The days pass.
Only Xiao comes to knock on the door of Jia Jingzi's pavilion. Obviously, he has stuck to his first choice—the jade pavilion. His master only answers him after a good five minutes, in a tired voice, forcing himself to speak loudly so as not to have to go to the door.
"Very well, the others will follow you too, I suppose." "Shizun, about that—" Xiao hesitated, leaving a pause before continuing, "No, nothing, rest now."
"Tell me. I also want to speak to the master of the Jade Pavilion before entrusting you. It's the least I can do. Give the final instructions so that you are treated well. He must know your tastes, how to handle you, your aspirations—" "Shizun," Xiao interrupted, his tone more confident and serious. "He's not taking the others. He's only taking me."
"...I have to convince him regardless."
Indeed, Xiao can hear noise in the pavilion, fabric, it sounds like Jia Jingzi is getting dressed in a hurry, this time he's putting on several robes to look more decent, he wants to make a good impression for the negotiations. He has enough energy to go that far. However, his disciple looks more upset when he comes out.
"Shizun, really, Ye won't accept. As for Chuang, he has other plans in mind, and even if he wanted to, it would be complicated for him to have another master. He didn't distinguish himself positively during the ritual or even afterward. Don't waste your energy on these two fools."
But Jia Jingzi seems determined, tying his hair into a slightly more elaborate bun than usual. His eyes meet those of his student. "Xiao. Know that as long as I am here, I will not abandon you. The same goes for your brothers. I will try to convince that grumpy old man to take all three of you. Chuang has a lot of potential, he is like a rough diamond, you just need to polish him a little to see his beauty."
[...]
The Jade Pavilion. Each pavilion is colored like a precious stone, and this one is no exception. It is the most elite pavilion in the sect, the one that trains the best of the best. Entering the Jade Pavilion means securing a bright future. But to do so, one must first go through hell in order to toughen up. The master there was therefore very strict. Jia Jingzi was not surprised that he did not want to take the other two; Xiao was the only one with a very good reputation.
On the other hand, Jia Jingzi had some concerns.
It had been a long time since the mirror had designated new apprentices for this pavilion, and all the disciples were a few years older than his little ones. They could be seen training rigorously in the courtyard, as all those who were not up to the task had given up and left the sect some time ago. An older disciple is even supposed to correct his juniors at the slightest misstep. And by correct—Jia Jingzi doesn't like what he sees.
"Are you sure you want to go?"
Xiao nods. "This disciple is not afraid of correction, his determination will not be weakened. He will become the best against all odds. But Ye and Chuang... as you can see, shizun, this is not an environment that will suit these two shidi."
Jia Jingzi pauses, hesitating to go and talk to the master further away who is watching the beating without flinching. He finally takes a step back and takes him by the hand. "No, I can't let you go there either." He can't help but see his own disciple in place of this student punished with wooden board blows—a horrible vision.
"Choose another one. I wouldn't have a clear conscience if you went there, and I don't want to separate you either."
"Then Shizun must choose for me. Shizun's choice is mine, and I will abide by it."
Jia Jingzi searches more anxiously for a new mentor, observing each shizun and each cultivation method, but each time, something doesn't sit right with him, often because it's too strict or because the disciples are put in too much danger in order to strengthen them. He paces nervously.
"Ah... I don't know, I don't know... it's a very important choice for you."
The boy watches him and decides to speak again: "Shizun, are you telling us everything about your condition? Is there really nothing we can do? You know, I pretty much agree with the others. I don't mind staying your disciple even if you're not as present as the others. I know how to train on my own."
"As I said before, you risk falling behind. What if, in my absence, you try to train harder to keep up and end up putting yourself in danger and getting hurt?" Jia Jingzi's grip tightens on his hand, and he lowers his eyes. "That's why I have to go against the mirror. There's not much else I can do."
"Do you really think Ye and Chuang won't put themselves in danger with other shizun?" Xiao added sarcastically, sounding more mocking before returning to a more serious tone. "Chuang is lazy, but sometimes he can be unpredictable. I don't know what he's thinking. As for Ye, honestly, he's a troublemaker. Did you see what happened earlier? He might attack the other disciples and become uncontrollable. I have my doubts about their ability to listen to another shizun. They want to help you. And I'm afraid you won't be able to reason with them."
"But they... they can't. No matter how many times I tell them..." The master sighed and ran a hand over his face. "They have to learn to listen. And Ye, he's too young, he'd definitely be tormented. He needs a mother or father figure to guide him, or both of you."
"Shizun, all you'll gain is..."
To antagonize them. Ye will leave, and Chuang will return home or end up in shady business with lazy people who want to make easy money. Well, at least he'd be rid of them—he doesn't want these burdens hindering his actions. "No, Shizun is right. I'll leave the choice up to you in that case."
"Hm... I wonder... if only..."
The master sighed again, taking a short break. This time, he had managed to walk around the entire sect without any problems. Wasn't it encouraging that he had been able to walk so far? It seemed that his concern for his young ones was what fueled him. "So... perhaps the Ruby Pavilion?"
Indeed, they are the least severe ones they have seen. However, if you read between the lines, the shidi seem to be afraid of their master. They fear him, but not to his face, which is quite strange. This pavilion has a rather good reputation, with no scandals having broken out.
"As you wish," Xiao concluded.
"I'll go talk to him first. I want to make sure he'll accept you first. Go get the other two while I talk to him, okay?"
Xiao looks troubled, knowing in advance that his task will be complicated. No, he'll have to lie outright, otherwise they won't come. He nods and leaves. When he returns, the two seem a little panicked when they are with him. To their surprise, their shizun is fine, contrary to what their shixiong had implied. Well, "fine"—let's say he's leaning on his bamboo cane, but that doesn't change much from usual. What has changed is that he is accompanied by another man—long black hair, serious expression, blind in his left eye—it is indeed the famous master of the Ruby Pavilion, known for having slain a powerful dragon spirit from a lake.
"Shidi. After much thought and deliberation, my decision has been made. The master of the Ruby Pavilion has agreed to take you under his wing, at least until the Thousand Reflections Trial, and perhaps longer, depending on your performance there."
So, if they win, they return to their pavilion and will be able to see their shizun, but if they lose or don't do well enough... they won't leave the Ruby Pavilion? Will they have to stay with this new master if they are good, but not first?
The man looks closely at the three disciples, but nevertheless nods to them.
"I have great respect for your master's accomplishments, and as such, I agree to complete your training where his affliction no longer allows him to do so. Tomorrow, you will be invited to the Ruby Pavilion. Pack your things tonight."