from the wall, landing softly like a drifting leaf.
Master Ban was secretly astonished. Whatever else could be said, that movement technique was far from ordinary.
"Still not heading home?" he asked.
"I'll go soon."
"Hmm." Master Ban nodded, grabbed a few bricks, stacked them up, and sat down. He had been busy all morning and needed a rest.
Mo Hua imitated him, placing a brick beside him and sitting down as well.
"Master Ban, would you like some wine?"
Mo Hua took out a small bottle of fruit wine from his Storage Bag. It wasn't strong, but it was refreshing and perfect for quenching thirst.
Master Ban happened to be thirsty, yet seeing it offered by a child, he hesitated. "That wouldn't be proper…"
Mo Hua replied, "My family runs a food shop. We have plenty of wine, all brewed ourselves. Please, try some."
Curious, Master Ban accepted and took a sip. His eyes lit up.
"Rich fruit aroma, crisp and smooth, excellent for quenching thirst!"
"Right?" Mo Hua said with a happy grin.
It was his mother's brew, after all, of course it was delicious. He thought Master Ban clearly had good taste.
Elder Yu, on the other hand, had a blunter palate, only liking strong liquor and never appreciating the subtle sweetness of fruit wine.
Mo Hua asked, "Master Ban, are all craftsmen like you born with earth and wood spiritual roots?"
He was genuinely curious. Earlier, when he had quietly probed with his Divine-Sense, he noticed that the craftsmen's spiritual power was mostly brownish, tinged faintly with green, indicating earth-type roots mixed with wood-type, and cultivation of related arts.
Master Ban, now relaxed and in good humor after the wine, explained,
"Generally, yes. Earth and wood roots are the best for builders. Others with earth-water, metal-earth, or metal-wood roots can also manage. Construction involves earth, wood, stone, and brickwork, so we need the corresponding elemental affinities to mold, carve, or engrave materials properly. With the right roots, the craft comes naturally."
Mo Hua nodded thoughtfully.
Master Ban took another sip and continued,
"It's the same for other trades. Alchemists and artificers must have fire roots; cooks too, though the fire attribute doesn't need to be strong, just present.
"Then, for example, those in shipping need water roots; spirit planters need wood or water roots; tomb builders use metal or earth roots; and escorts or couriers are best with wind roots. Everything in the cultivation world ties back to spiritual roots."
From this conversation, Mo Hua learned much.
The cultivation world across the Nine Provinces was vast and boundless, filled with countless cultivators practicing myriad trades and crafts, each living vivid, diverse lives.
Would he one day be able to travel across all nine provinces, witnessing their many customs and Daoist traditions?
The thought filled him with yearning.
When the talk ended and the wine was gone, Master Ban stood up. "It's getting late. I have work to do. You'd best go home, or your parents will worry."
Mo Hua had seen all he needed and waved. "Goodbye, Master Ban."
Master Ban returned to his duties, soon forgetting about the boy.
...
A few days later, when he met Elder Yu to discuss the forging hall's layout, he remembered suddenly and asked,
"I met a kid named Mo Hua the other day. You know him?"
"Mo Hua?" Elder Yu nodded. "Yes, I sent him to take a look."
"Take a look at what?" Master Ban frowned.
Elder Yu started to answer, then smiled instead. "Nothing important. Just told him to look around."
Master Ban frowned, dissatisfied. "Is he a relative of yours?"
If only, Elder Yu thought silently, before shaking his head. "No. Just an ordinary boy. Let him do as he pleases; you needn't concern yourself."
Master Ban muttered inwardly, Let him do as he pleases? How could such a child be ordinary?
Even your own grandson wouldn't get this much indulgence.
Still, since Elder Yu clearly didn't wish to explain, he dropped the matter and continued the discussion about the Refining Workshop.
(End of Chapter)