Chapter Fifty: Fate and Cultivation, White Robes and Frost

Qingyuan and Gucang began to bury the mutilated corpses scattered across the ground, lest they alarm the authorities or frighten passing travelers.

Yet Gucang was preoccupied with the words Bai Yue had spoken, stirring many thoughts within him. Seeing his curiosity, Qingyuan patiently explained.

"The matter of ascending to divinity," Qingyuan mused, "first seeks those with profound fortune, and second, those with deep cultivation."

He pondered for a moment and listed three names. "Chen Zhiyun of Southern Liang, Jiang Bojian of Shu, and Guo Zhongkan of Yuanmeng."

"These three are not cultivators, but generals commanding armies, blessed with great fortune," Qingyuan continued as he walked onward. "If they fall in battle, they can borrow the merit of their fortune to be enshrined as gods; if they survive, their lives will be glorious and prosperous... even after death, their next lives may be aided by merit and fortune."

Gucang asked, "What does that mean?"

Qingyuan replied, "It means that in their next lives, they will enjoy wealth and honor. If, perchance, a cultivator guides them onto the path of cultivation, they may even hope to join the ranks of immortals."

Gucang gave a vague sound; it was unclear whether he understood or not.

Qingyuan sensed Gucang's lingering confusion, but supposed he grasped the gist. He did not elaborate further, but said, "Aside from that, cultivators face similar circumstances—both fortune and cultivation are crucial."

"For instance, those cultivators aligned with various nations, including esteemed masters and even human immortals. If any die in this era, their profound cultivation will surely earn them a divine seat in the future."

"But ordinary cultivators and soldiers, lacking deep cultivation and possessing only meager fortune, face slim hopes."

He sighed, "Thus, many cultivators of lesser skill strive to achieve great deeds and partake in fortune, securing a thread of merit. Should they perish in this era, even if their cultivation is insufficient, their fortune may still grant them divinity..."

Gucang scratched his head and asked, "What if they don't die?"

"If they survive, their fortunes depend on the house they serve," Qingyuan smiled. "If the house they aid conquers the realm, it becomes the legitimate authority. If they survive, the benefits are immeasurable."

"For example, on the path of cultivation ahead, they will be aided by the merit of heaven and earth. Though the road may not be smooth, many obstacles will be lessened."

"Even if they fail to cultivate in this life, after the matter of divinity is settled and the underworld established, they may reincarnate."

Qingyuan's expression dimmed. "By virtue of the merit earned assisting the divine order in this life, their next life's cultivation will be greatly aided."

Gucang pondered and asked, "What if the house they aid is defeated?"

"As long as they contribute to the matter of divinity, fortune and merit will be bestowed. But if the house they aid conquers the realm, their gains multiply several times over."

Qingyuan thought for a moment. "Of course, there is another sort of change."

Gucang asked, "What change?"

Qingyuan replied, "For example, if Shu wins the realm and issues a law of proscription... then those cultivators named in the law will be suppressed by the world's fortune, hindered at every turn in their pursuit of the Dao."

Gucang curled his lips. "It seems that quiet cultivation is best—not exciting, but safer than these perilous affairs."

"In truth, every cultivator thinks thus," Qingyuan sighed softly. "Yet, as that man said, the path to immortality is hard, but the path to divinity seems easier... Though divinity brings a lack of autonomy, it is another road to longevity, sharing life with heaven."

He paused, patting Gucang's shoulder with a sigh. "The world is a sea of suffering; everyone struggles within, striving to reach the other shore..."

"The poor seek a shore where their needs are met."

"Scholars seek a shore crowned with honor."

"Martial artists seek the summit of their art."

"Merchants seek wealth rivaling nations."

"And we, cultivators, desire only the immortal body of eternal youth."

...

There was still some distance to Gu County.

Dusk was falling, and ahead lay a small town.

"Let’s rest there," Qingyuan said, tilting his head. "Put away the spear."

Gucang, walking along the road, had been practicing with the spear, as the route was somewhat secluded.

But the weapon belonged to the White-Clad Army under Chen Zhiyun, and could not be openly displayed in Southern Liang.

Upon first arriving in Southern Liang, Qingyuan had fashioned a cloth cover for the spear to conceal it. As for the long saber, he had begun modifying its appearance in the mountains, so that by now, unless one was familiar with Shu’s signature blades, it would not be easily recognized.

Gucang favored the spear over the saber, reluctant to put it away, but eventually did so.

Qingyuan found it amusing—the fellow’s temperament was becoming more and more human...

They headed toward the town.

At a corner, a young girl suddenly collided with them.

Her clothes were tattered, lacking even patches; her face was grimy, but her eyes shone with a nervous brightness.

"S-sorry..." she murmured, then hurried off.

Watching her scurry away, Qingyuan raised his hand, then let it fall.

"Sir," Gucang said in a low voice, "she stole some money..."

"In the land of propriety... when one’s clothes fail to cover and food fails to sustain, all customs and etiquette are cast aside..."

Qingyuan sighed, "Whether those bandits before, or this little girl, it’s the same."

Gucang asked, "Should we chase her?"

Qingyuan shook his head slightly. "A few taels of silver mean nothing to us, but to her, it may be life-saving. Let it be—consider it charity..."

He had considered teaching the girl a lesson, for theft is wrong, and meeting a stronger soul in the future might bring her harm.

But after some thought, he let it go.

Gucang still carried a good amount of silver obtained from cleaning up the bandit corpses—hundreds of taels, so he cared little about the lost coins.

They continued on, and soon encountered the same little girl ahead.

She froze in fear upon seeing them, darting into a nearby alley.

Qingyuan ignored her. "There’s an inn ahead; let’s go there."

Gucang responded.

As they walked past the alley, both turned their heads slightly to look.

A group of children, all in tattered clothes and filthy, huddled there.

But what surprised them was that among the children stood a woman.

She was dressed in white, like frost and snow.

The children gathered around her.

She seemed to be distributing food.

Sensing their gaze, the woman abruptly looked up, her eyes meeting Qingyuan’s.

Buzz.

Qingyuan felt as if he were plunged into a world of ice and snow.

Wind, rain, and frost were like blades.

Her eyes were strikingly black and white, yet cold as winter.

Her face was flawless, with brows like frost.

Her hair was black as a waterfall, her skin pale as snow.

Meeting her gaze, Qingyuan felt a chilling coldness—sharp as a blade and suffocating.

He shuddered inwardly, but did not pause, stepping past the alley and leaving her sight.

Then, he let out a long breath.

"Another cultivator who has condensed the intent of the law—at the third heaven?"

"Southern Liang truly is filled with masters..."