Rebirth of MC Chpt 102 - 202 (unedited translations)

Chapter 132: Meeting Xu Mingyi again

Although his skill in drawing talismans and utilising them in real-combat situations surpasses most disciples, Huo Zaiyuan knows there are still a lot of things regarding the Taoist Arts that he doesn't understand yet. Because everything he knows is self-taught, he refuses to accept the kind invitation the Elder Taoist priest extended to become a disciple of the 'School of Taoism'. Instead, he requests to enter as a small, obscure and unknown student.

Seeing Huo Zaiyuan's calm and serene visage, the Elder doesn't wish to force this offer on him. He understands that a true practitioner of the Taoist Arts harbours no desire for fame and profit, merely wishing to retain one's freedom and way of life. A pure and untainted heart like this is best suited to practice Taoism. Extremely satisfied with this little friend's thoughts, the Elder hence decides to receive Huo Zaiyuan as his disciple. While Huo Zaiyuan may bear the esteemed title of 'Head Disciple' within the school, he doesn't integrate himself with the general populace. Instead, he concentrates all his attention on learning and practising. Thus, in a small, secluded room within A City's 'School of Taoism', one can always find Huo Zaiyuan alone, sitting cross-legged before a low table to practice his calligraphy or read a wide range of books.

Huo Zaiyuan's presence in the school gives rise to a lot of spirited discussions amongst the other students and disciples. Some envy his position as the Head Disciple, while others ridicule him for carrying the esteemed title of Head Disciple but entering as an ordinary student. Spending every day hiding in a small room to practice calligraphy...their opinions are diverse, but Huo Zaiyuan is completely unbothered by such trivial matters.

Rather than care about what other disciples think about him, he is much more interested in reading the "Collection of Spells" given to him by the Elder priest. Not only does it contain Taoist charms, there are a whole lot of other spells and incantations he has never seen before, especially support-type spells and arrays. Like creating a boundary by drawing a circle in the earth or trapping foes simply by carving a few lines on the ground. This text contains enough details and explanations, making Huo Zaiyuan love it deeply.

Bristles drawing lightly over the paper, Huo Zaiyuan has just finished adding the final dot when a clear and distinct voice calls out.

"This is very unexpected ah. To think that when we next meet, you have already become my Junior Martial Uncle." Lifting his head, Huo Zaiyuan's gaze falls on the youth he met during his short stay in E City's safe zone. A glance over the youngster's shoulders reveals his usual gaggle of followers, clearly displaying this person's superb relationship with people.

Seeing Huo Zaiyuan's expressionless face, Xu Mingyi's smile morphs into a sorrowful look resembling a pampered child being denied a request. "Junior Martial Uncle, you haven't forgotten me so quickly, have you?"

Faced with the sad expression and cute pout of a wronged child, Huo Zaiyuan merely replies with a faint smile. "I haven't."

If this was someone else confronted with such a posture from a pretty youth, their hearts would soften and will seek to comfort the other party. But it takes a lot more to move Huo Zaiyuan in this life. Regarding this saying "one may know a person for a long time without understanding his true nature", Huo Zaiyuan understands every aspect of it. Met with an individual like Xu Mingyi who is always smiling and easy to get along with, he refuses to let down his guard.

Because he firmly believes that in the apocalypse, anyone who is willing to do good without asking for compensation, naïve and guiltless doesn't exist. ...If there really is someone like that, then said person must have been extremely sheltered, not knowing grief or suffering. If not, then they must harbour immoral thoughts and schemes.

He can't say he knows this person even if they did meet once in E City's school. But when he came across Xu Mingyi that day, it was pure coincidence. So how about now?