Chapter 8: Taking a Master

“Good. I’m glad you’ve made up your mind.

Go back and get some rest for now. Once I’ve made the arrangements, I’ll take you to Third Hero Yu.”

Over the next few days, Lin Yang stayed inside his room without stepping out.

Every day, he diligently guided the qi and blood within his body into his dantian before controlling the soybean-sized mass of internal energy there, continuously refining the incoming qi and blood into even more internal energy.

Five days later, his internal energy had grown to about the size of a peanut.

At that point, Daoist Lin finally brought him the confirmed news.

Early on the sixth morning, he led Lin Yang toward the summit of Wudang Mountain.

Before long, they arrived at the main buildings of the Wudang Sect.

Passing through the Hall of the True Martial Emperor, they continued into the residential compounds behind the main hall.

After winding through several courtyards and pathways, they finally stopped outside a small secluded courtyard.

The moment they arrived, Daoist Lin’s attitude became noticeably more respectful.

He bent over slightly and gently knocked on the wooden gate.

After a short while, light footsteps sounded from within.

The courtyard gate opened, revealing a young daoist about eleven or twelve years old.

The boy nodded politely to Daoist Lin before curiously glancing at Lin Yang, who stood behind him.

“Come in. Master is waiting.”

The word Master immediately caught Lin Yang’s attention.

If he successfully became Yu Daiyan’s disciple, then this young daoist would become his senior brother.

Lin Yang had assumed he would be the only one seeking favor with a disabled master.

It seemed Yu Daiyan had already accepted disciples before him.

Judging from the boy’s age, he had most likely entered Yu Daiyan’s tutelage before his master’s crippling injury.

If that were true, his standing was naturally far higher than Lin Yang’s, who was joining only afterward as a novice attendant.

Following the young daoist, Daoist Lin and Lin Yang entered the courtyard.

It wasn’t particularly large.

There were only three or four rooms surrounding a modest courtyard.

A single tree stood in the center, accompanied by several simple plants.

In the open space before one of the rooms rested a reclining chair.

Lying upon it was a middle-aged man dressed in white robes.

His face carried a weary expression.

His eyes remained closed, and his brows were tightly furrowed.

It was obvious that the daoist was in poor spirits.

The young daoist led them to the reclining chair before silently taking his place behind it.

Standing beside him was another daoist youth, around thirteen or fourteen years old.

As expected, he too appeared to be one of Yu Daiyan’s disciples.

Daoist Lin and Lin Yang simply stood there quietly, waiting for Yu Daiyan to open his eyes.

Time slowly passed.

The morning sun gradually climbed higher into the sky.

Bright sunlight poured into the courtyard, falling directly across Yu Daiyan’s face.

His closed eyelids twitched slightly.

He slowly opened his eyes and turned his head toward Daoist Lin and Lin Yang.

“You’ve been waiting for a while, haven’t you?”

His voice was somewhat hoarse.

“Not at all, Martial Uncle. We only just arrived.”

Daoist Lin answered respectfully.

Yu Daiyan gently shook his head before letting out a sigh.

“Lin Hu… you know my current condition.

I simply don’t have the energy to teach disciples anymore.

Why bring one of your clansmen into this hopeless situation?”

“Martial Uncle!”

Daoist Lin spoke with obvious emotion.

“If it weren’t for your lifesaving grace all those years ago, I, Lin Hu, would have died at the hands of those bandits.

This young man from my clan has some talent.

Since I can’t personally remain by your side to serve you, I hoped he could do so in my place.

You don’t even need to accept him as a disciple.

Just let him stay by your side as a young attendant.

That alone would allow me to repay a fraction of the debt I owe you.”

His words were completely sincere.

Whether that sincerity was more for Yu Daiyan or for Lin Yang was difficult to say.

The only certainty was that none of it was for himself.

Yu Daiyan remained silent for a long moment.

“You’ve shown remarkable loyalty.”

His voice softened.

“In that case, let the boy stay.

Though my limbs are crippled, I can still teach him a thing or two.”

“Thank you, Martial Uncle!”

Daoist Lin immediately bowed in gratitude before giving Lin Yang a meaningful glance.

Understanding the cue, Lin Yang hurried forward.

He respectfully knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times.

“Disciple Lin San greets Master.”

Hearing that form of address, Yu Daiyan couldn’t help but laugh as he shook his head.

“You really are quite the clever child.

Very well.

Since you’ve already knelt and acknowledged me as your master, I’ll accept you as my disciple.”

His tone carried a trace of helpless amusement.

“Yes, Master!”

Lin Yang rose with a broad smile.

“Martial Uncle, there are still matters waiting for me at the Novice Courtyard, so I’ll take my leave.”

Knowing his part was finished, Daoist Lin excused himself.

Yu Daiyan gave a slight nod.

After taking one final look at Lin Yang, Daoist Lin respectfully withdrew from the courtyard.

Once he had left, Lin Yang looked first at Yu Daiyan, then at his two senior brothers.

For a moment, he wasn’t sure what he should say.

“Qingyuan, Qingliang.”

Yu Daiyan spoke without opening his eyes.

“You two don’t need to remain here.

Take your junior brother and let him choose a room.

Help him prepare his bedding.

Afterward, report to your eldest senior brother that I, Yu Daiyan, have accepted another disciple.

If this disciple someday becomes someone capable, perhaps this crippled man can still make a small contribution to Wudang.”

“Yes, Master.”

The two young daoists lowered their heads respectfully before leading Lin Yang toward the western side of the courtyard.

Lin Yang quickly followed behind them.

Once the three entered a room and closed the door behind them, they all instinctively let out long sighs of relief.

The synchronized reaction made them exchange glances.

A moment later, all three smiled knowingly.

“Senior Brothers…”

Lin Yang asked quietly.

“Is Master always this serious?”

Qingyuan and Qingliang exchanged another look before sighing softly.

Neither answered.

Instead, they silently began arranging Lin Yang’s bedding.

Lin Yang’s eyes shifted slightly.

He immediately realized that his question had been somewhat inappropriate.

At the same time, he completely understood Yu Daiyan’s state of mind.

Anyone who had spent over a year bedridden with all four limbs shattered would find it difficult to remain cheerful.

Moreover, Lin Yang knew the story.

If nothing changed, his unfortunate master would remain confined to his bed for well over a decade.

Just imagining such a life was enough to understand how unbearable it must be.

He wisely said nothing more.

Instead, he stepped forward to help Qingyuan and Qingliang prepare his bed.

Working together, the three of them quickly finished arranging the room.

Afterward, they returned to the courtyard.

Qingyuan and Qingliang naturally resumed their positions behind Yu Daiyan’s reclining chair.

Seeing this, Lin Yang quietly took his place beside them.

Yu Daiyan simply closed his eyes again.

He had no intention of speaking.

Instead, he silently basked beneath the warm morning sun.

At first, Lin Yang found standing there perfectly tolerable.

But as time slowly passed, boredom gradually set in.

With nothing else to occupy himself, he entered a state of inner observation.

Silently, he began circulating the qi and blood within his body, guiding it toward his dantian.

Once the dantian grew pleasantly warm, he slowly directed the internal energy within it to refine and accumulate even more power.

📚 Also on NHV Novels

The Wandering Life of a Foolish, Mentally challenged Child

darkFemale ProtagonistGender Bender

Read Now →
Not interested