Chapter 146: Ceremony
Seeing the Clan Leader and Vice Clan Leader come out, everyone hurried forward to greet them. The Great Elder laughed loudly at Lu Xian: “Nephew, which side did the sun rise from today? You actually came to the door to welcome guests?”
Lu Xian sized up Lu Jian before withdrawing his gaze. Just as he was about to speak to the Great Elder, Lu Shang spoke first on his behalf: “Today is a great day for our Lu Clan. The Vice Sect Master is opening the door to accept disciples!”
“Is that so? That’s truly wonderful!” The Lu Clan high-level members were overjoyed upon hearing this. This was indeed a great joyous occasion for the Lu Clan! Even the Great Elder was first delighted, but when he saw Lu Yun standing behind Lu Xian, his smile immediately froze.
Lu Jian’s face was even more unsightly!
Lu Shang, however, was in an extremely good mood. He smiled and raised his hand, waiting for everyone to quiet down before continuing: “Originally, such a major event should be held in Sanwei Hall, inviting all the various clans for a grand celebration. But you all know the Vice Sect Master’s temperament; he naturally wouldn’t agree!”
“Haha…” The Lu Clan high-level members smiled knowingly. In fact, many could guess this. Even this simple yet dignified ceremony was probably not Lu Xian’s intention, but the Clan Leader’s.
“However, no matter what, having a successor for a Heavenly Rank Grandmaster is a major event for our Lu Clan, so I cannot completely follow his wishes.” Lu Shang did not hide that this was his own idea. He smiled at everyone: “So I invite you all to come and witness the ceremony together!”
“Please take your seats.” As soon as Lu Shang finished speaking, Lu Xiu, acting as the master of ceremonies, invited everyone to sit.
The Lu Clan’s stewards and elders then knelt and sat divided to the left and right on the bamboo mats. The center position had three cushions, and Lu Shang and Lu Wen very consciously sat on the left and right ones, leaving the middle seat for today’s protagonist, Lu Xian.
As for Lu Xiang’s family, only he and Lu Bai’s three were willing to accompany at the lowest seats. However, seeing Lu Xiang’s face full of ruddy glow, it was clear he didn’t mind at all.
Lu Bai’s three were practically dying of envy for Lu Yun. If not for the clan high-level elders present, they would have pinned him down long ago and forced him to confess everything. For now, the three could only sit there, winking and making eyes at him vigorously.
Lu Yun, however, had a calm expression, sitting upright as if it were none of his business. Anyway, his goal had already been achieved, and the current situation was much better than expected. If the Clan Leader wanted to make an issue of it, he was helpless…
Once everyone was seated, Lu Xiu said in a deep voice: “A master is one who imparts the way, teaches skills, and resolves doubts. Master and disciple succeeding one another, passing the torch, is how our Master’s Way endures. Today, our Lu Clan Vice Sect Master Lu Xian is willing to accept Lu Clan disciple Lu Yun as his disciple, to teach him diligently and carry forward the legacy!” He then glanced at Lu Yun: “Lu Yun, why haven’t you come forward?”
Lu Yun quickly stood up, came before Lu Xian, and knelt respectfully.
“Do you know that one day as master, lifetime as father; disrespecting the Master’s Way brings heavenly punishment and earthly destruction?” Lu Xiu gazed solemnly at Lu Yun and asked in a deep voice.
“This disciple knows.” Lu Yun nodded.
“Are you willing to respect the master, uphold the Master’s Teachings, study diligently, train hard, and pass on carefully?” Lu Xiu asked again.
“This disciple is willing.” Lu Yun nodded again.
“Good, swear to heaven!” Lu Xiu then directed Lu Yun to face the incense table.
Lu Yun picked up three sticks of incense, and solemnly said to the incense table: “This disciple Lu Yun swears to heaven: one day as master, lifetime as father; disrespecting the Master’s Way brings heavenly punishment and earthly destruction. Respect the master, uphold the Master’s Teachings, study diligently, train hard, pass on carefully!” With that, he pricked his index finger, dipped the blood from his fingertip into the wine bowl, raised it high, and swore to heaven: “If I violate this oath, let heaven punish and earth destroy me!”
After speaking, he poured the bowl of blood wine in front of the incense table.
“Pay respects to your master.” Lu Xiu said in a deep voice again.
Lu Yun then turned to Lu Xian and kowtowed three times respectfully.
“Offer tea.” Lu Xiu said once more.
The young attendant then brought the tea tray before Lu Yun. Lu Yun knelt and moved forward, picked up the tea cup, offered it respectfully before Lu Xian, and said softly: “Master, please have tea.”
Lu Xian nodded, took the tea cup and drank a sip, then placed it back on the tray. He then took something from his sleeve and handed it to Lu Yun: “Let this be your apprenticeship gift.”
Due to the angle, the elders and stewards below couldn’t see what it was, but Lu Shang and Lu Wen saw it clearly. The thing was palm-sized, entirely silver-white, with a seal-script ‘Lu’ character engraved on it.
Upon seeing this, these two old rivals said in unison: “This won’t do!”
“What’s wrong with it?” Lu Xian looked strangely at the two.
“This is your Vice Sect Master’s token!” Lu Wen blew his beard and glared: “If you give it to him, who is our Lu Clan’s Vice Sect Master?”
Lu Shang also said helplessly: “Yes, Vice Sect Master, exchange it for something else?”
“No need for that.” Lu Xian said indifferently: “Anyway, I’ve already said beforehand that I won’t handle clan affairs, so even if he takes this thing out, you don’t need to take it seriously.” His bamboo hut emphasized natural simplicity and never allowed metal objects, but this token made of white gold was something he wanted to discard but couldn’t, and keeping it made him uncomfortable.
Now he could finally throw it out, so Lu Xian certainly wouldn’t take it back. He said solemnly to Lu Yun: “Your master bestows this thing upon you; you must keep it properly and not take it out to show off. Understand?”
Lu Yun vaguely understood some of Lu Xian’s intentions, rolled his eyes inwardly, but held the token in his hands without putting it away.
“Sigh, just keep it for your master then.” Lu Shang sighed with a bitter smile: “This thing, in your master’s hands, is the symbol of the Vice Sect Master. In your hands, it’s useless.” This was him smoothing over Lu Xian’s absurd action. “Moreover, if your master no longer serves as Vice Sect Master in the future, you must hand this token back to the clan. Understand?”
“No need for that trouble.” Lu Xian said faintly: “The next Vice Sect Master will be this kid.”
“Talking about that now is too early, too early…” Seeing Lu Xian speaking more and more outrageously, Lu Shang hurriedly interrupted him and said with a dry laugh: “He must first become a Grandmaster to have the qualification.”
Everyone just thought Lu Xian had been cooped up in the Bamboo Forest too long and his head had gone silly. Even so, the stewards and elders still looked at Lu Yun with eyes full of envy. Lu Xian’s words and actions already showed his affection and importance for Lu Yun. From now on, this kid in the Lu Clan—no, in the Capital City—would probably swagger around.
Lu Yun had no choice but to put away the token, thank his master, and return to his seat. While everyone’s attention was on Lu Yun, Lu Xiu glanced at Lu Shang, then at Lu Bai sitting at the courtyard gate.
A father knows his son best. Lu Shang immediately understood his son’s intention: hoping to seize this opportunity to have Lu Xian accept Lu Bai as well.
Actually, without Lu Xiu’s reminder, Lu Shang had the same idea. He chuckled at Lu Xian: “Vice Sect Master accepting Lu Yun as disciple today is truly cause for celebration. But our Lu Clan’s talented youth isn’t just Lu Yun; those three kids have also followed you for a while. Nephew, why not consider accepting them all together?”
As soon as Lu Shang said this, the courtyard fell so silent a needle could be heard dropping. Lu Bai’s father Lu Xiu, Lu Song’s father Second Steward Lu Xia, and Lu Lin’s grandfather Second Elder Lu Lu all cast pleading gazes at Lu Xian. If he agreed, they would do anything.
Lu Bai’s three had their blood freeze solid, tense expressions on their faces, not daring to even glance at Lu Xian.
“No.” Unexpectedly, Lu Xian shook his head resolutely without hesitation: “If my Lu Xian’s disciple can’t become a Grandmaster in the future, it will be a laughingstock.”
“Uh…” Lu Shang didn’t expect him to be so unyielding. Just as he was about to persuade again, he suddenly froze and stared fixedly at Lu Xian: “What did you say? Could it be that Lu Yun will become a Grandmaster in the future?!”
