Chapter 24: Refusal to Conform
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
The young disciples, having asked their questions, felt it would be impolite to leave Junior Brother Xiao behind, so they wanted to wait for him to go to the library together. Ji Xiao politely declined, so they thanked him and took their leave, leaving him to tidy up the paper and brushes alone.
Meng Xueli left in a hurry, leaving the table littered with scattered scrolls. As a loyal party member, naturally, he had to help the party leader clean the brushes and fold the papers.
Dusk descended, and darkness surged up from the foot of the mountain toward the Hall of Legal Principles, engulfing the empty classrooms one by one.
The sounds of people gradually faded, and even the birds in the pine forest fell silent, yet Ji Xiao was in no rush.
In his past life, he spent his entire time hurrying, focused and always in a rush.
Now that he had the chance to start over, he took things slower, and his mind felt more at ease. No matter how simple or childish the questions from the young disciples were, he treated them with patience, without a hint of impatience.
Having doubts is perfectly normal; no one is ‘born knowing.’
Cultivation is about continuously solving doubts, exploring the principles of all things.
The world believed Ji Xiao Zhenren was a genius with a smooth path in the Dao, but in truth, when he first entered the Dao, he also encountered many problems.
The greatest confusion was why he had to practice the sword techniques passed down by others.
He believed that everyone was different. Even twins had differences in temperament, so since they were different, they should cultivate a unique Dao and explore a unique sword technique.
When his senior brother Hu Si heard this, he irresponsibly echoed, “Yes, indeed, everyone lives their own life in this world, there’s no standard. Whatever the rules set by the sages of old, we just won’t follow them.”
Ji Xiao’s master felt helpless, saying that Ji Xiao was a once-in-a-century sword genius, and geniuses had their own paths, while ordinary people had theirs.
Not everyone could blaze a new trail and create their own sword techniques. For ordinary people, the path laid out by their predecessors was the smoothest.
As for Ji Xiao’s senior brother Hu Si, because of his many issues, he was severely reprimanded when he first arrived at Han Shan.
Now, revisiting the place, Ji Xiao couldn’t help but recall those events.
At that time, the Hall of Legal Principles didn’t have the solemn classrooms with white walls and black tiles, nor were there the serene white stone paths among the pine forests—there were only six thatched huts.
His age back then was even younger than this body’s, only fourteen years old, and his senior brother Hu Si was just fifteen.
They weren’t particularly lucky; the elder who taught them had a stubborn and rigid temperament.
On the first day of class, the elder explained what the Dao was, what swordsmanship was, leaving the young disciples bewildered and confused.
The elder said, “Cultivation is profound and mysterious. You are young and ignorant, so it’s okay if you don’t understand today. But the most important thing to remember is this: since you have become disciples of Han Shan, practicing Han Shan swordsmanship, you must be loyal to the sect and must not practice the techniques of other sects. As for other unorthodox practices, there’s no need to bother with them. Han Shan’s swordsmanship is naturally the best.”
Mingyue Lake and Han Shan were both sword sects, but the former focused on the form of the sword, while the latter focused on its intent. Both regarded the other as unorthodox. The struggle for orthodoxy had lasted for thousands of years, becoming so intense that it reached the point of mutual hostility. The young disciples, having just entered the sect, were immediately indoctrinated with this ‘orthodox ideology.’
The elder asked, “Did you all remember?”
The disciples, intimidated by his authority, answered in unison. The elder’s expression softened slightly.
Then, a weak, discordant voice broke the silence in the classroom, “Disciple has a question.”
The elder’s gaze turned, and he coldly said, “Ask!”
Little Hu Si stood up, nervous but earnest under the scrutiny of the others, and said, “Back at home, when I studied and wrote essays, the private school teacher taught us to read extensively, learning from various schools of thought, to combine their strengths. This is the principle of ‘another’s stone can polish one’s jade.’ Why can we only learn Han Shan’s swordsmanship?”
The elder stared at him, “You left your home and came to Han Shan, what did you come here to do?”
Little Hu Si, a bit scared, cautiously answered, “To cultivate, to seek the Dao.”
The elder responded, “So you do know.” His stern gaze swept over the other disciples. “Everyone, since you have the fortune to step into the path of cultivation, you must dedicate yourselves to the Dao. If you can’t forget the worldly rules, or the classics you recited at home, you might as well take the imperial exams, return home, and marry and have children instead.”
Yu Qishu said matter-of-factly, “You’re the Sword Venerable’s partner, so your status is naturally high.”
He murmured to himself, “In that case, Ji Xiao is my brother-in-law. I am the great-grandson of Lingxu Daozun, the grandson of Chongyuan Daoshi, the son of the White Egret City’s lord, and the senior disciple of Changchun Peak—Yu Qishu. It’s worth it, it’s worth it!”
Meng Xueli reassured, “During the big exam, we just need to go through the motions. Don’t worry, senior disciple of Changchun Peak.”
He had solved a problem for his friend and was in a good mood, unaware that fate’s mischief towards him extended far beyond just the ‘friend becoming a disciple.’
The author has something to say: Ji Xiao: I’ll write, I’ll write, is that not enough qaq
—
**Chapter 24: Willfully Ignoring**
The junior disciples, after asking their questions, felt it would be rude to leave Junior Brother Xiao alone and wanted to wait for him to go to the library together. Ji Xiao politely declined, so they thanked him, bid farewell, and left him alone to tidy up the papers and brushes.
Meng Xueli had left in a hurry, leaving the books scattered on the desk. As a party member, naturally, he had to help the party leader clean brushes and fold papers.
Dusk settled, and darkness, like a tide, surged towards the Lecture Hall at the mountain’s foot, engulfing the empty schoolhouses one by one.
The sounds of people gradually faded away, and even the birds in the pine forest fell silent, yet Ji Xiao was in no hurry.
In his previous life, he had always been rushing, focused solely on his journey, always in a hurry.
Rebuilding his cultivation gave him a chance to slow down and experience life, and his mind became broader. No matter how simple or naive the junior disciples’ questions were, he answered them seriously without a trace of impatience.
It’s perfectly normal to have doubts; no one is ‘born knowing everything.’
Cultivation is a process of continually resolving doubts and exploring the principles of all things.
People believed that Ji Xiao was extraordinarily gifted and that his path was smooth, but in reality, when he first entered the Dao, he encountered many problems.
The biggest confusion was why he had to practice the sword techniques left by his predecessors.
He believed that everyone was different. Even twins had different personalities, and since they were different, they should practice a unique Dao and explore a unique sword technique.
Senior Brother Hu Si, after hearing this, irresponsibly agreed, “Yes, each person lives their own way, there’s no standard. Who cares about the rules of the sages and saints? We’ll just ignore them.”
Ji Xiao’s master was deeply exasperated, saying that Ji Xiao was a once-in-a-century sword Dao genius, and geniuses have their path, while ordinary people have theirs.
Not everyone could blaze a new trail and create their sword techniques. For ordinary people, having the experience of their predecessors to guide them made the journey smoother.
As for Senior Brother Hu Si, he was reprimanded harshly when he first arrived at Han Shan for asking too many questions.
As Ji Xiao revisited this place, he couldn’t help but think of that scene.
At that time, the Lecture Hall didn’t have the solemn schoolhouses with white walls and black tiles, nor were there serene white stone paths between the pine trees—only six thatched cottages.
He was younger than his current body, just fourteen years old, and his senior brother Hu Si was only fifteen.
They were unlucky; the elder teaching them was stubborn and dogmatic.
On the first day of class, the elder explained the meaning of the Dao and sword techniques, leaving the young disciples confused and bewildered.
The elder said, “Cultivation is profound and mysterious. You are young and ignorant, so it’s okay if you don’t understand today. The most important thing is to remember this: since you are disciples of Han Shan, practicing Han Shan sword techniques, you must be loyal to the sect and must not practice the techniques of other schools. As for other unorthodox methods, it’s best not to practice them. Our Han Shan sword techniques are naturally the best.”
Mingyue Lake and Han Shan were both sword sects, but the former focused on the form of the sword technique, while the latter emphasized the intent. Each considered the other unorthodox, and the struggle for dominance had raged for thousands of years, becoming a deep-seated conflict. The young disciples, upon entering the sect, were indoctrinated with the ‘orthodox ideology.’
The elder asked, “Did you remember that?”
The disciples, intimidated by his authority, responded in unison. The elder’s expression softened slightly.
A discordant, immature voice then spoke up, “Disciple has a question.”
The elder’s gaze shifted, and he said coldly, “Ask!”
Young Hu Si stood up, nervous yet earnest under the gaze of his peers, and said, “Disciple used to study at home, and the private school teacher said we must read the words of a hundred schools of thought, taking the best of each. It’s the principle of ‘using another’s stone to sharpen one’s jade.’ So, why can we only learn Han Shan sword techniques?”
The teaching elder stared at him, “Why did you leave your home, travel far, and come to Han Shan?”
Young Hu Si, a little frightened, cautiously replied, “To cultivate and seek the Dao.”
The teaching elder said, “So you know.” His stern gaze swept over the other disciples. “Everyone, since you’ve had the fortune to step into the door of cultivation, you must focus solely on the Dao. If you can’t forget the mundane rules, can’t forget the classics you memorized at home, you might as well pursue a mundane career, return home, and get married.”
” As for you, if you ask such a foolish question again, get out of Han Shan!”
The other disciples snickered.
The little Hu Si stood there, embarrassed, his face flushed as others pointed and whispered.
The little Ji Xiao did not laugh.
He had been frail since birth, weaker than others, so he naturally didn’t compete with the stronger disciples for the front rows and instead sat alone in the back, in the most secluded spot.
He watched Hu Si and felt it shouldn’t be like this.
When everyone laughs, it doesn’t allow anyone not to laugh. So, with the elder’s tacit approval, the disciples began to ostracize Hu Si, and by extension, Ji Xiao. Those days were indeed difficult.
After the year-end exam, the two of them became disciples of the same master and thus became senior and junior brothers. Their master was a retired elder who only took these two disciples in to care for him in his old age.
After becoming disciples, their roots were re-examined, and it was discovered that Ji Xiao possessed the rare innate sword spirit. Only then did everyone regret their earlier treatment.
Hu Si and Ji Xiao began practicing sword techniques, but after just three years, Hu Si refused to continue and became fascinated with miscellaneous studies in cultivation.
Techniques like observing auras and deducing fortune were manageable; one could learn and explore them through books. But alchemy and forging required the consumption of spiritual herbs and materials. Regular families in the cultivation world couldn’t afford to support alchemists or smiths and had to rely on purchasing from major sects like Wuyin Sect.
Fortunately, by then, Ji Xiao had mastered his sword techniques and often ventured into dangerous realms to find rare treasures for his senior brother.
While traveling, Ji Xiao’s swordsmanship advanced rapidly, and his reputation grew.
Time flew by, and when Hu Si first attained the Dao and broke through to the Nascent Soul stage, he was scolded by the Supreme Elder, “If you don’t use a sword, you’re not worthy of being a Han Shan disciple.”
By this time, Hu Si was no longer the tearful young boy silently enduring lectures in the Hall of Legal Principles. He gathered his true energy and loudly argued with the Supreme Elder, their shouts echoing throughout Han Shan.
Ji Xiao knew in his heart that even if Hu Si hadn’t quarreled with the Supreme Elder, he wouldn’t have stayed at Han Shan for long.
Two hundred years passed, yet his senior brother still refused to comply.
After Hu Si left, some thought that Ji Xiao would draw his sword against the Supreme Elder, leading to Han Shan’s downfall.
But Ji Xiao did not. He continued to practice swordsmanship and cultivate.
Soon after, his cultivation surpassed that of the Supreme Elder, who, shamed by being surpassed by a junior, withdrew to the secluded rear mountain and avoided the world.
The descendants of the Supreme Elder’s family, without a leader, gradually faded into obscurity.
Ji Xiao reappointed the teaching elders at the Hall of Legal Principles, instructing them to encourage questions and reduce the rhetoric of ‘loyalty to the sect, practicing only Han Shan sword techniques.’
The Hall of Legal Principles became what he wanted it to be.
When the peak lords of each mountain were replaced, the new lords were installed with his support.
Han Shan began to transform into what he envisioned.
Later, the Sword Sovereign became invincible in the human world, and the rules of the entire cultivation world were set by him.
Thus, the Boundary Formation protecting the lands outside the realm was established, preventing demons from crossing; the Great Competition in the Boundless Sea Secret Realm was created, ending the bloody struggles between sects over unclaimed resources.
Hu Si remained defiant, raising a lake into the sky and transcending the mortal world.
Ji Xiao, too, remained defiant, spending two hundred years searching for answers and aiding the world.
It was widely believed that soon after Ji Xiao’s death, others quickly attained sainthood, as if it were guided by fate. If the Sword Sovereign had any awareness in the afterlife, his feelings would undoubtedly be mixed.
However, Ji Xiao thought that the person with the most complicated feelings would be the Supreme Elder of Han Shan, Daoist Tai Heng. After all, the Supreme Elder of Mingyue Lake, who held a position equal to his, had achieved sainthood, and the Lord of Tianhu, who had once been reprimanded by him, had also attained sainthood. Yet, he, the old man, was still alive, clinging bitterly to extend his life.
Ji Xiao himself was quite calm. If the Three Realms were at peace, he didn’t care who was regarded as the greatest in the human world.
Changing the world was something that only needed to be done once. The younger generation had already grown up in the new world, with talents emerging in every era. It was better to leave the world for them to inherit.
Moreover, his senior brother Hu Si should have attained sainthood long ago.
Disciples taught by the same master were like two flowers blooming on the same branch, sharing the same breath. Hu Si only needed to take that final step.
Ji Xiao hoped that more and more people would attain sainthood, sharing the burden.
If the human world no longer needed him, he would raise fish and grow flowers with his young Dao companion, and they would ascend together in the future.
But if the human world needed him, he would draw the Endless Sky Sword Sword buried beneath the pond.
Huge shoutout to @_nyanmaru_ on Discord for commissioning this! The chapter will be posted regularly, show your support for Ciacia at Kofi.
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
