Chapter 176: Boredom Means There's Nothing to Talk About
(This is just the chapter for the wee hours.)
At dawn, the three of them set out on their journey, facing the wind and snow. Chen Ping'an, leading the way, finished a set of stance practice and suddenly stopped.
The pink-dressed girl asked softly, "Master, are you thinking of someone?"
The blue-dressed boy said lazily, "In this damn weather, Master might be looking for a scenic place to take a dump, at least so his butt won't freeze."
The pink-dressed girl said angrily, "Disgusting!"
The blue-dressed boy sighed, "Good advice is hard to swallow."
----
In the Nanjian Kingdom, where both Daoists and scholars were known for their elegance, this year was especially lively, as a grand ceremony had just come to a close.
At the border of the Nanjian Kingdom, behind a towering mountain that pierced the clouds, deep within the forest, along a secluded path, a young Daoist nun walked slowly. She held a green bamboo branch in her hand, twirling it gently with her fingers. Behind her followed a spirited and extraordinary white elk.
A white-clad man with a sword hanging at his waist walked alongside her, his expression gloomy.
She said helplessly, "I've told you more than once that it's not that I definitely wouldn't like you just because you're only at the lower fifth realm, but it's also not that I'd definitely like you just because you reach the upper fifth realm. Wei Jin, there's really no possibility between you and me. Why won't you give up? Otherwise, tell me, how can I make you give up?"
For a Daoist nun devoted to cultivation to speak so bluntly and explicitly, it seemed the man had been pestering her relentlessly, causing her some annoyance.
The man was none other than Wei Jin, the genius sword cultivator from the Immortal Platform of Wind and Snow Temple.
Among those who cultivate on the mountains, so-called geniuses are actually ranked into different grades. A sword cultivator of the eleventh realm at such a young age, Wei Jin was unquestionably of the highest grade. His speed in breaking through realms far surpassed his peers.
Wei Jin looked dejected, far from the dashing figure one would expect of someone who had just broken through the threshold of the tenth realm. He smiled bitterly, "Is it because you have someone you like? For instance, that junior master uncle in your sect?"
The young Daoist nun stopped walking, turned to look at the Wind and Snow Temple sword cultivator who had already become famous across the continent, and laughed in exasperation, "Wei Jin, how can you be so unreasonable!"
Although Wei Jin showed no expression, he felt aggrieved inside and didn't know how to explain or make amends. For a moment, he remained silent. Even in such a disheartened state, with his clothes wrinkled, in the eyes of others, no matter where he casually stood, he was still the most vibrant sword under heaven.
It was just a pity that this 'others' didn't include the young Daoist nun before him.
A sword heart as clear and pure as glass doesn't necessarily mean one truly understands human affairs, especially matters of love and affection, which are the most unreasonable things under heaven and can be particularly vexing.
Wei Jin said softly, "He Xiaoliang, I'll ask you just one last question."
She nodded, "Go ahead and ask."
Wei Jin hesitated for a moment, then turned his gaze elsewhere, his voice hoarse, "You value fate and destiny the most. So if one day you finally meet someone who is fated to be with you, even if you don't actually like him in your heart, would you still choose to become his Dao companion for the sake of the Great Way?"
A profound silence fell.
It was as if even the formless wisps of wind between heaven and earth had frozen at that moment.
The young Daoist nun smiled, "Yes."
Wei Jin's eyes dimmed completely. Still not daring to look at the woman he had fallen in love with at first sight, he said with reddened eyes, "Even if you become what the world sees as a blissful immortal couple, you wouldn't be happy. He Xiaoliang, I'm not lying to you. I don't want to see you unhappy."
The young Daoist nun let out a soft sigh. Though she showed a trace of sadness, her Dao heart remained firm as a rock, "Wei Jin, even if that day comes and my life is not as I wish, I would never regret it, much less turn around and come to like you, Wei Jin."
Wei Jin murmured, "Is that so?"
The young Daoist nun turned and walked away.
Wei Jin stood there for a long time, unwilling to move. She might not regret it, but he already regretted asking such a stupid question that hurt both himself and her.
A young Daoist emerged from the depths of the dense forest, accompanied by two fishes, one green and one red, swimming through the air.
Wei Jin withdrew his gaze. Only after Daoist nun He Xiaoliang had walked far away did he dare to stare at her receding figure.
Without looking at the golden boy of the current golden couple of Eastern Treasured Vial Continent, he said coldly, "If you say a single word, I will draw my sword and kill you."
Although the young Daoist held some wariness towards this eleventh-realm sword cultivator, and this forest was located right at the back mountain of the sect, he believed that Wei Jin might indeed draw his sword and kill at the drop of a word. However, the Daoist was completely unconvinced that he himself would die. So he sneered, "Can an eleventh-realm sword cultivator from Wind and Snow Temple act arrogantly in our Shengao Sect?"
The Daoist emphasized the word "sect" heavily.
On Treasured Vial Continent, there were three Daoist sects, among which the Shengao Sect in the Nanjian Kingdom was the most revered, serving as the central incense for the entire continent's Daoist tradition. Last time, when he accompanied He Xiaoliang down the mountain to the Lizhu Cave Heaven in the Great Li Dynasty, traveling northward, everywhere they went—whether it be worldly emperors and kings or various perfected beings and land immortals—without exception, they treated him and He Xiaoliang, this golden couple, with utmost courtesy, not daring the slightest negligence.
The Shengao Sect was located on the border of the Nanjian Kingdom, occupying the Clear Pool Blessed Land, one of the seventy-two blessed lands. The sect master, Qi Zhen, held the title of Perfected Lord of four kingdoms, had boundless Daoist magic, and was one of the few genuine immortals on Eastern Treasured Vial Continent. Although the Shengao Sect was a subordinate sect of their Daoist lineage, when Qi Zhen visited the main orthodox sect in the Central Earth Divine Continent, he was still undoubtedly a figure of paramount importance.
And this golden boy happened to be the closed-door disciple of Sect Master Qi Zhen.
His fellow disciple, He Xiaoliang, studied under Xuanfu True Person. This senior, who was aloof from worldly strife, differed from his junior sect master, Qi Zhen, in that he only accepted He Xiaoliang as his disciple. When He Xiaoliang first entered the Shengao Sect, she was not famous, showed no exceptional talent, and had no notable background. Only Xuanfu True Person took a liking to her at first sight. Later, it was proven that everyone else had been wrong, and only Xuanfu True Person had found an unparalleled uncut jade. Without much need for carving from his master, He Xiaoliang, with her deep fortune and blessings, rose rapidly, breaking through realms so quickly and encountering such good fortune that the entire sect was stunned.
And the golden boy and golden girl of Eastern Treasured Vial Continent had a high likelihood of becoming Dao companions, even if they were not from the same sect. Their respective sects often looked favorably upon such unions.
In the nearly thousand-year history of Eastern Treasured Vial Continent, including themselves, there had only been three instances of a golden couple like him and He Xiaoliang being disciples of the same master. In all previous cases, they had become Dao companions who jointly ascended to the upper five realms.
So he didn't want to become the first exception.
Wei Jin turned to look at the young Daoist and suddenly felt a sense of weariness, "You're not qualified for me to draw my sword. Your master, Qi Zhen, might be close."
An eleventh-realm sword cultivator had combat power equivalent to a twelfth-realm qi refiner outside the military path—this was common knowledge.
Moreover, the sect master of Shengao Sect had been stuck at the peak of the eleventh realm for many years. The reason they held a celebration this year was to celebrate his breakthrough. So Wei Jin and Sect Master Qi Zhen had both broken through realms not long ago. If they were to fight on neutral ground, the outcome would be uncertain.
But this was Shengao Sect's territory, with numerous formations and also a Perfected Lord's domain. Qi Zhen, enjoying every advantage of time, place, and people, could by no means be regarded as an ordinary early-stage twelfth-realm cultivator.
The young Daoist laughed, "Not qualified, so what?"
For Wei Jin, who had just been doused with cold water by He Xiaoliang again, this remark was utterly wounding.
So Wei Jin said calmly, "Take this."
The young Daoist couldn't even see Wei Jin draw his sword. A sliver of sword qi, no longer than an inch, cleaved down towards his head.
Just as it seemed he would lose a life-preserving charm, the young Daoist saw a fair, jade-like warm hand reach out above his head, grabbing that terrifying sword qi that had torn through the air.
Then, a hint of blood scent rose in the air, incongruous with the peaceful, serene forest.
Wei Jin glanced at the uninvited guest, released the sword hilt, and slowly walked away, leaving only one sentence, "Take care of yourselves."
A Daoist with a face like jade stood before the golden boy of Shengao Sect. He withdrew the hand that had blocked Wei Jin's sword qi, revealing a wound on his palm deep enough to see bone.
The Daoist said warmly, "Those who follow the Way should focus on cultivating the mind. Why bother with petty quarrels?"
The golden boy of the Daoist lineage said respectfully, "Uncle, I know I was wrong."
The elegant and refined Daoist smiled and scolded, "Admit your mistakes and correct them. Don't just admit them with your mouth."
The young Daoist, with the two fishes swimming beside him, said shamefacedly, "Uncle, I really do know I was wrong. I will definitely change."
The Daoist called "uncle" was actually not old, appearing less than thirty. He smiled, "If you don't want to change, I can't help it either. After all, your master is my senior sect brother."
The golden boy had a headache. He was most afraid when his uncle talked like this. In fact, even Sect Master Qi Zhen would probably feel uneasy.
He immediately put on a pitiful face, "Uncle, I'll go copy a volume of 'Green Words Green Manuscript' right away."
The Daoist nodded, "You can transcribe 'Fanlu Pian'. Submit it to me in three days."
The golden boy hurried away looking miserable, clearly meaning three days and three nights. What a hardship, what a hardship.
The Daoist took a step and instantly appeared beside a lotus pond, standing next to He Xiaoliang. He asked directly, "The Great Way often contradicts worldly customs and practices. After all, this is Haoran Heaven. Have you thought it through?"
He Xiaoliang gently patted the soft back of the white elk and nodded, "Uncle, I have thought it through."
The young Daoist nun's face darkened.
The Daoist looked at the pond full of lush green lotus leaves. In the dead of winter, beyond this mountain, countless lotus leaves had been killed by frost, but here they still stood gracefully, one after another, as if it were high summer. He said softly, "When it comes to that point, your uncle will stand by your side."
He Xiaoliang showed no gratitude whatsoever, but instead sighed emotionally, "The Great Way is truly merciless."
The Daoist hummed in agreement, "Indeed it is. For you to have such thoughts is a good thing for cultivation."
The reason he chose to stand on her side, opposing his senior brother Xuanfu, was not because he felt He Xiaoliang was pitiable, but because he stood on the side of the Great Way, and He Xiaoliang happened to be on that path. If one day the positions of master and disciple were reversed, he would make the same choice.
He Xiaoliang put aside those thoughts and asked with a smile, "Uncle, that fellow we jokingly call 'Lu Xiaoshishu'—just who is he? He's been lingering at the border of Nanjian Kingdom for nearly a year now."
The Daoist shook his head, "I can't calculate that person's origins. Since he's willing to address me as 'senior brother', and I lost to him at chess, I just let him be. I only calculated that in Lizhu Cave Heaven, he was the dead knot in that deadlock. But Qi Jingchun's approach was unexpected, leaving him no chance to act until the end. And he has some connection to the orthodox sect above the Shengao Sect. That's all I got. Anything more, I can't calculate."
Even He Xiaoliang felt a hint of chilling fear.
Qi Jingchun's final action, though quickly obscured from heavenly insight by various saints, He Xiaoliang had not only witnessed the beginning of that great battle but also felt its lingering resonance. Even when her understanding only reached the ripples at the shore after the great wave had crashed, it was enough to shock her deeply. At the same time, it strengthened He Xiaoliang's resolve to pursue the Way.
The world is so vast, and the lofty figures are so towering. Why shouldn't I, He Xiaoliang, walk there myself and see for myself?
The Daoist smiled, "Don't overthink it. The truth will come out when the water recedes."
After that, this Daoist, who was considered extremely senior throughout an entire continent, walked slowly along the lotus pond shore, lost in his leisurely thoughts.
He pondered some of the most natural things in the world: why does it rain, why are humans considered the most honored, why is there waxing and waning, why are there cave heavens and blessed lands, and so forth. These are all the boring things that everyone takes for granted. The reason they are boring is that if you try to discuss them with people, there's nothing to talk about.
He Xiaoliang watched from afar and felt inferior.
It had nothing to do with realm gap, nor with seniority gap.
It was that her uncle, still so young, had already traveled far along the Great Way, making it impossible for others to see his back. So naturally, one would feel ashamed of one's own inadequacy.
----
After buying a flask of wine at a street-side tavern, Wei Jin poured some into his palm. The white donkey lowered its head and drank quickly. Fortunately, the commoners here were used to seeing extraordinary sights. Even if a donkey talked, they wouldn't bat an eye.
Wei Jin withdrew his hand and started drinking himself. Leaving the tavern, he wandered aimlessly. The donkey trotted behind him.
After leaving the town at the foot of the Shengao Sect mountain, Wei Jin, who had always considered himself a Jianghu wanderer, still refused to fly on his sword. He got himself thoroughly drunk, swayed unsteadily, and sat on the donkey's back, letting it carry him wherever.
Mountains and rivers, repeated over and over.
Finally, he arrived at Fengyang, the capital of the Nanjian Kingdom. Like any ordinary person, he submitted his travel permit at the city gate before leading his donkey into the city.
Wei Jin was reeking of alcohol. He thought hard and remembered that he had a congenial Jianghu friend in Fengyang. About seven or eight years ago, they had traveled together. That man had mentioned he was the son of the leader of a major sect in Fengyang. So Wei Jin asked for directions to that sect, named the Xiongfeng Gang. Wei Jin recalled that the man had joked about it, saying his ancestors lacked education to choose such an inelegant sect name. Wei Jin had comforted him, saying that in the southern part of Treasured Vial Continent, there was a large immortal residence, passed down for a thousand years, with profound heritage, dominating a region, and with power comparable to a kingdom. But its founding patriarch had named it the Invincible Divine Fist Gang. Now that was truly pitiful. At every grand gathering, with immortals everywhere, the disciples all felt utterly disheartened.
Wei Jin walked slowly. By the roadside, there was a fortune-telling stall. A young Daoist in Daoist robe and crown was doing poor business. He was lying on the table, preaching to a child with a runny nose who was holding a sugar-coated hawthorn stick, "This world is pretty bad, but because of that, you can't think those good people who are kind and willing to suffer losses are fools."
The Daoist emphasized, "Actually, it's you who is the fool, you know?"
The expressionless child sniffled. The two lines of snot, like dragons emerging from a cave, mostly retreated back into the cave. Then he licked his sugar-coated hawthorn stick.
The Daoist said anxiously, "I'm talking serious business here. Why are you eating that?"
The child remained unresponsive, tilting his head and eating.
The young Daoist said earnestly, "Alas, you little brat, you really have no spiritual root. I kindly did a fortune reading for you, and I clearly divined that you and the neighbor girl are a match made in heaven. I didn't even charge you any copper coins! Isn't that generous enough? Why don't you know to be grateful? A sugar-coated hawthorn stick costs a few coppers at most? Is it worth more than a future wife?"
The usually dull and dumb child suddenly chuckled, "You think I'm stupid?"
Then the child turned and wobbled away, hopping, shouting, "Eating sugar-coated hawthorn sticks~"
The young Daoist slapped the table in pain, "Times are degenerating, and hearts are not what they used to be!"
Wei Jin passed by with a laugh. Suddenly he stopped, but didn't turn his head. He recalled the fortune-teller's attire and hesitated slightly.
The Daoist had already spoken with a smile, "Since we have fate binding us, why not meet?"
Wei Jin led his donkey and walked on.
The young Daoist said pitifully, "Life is hard. Why are the people of this Nanjian Kingdom so sharp? The folk customs are far from simple!"
He sat back on the stool indignantly, guarding the bamboo slip container on the table, holding his head in his hands, basking in the sun, rocking his neck back and forth, his Daoist crown wobbling along. He murmured to himself, "So boring, truly boring."
A pretty woman timidly approached and mustered the courage to ask, "Daoist, can you calculate marriage fate?"
The young Daoist quickly straightened his posture, "Absolutely! If the fortune isn't good, I won't charge."
The young woman was taken aback, then turned and left. She thought to herself, obviously a scam! Definitely a shameless charlatan. Come to think of it, in their Nanjian Kingdom, no Daoist would be this down-and-out. She shouldn't have tried for a cheap deal. Matters of marriage are too important. She should go to Pingfeng Lane to find a real Daoist for a reading. Even if the price is higher, it's better than being cheated. She felt a bit annoyed. That charlatan actually had a decent face, but why was he so unserious?
The young Daoist rubbed his face vigorously with both hands, dejected, "This life is unlivable. Truly, when fortune comes, heaven and earth unite in support. When luck leaves, even a hero is not free. Retribution is a swift thing."
Finally, the young Daoist sighed, "Ah, a gentleman can be deceived by kindness. Since you've been so open and honest, I, a poor Daoist, naturally won't take advantage excessively."
Muttering about closing shop, he busied himself, silently reciting, "Then let it be that the mountains are high and the rivers are long. Until we meet again, fate willing?"
But he soon shook his head, dismissing the thought. "Difficult."
----
On the southern border of Great Li, the wind and snow howled. One large and two small figures walked through a canyon.
Chen Ping'an was struggling with his stance practice. To maintain the unbroken flow of the stance, his breathing became increasingly difficult.
Each breath felt like countless knives rushing into his seven orifices, turning his face somewhat cyan.
The pink-dressed girl carrying the large book box asked, "Master, be careful not to overdo it. The book says haste makes waste. Master has been doing stance practice much longer than usual today."
Chen Ping'an just shook his head slightly without speaking, otherwise the breath he had built up would dissipate.
The blue-dressed boy deliberately lagged behind, calling out, "Dumb girl."
The pink-dressed girl turned to look. He waved at her and secretly pressed a finger to his lips, signaling silence.
She intended to ignore him, but the blue-dressed boy glared fiercely, scaring her into slowing down. Soon they were walking side by side.
The blue-dressed boy's face was dark, and he said nothing.
The pink-dressed girl was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Maybe you should apologize to Master?"
The blue-dressed boy flew into a rage. Remembering to keep his voice down, he stomped his foot and said, "Apologize?! You dumb fire python girl, did a river flood into your brain?"
The pink-dressed girl was so scared she didn't dare say anything more.
After hesitating, the blue-dressed boy asked, "Do you think Master holds grudges? Will he have reservations about me in his heart?"
She shook her head, "Master won't."
He looked unconvinced, "Really?"
"Really!"
The pink-dressed girl started out confidently, but quickly added two more words, hesitantly, "...right?"
The blue-dressed boy was furious. His body radiated restlessness and annoyance. He wished he could manifest his true form and smash the valley walls on both sides. But in the end, he gritted his teeth and forced a stiff smile, "I'll go kowtow and apologize to Master!"
The pink-dressed girl looked bewildered, "Huh?"
Soon, the blue-dressed boy returned, looking sick and disheartened.
The pink-dressed girl asked doubtfully, "What happened?"
The blue-dressed boy suppressed his anger, "Don't ask!"
Finally, he plopped down on the ground, with a mournful face, "This lord didn't even dare to open his mouth. I don't even know why. Tell me, isn't it infuriating?"
The pink-dressed girl looked at the back that kept moving forward slowly, then turned back to the blue-dressed boy sitting on the ground. She crouched down, "I roughly understand what Master is thinking. Do you want to hear it? If not, I won't say. But if you want to hear, you must promise that after hearing it, you won't get angry, and especially that you won't eat me!"
The blue-dressed boy said weakly, "Agreed, agreed. Just say it."
The pink-dressed girl looked very serious and whispered secretively to the blue-dressed boy, "If your original intention was to let that boy know the harshness of the world, then you were right. Maybe Master would even apologize to you. But if your intention was just to have fun and speak hurtful words casually, even if the outcome of your actions was good, Master would still think... it's not quite right. These are just my random thoughts, not certain. They might not be Master's actual thoughts. Actually, I think it's best if you talk to Master yourself."
The blue-dressed boy listened, stunned. Then he murmured, "Of course I just wanted to have fun. Whether that boy lives or dies, what's it to me?"
The pink-dressed girl said helplessly, "Then I can't help you."
The blue-dressed boy suddenly asked, "So, do you think I was wrong?"
She hesitated.
He snorted coldly, "Tell the truth!"
She shifted direction, using her small book box to face their master, hiding herself under it as if that would give her the courage to speak. "I think Master definitely wasn't wrong. But you don't need to care too much about Master's opinion. Actually, Master doesn't care whether you care about his opinion. If you think that way, things become very simple."
The blue-dressed boy nodded thoughtfully, "Go on."
The pink-dressed girl's voice grew even softer, "Besides, we're both cultivating. Our realms are already much higher than Master's. If you cultivate better and faster, maybe one day Master will realize he was wrong. After all, Master personally told me that if he's wrong about something, I should tell him directly. He doesn't think his reasoning is always right forever. That's what I like most about Master!"
At the end, the pink-dressed girl beamed, full of joy.
The blue-dressed boy rolled his eyes, "I already told you, cultivation depends on talent, not hard work."
"Here you go again. No wonder Master doesn't like you." The pink-dressed girl stood up and quickened her pace to catch up with Chen Ping'an.
The blue-dressed boy stretched out one hand and quickly condensed a snowball. He stuffed it into his mouth and chewed viciously.
He walked and thought.
Half of him wanted to punch that utterly boring boy master to death, to finish it once and for all, to see the mistake through to the end.
But at the same time, he wanted to hold his nose and make an insincere apology. He just couldn't bring himself to say it, unwilling to become as boring as that country bumpkin.
He couldn't help but look back.
The blue-dressed boy missed his homeland.
Here, with just himself and two others, there wasn't a single kindred spirit.
Back home, there were big bowls of wine, big chunks of meat, crowds of good friends, and quick vengeance for grievances.
There, there were no nagging rights and wrongs, no annoying damned principles, and no master who made him so unhappy and displeased.