Mei Lin got out of bed. Her head hurt and her heart was confused. Her normally cold and arrogant eyes reflected sadness. Her snow-white cheeks were slightly red. The room was narrow, with barely enough space. She didn't have much anyway. She only had a small bed, a chair, and an old trunk leaning against the wall. The room had a slight damp smell. "It seems like it rained last night," she said as she stretched. Her room was next to her brother's.
I hear a small knock outside the door.
"Jie, jie, I'm going in," Mei An said as she opened the door. "It's very cold. I want to go to the Taoist master. I want him to teach me how to kill demons and..." She stopped when she saw Mei Lin's pitiful appearance and got a little scared. "Jie, jie, what happened to you?"
*Jie, jie means older sister.
"Mm, it's nothing. It's just a nightmare. Let's go have breakfast first."
After breakfast, the children went to Jing Shao's house, who was currently having a fruit for breakfast. It was early in the morning. The rain had been pouring down all night, hitting the roof with a steady rhythm as if the sky had refused to sleep. At this time of the morning, the rain had stopped, leaving behind a fresh, moist, and clean air.
Jing Shao had sharp hearing and heard footsteps running towards his door. There was a double knock, but Jing Shao knew who it was. He opened his mouth slightly as if to say, "I'm coming," but then he closed it and put on a smile. He opened the door. The floor was still covered in puddles. There were two children with muddy feet. They were wearing the same clothes as yesterday, as if they hadn't taken them off last night. Jing Shao was amused but said seriously. "Put your shoes aside, why are they so dirty?" And as he said, the children took off their muddy shoes and put them aside in a very organized manner. As they entered, Jing Shao was serving them hot water to warm them up since it was cold outside and the children were coming running.
But before Jing Shao could even offer anything else, the two children knelt.
"Sir Taoist, please accept us as your disciples," Mei An said, absolutely very nervous. "We...we want to learn, we want to save people...please, Sir Taoist," he said with his head lowered.
"I'll ask you too, Taoist sir," Mei Lin said. Jing Shao was scared at first, but when he saw Mei Lin asking him, Jing Shao's eyes lit up. He had great faith in Mei Lin ever since he felt her spiritual flow. He was almost certain that she could become immortal, even ascending, he was completely happy.
"Be your shizun? Is that what you want? I thought you would take the time to think it over. You almost scared me," said Jing Shao with a smile showing her beautiful white teeth, almost as if she couldn't contain her joy.
-This disciple thanks Shizun- said Mei An raising his head with his peach eyes shining. He was very happy. Mei Lin also raised her head. Her arrogant and cold attitude went away for a second but returned as quickly as it left.
-This disciple thanks Shizun
Days passed, Jing Shao taught them how to cultivate to obtain their spiritual core, but he also took time to teach them how to read and write. Mei An was a little slower than Mei Lin; his spiritual flow developed in an admirably rapid manner, and his understanding when teaching him to read and write was very astonishing. Jing Shao felt that he had a lot of talent.
Jing Shao liked to watch her write as she lowered her eyelashes slightly and concentrated. She didn't notice when Jing Shao stared into her eyes, which looked like two diamonds shining in the candlelight. He felt they were very special.He couldn't help but think that this girl had a lot of talent for cultivation. Jing Shao was proud to have her as a disciple and let out a small smile. Mei Lin still didn't notice.
One afternoon, Jing Shao gave two wooden swords to his disciples, who had just finished writing what he had asked them to write, and very patiently asked them to follow him outside as he very patiently instructed, "The sword is not just a weapon. It is an extension of will. If your heart trembles, your blade will too. It calms the mind. A drawn sword has only one purpose; that purpose depends on the heart of the one who wields it. Whether to protect or destroy, everything rests with its wielder."
After saying those words, he gave a shout, summoning his sword.
-Tianhui, come!
*Tianhui means heavenly brilliance.
From the brilliance of his hand, a sword with a strong killing intent emerged. Its blade was long and silver, and its hilt was also golden. Mei An unconsciously took a step back, but Mei Lin also unconsciously took a step forward. Her sky-blue eyes shone with the light of the sword.
Jing Shao was surprised and amused by his reaction. "When you learn how to use the sword technique and have a strong spiritual core, I will take you to get a sacred weapon. For now, take your wooden swords." Mei Lin's eyes shone even more at what he said and she obediently took the wooden sword. It was very heavy. She used a lot of strength to take it, but that couldn't matter less to her. Mei An also used her example and raised the sword.
Jing Shao instructed in a soft but clear voice, "First, posture. Feet firm, torso erect. Keep your gaze steady, without wavering. Repeat the first movement until it's etched in your soul."