Beginning

On the top of Mount Huang

A youth with long jet-black hair, pitch-black peach blossoms eyes, thin obscure chestnut eyebrows, a sharp and elegant face with a clear lined nose. 'He' wore light blue faded robes with wide sleeves, 'his' sleek black hair had been tied in a moderate ponytail, 'his' hands folded in the sleeves of his robes. 'He' was waiting, expecting because 'he' knew that a very important certain person would come and it would kick start 'his' plan.

Servant boys wearing dark green robes that had their sleeves folded up to their elbows, ran around the mountaintop, some carrying a tray with a message on it and some holding brooms as they dusted and swept dust and fallen leaves away. It was Autumn and leaves were falling.

Then that person came, it was a middle aged man with triangular snake eyes that had a tinge of green on it. He looked around for a while, stopping servant boys as they ran past him. Finally he spotted the youth standing over the cliff, admiring the sunset, figuring that 'he' probably knew the whereabouts of Great Scholar Lu as 'he' wore different clothes and wasn't doing anything.

"Greetings, may I ask if the Venerable Scholar is around?" asked the man as he cupped his hands politely and bowed. "Master is currently not around, he has gone to visit an old friend. May I know why you have come?" answered the young 'man' as he spun around to meet eye to eye with the man.

"Oh. I have come under the orders of Grand Tutor Wang to find the Venerable Scholar. May I ask who you are, honorable scholar?" replied the messenger courteously.

"Oh, so you have come under the Honorable Tutor's orders. You flatter me, I am no honorable scholar. I am only a mere disciple of the Great Scholar Lu, you can address me as Zhi Qiu, my achievements cannot quite match up to those of my seniors'. May I know what is this esteemed senior's name and your purpose for coming?" smiled Zhi Qiu light-heartedly in reply.

The messenger's eyes sparkled as though he had found some unseen treasure, after all, any disciple of the Great Scholar must be extraordinary. "This lowly one's name is Shang Wei. Ah, as gentleman Qiu might have already heard of, the Grand Tutor had recently found a successor and wishes that Venerable Scholar Lu might Tutor his son. But now that the Venerable Scholar has gone, I would like to ask if gentleman Qiu would like to take up this position?" he enquired shmelessly, he could not miss out on an excellent opportunity like this! It would be a waste if he did.

A hidden smile danced across 'his' lips, as predicted 'he' thought to 'himself'. "Of course, but I would like Mr Shang to forgive my inadequate skills." 'he' smirked in 'his' heart.

Time to return to the capital!