The process of the disciple-acceptance ceremony was actually quite simple. The disciple would kowtow to their master, and then offer tea. If the master agreed to accept them, they would bestow a cup of wine upon the disciple. Once the wine was finished, the ceremony was complete, and a master-disciple relationship was established.
Therefore, according to the procedure, if one wished to poison Lu Wuming alone, it would have been sufficient to tamper with the wine. This would only harm Lu Wuming and have no effect on Liu Buli whatsoever, which was the Grand Elder's original plan.
However, the old man pondered for an entire day, and the more he thought, the more he felt that Liu Buli had completely slipped out of their control. If he were to continue as the Sect Master of the Pill Sect, many of their carefully laid plans would have to be altered.
The puppet, who had been sitting idly on the Sect Master's seat, showing signs of movement, was something no one wanted to see.
Thus, it would be better to eliminate him directly, and everyone would be happy.
The Grand Elder felt increasingly that his reasoning was sound, so he summoned his subordinates and arranged for poison to be added to both the tea and the wine cups.
Since Liu Buli wanted to protect that monster, let him die with the monster.
The Pill Sect could not keep him, and no one wished for him to live.
He was certain that after this disciple-acceptance ceremony concluded, no one would even bother to investigate the full story.
The useless would sink into the mud, while he would become the new person in power.
This was the correct development of events.
The Grand Elder felt smug about his arrangements.
He completely failed to realize that his actions had steadily and ruthlessly crossed Lu Wuming's bottom line.
Lu Wuming had never been so angry before.
Even when he had been dismembered and burned in his previous life, he hadn't felt much rage. After all, eternal life had felt more like a curse to him; perhaps death was the true release.
But now, it was different.
He had found his light, and he no longer wished to die. The curse of eternal life had transformed into his greatest pride, for it meant he could always remain by his light's side, without the fear of being separated by time and lifespan.
Therefore, anyone who sought to take away his light was deserving of death.
Lu Wuming was entirely indifferent to the Grand Elder's desire to kill him.
But first, the Grand Elder had framed his master, and now he intended to kill his master. Step by step, he was trampling on Lu Wuming's boundaries, and this man was truly tired of living.
The killing intent in Lu Wuming's eyes grew fiercer, and his fingers unconsciously sharpened into blades. He gritted his teeth, staring ahead, and slowly said to Liu Buli, "Master, the reasons are more than sufficient. May I go and kill him?"
It was a question, but it sounded more like a declaration.
Liu Buli was certain that if he merely nodded now, Lu Wuming would unhesitatingly leave to kill, and the Grand Elder likely wouldn't even make it back to his own courtyard.
But it couldn't be like this.
Liu Buli squeezed Lu Wuming's cheek forcefully, furrowed his brows, and put on an unhappy expression. He said, "Wuming, have you forgotten everything I told you?"
Lu Wuming blinked.
He had indeed forgotten.
All he wanted now was to go and kill that old scoundrel, flay him, gouge out his eyes and tongue, and let him know what words absolutely could not be spoken.
Seeing his expression, Liu Buli guessed that his mind was clouded by anger. Shaking his head, he sighed, "Wuming, I want you to live in the sunlight, so you don't need to do these bloody deeds. I don't even want you to see them, they are too dirty and would tarnish your eyes. Leave everything to me; I will make him pay the price and regret these decisions."
As he spoke, as if concerned that Lu Wuming might disobey and pursue the killer, Liu Buli took his hand and forcibly led him back into the room.
That night, when Liu Buli slept, he pulled Lu Wuming into his embrace. He used this method to restrain the youth, preventing him from getting his hands dirty with blood.
Lu Wuming leaned into his embrace, his eyes slightly open.
His light was going to be stained with blood for him.
Would that blood tarnish his light?
No, his light would become even more brilliant, more dazzling, more…
Desirable.
Lu Wuming closed his eyes and snuggled closer into Liu Buli's arms twice more.
The arm around him tightened slightly.
The two drew closer, and Lu Wuming listened to the heartbeat emanating from Liu Buli's chest. The anger in his chest finally subsided somewhat, and before long, he fell into a deep sleep along with his master.
The next morning, the disciple-acceptance ceremony began.
Liu Buli, clad in ceremonial robes and wearing his crown, was dressed with unusual solemnity. He sat in the main seat, watching as Lu Wuming was led into the grand hall.
The intermediate procedures were filled with tedious pronouncements. The Grand Elder, holding the sect's rules, droned on and on. Liu Buli, in his memory, had heard it too many times to recall; it was nothing important, and he couldn't be bothered to listen.
Lu Wuming stood below the stage, his gaze fixed intently on Liu Buli above.
He felt as if his master were an immortal.
No matter what he wore, or what the occasion, he was always so beautiful, exquisitely so.
As for the etiquette and regulations of the disciple-acceptance, he heard none of it.
He had no interest in what others said, nor did he want to hear it. After all, it was all meaningless; anything spoken by anyone other than his master was utter nonsense.
When the Grand Elder's rambling finally concluded, he waved his hand, signaling for attendants to bring the tea.
Both of them knew there was something wrong with the tea, but Liu Buli hadn't specifically told Lu Wuming what to do the previous night. As the Grand Elder's confidant brought the tea before them, Lu Wuming was worried when he heard Liu Buli speak, saying slowly, "Wait."
Everyone present froze.
Lu Wuming was the first to smile. He lowered his head, hiding the expression on his face, pretending to know nothing, and quietly awaited Liu Buli's next move.
The Grand Elder frowned and asked, "Sect Master, do you have some reservations about this new disciple? The ceremony is only halfway through; halting it now is against the rules."
Liu Buli let out a scoff and lazily replied, "It is against the rules, but which rules are being broken? If it's the rules of our Pill Sect's disciple-acceptance, then those rules were established by the Sect Master. Just as those past Sect Masters had the right to set them, I, as the current Sect Master, have the right to change them. Grand Elder, wouldn't you agree?"
The Grand Elder was rendered speechless by his words.
After a long pause, he finally asked, "Then… Sect Master, how do you intend to change the rules?"
"It's very simple," Liu Buli said with a smile. "The Grand Elder has worked hard for this ceremony for so many years; it's time he received a proper reward. Today, this first cup of tea is for the Grand Elder. Drink it now."