Chapter 8: An Unexpected Intervention and a Promising Talent

“What, did you not hear me clearly?”

The green-robed cultivator’s voice suddenly surged, akin to a peal of thunder, causing ears to ring with a persistent hum.

“I declared—soon, I will command this demonic entity to devour each and every one of you, leaving no soul untouched!”

Having delivered his threat, he watched with satisfaction as the faces of those before him instantly blanched, turning ashen white. A smile finally graced his lips as he inquired, “Now, do you grasp my meaning?”

“That is rather amusing,” Qíngyǔ remarked, stepping out slowly from the side. She disregarded the oppressive spiritual pressure entirely, calmly cupping her hands towards the green-robed cultivator.

“However, there remains one matter that eludes my understanding.”

“You?” The green-robed cultivator arched a brow. His mood was exceptionally good at that moment, and he saw no reason to withhold clarification.

“Speak your question. My spirits are high today, and it matters little if you, who are soon to die, gain a moment of clarity.”

“Did you intentionally draw this demonic entity to this place?”

“No,” the green-robed cultivator answered without hesitation. “This demonic entity simply acts upon its inherent avarice.”

As he spoke, he cast a fleeting glance at the demonic entity, which remained tightly bound.

“I was merely pursuing this vile creature, and, quite incidentally… I thought I might reap a few additional benefits.”

“Fishing for law enforcement?” (TL Note: A Chinese idiom, ‘diàoyú zhífǎ,’ referring to entrapment or setting a trap to catch someone in the act of committing a crime.)

“Your observation is quite astute,” the green-robed cultivator conceded with a nod. Noticing that no one else offered a retort, he clapped his hands once.

“If there are no further objections, then I shall invite you all to reconvene within the belly of this demonic entity.”

Witnessing his brazen conduct, Qíngyǔ abandoned any further thought of inquiry. Her fingers, concealed within her sleeve, swiftly formed a series of incantations, preparing to engage this wicked cultivator in a magical duel.

Yet, precisely as the green-robed cultivator lifted his hand to unleash the demonic entity, and Qíngyǔ’s incantation was poised to burst forth from her grasp—

“Hold—!”

Another clear, resonant shout, piercing the dense layers of night like a swift arrow, rapidly approached from the distance!

‘What in the world is happening? Are cultivators holding a convention here?’

Sensing the potent spiritual pressure embedded within that telepathic message, Qíngyǔ released her spell. She pursed her lips, then led the two bewildered mortals to retreat to the rear.

“Foundation Establishment? Golden Core?!”

Upon hearing this, the green-robed cultivator’s expression shifted dramatically, the composed control he’d held moments before vanishing entirely. He instantly manifested a shimmering water light, preparing to flee.

“Hmph, you young rascal, halt your steps for this humble Daoist.”

A figure clad in white robes, with white hair and a white beard, drifted gracefully to the ground.

With a casual wave of his hand, a streak of golden light shot forth, tripping the green-robed cultivator into a humiliating sprawl, face-first into the dirt.

“My apologies for the fright, everyone,” the white-robed old Daoist began, pointedly ignoring the snarling, resentful cultivator.

He first offered a respectful bow to each person present before continuing, “This humble Daoist, Zì Bùxiàn, has journeyed here in search of an old acquaintance…”

“Hey! Old man! You ran too fast!”

“Little Girl?”

Qíngyǔ paused, startled by the clear, childish voice. It was only then that she realized the protective enchantment she had placed on the courtyard gate had followed her all the way to this spot.

A small loli, her hair disheveled, burst into the inner courtyard. Upon seeing that Qíngyǔ bore no injuries whatsoever, her face lit up with a bright smile. She pattered forward, rushing into Qíngyǔ’s waiting embrace.

“You little rascal!” Zì Bùxiàn exclaimed. Though his words had been interrupted, he showed no offense, instead letting out a jovial, chiding laugh.

As he did so, he casually placed a foot on the green-robed cultivator, who was attempting to struggle back to his feet.

“Children’s words are often spoken without malice; please, sir, do not take offense.”

“Oh, nonsense.”

Zì Bùxiàn chuckled, then extended his leg to press down on the wicked cultivator once more. The unfortunate man could only manage an undignified whimper in response.

“This child of yours is remarkably intelligent and clever. Her spiritual meridians are as vast as the sea, making her an exceptionally promising talent for cultivation.”

“No, it’s different. When one commits a mistake, an apology is due.”

Qíngyǔ shook her head. Gently pressing down on the pouting Little Girl, she offered a respectful bow to the white-robed figure.

“How was I wrong in what I called him?! He is just an old man…”

The girl continued to mumble, her small cheeks puffed out like steamed buns. Qíngyǔ felt another surge of helplessness at the sight, and could only feign a fierce glare in her direction.

“I’ll deal with you when we get back.”

“Mean Little Mom!”

“Little Girl!”

“Hmph~”

The white-robed old Daoist stroked his beard, observing their exchange with a jovial smile.

“This humble Daoist’s granddaughter is also of your age. I only wonder when she might bless me with a great-granddaughter as intelligent and clever as this one.”

“Daoist priest, you flatter me.”

Qíngyǔ offered another bow to the white-robed old Daoist.

She had just surveyed her surroundings with her Ink-Wash Vision (TL Note: A unique perception ability that allows one to see auras or spiritual energies as if painted in ink, often associated with spiritual sight or divination.), discerning two blood-red auras and two cyan auras.

Aside from Little Girl, the additional cyan aura emanated precisely from the old Daoist standing before her.

“I… you must release me!”

Just as Zì Bùxiàn was about to continue their pleasantries, the green-robed cultivator finally managed to break free from his restraints, his voice hoarse as he cried out.

“Release you? And what then, if I release you, and that demonic entity proceeds to devour me?”

With that retort, the old Daoist delivered another swift kick to the cultivator’s back.

“Furthermore, did your esteemed elders not instruct you that children ought not to interrupt when their seniors are speaking?”

“I am an outer disciple of the Autumn Grass Hall. Both you and I belong to the righteous… the righteous path… please, release me at once…”

“The righteous path?” Hearing this, Zì Bùxiàn scoffed even more derisively, increasing the pressure of his foot until the cultivator gasped for air, hoarsely.

Only then did he continue, “You claim to be of the righteous path? Then why do I not even know your name or lineage?”

“This humble junior… this humble junior is Ruan Bai, an outer disciple of the Autumn Grass Hall… Senior, I beg you, spare my life.”

The two mortals nearby, witnessing this spectacle, were even more incensed. Having first encountered a malevolent demonic entity, they now faced a wicked Daoist; how could such utter ruthlessness exist in this world?

“Immortal Senior! I implore you, investigate this matter thoroughly!”

Jí Yào cupped his fists and bowed respectfully, then, in a clear and resonant voice, he recounted the recent events once more, deliberately omitting any details pertaining to Qíngyǔ.

Within the courtyard, bamboo shadows swayed gently, while only the resonant, unyielding sound of Jí Yào’s voice remained.

Zì Bùxiàn listened, nodding nonchalantly throughout. Whenever a particularly ‘amusing’ detail was recounted, he would, without fail, press his foot down on Ruan Bai’s back once more.

“I see. It appears this humble Daoist must, then, escort you, junior, back to your sect for proper inquiry and judgment?”

“Inquiry… please… I beg you, Senior, spare me… spare me just this once…”

“This matter is not for me, a mere ‘evil Daoist,’ to meddle in. You may convey your pleas to your own esteemed elders.”

With a decisive final kick, Ruan Bai was rendered unconscious. Zì Bùxiàn then pointed a distant finger, effortlessly drawing the demonic entity closer as well, before finally turning his smiling gaze back to Qíngyǔ and Little Girl.

“That young lady, your name is Qín Yǔ, is it not?”

“Daoist priest, my name is Qíngyǔ.”

“Ah, Yin Sangu mentioned it to me,” the white-robed old Daoist responded, shaking his head. He seemed to recall something and wished to offer a piece of advice.

“I understand the young lady has some disagreements with her family, but ultimately, blood runs thicker than water…”

Before the old Daoist could launch into a lengthy discourse, Qíngyǔ interjected.

“Daoist priest, there is no need to speak further on this matter. I possess my own understanding and discretion concerning it.”

“You young ones… alas.”

Zì Bùxiàn shook his head. Seeing Qíngyǔ’s utterly composed expression, he could only release a weary sigh.

“Very well, very well. Let us not dwell on such familial trivialities. I shall first escort these two vile creatures back to their sect, and we shall convene again at this residence tomorrow.”

“May I inquire as to the Daoist priest’s purpose for tomorrow’s visit?”

“Firstly, it concerns this calligraphy.”

With that, he retrieved the ‘Distant Mountains’ calligraphy from his sleeve, presenting it before Qíngyǔ. He then smiled warmly at Little Girl, who was clinging tightly to Qíngyǔ’s arm.

“Secondly, and indeed more significantly, this humble Daoist wishes to guide this child onto the path of cultivation. What are your thoughts on this matter, young lady?”

Upon hearing this, Qíngyǔ’s expression remained perfectly composed, while the two mortals nearby could no longer conceal the envy that flickered in their eyes.

“Ultimately, it depends entirely on the child’s own inclination.”

Qíngyǔ gently squeezed Little Girl’s small hand. In response, the child tilted her head, nuzzling against her Little Mom’s arm.

“Hahaha! Excellent!”

With that declaration, Zì Bùxiàn let out a hearty laugh. He channeled his spiritual energy, ascending effortlessly into the sky. Though fierce winds swirled around him, they failed to disturb even a single hem of his robes.

“This serendipitous encounter has, quite unexpectedly, fulfilled my desires. Esteemed friends, let us converse again tomorrow! This humble Daoist shall depart first!”

***

With that, though no light emanated from him, the bright moon above seemed to momentarily dim, and the world appeared to contain only the figure of the white-robed old Daoist, his beard and hair fluttering.

And in the span of a single breath, no trace of the demonic entity, the green-robed cultivator, or the white-robed Daoist remained. The spot was once again left with only the few people, the bamboo grove, and the clear pond.

‘This old Daoist is certainly going all out to take on a disciple,’ Qíngyǔ mused inwardly.

Watching him ‘ascend to immortality’ with such unreserved effort, she couldn’t help but recall the times in her previous life when she had cajoled… or rather, *attracted* promising talents to her mountain.

It seemed that even in a different world, old generation cultivators couldn’t resist a good seedling when they saw one…

As for the reactions of the others—

Little Girl was fine, but Jí Yào and Yang Qingqing, the two mortals, only managed to truly regain their composure and move freely after the old Daoist had completely vanished from sight.