The morning was really foggy. The mist stuck to the courtyard like a big blanket. It made everything feel calm and peaceful. People watching the Hidden Traditions livestream saw a scene.. The man standing outside the gate felt like the air was really heavy.
Chen Qing was inside the courtyard. He was moving around like he was dancing. He had a wooden bowl and was throwing food to some chickens. These chickens were special. Their feathers looked like they were made of metal.
Then a message popped up in Chen Qings view. It said someone was coming to visit. The message said the visitor was a deal in the martial arts world. Chen Qing did not look up. He just kept throwing food to the chickens. "Come in " he said. His voice was soft. It was loud enough for everyone to hear.
The big iron-wood gate opened by itself. It was like the house was saying hello to the visitor. Elder Qing Xu came in on his knees. The people filming the livestream were surprised. "Is that the Wudang Patriarch?" they asked. The people watching the livestream were talking fast. "That's Qing Xu! I saw him on TV year. He's a deal!"
Qing Xu was really moved. He felt like he was in a world. The air was sweet and nice. He felt his energy moving again after forty years. He looked up at Chen Qing. Was shocked. Chen Qing looked like a ball of light to him.
"Senior please forgive me " Qing Xu said. "I saw your writing at the village entrance. It was really deep. I had to come and learn from you." Chen Qing did not look at him. He just kept throwing food to the chickens. "You are from the Wudang lineage?" he asked. "You have a problem with your energy. You tried to do something forty years ago but it did not work."
Qing Xu was surprised. "Yes that's right. I was young and stupid. I tried to do something but I hurt myself." Chen Qing told him to sit down. Qing Xu sat on a stone stool. Chen Qing went to a stove and made some tea. He did not use a lighter. He just put his hand near the charcoal. It started burning.
The tea was special. It smelled like rain and snow. The people watching the livestream were excited. "Hes making tea? That's it?" "Look at the man. Hes shaking hard." Chen Qing poured a cup of tea. Gave it to Qing Xu. "Drink it " he said. "Don't waste it."
Qing Xu drank the tea. It was like an explosion in his body. The tea did not go down his throat. It just turned into heat. Went into his chest. His old injury started to heal. The "cold-fire" in his lungs was gone. He felt like he was young again.
The people watching the livestream saw Qing Xus face change. His wrinkles went away. His hair turned black again. He stood up. Looked powerful. He felt like he could jump over mountains.
Qing Xu realized that Chen Qing was not a master. He was something. He was like a god. Qing Xu threw himself on the ground. Thanked Chen Qing. "Thank you Ancestor " he said. "Thank you for giving me life. I will never forget this."
Chen Qing just drank his tea and looked bored. "It's tea " he said. "Don't make a deal. You're scaring the chickens." The chickens were looking at Qing Xu like they were judging him.
Qing Xu stood up. Looked at Chen Qing. "Just tea?" he asked. He knew that the tea was special. It was, like a potion. Chen Qing told him to leave and take the film crew with him. Qing Xu stood up. Looked at the sky. He knew that the world was going to change. The livestream had shown the miracle to millions of people.
"Ancestor " Qing Xu said, bowing low. The world is a mess. Now that everyone knows you are here people who want something for nothing and those who are really struggling will come here like a bunch of locusts. They will bother your peace.
Chen Qing tilted his head to one side. "Will they really?" he asked.
Qing Xu felt a chill run down his spine. He realized Chen Qing was not worried about himself he was worried about having some time. If a lot of people showed up Chen Qing might get rid of the whole mountain so he could sleep.
"I will take care of it " Qing Xu promised, his voice sounding strong like a master. "I will put up a 'Grandmaster Ban' right away. I will get in touch with the capital. I will let everyone know that this mountain is off limits. Any group, any organization or any person that sets foot near this courtyard without your okay will have to deal with me and with the whole Wudang Sect."
Chen Qing nodded a little like he was not really paying attention. "Just do whatever just make sure they do not knock on the door when I am taking a nap."
Qing Xu backed out of the yard he did not want to turn his back on Chen Qing until he was outside the gate. He felt the special energy of the courtyard go away as the gate closed and it was replaced by the air of the world outside.
He looked at the camera his eyes shining with an scary light.
"To everyone watching " Qing Xu said, his voice so strong that it messed up the audio. "You just saw something. But let it be known: The Senior is a hermit who follows the Dao. If any of you. No matter who you are. Try to bring trouble to this doorstep you will have to answer to my sword."
He turned around took one step and became a blur of light disappearing into the trees.
Inside the yard Chen Qing looked at the cup.
[System Mission: Shock the Hidden World. Status: Complete.]
[Shock Level: SSS (World-shaking).]
[Calculating Reward...]
Chen Qing let out a sigh. "I hope Qing Xu meant what he said about keeping it quiet. I still need to fix the roof before the rainy season comes."
He went back, to his chickens not knowing. Or maybe just not caring. That he had just changed everything and brought back the Age of Myth.