Chapter 100: Bonds of Yesteryear

Beyond the Dead Marshes, on the ancient path leading westward from Dà Wáng Village, Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān and Xiǎo Huán were walking slowly.

Xiǎo Huán’s bright eyes gazed about. The old road was overgrown with wild grass, a scene of desolation. Though they had walked for quite some time since leaving Dà Wáng Village, they had yet to encounter a single soul.

Gazing into the distance, one could see the vast expanse of wilderness, unobstructed by mountains, with tall grass waving in the wind. It was a picturesque sight, stirring the heart and broadening the mind.

From beside her, a lazy voice floated over. “What are you looking at?”

Xiǎo Huán smiled, “Grandpa, when we passed through here a few days ago, we were in a hurry and didn’t get to take in the scenery. Today, the weather is so fine. Look, isn’t the view nice?”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān glanced at the fields beyond the path, his spirits momentarily lifted. However, he soon muttered to himself, “What’s so special about a bunch of weeds? If it were made of gold, then that would be…”

“Grandpa!” Xiǎo Huán interjected, shooting him an annoyed glance, “Why do you always think about money? I can’t believe you have the character ‘仙’ in your name. You’re so…vulgar!”

“Vulgar?” Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān raged, “You dare call me vulgar? I, sir, am a sage beyond the mundane, a renowned master who brings blessings to the people, a living Buddha!”

Under the scrutiny of his granddaughter’s sharp gaze, Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān’s voice trailed off, his words losing conviction. He finally lifted his head and harrumphed, “Little girl, you have no idea of the power your grandpa wields.”

Xiǎo Huán giggled, shaking her head and turning her gaze away. Seeing her granddaughter’s mockery, Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān felt a pang of melancholy and sighed, “How did I ever end up with you? I should have left you crying by the roadside years ago!”

Xiǎo Huán stuck out her tongue, her innocent and sweet face radiating charm, “But you were kind, Grandpa.”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān glared at her, grumbling, “Kindness, my foot! Raising you has only given me more headaches.”

Unfazed and unbothered, as if she’d heard such talk many times before, Xiǎo Huán stepped closer to him, her eyes twinkling. “Oh, Grandpa, why did you take me away in the first place?”

Taken aback, Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān recalled their history. He and Xiǎo Huán had always been casual, and he never truly got angry at her. But this question brought back a flood of memories, and a wistful expression crossed his face. With a sigh, he said, “Back in Hé Yáng City, I found you, a mere toddler, lying on the street, starving and barely alive, too weak even to cry. In a moment of compassion, I picked you up.”

Suddenly, he shot her a look, “You were so smart even then. As soon as I picked you up, you stopped crying. I thought it was fate, and once that thought took hold, I couldn’t let go.”

Xiǎo Huán made a silly face, tugging at his robe, coquettishly saying, “Isn’t that kindness, Grandpa? You’ll be rewarded in the future. Think of all the fortune-telling I’ve done for you over the years—how much money have I earned you?”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān nodded, his face lighting up, “True, but—” He suddenly caught himself, scowling, “What true? Nonsense!”

Xiǎo Huán stifled a giggle. After a moment, she seemed to remember something, “Grandpa, what were you doing in Hé Yáng City anyway? Isn’t it right at the foot of Azure Ethereal Conclave? I know you’ve always avoided that place. Except for that one time, ten years ago, when we followed that Azure Ethereal disciple, Zhang Xiaofan, out of curiosity.”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān’s face darkened slightly, and he sighed, “Your father’s ashes and spirit tablet are kept in Hé Yáng City. On the anniversary of his death, I spent a long time at his grave. Afterward, I found you on the street, feeling sorrowful, and seeing your pitiful state, I decided to take you in.”

Xiǎo Huán fell silent for a moment before saying, “It’s been ten years since we last visited Dad.”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān mentally calculated, nodding, “Yes, ten years have flown by.” He chuckled bitterly, “Alright, since we have nowhere else to go, let’s visit your father in Hé Yáng City.”

Xiǎo Huán eagerly agreed, “Sounds good to me.”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān waved his hand, “Let’s go. This wilderness is oppressive.”

As they walked, Xiǎo Huán, being young and cheerful, soon forgot the somber mood. She began to admire the scenery around her, and after a while, she turned and suddenly paused, calling out, “Grandpa, look behind us.”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān stopped, puzzled, “What is it?” and turned to look.

“Stray Dog Daoist seems to be following us,” Xiǎo Huán said.

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān looked carefully and indeed saw Stray Dog Daoist trailing them at a distance. Upon seeing them stop and look back, the daoist also halted, appearing hesitant and somewhat awkward before pretending to look at the sky.

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān eyed him suspiciously and, turning to Xiǎo Huán, whispered, “What does that fellow want?”

Xiǎo Huán shrugged, “How would I know?”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān hesitated, then shot her a sharp look, “Is he perhaps thinking of making advances on you?”

Xiǎo Huán blushed and protested, “Grandpa, how could you say such a thing!”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān snorted, “Why not? In these perilous times, with all sorts of evildoers, and you being so pretty… who knows what might happen?”

Xiǎo Huán rolled her eyes, “I’ve heard Stray Dog Daoist isn’t well-liked, but I haven’t heard of him harming women. He’s more known for robbery and arson.”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān paled, growing nervous, “You don’t think he’s after our money, do you?”

Xiǎo Huán snorted, “Maybe, especially considering you’re far from a pauper, Grandpa.”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān lowered his voice, “Shh! Don’t speak so loudly,” glancing around nervously. “This is the perfect spot for a robbery. We should run!”

Xiǎo Huán, seeing him pull out a yellow talisman, realized he was planning to use his “Ancestor’s Secret Escape” technique. She laughed and grabbed his arm, “Wait, Grandpa. That escape technique, while useful, can’t control where we emerge. Remember, we’re close to the Dead Marshes. What if we end up there?”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān frowned, “We wouldn’t be that unlucky, would we?”

Xiǎo Huán raised an eyebrow, “Do you think you’re lucky or unlucky?”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān, thinking it over, firmly declared, “Unlucky!”

Xiǎo Huán giggled, “So, we can’t risk it. Besides, I have a protective amulet from Sister Píng. And Stray Dog Daoist isn’t a high-level evil practitioner; we can handle him.”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān pondered, then sighed, “You’re right. I’ve been on edge ever since we encountered so many powerful cultivators in the Dead Marshes. It’s made me overly cautious.”

Xiǎo Huán added, “And Stray Dog Daoist wasn’t entirely bad. He even lent us an umbrella once.”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān scoffed, “That was for you. I got soaked in the rain. Ungrateful child!”

Xiǎo Huán stuck out her tongue, laughing, “I offered to share, but you refused.”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān huffed and continued walking, muttering, “Just like your ungrateful father, always making me upset. Both of you are insubordinate brats!”

Xiǎo Huán shook her head, smiling, and followed.

Behind them, Stray Dog Daoist, hearing their laughter, frowned but continued to trail them.

The wind howled across the barren land, adding to the eerie atmosphere.

After another half-hour, Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān grew tired and pulled Xiǎo Huán to a halt, “Let’s rest.”

Xiǎo Huán nodded, finding a large stone by the roadside. “Sit here, Grandpa.”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān leaned his bamboo staff, inscribed with “Celestial Guidance,” against the stone and sat down, panting slightly. “I feel so weak lately. Just a short walk and I’m already out of breath.”

Xiǎo Huán, fetching a water flask from her pack, noticed the worry in his eyes. Handing him the flask, she said, “Drink some water, Grandpa.”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān drank, then turned to see Stray Dog Daoist still watching from a distance. Ignoring him, he returned the flask to Xiǎo Huán, who now held a bright red candied hawthorn on a stick, savoring it.

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān shook his head, “Xiǎo Huán, how old are you, and you’re still eating children’s sweets?”

Xiǎo Huán pouted, “But I like it, Grandpa.”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān sighed, “In Hé Yáng City, I bought you these treats instead of fine pastries. Why?”

Xiǎo Huán laughed softly, enjoying the sweet treat, her lips tinged with a hint of the candy’s color.

Feeling rejuvenated, Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān prepared to resume their journey when a pair of feet appeared before them.

Startled, he thought Stray Dog Daoist had attacked. But a calm, composed voice spoke, “Still giving readings, are you?”

Both Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān and Xiǎo Huán stood, facing a middle-aged man with refined features, piercing eyes, and a dignified air. He wore a scholar’s robe and a delicate purple jade pendant, his hair streaked with white, adding to his seasoned look.

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān’s face contorted with mixed emotions. Under his sleeve, his fists clenched tightly. His eyes, though surprised, also showed a mix of excitement, relief, and weariness.

Xiǎo Huán, noticing her grandfather’s reaction, wondered aloud, “Grandpa, are you okay?”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān replied, “Xiǎo Huán, step aside for a moment. I’ll call you later.”

Though confused, Xiǎo Huán complied, moving to the side.

She glanced back, seeing her grandfather and the stranger standing face to face, deep in a silent exchange. A sense of unease and awe filled her. The man exuded a powerful presence, and she felt a chill down her spine.

As she moved, she almost collided with Stray Dog Daoist, who looked equally stunned and fearful. “Excuse me, Daoist.”

Stray Dog Daoist, still shaken, mumbled, “You don’t recognize him?”

Xiǎo Huán shook her head, “No, it’s my first time. But it seems Grandpa knows him. Do you know who he is?”

Stray Dog Daoist hesitated, then reluctantly admitted, “He’s a powerful figure. Be careful, child.”

Meanwhile, Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān and the man stood silently, the man asking, “How have you been?”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān responded, “Wandering, neither good nor bad. What about you?”

The man smiled, “My path is different. You always valued freedom. I envy that, old friend.”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān, startled by the term “old friend,” replied, “If you desired it, you could have it. Power has always weighed heavily on you.”

The man’s eyes flashed with anger, then softened, “You look so old. Have you really aged so much?”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān sighed, “I hear about your daughter. My condolences.”

The man’s face darkened, “Remember the reading you gave me years ago? How it predicted my losses? Every word came true.”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān admitted, “I lied. I never believed in fortune-telling. I just wanted to make you think. Don’t hold it against me.”

The man, shocked, laughed heartily, his stern demeanor dissolving. “Old friend, life is cruel. Take care.”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān asked, “Where are you going?”

The man replied, “To the Dead Marshes. Join me, old friend?”

Lǎo Zhōu Yī Xiān declined, “I keep a low profile. You attract too much attention.”

The man nodded, “Farewell, then. May we meet again someday.”

With a wave, he walked away, singing an old, haunting song:

“In this vast world, we travel far,

Young hearts yearn, always dreaming.

Sky and sea stretch boundless,

Countless souls bow down.

Stars shine, moon glows,

Heaven is cold, cold as frost.

Laughable, the gods treat us like straw dogs,

Who rules the clouds, who turns the storms?”

His voice faded as he disappeared into the distance, leaving a sense of awe and mystery in the air.