Volume One: Youths Meet in Humble Times Chapter Sixty-Two: Visitors from the Great Cheng Dynasty (1)

The six great sects thus formed an alliance, quietly awaiting the arrival of the Dacheng Sect and the Sovereign Palace the following day.

As the members of the Myriad Beast Sect prepared to depart, Elder Chen of the Gate of Destiny discreetly called Elder Lian aside, advising him in hushed tones, “Your sect has been stirring up too much lately. If I may say so, it’s best to endure what you can, and stop provoking the people of Tianmen Town.”

The words struck Elder Lian as utterly baffling; he had no idea where such a notion had come from. After a brief consideration, he supposed that perhaps something had happened among his disciples during his recent seclusion, so he humbly asked Elder Chen for clarification.

Seeing that Elder Lian was genuinely uninformed, Elder Chen—mindful of their new alliance and the trouble any mishap befalling the Myriad Beast Sect could cause—explained the events of that day. Elder Lian, suppressing the fury surging within him, forced a gentle and grateful smile in thanks before taking his leave.

On his way back, Elder Lian’s expression was as dark as night. It was beyond his expectation that after repeatedly warning his disciples not to cause trouble before his seclusion, they had so brazenly disregarded his commands. Not only might their reckless actions deepen the city lord Zhang Helun’s dissatisfaction and provoke further schemes against them, but their behavior also showed utter disregard for his authority as their leading elder.

The Myriad Beast Sect, in sending both Wan Kui’s faction—the sect leader’s men—and Elder Lian’s own, had aimed to maintain a balance of power. Neither side had agreed to send only their own members to Tianmen Town, so a compromise was struck to include both groups, preventing either from acting solely in their own interests or withholding any gains.

Yet now, it seemed, their open compliance masked secret defiance. At first, Elder Lian intended to discipline them harshly upon his return, but as he neared the residence, a different thought arose: since they cared so little for Tianmen Town, perhaps he should let them run wild, even fan the flames further. If this incident led to their downfall in Tianmen Town, it would weaken the sect leader’s faction—an outcome Elder Lian would not mind.

And didn’t they covet that fish? According to the Gate of Destiny’s elder, that youth was the disciple of the Daoist at Another View Monastery. If Wan Kui and his companions offended or harmed the boy, even the city lord’s intervention might not save them from the Daoist’s wrath.

With this in mind, Elder Lian returned to their base without further warning or reprimand, feigning ignorance. Instead, he expressed concern for Wan Kui and his companions, and with apparent good intentions, reminded them that Dacheng’s people would arrive tomorrow, urging them to show restraint.

Such reminders, when delivered once or twice, might be helpful. But when repeated to those who have been favored since childhood, they breed a spirit of rebellion: when the moment comes, they will do the opposite of what is advised.

Elder Lian understood this well; he had once been a proud youth himself, rising step by step under the gaze of many. He knew how such young prodigies’ minds worked.

Was this a scheme? No, Elder Lian was simply going with the flow. If Wan Kui and the others remained true to themselves, they would pass through Tianmen Town unscathed. But if they acted impetuously, they would fall into the trap laid for them.

Wan Kui and his companions believed they had concealed everything flawlessly, thinking these matters insignificant. Yet in this world, one loose thread can unravel the entire cloth.

That night, the Daoist summoned Li Yu to his door and teased him, “Little Fish, the people from Dacheng are arriving tomorrow. Aren’t you excited?”

Li Yu ignored the mockery in his master’s tone and instead asked, “Master, do you mean Brother Lu and the others will be here as well?”

The Daoist replied, “Yes, you’ve been waiting for a long time, haven’t you?”

Li Yu, holding his Daoist scripture, turned a page and said, “Not that long—just seven years. I simply wish to know how they have fared.”

His words carried a shade of nostalgia and wistfulness, and silence fell between them. After a while, as Li Yu turned several more pages, the Daoist’s voice came, tinged with sorrow. “Little Fish, if Brother Lu wishes to take you away this time, you should go with him.”

A cool breeze swept in from somewhere, carrying the deepening chill of late autumn and leaving a bleakness in the heart.

Li Yu gazed at his scripture, unable to read another word. He spoke with difficulty, “Master, are you casting me aside so easily?”

It was no time for the Daoist’s usual banter. He sincerely persuaded, “If you go with Lu Ming, I can rest easy. He will surely take good care of you.”

“But I don’t need anyone’s care. I’ve looked after myself all these years, and I can take care of you as well. So please, don’t use that reason to send me away.”

The Daoist felt a pang in his heart. He had not truly intended to part with Li Yu; even with peril ahead, he was confident he could keep Li Yu safe in Tianmen Town.

Yet with Dacheng’s arrival imminent, he reflected that if Li Yu could return to the outside world with Lu Ming, he would have the chance to see more, broaden his horizons, and not be confined to this small town.

It was, in truth, a better path for Li Yu.

Thus, for Li Yu’s sake, the Daoist wished he could go.

“Little Fish, don’t you want to see the world outside? Now you have the dragon spirit as your guardian—few can harm you. Besides, it must go out to endure the Heavenly Tribulation to attain the Dao; in lawless Tianmen Town, such a step is impossible.”

If it concerned only himself, Li Yu might refuse resolutely, but with the dragon spirit involved, he could not be so selfish. He had promised to help it forge its true dragon pearl and become the first true dragon to enter the Dao as a spirit.

After much inner struggle, he said, “Master, I promise you—I will go out into the world one day, but not now. You have never told me your true purpose, and I have not pressed you. I know you want me to leave, to keep me out of harm’s way, but after seven years together, I truly see you as my closest kin. Let me stay by your side. I can protect myself, especially with the town’s decree in place. I won’t be a burden to you.”

The Daoist could understand Li Yu’s mindset. Having witnessed too many separations and deaths as a child, Li Yu clung to the belief that as long as he kept watch, all farewells could be held within his gaze, or at least slowed.

It was like one who, accustomed to darkness, stares unblinkingly at a lone candle flame, fearing that a rare light and warmth might be snuffed out if he looks away, believing that as long as he keeps watch, that glimmer will remain.

Yet, all gatherings end, and parting is the rule of life.

The Daoist knew he could not talk Li Yu into leaving. He felt both comforted at his disciple’s growth and faintly sorrowful.

Ah, when young disciples grow up, they no longer heed their master’s words!

With a sigh, the Daoist no longer pressed the issue. He thought, “Well, if he doesn’t wish to leave, I won’t force him. In any case, I can protect him. As for his future, let him decide his own path.”

Having resolved this, he returned to his usual playful self. Changing the subject, he asked, “You’ve been seeing that boy from the Xu family quite often lately. So, have you decided to help him?”

Li Yu had wanted to ask more about the visitors arriving in Tianmen Town, but seeing his master so deftly change the topic, he knew the Daoist was, as always, unwilling to discuss it further. If he pressed, he would either have his mouth sealed or be met with stubborn silence.

So he sighed and replied, “Yes, it’s an issue that must be addressed. You can’t guard against a thief forever. Besides, the Myriad Beast Sect’s interest in him isn’t just because of his fish or his temper—it has something to do with me as well.”

The Daoist asked, “So, have you thought about how to help him?”

Li Yu said, “I’m not afraid of open confrontation. With the decree in place, they won’t dare act openly. What worries me is underhanded schemes—like taking him away under the guise of recruiting a disciple.”

At this, Li Yu voiced his doubt. “Master, if someone from an outside sect wants to take someone from Tianmen Town, but that person refuses, can they be forced? Will the town intervene?”

The Daoist replied, “There’s an unspoken rule between the outside and Tianmen Town: if someone is deemed suitable, they are to be sent to the appropriate sect. Usually, people go willingly—no one has ever refused. Xu’s situation is unique. If he doesn’t wish to go, by precedent and custom, Tianmen Town will not interfere.”

Remembering how the Daoist had once refused the invitations for Shen Xun, Li Yu was about to ask further when the Daoist added, “Don’t even think about it. I have a connection with the Shen family boy, so I could help him. But with others, I cannot intervene. What’s more, now that the decree is in effect, those of our cultivation are under even greater scrutiny. Don’t get your master into trouble!”

With that, Li Yu did not press the matter. He did not blame his master, for he was right—the Daoist had no ties to Xu Kaijiang, only Li Yu did. If anyone was to stand up for him, it should be Li Yu, not his master.

After years of studying the Daoist scriptures, Li Yu had come to understand something of cause and effect; for those of high cultivation, the further one goes, the more such matters must be weighed.