830 A Golden Ticket! (1/2)
A look of nervousness mixed with fear and gratitude appeared on Wang Baole's face when he heard what the figure engulfed in flames and afloat in mid-air said. It was a look with a complicated mix of emotions. Any other ordinary person wouldn't have been able to do something like that, but Wang Baole had familiarized himself with the high officials' autobiographies since he was a kid. He had started practicing such looks then and had become skilled at it.
But privately, he was already muttering unhappily to himself about how unreliable the old man was. If he wanted a disciple, he should just take one. Why was he taking an in-name disciple…
He just wants the reputation of being my master without dishing out any benefits. Does he take me for an idiot? At this juncture, Wang Baole had already decided that he was going to reject the Flame Patriarch. His master might have passed on, but his reputation was still sound. Besides, he already had an unreliable senior brother who was almost never around to help. The gears in Wang Baole's head began spinning furiously as he thought of ways to turn down the offer without causing any offense.
The deceptive look on his face remained unchanged as he went through his options. The Flame Patriarch didn't seem to notice anything amiss. In fact, the thoughts in his head were that of approval. The young man before him might be a troublemaker, but he appeared to be a sensible one as well who knew his place.
”Esteemed Senior…” Wang Baole didn't take long to think. After a few seconds, he looked up with a look of gratitude on his face. He ignored the prickling pain in his eyes and tried to bring tears to his eyes. Then, he looked skyward and gave a deep bow.
”This is an important matter. I have to…”
”Consult Chen Qing?” The Flame Patriarch interrupted Wang Baole with what seemed to be a smile on his face.
The hair on Wang Baole's skin stood up when he heard that. A look of confusion settled on his face as he stared at the Flame Patriarch, seeming both lost and surprised.
”You plan to tell me that you'll need time to consider the matter, saying that we still have a long way ahead of us before you can come to a decision. Perhaps you're also thinking that I'm only taking you as an in-name disciple to deny you the privileges and benefits of a true disciple?” The Flame Patriarch spoke casually, a faint teasing look flickering in his eyes.
Beads of sweat appeared on Wang Baole's forehead. He opened his mouth, but his attempt to speak was cut off by a wave of the elder's hand.
”So be it. You do need some time to think this over. If you do bump into Chen Qing, you can ask him for advice. Ask him if I, the Flame Patriarch, want to take you as a disciple, if he's going to agree to it, or if he's going to approve of it.”
He might be able to recognize who Wang Baole was, but whether Wang Baole admitted to the fact was another matter altogether. Wang Baole kept the look of confusion on his face and pretended that he wasn't sure what the Flame Patriarch was going on about. He opened his mouth but held himself back from speaking, acting as if he were afraid of asking too many questions. Finally, he looked down and spoke meekly.
”Thank you, Senior. I'll let you know my answer as soon as possible. There's another matter… Your humble junior doesn't know how to contact you when I have made a decision on the matter. Why not… leave the mask with me so that I may contact you easily?” Wang Baole said with an earnest look on his face, cupping his fists and extending a bow towards the Flame Patriarch again.
”I have no objections to that. You've used the curse in the mask. There's not much use to the thing now.” the Flame Patriarch laughed. There was a meaningful look in his eyes. He seemed to see right through Wang Baole.
Wang Baole didn't feel embarrassed for being so easily seen through, though, continuing to play the fool as he spoke.
”Oh, in that case, why not seal a dozen more of those curses inside it? Your humble junior will be able to spread your name far and wide when I bring the mask out into the world.”
”Stop having ideas about the mask. I'm not letting you have it,” the Flame Patriarch replied coolly when he heard Wang Baole's request.
How much of a miser is he? Wang Baole wondered with mild surprise. He thought about it for a while and decided to try again. He wasn't willing to give up just yet.
”Esteemed Senior must be intending to impart the knowledge of how to set the curse in the mask as a gift to mark our fortuitous meeting. Is that why you don't plan to just let me have the mask? Please accept my thanks, Esteemed Senior!” Wang Baole shouted and extended yet another bow to the Flame Patriarch.
”You're about as shameless as Chen Qing,” the Flame Patriarch said exasperatedly. But after giving the matter some thought, he realized that he could afford to be more generous. He hadn't planned on giving anything to Wang Baole, but his mind had changed after hearing what Wang Baole had just said. After a moment of consideration, he lifted his right hand. Then, with a swipe through the air, he summoned bead-like objects from the ruins around them. They darted through the air and gathered in his palm, transforming into a gray-colored jade slip.