Chapter 38: How Gentle He Is
Ji Xiao said, “This rule does indeed restrict freedom.”
Meng Xueli: “No, this rule is excellent. Going into a secret realm alone is far too dangerous. What if I got lost? What if I were robbed by demonic cultivators? My Dao companion is truly thoughtful.”
Since he had just unintentionally criticized the Sword Sovereign, he had to do a little damage control—to maintain his father’s image in front of his son, of course.
Yu Qishu looked completely baffled. So Brother Meng had no stance at all.
Ji Xiao lowered his head, struggling to suppress his laughter. “…If you say it’s good, then it’s good.”
Yu Qishu thought to himself, Even Senior Brother has no stance.
While the master and disciples of Changchun Peak communicated via voice transmission, the peak masters and elders took turns offering words of encouragement to the disciples.
At the end, the sect leader glanced at the head attendant, signaling for the meeting to conclude. The disciples who had obtained the jade talismans were excited. The moment they stepped out of the hall, they formed small groups, enthusiastically discussing amongst themselves. Their lively voices faintly echoed back into the great hall.
Inside, however, the atmosphere was entirely different. The elders rose from their seats, but instead of engaging in their usual lighthearted conversations, they remained solemn.
To them, this was a serious matter. The secret realm tournament determined the sect’s resource distribution, and each time, there were always some disciples who never returned.
As the hall gradually emptied, the sect leader summoned the head attendant and presented the final jade talisman to Meng Xueli. “Be careful in all things and return safely.”
He then turned to Xiao Tingyun and Yu Qishu. “Your master will be away from the mountain for three months. If you encounter any difficulties during this time, you may come to the main peak to find me.”
The other peak masters also stepped forward to give their advice. Meng Xueli accepted their words seriously and carefully put away the jade talisman.
When the three of them returned to Changchun Peak, they finally relaxed and gathered at a tea table under the peach blossom trees.
Yu Qishu took the initiative to prepare tea and pour water. “Others may not know, but I know Brother Meng is incredible. There won’t be any problems at all.”
Meng Xueli: “Such sweet talk. You better not be planning to slack off on training the moment I leave, sleeping in every day. Tingyun, keep an eye on him for me!”
Yu Qishu felt wronged. “How could I? Who knows, by the time you come back, you might find that I’ve improved tremendously, and the disciples of Changchun Peak will have a new senior brother!”
Ji Xiao simply smiled and said nothing. The young had a good mindset—ambitious and full of dreams. That was admirable.
Meng Xueli set down his teacup and looked around. “Don’t you think something feels off here?”
The surrounding peach forests remained in full bloom, with shades of pink and green blending beautifully.
Yu Qishu was puzzled. “No, I don’t think so.” Just then, a golden money rat scampered toward him, stirring up fallen petals as it leaped into his arms, its fur adorned with the delicate blossoms.
Ji Xiao gave him a sympathetic look.
“No, I’ve had this feeling for days. I need to figure it out before I leave!”
Meng Xueli led his two disciples into the forest to investigate. Most of the peach trees were still lush, their branches even more vibrant than before.
But when they walked deeper into the grove, they reached a secluded corner where the once-flourishing trees were now barren, leaving only thick trunks standing starkly without a trace of foliage.
Meng Xueli stood frozen, mouth slightly open. “The truth is finally revealed again.”
Yu Qishu noticed his odd expression and quickly said, “You told me to cut them!”
“If you were plucking fur from a money rat, would you pluck until it’s completely bald? You did the same with the peach trees—pruned them until they were bare! And yet you change outfits every single day without repeating?”
Yu Qishu pouted, still holding the rat. “I just have a lot of clothes. My mother made me plenty.”
The golden money rat raised a paw. “Squeak squeak squeak!”
Meng Xueli scolded, “Don’t agree with him!”
At times like these, Ji Xiao usually played the peacemaker. “Xueli, you need to start preparing the things you’ll take into the secret realm. Let’s go pack first.”
Meng Xueli was dragged away by Ji Xiao, while Yu Qishu lifted the money rat and rubbed it vigorously. “Senior Brother is truly kind.”
This was Meng Xueli’s first long journey since coming to the mortal world, and there were indeed many things to pack. Ji Xiao followed his requests and filled his storage bag.
However, the only actual weapon was his sword, ‘Hundred Generations of Time.’ Everything else consisted of snacks—sunflower seeds, pine nuts, sugar-roasted chestnuts, and other treats.
Watching his disciple busily preparing for him, Meng Xueli felt a sense of warmth and security. This must be what familial love in the mortal world felt like.
He raised his hand, and Ji Xiao, though surprised, instinctively leaned down slightly to accommodate him—was this a hug? Like how Hu Si would embrace those beauties before leaving?
But Meng Xueli’s hand merely landed on the top of his head. “Take care of yourself. I’ll be back soon.”
Ji Xiao froze in place.
…
Time passed in the blink of an eye. On the day of departure, Meng Xueli got up at the first light of dawn.
When he pushed open the courtyard door, he saw his disciple, who lived next door, already waiting under a tree outside.
Ji Xiao accompanied Meng Xueli as they looked at the fish in the pond, the flowers in the forest, and the nest of little rats sleeping under the blossoms. It felt like three years ago, when he had first brought his young Dao companion to Changchun Peak, leading him around and asking if there was anything he wanted.
Meng Xueli had softly requested a small platform where he could see the whole sky.
Back then, Ji Xiao had thought, Raising a great demon who had been reborn as a human wasn’t as difficult as his senior brother had claimed. Look how gentle he was—asking for a stove, a platform, but not the stars in the sky or the dragon pearls from the depths of the sea.
“Everything is fine. There’s nothing I’m worried about.” Meng Xueli had seen Changchun Peak countless times, yet he never grew tired of it.
The soft morning light filtered through the dense forest, and mountain mist drifted with the wind. The entire Changchun Peak had come down the mountain—farewells were not something to be done in front of outsiders.
The young disciple, barely reaching his waist, mustered up the courage to throw himself into his arms, messing up the twin buns on his head. Meng Xueli patted the top of his head and said, “Count one number each day. When you reach ninety, I’ll be back.”
Yu Qishu, only half an inch taller than him, gave him a firm brotherly pat on the back in farewell.
Meng Xueli landed a solid punch on his back and said, “Train well. Brother Meng is off.”
Ji Xiao, a head taller than him, held on a little too long.
Meng Xueli felt himself being pressed into the embrace, his whole body heating up. A familiar tingling sensation crept up the back of his neck. Feeling somewhat awkward, he stiffly said, “Goodbye.”
Ji Xiao responded in a low voice, “Mm.” See you in a few days.
Huge shoutout to @_nyanmaru_ on Discord for commissioning this! The chapter will be posted regularly, show your support for Ciacia at Kofi.
