As Shen Weixun said this, not only was the young man stunned, but Xiaotuanzi (Niannian) was also left gaping in astonishment.
What was going on?
She had a master - apprentice relationship with this big brother?
It was definitely not the big brother being the master. After all, there was nothing she could learn from him. Moreover, she already had her own master.
So that meant the big brother was destined to be her apprentice.
Ah?
But she was only six years old. Was she really going to take in an apprentice?
"My junior sister is young, but her skills are better than some octogenarian old men. If you worship her as your master, not only will she be able to help you, but the rest of our sect can also lend a hand. Your mother will surely hold on until you complete your studies. Think it over carefully?"
There was a hint of coaxing in Shen Weixun's words, and even Niannian, the little girl, could tell.
Strangely enough, the young man didn't have the slightest bit of suspicion. Instead, he really lowered his head and thought carefully.
Niannian suddenly didn't know what to say.
She was still a child herself and had no intention of taking in an apprentice.
After all, in the Taoist sect, the relationship between a master and an apprentice was like that of a father and a son. For the master, it was a responsibility, and for the apprentice, it was the same.
It was a very serious matter.
It couldn't be decided with just a casual word.
"Um... the matter of master - apprentice fate may not be absolute. Big brother, if you don't want to..."
"I do!"
Just as Niannian was about to persuade him to think twice, the young man immediately looked up and agreed.
"Ah?"
The little girl was completely dumbfounded. Not knowing how to handle the situation, she subconsciously turned her head to look at Shen Weixun.
However, Third Senior Brother simply nodded in response.
The meaning was very clear: agree to it.
"Then... okay. If you want to, but I'm going to participate in a competition now. You have to wait until I finish the competition before I can help you. Otherwise, if I expend too much energy, I won't be able to win the competition. But it won't be long, only about ten days at most."
Since Third Senior Brother had taken the lead, out of trust, Niannian couldn't find any reason to refuse and quickly agreed.
The young man finally showed a smile. He bent down and bowed deeply, saying, "My name is Han Changqing. It's okay for master to accept me as an apprentice when you're free. As long as my mother can be saved."
"You need to think this through clearly. The matter of apprenticeship doesn't end just because you've completed your studies and left the master. Whether you're learning from your master or after you've left, you must fulfill your duties as an apprentice. Respect your master, obey your master. It should come from the bottom of your heart. If your motives are too strong, I won't advise Niannian to accept you as an apprentice."
Hearing him call Niannian "master" so quickly, Shen Weixun quickly interrupted him.
He did have his own considerations. He didn't want the relationships around Niannian to be formed due to self - interest.
Such relationships were too unstable. One day, if there was no more benefit, they might turn against each other at any time.
Niannian didn't need such relationships.
Han Changqing was slightly stunned. Then he realized how inappropriate his words had been just now. He quickly waved his hand and said, "I understand. Once a teacher, always a father. I won't mind that the master is young. I hesitated just now because I was afraid I was too stupid and would cause you trouble. I don't know if you're aware of the specific situation of my parents and me. In fact, all those who get close to me will have bad luck."
"I know. Both your father's and your mother's souls have extremely strong possessiveness towards you. They won't allow anyone to get close to you. If someone shows a little bit of closeness to you, they will use their yin energy to affect that person, making their fortune decline, bringing bad luck or illness. But I'm a Taoist priest, so I'm not afraid of these things."
Niannian naturally knew what the other person was referring to.
One of those two ghosts regarded Han Changqing as its prey, and the other regarded him as someone who must be protected, trying to isolate all dangers.
Their possessiveness towards him was extremely strong.
She just didn't mention it before, which didn't mean she didn't know.
Seeing that the little girl could even figure this out, Han Changqing really felt that he had struck it lucky.
"My name is Yu Niannian. I'm currently living at... Come and find me after ten days, or you can move there now. I'll be back tonight. My master and senior brothers are there."
At this moment, Niannian also felt the bond between her and her future apprentice.
This fate was not fake.
It seemed that she really had to accept this apprentice.
"Okay, I'll go there later and wait for master to come back tonight."
Han Changqing left happily. Niannian watched his back, frowning. She still couldn't figure out why she hadn't felt anything when Third Senior Brother said that they had a master - apprentice relationship just now.
"Third Senior Brother, did he really have a master - apprentice relationship with me at first?"
"No."
Shen Weixun answered decisively, and the little girl was completely stunned.
"Ah?"
"Can't you figure out whether there's a master - apprentice relationship or not? If you didn't feel it, then there wasn't one. But I saw his general fate. Apart from being kind - hearted, he has a fortune - bringing fate. This kind of fate is extremely easy to be exploited. In fact, whoever befriends him will gain good luck. Because of those two evil ghosts, this fate has been completely covered up. But if he worships you as his master, this kind of fate will help you in everything. So I said that you two have a master - apprentice relationship."
Shen Weixun never hid his calculations in front of Niannian.
In fact, if he didn't think Han Changqing was useful, he would even have directly pulled Niannian away.
Those two evil ghosts were really troublesome things. It wasn't suitable to get involved with them at all.
"No wonder I only felt the bond between us after I agreed to accept him. Third Senior Brother, it's wrong for you to deceive people like this. As a Taoist, one should not tell lies."
Niannian puffed out her cheeks and stared at him with wide eyes.
"Be good. This doesn't really count as deception. Don't you two have a relationship now? Moreover, if this kind of fate of his is exploited by bad people, it will be an abyss of no return for him. We're all good people, and you will really teach him skills. He won't lose out in any way. If it has to benefit someone, why not us?"
Shen Weixun had a whole bunch of fallacies, and Niannian simply couldn't argue with him. She even felt dizzy from his words.
"Okay, Third Senior Brother. You may be right. Let's quickly go find Brother He Qing. It seems that the event over there is about to start."
The crowd that had been strolling slowly on the street suddenly quickened their pace. It was getting more and more lively not far away. Judging from the time, the conference was about to officially begin.
Since she had already agreed, Niannian didn't want to dwell on it too much. Since the matter was already settled, it was better to think about what to do next.