Chapter 38

Cheng Qian isn’t excited about that news at all. He has never been interested in boring things like contests or tournaments, because he considers them unnecessary.

As he grows older, his prideful heart was forged through doubts, and becomes even more set in its ways. Nowadays, in Cheng Qian’s eyes, there are only two kinds of people: those who are lesser than him in the present, and those who will be lesser than him in the future.

His back was starting to unbearably hurt. Cheng Qian doesn’t want to stay any longer. He says simply, “If there is nothing else, I’m leaving.”

“Wait, I’m not done with you yet. Stay there,” Yan Zhengming says. He then turns to Han Yuan. “Are you done with the daily thirty wooden talismans?”

Han Yuan: “…”

Seeing that, Yan Zhengming raises his eyebrow. “Then what do tournaments or contests have to do with you? Go and start working, quick!”

Han Yuan pales. He dares not say anything else.

Their sect leader is no longer like the past. From a dandy that did nothing but played around, he has become a dandy whose words have weight.

As if to be contrarian after the humiliation on the platform at Lecture Hall five years ago, he ignores everyone else’s opinion and makes an incomprehensible decision. He insists on keeping the Fuyao Sect’s tradition of using the recitation of scriptures as the gateway exercise for beginners, and of cultivating energy by carving talismans. Even if they have little choice and have to begin cultivating their base energy like everyone else, they have to spend extra time on these two tasks.

As explanation, Yan Zhengming said with some self-mockery, “At this age, I have nothing to commend myself besides the face granted by my parents. What right do I have to change the thousand-year tradition of our sect? Furthermore, even if our sect tradition looks nonsensical, it’s still a legacy of our Master.”

This last line was what convinced Cheng Qian, the only one among them who objected to their sect leader’s attitude of dropping the fight as soon as the battle began.

Li Yun historically had opinions but no fortitude to back them up. As soon as someone made the decision, he’d follow. As for Han Yuan, he didn’t even have opinions. Thus the matter was settled.

After five years, this decision, which looked silly at first glance, turned out to be correct.

After absorbing qi, it isn’t simple to build up an energy base. Once the cultivation path starts, the practitioner has to undergo a bottleneck period every three years, each time is like a lesser heavenly tribulation. With the slightest mistake, the cultivation level may stagnate for several years. Or worse, the practitioner may have a qi deviation.

A mortal, once they set their foot on the endless path of cultivation, has to undergo such challenges to refine themselves time and time again.

Back then, Muchun Zhenren never urged his disciples to build up their energy bases. Had it not been for his sudden death, the disciples would likely still be chewing on the scriptures and talismans in the Hall for the Teaching of the Tao for many more years. This process is very tedious, in addition to yielding no visible results. However, with the daily exercise, the meridians will be highly developed and fortified.

The idea is indeed, “sharpening the knife so that there won’t be trouble cutting the wood.”

On that basis, once the time is right and the disciple begins to build up the energy base per the conventional practice, even if there is no extraordinary progress, the process will be much faster, and the bottleneck period will also be relatively less painful.

Unfortunately, how many people in the world would spend years to sharpen the knife when the wood in front of them is seemingly so easy to get?

After reprimanding Han Yuan, Yan Zhengming waves at Cheng Qian to follow him, then walks outside.

Puddle, who is squatting in the middle of the yard, greets Yan Zhengming as he emerges like a saviour, as if she were a bird that had been caged for a long time.

Everytime he sees her, Yan Zhengming feels like he is looking at himself all those years ago. A sudden parental sentiment rising in his heart, he flicks his fingers and sends out a waft of force at the spell around Puddle’s feet. A hole appears in that tightly wrought ring of spell. The energy inside immediately leaks out, creating a little whirlwind on the spot.

Thus liberated, Puddle immediately sits down on the ground. Using a wild tone learnt from somewhere, she wails, rocking back and forth, “Oh my gooood, this old woman is tired to death.”

Yan Zhengming stops upon hearing that. Sensing trouble, Puddle hastily stands up, using her dirty hands to dust off herself. She tries to be clever with that untidy appearance. “Ahaha thank you, most senior brother.”

This action makes Yan Zhengming’s eyes twitch. He can’t stand it any longer and walks off, saying to Cheng Qian, “If she turns out to be like Tang Wanqiu, I’ll have to expel her from the sect.”

“That won’t happen,” Cheng Qian consoles him. “She is after all the daughter of the yao queen. I heard that usually the children from adultery don’t look too ugly.”

Sect Leader Yan: “…”

He doesn’t feel any better about it.

Yan Zhengming pushes open the door of his room. Face chilly, he tells Cheng Qian to get in with a tilt of his chin. Cheng Qian stays at the door for a little while. Even if the scent of perfume in Yan Zhengming’s room has faded significantly after Yu-er left, Cheng Qian still sneezes as usual once the door opens.

He rubs his nose and looks at the flower branch on the table, which is kept forever fresh and fixed there with a spell. He inwardly sighs at the incurable fancy taste of his sect leader and senior brother, feeling that he can’t ever stand it.

Zhe Shi stands up and says, “Sect Leader.”

“I don’t need you for now. You can go,” Yan Zhengming says, “Tomorrow after the lecture, tell Xue Qing to go meet me. I have a task for him.”

Zhe Shi obeys and gets out. Yan Zhengming closes the door and crosses his arms. Leaning against the door, he tells Cheng Qian, “Take off your clothes.”

Cheng Qian: “…”

“Quick,” Yan Zhengming says expressionlessly, “You want to wait for me to strip you?”

Cheng Qian says, “I don’t…”

Seeing his stubborn attitude, Yan Zhengming keeps his words and steps forward, planning to “execute the criminal on the spot”.

Seeing that he is determined to pursue the matter, Cheng Qian has no other choice than to reluctantly take off his belt. He intentionally disgusts Yan Zhengming by saying, “Most senior brother, I haven’t bathed for three days. You don’t mind that?”

In a rare exception, Yan Zhengming doesn’t react to that. He pulls off the messy robe on Cheng Qian’s body. There is a large bruise that spans from the left shoulder to the right side of the hips, which has turned black. The sign of broken veins surrounds the bruise like a spider web, making a chilling sight on the pale back of the youth.

Besides, there are many scars on Cheng Qian’s body. Some of them are still new, the others have nearly faded. Although being able to absorb qi doesn’t necessarily mean the person can live without food or escape bodily functions, the qi still helps the body to be less easily marred than mortals’. Injuries won’t leave any scar, unless they haven’t completely healed yet.

Yan Zhengming has to avert his eyes with just a glance. He feels like someone just smashed his chest, and even his back throbs in a sympathy pain.

An unreasonable anger against Cheng Qian rises in his heart. He has to take several deep breaths to keep it under control.

“Get on the bed, your belly down,” Yan Zhengming says. Even with his effort to control his temper, he can’t resist adding. “If you were two years younger, I’d certainly beat you until our Master couldn’t recognise you, you rascal!”

Cheng Qian tries to turn his neck several times but is unable to. He has no other choice than to lie down and let his most senior brother rub the poultice on him. At the same time, he still tries to find an excuse for himself. “These bruises look bad but are nothing… Ouch!”

“Nothing?” Yan Zhengming’s voice gets chillier.

Cheng Qian dares not provoke him anymore. He buries his face in the blanket and tries to bear the pain.

The demon vanquishing baton carries celestial killing energy. If the user hadn’t been such an amateur and thus deployed less than a tenth of its power, that thing could have easily smashed Cheng Qian’s organs.

The angry words already rise to his lips, but in the end Yan Zhengming can’t say anything. After everything he has been through, Yan Zhengming belatedly makes up for the thoughtlessness of his earlier life.

With his newfound awareness, Yan Zhengming knows too well the cause of the injuries, large or small, on Cheng Qian’s body...

Looking back, it has to be said that temporary anger and hurt pride aren’t enough to push him to last through all these years. Yan Zhengming can’t deny that it is this youngest disciple brother that pushes him so far.

Cheng Qian has never blamed his sect leader and senior brother for anything. His attitude from the beginning to the end is consistent: if you can do it then do it, if you can’t then I’ll do it for you, even if I’m torn apart.

To Yan Zhengming, each injury on Cheng Qian’s body is like a slap on his face, forcing him not to take even a short break.

In the most difficult hours when Yan Zhengming can’t sleep all night, it is this disciple brother that features in his nightmares.

Yan Zhengming’s blanket has a pleasant scent that helps calm the mind and settles deep in the body. Having waited for an opportunity by the site of the Crow Nest Grass for several days, Cheng Qian really is tired. After just a few minutes lying down, he doesn’t want to move anymore.

When he is done with rubbing the medicine, he can’t resist this thought when looking at the increasingly thinner waist of the youth in front of him: It’s me who wears the sect leader seal. Even if I’m nothing, there is still Li Yun. Even Han Yuan is older than you. Why can’t you be like Puddle, having no worry through the days? Why do you have to push yourself like this? What are us senior brothers to you?

He can say these words to just about everyone. However, when facing the face that looks tired once his control loosens of Cheng Qian, he can’t let any word out.

All these years when they lived together, even a ‘thank you’ will make Yan Zhengming cringe. Such big words are even more unnecessary.

Such feelings crashing like waves in his heart, in the end Yan Zhengming awkwardly reminds his disciple brother. “Zhou Hanzheng has returned, but he won’t stay for long. Whatever happens, you should let it go. Don’t put yourself out there. Do you hear me?”

Cheng Qian sleepily says something. Obviously the reminder is like a wind that passes by his ear.

Looking closer, Yan Zhengming realises the rascal has closed his eyes. Cheng Qian ducks his head a little, his eyelashes slightly fluttering. There are dark rings under his eyes. What little childlikeness that remains is masked by the exhaustion.

Yan Zhengming sighs and puts away the poultice. Saying nothing else, he gently unties Cheng Qiang’s hair bun, adjusts his clothes, and pulls up the blanket to cover him. Then he sits down next to the bed to keep watch.

However, after a while, Yan Zhengming can’t sit still, feeling that he can’t settle into the meditation trance without asking about this important issue. He resolutely pokes at Cheng Qian. “Hey, have you really not bathed for three days?”

Cheng Qian shows him an annoyed back.

In the present, Yan Zhengming no longer has the habits of the past. It’s become normal for him to use deep meditation to replace sleep. However, his trance is suddenly disturbed when it’s still dark outside, so he opens his eyes in the middle of the process.

The sun hasn’t risen yet. Cheng Qian is already gone, the blanket is still warm. Ever since Yan Zhengming knew Cheng Qian, the latter has never slept until morning.

Yan Zhengming sits in silence for a while. He concentrates his mind and thinks carefully, He wonders why his mind can’t settle, despite him being apparently not stuck anywhere. It is as if something is going to happen.

He lights up the lamp with a wave of his hand, then walks back and forth in the room several times. Then he takes out three coins and puts them under the lamp.

Yan Zhengming isn’t knowledgeable in the art of fortune telling. He saw his master do that one or twice, but whenever he asked, his master always refused to teach him, saying, “The idea of ‘capability’ is the gilt of the Tao and the root of ignorance1, this is an improper art. No need for you to know it.”

Something important is about to happen on Azure Dragon Island?

The three coins dance on his nimble finger tips. Yan Zhengming looks at them, then, letting his thoughts loosen, he sits down and recites the Scripture of Serenity in a low voice.

Zhou Hanzheng is indeed the star of unluckiness. As soon as he returns, something unpleasant happens.

The news Han Yuan brought back stands up to the test. The next day, a great tournament is announced at the Lecture Hall. Both the Left Guardian, who appeared then was nowhere to be seen, and the Right Guardian, who has the face of a creditor pursuing their debtor, are present. They declare that everyone who can perform qi absorption has to participate. If they don’t want to fight, they can concede their loss beforehand. Those who distinguish themselves can enter the main hall to attend lessons given by members of Azure Dragon Island, without having to become a disciple of the lord of the island.

In the middle of the endless announcement above, Cheng Qian doesn’t even look up. He focuses on carving a wooden talisman the size of a palm.

Yan Zhengming glances at it, then explains to Han Yuan, who is sitting next to him, “That’s a ‘puppet charm’, which can bear the disaster for the carrier one time. It’s one of the great seven charms among the visible ones. It has one hundred and eight strokes in total; the strokes have to performed one after another; no stroke can be cut off in the middle; no mistake is allowed. See, just a little mistake and the charm is ruined.”

The tip of Cheng Qian’s burin is stuck in something, causing spiritual energy to leak out. Han Yuan, who is nearby, feels a gust of cold and wet energy fly into his face and dissipate in the air. He stares in awe.

Yan Zhengming lazily leans to a side. Patting Cheng Qian’s shoulder, he comments, “You dare to try the seven great charms after just six years of qi absorption. You sure like to create pressure for other people.”

Cheng Qian throws away the wooden talisman and puts down his burin. He sits up straight and regulates his energy.

Yan Zhengming continues his explanation to Han Yuan. “Mistakes happen, sometimes because the carver isn’t skilled enough, sometimes because that person runs out of energy. In this case, your Third Brother indeed doesn’t have enough energy. Little Copper Coin, why do you want to carve this?”

Cheng Qian answers vaguely. “I want to try it once.”

Yan Zhengming quickly discovers why he wants to try once.

When everyone excitedly discusses the grand tournament of Azure Dragon Island, Yan Zhengming takes Xue Qing to the dock of the island.

“Try to be quick,” Yan Zhengming says, “You should go to Fuyao Mountain first, then my family. Check if there is something about to expire on the mountain and take it with you. Feel free to use my share.”

Xue Qing has become a young man. He acts even more maturely, carefully taking note of every order with a nod.

“That’s all, you can…”

“Xue Qing-ge, wait!”

While they talk, a flying horse glides close to the ground towards them. Before the horse stops properly, Cheng Qian jumps down. His clothes and hair are messy, probably because of the sea wind. He still breathes heavily as he lands.

Xue Qing has a mellow and quiet personality, and he cared for Cheng Qian very thoughtfully when the latter was a child. Compared to the official most senior brother Yan Zhengming who regularly caused trouble, Xue Qing was more like a reliable older brother. He and Cheng Qian are still close.

Xue Qing smiles at Cheng Qian. “I’ll return in just a few days. Take better care of yourself, Third Disciple Brother.”

“Yes, I know,.” Cheng Qian nods. Then he takes out a brocade pouch from his robe and gives it to Xue Qing. “I was worried that I didn’t make it in time. Please take this with you. Be careful when you travel.”

Being ignored, Yan Zhengming peers at the object and asks, “What do you have to get here in a haste to give him?”

Xue Qing opens the pouch and takes out the small talisman inside. Yan Zhengming is stunned. It’s a completed puppet charm.

Cheng Qian says with some embarrassment, “I don’t have enough power for it so I failed repeatedly. After struggling for days I can only manage this one. It’s better than nothing. You still have to be careful though. Afterall, it’s made by me. If you encounter someone more powerful than I, it’ll be just a useless piece of wood.”

Xue Qing hastily says, “I know. Thank you, Third Disciple Uncle.”

Yan Zhengming is very unhappy. He thinks, There is none for me. All my effort to raise this brat, yet he has never carved a single flute for me. He tries so hard to make a puppet charm, only to give it to someone else. How can it be?

However, as a sect leader, he can’t kick up a fuss without any reason against his servant and his disciple brother. Yan Zhengming has no other choice than to assume a serious appearance and solemnly remind Xue Qing to try and return quickly. After Xue Qing is gone, he doesn’t even spare Cheng Qian a glance and turns away in a sulk.

However, after just two steps, Yan Zhengming realises that Cheng Qian is still looking at the departing boat, seemingly lost in thought and not paying any attention to him. Therefore, Sect Leader Yan goes back and waits a while. When Cheng Qian turns from the sea with a heavy heart, Yan Zhengming seizes the opportunity and makes a loud hmph, then walks away from the uncomprehending eyes of his disciple brother.

Cheng Qian looks around. As he doesn’t see anyone else present, he concludes that that hmph of Yan Zhengming was directed at himself.

Not understanding what’s going on, he asks, “Most senior brother, what’s wrong with you again?”

Not sparing him a glance, Yan Zhengming keeps on walking. Cheng Qian really doesn’t know what bothers him, and wishes to just ignore it. However, his sect leader and senior brother is very troublesome when he sulks. To avoid being bossed around like a servant, Cheng Qian has to follow him.

Leaving the horse behind, the two of them, one leading, one chasing, walk back to their home. At this point, Cheng Qian is beyond caring which wires of his most senior brother are crossed, he just follows because there is nothing else to do.

Yan Zhengming slams the door and leaves him outside.

The scene isn’t anything really new to Puddle, who is flipping through the Scripture of Serenity in boredom in the yard. Normally, when the most senior brother and the second brother talk to each other, they negotiate with each other properly, almost like adults. The fourth brother on the other hand isn’t any different from her, very rarely daring to cross the most senior brother. Only the third brother shows the attitude of “I haven’t done anything”, pissing off the most senior brother to the point of not caring about appearance.

Not having anything better to do, Puddle drawls, “Wow, tell me what trouble that little villain caused again.”

Cheng Qian walks towards her and pats her head. He then draws a ring of spell around her and says in a soft voice, “Recite the scripture thirty times and it will disappear. Don’t stare at me like that. Even the ‘little villain’ can’t help you.”

Puddles feels like a moth that flew too close to the flame.

Cheng Qian leisurely returns to his room. As soon as he opens the door, the smile on his face freezes. He immediately turns back and sweeps his gaze around the building. However, there is no one else besides Puddle, who is reciting the scripture in a low voice.

Cheng Qian stops for a moment. His hand on the wooden sword hanging on his waist, he carefully walks in and closes the door. It’s obvious that someone entered the room and left behind something.

It’s a sword. A real sword, not a wooden one.

There is a glow that peeks out from the inside, as if there is a spirit in the sword.

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1. The idea of ‘capability’ is the gilt of the Tao and the root of ignorance: From Lao Zi's Dao De Jing, the fundamental text of Taoism.