Chapter One: The Unexpected Turn

Just as he entered the main hall, Chu Gaoge hurried in as well. Ling Luo quickly secured the doors and windows and had the two sit down.

“Master has gone out for some urgent matters, so the affairs of North Spirit Mountain will be managed by me for the time being. How long he will be away is uncertain—should he not return within a year, the disciples of North Spirit Sect will be dismissed, and all tuition fees will be refunded on schedule. As for succession, Master has made arrangements: among the three of us, whoever, after ten years, has the virtue and reputation to compel the other two to yield, will become the sect leader. If none are clearly superior, then the sect will be divided among three. Any who defy this order will be executed without mercy. When the time comes, someone will inform us how to claim the sect’s stored assets.”

Chu Gaoge was greatly shocked. “Senior brother, what has happened? Master has always acted with composure and care. Why is he so rushed and hasty this time?”

Ling Luo considered carefully. “This is something you two should know, but must never speak of to outsiders. Master has a hidden injury, and years of overwork have worsened it. Recently, during cultivation, the old wound was aggravated—his condition is dire. In this world, only the leader of the Flying Immortal Sect can help him…”

The details Ling Luo could not reveal to Chu Gaoge. The current world was dominated by competing powers, most with ambitions to unite the realm. If the Chu state learned the truth about Zheng Feixian, their actions would be unpredictable.

On hearing that the old master of North Spirit was gravely injured and might not survive the year, Chu Gaoge turned pale with shock. He had no objection to Ling Luo managing the mountain’s affairs, and when Ling Luo asked his opinion about the master’s arrangements, he absentmindedly agreed.

When the three left, many disciples had already sensed something amiss and gathered to wait. Ling Luo and Chu Gaoge acted as if nothing was wrong, smiling as they explained that the old master had learned of an ancient secret manual and, if successful, would spend some time in secluded cultivation. The operations of North Spirit Sect were already well established, so even in the master’s absence, teaching martial arts would not be affected.

All the disciples knew of the master’s fondness for collecting secret manuals and treasures, so they believed the story.

When Bu Jingxian returned to the rooftop beside the training ground, Shaoyuan approached and asked if something had happened with the Flying Immortal Sect. Bu Jingxian was greatly surprised but kept his composure. “Why ask that? Senior brother only said Master was eager to cultivate a remarkable manual he is about to obtain.”

Shaoyuan rubbed his large nose and grinned. “My nurse sent word by flying eagle—my father plans to summon me home next year. Our clan’s martial lord, Karl, fought with Zheng Feixian, was injured, but Zheng Feixian was wounded too. If that’s true, next year our clan’s army will invade Zheng state! The sect leader left in a hurry; I think it’s because Zheng Feixian’s injuries are severe. Master, do you think my guess is reasonable?”

“It may be so, or it may not. The sect leader wouldn’t tell me such things.”

“That’s true, the sect leader looks down on Master and doesn’t like him.” Shaoyuan was simple-minded and often said such things, which everyone knew to be true. Bu Jingxian never minded.

After the old master left, he did not appear for several months. During this time, rumors spread that he and Zheng Feixian had gone traveling together. The disciples believed they were cultivating some wondrous ancient martial arts manual, and there were no unfavorable rumors. In fact, most refrained from insulting Bu Jingxian, since Zheng Linran now managed the affairs of Flying Immortal Sect and few dared offend him. Though some still behaved as before, few would join in.

The disciples at the mountain’s summit were proud and self-assured, but keenly perceptive. Now that Zheng Linran had taken charge, it was almost certain he would succeed as sect leader. Though they were not afraid of the Flying Immortal Sect, they did not wish to incur its wrath. Despite their disdain for Bu Jingxian—seeing him as a fortunate soul—most would not say so to his face.

Shaoyuan, too, was much improved.

“Master is lucky, to have a good wife.”

Bu Jingxian shook his head. Shaoyuan always said thoughtless, stinging things. Many mocked Bu Jingxian for relying on his family’s luck, as if his ancestors had accumulated blessings for generations. Shaoyuan agreed, and was even more direct. “Why not? Master’s fiancée is the heir to Flying Immortal Sect; of course, everyone fears him.” Shaoyuan spoke matter-of-factly, and then rubbed his large nose again. “But I think she looks down on Master and doesn’t like him!”

“Nonsense.” Bu Jingxian often felt exasperated, wishing Shaoyuan would keep quiet; his words were too sharp to be pleasant.

“I’m not talking nonsense! Otherwise, why hasn’t she visited Master for half a year, or even sent a message? There was a girl who liked me—she’d come to see me every day, even though my father forbade it. Master, your wife is so beautiful; maybe she’s fallen for some other young lord, one more handsome and capable than you.”

Shaoyuan had brought this up more than once, and truthfully, the matter was absurd. The girl he mentioned was his half-sister; when they were young, they often clung together and even imitated adult behaviors they’d seen, until they were caught. Shaoyuan’s father was deeply shamed and wanted no one to know. The girl’s mother was out of favor and in the end was stuffed into a sack, beaten to a pulp, and thrown to the wolves. Shaoyuan himself was beaten nearly to death, and ever since, he feared pain.

Were it not for Bu Jingxian’s patience, he might have beaten Shaoyuan countless times. In Shaoyuan’s eyes, this master treated him well; he liked and was grateful to him. Yet he also saw Bu Jingxian as the weakest, dirtiest, and lowest in status on North Spirit Mountain—much like himself.

These two facts did not conflict.

“Go! Do you think Master is as ugly as you? As lacking in ambition? As foolish?” Bu Jingxian pretended to scold him, but Shaoyuan was unafraid, laughing. “Master never says anything about ambition. Soul Sect is looked down on everywhere, and Master hasn’t learned the sect leader’s martial arts—always dirty, yet claims to be good-looking!”

“I’d like to push you off a cliff! Shut your mouth.”

“Master can’t bear to. Honest words are unpleasant, Master!”

Bu Jingxian slapped his head. “Focus on your training, stop thinking about nonsense!”

Mention training and Shaoyuan’s enthusiasm returned. Though he hadn’t learned any advanced techniques, after cultivating the Soul Formula, his strength had increased greatly—the feeling of striking with force was intoxicating, and he trained with renewed passion, shouting as he swung fists and feet. The sunset cast a rosy glow on his clothes, but his face was so dark it barely caught the light.

The disciples of North Spirit Sect didn’t know the truth, but new apprentices, hearing the old master was gone, were unwilling to ascend the summit. Paying a high tuition for no chance at his instruction wasn’t worthwhile. Many disciples whose training ended chose to go home instead of staying.

After half a year, the number of disciples on the mountain had been halved.

Those disciples who privately accepted students on the mountainside, however, continued to prosper—their business was good, numbers grew, and many stayed just to earn money.

Ten months after the old master’s departure, Shaoyuan was taken away by his father’s men. At the farewell, he wept and clung to Bu Jingxian, as if this master were his true father. Bu Jingxian remembered the news Shaoyuan had shared, and expected the Black Wolf Army would soon mobilize. He was surprised Shaoyuan’s father cared enough to move the child to safety before the campaign began.

Watching Shaoyuan cry his way down the mountain, Bu Jingxian accompanied him all the way to the foot.

“Remember to train diligently.”

Even after boarding the carriage, Shaoyuan shouted back, “Master, I’ll remember! Master, I’ll remember! Master, I’ll remember!”

Only when the carriage vanished from sight did that hoarse cry fade away.

After so much time together, Bu Jingxian truly felt some reluctance. But there was nothing to say—once Shaoyuan returned to his father, no one could stop it. Some partings are inevitable; one can only face them alone.

Returning to the mountain, he saw Ling Luo walking alone in the martial grounds, brows slightly furrowed, expression grave.

In these ten months, Ling Luo had changed greatly. He used to wear a faint smile, his eyes calm and detached from the world. Now, troubled by mundane affairs, he was anxious and melancholic.

Seeing Bu Jingxian return, Ling Luo immediately smiled and said, “I’ve been waiting for you all afternoon.”