Chapter 32

"Once you arrived, you would have come to the Danmu Manor right away, but I heard that you spent a few more days outside."

"Oh, I intended to do that, but when I arrived in Hangzhou, I heard that you had attained enlightenment, and everyone was in an uproar. I thought the timing was strange, so I hesitated."

Taeheo Zhenren said with an awkward voice.

I didn't want to pretend not to know that the Danmu Manor was declining, so I came all this way, but when I arrived, I found out that Danmu Chong had attained a great enlightenment, and all of Hangzhou was in a commotion.

The timing was too coincidental, and I was worried that it might look like I came to see his enlightenment.

Unexpectedly, Danmu Chong made a dazed expression for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Don't laugh. You don't know how embarrassed I was."

"If you had predicted my enlightenment before setting out, you would truly be a Taoist of Kunlun Mountain."

"Ah! I should have said that."

"Hehehe, rather, who is the child beside you?"

"He's a boy I'm raising like a disciple. Ye Yun, greet them. Hahaha! I came here confidently because of this boy."

A boy with a kind face and clear eyes shyly clasped his hands and greeted them.

Lian felt Huayun, who was standing behind him, flinch.

'Yun?'

Lian glanced back, but Huayun didn't turn his head.

"What do you mean by 'raising like a disciple' if he's a disciple?"

"Hehe..."

Taeheo Zhenren awkwardly scratched his head but couldn't answer and changed the subject.

"That's not important. I heard that the Jinjia Manor challenged the Danmu Manor to a duel?"

"Is it a duel when children test what they've learned? It's just a sparring match."

"Anyway, since Lian hasn't faced peers outside the manor, it would be good for him to practice with Ye Yun. The sword techniques of Kunlun and the martial arts of Jinjia are quite different, but..."

Danmu Chong stroked his chin and stared intently at Ye Yun.

Ye Yun, somewhat shy, blushed to his ears and looked down, not knowing what to do.

Danmu Chong glanced at Lian, whose eyes sparkled with anticipation.

'So, Lian... too...'

Since the only visitor had been Jian Yanjiao of the Mansong Caravan, this was the first time Lian had welcomed a peer. Lian, who had no friends and even kept Huayun, an orphan, by his side, could benefit from making a friend. Danmu Chong nodded.

* * *

"So, what's the real reason you came?"

"Really, didn't I tell you? I just came to greet you. If I had another purpose, I would have come straight here when I arrived in Hangzhou, not spent days outside feeling embarrassed."

Taeheo Zhenren's joke made Danmu Chong's eyes soften slightly. Taeheo Zhenren turned his gaze to the window to avoid his eyes.

All the children and other manor residents had been sent out, leaving only Danmu Chong and Taeheo Zhenren. The moon was bright, and a clear fragrance, like that of flowers, permeated the garden and the space between them.

"One day, I just... had this thought. 'Hmm, what is Wuyue Jian doing?'"

He remembered the back of Danmu Chong, who was holding a funeral for his son. It had been years since then.

They hadn't seen each other for years, not because they had forgotten about the declining Danmu Manor, but because life on Kunlun Mountain was busy, and the distance to Hangzhou was too far. Others were probably busy with their own lives and affairs.

Thinking of Danmu Chong was purely coincidental. Last autumn, while sitting on a hillside and looking at the autumn leaves, he suddenly thought of him.

Ah, is he doing well?

How many years has it been since I last saw him?

Yes, I haven't visited since the funeral.

Has anyone else visited him?

No one talks about the Danmu Manor anymore...

He still couldn't understand why he had such thoughts. But a strong feeling that he shouldn't let it go shook him.

Kunlun Mountain is at the western end of the Central Continent, bordering Machian Sect, while the Danmu Manor is in Hangzhou at the eastern end.

The sect leader was surprised when he said he would visit the Danmu Manor out of the blue, but he still sent him off with a smile.

"So, you suddenly had this thought and came all the way to Hangzhou just to chat? What a pointless visit."

The journey, which would take three months and ten days even if he walked for five hours a day, was indeed a long one. Danmu Chong was naturally puzzled, but Taeheo Zhenren couldn't explain his feelings any better.

He couldn't even understand the painful waves of regret for someone he hadn't lost, so how could he explain it to others?

"It's just my nature to do what I set my mind to."

"Ah, I see."

If Danmu Chong still had the strength.

If he hadn't burned everything when facing Xuelah Valley long ago.

If both he and his son were still alive, he would have sent a letter and visited every year, and it would have become a part of their lives.

"I heard that Kunlun Mountain is very busy now. The leader of Machian Sect is looking for a successor."

"Yes, I heard that the elders of the sect have left to search for one."

During the battle against Xuelah Valley, the Black Forest, the White Forest, and even the distant Machian Sect all joined forces.

Even the Northern Sea Ice Palace, which was far away, helped during the Dongjing Blood Sacrifice, making the martial world closer than ever before.

However, no matter how close they were, they couldn't mix. They still guarded and watched each other.

When news spread that the Machian Sect's demons were quietly emerging, the Kunlun Sect, which was closest to them, would be the first to be on high alert.

The Machian Sect looks for successors outside the sect. So, when the time comes, the elders quietly wander the Central Continent to find talent and return when their goal is achieved.

"Even so, the Kunlun Sect will handle it. When have I ever been involved in such matters?"

"The sect leader must be worried. You're always wandering around."

"It's all for the good of the sect leader."

Taeheo Zhenren laughed. Danmu Chong shook his head.

"Rather, sir, could you give me a lesson once?"

"What for? If I take you, I'll just get glares from Kunlun Mountain. What's in it for me?"

"Ah, don't say that. Even from ten thousand miles away, your glares won't reach me. And sir, don't look down on me."

I haven't wasted my time, Taeheo Zhenren said confidently. Danmu Chong smiled and leisurely stood up.

"Even if I cry, I won't give you any candy. I have to feed our Lian."

* * *

"Master Ye Yun?"

"Master? No, not yet. Please speak more casually."

The boy blushed so much that it was pitiful. Lian smiled mischievously but didn't tease Ye Yun further.

Ye Yun

Trait: Unchanging Heart / Soaring Bamboo / Dragon Ascending

Yunlong Dafa: 2 Stars (4 Stars)

Taiching Gong: 1 Star

Taiching Sword: 3 Stars

Talent and Five Elements: Upper-Lower (上-下)

Concern: How to form a master-disciple bond.

Help: Proof is not necessary between master and disciple.

Lian was a bit surprised by Ye Yun's status. It was impressive that he had already mastered the Kunlun Sect's sword techniques to 3 Stars, and that he had already cultivated an internal energy technique at his age was a sign of extraordinary talent.

'Internal energy. A bit envious. But what does the 4 Stars next to the 2 Stars in Yunlong Dafa mean?'

Lian had seen something similar before. The achievements of Danmu Xianwu and Danmu Chong were written like that.

'He reached it once but couldn't fully master it... or he can't show it due to an injury?'

Thinking about it, he was even more impressed. Ye Yun had glimpsed 4 Stars in Yunlong Dafa at his age.

"That's... your companions?"

After greeting Lian, Ye Yun, who was very awkward, looked at the boys standing behind Lian.

"They're my younger brothers. Yun, Bi, you should greet them."

Lian pulled the two boys, who were hiding behind him, to the front.

Danmu Bi, who was making a curious face at the strangers, smiled happily, but Huayun only nodded and tugged at Lian's collar.

"Sister. It's already late. We should go to bed."

"Ah! Yes, the time is already like this. I held you up for too long. Thank you for showing me to the guest room."

The boy, blushing, bowed to Lian.

However, when Lian said, "I look forward to sparring with you from tomorrow," the shy expression was gone, and his eyes sparkled with anticipation.