Chapter 15: Far Away

Xuan Ku—this name really suits that monk; with his worried expression, he never seems to smile, essentially the very embodiment of a bitter gourd.

"Amitabha, our Buddha is merciful, everywhere present; wherever there are demons and heretical paths, there our Buddha will deliver salvation." Monk Xuan Ku uttered a Buddhist chant, palms together.

"Hehe, Monk Xuan Ku, who exactly are you calling demons and heretical paths?" Before the master could speak, QingSongShu gave Xuan Ku a contemptuous smile, seeming not at all afraid of this monk.

Monk Xuan Ku, despite being so disparaged by QingSongShu, showed no anger, continuing in a neutral tone: "The heretical path I refer to is naturally Priest Li; the Yin Mountain School's methods are utterly nefarious and should not exist in this world."

"Impudent! Who gave you the gall to call the Yin Mountain Sect a heretical path?" QingSongShu flicked his robe, exuding authority without anger.

He loudly questioned Xuan Ku, defending the Yin Mountain Sect.

"The Yin Mountain Teaching is originally a branch of the Orthodox Dao. Yin and Yang exist in Taiji; my Huaguang Dharma Teaching's method is supreme yang under heaven, while the Yin Mountain Teaching's method is utmost yin. One yin, one yang—endlessly generating—this is the very foundation of the Dao; how could it be considered heretical?"

Having said that, QingSongShu paused, then continued questioning Xuan Ku: "Seeing you wear a patchwork robe, you must be a seasoned practitioner who has traveled a thousand miles; how can you not know that the Dharma knows no distinction of right and wrong, only that people have good and evil? All teachings under heaven can lead to the Dao; your Buddhist Sect speaks of myriad Buddhas because one method can certify one Buddha, hence the myriad Buddhas. Now you cling to your own path to insult others'—which Buddha of your Buddhist Sect taught you this…"

"Enough..." The master waved his hand, stopping QingSongShu from speaking further. He gave Wang Qingsong a grateful glance, then turned to look at Xuan Ku.

"Xuan Ku, I know you came today solely to avenge your father's death twenty years ago. If you want my life, come and take it if you're able. Why bother with all these excuses and pretense? But…"

The master glanced at me and QingSongShu, adjusted his clothes, then continued: "This is merely a grudge between you and me, unrelated to others. Whatever you intend to do, aim it at me alone—don't drag in unrelated parties."

"What unrelated karma? I am your disciple, half your son; your enemy is my enemy." As soon as the master finished speaking, I shouted with red eyes.

By now, even a fool would know that this monk before us has come to seek vengeance against my master. It's said that master and disciple are like father and son, a father's debt is repaid by the son; no matter how grave the master's mistake, it is only natural for me, his disciple, to bear it.

Moreover, I had just overheard their conversation and learned that my master still dwells on the past, wishing to die to end this grudge. If that's the case, it would be better for all the sins to fall on me—I, as his son substitute, will bear them in his place.

I care not for Buddhist or Daoist gates; whoever wishes to kill my father must first step over my corpse.

With red eyes, I threw caution to the wind, drew a Yin Thunder flower symbol on my fingertip, and turned to charge straight at Monk Xuan Ku.

This is the Yin Mountain Sect's Yin Thunder Point Strike; whoever is struck by the Yin Thunder flower symbol will have their body consumed by yin qi and die, a method even more vicious than the common five-hundred-coin technique. Normally, Master Li Feng restricts me from using this art, but now I can't hold back—this monk is no ordinary man, and moreover he is my master's arch‑enemy, so I must strike with my full strength.

"Hai Sheng, no—..." the master cried out from behind.

Yet my resolve was set; how could a few words from the master stop me?

However, the master did not move, but QingSongShu beside him did. I gripped the Yin Thunder flower symbol; before I could reach Monk Xuan Ku, I heard a shout of "Hai!" and a great force struck my neck—pain flared, my eyes shut, and I collapsed unconscious.

……………………

When I woke up, I was already on the train to Guangdong. QingSongShu sat beside me; seeing me awake, he affectionately ruffled my hair.

"Hai Sheng, you're awake—are you thirsty…?"

"QingSongShu, where is my master? Where is my master?" Upon waking, I grabbed his sleeve in panic, demanding to know the master's whereabouts.

"Sigh..." QingSongShu let out a soft sigh.

My heart clenched suddenly, pain shooting straight to my five viscera and six bowels—the feeling of losing a loved one, spreading through my body, making it hard to breathe.

Could it be that Master was killed by that Xuan Ku?

"Hey hey hey, Hai Sheng, don't cry—Second Elder Brother is fine; he just needs to go to Yunnan to lay low for a while."

In an instant, QingSongShu's words made my eyes light up.

"Really, QingSongShu, are you telling the truth?" I choked out the question, locking my eyes on his.

After a moment, QingSongShu nodded. He told me that the master had originally intended to die to resolve this grudge, but under the earnest persuasion of Wang Qingsong he finally changed his mind. The reasons for Master Li Feng's change of heart were two: me, and his long‑lost son.

All these years, the master has regarded me as his own biological son; his reluctance to part with me needs no further explanation.

As for the master's son, that too is true.

More than ten years ago, my master's wife gave birth to a son. Not long after, Master Li Feng was tracked down by his enemies. To protect the child's safety, he had no choice but to secretly entrust the son to a friend overnight.

Later, that friend died in a car accident, and consequently the master's son lost all contact. Over the years, this son has been a heartache for Li Feng, though few know of it.

QingSongShu said that after hearing his advice, the master feigned arranging a duel with Monk Xuan Ku for the next day, but it was merely a ruse.

After securing Monk Xuan Ku's cooperation, QingSongShu that very night arranged for the master to go to an acquaintance in Yunnan to lay low.

QingSongShu said that was how he persuaded my master.

"Second Elder Brother, even if you now have no will to fight and only wish to die to understand this grudge, you must still think of your ill‑fated son—consider whether, over all these years, you have fulfilled your fatherly duty toward him. If you haven't seen him, would you really be willing to die? And think of Hai Sheng, who regards you as his father—could you bear to abandon him alone in this world?"

QingSongShu persuaded my master back in this way. At first, when QingSongShu said the master would willingly flee from Xuan Ku, I didn't quite believe it—I know my master too well; even in death he is stubborn, not even nine oxen could pull him back.

But when QingSongShu mentioned the master's son, I believed him. This matter has long been a heartache the master could not let go of, yet few know of it.

Upon reflection, it's not impossible for the master to have avoided the duel for his son's sake; after all, the master has always felt guilty toward his long‑lost child. Consider: as parents, unless compelled by circumstance or unavoidable hardship, how could one bear to abandon one's children?

Thus, regarding QingSongShu's words, I gradually shifted from doubt to belief.

"QingSongShu, you said that Monk Xuan Ku—will he continue to pursue my master for revenge?" Now that I know the master is temporarily safe, I feel relieved. Still, evading him for a moment does not mean evading him forever; if Xuan Ku keeps doggedly seeking him, the master will surely be found sooner or later.

"It's possible… so you must now master your skills; when your ability surpasses that of Monk Xuan Ku, go defeat him until he submits, so he dares not trouble your master again."

"Alright… QingSongShu, I will certainly train hard, strike until that Xuan Ku dares not bother my master again." I clenched my fists, my whole body brimming with fighting spirit.

I will never know how naïve I was then—how could a patricidal feud be settled by a single bout? Yet I harbor no regret for the vow I once made; if avenging my father's death is destined to be irreconcilable, then let me repay the debt in his stead.

Thus, I followed QingSongShu on the train, arrived in unfamiliar Guangdong, and began a new life.