Chapter 504: What a Mighty Name!

The old gentleman blinked slightly, then stroked his beard and fell into thought.

Several young people nearby also grew interested, turning their gazes toward Chen Mu.

"Brother, where does this saying come from?" asked a round-faced youth curiously.

Chen Mu shook his head: "I don't know its origin either—I only happened to hear it, and have never understood its mystery. Just now, hearing you mention 'what the heart intends,' I thought it might be related, so I dared to ask."

The old gentleman pondered for a moment, then spoke slowly: "I, too, have heard this saying. 'What the heart intends, there the soul resides'—it can be interpreted in many ways."

He set down his teacup and continued in a gentle, flowing tone: "First, where the mind intends, there the soul returns. A person's thoughts often point to what they care about most. If you constantly yearn for a place, that place becomes where your soul lingers."

Chen Mu fell into deep thought.

"Second, what the heart intends is the soul's guidance. A person's spirit follows their thoughts to find direction. What you truly desire may be hidden within what you think of most."

The old gentleman paused, then continued: "Third, if the heart is pure, the soul reveals itself. If you can cleanse all distracting thoughts and make your intention singular and clear, perhaps you may touch the divine."

He looked at Chen Mu and asked gently: "Which of these interpretations do you favor, Young Master?"

Chen Mu fell silent for a moment, then bowed: "Sir, your learning is vast—I am deeply instructed. But I still need to ponder these interpretations carefully."

The old gentleman nodded, did not press further, and merely smiled: "If you have time, why not travel with us for a few days? I'm heading to Lu State and Datang Prefecture—there are still several days on the road. We can talk at leisure."

Chen Mu's heart stirred.

Lu State lies west of Jiannan Road; though not on his direct path, Chen Mu was in no hurry—traveling with this old gentleman for a few days might bring him further gains.

He immediately bowed: "That is precisely my intention. But may I ask your name, Sir?"

"I am surnamed Xia, single character Lin," the old gentleman smiled. "And you, Young Master?"

Chen Mu paused briefly, then said: "I am surnamed Bu, named Jingyun."

"Bu Jingyun?" The round-faced youth couldn't help laughing. "What a mighty name!"

The other young people also laughed, not with malice, but with the lively energy of youth.

Xia the old gentleman shot them a stern look and apologized to Chen Mu: "These children are unruly—Young Master Bu, please don't take offense."

Chen Mu shook his head: "No harm done. Young people should be lively."

He paused, then asked: "Are you traveling with students for scholarly excursions, Master Xia?"

Xia Lin nodded: "I teach at Jiangdu Academy. These are all students from the academy. The war between orthodox and demonic sects has dragged on so long, the roads are unsafe—but learning must not stop. I'm taking them out to see the world."

He pointed to each of the youths in turn: the round-faced youth is Zhao Song, the tall one is Qian Ming, the slender one is Sun Yuan, and the quieter girl is Li Wan.

All around fifteen or sixteen, their eyes brimmed with the unique curiosity and vitality of youth.

"We're traveling with a escort caravan."

Zhao Song blurted out, "Led by the chief escort of the Wang Family Escort Bureau—along with several merchant caravans. With so many people, we're safe from demonic sect demons!"

Chen Mu nodded, understanding dawning in his mind.

The orthodox-demonic war had dragged on for so long, everywhere was unstable.

Ordinary travelers always journeyed in groups, sticking to escort or merchant caravans for mutual protection.

Of course, this old gentleman wouldn't dare travel alone with his students.

"If you don't mind, join us," Xia Lin said. "I'd like to talk more with you on the road."

Chen Mu bowed: "Then I'll trouble you."

…

The next morning, Chen Mu joined Xia Lin's group at the city gate, meeting the escort caravan.

The leader was a middle-aged man in his forties, with a full beard, a sturdy frame, and a broad-bladed great knife slung at his waist.

He was Wang Hu, chief escort of the Wang Family Escort Bureau, a Mid Foundation Establishment cultivator, quite renowned in the surrounding prefectures.

Wang Hu glanced at Xia Lin's group, his gaze lingering for an instant on Chen Mu, then frowned: "Master Xia, who is this?"

Xia Lin replied: "This is Young Master Bu Jingyun. We've taken a liking to each other—he'll be traveling with us for a few days."

Wang Hu sized up Chen Mu a few times, saw his aura was merely Innate Realm, and asked no further.

He merely said: "Follow my orders on the road. Don't wander off. Don't fall behind. If trouble arises, stay back—don't rush forward."

Chen Mu nodded, saying nothing more.

The caravan soon set out.

Together, escort and merchant caravans numbered seventy or eighty people, with over a dozen carts, streaming out of the city in a long procession.

At the front marched Wang Hu and several escort masters; in the center were the merchant carts; at the rear, a few escort masters brought up the rear.

Xia Lin's students and Chen Mu were placed in the middle, walking slowly beside a cargo cart.

At first, the youths behaved properly, but after an hour's walk, they grew restless and gathered around Chen Mu, peppering him with questions.

"Young Master Bu, where are you from?" Zhao Song asked.

"Shannan Road," Chen Mu replied.

"Shannan Road? That's a fine place! I heard Lingwu City is huge and bustling?" Qian Ming chimed in.

Chen Mu nodded: "It's alright."

"Young Master Bu, what realm are you? Innate?" Sun Yuan eyed him curiously.

Chen Mu smiled faintly: "Mid Innate Stage."

"Wow!"

The youths' eyes lit up. "You're so young and already Mid Innate? Amazing!"

Chen Mu smiled, saying nothing more.

Li Wan whispered beside him: "Young Master Bu, don't mind them—they just talk too much."

Chen Mu shook his head: "No problem."

Over the next few days, the caravan traveled westward.

By day they marched; by night they made camp.

Chen Mu gradually grew familiar with these young people.

Zhao Song was lively and mischievous, Qian Ming loved to inquire about martial world affairs, Sun Yuan spoke little but often asked strange questions, Li Wan was quiet and meticulous, tending to the dietary and daily needs of her fellow sect brothers.

Xia Lin treated Chen Mu with great courtesy and often sought him out to chat on the journey.

The two discussed poetry, classics, and the grand trends of the world.

Though young, Chen Mu possessed broad knowledge and spoke with propriety, earning Xia Lin's considerable admiration.

"Young Master Bu, though young, your insights are extraordinary."

One evening, the convoy made camp beside a river; Xia Lin and Chen Mu sat by the campfire, and Xia Lin sighed, "I've taught for decades, but youths like you are rare."

Chen Mu shook his head: "Sir, you flatter me. I've merely traveled more places and observed more human affairs."

Xia Lin nodded, then suddenly asked, "Have you pondered that question you asked me the other day?"

Chen Mu fell silent for a moment, then said, "I've gained some insight, but it's still not fully clear."

Xia Lin smiled faintly: "No rush. Some words lose their beauty when fully unraveled. Leaving a little mystery to unfold slowly is better."

Chen Mu bowed his fist: "Sir, you are right."

…

On the seventh day, the convoy entered a mountain forest.

It was late autumn; the trees had long since shed their leaves, leaving only bare branches.

The afternoon sun filtered through the branches, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

The mountain path was narrow, the carts moved slowly, and the convoy gradually stretched out.

Chen Mu walked beside Xia Lin, chatting idly.

Suddenly, his brows lifted.

Sounds of combat came from ahead!