Chapter 16 Apprentice of the Future

　　In the center of the building’s first floor was the main door—the only entrance. Flanking the door were two wooden plaques, on which a couplet was inscribed in gold characters.　　The first line (upper scroll) read: "No cold dwellings on earth, for spring abides always".　　The second line (lower scroll) read: "No fragrant neighbors in residence, yet virtue stands not alone".　　Above the door, a horizontal plaque bore the words: "Elegant Abode".　　Though Gu Moxun did not understand the couplet’s meaning, the Chinese characters were written in a bold, flowing style—vivid and forceful. Yet, he figured it must be something remarkable....　　He lingered outside, craning his neck to take in every detail of the ancient-style building, but the elder leading the way had already pushed open the wooden door and stepped inside. The teenager had no choice but to follow...　　Inside, the first floor’s style was no longer the ancient elegance of the exterior; instead, it was roughly the same as that of a laboratory. The hall was also cluttered with various