Stranger Danger-Chapter 1304: Time To Go

“They’re compensation and thank you gifts.”

Xiahou Zun began, “We’re the ones who spread the news that you possess the Earthly Sovereign Bell. It’s admittedly an underhanded tactic, and neither Lingxiao nor the old monk could bring themselves to admit their shame. That’s why I’m apologizing to you on their behalf. My face is thick enough to bear it all.”

“Besides, you enlightened us that Xuanyuan Kun is still alive. That is a great favor neither of us can ignore. Logically or emotionally, we owe you a proper compensation.”

This Dao Enlightenment Pill is Lingxiao’s gift. You just entered the Half-Sage stage, and you will need to stabilize your power. This Dao Enlightenment Pill will help you to do just that. This fist martial arts manual is my gift. It is something the great greatmaster of fist arts from a thousand years ago, Gongsun Wuwo, had created after experiencing every fist art there is in the world. Its name is the ‘The Deep Sea of Fist Art’, and it features both the techniques and the theories. I’m sure you will gain a lot from it.”

“Finally, the alms bowl is called the Immovable Alms Bowl. It contains Long-browed Divine Monk’s power and can block three full-powered strikes from a Sage. Remember, you only get three blocks. Once its power is used up, It’ll be no different from an ordinary alms bowl.”

“These gifts are too valuable, senior! I feel embarrassed to accept it!” Ye Qing exclaimed.

That was what he said, but he didn’t even loosen his grip.

“Oh yeah? Give them back then,” Xiahou Zun replied.

“Ahem, thank you deeply for your generous gifts.” Ye Qing pretended he didn’t hear the Sage and put the items into his Nine Heavens immediately.

“Naughty brat.”

Xiahou Zun let out a scoff before asking a question, “Say, would you like to stay in Wei and join my Martial Garrison? I can take you as my disciple and teach you personally if you want to.”

“Huh?” Ye Qing wasn’t expecting this. He did not think that Xiahou Zun would make him such a generous offer, and in person no less.

A moment of silence later, Ye Qing replied hesitatingly, “This is too important a matter for me to decide immediately, senior. May I have some time to think?”

“Think your butt! Either you accept my offer, or you don’t! Do you know how many people want to become my disciple?” Xiahou Zun ranted.

“Er...”

Ye Qing scratched his nose. In the end, he sighed and said, “In that case, I must humbly turn down your offer.”

“Wow. Seriously? You don’t want to become my disciple?”

This time, it was Xiahou Zun’s turn to be surprised. Although Ye Qing was now a famous Half-Sage who was expected to become a Sage in the future, he was ultimately not a Sage. There was only one word of difference between Half-Sage and Sage, but that difference might as well be the gulf between heaven and earth.

If Ye Qing became his disciple, then his chances of becoming a Sage would definitely be higher. Not only that, he was the master of the Martial Garrison of Wei; a high minister who answered to one and only one person. If Ye Qing accepted his offer, then he would skyrocket in status and influence to put it mildly. He would never have to fear anyone again, much less worry about cultivation resources. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that countless people dreamed of but could never obtain even if they toiled their whole lives away for it, and Ye Qing... rejected it?

How was this reasonable?

How was this fair?

“Ahem...”

Ye Qing saluted Xiahou Zun deeply and said, “I’m really sorry, senior.”

Ye Qing did not mind having a powerful backer, but he just had too many secrets on his person. Barring a handful of people, it just wasn’t wise for him to get too close to anyone, much less a Sage like Xiahou Zun.

Besides, this was only his second meeting with Xiahou Zun. Although he felt that Xiahou Zun was an open book with a heart big enough to fit an entire ship, he didn’t know if that was actually true. This was doubly true for a Sage whose depths were measured by abysses and oceans. Who except Xiahou Zun himself could say for certain that he was recruiting him because he truly appreciated his talent, or if he had another motive?

Therefore, he had no choice but to reject his offer.

“Well, a melon that is broken off the vine isn’t sweet[1]. If this is your wish, then so be it.”

Xiahou Zun waved a hand and said, “Alright, there’s nothing else I want to say or do. I’m leaving now.”

“My offer still stands though. If you ever wish to go back on your decision, do not hesitate to pay me a visit at my Martial Garrison.”

Xiahou Zun shot Ye Qing one last look before shooting into the sky and cutting it in half like a saber. Then, he was gone.

“You’ve just become a Half-Sage, and I’m sure you need time to stabilize your power. So, we shan’t trouble you any longer. Until another day, Brother Ye.”

“Don’t forget our promise, Brother Ye. You absolutely must fight me when you have time.”

“Let’s drink together when you’re free, Brother Ye!”

“I will. See you in the future, everyone.”

After Xiahou Zun left, Ye Qing chatted with his new friends a little longer. Eventually, they all bade him goodbye and took their leave.

Now, he was the only one left on the Unbounded Platform.

“Haha... hahahaha...”

When Ye Qing looked up, the sun just happened to leap out of the clouds and spray its bright, golden light across the entire world, grand and majestic. Suddenly, Ye Qing thought that the sun looked more beautiful than ever before, and before he knew it, he was laughing at the top of his lungs.

When a person’s heart was no longer in chains, they naturally found that there was nowhere they couldn’t go. When a person had freed themselves from their cage, everything they did from that point onward came from the heart.

From another person’s perspective, it must have looked like he was in full control of his plan. It must have looked like his execution was impeccable either. Not only had he massacred his opponents, he had toyed with countless more on his palm. For the next few days to come at least, they must think that he was the greatest man in the entire world.

Only he knew what kind of pressure he had been bearing though. The threat of death had shackled his limbs like chains and sat on his head like a mountain, giving him no time to relax or breathe.

It wasn’t until now that the dust had more or less settled, and the pressure was finally lifted from his shoulders that he truly felt at ease from the bottom of his heart. Free.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!”

While laughing, Ye Qing gave into the impulse of screaming at the top of his lungs. His shout would spread for tens and tens of kilometers. It looked like he was trying to scream out all the frustration and pressure that had been accumulating inside his heart.

It scattered the wind and the clouds, awakened the animals and the insects, shook the celestial bodies and the terrain...

By the time his scream ended, the clouds had completely disappeared from the sky, leaving behind only blueness and purity. The only thing left in the sky was the sun, still shining as bright and warm as ever.

The mountains and rivers were dancing with him, and the sun and moon were accompanying him.

Ye Qing closed his eyes slightly and spread his arms wide. He then opened his mind and allowed it to blend with the wind; to let it carry him to the clouds.

At that moment, the sky and the earth were as peaceful as his own heart.

Ye Qing would continue to stare at the sun, the wind, and the clouds for an entire half a day. It wasn’t until the sun had finally set, and the moon was beginning to climb up the sky that he finally took off in a gust of wind.

“When I came, a sun welcomed me. When I leave, a moon delivered me.”

“Hahaha! It’s time to go!”

By the time his voice faded, Ye Qing was no longer anywhere to be found.

......

Dragon Gate Pass, Spring Wind Restaurant.

Ye Qing was currently sitting at a table with a window view and enjoying a delicious meal. While sating himself, he also listened to the people talking about the East Radiance gathering and other jianghu matters, and watched the people coming and going at the streets outside. It felt peaceful and relaxing.

He had entered this city three days ago. The first thing he did after entering the city was to find an inn and hit the sack.

To say it was a restful sleep would be an understatement. He did not awake until a moment ago.

Ye Qing could not remember the last time he had such a fantastic sleep. It made him feel like he had climbed out of hell and returned to reality.

Tension and relaxation, activity and inactivity were incredibly important for a martial practitioner. One could not advance if even one aspect was missing. On top of that, he had just broken free from his chains and escaped the cage. Naturally, he felt light as a feather and more clear-headed than ever.

It was why his cultivation had been improving and stabilizing for the past three days even though he hadn’t forced himself to practice.

Of course, it would still take about a month or so before he could finally attain stability and familiarize himself with his newfound strength. This was a slow, delicate process that could not be rushed no matter what.

That was why his plan was to return to Bei You first and plan his next moves later.

But before that, he was going to indulge in the pleasures as he rightly deserved.

1. An outcome that is forced is usually unsatisfactory. ☜