Tian Shu continued, "Your uncle and aunt treated you fairly well. They used the money left by your father to send you to a private school, where you studied for a few years."
Wei Guodong nodded; these were all things that could be found out publicly.
Seeing his expression, Tian Shu guessed what he was thinking. She smiled and said, "I won't talk about the things that can be found out on the surface. I'll tell you something that only you know."
Wei Guodong sat up straight, feeling both expectant and worried that his embarrassing moment would be exposed to his wife and children.
But he still nodded and said, "Please speak, Master."
"When your mother remarried, she took all the money your father left behind, didn't she?"
Wei Guodong nodded, and Wan Qiong asked in confusion, "Didn't you say that your uncle and aunt used the money left by your father-in-law to pay for your private school education?"
Tian Shu replied, "You'll understand once you hear me out."
Wei Guodong's expression suddenly became awkward. He didn't want his wife to know, but he also wanted to know if Master Tian Shu was right. For a moment, he didn't know whether he should stop Master Tian Shu from speaking.
Tian Shu didn't give him a chance to choose and continued, "Your mother remarried her own cousin. In order to get back your father's inheritance, you hid in their house for three days with dry food before you found where your mother hid the money."
"Because your mother didn't want to give the money to her cousin, so she hid it next to their outhouse. So, when you brought the money home, your mother could only suffer in silence, right?"
Wei Guodong was completely convinced. He was certain that only he knew about this, and even his uncle and aunt thought that his father had hidden the money and only told him, which was why it had been kept.
Upon hearing this, Wan Qiong couldn't help but look at Wei Guodong, her eyes filled with surprise and heartache. She had never imagined that her usually steady and serious husband had such a hidden past.
She gently held Wei Guodong's hand, her eyes filled with heartache, and whispered, "Guodong, you've never told me about these things..."
Wei Guodong smiled, his face full of relief: "It's better not to mention the past. I've long since let it go, and everything is fine now."
Tian Shu smiled slightly and continued, "Your uncle and aunt treat you well. Although the family is not well-off, they still try their best to support your studies. You are also very promising, and your grades have always been excellent. You are the pride of the family."
Wei Guodong nodded, feeling a pang of emotion. He had indeed suffered a lot in those years, but he would always remember the kindness of his uncle and aunt in raising him.
Tian Shu continued, "When you were fifteen, your uncle suddenly fell ill, and the family's finances suddenly fell into difficulties. In order to ease the burden on the family, you voluntarily gave up your studies and went to work in another place."
“You suffered a lot during that time, but it was these experiences that helped you develop a tenacious character.”
Wei Guodong nodded: "That's all correct."
Tian Shu continued, "You saved a member of the Communist underground while you were working, and he led you onto the path of resistance against Japan, didn't he?"
Upon hearing this, Wei Guodong's eyes were filled with disbelief. This experience was the most difficult time of his life, but also the time he was most proud of.
While stealing the money could be attributed to guesswork, the rescue of underground party members was something no one would have known. Yet Tian Shu could calculate it so clearly, leaving him no choice but to admire Tian Shu's abilities.
Wei Guodong took a deep breath and nodded slowly: "Master is really amazing, you've calculated all of this."
He and Wan Qiong exchanged a glance, and then he said, "Master, I entrust the task of teaching Jingqi to you from now on."
Tian Shu exclaimed with delight: "So you've agreed?"
Wei Guodong and his wife nodded in unison: "We agree."
Tian Shu exclaimed happily, "Good, good, good! There's no time like the present, let's become disciples now!"
As he spoke, he waved his hand, and a portrait appeared on the wall of the room. The person in the portrait was dressed in a Taoist robe, with a thin face and an air of otherworldly elegance between his brows and eyes. He was none other than the founder of the Xuanji Sect.
Tian Shu set up a small offering table in front of the portrait, lit three incense sticks, prayed to the portrait for a while, and then pointed to the portrait and said to Wei Jingqi, "Jingqi, this is our first generation of founding patriarch, and also your grandmaster. From today onwards, you must respect your teacher and study hard."
Although young Wei Jingqi did not yet understand the importance of becoming an apprentice, he was very obedient and looked at his parents, asking, "What should I do?"
Wei Guodong and Wan Qiong both looked at Tian Shu, who said, "You kowtow three times to the portrait and say, 'Grandmaster above, please accept a bow from Wei Jingqi, the 121st generation successor,' and that will be fine."
Wei Jingqi obeyed and did as instructed. He walked to the portrait and respectfully knelt down to pay his respects.
After paying homage to Tian Shu, they changed to another portrait, a different person, but with the same otherworldly air.
Tian Shu said, "This is my master, and also your grandmaster. You should perform the same salute and say the same words as before."
Wei Jingqi did as he was told. After he finished bowing, Tian Shu put away the portrait and then straightened his posture.
He placed a futon in front of him, made him kneel down, handed him a cup of warm tea, and said, "Now offer tea to your master. After you offer the tea, you will be my personal disciple, Tian Shu."
"Remember that my sect is called the Xuanji Sect. Our Xuanji Sect has strict rules, including three major precepts: no killing of the innocent, no coveting of worldly possessions, and no revealing sect secrets. Do you remember them?"
Although Wei Jingqi was young, there was a hint of determination in his eyes: "Jingqi will remember!"
Tian Shu smiled slightly and nodded: "Good child, then you may offer your master a cup of tea."
Wei Jingqi took the teacup, held it with both hands, and respectfully handed it to Tian Shu: "Master, please have some tea."
Tian Shu took the teacup, took a small sip, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face: "Good, from today onwards, you are a disciple of my Xuanji Sect. Your master will teach you well, and you must also study hard and not let your master down."
Wei Jingqi nodded earnestly: "Jingqi will definitely work hard!"
Wei Guodong and Wan Qiong stood aside, watching this scene with increasing peace of mind.
They knew that a bright path had been paved for their son's future, and Tian Shu was the guiding light that led him on that path.
Wan Qiong whispered in Wei Guodong's ear, "Guodong, I think we made the right decision."
Wei Guodong nodded, certain that his son's future would be even better and stronger than his own.
After the apprenticeship ceremony, Tian Shu took out a jade pendant and said, "This is a spirit-guiding jade pendant to aid cultivation. Wear it around your neck, and it will help your cultivation."
Wei Jingqi said, "Thank you, Master."
Her sweet, childlike voice and obedient appearance made Tian Shu love her to no end.
He smiled and said, "You're welcome, you're welcome!"
Wei Guodong invited Tian Shu: "Master Tian Shu, let's set off now and have dinner at my house. We had it prepared before we came, and it should be ready by now."
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