Runes • Rifles • Reincarnation
108. Master-Disciple Ceremony

Jin Shu dressed in his finest robe—a sleek black piece adorned with intricate red and white embroidery of red spider lilies. The pattern stood out in elegant contrast, each thread woven with quiet precision.

Then came the real challenge: dressing Yin’er.

He carefully helped her into a regal purple and gold robe, one specially designed for her by Tian Li with the utmost love and care.

Not that Yin’er cared.

She turned the simple task into a game, darting around the room with mischievous glee as he tried—and failed—to catch her. She laughed each time he reached for her, tail flicking playfully.

“Hehe! Daddy can't catch me!”

“Yin’er, please put your robes on.”

“Uh-uh, not till Daddy catches me!”

It wasn’t until he threatened to take her dinner away that she finally surrendered.

“We're having steak for dinner tonight, but I guess you don't want any,” he sighed dramatically. 

Yin’er tilted her head. “I want steak.”

“Then you better come down here, or no steak dinner.” He shrugged.

She frowned. “It was just a game… mean Daddy…” she grumbled while coming down from the spot she was hovering near the ceiling.

Now, he held a pouty, finely dressed little tiger girl in his arms as they made their way to his stepmother’s home.

Despite himself, he felt a nervous knot forming in his stomach. Not just for the upcoming tournament, but for the master-disciple ceremony—both of them.

The first event—the master-disciple ceremony—that he was heading to now, would be private. Only his stepmother’s disciple and his close family would attend.

The second, however, would be public.

Because his stepmother wasn’t just any master. She was Chen Ai Yun, the Sect Master of the Immortal Phoenix Sect.

And that meant he would have to disguise himself again—this time in front of the entire sect as they attended, and he participated in the tournament. 

He swallowed the nervous energy bubbling inside him and pushed those thoughts aside.

Focus on the present.

Before he knew it, he had arrived at her main hall.

Knock, knock.

He rapped his knuckles lightly against the large doors.

“Come in.”

The voice that answered wasn’t his stepmother’s.

It was Tian Li.

As the eldest—really, the only—disciple of Chen Ai Yun, Tian Li was in charge of overseeing today’s private ceremony.

Adjusting his hold on Yin’er, Jin Shu pushed open the double doors and stepped inside.

Everyone was already gathered inside.

Tian Li stood beside her master, poised and attentive.

To the side, Biyu, Li Xue, and Sun Mei’er sat as silent observers.

Jin Shu walked over to his mother and gently handed Yin’er to her.

“Hello, Jin Shu,” Biyu greeted with a warm smile.

He returned the greeting with a simple nod.

Li Xue, on the other hand, smirked. “Are you really about to become a disciple of a women-only sect?”

Jin Shu shot her a glare but didn’t bother answering.

Instead, his attention shifted to his mother.

She had been unnaturally silent.

Usually, she had more energy than Li Xue and Yin’er combined. But now, she hadn’t even spared him a glance.

“Everything alright, Mom?” he asked, frowning.

She finally looked up, absently patting Yin’er’s head.

“Yes, yes. Go, take care of the ceremony.”

She waved him off dismissively.

Jin Shu hesitated for a brief moment but ultimately turned and approached his stepmother.

A cushion was placed before her, a clear signal for him to kneel. He stepped behind it, preparing to lower himself—

But Chen Ai Yun raised a hand, stopping him.

“Are you certain you want to commit to a true Master-Disciple relationship?” she asked. “It isn’t necessary if you only wish to enter the tournament.”

Jin Shu considered her words but shook his head.

“Well, I don’t plan on taking any other master in the future, plus… well… you're…” he said, then hesitated. His gaze flickered to the others in the room.

Chen Ai Yun sighed. “Haa… You already know, so just say it.”

He nodded.

“You’re my stepmother, so I don’t mind taking you as my master. And… I’m hoping this will bring us closer.” His voice was steady, but his words carried an honest weight.

“Eh?!” Li Xue nearly jumped out of her seat. “She’s your stepmother?! Wait—does that mean she’s married to your dad too?!”

“No,” Sun Mei’er finally spoke up, her tone smooth and calm. “She’s my wife.”

Jin Shu glanced toward the others.

Li Xue was the only one who seemed utterly shocked by this revelation.

Biyu and Tian Li, however, remained completely composed. Either they already knew… or they were simply very good at hiding their surprise.

“If you are sure,” Chen Ai Yun said, her gaze steady. “Then let us begin.”

Jin Shu nodded and lowered himself onto the cushion.

Tian Li stepped forward, carrying a tray with a teapot, a container of tea leaves, and a single cup.

The first step of the ceremony—preparing tea for the master.

Normally, the process required several additional tools, but Jin Shu had requested only these essentials from Tian Li earlier in the day.

He reached out with one hand, tracing a rune onto the side of the teapot with his Qi. With the other, he gathered the purest water from the air, guiding it into the pot.

A flick of his fingers activated the flame rune, and the water inside began to heat.

Minutes passed in quiet reverence before he placed the tea leaves in the cup and poured the steaming water over them. He covered the cup, allowing the leaves to steep.

Then, rising to his feet, he carefully lifted the cup and approached his stepmother—his soon-to-be master.

Bowing, he extended the tea with both hands.

“Master, please drink this tea,” he said with quiet respect.

Chen Ai Yun accepted the cup, blowing gently over the surface, dispersing the steam in delicate swirls. She took a sip, her expression unreadable at first.

“Hm. This is good tea.”

Jin Shu exhaled slightly in relief and returned to his cushion.

Tian Li stepped forward once more, retrieving the tray and stepping back.

Jin Shu clasped his hands together. “Master, please accept this gift.”

From within the space of his earring, he withdrew a neatly wrapped package and presented it to her with another bow.

Setting the teacup aside, Chen Ai Yun accepted the gift, unwrapping it to reveal a folded hanfu.

She stood, unfolding the robe with a measured motion, letting the fabric drape loosely as she examined it.

The hanfu was crafted from pristine white silk. Its long, sheer gauze sleeves faded into deep blue at the ends, while the flowing skirt transitioned into a rich crimson. Delicate flower patterns bloomed along the hem, branching toward the sleeves, shifting in color from red to white to blue.

Jin Shu straightened slightly. “I designed the hanfu myself, and Tian Li helped me create it. I hope you like it.”

Chen Ai Yun carefully refolded the robes, setting them aside with gentle reverence.

“I love them,” she said, warmth threading through her voice. “Thank you. Both of you.”

She offered a rare, genuine smile—to him, to Tian Li.

Jin Shu lowered himself again, bowing deeply.

With his forehead pressed to the backs of his hands, he spoke with solemnity.

“Master, please accept these bows.”

He bowed once.

Twice.

A third time.

And with that, the ceremony was sealed.

“Junior… Brother Jin Shu, rise. Master has accepted your bows. You are now the second disciple of Sect Master Chen of the Immortal Phoenix Sect,” Tian Li announced solemnly.

Jin Shu lifted his head, his gaze settling on his new master.

“Thank you, Mas—”

Snore.

A loud, unceremonious snore echoed through the hall, cutting him off.

He blinked, turning toward the spectators—only to find Yin’er fast asleep on his mother’s lap, her little feet twitching in a dream.

Laughter rippled through the room.

Everyone except his mother, who remained seated, her face unreadable.

Jin Shu frowned slightly. He had noticed her mood from the beginning. Usually, she was livelier than a teenage girl, but now, she hadn’t even smiled.

Standing, he walked toward her, gently lifting the sleeping Yin’er from her lap before producing another package.

“Mother, please accept this gift.”

Sun Mei’er arched an eyebrow. “Oh? What’s this?”

He simply smiled and handed it to her.

She unwrapped it slowly, revealing another hanfu. The design mirrored the one he had gifted his stepmother—elegant, finely crafted—but this one was in rose gold, the floral patterns slightly different yet equally intricate.

“I designed this one myself as well,” he said. “Tian Li helped craft it.”

For the first time that evening, a faint smile ghosted across her lips.

“Mm. Thank you. It’s beautiful.”

Relief washed over him—until her expression hardened, her voice turning sharp.

“However, don’t think this makes up for what you’ve done.”

Jin Shu stiffened. “Ah… well… I’m sorry?”

“Hmph!” She huffed, cradling the hanfu as she rose to her feet and strode out of the hall without another word.

Jin Shu exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck.

“What was that about?” Li Xue asked, tilting her head.

“Nothing. I just… accidentally upset her.”

Li Xue gave him a skeptical look. “Really? I didn’t think she could ever get mad at you. Must’ve been something bad. So, what’d you do?”

“Just something dumb. Doesn’t matter.”

“Boo! Just tell me!” She pouted.

“Not happening.”

“You stink!” she declared before turning on her heel and marching out as well.

Jin Shu could only shake his head.

Hanfu References:

Chen Ai Yun's

Sun Mei’er’s