Chapter Twenty-Six: Three Months

Page (1/3)

(The update was supposed to go live at four o’clock, but I accidentally clicked 'paste' instead of 'copy,' and the entire manuscript vanished into thin air. The worst part was that I hadn’t saved it yet—utterly devastated, I could have cried. I hurriedly retyped everything, and finally managed to finish before five. Sent it off at once. A true gentleman would never be defeated by such trivial setbacks. There will be another update between eight and nine o’clock, so please look forward to it.)

The night passed swiftly, the moon retreating as dawn’s light spilled over the mountains, infusing the landscape with boundless vitality and freshness.

Lu Zhe yawned and rose from his seat atop a stone—it was his sixth night sleeping in the mountains, but today was different. Today, he would descend.

He glanced at Elder Ye, who sat cross-legged as always. For reasons unknown, Elder Ye always slept in this posture, but Lu Zhe had grown accustomed to it.

Lu Zhe softly called out a few times. Elder Ye slowly opened his eyes, looked at Lu Zhe, and said in a calm tone, “Let’s go.”

With that, Elder Ye stood from the rock, dusted off his robes, took up the emerald bamboo staff beside him, and began heading down the mountain.

Lu Zhe followed in silence, trailing behind Elder Ye.

They arrived at Clear Stream Town. Lu Zhe gazed at the bustling marketplace—though he’d only been gone for six days, the lively scene stirred a sense of nostalgia within him.

Lu Zhe followed Elder Ye down the main street, and the two of them wandered to the edge of a large courtyard.

Lu Zhe was not unfamiliar with the place—it was Old Six You’s courtyard.

At the gate, the same two guards who were there on Lu Zhe’s first visit stood watch. They recognized Lu Zhe but said nothing. Instead, they scrutinized Elder Ye with the same wary gaze they’d used that first time. The guard on the right stepped forward and blocked Elder Ye, asking, “May I ask what business you have here?”

Elder Ye, undisturbed by the obstruction, replied calmly from behind his green scarf, “I’m here to see your master.”

The guard nodded. “Please wait, I’ll inform him.”

He turned to go inside, but before he had even entered, Old Six You, Xue Ling’er, and Xue Fei’er came out from the courtyard.

Old Six You’s chubby face was lit by a broad smile as he approached Elder Ye. “Elder Third Ye, long time no see. How have you been?”

Elder Ye said nothing, his face mask shifting slightly, and Old Six You threw an arm around his shoulder, leading him inside.

Xue Ling’er and Xue Fei’er came to stand before Lu Zhe. Xue Ling’er looked him up and down, her bright eyes full of concern. “Are you alright?”

Lu Zhe managed a bitter smile. “What could possibly happen to me?”

Xue Fei’er bounded over in three skips, patted Lu Zhe’s shoulder like an old friend, and laughed, “Don’t worry, sister, he’s alive and well.”

Lu Zhe forced a smile, and under the jealous gaze of the two gate guards, followed the sisters into the courtyard.

Inside, Lu Zhe intended to go directly to the main hall to see his master, but Xue Ling’er insisted he visit the dining hall instead, claiming he'd eaten poorly in the mountains and needed a proper meal.

Lu Zhe tried to decline, but the sisters wouldn’t hear of it, and soon he found himself seated at the table.

Looking at the mountain of dishes before him, Lu Zhe gave a wry smile. Though he had been in the mountains, he hadn’t eaten badly at all. After each round of cultivation, he’d go hunting, always managing to catch a rabbit or a bird. He’d roast them over a fire at his training spot—though the taste was nothing special, it was enough to fill his belly.

Lu Zhe meant to eat just a little before going to the main hall, but the moment he sat, Xue Ling’er and Xue Fei’er began piling food into his bowl with reckless enthusiasm. Unable to refuse, he could only eat.

Page (2/3)

“Ugh,” Lu Zhe burped and rose from his chair, turning to Xue Ling’er and Xue Fei’er. “I should go see my master now.”

Without waiting for a reply, he hurried outside, but had only gone a few steps before stumbling. Fortunately, Xue Ling’er caught him, scolding lightly, “You said you were fine.”

Lu Zhe could only smile bitterly, inwardly grumbling, “Isn’t this all your doing? Making it seem as if I brought this on myself.”

With Xue Ling’er’s support, Lu Zhe quickly made his way to the main hall.

Inside, Elder Ye was conversing with Old Six You. Seeing Lu Zhe enter, Elder Ye glanced at him, his brows lightly furrowed. “What happened?”

Lu Zhe gently pushed aside Xue Ling’er’s hand, approached Elder Ye, and whispered, “I ate too much.”

Elder Ye gave him a look, pointed to a chair beside him, and said, “Sit.” Then turned back to Old Six You.

At that moment, Old Six You was speaking to Xue Fei’er, but sensing Elder Ye’s gaze, he turned and said, “I’ve had the servants prepare what you requested. When will you be leaving?”

Elder Ye answered calmly, “There’s no rush. Let’s take care of the current matters first.”

Old Six You nodded, about to say more, but Xue Fei’er interrupted, “Hey, you in green, what are you going to do?”

Elder Ye glanced at her, saying nothing.

Old Six You glared at her, rebuking, “Mind your words.” Then turned to Elder Ye apologetically, “Forgive her, she’s young and doesn’t know better.”

Elder Ye said nothing, but stood and declared, “If there’s nothing else, my apprentice and I will take our leave.”

He glanced at Lu Zhe and strode out.

Lu Zhe understood, rose, and cupped his hands to Old Six You, “We’ll take our leave, Uncle Six.”

Old Six You nodded, then suddenly said, “Lu Zhe, whatever you do, be careful.”

Lu Zhe was startled, about to ask, but Elder Ye’s call from outside interrupted him. He cupped his hands again and hurried to follow.

Elder Ye had not gone far—he stood three yards outside the main hall, waiting in the courtyard. Seeing Lu Zhe approach, Elder Ye waved, “Zhe’er, come here.”

Lu Zhe was puzzled but asked nothing, stepping to Elder Ye’s side.

Elder Ye looked at him, and with a sudden tremor, emerald wings appeared on his back. Reaching out with his left hand, he grabbed the unsuspecting Lu Zhe by the collar like a hawk snatching a chick, and with a swoosh, soared into the blue sky.

In the main hall, Xue Fei’er pouted, fiddling with her fingers, clearly upset about Old Six You’s earlier scolding.

Old Six You glanced at her and sighed, “You really don’t know how to behave.”

Page (3/3)

Xue Fei’er pouted, “Why? Is he really that impressive? Is he more powerful than you?”

Old Six You sighed, his gaze lingering where Elder Ye had sat. Quietly, he said, “He’s also among the ranked, and his position is above mine.”

With that, he ignored the shocked Xue Fei’er and went off to the rear hall.

Lu Zhe dangled from Elder Ye’s grasp as Elder Ye flew through the air at terrifying speed. The wind felt like knives, stinging his face. Just as Lu Zhe was about to reach his limit, Elder Ye stopped abruptly, and Lu Zhe breathed a sigh of relief.

“Look below,” Elder Ye said, still holding Lu Zhe.

Lu Zhe looked down and saw they were hovering above a vast forest. The sea of trees rolled beneath them, insects and birds called out, filling the air with a fresh vitality.

“From this moment, you’ll live inside for three months,” Elder Ye said quietly.

Lu Zhe’s face instantly turned pale. Living here for three months—never mind surviving, just the beast kings alone would be enough to torment him.

He turned to Elder Ye, asking, “You’re not coming with me, are you, Master?”

“Mm,” Elder Ye nodded.

Lu Zhe had expected as much, but hearing the certainty, his face turned even paler. Then he asked, “What about my ‘Falling Star Mace’?”

Elder Ye seemed to remember something. “Oh, that. I’ll keep it for now. It’s too early for you to use it. Wait until you’ve advanced to Spirit Master.”

“Aren’t you worried the beast kings will eat me?” Lu Zhe pressed. This was his greatest concern, so he had to ask.

Elder Ye glanced at the forest below, replying calmly, “No need. They’re just first or second tier. You should be able to handle them.”

Lu Zhe wanted to say more, but Elder Ye leaned in and whispered, “If you can’t endure this hardship, do you want to serve as slave and servant to Shangguan Yijing?”

The words stabbed deep into Lu Zhe’s heart. At once, he imagined the scene three years hence, Shangguan Yijing mocking him, trampling his dignity.

Three years—he only had three years. To defeat someone as gifted as Shangguan Yijing, what was a little hardship? If he was eaten by beast kings, it was just bad luck—no more than death. He’d grit his teeth and fight.

With this resolve, Lu Zhe’s expression steadied. He looked down at the forest, took a deep breath.

Elder Ye saw his determination, his face mask shifting as he smiled, “Then, good luck.”

With that, he released his left hand, sending Lu Zhe plummeting like a stone.

“Ah…” Lu Zhe’s cry echoed as he fell from the sky.

Watching him drop, Elder Ye murmured, “Don’t die, little one.”