Chapter 13: Fellow Daoist
After Holy Master Yue Ying disappeared, Mingyan secretly sighed in relief.
He had been quite nervous, afraid of saying something wrong, but she hadn’t seemed to notice him.
It was strange that he, a mere Gathering Stream cultivator, had met so many important figures in such a short time…
Huang Feiyan and Mingyan arrived at the Hall of Affairs, where the remaining elders and the still-unconscious Xia Yanming were.
“Mingyan.” Liu Yunfeng, also present, stood up and examined Mingyan carefully. After confirming he was unharmed, he sighed in relief.
When Huang Feiyan brought Mingyan back, Liu Yunfeng had visited him. Back then, the wound on Mingyan’s wrist hadn’t fully healed, and he had been pale. Now, however, the wound was completely gone. While amazed by Mingyan’s rapid recovery, he was more relieved that he was safe.
“Master.” Mingyan bowed. Huang Feiyan also curtsied slightly. She held great respect for both Sect Leader Xia Yanming and the elders who had risked their lives to buy them time.
“Celestial Huang.” Liu Yunfeng nodded, then frowned with worry. “The Sect Leader still hasn’t woken up… Alas.”
Huang Feiyan said, “Holy Master Yue Ying told me earlier that Sect Leader Xia is severely injured and his cultivation has dropped, but his life isn’t in danger. So, there’s no need to worry too much. Elders, please rest as well. You’re also injured.”
“Just minor injuries…” Liu Yunfeng looked at Mingyan, seemingly hesitant to speak. Huang Feiyan noticed this and excused herself. “Then I won’t disturb you any further. Elders, please focus on your recovery. There’s no more danger. Holy Master Yue Ying will remain here until my mother arrives to prevent any unforeseen circumstances. If you need anything, tell Mingyan, and he can relay it to me.”
After Huang Feiyan left, Liu Yunfeng pulled Mingyan aside. “You’re quite capable, kid. I heard from Celestial Huang that you saved her life again?”
“Just saving myself.” Mingyan shook his head, then hesitated. “Master, I have a question for you.”
“Go ahead. What is it?”
Mingyan explained Huang Feiyan’s request for him to accompany her to the Huang family and use his blood as a medicinal ingredient to save her aunt. Liu Yunfeng slapped Mingyan’s shoulder. “This is a good thing! Did you agree?”
Mingyan shook his head. “This is a serious matter. I haven’t made a decision yet. Besides, if I go… I don’t know when I’ll be back.”
“I’d be happy if you didn’t come back. If you can become Celestial Huang’s… cough, anyway, you should seize this opportunity.” Liu Yunfeng nearly slipped up, then spoke earnestly. “Think about it, if you cure Celestial Huang’s aunt, how grateful would she be? You wouldn’t need to worry about your future cultivation path.”
“Master, you’re so vulgar.” Mingyan rolled his eyes. Although he respected his master, his words were…
“I didn’t bring Celestial Huang back for personal gain, and I don’t want to save someone with such strong ulterior motives… The reason I can’t decide… is because I don’t know when I’ll be able to return if I leave.” Mingyan sighed. Although he had only been at Rain Terrace Blessed Land for a year, he felt a sense of belonging… Besides, could his blood really save Celestial Sister’s aunt? He was just a Gathering Stream cultivator. Could his blood truly replace dragon blood?
Even if he gained something, it would only be the satisfaction of saving someone, of fulfilling his kind heart.
If Celestial Sister brought him back full of hope, only to find his blood was useless, wouldn’t the disappointment be even greater?
“You’ll leave Rain Terrace Blessed Land eventually.” Liu Yunfeng also rolled his eyes, then sighed. “You don’t belong here. Although you started your cultivation journey here, we both know that with your talent, this place can’t nurture you. You’ll leave someday, and now, that day has simply come sooner.”
Mingyan remained silent. Liu Yunfeng looked at the unconscious Xia Yanming lying on the nearby bed. “The Sect Leader also hopes you’ll achieve great things, you know? He was also a genius, but unlike you, he was trapped in Rain Terrace Blessed Land his entire life. With his talent, he could have achieved much more… He doesn’t want you to follow in his footsteps.”
“Of course, the decision to save someone is yours. By the way, Mengli and the others should be back, right?” Liu Yunfeng changed the subject. Huang Feiyan had told him that Liu Mengli left with Elder Qi Zhen, who had now returned.
Mingyan nodded. “Yes, but she seems to be asleep.”
When he went to greet his fellow disciples, Liu Mengli hadn’t come to find him. She must have been knocked unconscious while searching for him…
“I’ll go check on the girl… If possible, I hope you can befriend Celestial Huang. I won’t say those things you find vulgar. You’ve been through a lot with her. You know better than I do whether she’s worth befriending… You’re sixteen now. You don’t need to ask me about these things. Make your own decisions.” Liu Yunfeng’s tone softened. He patted Mingyan’s shoulder, chuckled, and left.
Many people said his master was grooming him to be his son-in-law, but his words just now suggested he would be happy if something happened between Mingyan and Huang Feiyan… It didn’t sound like he saw Mingyan as a future son-in-law at all. Mingyan found this strange, but he harbored no romantic feelings for Huang Feiyan.
Although differences in cultivation and background weren’t obstacles for him, he still had something he needed to do. He was only sixteen and wasn’t in a hurry to consider such matters.
Celestial Sister needed his blood to save someone. He didn’t know if his blood was the only substitute for dragon blood, but if he refused… Huang Feiyan’s aunt would remain in a coma. Wouldn’t that be the same as letting her die?
Mingyan thought for a while. He shouldn’t restrict himself with rigid moral principles. Perhaps he should consider those “vulgar” things his master mentioned. He shouldn’t be so high-minded…
Sighing, Mingyan looked at the unconscious Xia Yanming, greeted the other elders, and left.
As he walked up the mountain towards his residence, he saw Yue Qingying standing under an ancient tree by the path, her hands clasped behind her back. He hesitated, not wanting to disturb her, and was about to leave when she spoke. “Fellow Daoist, why do you leave without a word?”
Fellow Daoist? It was the first time he had been addressed this way… Mingyan stopped and looked at her. “I thought Celestial Sister was meditating, so I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“Who meditates with their eyes open?” Although her face was veiled, her voice suggested she was amused. Her voice was pleasant, like a clear mountain spring, refreshing and soothing.
Mingyan disagreed. If one could sleep with their eyes open, why not meditate?
“Did Celestial Sister call me because you have something to ask?” Mingyan asked politely, keeping his thoughts to himself.
“Why did you save Feiyan? I heard you brought her back from Dragon Ridge.” Yue Qingying walked towards him gracefully. It was nighttime now, and her white dress shimmered in the moonlight.
“I simply couldn’t leave her to die… I was saved by someone before, so I can’t stand idly by and watch someone die.” As he spoke, Mingyan instinctively glanced at Yue Qingying’s forehead, then quickly looked away. Her forehead was smooth, without any marks. In this vast world, finding that person again would require great fate…
“Did you consider that this could bring disaster upon your sect?” Yue Qingying asked.
Mingyan nodded. “After I brought her back, I realized Celestial Sister’s identity was extraordinary… But the Sect Leader asked me to look after her, so I didn’t say anything.”
Yue Qingying pondered for a moment, then smiled. “This is the best outcome. I was the one overthinking.”
Indeed, no one dying was the best outcome.
Mingyan remembered Huang Feiyan asking him to decide Yun Ling’s fate…
To kill or not to kill… Neither option was good. Killing her would surely invite the Yun family’s wrath. They couldn’t retaliate against the Huang family, so they would target Rain Terrace Blessed Land instead.
But if he spared her, would she not seek revenge? Although Celestial Sister mentioned the Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Sacred Land’s protection, how long would that last?
On the other hand, both options were viable. Revenge was inevitable. Killing her would provide immediate satisfaction, while sparing her could bring valuable resources…
Sect Leader Xia was the biggest victim, severely injured and his cultivation realm dropped… Ultimately, the decision should be his. Mingyan shook his head and bowed. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll return to my residence. Celestial Sister, due to these unforeseen circumstances, the Blessed Land is busy with internal affairs and might not be able to offer you and the Holy Master proper hospitality. Please forgive us.”
“There’s no need to be so polite.” Yue Qingying nodded. As Mingyan turned to leave, she added, “Yun Ling is despicable and an obstacle in Feiyan’s cultivation path. I know Feiyan left her fate in your hands. I hope you’ll kill her, not just to avenge your Sect Leader, but also to eliminate a great enemy for Feiyan… Of course, this is just my personal opinion. You don’t have to listen to me.”
Mingyan paused. “I’ll consider it carefully.”
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