Han Changqing took the three incense sticks from Nian Nian's hand and bowed respectfully towards the memorial tablet again and again.
Suddenly, the memorial tablet on the high - position trembled.
Then, with a thud, it fell onto the table.
This unexpected event really gave Han Changqing a fright.
What was going on?
Could it be that the grand - master was also trying to stop him from taking on a master?
All he wanted was to worship the master's wife as his master. Why was it so full of twists and turns?
At this moment, Nian Nian reached out his little hand to right the memorial tablet. He was just a child himself, but he used a tone as if he were coaxing a baby and said to the memorial tablet, "Alright, grand - master, stop being so willful."
The wooden tablet trembled twice more.
But in a moment, it calmed down.
Then Nian Nian carefully placed the grand - master's memorial tablet back in a respectful position and said to Han Changqing, "Hehe, the grand - master was just throwing a little tantrum. Now I've coaxed him well. You can continue to bow."
Han Changqing had heard before that in every sect of the Taoist school or those who knew a bit of metaphysics, in every profession, there must be a grand - master.
But he used to think that all these sayings were just people's psychological comfort.
He had truly seen ghosts, his own parents in fact, and all kinds of strange and bizarre things had happened around him. So he was never a materialist.
But he also didn't believe that there were gods in this world.
But today, the tantrum thrown by the grand - master's memorial tablet was like a warning to him and also refreshed his long - held worldview.
When he first kowtowed, he really had an attitude of going through the motions, thinking it was just a formality.
Deep down, he didn't really believe in the existence of the grand - master, nor did he think there was any meaning in bowing to this memorial tablet.
Maybe the memorial tablet had sensed his insincerity, which was why it threw a tantrum.
This time, Han Changqing's attitude changed. He offered the three incense sticks with almost 100% respect and sincerity.
This time, the grand - master's memorial tablet didn't cause any more trouble.
The blue smoke from the three lit incense sticks rose in wisps, slowly drifted towards the memorial tablet, and then dissipated.
This meant that the incense had been accepted.
Nian Nian found a stool and sat beside the grand - master's memorial tablet.
It was a bit nerve - wracking being a master for the first time.
Hehe.
Han Changqing still felt a bit awkward. After all, he had to bow respectfully to a child much younger than himself.
Everything just felt a bit strange in his heart.
But he didn't show it. In the end, he still followed the rules and performed the apprenticeship ceremony.
When he stood up, he let out a long sigh of relief.
In fact, Nian Nian, who had been bowed to, also let out a sigh of relief.
It was really too awkward and torturous.
"Master, can you tell me what's wrong with my mother's soul now? Why did she suddenly become so transparent this afternoon?"
The first thing Han Changqing did after standing up was to ask about the situation of his attendant ghost.
He was so eager to save his mother that his purpose was too obvious.
But Nian Nian didn't mind.
No one could stay calm when their mother was about to disappear.
It was only human nature.
"Wait a moment."
Nian Nian rummaged through his small satchel.
He took out a black thread.
This thread was soft, just like ordinary wool or the thread used for sewing clothes.
But it was as cold as silk. When looking at it against the light, one could even see a glimmer of cold light.
When folded, it was extremely hard, like steel wire.
"This was soaked in yin energy. It will be helpful to your mother. Cut off a small section and put it on your mother's wrist. She won't have any problems for the time being. Now your mother's soul is in the same state as when I first saw you. It's not particularly weak to the point of about to dissipate."
"I guess you must have met someone this afternoon. They saw the fierce ghost following you and thought it was going to harm you, so they wanted to capture it. There have been quite a few sorcerers and Taoists around recently, and there are also many kind - hearted ones. Your mother probably resisted that power at that time, which is why you saw her a bit transparent."
"Don't go out and wander around casually during this period. Fierce ghosts like your parents are very peculiar. If they are noticed by someone with ulterior motives and arouse their curiosity, they might kidnap you. If the other person is a very powerful sorcerer, then I won't be able to find you."
Nian Nian's tone was really interesting.
He seriously analyzed and explained things to Han Changqing. The ending words were just like what an adult would often say to a child.
Don't run around when you're away from your parents. If you go too far, your parents won't be able to find you.
In fact, this was exactly what Nian Nian was thinking.
As a master, one had to take on the responsibility of taking care of the apprentice. Now that the apprentice was still so weak, it was natural to give a few more warnings.
Maybe the implication in his tone was too obvious. Han Changqing, who had been an adult for many years and had been living independently since his parents passed away, suddenly didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Was he being treated like a child?
Ah... forget it...
Anyway, one had to listen to the master's words.
"I understand. Thank you, master."
"You're welcome."
Nian Nian puffed out his chest and wanted to pat the apprentice on the shoulder. Only then did he suddenly realize that his height was really a drawback.
He looked left and right, and finally set his eyes on the stool under him. He took a big step and stepped onto it. Standing on the stool, he tiptoed and finally managed to touch Han Changqing's shoulder.
He said again, "You're welcome. I'm your master after all."
Nian Nian's clumsy but cute appearance made everyone want to laugh.
But out of respect for the child's self - esteem, no one laughed out loud.
It was really uncomfortable holding back and shrugging.
"Humph! What's so funny?!"
Nian Nian seemed to sense that he was being laughed at. He blushed embarrassedly and covered his embarrassment and shyness with anger.
But his willful and cute appearance was completely harmless.
Daoist Qingyun unceremoniously joked, "Oh, the child has grown up. He's already a master. Calculated like this, among you siblings, you're the most promising one."
"Humph~ I'm originally more powerful than my senior brothers."
Nian Nian didn't realize that Daoist Qingyun was joking. He answered this question very seriously.
Shen Weixun was holding back his laughter on the side and kept nodding in agreement, "Yes, yes, yes. Nian Nian is the most powerful. Since Nian Nian has already surpassed all the senior brothers, will it be Nian Nian's turn to take care of us from now on?"
"Ah... okay. But I don't know how to take care of people. Third senior brother has to teach me."
Nian Nian readily agreed.
Shen Weixun even had the idea of teasing him, "It's easy. How about giving me a shoulder massage and a leg rub first?"
"Okay."
Nian Nian was a very honest child, and his initiative and execution ability were extremely strong.
As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he was about to get up to give Shen Weixun a leg rub and a shoulder massage.
Before Nian Nian could fully reach Shen Weixun, Liu Chuchen picked him up. He looked at Shen Weixun coldly with his eyes, as if giving a silent warning.