Chapter 26: What is His Surname?
After about half an hour, the water clock ran out. A group of attendents began collecting the examination papers.
Ji Xiao truthfully wrote down eight words: “Whenever I meditate, I encounter no illusions.” Then he sighed and waited for the summons to the hall.
When the first disciple was led into the hall by an attendant, the elders’ chatter abruptly ceased, and the atmosphere became solemn.
Meng Xueli also put down his snack and sat up straight.
The elders passed around the test paper, examining it while also scrutinizing the young disciple who had entered the hall, assessing his innate potential and cultivation level.
One elder asked, “As you wrote about overcoming illusions, you mentioned that when faced with the illusion of beauty, you imagine white bones, and when faced with the illusion of wealth, you imagine filth. Could you elaborate further?”
The young disciple, suddenly confronted with so many important figures, turned pale, sweat beading on his forehead. He stammered, unable to speak clearly, “I… I… I think…”
The elder who had asked the question frowned slightly, showing some impatience.
At that moment, the young disciple’s gaze shifted, and he saw Elder Meng trying hard to appear stern, with some crumbs still on his cheek. For some reason, the disciple suddenly relaxed, and with clear logic and articulate speech, he answered the questions one by one.
The elder nodded slightly, “I am the master of Liulan Peak, and I practice the Sword of Metal and Stone. Would you be willing to become my disciple?”
The young disciple was overjoyed and hurried forward to bow and offer tea, saying, “I am willing! Greetings, Master, and greetings to all senior brothers.”
After the formalities were completed, he stood behind the seat of Liulan Peak with the other personal disciples.
The disciples entered the hall one by one. If no elder wished to question them, the Head Attendant would step forward and ask, “Would you be willing to join the Hall of Executors?”
At such times, some had already prepared themselves mentally and respectfully answered, “I am willing to serve the sect.”
Others would burst into tears on the spot, choking out, “I wish to take the exam again next year…”
Meng Xueli, though appearing serious, was lost in thought, wondering when it would be Yu Qishu’s turn.
Suddenly, a stern shout rang out, “Is it true that as you wrote, you have never encountered an illusion?”
Meng Xueli snapped his gaze up and saw that the expressions of the elders varied—some were surprised, others solemn.
And there stood Xiao Tingyun in the hall, calmly nodding as he replied, “Indeed, that is the case. I dare not deceive.”
“Boom—”
Just as an elder was about to ask another question, a rumble of thunder suddenly echoed across the sky, growing louder as it approached.
Everyone’s expressions changed, and they looked toward the sky outside the hall, where the sky remained clear with no clouds in sight.
The Sect Leader stood up, his expression serious, “The chariot of Daoist Tai Heng has arrived.”
‘Tai Heng’ was the Daoist title of the Supreme Elder.
Before the Sect Leader’s words had fully settled, the disciples outside the hall began to exclaim in surprise.
A magnificently decorated cloud chariot hovered in the sky, casting a deep shadow over the square in front of the hall.
Suddenly, a fierce wind swept across the area, stinging the faces of the disciples and forcing them to shut their eyes. A figure descended from the sky, landing on the high steps before the hall.
The person was tall and lean, carrying a long sword on his back. Though he had the appearance of a middle-aged man, the deep furrow between his brows from years of frowning made him seem older.
As he approached, the atmosphere inside the hall grew tense and unnervingly silent.
This man was named Zhou Yi, the eldest disciple of the Supreme Elder. Since Daoist Tai Heng spent most of his time in seclusion on the back mountain, important matters were usually conveyed through him.
He did not exchange greetings with anyone and walked straight to the Sect Leader, “Which one of you is Xiao Tingyun?”
The Sect Leader, as if expecting this, gestured toward the hall, “Junior Brother Zhou, you have come at the right time. The one you seek is standing right here.”
The other elders exchanged looks, all sensing something ominous.
A rare innate sword spirit body born once in a thousand years was likely to be claimed by the Supreme Elder.
As expected, Zhou Yi frowned as he scrutinized the frail young man before him.
“The Daoist Elder has instructed me to accept a disciple on his behalf,” he said, raising his head slightly, “Congratulations, Junior Brother.”
The current Supreme Elder is known as the “First Sword of Han Shan.” Since he is willing to accept a disciple, Xiao Tingyun is indeed exceptionally fortunate, as he would be on par with the various Peak Masters and Elders. With such a stroke of luck, shouldn’t he kneel and express his gratitude?
However, Xiao Tingyun did not display the expected demeanor of gratitude and excitement. Instead, he merely bowed slightly and said calmly, “I appreciate Daoist Tai Heng’s favor, but I have already made up my mind.”
Everyone, except for the Sect Leader, was caught off guard by this unexpected turn of events and looked at Xiao Tingyun in confusion.
Zhou Yi’s expression turned slightly cold. “Oh? Who do you wish to be your master?”
Xiao Tingyun looked past him and directed his gaze to a certain spot in the hall. “Changchun Peak, Elder Meng Xueli.”
In an instant, all eyes turned to Meng Xueli, who stared at Xiao Tingyun in bewilderment.
The hall fell silent.
Zhou Yi furrowed his brows. “What did you say?”
Xiao Tingyun calmly repeated his answer.
The elders exchanged glances, their shock evident. What did this have to do with Meng Xueli?
Many wondered about Meng Xueli’s unusual luck.
Was it true that his first half of life depended on his
Dao companion, and the latter half depended on his disciples? Was he the child of destiny?
Could it be that raising three koi fish in the cave really could change one’s fortune?
Ji Xiao thought to himself that in Han Shan, when becoming an apprentice, one had to offer tea to their master and perform a kneeling ceremony. It was just a formality, but he worried that it might diminish their good fortune.
Fortunately, kneeling to a Dao companion did not count, even if it was just in name.
Zhou Yi stared at Xiao Tingyun with an intimidating aura and took a few steps forward, but the Sect Leader discreetly stopped him.
“Junior Brother Zhou may not be aware, but this disciple has been fortunate enough to receive a saint’s fortune telling. To achieve the Great Way, ‘avoiding snow’ is crucial. Han Shan’s Changchun Peak is the only place where spring prevails all year round, free from snow and storms.”
The words of Tianhu Vast Realm’s master, now a saint, carried significant weight.
The Sect Leader felt complex emotions.
The day after Xiao Tingyun visited Changchun Peak, he came to see him, expressing his wish to learn the sword way on his own and to become Meng Xueli’s disciple, moving to Changchun Peak.
“Good, a ‘saint’s fortune telling.’ Since that is the case, I will report it truthfully to Daoist Tai Heng.” Zhou Yi snorted lightly, casting a final glance at Meng Xueli before leaving with a sweep of his sleeve.
Zhou Yi’s thoughts raced. With Meng Xueli having disciplined Zhou Wu on Sword Training Platform and the Sect Leader’s Disciplinary Hall having severely punished three individuals, and now Xiao Tingyun wishing to be Meng Xueli’s disciple, it was clear that the Five Peak Masters’ faction had decisively opposed the Supreme Elder’s faction, using Meng Xueli and Xiao Tingyun as pawns to publicly challenge the Supreme Elder’s authority.
The Sect Leader, unaware of Zhou Yi’s thoughts, sighed with relief as he saw him leave and turned to Meng Xueli, “Since Xiao Tingyun is sincerely seeking to be your disciple, please accept him.”
The grand chariot disappeared into the sky, and the atmosphere in the hall relaxed slightly.
The Sect Leader smiled, “I believe he is destined to have a connection with Changchun Peak. By the way, it seems that Ji Xiao’s secular name is also Xiao.”
Meng Xueli was stunned, watching Xiao Tingyun approach as if struck by lightning.
A flash of light crossed his mind, like a candlestick rapidly falling through the darkness of the library, illuminating past scenes: helping on Sword Training Platform, making tea on Changchun Peak, writing essays in the Hall of Discussions…
He realized who Xiao Tingyun was.
Meng Xueli muttered to himself, “I’m really foolish. So that’s how it is.”
I should have figured it out earlier.
…
Ji Xiao’s original surname was Xiao, which Meng Xueli had known for three years. This was related to an old matter.
At that time, when they had set their marriage date, Ji Xiao went to Tianhu Vast Realm to inform his senior brother, Hu Si.
“I’m getting married.”
“Who with?”
“Meng Xueli.”
Hu Si was slightly surprised, “Is he willing?”
He knew that Ji Xiao was not the kind of person to make demands out of gratitude, but he still did not believe that Ji Xiao had suddenly developed romantic feelings for the great demon.
Ji Xiao thought for a moment and replied, “Willing.” He then briefly described the situation of that day.
Hu Si felt a headache coming on.
“He replied ‘Anything goes, up to you.’ That doesn’t mean he’s willing. This is a major matter; you can’t approach it like this.”
Ji Xiao frowned, “Then what should I do?”
“About sixty years ago, I also considered marrying someone. It was a fairy from the Xia Mountain Sect named Yuan Zhi. I took her to the top of Xia Mountain, where the stars shone brightly and flowers were in full bloom. I told her that this place was my site of enlightenment. When I visited during my travels, my mind was suddenly enlightened, and upon returning to my cave, I achieved a breakthrough to the Mahayana realm. This place gave me a feeling reminiscent of when I first met you…”
“Months later, I turned my affections elsewhere, and she came to sever ties with me, saying that even if we never met again in this lifetime, she would never forget the stars and flowers from that day.”
Fairy Yuan Zhi had cultivated the ‘Path of Indifference,’ which demonstrated how heartless and unreflective Hu Si was. Indeed, he was not a good person.
Hu Si patiently instructed, “Choose a place that holds special meaning to you. Speak with formality so it leaves a lasting impression. Then ask him again, ‘Do you wish to be married to me?’ Understand?”
Ji Xiao considered this and replied, “Got it.”
He really did manage it.
Even now, when Meng Xueli thought about it, he would still shiver uncontrollably.
That day, the rain poured heavily, and the wind howled like the cries of lonely ghosts. The wind and rain hit so hard that Meng Xueli nearly fell to the ground.
They walked step by step toward the center of the Sword Tomb. The sky was dim, and the area was littered with broken swords and piles of bones. It was the remains of an ancient battlefield.
Ji Xiao grasped Meng Xueli’s wrist, continuously channeling his true essence to keep him from freezing.
“This is the place where I attained enlightenment,” Ji Xiao turned back and solemnly asked, “Do you wish to be married to me?”
Meng Xueli, taking refuge from the rain behind Ji Xiao, saw his expressionless face and was further intimidated by the surrounding dreadful atmosphere. He swore,
“I will follow Sword Sovereign’s command! I am devoted to you, and the sun and moon can bear witness!”
Ji Xiao remained silent for a moment. “There’s no need for such formality. We will just use a different title.” Titles like ‘great king’ or ‘great lord’ were terms used by demons.
“Alright, Brother Ji.” Meng Xueli complied without hesitation.
Another gust of wind blew, and as soon as the words left his mouth, they were scattered by the wind, leaving Meng Xueli with a stomachful of cold air. He yelled, “Brother, Brother Ji, can we go home first—”
“…‘Ji Xiao’ is my Daoist name. I do not have the surname Ji.”
Meng Xueli thought to himself that he was just shouting casually, so why was Ji Xiao being so serious? He asked, “Sorry, may I ask your secular surname, Sword Sovereign?”
Some cultivators abandoned their worldly names after entering the Dao and were given Daoist names by their teachers or elders.
“My surname is Xiao.”
Meng Xueli said, “Brother Xiao, your master must have put a lot of thought into this. The name ‘Ji Xiao’ means clear sky, with ‘Ji’ representing clear skies after the clouds disperse and ‘Xiao’ meaning the vast clear sky. Your master must have hoped you would be more optimistic. Is he in good health?”
Ji Xiao: “My master passed away many years ago.”
Meng Xueli: “…I’m sorry.”
Ji Xiao: “It’s alright.”
Meng Xueli tried his best but could not continue the conversation. From now on, he would just refer to him as ‘Zhenren.’ It was the safest and most error-free way to address him.
The atmosphere returned to silence as the two of them walked into the cold wind.
…
“Xueli, what’s wrong?” The Sect Leader asked when he saw Meng Xueli dazed.
Meng Xueli came to his senses, took a deep breath, and replied, “Nothing.”
He understood everything now.
Why the library seemed both familiar and strange, and why Xiao Tingyun wanted to become his disciple.
Ji Xiao’s surname was Xiao, and Xiao Tingyun also had the surname Xiao—he was Ji Xiao’s estranged biological son.
The young man approached him with a smile in his eyes.
Meng Xueli was shaken but remained standing. He said firmly, “Once a teacher, always a father. I will take good care of you.”
Ji Xiao’s smile froze.
Author’s note: Ji Xiao’s first proposal: “Do you wish to be married to me?”
The Spirit ferret: “Anything goes, up to you.”
The second proposal: “Do you wish to be married to me?”
The Spirit ferret: “I will follow your command!”
Hu Si: “Thanks for the invite. It wasn’t me. I haven’t taught anyone.”
Huge shoutout to @_nyanmaru_ on Discord for commissioning this! The chapter will be posted regularly, show your support for Ciacia at Kofi.
