Chapter Twenty-Eight: Masters of This Realm

Another request to become my disciple...

Ji Wu’s persistence truly knows no bounds—this is already the third time.

Three meetings, three requests. Every time he descends to the mortal world, this ritual is unavoidable.

But this time, Ji Wu had finally convinced his family to help persuade me. So instead of refusing outright, I asked, “And what exactly do you wish to learn from me?”

“I want to learn the immortal arts from you, Master Xu!” Ji Wu replied without the slightest hesitation.

His parents had met Mister Xu over a decade ago, but even that was not the longest anyone had known him.

At least, not as far as Ji Wu was aware. For instance, Old Liu of Liu’s Shop had known Mister Xu since his youth, and now, with hair streaked with white and stooped with age, he still remembered the man as he was at their first meeting: striking, vigorous, and seemingly untouched by the passage of years.

All signs pointed to one conclusion—Mister Xu must be one of those legendary immortals!

After all, only an immortal could remain ageless.

So, if fortune smiled and he could study under Mister Xu, he would of course seek to learn the immortal arts.

“Immortal arts? I don’t know any myself,” I replied, shaking my head. Ji Wu’s fervent gaze immediately dimmed.

Was it possible that he truly lacked the fate for immortality? Even after meeting Mister Xu, was he still unable to step onto the path of seeking transcendence?

“But,” I added, changing my tone, “if you wish for health and longevity, I do know a few methods.”

“Oh?” At that, not only Ji Wu but also Ji Yun and Cai Shulan looked over, visibly excited.

I didn’t mean to be mysterious; I simply said, “Go to bed early and rise early. Don’t stay up late. Eat regular meals and avoid overindulgence. Practice martial arts in moderation to strengthen your body. If you do all this, a long life is well within reach.”

Their expectant stares froze.

The advice was sound, to be sure. The problem was that it was nothing more than the common sense of healthy living—so banal as to be almost laughable!

Of course, the fact that it was so widely known proved there was some merit in it. Yet, these seemingly simple truths all required one to restrain their desires—a discipline much admired by Daoists.

But for ordinary people... even these basics were hard to keep up with. Many were already exhausted just making ends meet. If they were to add strict self-discipline on top of that, even if it did extend their lives a little, who could say whether it was truly for the better?

—

The three of them waited a while longer, but when I offered nothing further, Ji Wu couldn’t help but ask, “Is that all?”

I thought for a moment, then added, “If possible, drink plenty of hot water. Always boil your water before drinking it. Keep your food, clothes, and living space clean. If you can manage all that, longevity will follow naturally.”

Silence. The flicker of excitement and hope that had arisen was extinguished completely.

“Mister Xu, um... aside from these ordinary methods, is there no way, like... some truly supernatural means to prolong life?” Ji Wu persisted, unwilling to give up.

“You dwell in the mortal world. If you don’t use ordinary methods, what else could you possibly use?” I replied.

I had only spoken of things they could implement immediately. There were, of course, methods beyond their reach—like following me back to the heavens.

That place was extraordinary: no need for food, drink, sleep, or rest, and longevity was a given. If only I weren’t alone there, it would be a paradise.

But with only myself for company, it was nothing but a cage.

And such a solution was entirely unrealistic anyway. For one, my method was not something that could be replicated. There was no other “Great Fortune” to carry anyone else up. Secondly, I didn’t even know how I went up or how I came down. Even I could only drift along with fate.

A man living in the fleeting mortal world, offering others a path to immortality? The notion itself was almost laughable.

“We were chasing dreams,” Ji Yun sighed.

Fate with immortals—who doesn’t long for it? Whether it’s the emperor or the powerful strangers who’ve entered the realm, all hope to seize such a destiny, but who has truly succeeded?

To expect enlightenment or immortality from a few words is to indulge in fantasy. Even if the clouds of confusion are dispelled and sudden enlightenment arrives, one must first have confusion and experience to draw upon.

After finishing the meal together, Ji Wen returned to his studies, Cai Shulan went back to tend to the security agency, and Ji Wu, having completed his lessons, set off with me to visit the so-called master.

As we left the Ji family’s security agency, I caught sight of A-Guai. Now working odd jobs at the agency, his crippled leg and lack of martial skill meant his duties were limited to menial tasks—watching the gate, helping in the kitchen, and the like.

When he saw me, A-Guai’s gratitude was obvious. The Ji family treated him well, and no one bullied him. At last, the bustling world below the mountain had a place for him.

But my acquaintance with him was slight; we exchanged only a few words. In passing, he mentioned that A-Chou still refused to come down from the mountain, content to farm and hunt alone while watching over the Temple of Pure Breeze.

There’s no need to dwell on idle talk. The three of us left Qingshan County behind and set off into the distant mountains.

—

The forests were vast, the paths difficult.

Ji Wu, curiosity piqued, asked, “Master Xu, what kind of expert lives out here in the mountains? Is he a hunter?”

“In a sense, yes. He does live by hunting,” I replied with a smile.

“To be called an expert by you, and yet live by hunting?” Ji Wu scratched his head, feeling something wasn’t right.

His father had warned him: in the world of martial artists, you can never truly know a person’s heart, so it’s wise to be cautious. There were countless tales of so-called friends luring people into the wilderness only to rob and kill them.

Of course, he would never suspect Mister Xu of such a thing. With skills and courage like his, he could kill a county magistrate if he wished—what need would he have to lure anyone away? If he wanted to do them harm, they wouldn’t be able to resist him in the slightest.

“Mister Xu always does things his own way. I suppose any expert he admires must also be quite unconventional,” Ji Yun commented, showing no hint of concern. Though the mountains were formidable, as long as they didn’t venture too deep, his own skills would be enough to guard against ordinary beasts.

The two followed me through the mountains for nearly half a day before finally stopping in front of a cave.

“We’re here,” I announced, halting before the entrance and calling inside, “Come out and meet our guests.”

Moments later, a roar like muffled thunder echoed from the cave.

Ji Yun’s expression changed instantly. He hurriedly pulled Ji Wu behind him, every muscle taut. An indescribable sense of pressure descended over them.

In the next instant, a colossal figure barreled out of the cave—a black bear of staggering size!

Easily over ten feet tall, its wild, massive body seemed as solid and imposing as a small mountain. The very earth trembled with its charge. At the sight of us, the bear lifted its head and let out a howl, a sound like a hundred thunderclaps, deafening to the ears.

Ji Yun felt as if his very brains had been shaken loose.

And then, as if that weren’t enough, after its initial display, the bear spread its arms—each paw thicker than a man’s thigh—and lunged to embrace Mister Xu!

Danger!

Ji Wu’s heart leapt in his chest. A swipe from those claws would do more than bruise—it would tear a man apart!

“Master Xu, be careful!” he cried, darting out from behind Ji Yun, attempting to drag me out of harm’s way—even though I stood unmoving, as if frozen in place by fear.