Chapter 113: Memories (3)

Gu Mojiang carefully studied the notebook Ye Zheng had given him for an entire day. The requirements and operational procedures were written clearly; he could manage the tasks alone without any problems. However, he felt somewhat displeased with Ye Zheng’s irresponsible behavior. After all, he was Ye Zheng’s disciple, and this was his first time on Misty Eyebrow Mountain—could Ye Zheng really just abandon him like this?

Whether it was his own leniency as a disciple or Ye Zheng’s carefree nature, the two hadn’t crossed paths for several days. Ye Zheng’s kitchen was fully stocked with food, and Gu Mojiang would only cook when he was hungry, preparing meals just for himself, regardless of whether Ye Zheng would return to eat or not.

The two of them coexisted quietly for several days. Ye Zheng had drunk enough atop the mountain and, swaying slightly, eventually made his way back to his room. Although another person now lived there, everything else remained as before. Gu Mojiang kept the place neat and tidy.

“Master? Where have you been recently? I haven’t seen you in so long,” Gu Mojiang said, still somewhat unaccustomed to Ye Zheng’s sudden appearance. After all, he had enjoyed the solitude these past few days.

“I was drinking at the mountain peak. If you have something to say, wait until tomorrow,” Ye Zheng waved him off dismissively and walked straight to his bedroom, completely ignoring Gu Mojiang behind him.

Drinking was his only pastime—what else was there to do in such a dull existence if not drink? Gu Mojiang decided to wait until Ye Zheng woke up to discuss anything. Since he was going to live on Misty Eyebrow Mountain long-term, a day or two wouldn’t matter.

Ignoring Gu Mojiang, Ye Zheng went straight to bed. Outside, Gu Mojiang wore a look of grievance. This master was far too unreliable! What was the point of coming here if he was simply going to be ignored?

Yet, considering Ye Zheng’s strength, Gu Mojiang suppressed all his dissatisfaction. He planned for the future; before acquiring any useful knowledge, he would not fall out with Ye Zheng.

The world was vast, and there were many capable people. Why should a mysterious spirit of unknown origins hold sway? If things were really so haphazard, then Gu Mojiang thought he might as well try to make his own mark—perhaps he could succeed!

Anything was possible. If Ye Zheng could do it, what made Gu Mojiang any less capable?

Seeing that it was still early but lunchtime approached, Gu Mojiang once again cooked only for himself, completely ignoring Ye Zheng’s return.

Judging by the strong smell of alcohol on Ye Zheng, it was clear he wouldn’t rise for at least a full day and night. Thus, preparing lunch for him would be a waste.

After cooking in the hospital kitchen, Gu Mojiang quickly ate and cleaned up before returning to study the notebook Ye Zheng had given him.

He studied while attempting self-cultivation—there was some effect, albeit slight. Ye Zheng’s cultivation methods were extremely difficult, possibly considered top-tier secret arts even in the human realm.

Therefore, to Gu Mojiang, reading the notebook was like deciphering an ancient script. The slight progress he made was due mainly to the detailed operational steps Ye Zheng had written.

But the content was so complex and obscure that Gu Mojiang could only painstakingly try bit by bit. After so many days, he had only grasped the cultivation methods on the first two pages.

He couldn’t understand the later sections at all—completely incomprehensible, let alone practice them. It felt like an impossible task!

If his own affairs were not yet settled, Gu Mojiang would have packed up and left. Ye Zheng was clearly making things difficult for him!

Starting with such a high difficulty level, how could he hope to understand the rest? If Ye Zheng didn’t want to teach him, he might as well say so outright rather than torment him like this.

Sitting under the willow tree in the courtyard, Gu Mojiang frowned at the notebook in his hands. The contents were truly obscure and hard to grasp.

If not for his existing cultivation foundation, he would be totally lost, seeing nothing but darkness.

At dusk, Gu Mojiang packed away his books and belongings, planning to make himself dinner. There was no rush to continue studying tonight.

After all, progress was slow, and Ye Zheng probably wouldn’t blame him for that.

“Prepare a meal for me while you’re cooking. I prefer something light and don’t eat much meat,” Ye Zheng called from deep within the window as Gu Mojiang headed to the kitchen, then lay back down.

Not enthusiastic about eating—there must be something wrong with his mindset!

Though he didn’t really need the food, Ye Zheng wanted to eat a little, at least to share a meal with Gu Mojiang.

He wondered how much of the material he had actually learned. It would be good to ask during dinner, and if necessary, Ye Zheng could offer some explanations.

He wasn’t entirely unapproachable; occasionally, he was quite reasonable. Gu Mojiang just needed to seize those moments.

Gu Mojiang’s standards for food were modest. He simply boiled two large bowls of shredded pork noodles, and the meal was ready.

As men, they didn’t have high culinary demands—just filling their stomachs was enough.

“Study well. If you don’t understand something, ask me. I’ll help you when I have time,” Ye Zheng said in a rare moment of normal conversation after tasting the noodles and finding them quite good.

If the meal had been bad, Ye Zheng might have thrown both Gu Mojiang and the bowl out of Misty Eyebrow Mountain—what a waste of time and an attempt to kill him!

“Master, did you give me the wrong notebook? This is way too difficult!” Gu Mojiang seized the opportunity to question Ye Zheng directly. There was no doubt Ye Zheng was deliberately tormenting him.

“Difficult? That’s just the basics. The harder stuff is still in my study. You can check it out when you have time,” Ye Zheng glanced at Gu Mojiang with disdain. If he found the basics hard, then he might as well pack up and go home.

With such intelligence, how could he boast about being gifted? It was a huge joke.

If he couldn’t even understand the basics, he was truly unsuited to learn from Ye Zheng. It would be better to return and find someone more capable.

Ye Zheng had no intention of wasting his time, and he asked Gu Mojiang not to waste theirs either. They were all busy people; no one had time to accompany a useless burden.

The rumors didn’t match reality—today, Ye Zheng had seen for himself. Everything had to be judged by facts.

In the future, when taking disciples, Ye Zheng decided to choose those who looked pleasing to him. Intelligence didn’t matter as much as appearance, obedience, and understanding—that was an advantage in itself.