Chapter 205: 205: Where there is a blockage, there is a way through.
"I’ve already sealed it. Before the Jingshu Society uses it, it won’t harm Jingshu’s body anymore," Mu Qiuniang made it quite clear.
This left Old Master Zhan without anything to say, and he hurriedly had his son, Zhan Zhengxiao, present the "generous gift" he had prepared earlier: "Grand-Aunt, this old man doesn’t have anything worthwhile to offer. These are items I came across by chance. You may not find them impressive, but I hope you’ll accept them as a token of my sincerity. Among my many grandchildren, the one I worry about the most is Jingshu. As long as he can live a long and peaceful life, I ask for nothing else..."
The items were wrapped in a black box, quite understated, giving no clue as to what they might be. But who was Mu Qiuniang? With a sweep of her spiritual sense, she knew exactly what they were. She was somewhat surprised, "These are good things!"
In today’s society, spiritual energy is becoming increasingly scarce, making spiritual stones even more rare. The few spirit stones Old Master Zhan had taken out were not top-grade stones, but getting hold of even these few was no easy feat.
Currently, even a slight spirit vein with spiritual energy is controlled by the big sects in the Cultivation World, while ordinary folk like them could only pick up the scraps.
I fear, just these few stones must have cost quite a sum?
"You know what they are?" Although Old Master Zhan knew that such extraordinary individuals are capable people, he was still a bit startled. It seemed she hadn’t even opened the box to look?
"These things are of no use to me, but I can make some protective and health-preserving items from them. Once I’ve made them, I’ll have Jingshu bring one to you for prolonging life, which is also good," Mu Qiuniang said without specifying what it was, raising her hand to let Zhan Jingshu help accept them.
After all, Zhan Jingshu is her disciple now, isn’t he?
As the master acts, so should the disciple labor.
Upon hearing about longevity and flourishing life, Murong’s eyes lit up, and he cheekily asked, "Grand-Aunt, could I also ask for one for my grandpa? And my parents."
Mu Qiuniang was speechless, "Didn’t I already give you a box as a birthday gift?"
"That thing, it also has such functions?" Murong hurriedly pulled out a palm-sized black box from his pocket, with a beautiful white rose inscribed on it. It was square and seemed like an integrated whole without any seams.
"Idiot! Things from Grand-Aunt’s hands, how could they be bad?" Mu Bai couldn’t help it, giving him a smack on the back of his head.
"Sis, you hit too hard, be careful or I might get a concussion and really become stupid."
"You’re already stupid enough, maybe a smack will make you smarter," Mu Bai scorned, "The birthday gift you are giving Grandpa is still Grand-Aunt’s, and you have no shame?"
"What’s there to be ashamed of? Didn’t you say it too, things from Grand-Aunt’s hands couldn’t be bad?" Murong didn’t even open it, just handed it directly to Old Master Mu, "Grandpa, don’t think your grandson is being lazy; really, anything from Grand-Aunt’s hands can become contested treasures. Better than things I would have searched all over for. Although I don’t know what this does, it’s something I specifically asked Grand-Aunt for, to give you as a birthday gift. It must be something good, Grandpa, hurry and open it."
"Ah Rong, you’re too stingy, aren’t you? That’s your biological grandpa..." Mu Mingyu saw this, naturally feeling a bit dissatisfied, just opened his mouth before Tong Yunyun tapped his hand, signaling him to hush.
Mu Mingyu gave Tong Yunyun a grievance-filled look: What he said was the truth!
Could Old Master Mu not know his second son’s nature? He didn’t bother with him, happily taking the box Murong handed over, "How does this open?"
"Grand-Aunt said, just press the center of the flower," Murong said.
As he spoke, he craned his neck, eager to see what was inside. Truth be told, he hadn’t opened it since he got it.
Old Master Mu pressed the heart of a white rose flower, and soon, a seam appeared on the square black box, which automatically opened to reveal a string of dark walnut-colored beads.
The walnuts weren’t large, about thumb-sized, but what was astonishing was that they were all intricately hollowed-out, inside which nestled a similarly exquisite black bead, seeming both like a pearl and an ink jade, clearly something valuable.
Counting all around, there were 13 beads in total, each in a different design.
Mu Qiuniang explained, "In Buddhism, it is said that the Bodhisattvas of the Pure Land in the West possess 13 powers, thus benefiting themselves and others. These 13 beads represent this idea." After saying this, she didn’t forget to test Murong a bit, "Ah Rong, what does the ’Sutra of Buddha of Infinite Life’ say about these 13 powers?"
Murong was a bit surprised, but he answered honestly, "The ’Sutra of Buddha of Infinite Life’ states the 13 powers are: The Power of Cause, Power of Condition, Power of Intention, Power of Vow, Power of Expedient Means, Power of Constancy, Power of Goodness, Power of Resolve, Power of Wisdom, Power of Hearing Much, Power of Keeping Precepts, Power of Patience, Effort, Meditation, Power of Right Mindfulness and Broad Seeing, Power of Practicing the Dharma and Subduing All Beings..."
Wang Yuan’s eyes widened, "Honey, did you hear that, our son can recite!"
Mu Mingsi: "..." No need to be so surprised, although he was quite surprised too, but don’t say it out loud, please? It makes it sound like their son couldn’t recite before.
"Be a bit happier, your son is gaining some skills now..." Seeing her husband’s lack of expression, Wang Yuan wasn’t pleased, so she nudged him a bit.
Mu Qiuniang nodded slightly, "Not bad!"
Murong beamed a toothy smile, "Hehehe...Grand-Aunt, I’ve been reciting these scripts for so long, if there wasn’t any effect, wouldn’t I be losing face for you? Rest assured, I’ll never disgrace you in the future."
Mu Bai sneered, "It’s just reciting some texts, what’s so impressive about that? Don’t you know Grand-Aunt and Grand-Uncle can speed read and have photographic memory?"
Back when Mu Bai first saw Jiang Nuo memorizing scripts, she was genuinely startled. Even though she saw Grand-Aunt and Grand-Uncle just read once, they flawlessly recited it all word for word, leaving her shouting "Genius!"
"Grand-Aunt, Grand-Uncle, are you really that amazing?" Perking up, Murong hurriedly looked over.
Usually standing out wherever he went, always the center of attention, Jiang Nuo quietly stood behind Mu Qiuniang, rarely becoming someone overlooked. He wore a suit in the same color as Mu Qiuniang’s attire, his natural frame showcasing his tall and slender figure, his long legs especially eye-catching. With his outstanding appearance, he truly seemed like the male lead from an idol drama making his presence felt.
Besides, knowing this was his first time attending Old Master Mu’s birthday banquet as Mu Qiuniang’s husband, stepping into high society, he understood this would decide how he would be viewed and positioned in this circle going forward. He took it very seriously, maintaining vigilance, presenting his best at every angle to meet the gazes coming from all directions.
Therefore, when those gazes settled on him, even the most critical ones couldn’t find any flaws.