Chapter 13: Foolish Youth, Foolish Love

  Was there ever a moment of beauty that touched your heartstrings?

  For the ignorant and infatuated youth, it is most touching, most memorable. Just like the tender shoots of grass, yearning for the spring breeze's caress. Longing to be nourished, longing to be gently stroked. Like eyes that have been lost in darkness for too long, seeing a glimmer of light.

  For twenty years, he had been living on Tongyuan Mountain, leading a carefree life. His master treated him as one of his own, and his fellow disciples also showed him great favor. Li Mu did not know what worries were, nor did he know the feeling of longing. The Taoist teachings emphasized non-action, cultivating the mind before cultivating the body. Therefore, he knew very little about the seven emotions and six desires of human relationships. Not knowing meant no worries.

  In the short few months since arriving at Qing Shui Village, Li Mu's understanding of the world had undergone a qualitative change. What makes humans noble compared to flowers, birds, fish, insects, and beasts is not because humans are intelligent or strong, but rather due to their rich emotions and inner world.

  Although he couldn't understand why so many people were willing to sacrifice their lives for others in the face of family; although he couldn't understand why loving someone could make him abandon everything; although, he couldn't understand why some people were willing to commit crimes for friends. But when emotions arise from within, do they need a reason? A feeling deep down, does it need a cause?

  Li Mu's thoughts were simple and his feelings were genuine: facing Bai Hua and Ao Ning gave him a very similar feeling, as if they had always been the same person. Li Mu didn't know if this kind of intimacy was love or not, but it didn't hinder his admiration for Bai Hua.

  The so-called beautiful and virtuous maiden is a good match for a gentleman. Only such a lovely girl is worthy of oneself.

  Bai Hua was severely injured by the monkey's attack, with blood flowing from the corner of her mouth. She tried to push Li Mu away but had no strength left in her body. The injured girl looked pitiful and heartbreaking. As soon as he held her hand, which felt like sheep fat jade, Li Mu fell deeply in love with this girl whom he had only met twice.

  It's not that Li Mu is overly sentimental, but his emotional zone is a complete blank slate. Anyone who invades his heart at this moment will leave a deep impression. Ao Ning was like that, and Bai Huan was the same. In his daze, Li Mu took them as one person.

  "My surname is Sun, my Buddhist name is Wukong. I don't know how to address you brothers?" Sun Monkey didn't pay attention to Bai Hua's resentful gaze, scratching his ears and cheeks restlessly. He and Li Mu were the same type of people, simple-minded and open-natured. However, the journey of seeking knowledge was fraught with danger from Dongsheng State to Xiniu State, and in seven or eight years, Sun Monkey had experienced many things, unlike Li Mu's simplicity. Seeing Li Mu gazing at Bai Hua with infatuation, he couldn't help but feel speechless. He stretched out a furry hand and poked Li Mu: "Hey, why are you like a wooden block? Old Sun is talking to you."

  Li Mu came back to himself, awkwardly floated his eyes and didn't dare to look directly at others, replied: "My name is Li Mu."

  "Li Mu? Indeed a blockhead." Sun Wukong chuckled to himself, feeling that he had been left here for ten big lanterns, so he wisely chose to leave. He mounted his筋斗 cloud and floated in mid-air, shouting to Li Mu: "Blockhead, Old Sun is at the Flower Fruit Mountain Water Curtain Cave in the Land of Pride. You're welcome to visit anytime. I won't disturb you now, Old Sun is leaving." With that, he transformed into a stream of light and disappeared into thin air.

  Li Mu remembered the Water Curtain Cave in Huaguo Mountain and couldn't wait for that monkey to leave early. The surrounding onlookers were getting more and more, in order not to affect the lives of ordinary people, Li Mu supported Bai Hua and retreated into his own mansion.

  "You're not feeling well, why don't you take a good rest here?" Li Mu gently helped Bai Huang sit down and then poured her a glass of water. His concern was meticulous, his words warm and considerate.

  Sun Wukong left, and the White Phoenix also calmed down, carefully sizing up Li Mu. Then asked him: "Are you really a disciple of Tongyuan Daxian? Why did you come here to be a small land god?"

  The beauty asked questions, and Li Mu naturally answered everything without reservation. He told Bai Huang in detail about his first experience of killing Hong Ze Long Jun and then being demoted to the lower realm.

  "I see." Bai Huan's gaze shifted slightly downward after hearing this, so it seemed that she was the one who had been awakened by Li Mu. She remembered feeling like she had gone through a battle when she woke up.

  Then Bai Huang continued to ask: "Do you still have any magical powers now?"

  "My magical powers have all been sealed, not only that, but I also don't have a way to cultivate them." Li Mu has always been resentful about this matter. If he hadn't sealed his own strength, how would he have ended up as a slave? Ao Ran, that little girl, could be defeated with just one finger. Moreover, on Tongyuan Mountain, Li Mu was known for his mastery of magic and martial arts. Having experienced the thrill of increasing his powers, suddenly being unable to cultivate them was like a woman who loved dressing up being stripped of her right to do so - it was indeed difficult to accept at first.

  The previous moves and tricks are all remembered in the brain, but they can't be released due to lack of spiritual power. Being sealed by Jade Emperor's spiritual power, even the strongest moves are useless.

  "Is that so......" Bai Huan furrowed her brow.

  "What's wrong?" Li Mu saw Bai Hua looking worried and he also felt anxious.

  Bai Huang looked at Li Mu, wanting to speak but hesitating, thinking for a moment before finally not saying anything. She casually said, "Nothing, I need to heal my injuries." She sat cross-legged on the bed, her hands forming a seal as she began to cast a healing spell. A soft light flowed from her slender fingers, slowly enveloping her entire body. Although Li Mu wanted to help Bai Huang alleviate her worries, he couldn't bear to disturb her at this moment, so he quietly sat beside her, accompanying her.

  It's as if appreciating a breathtakingly beautiful painting, every inch of skin, every strand of hair, every wisp of fragrance, all make one's heart feel carefree and joyful. Watching, thinking, forgetting that time has never stopped its footsteps, the sunset climbs over the mountain slope, emitting its last afterglow.

  In the land of the Three Feet from the Ground, the scene seems to be frozen in time, with all things standing still. Maintaining the same action, the same gaze, as if wanting to keep it forever, unchanged for eternity.

  After a long time, Bai Hua slowly withdrew her technique. She was badly injured and wanted to recover instantly, which was obviously impossible because she didn't have the power yet. After sitting for so long, her body felt stiff, just as she was about to stretch her legs and move around. But then she found a pair of scorching eyes staring at her with deep affection, without any concealment. Bai Hua's gaze suddenly became heavy, and even the temperature around her dropped significantly.

  "Bai Huang's eyes narrowed coldly: 'What are you doing?'"

  For many years, Bai Huan has been causing trouble due to her outstanding appearance, usually the most common being lecherous gazes like Li Mu's. With a cold and proud personality, she avoided these troubles by disguising herself as a man until she was forced into the Ice Coffin, still maintaining her masculine attire. Although she now needs Li Mu's help, his gaze makes her extremely uncomfortable.

  Li Mu snapped back to reality and found himself a bit out of place, but he just chuckled and honestly replied: "I was looking at you, your quiet appearance is really beautiful."

  Although the words were light and provocative, the tone was very sincere. The genuine eyes made it impossible for anyone to feel angry. Originally thought Li Mu would argue strongly, but did not expect him to directly express his thoughts. Bai Huan was at a loss for how to blame him.

  It's hard to say whether Li Mu is foolish or overly sentimental.

  Or perhaps foolishly infatuated...