Chapter 214: Negotiation
Master Luo could not sleep the entire night.
The next morning, he gathered several formation masters from Tōngxiān City, gave them a few instructions, and then went to the Qian family residence to find Master Qian.
"I have already spoken to the formation msaters," Master Luo said. "From now on, no one is to trouble Mo Hua again. As for the Demon Hunters, it would be best if they avoid any further conflict with him as well."
Master Qian frowned. "Master Luo, you mean…"
Master Luo countered with a calm but sharp look. "What are your intentions, Brother Qian?"
"You mean regarding Mo Hua?"
"Indeed."
Master Qian hesitated briefly before answering. "My original thought was to make friends with him. If he could serve the Qian family, that would be ideal. If not, I hoped he would at least remain neutral, not taking sides. But if even that failed, then there would be no choice but to act without mercy. Once blades are drawn, life and death are determined by fate, such matters are beyond my control."
Master Qian then told Master Luo about the advice he had previously given Qian Hong.
Master Luo gave a cold laugh. "And yet, Qian Hong ignored your counsel and struck directly, intent on killing Mo Hua."
Master Qian froze, then sighed. "He is the family head. I cannot oppose him."
The affairs of the Qian clan could only be decided by the clan head. Though Master Qian was a formation master and an elder—a position of high regard—he could not overrule the head's authority.
Master Luo's eyes sharpened. "Then have you thought about your future?"
"My future?"
"If the Qian family continues to prosper, you will of course remain an elder in comfort. But if the Qian family falls, where will you go?"
Master Qian frowned in displeasure. "You exaggerate, Master Luo. The Qian family has been established in Tōngxiān City for generations. How could it possibly fall so easily?"
Master Luo sipped his tea silently.
After a moment's reflection, a chill crept into Master Qian's heart. His tone softened, and he said quietly, "I am an elder of the Qian family and a formation master of the clan. I have long received the clan's favor. It would be unseemly to act against the clan's interests."
Master Luo spoke slowly, each word deliberate. "It is because you are a formation master that the clan favors you. If you were not one, would the Qian family treat you so kindly?"
A tremor passed through Master Qian's heart.
He had always known this deep down but had never confronted the thought.
He had met countless Qian family cultivators, those who guarded the gates, served tea, or performed menial duties. They were also disciples of the clan, yet none received such privileges.
If not for his identity as a formation master, would his position truly be any better than theirs?
The Qian family favored him not because of his bloodline, but because of his skill. Everything he possessed today was owed to that fact alone.
Master Luo continued, "If you are a formation master, even if the Qian family declines, others will still value you. But if you are not a formation master, then even if the Qian family prospers, their blessings may never reach you."
Master Qian fell silent for a long time before asking quietly, "Please, Master Luo, enlighten me."
Master Luo raised an eyebrow. "Tell me... what is the most important thing to a formation master?"
Master Qian pondered deeply. "The clan… and inheritance?"
Master Luo's expression turned disappointed. He tapped the table lightly. "It is formation arts."
"A formation master should devote himself to studying formations, seeking ever-higher mastery. If you were a second-grade formation master, would you still concern yourself with these petty quarrels among Qi-Refining cultivators?"
Master Qian hesitated. "But formation arts are not easy to advance in…"
Of course he knew how vital formation study was. Yet without the clan's resources or advanced teachings, how could he progress further?
Master Luo gave him a meaningful glance. "You are already a first-grade formation master. You need not rely so heavily on your clan. The Qian family has no higher formation inheritance to offer. What you should do now is find a way to take the next step forward."
"Master Luo speaks wisely," Master Qian said, "but how can one advance further?"
Master Luo did not answer directly.
After a moment's thought, Master Qian suddenly realized what he meant. "Mo Hua?" he asked slowly.
Master Luo nodded.
"But what does this have to do with Mo Hua?" Master Qian asked, still puzzled.
After a long silence, Master Luo sighed deeply, as though reluctant to admit something. "In terms of formation mastery, I am inferior to Mo Hua."
Master Qian's eyes widened. "Surely… you jest?"
Master Luo's expression darkened.
Realizing his rudeness, Master Qian quickly lowered his head. Formation masters were proud by nature, none would joke about such a thing.
"But… how is that possible? He's so young!"
"His age is irrelevant," Master Luo replied coldly. "Facts are facts. The cultivation world is vast and filled with geniuses beyond counting. Our experience is limited; it is only natural that we have not encountered such talent before."
He paused, then added, "The younger he is, the greater his potential. His future achievements in formation arts may far exceed imagination."
Master Qian frowned, feeling a sting of pride. He gave a dismissive snort. "Even if he does become a second-grade formation master one day, I have no intention of groveling before him. I will not debase myself like that."
"You fool," Master Luo scolded in a low voice. "Who said anything about groveling? What you must do is build goodwill. If, in the future, he remembers your courtesy and offers a few words of guidance, it will be of immeasurable benefit."
"Formation study does not fear hardship, it only fears going astray. Should he one day become a high-grade formation master, a single word from him could lift the clouds from your eyes and save you years of blind groping."
"Groveling? Hah. At your age, with your wrinkled face, do you think anyone cares for your flattery?"
Master Qian flushed with embarrassment but, after thinking it over, admitted inwardly that Master Luo was right.
In Tōngxiān City, first-grade formation masters were already the peak. Beyond that, progress was nearly impossible.
Without a lineage to follow or a second-grade master to guide him, the more advanced theories were like a fog, impossible to grasp.
If Mo Hua could truly advance further and reach the second grade, a few words of instruction from such a master would be worth ten years of solitary struggle.
As for pride and dignity, if even Master Luo could set them aside, what was there to cling to?
Compared to the Dao of Formations, such concerns were trivial.
"However…" Master Qian still hesitated. "The Qian family wants to kill him, and I am their formation master. If he bears grudges, will he not hold it against me as well?"
"Do not worry," Master Luo said. "I have met Mo Hua. That child's temperament and conduct are both excellent, and he is fair-minded. As long as you do not wrong him directly, he will not seek vengeance."
Having lived for over a century, Master Luo trusted his judgment of character.
Master Qian nodded thoughtfully, then frowned. "Then what should I do?"
He could not simply betray his clan.
"Do nothing," said Master Luo.
"Do nothing?" Master Qian echoed, startled.
"Stay out of the Qian family's conflict with him. Do not trouble Mo Hua further. Prepare a few gifts, and I will deliver them to him on your behalf, explaining everything. He will not hold it against you."
After long contemplation, Master Qian finally exhaled in relief. "That would be best. I leave the matter to you, Master Luo."
It was a solution that spared him from both conflict and guilt.
...
The next day, he visited Qian Hong. Though he did not state his thoughts plainly, he expressed his dissatisfaction with Qian Hong's reckless decision to attack Mo Hua and provoke such a deadly enmity.
Qian Hong was displeased. Their conversation turned cold, and they parted on poor terms.
Even so, Qian Hong dared not offend him too deeply.
Master Qian was an elder, soon to be recognized as a first-grade formation master, and his influence within the clan was considerable.
If Qian Hong pushed him too far, Master Qian might unite with other elders, threatening Qian Hong's position as Family Head.
After all, the Qian family had only one potential first-grade formation master, but many who could serve as Family head. Qian Hong's title was far from irreplaceable.
From that day onward, Master Qian began to distance himself gradually from Qian Hong.
(End of Chapter)