Chapter 5: Like Falling Into A Vast Ocean
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Fortunately, Shen Gurong had a thick skin. He casually glanced at them as if nothing happened and asked, “What’s the matter?”
Perhaps Shen Gurong’s demeanor was too intimidating, Yu Xinghe was once again shocked. He started to doubt if he had seen it wrong just now.
He exclaimed “Ah” and quickly kneeled down with Mu Zhe, saying, “Master, I come to apologize.”
Shen Gurong, not accustomed to the children kneeling so easily, furrowed his brow slightly. “Apologize for what?”
However, Yu Xinghe misinterpreted Shen Gurong’s intention and hastily bowed, “I offended Master yesterday and put Master in a difficult situation…”
Mu Zhe remained expressionless, suddenly kneeled down, and bowed heavily. He murmured, “It’s my fault. If Master wants to punish, punish me alone.”
Shen Gurong: “…”
It’s just a small matter, and these two children are scared like this. Shen Fengxue is truly a troublemaker.
Shen Gurong adjusted his robe and said with a feigned indifference, “Get up, both of you.”
Yu Xinghe hesitated for a moment before stumbling to stand up, pulling Mu Zhe up with him.
Mu Zhe lifted his head, bloodstains were visible on his forehead. It’s evident how much force he used when he bowed just now. Shen Gurong thought to himself, this child, so young yet so ruthless towards himself. He will likely be a tough one when he grows up.
At this moment, the morning bell on Liren Peak echoed in the distance.
Shen Gurong saw a flock of birds soaring not far away. “What time is it now?”
Yu Xinghe whispered, “It’s the third quarter of Maoshi (5-7am)[3].”
Shen Gurong said, “No, it’s not.”
Yu Xinghe scratched his head, unsure of what his master meant.
Mu Zhe spoke up, “Thirteenth year of Yongping, the third day of the seventh month.”
Shen Gurong stared thoughtfully at the horizon and said, “If there’s nothing else, you may leave.”
He needed to calm down and, in the meantime, organize the main plot points from the book.
Yu Xinghe awkwardly bowed and, holding Mu Zhe, turned to leave.
Shen Gurong stood in the courtyard amidst the evening mist flowers, tilting his head slightly to gaze at the sky.
The details of the plot in that miscellaneous book are not very clear to him; he needs to delve into his memories to find them.
The thirteenth year of Yongping, the fourth day of the seventh month.
Mu Zhe… possessed by the Epidemic Demon, kills Xi Guxing’s disciple, Li Suo, on Liren Peak.
Shen Gurong abruptly opened his eyes.
If he remembered correctly, the disciple who wielded the fan exceptionally gracefully yesterday was named Li Suo. When Xi Guxing mentioned ghost cultivators and Li Suo, it seemed like Li Suo was indeed in the Golden Core stage.
Being able to easily kill a Golden Core cultivator after taking possession indicates that the ghost cultivator’s cultivation is not to be underestimated.
Shen Gurong suddenly called out to the two disciples who had already left Fanjiang Residence, “Stop.”
Yu Xinghe, who was walking briskly, trembled at the words, and he exchanged a glance with Mu Zhe, breaking out in a cold sweat.
Mu Zhe, seemingly accustomed to such situations, turned around expressionlessly.
Shen Gurong said, “Mu Zhe, stay.”
Yu Xinghe, with a look of despair, and Mu Zhe, with an expression that seemed to have anticipated this, calmly nodded, “Yes.”
Yu Xinghe stomped his foot and anxiously said, “Mu Zhe…”
Mu Zhe shook his head, “You go back.”
Yu Xinghe pitifully tugged at his sleeve.
Every time Shen Fengxue had Mu Zhe stay behind, he was always covered in injuries when he’s back at Fanjiang Residence. Yu Xinghe was frightened by the bloodstains every time.
Mu Zhe shook his head at Yu Xinghe, somewhat resigned, “Go, it’s okay.”
Yu Xinghe can only leave reluctantly.
As Yu Xinghe departed, Mu Zhe calmly walked towards Fanjiang Residence.
Shen Gurong led him into a side room in Fanjiang Residence, saying, “You’ll stay here tonight.”
Mu Zhe replied, “Yes.”
Shen Gurong, with a cloak draped over his shoulders, had a slender figure. When he lowered his gaze slightly, he seemed like an immortal amidst the mist and clouds, enchanting and captivating.
But in Mu Zhe’s eyes, this person seemed nothing more than a facade. In reality, he was just a dignified hypocrite.
Shen Gurong had just been about to go back to the inner room to look for Xi Guxing when he heard Mu Zhe casually ask, “Master, do I still need to take medicine?”
Shen Gurong was momentarily surprised, turning his head to look at Mu Zhe, “What medicine?”
Mu Zhe had given a brief smile as if mocking him for asking a question he already knew the answer to, “The spirit medicine for washing the tendons and marrow.”
His face looked young, but when he coldly laughed, there was an emptiness that seemed like the experience of a grown adult, creating an unsettling contrast.
Shen Gurong was once again taken aback. In Shen Fengxue’s memories, taking the spirit medicine for washing the tendons and marrow felt like being shattered and reassembled, a painful process comparable to torture.
It wasn’t known how much hatred Shen Fengxue had for this young disciple. He gave Mu Zhe a pile of these medicines, forcing him to take them from time to time.
However, Mu Zhe’s spiritual roots[7] were too weak, and despite undergoing the process numerous times, there was still no spiritual power within his body.
Shen Gurong met Mu Zhe’s gaze, feeling as if he were looking into a deep pool. He sensed that this child’s left eye wrote “Qin,” and the right eye wrote “Shou,” all filled with mockery and aversion towards him[4].
Perhaps due to the prolonged silence of Shen Gurong, Mu Zhe tilted his head and called out, “Master?” Shen Gurong, as if waking from a dream, said with a complex expression, “No need, just rest here.”
Mu Zhe seemed slightly stunned as if he couldn’t believe Shen Gurong would let him off so easily. However, he was not one to endure needless suffering, he just nodded indifferently and said, “Yes.”
Shen Gurong hurriedly left.
Back in his chamber, Shen Gurong spent quite some time contemplating the plot of Mu Zhe being possessed. Finally, he gently tapped the jade token in his hand.
This jade token was a spiritual communication device used by the disciples of Liren Peak. Shen Gurong took a while to figure out its usage.
After a moment, the voice of Xi Guxing came through the jade token, “Are you seeking death again?”
Shen Gurong raised an eyebrow slightly, finding this person’s temperament truly eccentric. Despite expressing concern for Shen Fengxue, his words showed no mercy. It seemed he had to provoke him to get any response.
Shen Gurong said, “Sect Leader, there is an urgent matter. I need you to come to Fanjiang Residence.”
Predictably, Sect Leader Xi immediately got furious, “Shen Shiyi[5]! Are you seeking death?!”
Upon hearing his anger, Shen Gurong felt refreshed and casually said, “Come quickly.”
Xi Guxing scolded him angrily, and the jade token fell silent.
Shen Gurong propped his chin and stared at the evening mist flowers in the courtyard.
In the novel, after Mu Zhe killed Li Suo, Shen Fengxue used his entire spiritual power to suppress the Epidemic Demon within Mu Zhe’s body. Consequently, Shen Fengxue suffered severe injuries and fell into a deep sleep for several years. Mu Zhe, for massacring fellow disciples, was imprisoned by Xi Guxing in the Burial Mound.
Ten years later, Yu Xinghe attained the Core Formation stage. Armed with a mysterious spiritual weapon, he intruded into the Burial Mound, seemingly attempting to rescue Mu Zhe.
Mu Zhe, devoid of any cultivation, somehow survived for a decade amidst the eerie creatures within the Burial Mound.
After reaching adulthood, Yu Xinghe, upon meeting Mu Zhai, wore the same familiar smile on his face.
Smiling innocently, he held a sword in his hand, his eyes curved as he spoke just one sentence:
“Little Senior Brother, hand over that thing to me.”
The book seemed to be written from Shen Fengxue’s perspective, and some details were unclear at first glance, appearing somewhat elusive. This led Shen Gurong to be perpetually puzzled, as he couldn’t comprehend what that “thing” was and why it was significant enough for Yu Xinghe to confront Mu Zhe with the sword drawn.
Subsequently, the two of them negotiated in a manner unknown to others. Yu Xinghe released the demonic cultivator from the Burial Mound, willingly fell into demonic cultivation, and severely injured Mu Zhe. Immediately after, he defected from Liren Peak.
Mu Zhe, due to Yu Xinghe’s strike that nearly destroyed his dantian[6], unexpectedly awakened his spiritual roots and swiftly reached the Core Formation stage.
The impending death of Li Suo was a matter for the next day. If Mu Zhe was currently possessed by the Epidemic Demon, it would be suitable for Xi Guxing to come and suppress it.
However, if Mu Zhe had not yet been possessed, spending the night at Fanjiang Residence today would easily evade the imminent danger of possession.
Shen Gurong planned it out, feeling that he could effortlessly resolve this dilemma without using his brain. The prospect of returning home was within reach—hoping that Sect Leader Xi would be a bit dependable.
Thinking about this, Shen Gurong’s mood became even more pleasant. He lazily leaned against the soft couch, his fingers tapping idly on the small table. He hummed an unknown tune, lost in thought.
On the side of the courtyard, Mu Zhe lowered his gaze, staring at the palm of his hand, lost in thought. Unbeknownst to him, a red birthmark on half of his face was slowly changing, as if a living organism was crawling towards his forehead.
Mu Zhe felt something unusual on his face and gently touched it. The vine-like birthmark instantly stopped about an inch away from his forehead and remained still.
In the next moment, Shen Gurong abruptly emerged from the inner room, holding a slender bamboo flute as if wielding a sharp longsword. His imposing manner coldly pointed towards the birthmark on Mu Zhe’s forehead.
Even though Mu Zhe maintained a calm exterior, he was still young. Shen Gurong appeared with a fierce momentum, causing him to take a half-step back, his pupils contracting as he stared at Shen Gurong.
Shen Gurong coldly pointed at him, his wide sleeves flowing.
Mu Zhe, trying to maintain composure, asked, “I, have I offended Master in any way?”
Shen Gurong’s eyebrows were filled with coldness, his aura imposing. He maintained the demeanor of a lofty cultivator, thinking to himself, “Hmm? Hm, hm, hm? Why did I suddenly make a move?”
He was more flustered than Mu Zhe.
After careful consideration, Shen Gurong realized that, for a moment, Mu Zhe emitted the aura of a ghost cultivator. Acting on Shen Fengxue’s instinct, Shen Gurong instinctively made a move.
Mu Zhe was about to raise his hand when Shen Gurong said, “Don’t move!”
Mu Zhe froze in place.
Shen Gurong’s bamboo flute in his palm emitted an unmistakable hostility. Mu Zhe shivered instinctively, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead due to the overwhelming killing intent. He pursed his lips, tilting his head slightly to meet Shen Gurong’s cold gaze.
His eyes, like distant stars, seemed to belong to a fierce beast pushed to the brink.
Shen Gurong stared at the red birthmark that had crawled to Mu Zhe’s forehead, guessing that it was the ghost cultivator attempting to take over. Fortunately, the ghost cultivator had not fully manifested, appearing only as a dark red birthmark. Otherwise, if Shen Gurong, who feared ghosts the most, had seen it, he might not have been able to uphold his lofty and cold aura as the Sage.
Shen Gurong took a light breath, instinctively trying to pull the fierce ghost out of Mu Zhe. However, as soon as he activated his spiritual power, his meridians suddenly experienced intense pain, almost causing him to spit out blood.
Shen Gurong: “…”
The pampered young master had never endured such suffering before. His meridians felt as if they were shattered, and the pain was almost enough to make him cry out, yet he clenched his teeth firmly.
It hurts! It hurts! It hurts!
Sect Leader, save me!
No, Senior Brother, save me!
Shen Gurong’s eyes were almost filled with tears as he belatedly remembered the warning from Xi Guxing not to use spiritual power recklessly.
Watching the ghost cultivator almost infiltrating Mu Zhe’s forehead, Shen Gurong steeled himself. Ignoring the excruciating pain throughout his body, he raised his hand and sent out a surge of spiritual power, swiftly heading towards Mu Zhe’s face.
Mu Zhe had never placed even a little bit of trust in Shen Gurong. He looked on in astonishment as Shen Gurong moved towards him, instinctively thinking that Shen Gurong was finally going to put him in a deadly situation, and he immediately wanted to escape.
However, the oppressive aura of the Core Formation stage had already weakened his legs, causing him to kneel heavily on the ground before he could even react.
Shen Gurong’s face was even more unsightly than Mu Zhe’s. He sternly warned, “Don’t move!”
At that moment, spiritual power had already rushed towards Mu Zhe’s forehead. A chill swept through, firmly grabbing hold of the red birthmark and pulling out a black mist mixed with red lines.
The black mist writhed wildly, emitting a ferocious roar.
It was the Epidemic Demon.
It remained unclear how the Epidemic Demon, already defeated and dispersed, managed to attach itself to Mu Zhe’s body and rapidly increase its cultivation in such a short time.
Mu Zhe suddenly felt a cold sensation on his forehead. Following that, memories that didn’t belong to him rushed through his mind like flowing water, accompanied by unknown, wailing screams.
“They’re all dead…”
“Please, don’t!”
“Are you still there?”
“Ah—”
Mu Zhe abruptly opened his eyes. The originally black pupils instantly transformed into eerie crimson irises. He shivered all over, and his eyes, now with a vacant look, stared at Shen Gurong.
Shen Gurong, with his meridians heavily injured and not yet fully recovered, had struggled to pull out half of the ghostly presence from Mu Zhe. Despite feeling overwhelmed and nearly at his limit, he gritted his teeth, pretending to be calm without withdrawing his hand.
“Where’s Xi Guxing? Where’s Xi Guxing?” Shen Gurong was in a sorry state, simultaneously pleading the Sect Leader to save life and also cursing him out. “Does Xi Guxing crawl over here? Even that wretched brat is faster than him.”
Mu Zhe, unsure whether Shen Gurong was genuinely trying to harm him, stared at him with vacant eyes and hoarsely said, “Master…”
Shen Gurong, his face pale, thought, ‘Little bunny, don’t distract me with words. Besides, if you keep talking, your master will die!’
Just when Shen Gurong was about to give up entirely, Xi Guxing arrived just in time. Shen Gurong saw him as if he had encountered a savior and blurted out, “Sect Leader Senior Brother!”
Xi Guxing: “…”
Xi Guxing’s hand holding the sword stiffened for a moment. He couldn’t decide whether to scold Shen Gurong for calling him “Sect Leader” or to feel relieved at the rare words of “Senior Brother.”
“A useless existence.”
He pulled out his sword expressionlessly, and the cold light, like stars in the night sky, suddenly flashed, swiftly rushing towards the Epidemic Demon.
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Glossary:
[3]: Third quarter of Maoshi is about 6:45 AM.
[4]: Qinshou here means a brute or a beast because it’s 1 word but 2 characters that’s why divided into 2 in his eyes.
[5]: Shiyi means eleventh.
[6]: Dantian refers to the region in the body where a person’s Qi is concentrated. There are technically three dantians, but these novels simplify the concept and only use the lower dantian (located three finger widths below and two finger widths behind the navel).
[7]: Spiritual Roots – figuratively, the very foundation (roots) of one’s body and soul. Associated with a person’s innate talent and elemental affinities.
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thank you for picking this up!!!
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