The business car outside is waiting again—yesterday, when returning home, Chen Yan had already made arrangements with the driver to hire the car for the whole day today.
Following the address given by Chu Keqing, Chen Yan took Chuyi to the southern city district of Jinling Prefecture. This area is filled with traditional-style buildings, and despite just passing the New Year, the street still bustled with people.
Chu Keqing was already dressed neatly, standing outside a courtyard named [Cloud House] waiting.
Seeing Chen Yan’s car stop, Chu Keqing stepped back, and only after Chen Yan got out did she slightly bow.
Chen Yan tried hard to stay in character and waved his hand: "Xiaochu... hmm, Keqing, no need for such formalities."
However, Chu Keqing smiled and then stepped forward, extending both hands towards Chen Yan.
Chen Yan was puzzled; what does this mean?
Chu Keqing chuckled. Despite being thirty years old, the beautiful woman had a few girlish, playful expressions on her face, smiling as she said: "Since you are a senior, and I offer the courtesy of a disciple... Senior, it’s the New Year. Aprentice should receive a gift from you."
Chen Yan immediately understood—she was asking for a red envelope.
Hmm... sister, actually I am twenty-two. I worry you might get upset if you knew.
Chen Yan didn’t have cash or a red envelope, so he smiled and said: "Red envelopes are too common, but since I’m visiting, I won’t come empty-handed."
Saying that, he went to the trunk and brought out four frozen chickens.
"Homegrown produce from the countryside, all free-range chickens. Take them home for soup to nourish your body."
Chu Keqing smiled broadly—asking for a red envelope was just a high-spirited woman’s way of fostering relationships.
As long as the goal is achieved, whatever Chen Yan gives, she will be happy.
Not to mention four free-range chickens, even a handful of chicken bones would be happily received by her.
Chu Keqing took the chickens with a smile and handed them to her female assistant named Cai.
She then looked at Chuyi, standing silently next to Chen Yan, glanced him over, and nodded: "This is the individual you recommended for the Cloud Sect cultivation, right? The young man seems like a good candidate."
Saying this, Chu Keqing reached out her hand, and the assistant handed over a small redwood box. Opening it, there was an ancient bronze coin inside.
It was round outside and square inside, and the quality looked quite good.
A red string was threaded through, making it into a pendant.
Chu Keqing picked up the coin and said: "This is a token that all Cloud Sect disciples possess, as well as a guiding principle of our sect. The coin, round on the outside and square on the inside, is to remind our disciples that despite the world’s bustling and temptations, one must remain true to oneself."
She then looked at Chuyi. Chen Yan patted Chuyi, who understood and quickly stepped forward and bowed his head.
Chu Keqing placed the coin pendant on Chuyi’s head, pulling it down to his neck, stepped back to look, and nodded: "As someone recommended by the senior, I cannot have him formally apprentice under me. I am giving him this coin, thus making him a registered disciple of the Cloud Sect.
For ranking-wise, let’s consider him on the same level as me. I burned incense and prayed to our predecessor last night. By doing this, I am taking him on behalf of my teacher, and from now on in Cloud Sect, he will be my junior registered disciple."
Chen Yan kicked Chuyi lightly, who then respectfully nodded and called out: "Greetings, senior martial sister!"
Chu Keqing nodded and replied, "Yes, junior martial brother, greetings."
Afterward, Chu Keqing led the two into Cloud House, in the inner hall, she had Chuyi burn incense and kowtow to the memorial tablet of her teacher and then offered a cup of tea.
Chu Keqing, representing her teacher, took a sip of the tea, marking the completion of the ritual.
Since he is a registered disciple rather than an inner sect one, his name does not enter the inner sect records, so the ceremony quickly ended.
Chu Keqing then led the two out of Cloud House and walked southward on the traditional-styled street.
After several hundred meters, they arrived at a double-door courtyard entrance. Above the entrance hung a sign reading [Luoyun Academy].
"This is also part of our Cloud Sect assets, a meditation retreat. It regularly organizes Zen meditation activities for the public, where outer sect disciples and secular registered disciples come to practice. During meditation retreats, they eat and live here."
Chu Keqing smiled, inviting the two inside.
The first courtyard was about an acre in size, the buildings were all in traditional style with eaves and verandas, and two sides had annex rooms. The courtyard was paved with blue bricks, and the annex rooms on both sides served as lecture rooms and Zen rooms.
Walking through a moon gate on the left side to the back courtyard, they saw a few people strolling around. Despite their age, the youngest was middle-aged, one even had white hair.
These individuals had quite remarkable demeanors, and upon seeing Chu Keqing, they politely greeted with clasped hands, and Chu Keqing reciprocated the gesture before they slowly left.
"These are Zen meditation students." Chu Keqing explained with a smile.
"Their backgrounds are quite complex, aren’t they?" Chen Yan observed, commenting with a sigh: "Your Zen Meditation Academy, the entry barrier is quite high."
Chu Keqing smiled slightly without further explanation and continued leading the two inside.
"The side rooms are dormitories for meditation classes. As it’s just past the New Year, there aren’t many people yet." Chu Keqing took out a key and handed it to Chuyi: "Your dormitory is in room No. 4, Block A. I’ve arranged a single room for you.
Here, there is morning class daily as well as evening class, where our sect members teach basic breathing and meditation techniques. You follow along and learn these for a month, after which I will personally assess you. If you pass, I will personally teach you our sect’s Cultivation Technique.