"You're way too bold!" Maya Summers frowned. "Do you know how many people have gotten lost in the maze of Wuyue Mountain, only to become nothing but bones?"
"But Auntie, you're guarding the mountain! Being in Wuyue Mountain is just like hanging out in my own backyard!" Grace said, totally forgetting how she was just spinning in circles, grinning wide.
"You little rascal!"
"Auntie, you're amazing! How did you become the Headmaster's personal disciple?"
Maya Summers smiled humbly. "Honestly, I don't really know. The Headmaster said I have a lot of talent. After studying with him for a while, I started to believe it—things other people take years to learn, I just pick up right away."
"Wow! So my aunt is a genius! Good thing Mr. Yuan discovered you, or you would've been totally wasted!"
"Yeah, I really owe Mr. Yuan," Maya said with feeling.
"Where is he? Is he doing okay?"
"I just saw him on the way here!" Maya glanced out the door. "There he is—over there!"
She called out to the old man sweeping outside with a big broom, "Pops! Pops! Come here!"
Mr. Yuan heard her calling, answered, dropped his broom, and walked over to them.
Why do you call him 'Pops'?
He insisted I call him Dad! I had no choice, so I settled for Pops. It means something like 'Old Dad'—close to 'Uncle,' but with a dad vibe. That kept him happy.
Just as she finished, Mr. Yuan walked in with a big grin. "Maya, did you call for me?"
Pops, look—do you recognize her?
The old man stared at Grace for a while, then shook his head. "Nope, don't know her."
"She's my niece, Grace! We even lived together for ages!"
"Grace..." Mr. Yuan squinted at her, then still shook his head. "Nope, don't know her."
Both of them couldn't help but laugh and let him go.
He went back outside to keep sweeping.
"He can't do much else, but at least he can sweep. Every day, he keeps this whole mountain spotless. Everyone here likes him," Maya said.
"That's good," Grace said with relief. "Seeing you all doing well at the Sigil Sect, I can finally relax."
"Let me take you to meet my master!" Maya said. "He's super nice, really kind to the younger generation."
"Okay," Grace nodded.
So Maya took her to meet the Headmaster of the Sigil Sect.
The current Headmaster's last name is Young.
He looked pretty old—white hair, white beard, dressed in wide-sleeved white robes, kind of like a benevolent old immortal.
"Master, this is my niece, Grace Zhu. She's a Spiritual Alchemist from the Eastern Alliance," Maya said.
"Greetings, Headmaster Young. I met you once at Blaze Summit," Grace said with a bow.
Headmaster Young looked at her and nodded. "Hmm... I do remember you. You're Elder Jonathan Hill's disciple, right? I heard you're already a Level Thirteen Spiritual Alchemist at such a young age. You're the most talented Spiritual Alchemist the Alliance has seen in years!"
Grace hadn't expected him to know her, and said shyly, "I didn't know my aunt was your disciple, so I didn't come pay my respects before. I hope you won't hold it against me."
"It's fine. Maya was in seclusion at the time, so I didn't bring her. I didn't know you two were related, so there's no blame," Headmaster Young said.
"Thank you, Headmaster, for valuing my aunt so highly."
...