Volume 1: Southern Border Chapter 12 Cause and Effect

  "Do second-generation disciples like us all live together?"

  "Right," said Chui Hai with a faint smile, "all new disciples of the Zhāi Kèu Sect are dispersed and assigned to various mountain peaks, managed by the seventh generation's Peak Master. It's just that you, Wén Yà, were asleep for a long time before, so in order to avoid being disturbed, you received this treatment."

  "Is this kind of treatment reserved for me alone among all the new disciples in the entire sect?"

  "Yes, the rest of the disciples all live together in the bamboo hut in the valley. Only you live here alone, and it's said that this was personally instructed by Master Mo Yunzi himself. The fellow disciples down the mountain are all guessing that your background is not ordinary."

  “……。”

  Wen Ya followed Chuan Li Hai in the clouds and mist, along the winding stone steps, turning east and west, without knowing how far they had walked, the fog ahead gradually thinned out!

  Suddenly, the eyes of both people lit up, a giant cedar tree, dense shade covering the sun, an extremely quiet and secluded small valley, appeared before Wen Ya's eyes.

  On the left side of the valley, there is a large garden emitting various strange and fragrant smells. The big and small fields are surrounded by irregular fences, with soft mud filled with many vegetables and herbs that Wen Ya has never seen before. On the right side, there are rows of green bamboo houses, big and small, connected together to form a long dragon winding its way up. Although simple, it has an ancient charm.

  The courtyards, yards, fences and railings on the mountain were all built according to the terrain. A mountain flies high, just like a pavilion in the sky, and with ancient pines reflecting each other, it is even more unique.

  Wen Ya looked around and found that except for the entrance they came in from, there seemed to be no other roads leading outside.

  "There's plenty of time to look later, let's go see Master Mo Yunzi first." Chuan Lihai took Wen Ya and walked quickly along the small path in the valley.

  The path is very flat and wide, enough for a horse-drawn carriage to pass through the middle. At the end of the row of bamboo sheds, there stands a relatively luxurious big house.

  Wen Ya didn't say a word and followed Chuan Li Hai step by step into the house where Mo Yunzi was.

  Inside Moyunzi's study, along the walls on all sides, stood row upon row of tung oil wood bookshelves. On the bookshelves were placed numerous classic books and scrolls, neatly stacked in rows, arranged with a sense of harmony.

  On the white wall to the east of the study, a fine steel sword is hanging. The body is about two feet long and has diamond-shaped patterns all over it. The scabbard on both sides is carved with bird seal inscriptions. It shines brightly like a pool of autumn water, obviously a top-grade metal-crafted hundred-refined treasure sword.

  In the middle was a rather large oak table, a Han white jade carved paperweight, a bamboo and wood dragon pen holder, and a one-foot square purple cloud inkstone, all of which emitted a full house of book fragrance.

  "Master Zhangfeng!"

  "Master Yunzi's uncle!"

  In front of the oak table, there was a red sandalwood carved armchair. Mo Yunzi's back was tightly against the armchair, and at this time, he was holding a thin book in his hand, flipping through it with great interest, seemingly completely unaware of Wen Ya's arrival, nor did he hear the loud greeting from Chuan Li Hai.

  Chuan Lihai, although extremely clever, was after all just an eight or nine year old child. Seeing Mo Yun ignoring him, he became somewhat at a loss, not knowing what to do.

  As for Wen Ya, he was even more unfamiliar with everything here, so he could only stand aside and wait.

  Then his eyes fell on the cover of the book in Moyunzi's hand!

  On the ancient brown paper, several large characters were written in seal script, and Wen Ya saw at a glance that this book was "Flying Turtle Fetal Breathing Scripture".

  In the village of Weng, because he followed the tribal shaman to learn various poisonous herbal medicine refining methods from a young age, Wenya is one of the few villagers who can recognize traditional Chinese characters.

  Judging from its name, this "Flying Turtle Fetal Breathing Classic" should be a Daoist imitation of the divine turtle's breathing, used to cultivate the five organs and six viscera's exhalation skills.

  As the two of them stood on one leg, their feet numb, Wen Ya was lost in thought when Mo Yunzi calmly put down the book in his hand onto the desk in front of him.

  "Little friend, you've finally woken up!" Mo Yunzi was a ruddy-faced old man with some white hair, he carefully sized up the two of them before picking up a cup of cool tea from the table and taking a few light sips, only then did he open his mouth to speak.

  When Wen Ya heard Mo Yunzi's slightly hoarse voice, his spirit was lifted, and it seemed that he was about to get to the point.

  "Hello, Mr. Moyunzi! I'm Wenya!" Wenya hastily made a respectful bow beside him, he deeply knew that at this time he was in unfamiliar territory, making some humble and obedient gestures would only be beneficial to himself without any harm.

  "Haha haha." Na Muyu was also a clever person, with a bit of an old scholar's bookish air about him. When he heard Wen Ya address him as "Mr.", the two wisps of white hair on his upper lip quivered with excitement, seeming to be quite pleased.

  He looked up and down at Wen Ya again, still without any extraordinary features, but somehow he felt more and more pleasing to the eye, and his gaze also added a few more appreciative colors.

  Then, Moyunzi's voice became more and more gentle, laughing and saying: "Hehe! Wen Yayou doesn't have to be so polite! Since you've come to the Zhānguǒ Sect, it can be said that we have a predestined relationship. So, consider yourself a disciple of our sect too! Just call me Shīxiōng (Senior Brother) and there's no need to be so formal!"

  When Wen Yaqi heard Mo Yunzi's words, he felt a lot more at ease in his heart, but at the same time, he also had a few more doubts.

  Although he said he was humble, the other person's words were too polite. What does it mean to not be an outsider? He was a bit bewildered.

  "On this mountain peak, apart from the daily foundation-building and energy-refining of the disciples in the valley, there are no other major rules. Wen Ya, you can now live here with peace of mind." Mo Yunzi sat upright on an intricately carved red sandalwood armchair, glanced at Xuan Liehai standing beside him, and smiled: "Liehai, go rest for a bit first, we have lessons tonight, I have some words to speak alone with Wen Ya."

  "Oh, Master Uncle, I know", replied Lei Hai very cleverly.

  Before he left, he couldn't help but take another look at Wenya. A pair of bright and clear eyes rolled around, stuck out his tongue, made a silly face, and then ran away quickly!

  At this time, there were only two people left in the house: Palm Peak's senior brother Mo Yunzi and Wen Ya.

  Wen Ya looked at the red-faced old man in front of him with some astonishment. He had sent Tian Liehai away and left himself alone here, so what did Mo Yunzi, the master who was in charge of all the outer door disciples on Tuo Mu Peak, want to say to him? Although he didn't know what Master Mo wanted to do, Wen Ya's heart vaguely guessed some things.

  Seeing Wen Ya's thoughtful appearance, Mo Yunzi smiled slightly and didn't feel particularly surprised, as if Wen Ya's performance was already within his expectations!

  "Wen Yaxiao, my uncle's apprentice, I'm a straightforward person, so I won't beat around the bush. Let's just say it! Now that we're alone, someone asked me to pass on a message to you... That mountain goblin who chased and killed you the other day has already... " Mo Yunzi said bluntly, "From now on, focus on cultivating in this mountain, strive to become an inner disciple in the six-year grand assessment of the sect, receive the true transmission of Taoist teachings, and at that time, that person will personally take you as their apprentice!" As he spoke, a faint, almost imperceptible strange expression flashed across Mo Yunzi's eyes.

  ……

  As soon as Wen Ya walked out of Mo Yunzi's room, she let out a soft sigh and finally put down the heavy burden that had been weighing on her heart for so long.

  At that time, he was indeed rescued by someone and brought here. Moreover, the person who saved him must be a highly respected inner door master of the Zhēn Kè Sect. This can be seen from Mo Yunzi's tone and demeanor.

  Although the mountain demon is dead and his revenge has been avenged, Wen Ya did not feel any joy. His current mood was a mixture of emotions that were hard to describe, he felt like crying but couldn't bring himself to do so.

  After all, the Xun tribe has disappeared from this world. The parents and relatives of this life, as well as Wu Lao, have all turned into a handful of yellow earth. I came to this world naked, but unexpectedly, I am still alone now. This is probably fate!

  The cold wind cuts to the bone, taking away a silent sigh. Some lonely and isolated young figures gradually disappear into the vast white fog, leaving only a faint sorrowful melancholy in the air!