Volume One: Youths Meet in Humble Times Chapter Forty-Seven: The Imperious Wanderer

The young scholar moved slightly faster than Zhang Xi. When that realm was sealed moments ago, he was kept outside and could not enter, yet he sensed a strange ripple from within. As the sacred texts appeared in the sky, his expression grew increasingly grave, for with all his learning, he did not recognize a single word among them. Sun Li thought to himself, "It seems that the Daoist possesses many secrets unknown to us. He has hidden them well over the years. With all these recent actions, he must be plotting something." Unfortunately, the Daoist’s power now likely surpasses all others; no one in the world could subdue him. Sun Li could only hope to send word back to the Academy, so they might dispatch more hands, increasing their chances in the plans soon to unfold.

When the realm was unsealed, Zhang Xi arrived. Neither man concealed his presence. Zhang Xi saw the new scholar from the academy and bowed with respect. "May I ask, sir, do you know what has happened here?"

The new scholar did not reply at once, instead observing carefully for a moment. He found that the sacred texts and the aura of the sea-beast had vanished from the sealed realm, then answered, "Dao Zhen, for reasons unknown, was victorious over the Nether Sea Beast. The creature has fled."

Zhang Xi was stunned. "The Daoist’s power is truly formidable—he defeated even the Nether Sea Beast?"

The new scholar remained silent, as if pondering how such a feat had been achieved.

Zhang Xi was eager to know what had transpired. He considered, "If the Daoist truly defeated the Nether Sea Beast, his strength must be greatly diminished. Surely, this is the perfect moment to strike!"

Unable to contain his urgency, he quickly said, "Sir, I must go ahead," and then soared away in pursuit. The new scholar did not stop him, only sneered, "He thinks himself clever, but he’s a fool all the same."

Looking to another direction, the scholar spoke, "Since you’re here, why hide? Is that how the Grand Preceptor taught you to act?"

Sun Li, hearing this, reluctantly revealed himself and bowed. "Sun Li greets Master Liang Hui."

Liang Hui asked, "Did the Grand Preceptor send only you?"

Sun Li replied, "For now, I am alone."

Liang Hui tossed a jade token to Sun Li. "If you don’t wish to delay the Grand Preceptor’s affairs, send this back to him immediately."

Though Sun Li felt some resentment, he knew Liang Hui’s strength far surpassed his own and had surely perceived things he himself had not. Unwilling as he was, he accepted the jade token, not wanting to incur the Grand Preceptor’s wrath.

Liang Hui paid him no further heed and flew off in the direction Zhang Xi had gone.

Li Yu had just witnessed the giant beast being forced to retreat by his master. The shock had not yet faded when he heard his master say, "The third fish is arriving. Little Fish, take the basket inside and do not come out."

A third fish—what could that be?

Li Yu finally understood what his master meant by fishing. This was no fishing at all, but stirring up trouble! He did not know what the first fish was, but the second fish had been strong and ferocious. If all the fish were like that, could his master withstand fighting them one after another?

He wished to help, but knew he could do nothing and might only hinder his master. The Daoist had his reasons for sending him inside, so no matter how worried he felt, he could only obey. Taking up the basket, he went into the cabin. Before entering, he looked anxiously at his master. "Master, if you cannot win, then run! Please don’t be reckless."

The Daoist was meditating, his spirit high and ready for the third fish. Hearing his young disciple say such a thing, he was momentarily taken aback, then smiled wryly. "Can’t you trust your master? Dealing with these little fish is hardly a challenge—I wouldn’t flee without a fight."

Hearing this, Li Yu was finally reassured and hurried into the cabin, not daring to linger.

The Daoist watched his young disciple’s retreating figure, a smile of satisfaction lingering on his lips. "Having a little disciple is truly a blessing," he thought.

Soon, Zhang Xi arrived first. Seeing the Daoist standing calmly at the prow, his eagerness instantly cooled. "He appears unscathed—could he really be unharmed?" he wondered.

With this thought, his face went pale. If the Daoist emerged from battle with the Nether Sea Beast unharmed, then how immense was his strength?

This idea had barely surfaced when the urge to flee overwhelmed him. But this was no longer a place where he could come and go as he pleased. The Daoist chuckled, "You come and now wish to leave? I disagree."

With swift force, he destroyed Zhang Xi’s external incarnation. Ordinarily, Zhang Xi would have resisted, but only his incarnation had come, and the Daoist, now even stronger, made short work of him. Zhang Xi’s incarnation arrived brimming with purpose, only to perish without hope.

Liang Hui witnessed this as he arrived. He had intended to observe, hoping to gauge the Daoist’s strength and assist Zhang Xi if he faltered. But the Daoist gave no quarter, striking with lethal force and leaving no chance to react. Liang Hui’s face grew cold. "You are too ruthless, Daoist, leaving not a shred of mercy."

The Daoist sneered. "Mercy? From the moment he attacked my disciple, I would show him none! Protecting one’s own is a tradition our sect holds dear. Surely you knew this?"

Liang Hui was no stranger to dealings with the Daoist. Hearing this, he realized the Daoist cared nothing for the influential families of Tianmen Town.

"Are you so certain your strength is unmatched?" Liang Hui tried another tack.

The Daoist replied with grand confidence, "Among mortals, none can defeat me."

It was a simple statement, but spoken by the Daoist, it stirred the spirits of all present—Liang Hui, Li Yu, even Sun Li, who arrived just then.

The Daoist continued, his tone mischievous, "Would you like to test me?"

Liang Hui’s expression remained sour. "Hmph. I hope you can maintain your strength forever. But I would advise you—even if no one or two can kill you, what if thousands come?"

The Daoist laughed indifferently. "Then wait until you gather your thousands."

Seeing this, Liang Hui knew he could probe no further and prepared to leave. The Daoist made no move to stop him. Before departing, Liang Hui cast a meaningful glance at the ship’s cabin behind the Daoist, his thoughts unfathomable, then threw out a final warning: "If you die, your newly adopted disciple may not fare well. Think twice before you act." With those words, he flew away.

Sun Li hurried after Liang Hui, knowing his own strength and status were inadequate for such matters. He could only send word of today’s events to the Grand Preceptor and let the great figures decide.

Once they had all gone, the Daoist watched their retreating forms thoughtfully. After a long pause, he called, "Little Fish, come out."

Inside, Li Yu had been protected by a barrier that kept others from seeing within, but he could still hear what was said outside. Hearing his master’s call, he came out, still clutching the basket.

Seeing this, the Daoist was briefly puzzled, then understood: from the moment Li Yu entered, he had not felt at ease, and so held onto the basket tightly.

The Daoist smiled, ruffled his hair, and told him to set the basket down. Without hiding anything, he asked, "You heard everything, didn’t you?"

Li Yu nodded, head lowered, saying nothing.

The Daoist asked again, "Are you afraid?"

Li Yu raised his gray eyes and said, "Master, I am not afraid. No matter what you wish to do, I will stay by your side."

The Daoist looked at him with gentle affection and teased, "Don’t worry, whatever I do, I’ll make sure you’re safe. I won’t let you die young by following me to the end."

Hearing this, Li Yu nearly burst into tears. "Master, could you not do those things? Or, when I grow strong enough, let me do them. Didn’t you say I have great talent? Believe in me, I’ll soon be strong enough. I really can do it."

Lin Daoist watched his little disciple on the verge of tears, smiling as he stroked his face. "Now that’s how a child should be. Don’t pretend to be deep all the time—it’s not cute at all." He continued, "What I must do, only I can do. But you too will bear your own responsibilities one day, and no one can help you—not even me. We exist in this world, standing between heaven and earth, each with a destiny bestowed from above, though not everyone awakens to their purpose. I have found mine—you should be happy for me, understand? If one hears the Dao in the morning, one may die content in the evening. To comprehend one’s own path is a joyful thing; don’t cry anymore."

Li Yu wiped his tears. "But what do you really intend? Can’t you wait for me?"

Lin Daoist was determined not to let Li Yu know his plans at this moment. Li Yu was anxious but powerless, and could only vow silently, "I must grow strong quickly. Then I can help Master."

The Daoist gazed into the distant sky. By now, the sun was setting, the crimson afterglow bathing the entire sea in warm orange light—a comforting scene, yet not without the melancholy of a candle’s last flicker. He murmured, "I cannot wait any longer."