Chapter 234: Bewilderment

As night fell, gazing down from the ramparts of Heiyang City, though it could not be called a sea of lights, the scattered twinkles still gave a warm feeling.

For Ghost Li, this was perhaps the most unfamiliar place of all.

He silently watched the lights, then turned around. On the neither high nor sturdy walls, there was no one else. The desolate evening breeze blew from the vast wilderness beyond the city, sweeping over the walls that had been battered during the catastrophe of the Beast Demons, and caressed Ghost Li and Zhou Yixian.

For some reason, Xiao Huan and Ye Gou Dao Ren were not there; only Zhou Yixian and Ghost Li stood on the ramparts of Heiyang City. Zhou Yixian, however, seemed unperturbed, holding his “Celestial Guide” bamboo pole, and with another hand, he held a wine flask, taking a large swig and emitting a contented sigh.

“What fine wine!” he said with a slight smile, then turning to Ghost Li, “The wine is still warm. Would you like a sip?”

Ghost Li silently shook his head, saying, “Senior, drink it yourself.”

Zhou Yixian chuckled and took another swig. After this, he shook the flask and nonchalantly tossed it over the wall. It seemed that the last mouthful of wine was in the flask, and he felt somewhat guilty, so he had asked Ghost Li.

That night, the stars were sparse, and the moonlight was as clear as water. The deserted wall, bathed in the moonlight, shone brightly. After drinking, Zhou Yixian looked up at the sky, lost in thought, and for a moment, he was silent. Ghost Li slowly walked to the edge of the wall, his gaze falling upon a spot where deep claw marks were etched into the bricks. Nearby, more claw marks covered the wall.

It was a sight to behold!

“Those are the marks left by the countless beast demons during the catastrophe,” Zhou Yixian said, approaching him.

On this wall, the old man, who usually wandered the world with a playful demeanor, seemed less mischievous, and his gaze towards Ghost Li now held a hint of compassion.

Ghost Li reached out and ran his fingers over the deep claw marks. The rough, hard surface of the brick walls sent a chilling sensation through his fingertips, evoking the cries of countless souls.

After a long silence, he asked, “Many innocent people died in Heiyang City during the catastrophe, didn’t they?”

Zhou Yixian sighed and walked to the edge of the wall, looking down at the city lights. “Many, indeed. Although many people fled north early, at least half of the city’s population, innocent and undeserving, perished at the hands of those beast demons.”

Ghost Li looked at Zhou Yixian and suddenly said, “Senior, you say that these innocent people, each one of them, just like us, lived in this world, harmless and good. But why did such a calamity befall them? And what is the purpose of their lives?”

Zhou Yixian looked at Ghost Li, resting his hand on the wall. “You stand here today, while those people died innocently. What do you think is the reason?”

Ghost Li remained silent for a long time, then said, “I am different from them. I practice the Dao, and even if the beast demons came, I could avoid them.”

Zhou Yixian nodded, “Exactly. From a broad perspective, it’s like the Buddhist concept of equality among all beings. Not only humans, but even ants and beasts, are indistinguishable from us.” He paused, smiled, and added, “But in this world, how can we see everything clearly? You possess great powers and can escape from dire situations, transcending the mundane. While it’s said that all beings are equal, in the details, they never truly are.”

Ghost Li’s face showed confusion as he slowly shook his head, “I don’t want to transcend the ordinary. I have no interest in enlightenment or saving all beings. Even though I practice the Dao, I have no interest in immortality.”

Zhou Yixian said lightly, “Then what do you want?”

Ghost Li gave a bitter laugh, his voice filled with dryness, “I don’t know what I want. I don’t even know myself.”

His expression changed, and the moon rose higher, casting its brilliant light and elongating his shadow.

Zhou Yixian said nothing, quietly watching Ghost Li. There was a transformation in his demeanor, and even though he stood before the only person in the world who had practiced all four volumes of the *Book of Heaven*, his presence seemed even more imposing.

His grace and composure, the evening breeze passing through his white hair, and even the moonlight seemed to gather around him.

However, Ghost Li noticed nothing unusual. In fact, Zhou Yixian simply stood there, while Ghost Li was lost in his thoughts.

After a while, Ghost Li let out a wry smile, “It seems I am truly incapable, unable to understand why I live or what I want.”

Zhou Yixian, with a calm expression and a faint smile, said, “You are wrong, young man.”

Ghost Li was taken aback; this was the first time Zhou Yixian had called him “young man.” However, that was not the main point. He stammered, “Senior, you say I am wrong. Where am I wrong?”

Zhou Yixian said lightly, “Do you think that not understanding this question makes you incapable? On the contrary, the very act of pondering this question shows that you are far superior to others in the world.”

Ghost Li was stunned, “What do you mean?”

Zhou Yixian smiled, gesturing, “Come, look.”

Ghost Li moved to Zhou Yixian’s side and looked down at the city lights, which flickered under the moonlit sky.

Zhou Yixian, looking at the lights, with a complex emotion, asked, “What do you see?”

Ghost Li replied, “These are the lights in the homes of countless people.”

Zhou Yixian nodded, “Indeed, they are lights. Each light represents a living person, living in this world, whether happily or unhappily. They all must go on. I tell you, among the masses, there are few who ponder their existence. Like you, such people are rare, one in ten thousand.”

Ghost Li was speechless; this perspective made sense, and he could not refute it.

Zhou Yixian, looking at him, suddenly had a sad expression, which quickly passed. He sighed and patted Ghost Li’s shoulder.

Ghost Li, although not exactly startled, was certainly unsettled. By reflex, he almost dodged Zhou Yixian’s hand, but the hand, from the seemingly unassuming Zhou Yixian, managed to land on his shoulder.

Ghost Li was shaken, and before he could react, Zhou Yixian spoke words that further unsettled him:

“Moreover, you are the only one in the world who has mastered all four volumes of the *Book of Heaven*. How can you be like anyone else?”

This statement deeply shocked Ghost Li. The mastery of the fourth volume of the *Book of Heaven* was a closely guarded secret. Only he, who had studied it thoroughly, knew that the writings on the Jade Wall of Heavenly Sound Temple and the third volume from the Vault of the Celestial Emperor were part of the *Book of Heaven*.

Yet, Zhou Yixian, right in front of him, revealed this secret. His shock was evident, and he stared at Zhou Yixian in disbelief.

Zhou Yixian smiled slightly, “There’s no need to be so startled.”

Ghost Li carefully examined the old man for a long time, then smiled, stepped back, straightened his clothes, and bowed respectfully, “Forgive my rudeness, Senior. I have been disrespectful. I have some doubts and questions, and I hope you can help me understand.”

Zhou Yixian, composed, faced the famous figure with no embarrassment, “If your questions could be answered by others, would you, with your profound knowledge and the profundity of the *Book of Heaven*, not have figured them out already?”

Ghost Li was silent, then said, “Do you think, Senior, that my doubts are truly unsolvable?”

Zhou Yixian smiled and shook his head, “No, the truth is within, not without. This is the similarity between the *Book of Heaven* and Buddhism.”

Zhou Yixian continued, “The purpose of life is something you must discover for yourself. I can guide you, but I cannot tell you.”

With that, he smiled, put his hands behind his back, and walked to the side.

Ghost Li fell silent again, and after a while, his confused expression did not fade. He asked, “Life, death, separation—these four words seem to define human existence. Is suffering inherent in human nature, Senior?”

Zhou Yixian smiled, “Wrong, just because you have seen suffering, it does not mean everyone suffers. Tell me, do you think you have a hard life?”

Ghost Li was taken aback, hesitated, and Zhou Yixian laughed, “Difficult to answer, isn’t it? Take your master and his wife, for example. Do you think they suffered?”

Ghost Li stammered, “My master and his wife…”

Zhou Yixian, serious, said, “Tian Yici died a noble death, with no regrets. Your master Tian Yici and his wife Su Ru, bound by deep love, did not want to live alone. Though she ended her life, she was joyous in reuniting with her husband in the afterlife.”

Ghost Li was stunned, unable to speak.

Zhou Yixian said, “You grieve for them, but they may be the most content. To judge by your own standards, is it not laughable?”

Zhou Yixian, smiling, asked, “Are you afraid of death?”

Ghost Li hesitated, then sighed, “Yes, I am.”

Zhou Yixian, “What exactly are you afraid of? Is it the concept of death itself?”

Ghost Li shook his head, “I have no desire for immortality, so I don’t fear death. I fear that my wishes will remain unfulfilled after I die.”

Zhou Yixian smiled, “That is it. You can see through life and death, but there are things more important than death. Focus on these more important things instead of asking me endlessly.”

Ghost Li frowned, and his eyes seemed to brighten, but he did not smile. Instead, he fell into deeper thought. Zhou Yixian did not disturb him and walked to the side, looking up at the moon, which cast its light across the plain.

On the vast wilderness, the evening wind blew, and the stars shifted, the infinite sky above.

After a long gaze, Zhou Yixian sighed deeply.

Behind him, Ghost Li’s voice echoed, “Senior, do you have something you cannot see through?”

“Me?” Zhou Yixian, still looking at the moon, said after a while, “If I still wander in this world, there must be something I cannot see through.”

“Really? What is it?”

Zhou Yixian smiled, “The cycle of reincarnation, I cannot see through it.”

Azure Ethereal Conclave, Lesser Bamboo Peak

Traditionally, the Lesser Bamboo Peak was inhabited only by women, making it quieter and more peaceful than the other peaks of the Azure Ethereal Vapors. Even during the day, it was often silent, with only the sounds of birds and flowers filling the air.

However, since Master Water Moon returned from the funeral at Greater Bamboo Peak with her disciples, the atmosphere on Lesser Bamboo Peak had become more solemn and oppressive. Many of the younger disciples had never seen Master Water Moon so visibly sad and lonely, despite her high level of cultivation, which should have allowed her to control her emotions.

Wen Min, who always understood Master Water Moon’s thoughts, had already warned her sisters to be careful and not to raise their voices, lest they anger the master. Under this warning, Lesser Bamboo Peak was naturally quiet.

Since returning from Greater Bamboo Peak, Master Water Moon had secluded herself in her Bamboo Grove Retreat, refusing to see anyone. Wen Min, with great courage, went to check on her, but was not allowed to enter, making her increasingly worried.

This day, Wen Min, having not seen Master Water Moon emerge from the Bamboo Grove Retreat for a day and a night, grew anxious and sought out Lu Xueqi. Lu Xueqi, though in a bad mood and initially unwilling to come, finally agreed after Wen Min’s persuasion.

Wen Min and Lu Xueqi arrived at the Bamboo Grove, standing outside the retreat. Wen Min signaled to Lu Xueqi, who hesitated before knocking on the door, “Master, your disciple Lu Xueqi and Senior Sister Wen Min request an audience.”

Inside, there was silence, no response.

Lu Xueqi and Wen Min exchanged glances. Wen Min’s concern deepened. Given Master Water Moon’s nature, it was not unusual for her to ignore her disciples or disappear for days. However, after attending the funeral at Greater Bamboo Peak, Wen Min had become more sensitive to her master’s behavior.

Wen Min coughed and raised her voice, “Master, this morning, Elder Xiao Yi Cai from the Long Gate sent a letter. We have brought it to present to you.”

Still, there was no response. Wen Min took a deep breath and pushed open the door. Lu Xueqi followed her inside.

They looked around the room, frowning. The room was small and sparsely furnished, but there was no sign of Master Water Moon.

Wen Min sighed, “She is not here. I wonder where she has gone.”

Lu Xueqi silently shook her head, pondering, “Senior Sister, maybe we are overthinking. Master and Aunt Su Ru were close, but I doubt anything serious has happened.”

Wen Min nodded, “Perhaps. But I still feel uneasy.”

Lu Xueqi sighed, shook her head, and turned to leave. Wen Min glanced around the room one more time, placed the sealed letter on the desk, and followed her out, closing the door behind her with a soft click.

The room once again fell into silence.