The next afternoon, Ji Chun was meditating in his room when a knock interrupted his peace. He stood up and opened the door to find the man who called himself "Shangguan Li" standing outside. With his thick, handsome eyebrows, sharp dark eyes, and a thick beard framing his face, the man's expression was unreadable, his lips curled into a faint smile that felt more unsettling than friendly.
"Ji Chun Dashi," Shangguan Li began, his tone laced with mockery, "Xue Yao asked me to tell you that Young Master Ouyang has woken up. He wants you to come over."
"Thank you..." Ji Chun started to reply, but Shangguan Li cut him off abruptly.
"Stop pretending, you stupid monk!" Shangguan Li sneered, his voice low and menacing. "We don't interfere with each other here. If you ruin my plans, you'd better watch your back." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Ji Chun standing in the doorway.
Ji Chun silently watched Shangguan Li's retreating figure, a sense of unease settling in his chest. Over the past few days, Shangguan Li had kept a low profile, but his growing closeness with Xue Yao was troubling. Ji Chun couldn't shake the feeling that the man was plotting something sinister. Sighing, he closed the door and made his way to the courtyard where Young Master Ouyang was staying.
When Ji Chun entered the room, he found it already filled with people, their voices hushed to avoid disturbing the patient. He glanced around, taking in the scene. On the bed, Ouyang Yixun, the young master of the Ouyang family, lay propped up weakly, his face pale and drained of color. His voice was faint as he spoke, barely audible. Sitting beside him was Xu Zhen, the head of the Tiangang Sect, his expression gentle and caring as he leaned in to listen. On the other side of the bed stood Xue Yao, the divine doctor, attentively monitoring the young master's condition. Behind them stood several disciples of the Tiangang Sect and a few unfamiliar faces, including Shangguan Li, who seemed oddly out of place.
"Ji Chun Dashi, you're here," Xu Zhen said, noticing Ji Chun's arrival. He waved him forward and turned to Ouyang Yixun. "Yixun, this is the monk from Shaolin Temple who brought you the medicine. It's thanks to him that you're alive. Master Ji Chun also saved your life yesterday. You should thank him personally."
"Yes, Xu Shushu[1]," Ouyang Yixun replied, his eyes glistening with tears. His voice was weak and slightly hoarse, his frail appearance tugging at the heartstrings of everyone in the room.
Ji Chun made his way to the bedside, relieved to see that Young Master Ouyang had finally awakened. His usual stern expression softened slightly. "Amitabha, Young Master Ouyang is blessed."
"Thank you, Ji Chun Dashi, for saving my life," Ouyang Yixun said, his voice trembling. "If I have the chance, I will... cough, cough... repay you..." His words were interrupted by a fit of coughing, his eyes watering as he struggled to speak.
Xue Yao quickly handed him a cup of water, urging him to drink. "Take it easy. Speak slowly," he said gently.
"Yixun Zhi'er[2]," Xu Zhen began cautiously, "do you remember what happened to your family...?"
At the question, Ouyang Yixun's head dropped, his thin shoulders trembling as he began to sob softly. Tears streamed down his cheeks, soaking into the quilt beneath him. The room fell silent, the weight of the young man's grief apparent. No one dared to speak, their hearts aching for the boy who had lost everything at such a young age.
"It's okay, Yixun. It's okay," Xu Zhen said, his own voice choked with emotion. He reached out to wipe the tears from Ouyang Yixun's face. "If you don't mind, you can stay with Uncle Xu from now on. Don't cry, child."
Ouyang Yixun nodded slowly, his tear-streaked face lifting. He wiped his eyes with a trembling hand and spoke between sobs. "Xu Shushu... you... you must help me get revenge..." His cries grew louder, raw and heart-wrenching, leaving everyone in the room visibly shaken.
"Child, tell me," Xu Zhen said urgently, gripping Ouyang Yixun's arm. "Who harmed your family? Tell Uncle Xu, and I will make sure they pay for what they've done!"
Ouyang Yixun wiped his face, his expression shifting from grief to bitter resolve. "I only remember... that night, I heard a strange man's voice coming from my father's study. They were talking about something... something about the birth of Di Mang..."
"Shhh!" Xu Zhen quickly covered Ouyang Yixun's mouth, his eyes darting around the room with a sharp, wary look. "I think you're all tired," he said, addressing the others. "Go back and rest early. I'll host a banquet tonight to thank you all in person."
Though some of the guests seemed eager to hear more, they couldn't refuse Xu Zhen's dismissal. Reluctantly, they filed out of the room. As soon as the last person left, the door was firmly closed from the inside.
Ji Chun didn't dwell on the mention of "Di Mang," though the term sounded vaguely familiar. Try as he might, he couldn't recall where he'd heard it before. As he turned to leave, he ran into Xue Yao and "Shangguan Li," who were heading out.
"Ji Chun Dashi," Xue Yao greeted him cheerfully, "Dage Shangguan and I are going into town for a drink. If you need anything, let me know, and I can bring it back for you." Xue Yao had grown fond of Ji Chun, especially after the monk's selfless help the previous day. Since he was going out, he thought it only polite to offer.
"Thank you, Xue Shenyi. I have everything I need, so I won't trouble you further," Ji Chun replied sincerely, bowing slightly before bidding them farewell.
By dinner time, everyone had gathered in the backyard as planned. Sect Leader Xu Zhen stood at the front, expressing his gratitude to the guests before inviting them to eat and drink. His hospitality was warm and generous, and he moved from table to table, toasting with a satisfied smile. Beside him stood Young Master Ouyang, dressed in a pristine white robe, his delicate features and well-mannered demeanor making him a picture of grace. He sipped hot tea instead of wine, thanking everyone for their support.
Ji Chun, who didn't drink, had a pot of hot tea placed thoughtfully beside him by the servants. To his left sat Bai Wu, and to his right was Xue Yao. On Xue Yao's other side sat Shangguan Li, who was laughing and clinking glasses with others, clearly enjoying himself.
After three rounds of drinks, most of the guests were tipsy, having consumed more wine than food. Ji Chun, who preferred silence, didn't know many people there. Xue Yao, noticing his solitude, occasionally turned to chat with him, ensuring he wasn't left out of the conversation.
As the night wore on, Ji Chun decided it was time to leave. Just as he was about to stand, he felt an intense gaze fixed on him. He turned and saw Shangguan Li staring at him, his eyes glazed with drunkenness and a hint of mischief. The man's lips parted slightly, his pink tongue barely visible as he ran two fingers across his mouth in a suggestive gesture.
Ji Chun's expression darkened as memories of that day flooded back. He suddenly felt a lingering bitterness in his mouth, and a wave of anger surged within him. He reached for his teacup, intending to calm himself, but the moment the liquid touched his lips, he spat it out. It wasn't tea—it was alcohol. His eyes turned icy as he glared at Shangguan Li, who was now smirking triumphantly.
Before Ji Chun could react, Shangguan Li stood up, whistled mockingly, and leaned in to whisper, "Master Ji Chun, you've broken your precepts. How amusing..." With that, he sauntered away, leaving Ji Chun seething.
Ji Chun's hands clenched into fists. No one else in the world could provoke him like this man. He recited the Heart Sutra silently, trying to calm his anger, but it was no use. With a grim expression, he left the banquet.
Back in his room, Ji Chun took a deep breath and began to pack his belongings. He decided to leave for the temple at dawn, hoping to avoid further trouble. Yet, a nagging worry lingered in his mind—something big was about to happen.
The next morning, before dawn, Ji Chun was awakened by a loud clap of thunder. Heavy rain lashed against the windows, and the wind howled outside. He got up, dressed quickly, and secured the doors and windows against the storm. Sitting at the table, he listened to the relentless rain and sighed. His journey back to the temple would have to wait.
The rain showed no signs of stopping, continuing for several days. The air grew damp and heavy, the sky a blur of dark clouds that seemed to press down on the earth. The oppressive atmosphere left everyone restless and uneasy. Reluctantly, Ji Chun accepted Sect Leader Xu's invitation to stay at the Tiangang Sect a while longer, planning to leave once the weather cleared.
During those rainy days, Ji Chun found solace in solitude. He practiced his skills and studied scriptures in his room, finding a quiet contentment. But on the day the sun finally broke through the clouds, bathing the earth in golden light, Ji Chun's peace was shattered.
As he passed a courtyard on his way to bid farewell to Sect Leader Xu, he heard a heavy thud. His heightened senses, sharpened by his recent cultivation breakthrough, immediately recognized Xue Yao's voice—strained, pained, and unmistakable. Ji Chun's heart clenched as he realized the courtyard belonged to none other than "Shangguan Li". A cold dread settled in his chest. Something was terribly wrong.
Without a second thought, Ji Chun rushed toward the courtyard. He had always suspected "Shangguan Li" was dangerous, but he hadn't wanted to speak ill of the man in front of Xue Yao. Now, it seemed his fears had come true.
Inside the room, Su Ran—no longer pretending to be "Shangguan Li"—leaned casually on a stool, his eyes half-closed. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the table as he spoke in a cold, detached tone. "Xue Yao, I'll give you one last chance. Where is the Medical Saint Valley?"
Xue Yao lay on the ground, blood staining his lips. His arms and shoulders were shattered, his almond-shaped eyes wide with anger and pain. He had been deceived, mistaking this wolf for a brother. Now, he realized he was nothing more than a pawn in Su Ran's game.
"You despicable villain!" Xue Yao spat, his voice trembling with rage. "I'd rather die than tell you anything!"
Su Ran's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Such bravery. But bravery won't save you now."
Ji Chun burst into the room, his presence cutting through the tension like a blade. "Enough!" he shouted, his voice firm and commanding. "This ends here, Su Ran."
[1] Honorific-Uncle
[2] Honorific- Nephew