Xing Hua denied in a rush, “No need, no need. Teacher Zi Yu helped me so much already, rumors will spread like this.”


  Zi Yu smiled, “I am a Daoist.”


  Zi Yu said, “A young widow and a young Daoist together will lead to bad rumors. It won’t matter for me, as my fate has run its course. On my wedding night, my husband was killed. But it will harm Teacher Zi Yu.”


  Zi Yu didn’t speak, carrying the bucket to the well.

  Two hours later, Zi Yu filled the water jar, as he himself was dripping water from his forehead.

  Xing Hua came to him and was gentle in wiping the sweat.

  Zi Yu didn’t find it improper as he waited for her to finish, “The hour is late. Little Daoist shall take his leave.”


  Xing Hua said, “You carried all that water, take a drink before you go.”


  Zi Yu left nonetheless, “I need to leave. Master won’t like it if I return late.”


  Zi Yu was on his road to the temple. His first thought wasn’t to report the Wordless Upheaval to his Master, it just wasn’t important. Not as important as teaching children and carrying water at least.

  Once back, he prepared the Master’s meal and called him.

  The Master was quiet and wizen old Daoist.

  The old Daoist and Zi Yu ate together when the later said, “Master, a masked man came today to say the Wordless Upheaval has begun.”


  Old Daoist considered, “Did you carry water for widow Xing Hua?”


  “Yes.”


  “Good, it is now clear your heart is at peace. You should know why we are cut off from the world.”


  “Only this will lead us closer to the Dao. Head senior brother just couldn’t bear the loneliness so he returned to the Galaxy.”


  “Today’s dishes aren’t to my liking. Remember to bring a fish tomorrow. ”


  “Yes, Master.”


  The day passed like always and Zi Yu brought a fish when he returned the second day, bringing much joy to his Master.

  Neither mentioned the Wordless Upheaval.

  Three years later, the master and disciple sat in the temple, “Tomorrow, you shall go see the offender.”


  Zi Yu said, “Is there anything worth seeing?”


  “You’ll have to see him sooner or later. Some yearn for Heavenly Dao’s power while we, serve it.”


  “Then I shall be thorough.”


  Old Daoist bowed towards the Heaven, “Heavenly Dao never dies, the Dao is everlasting.”


  Zi Yu followed his example as he repeated the words.

  The youth left the mountain while the old Daoist closed the gates.

  A month later, Yan Mountain branch.

  Zhuo Qingyao was comprehending the sword in front of Ember when a clamor came from bellow, “Silver Wing, come.”


  He swiftly landed and asked, “Head Sect Leader, what are your orders?”


  “What’s happening down there, why all the ruckus?”


  “A Daoist, a mortal, wants us to take him on the Sacred Mountain.”


  Zhuo Qingyao knitted her eyebrows, when an idea came to her, “Bring him over.”


  A foreign voice came behind her a moment later, “Little Daoist Zi Yu greets Yan Mountain’s Head Sect Leader.”


  Zhuo Qingyao only saw a mortal Daoist.

  She asked, curious, “Why is a mortal venturing for Sacred Mountain? There are many immortals there, very dangerous.”


  “Few are there who can grasp the wind’s course. And with the Wordless Upheaval upon us, it’ll be even harder. Clues are there in regards to it and I wish to see them.”


  “Let me ask you something.”


  “Head Sect Leader shouldn’t as a mortal such as I. I do not understand the cultivation world. You shouldn’t ask an outsider when Yan Mountain is filled with Head Sect Leader’s people, your kin. They have the best answers.”


  “I do not want the best answer. Because you’re a stranger, looking in from outside, you see it clearer. Even more so since you’re a mortal.”


  “Then please ask, Head Sect Leader.”


  “My Master is in grave danger and I wish to go to him and help, yet he told me not to leave the mountain. What should I do?”


  “As Head Sect Leader asked such question, you must have an answer by now, or you would never have asked.

  “Head Sect Leader, follow the answer in your heart.”


  Zhuo Qingyao nodded with joy, “I see. If Master dies this time, the order is invalid. I’m not even leaving the mountain and instead, going higher, climbing the Sacred Mountain.”


  “Now that Head Sect Leader grasped the answer of her heart, little Daoist shall take his leave.”


  “Since you want to go, let me warn you. The Sacred Mountain is fraught with danger.”


  “I’m only going to understand the situation. Life and death are foreordained by Heaven. If I die, young Daoist is following Heaven’s Will. If Heaven allows it, my life shall continue.”


  Zhuo Qingyao watched him with confusion, “I just can’t understand a mortal’s thinking, and you are a strange one even among them.

  “As you’ve helped, freeing me of the weight of disobeying Master in my heart, I will take you. But, in matters of life and death, I do not dare make promises. This is your decision and is not related to me.”


  Zi Yu was happy as he bowed, “Thank you, Head Sect Leader.”


  “I’ll be right back.”


  “Please do, Head Sect Leader.”


  Zhuo Qingyao entered her courtyard and wore a bamboo hat and a thick black cloak. Certain Chen Ming wouldn’t notice her, she waved for Ember to enter a sword box and strap it to her back.

  She said, “Let’s go. One step is enough to get us there.”


  Zhuo Qingyao grabbed his shoulder and leaped. With her immense power at work, one jump brought them on the Sacred Mountain, “We can’t use immortal beasts. Come, we’re walking.”