Chapter 59: Sleep

In Apricot Blossom Alley, the ancestral home of the Ma family, the golden-armored divine being, having searched every corner of the small town, returned to the courtyard. Strangely, this towering deity moved about without anyone noticing his presence.

The young Ma Kuxuan squatted on the steps outside the door, his face filled with hope as he saw the golden-armored figure. The military cultivator from True Martial Mountain asked, "How goes it?"

The divine being, clad in golden armor, possessed a solemn countenance. His lips moved slightly, but Ma Kuxuan could not hear any sound. He anxiously looked towards the swordsman inside the house, who sighed, "He says your grandmother committed too many sins in life. Before her death, her three souls and seven spirits, like her body, were already like a candle in the wind. So when she died, her life soul decayed simultaneously. This town is different from others, inherently resistant to ghosts and阴物. Therefore, he could not find any remnant of your grandmother's soul."

Ma Kuxuan's face contorted, and he raised his head to roar at the divine general, "I don't care what method you use, quickly bring back my grandmother's soul!"

The True Martial Mountain swordsman's expression changed drastically, fearing that Ma Kuxuan would anger the venerable Lord Yin. He was about to speak to stop the boy when, for some reason, the golden-armored divine being spoke in the official language of Eastern Treasure Bottle Continent, "It is not that I am unwilling, but truly, I am unable."

After saying this, the majestic divine general, enveloped in golden light, looked towards the True Martial Mountain swordsman inside the house. The latter took a deep breath and, with hands clasped in a gesture of offering incense, bowed three times to the divine general in the courtyard. With each bow, a wisp of faint golden aura, as thin as a strand of hair, floated from the swordsman's Niwan acupoint and was gently inhaled by the golden-armored being.

After three times, the divine being rose into the air, transforming into a radiant pillar of light that departed this realm.

The True Martial Mountain swordsman's face was pale as he moved a chair and sat down, gently exhaling a breath of turbid air.

This is the true reason for the common saying, "It's easy to invite a god, but difficult to send him away."

Ma Kuxuan coldly withdrew his gaze, turned, and walked into the house. He sat beside the cold corpse, reached out to grasp the old woman's withered hand, and stared intently at her face. The boy remained silent for a long time.

The sword-bearing man removed the tiger tally from his waist, its color slightly dimmer than before, and slowly placed it in his sleeve.

After resting for a moment, the sword-bearing man rose and sat on the doorstep, with his back to the boy. He slowly said, "Your grandmother was likely slapped in the face at the door, with such force that she was thrown into the house, causing her death. There are some things I need to say next, that you may not want to hear, but you should at least know the truth. The person who struck her was likely a Qi Refiner, unaware of the severity of their actions. Combined with your grandmother's frail body, she died. Since it was a Qi Refiner, it is likely related to Chen Pingan from Mud Bottle Lane and that foreign girl, or the young woman whose water observation state of mind you intentionally ruined at the corridor bridge, acting out of revenge. The former is less likely, the latter more so. So, your going to the burial grounds to kill Chen Pingan was out of filial piety towards your grandmother, to settle cause and effect. But you never expected that your leaving would coincide with someone coming to stir up trouble."

Ma Kuxuan tremblingly reached out a hand, gently touching his grandmother's cheek with the back of his hand, which was swollen and already turning purplish-black.

The boy softly said, "So I killed my grandmother, right?"

The sword-bearing man said, "According to worldly standards, yes and no. If we follow…"

Ma Kuxuan refused to listen to him anymore. He stood up and grinned fiendishly, "屠城滅國 is forbidden, indiscriminately killing innocents is forbidden, these things are forbidden, those things are forbidden! Then is revenge and murder allowed or not?!"

Without waiting for the man's answer, Ma Kuxuan continued, "If even this is not allowed, then what's the use of me being a military cultivator? Why don't I just become a wanton great demon? Why didn't I agree to go to that sect with those Taoist priests and nuns back then?!"

The man hesitated for a moment and said, "As long as you can bear all the consequences yourself, then it is allowed."

"Just like today."

"Also, there are some things I may not have explained thoroughly before. For example, with killing, everyone has their own line. How many people you can kill, how many people I can kill, is definitely different. It's not just because I'm stronger and at a higher realm than you; a person's temperament is also very important. I could kill a hundred people, all of whom deserve to die, while you only kill two or three, and there will be those who don't deserve it."

Ma Kuxuan suddenly sneered, "What's the point of me asking you about killing or how to kill? Do I need your help? I almost forgot, I'm not an official True Martial Mountain disciple yet!"

The boy lowered his head to look at the old woman's face, then turned to roar at the Eight Immortals table in the main hall, "Go lead the way!"

A black cat darted out from under the Eight Immortals table, and Ma Kuxuan followed it as they rushed out of the house.

The man was indifferent.

You should know that the man's country fell into turmoil 150 years ago. The mountains and rivers were shattered, and a century of chaotic war ensued. The tragedy was unparalleled in Eastern Treasure Bottle Continent. In the end, of the ten million households, less than eight hundred thousand remained by the time the new dynasty ended the catastrophe. As a result, many young children believed that when people died, there was no need for encoffining or burial.

The man was one of those children.

The man slowly rose. Rather than remind Ma Kuxuan that the murderer had already been driven out of town, he wanted to ask Master Ruan a question.

Why is it that Buddhism, which has been declining in Eastern Treasure Bottle Continent for a thousand years and is only regarded as a state preceptor in some small countries, is the weakest power in this small town, yet the cycle of cause and effect is so obvious?

This military swordsman followed far behind the boy.

Even if Ma Kuxuan was now a True Martial Mountain disciple, the man would not interfere too much in the boy's personal grudges.

On the battlefield, they live and die together; on the path of cultivation, they are responsible for their own lives and deaths.

Of course, nothing is absolute. Just like when Ma Kuxuan almost died at the hands of Chen Pingan, the man saved him. There were two reasons: one was that deep down, he did not want such a genius as Ma Kuxuan to die prematurely. He hoped that Ma Kuxuan could hone himself at True Martial Mountain and improve his talent and temperament. He hoped the boy could become one of the representative figures of the military, shining brightly in the coming era of great turmoil. The other was that Mr. Qi took the initiative to say that it was enough for the two boys, Ma Kuxuan and Chen Pingan, to determine a victory or defeat; they should not determine life or death.

At the time, he thought Mr. Qi was worried that the boy from Mud Bottle Lane would die, but he later realized that it was not the case at all.The man followed the youth from afar, noticing that after Ma Kuxuan's initial burst of adrenaline, his steps slowed, becoming more relaxed and natural, as if he were merely strolling through the streets. Only when the black cat leaped from a rooftop onto the youth's shoulder, then to the ground, and darted away, seemingly indicating it had found its target, did the youth break into a jog, his demeanor transforming once more.

A fine spring rain fell, causing pedestrians to hurry along, but not enough to seek shelter under eaves.

A young couple, clad in expensive clothing, emerged from Riding Dragon Alley onto the main street, their faces beaming with joy, likely each having encountered some good fortune. However, a youth was about to teach them the meaning of intertwined blessings and curses. The youth began running from fifty paces behind them, shouting "Hey!" when he closed to twenty paces. As the young man turned, Ma Kuxuan delivered a swift, merciless punch.

A direct hit to the head.

The young man was sent flying, landing heavily on the street, his body twitching faintly, without any sign of getting up.

After the punch, the youth landed squarely on his feet, standing shoulder to shoulder with the young woman.

Ma Kuxuan twisted his body, his left hand flashing out to strike the woman's neck. The woman, a cultivator who was half a head taller than him, collapsed to the ground with a thud.

Her head crashed into the muddy earth.

Ma Kuxuan placed a foot on her forehead, staring down at her dazed face. He bent down, speaking in refined official language, "I know the culprit isn't in town anymore, but that's fine. I can investigate myself."

The beautiful young woman's eyes were bloodshot, her nose and ears seeping blood, her face filled with terror as she looked up at the dark-skinned youth towering over her.

The youth's face was contorted with fury, "I, Ma Kuxuan, have damaged your cultivation state. If you seek revenge later, even if you have me hacked to pieces, I'll accept my fate without complaint. Even if you fail to get your revenge, if I'm in a good mood, I might even let you off, willing to play with you a few more times. In my eyes, the world should be this clear-cut."

The woman, likely a favored prodigy of her sect, had never seen such a scene. She burst into tears, unable to even remember what the menacing youth had said. She only begged for mercy, "Let me go, I beg you, let me go. I didn't kill your grandmother, I knew nothing about it..."

The youth gradually increased the pressure on his foot, slowly pressing the woman's head into the mud. "Do you know what I hate most about you people? It's that after committing such atrocities, you act like it's nothing! Not a shred of remorse, not a single shred..."

The youth's voice trembled with sobs, his eyes filled with deep-seated hatred.

The woman desperately reached out, grabbing Ma Kuxuan's ankle, her eyes filled with pitiful pleading. "Let me go, my grandfather is the commander of the Iron Tide Cavalry. I'm his most beloved granddaughter. I can compensate you. Whatever you want, I can grant it..."

The youth gave a hollow laugh. "Oh? What a coincidence, I'm the grandson of Ma Lanhua!"

The youth suddenly lifted his foot slightly, then wiped the sole of his shoe across the woman's delicate cheek. "The Iron Tide Cavalry, huh? Just wait, I'll play with you slowly."

The youth retracted his foot, glancing to his left and right. To his left, a True Martial Mountain man stood in the distance, his sword resting on his back. To his right, a refined young master holding an oil-paper umbrella stood beside the fallen wretch, looking at Ma Kuxuan.

Ma Kuxuan's intuition told him that the umbrella-holding fellow was waiting for him to kill the woman at his feet.

Ma Kuxuan suddenly squatted down. The woman tried to escape, but the soaking wet youth grabbed her by the neck. After she froze, the youth released her, repeatedly patting her cheek with his palm, and smiled. "Remember this, my name is Ma Kuxuan. I'll definitely come looking for you in the future. And the guy who's not in town, be sure to thank him properly, otherwise we wouldn't have become so close."

Ma Kuxuan spat on the woman's face.

The youth rose and walked towards the True Martial Mountain man, asking in a low voice, "Who is that man?"

The swordsman replied calmly, "He's Cui Minghuang, the future master of the Lake-Viewing Academy, one of the seventy-two Confucian academies, with an illustrious background. He's also here to retrieve the cursed object. He's very cunning, be careful in the future. If I'm not mistaken, he already has his eye on you."

Ma Kuxuan frowned. "This man gives off a very different feeling than Teacher Qi from the academy."

The swordsman chuckled softly. "Do you think many scholars can be like Teacher Qi, upholding their original intentions?"

He hesitated for a moment, then explained, "The outside world says that after his mentor's downfall, Teacher Qi's cultivation realm plummeted, his state of mind shattered, so he agreed to be exiled to this small world. Although he constantly endures the erosion of the Heavenly Dao's pressure, he's able to do as he pleases. But I think that might not be the whole story."

Ma Kuxuan wasn't interested in these matters. He turned his head to look, seeing the umbrella-holding man squatting beside the woman, likely offering words of comfort.

Ma Kuxuan turned away, walking shoulder to shoulder with the swordsman. The youth's steps were heavy as he returned to Apricot Blossom Alley.

The man spoke, "Your body is badly injured, don't let it leave hidden wounds, or it will hinder your cultivation in the future."

Ma Kuxuan reached out to wipe the rain from his face, suddenly asking, "What is this town to those outsiders?"

The swordsman replied, "Like the creek outside town, a mix of fish and dragons, with shallow pools that barely reach the knees, and bottomless deep pools."

Ma Kuxuan asked, "Have outsiders who came here to train and seek treasure drowned before?"

The swordsman smiled and shook his head. "Almost never before. Usually, it was about harmony and prosperity for all. This time is an exception."

At the Yang family shop, a spirited young woman carried the youth across the threshold, asking a middle-aged shop assistant, "Is Old Man Yang here?"

Seeing the young woman's exceptional bearing, the assistant dared not be negligent. He nodded. "He's in the backyard, just finished sorting the medicinal herbs. Do you need something?"

The young woman nodded, saying in a low voice, "We're familiar with Old Man Yang, we need to ask him for medicine."

The assistant hesitated for a moment, then led them to the main room in the backyard. An old man was gently tapping the table with an old smoking pipe. In the corner of the room stood a slovenly man, none other than Zheng Dafeng, the gatekeeper from the east side of town. Perhaps it was a case of one thing subduing another, but Zheng Dafeng didn't dare breathe loudly in Old Man Yang's presence, no longer possessing his usual oily, rogueish, deserving-a-beating demeanor.Old Man Yang waved his smoking pipe, and Zheng Dafeng quickly scurried out of the house, taking the shop assistants with him.

Old Man Yang gazed at the familiar youth behind the girl, Chen Ping'an.

At this moment, Chen Ping'an's lips were white, his whole body trembled, and his hands were practically desperately wrapped around the girl's neck.

Old Man Yang unhurriedly stood up, one hand behind his back, the other holding his smoking pipe. He came before the girl, met the youth's gaze, and said in a hoarse voice, "How many times have I told you, the humbler your fate, the more you must cherish your life and fortune. What is this? You face a little setback and want to die? Why didn't you follow your mother when she left? Wouldn't that have been easier? Your Master Yao was right. He always said that you can see the future at three. You won't live long. Even if I taught you good skills and real abilities, it would be a waste. You'd still be buried early."

Ning Yao was stunned. In her impression, Old Man Yang should have been a kind-faced old man, always smiling.

Who would have thought he was such a sharp-tongued old geezer?

The old man mocked, "Does it hurt a lot?"

Chen Ping'an nodded slightly, unable to speak.

After waking up on the girl's back, perhaps the medicinal effects had worn off, and it had already begun to take effect. But Chen Ping'an felt he could endure it for a while. Once Ning Yao carried him near the corridor bridge, he knew he couldn't endure it any longer. So Ning Yao didn't even bother to retrieve the knife from the roadside, and hurried him to Old Man Yang's shop.

The old man chuckled, "It hurts, huh? Then just bear it obediently."

Then the old man glanced at Ning Yao, and said rudely, "Let him sit on the bench himself!"

The old man then muttered, "Being carried by a little girl, doesn't he feel ashamed?"

Ning Yao suppressed her anger, and carefully helped Chen Ping'an sit on the bench. But as soon as she let go, the youth swayed precariously.

Ning Yao was about to reach out to support him, but although the youth couldn't speak, he signaled with his eyes that he didn't need her help.

The old man took a puff of his self-made tobacco, and looked at the youth's body and aura, and clicked his tongue. "Truly a ruined household. Well, at least he can stand tall with a clear conscience."

The old man was completely unmoved by the youth's piercing pain. "Liu Xianyang has such a good fate, and you have such a humble fate. Don't you know that after all these years? One death for him is enough for you to die ten times over. Do you understand?"

Ning Yao couldn't bear the old man's sarcastic words any longer, and said in a deep voice, "Old Man Yang, can you please relieve Chen Ping'an's pain first?"

The old man was hunched over. He turned his head and squinted at the girl, and asked indifferently, "Is he your man?"

Ning Yao glared at him.

The old man ignored the girl and turned back to look at the youth.

The old man fell into his own thoughts.

Finally, the old man curled his lips, sighed, and tapped Chen Ping'an's shoulder with his old smoking pipe, and then tapped his arms and legs twice each.

In an instant.

The youth lay on his side, his elbow propping up his head, lying on the long bench.

The old man shouted, "Sleep!"

Chen Ping'an instantly closed his eyes and fell asleep, immediately snoring loudly.