Ch 74: The Cannon Fodder Won’t Play Along Anymore [QT]

Ying Shu knew what his father was hoping for.

In recent years, Mu Xing’s name had been constantly mentioned within the sect. He knew his father had never given up on the idea of acknowledging Mu Xing again.

But what right did they have?

If Mu Xing were living miserably, if his circumstances were pitiful, perhaps they could have brought him back, given him a comfortable, carefree life.

But now, Mu Xing was doing perfectly well—he had no need of them at all.

And Ying Shu recalled the way Mu Xing looked when he saw him: gentle and kind on the surface, but once he made a decision, no one could change his mind.

His father was destined for disappointment.

Ying Shu said, “Nothing much. He just finished his match, saw me, and said a few casual words.”

“That’s all?”

“That’s all.”

Ying Tianhai pressed, unwilling to give up: “There were so many empty seats in the stands, yet he sat right next to you. Doesn’t that mean he still has some feelings for you? Did he ask about me or your mother?”

Ying Shu shook his head. “No.”

Ying Tianhai grew irritated.

Ying Shu couldn’t help but say, “Father, bro—Mu Xing, he’s doing well training under Lord Lianhua. He doesn’t want us disturbing him. Some things… you should let go.”

Ying Tianhai’s face hardened, his eyes sharp. “What do you know! He carries great fortune—his success in cultivation is natural, and has nothing to do with Yue Fubai! If he were a disciple of my Yudao Sect, with such a genius at our front, I wouldn’t have to worry about the sect for a thousand years!”

“But he’s unwilling. No one can force him!” For the first time, Ying Shu, who had always respected his father, seriously contradicted him.

“It’s us who wronged elder brother. His achievements today owe nothing to Yudao Sect. What right, what position, do we have to ask him to contribute to Yudao Sect?”

“You don’t understand!” Ying Tianhai was displeased at being contradicted, but the boy before him was still his blood.

He said coldly, “Your mother and I have raised you too naïvely. Ying Shu, next month, your senior brother Wei has a sect mission. You’ll accompany him.”

With his hands clasped behind his back, Ying Tianhai added, “This time, I won’t be giving you any special care. It’s time you grew up.”

Ying Shu nodded. “It should’ve been so already. Thank you for your guidance, Father.”

He bowed and withdrew.

In the years that followed, he went out to train alongside fellow disciples. After Mu Xing’s earlier words to him, and after experiencing life-and-death trials away from the sect, his mindset gradually matured.

Ying Shu often heard news of Mu Xing.

The man was simply too dazzling.

Cultivators advanced quickly at the early stages, but once reaching Core Formation, talent and state of mind became decisive.

Many never formed a core in their entire lives.

And the stages beyond Core Formation were even harder to break through.

Beyond cultivation itself, the greatest obstacles were inner demons.

But what was nearly impossible for most cultivators seemed nonexistent for Mu Xing.

By the time Ying Shu, after several brushes with death, finally accumulated enough to form his golden core, Mu Xing had already become the youngest Soul Transformation cultivator in the cultivation world.

He was a legend.

Though the sole disciple of Lord Lianhua of the demonic path, though he cultivated demonic techniques, his bearing and spiritual aura were purer and more celestial than any orthodox cultivator.

Demonic cultivators loved to bring him up, saying Mu Xing’s existence was a slap in the face to the orthodox sects.

And the orthodox sects also often mentioned him—especially disciples of Yudao Sect. Their expressions were always complicated, for if not for those past mistakes, he should have been Yudao Sect’s greatest pride.

The rumors outside, Mu Xing never cared about.

Most of his time, he simply followed his master Yue Fubai, living in mortal cities, watching people be born and die, dynasties rise and fall—a mere bystander to the world.

That mysterious orb of light appeared in his dreams once more, many years later.

But this time, its tone seemed different—still like in the beginning, always trying to “guide” him, urging him to rebel against fate’s injustice.

Yet by now, its influence on Mu Xing was faint. Whenever he didn’t wish to speak with it, he simply withdrew. Who knew when it might next appear in his dreams.

*

Two hundred years passed in a flash.

Mu Xing sensed that his cultivation had reached the peak of this world—he could progress no further. But to ascend… it felt as though he was still missing something.

One day, while wandering, he arrived at a human city.

At first, nothing struck him, until he passed by a ruined city wall.

Two young scholars were standing atop it, chatting as they admired the scenery. One sighed: “The capital of the previous dynasty—reduced to such desolation now.”

Previous dynasty’s capital?

Mu Xing looked up at the ancient characters on the wall: Cangyang.

Cangyang City?

Memories long buried surged forth. He remembered—this was where this body had been abandoned.

He and Yue Fubai had even lived here for a while. But they had moved countless times over the centuries; he had long lost count of all the places.

For once, Mu Xing felt a rare spark of interest, and strolled leisurely through the ruins of the ancient capital.

He made no effort to conceal himself. Many people couldn’t help but gaze at the strikingly outstanding young man, even throwing flowers and embroidered handkerchiefs his way.

It seemed the customs of this age were open, and the young women quite bold.

Mu Xing followed the thread of memory down to the entrance of a narrow alley.

But the alley no longer existed. In its place stood a neat row of houses, with a wide street stretching in front.

The spot where he had once leaned against a wall, begging, now had a tall plum tree growing there—its branches heavy with unripe green fruit.

It was here that his master had found him, changing the course of his entire life.

Just then, a sudden gust of wind passed, and a small, quick figure darted by his side, scrambling up the tree with the agility of a monkey.

Moments later, a handful of house servants rounded the corner, rushing toward him in a fury. When they reached Mu Xing, they hesitated under the pressure of his presence. The leader clasped his hands politely and asked:

“Honored young master, did you see a boy, seven or eight years old, wearing a blue homespun shirt?”

Mu Xing smiled and shook his head.

The men muttered:

“That little thief must’ve run far.”

“Keep chasing southeast!”

Once they disappeared around the corner, the branches rustled. A child with bright, rolling eyes jumped down from the tree.

“Thanks, brother.” She clasped her fists in a clumsy imitation of courtesy, then turned to leave.

She had the act down well, but Mu Xing could see clearly—this “boy” was, in fact, a little girl.

“Stop.” Mu Xing called out.

The child—Wang Xiaotian—turned back, suspicious, staring at the godlike young man, uncertain why he would stop her.

“Why steal?” Mu Xing asked.

Wang Xiaotian scratched her head and snorted. “Because their master called me a parentless brat, and even docked my wages! You think I, Wang Xiaotian, am the type to swallow that kind of insult?”

Mu Xing looked at her. “Would you like to come with me?”

Wang Xiaotian froze. “?”

*

Years later, already renamed Wang Yan and accepted as Lianhua Jun’s youngest disciple, she would never forget the sight of her senior brother extending his hand to her that day.

A celestial touches my brow, binding me to immortality.

She often asked him, why had he chosen her back then?

Mu Xing would only ruffle her hair and say, “Maybe in a past life, we shared a bond.”

For once, long ago, when he lay sick in the freezing snow, half-conscious, a gentle presence had approached him, leaving behind a warm blanket and a bundle stuffed with food.

At first sight of Wang Xiaotian, he had recognized her.

All things follow cause and effect. In repaying this one kindness, he would at last be free of worldly attachments.

❣╰(⸝⸝⸝꒳⸝⸝⸝)╯❣