Chapter Twenty-Five: Xiaocui's Departure

“As the saying goes, when traveling far from home, one must rely on the help of friends. Daoist, you have come here alone to rid us of demons—truly admirable. Since you are in my territory, please accept this money to repair your magical implements and aid you in subduing evil spirits. For the sake of all the people, you cannot refuse.”

Hearing these words, the Daoist with the wild hair found the reasoning sound. Indeed, he had come for the sake of the common folk. He had brought few talismans, and he had already run out of cinnabar for inscribing new ones. His magical implements were worn and in need of repair—all of which required silver. Yet he hesitated, lost in thought.

Sensing that things were progressing as planned, Wang Yuanfeng mused that cultivation seemed to only make people poorer. After a moment’s consideration, he continued, “The demon has already entered the palace. I am willing to offer what little I can—this gold as a token of my sincerity.”

The Daoist hesitated, half reaching for the gold but embarrassed to accept it. Seeing this, Wang Yuanfeng thought, How long are you going to hesitate? Is pride truly so important? He felt neither particular fondness nor dislike for this Daoist, but after tonight’s events, he had no choice but to compromise. Besides, it was good to have such demons as the centipede spirit eliminated, and supporting the Daoist was the right thing to do.

Moreover, if the Daoist accepted the money, he would be less likely to spread word of tonight’s events. That would give Wang Yuanfeng peace of mind. So, stepping forward, he pressed the gold into the Daoist’s hand.

The Daoist took the gold with a sigh of relief and said, “Then I shall accept with gratitude.” Awkwardly, he tucked the gold into his robe.

He bowed deeply to Wang Yuanfeng. “I, Wuchen of Mount Qingcheng, thank you, young master.”

Wang Yuanfeng quickly stepped aside, unwilling to accept such a bow. The Daoist’s cultivation surpassed his own; to accept the salute would be inappropriate, even dangerous for his own spirit. He said, “No need for formality, Daoist.”

Wuchen gazed at the corpses strewn throughout the courtyard and sighed. “I have other matters to attend to and must leave. I must trouble you, young master, to see these men are buried.”

“Of course, safe travels, Daoist,” Wang Yuanfeng replied hastily. He had realized by now that their minds were not aligned, and more talk was pointless. He gave a polite but firm farewell. If the Daoist spread tales of this night, Wang Yuanfeng would have just cause to confront him.

Wuchen stowed away his implements and rose a full ten feet into the air, soaring toward the palace.

Wang Yuanfeng’s eyes narrowed in surprise. The Daoist needed no magical artifact to fly—such an ability was rare, only possible for one fully attuned to nature, with vital energy surging through every meridian, a golden core formed, and the two bridges of heaven and earth connected. Though Wang Yuanfeng was quick himself, it was thanks to his sword. As for the flying swords in his case, they still lacked refinement.

Turning to the corpses, Wang Yuanfeng felt a headache coming on. They had little but some silver and implements, of little use to him. Burning them seemed a waste.

Just then, Wang Yuanhong approached. “Fourth brother, you’re just letting him go?”

Wang Yuanfeng thought for a moment. “I’ve realized that, while his words are a bit odd, he harbors no ill intent. We can’t take him down, so what choice do we have?”

As he spoke, he sensed the barrier he’d placed around Wang Yuanqing shift. Wang Yuanqing was awake—at last! “Sixth brother is well now. Eldest brother, please take everyone and keep them at least a hundred paces away.”

Wang Yuanhong didn’t doubt him; this fourth brother often did inexplicable things. He called out, gathered up Huamei and the other brothers, and led everyone away.

Wang Yuanfeng, seeing Xiaocui still at his side, said, “You should go too. Come back in a while.”

“Alright,” Xiaocui replied, aggrieved.

Suddenly, Wang Yuanfeng sensed someone behind him. Turning, he saw a beautiful woman. A chill ran up his spine, and he pulled Xiaocui behind him, demanding, “Who are you? Have you come to steal the treasure?”

At once, Xiaocui darted out from behind him, crying, “Mother, why are you here?”

Mother? So this was Xiaocui’s mother! Remembering his father’s words, Wang Yuanfeng greeted her, “Aunt, greetings.”

The woman nodded and said to Xiaocui, “I’ve come to take you home. Our enemy may come after us, and I cannot face them alone. I hope you’ll return with me and train diligently for a year, so that together we can defeat them.”

“No, Mother! I don’t want to go. I want to stay with the young master,” Xiaocui clung to Wang Yuanfeng.

Thinking it must be a formidable foe if both mother and daughter were needed, Wang Yuanfeng said, “Aunt, who is this enemy? Perhaps I can help.”

The woman regarded him for a moment. “Very well. On the third of next March, I shall face my trial by thunder. If you wish to help, come then.”

“Agreed!” Wang Yuanfeng replied. He guessed that the mother and daughter had no other family, and the fact that the mother had entrusted her daughter to him spoke of great loyalty and gratitude. He could not refuse.

Xiaocui, thinking she was about to be parted from him, had been ready to weep, but now that matters were settled, she clung tightly to Wang Yuanfeng’s arm, unwilling to let go.

Her mother called her repeatedly, but Xiaocui would not release her grip. Wang Yuanfeng felt a headache coming on—he too was reluctant, but knew what had to be done. In the end, it was her mother who dragged her away by force.

Watching them ascend into the sky, Xiaocui waving frantically at him, Wang Yuanfeng was struck by a sudden sense of loss.

He wasn’t sure of his own feelings. But since her mother had come after all these years, it was surely an important matter. He consoled himself that he would see Xiaocui again next spring. His cultivation had just reached the small golden core, and with his flying sword, his power was considerable—even those in the greater golden core stage would have to be wary.

For now, he had other concerns. The courtyard was a mess, and everyone else had left. Why hadn’t he made them clean up? Suddenly, he sensed that Wang Yuanqing had awakened inside the house and had an idea.

With Wang Yuanfeng’s help, Wang Yuanqing absorbed the external elixir. He immediately entered a state of profound insight, the elixir merging with his spirit and vital energy circulating throughout his body. His entire being was transformed, wholly unified. Though still unaccustomed to this new state, Wang Yuanqing’s potential was now exceptional; whatever he learned in the future, he would master swiftly.

He stood up and saw no one around; his clothes felt sticky and uncomfortable. Just then, he heard someone calling from outside.

“If you’re awake, come out. There’s work to be done.”

Wang Yuanqing put aside his thoughts and stepped outside, seeing his fourth brother in the courtyard, surrounded by chaos and corpses. He knew at once this was his brother’s handiwork, and ran over, excited. “Brother, what is it?”

Wang Yuanfeng noted how disheveled his brother looked, but there were more pressing matters. “How does the elixir feel?”

“Excellent! I feel like I could fly—so much stronger!” Wang Yuanqing replied, thrilled.

“Good. Once you learn the true method, you will truly begin your cultivation. But power alone, without a trusty implement, leaves you at a disadvantage in battle,” Wang Yuanfeng continued. “See all these people?”

Wang Yuanqing nodded, eyes shining, already thinking of the magical implements and the elixir he’d obtained from the fortune-teller. The more he thought, the more excited he became.

Seeing him so eager, Wang Yuanfeng said, “These people tried to disrupt your cultivation. If not for your brothers’ help, we might have been the ones lying here.”

Wang Yuanqing glared angrily at the corpses, easily persuaded by his brother’s words. “Where are the others?”

Wang Yuanfeng, satisfied, continued, “They were killed by your brothers, who have now left. But these things left behind are just what you need—I’ve saved them for you.”

He spoke as if he’d planned everything for Wang Yuanqing’s benefit.

Wang Yuanqing’s eyes sparkled. Thinking only of the implements, he threw himself into searching the corpses thoroughly, not even sparing their shoes. Wang Yuanfeng nodded, satisfied, and returned to the house.

Though Wang Yuanqing felt uneasy about the corpses, the treasures and implements they carried spurred him on—all the more so now that he could use magic. He worked with great enthusiasm.