The next day, after Ji Chun finished his breakfast, the Valley Master personally came to greet him and invited him to stay in Yisheng Valley for a few more days. Considering that the valley was not far from Shaolin, and having been away from the temple for over two months, Ji Chun deeply missed his master and fellow disciples. After some thought, he agreed to stay for two more days before setting off back to Shaolin.
According to Xue Yao, the Valley Master had decided that Yisheng Valley, like Shaolin, would send Mu Miefeng and two others to the west to assist the martial arts heroes in uncovering clues about Di Mang. This way, the three of them could travel together and support one another. Over the past two days, Mu Miefeng had been diligently preparing the antidote. With their journey to find Di Mang imminent, they were bound to encounter the Demonic Cult leader along the way. With only a few days left before the one-month deadline, failure to secure the antidote would mean certain death at the hands of the demon. Having made a pact with the demon, they dared not break their promise lightly.
Two days later, Ji Chun bid farewell to everyone in Yisheng Valley and arranged to meet Mu Miefeng and Xue Yao in Fu'an City within ten days. Fu'an City, was located north of the valley, a place they had stayed at for a day on their way to Yisheng Valley. The meeting point was set at Tianhui Restaurant. Ji Chun left the valley alone, taking out the small token Xue Yao had given him before his departure. He handed it to a seller at a horse stall in the market, who selected a strong and agile horse as a gift for him. After expressing his gratitude, Ji Chun mounted the horse and galloped toward Shaolin without delay.
After two days of travel, he finally arrived at Shaolin on the morning of the third day. As he approached the familiar temple gates, several young monks guarding the entrance spotted him from a distance and hurried over to greet him. They enthusiastically took his horse and bag, chattering with innocent curiosity.
"Shixiong, we heard from Wu Zhi that Shifu sent you down the mountain to handle important matters. Is everything alright out there?" one of them asked.
"Of course, there's a whole world out there!" Ji Chun replied with a light smile.
The Shidi's bombarded him with excited questions, and Ji Chun's usually serious expression softened. Though he responded sparingly, his words brought joy to the young monks. Patting their shoulders and heads, he asked gently, "Where is Shifu?"
"Shifu is organizing scriptures in the Sutra Library. Shixiong, I'll take you there!" one of them offered eagerly.
"No, I'll take you!" another chimed in.
"Me too!" a third added.
"Hey, hey, hey! What are you all doing?" Wu Zhi, slightly older than the others, rushed over and squeezed next to Ji Chun. "You all go back to your duties. I'll take Shixiong to Shifu," he said sternly.
Ji Chun couldn't help but smile. "My fellow Shidi's, go and attend to your tasks first," he said kindly. Wu Zhi, with his round, serious face, had clearly earned the respect of the younger monks. Seeing his earnest expression, Ji Chun felt the fatigue from his travels melt away.
Following Wu Zhi, Ji Chun walked through the familiar corridors of the temple until they reached the Sutra Library. Several junior monks greeted them politely and pointed inside, saying, "Shixiong, Shifu is in there. He might be resting."
Entering the inner room of the library, Ji Chun found Abbot Hui Kong sorting through scriptures at a table. The old master looked up and smiled warmly upon seeing Ji Chun. He gestured for him to approach. "Ji Chun, you're back. Why have you returned so soon?"
"Shifu, I have already delivered the letter to the Valley Master of Yisheng Valley. Since the valley is not far from Shaolin, I thought I would return to see you. Before leaving, the Valley Master asked me to convey his greetings," Ji Chun replied, kneeling on the mat before his master.
"I see. This was your first time leaving the mountain. Did you miss home?" He asked, his voice hoarse but warm, carrying a hint of amusement as if teasing a beloved child.
Ji Chun's face flushed slightly. Indeed, his master's words struck a chord. Leaving the temple where he had grown up and venturing into the world alone had stirred feelings of longing in his heart. Hui Kong, knowing his disciple's typically serious demeanor, understood that beneath it lay a young man still unaccustomed to the ways of the world. He stopped teasing and asked, "A few days ago, I heard that Ye Chaohua of the Liangyi Sect issued a call to all martial arts sects regarding the safety of the earth and a mysterious man. After discussing with the other abbots of Shaolin, we agreed that although Shaolin has remained detached from martial arts affairs for the past decade, this matter concerns the people and should not be ignored. That is why I wrote to you."
Ji Chun nodded. "I understand, Shifu. During my time in Jeju, I experienced several events and spent some time with Ouyang Gongzi. I have a general understanding of the situation now." He proceeded to recount everything that had happened over the past two months, though he deliberately omitted the details of his encounter with the mysterious man in the mountains. He felt a pang of guilt for withholding this from his master, who had raised and taught him since childhood.
Abbot Hui Kong, however, noticed nothing amiss. As he processed Ji Chun's account, he sighed, feeling a sense of unfamiliarity with the current state of the martial arts world. Age had caught up with him, and he wondered if entrusting this matter to Ji Chun was too heavy a burden.
"Shifu?" Ji Chun called softly, noticing the weariness on his master's face.
"It's nothing, it's nothing," Hui Kong replied. "You've been busy these past few days. Go and rest early. Share your experiences with your fellow disciples. Take a few days to recover before setting off again. Be careful on your journey. I know this task is a heavy responsibility, but..." he sigh, "your fellow disciples prefer to remain within the temple. You are the only one with the courage to venture out. Remember, Ji Chun, no matter what happens, prioritize your safety. The matter of Di Mang is not Shaolin's concern. We are only involved out of a sense of duty to the martial arts world."
There was no need for further words. Huikong knew that someone as perceptive as Ji Chun would undoubtedly grasp the meaning behind his advice. Ji Chun met his master's gaze steadily, sensing the deep concern in his eyes. As he noticed the increasing frailty of his master's aging body, a dull ache settled in his heart. With a respectful nod, Ji Chun said, "Understood. I will take my leave now, Shifu."
After exiting the Sutra Library, Wu Zhi appeared seemingly out of nowhere, circling around Ji Chun with a cheerful demeanor. "Shixiong, have you eaten breakfast yet?" he asked eagerly.
"I had some dry rations on the way. Don't trouble the others," Ji Chun replied, gently patting Wu Zhi's bald head. "You should attend to your duties now. I'll join you all at lunch."
"Alright," Wu Zhi responded obediently, never daring to disobey his Shixiong. Though reluctant, he knew lunchtime was near, so there was no need to rush.
Ji Chun then made his way to a small Buddhist shrine. Kneeling before the Bodhisattva statue, he gazed at its solemn and compassionate expression, clasped his hands together, and silently recited the Heart Sutra, immersing himself fully in the Dharma. The familiar scent of sandalwood filled the air, and his heart, which had been tainted by worldly distractions, felt as though it had been cleansed. In the presence of the Buddha, human struggles—joy, anger, sorrow, greed, ignorance, and desire—seemed insignificant, mere fleeting clouds destined to dissolve into dust. He reminded himself to cultivate great compassion, to embrace the world's complexities, and to see through the illusions of fame and fortune.
At noon, his fellow disciples came to summon him for lunch in the dining hall. During the meal, the younger monks, who had once been intimidated by his stern demeanor, gathered around him, eager to hear about the martial arts world. Ji Chun found it difficult to explain clearly. In his experience, the line between good and evil in people's hearts was often blurred. Even the most skilled martial artists could not escape the twists of fate, while ordinary individuals, despite their humble abilities, could still lead peaceful and content lives.
After spending two days at Shaolin, Ji Chun prepared to depart. He bid farewell to his master and fellow disciples, mounted his horse, and set off for Fu'an City. With six days remaining until the agreed meeting time, he planned to make the most of his journey, hoping to arrive early.
On the afternoon of the fifth day, he finally entered Fu'an City. Located at a bustling trade hub, the city thrived with economic activity and was renowned for its prosperity. Known as "Xiao Jiangnan" for its abundant rainfall and fertile lands, Fu'an was famous for its delicious fruits, exquisite cuisine, and its reputation as the home of the most handsome men and beautiful women in the entire Ganzheng Dynasty. It was truly a place of remarkable people and breathtaking scenery.
As Ji Chun walked through the lively streets, vendors called out their wares, and pedestrians bustled between crowded shops. He followed the flow of the crowd toward Tianhui Restaurant when suddenly, panicked screams erupted behind him. The crowd surged, pushing Ji Chun to the side of the road as the sound of galloping hooves cleared a path. In the middle of the street, a four-year-old girl crouched, crying in fear and searching for her mother. A woman, blocked by the crowd, screamed hysterically for her daughter.
Seeing the horse charging toward the girl, Ji Chun pushed through the crowd and leaped forward. With no time to carry her to safety, he struck the horse's chest with a powerful palm. The horse let out a pained neigh and collapsed backward. The rider, a man dressed in red, gracefully leaped from the horse's back, landing lightly on the ground. Without hesitation, he swung a sharp, menacing whip toward Ji Chun's face with a swift, ruthless motion.
Ji Chun caught the whip mid-air, his palm bleeding from the impact. His brows furrowed slightly, but his expression was one of unmistakable anger. He recognized the man before him—Su Ran, the leader of the Demonic Cult.
"Who gave you the right to strike my horse?" Su Ran demanded, his voice cold and laced with suppressed fury. He stood tall and slender, his fiery red robe accentuating his striking presence. His features were as flawless as if carved by a divine hand—pale skin, star-like eyes, and thin lips that curved with an air of icy elegance. His commanding aura made him both mesmerizing and intimidating.
The crowd gasped as they took in Su Ran's otherworldly beauty. Even the crying girl fell silent, awestruck by his appearance, while her mother clutched her tightly, trembling with fear.
Author Notes: I'd like to be at top 10 this month I would appreciate it if you shared my story (⸝⸝⸝>﹏<⸝⸝⸝)
Translator Notes: Authors when they post their stories on online forums depend on recommendations and "likes" to get their work at the top. As readers we hope this work gets licensed by a publishing company. Let's make it happen by sharing.