Chapter 154: The Ancient Abode

In the ethereal glow of the dawn, a new day began.

At the entrance of Sanfu Town, Ghost Li and the young man stood face to face. Little Grey perched on his shoulder, while the monstrous beast, Taotie, followed behind the youth, looking rather bored.

The young man glanced at Ghost Li and smiled, “It’s a rare chance for us to meet. I don’t know when we’ll see each other again. Take care, my friend.”

Ghost Li replied in a detached tone, “You too.”

Seemingly remembering something, the young man asked, “With the world in such chaos, and the situation in the north growing ever more tense, have you no interest in heading north to witness the turmoil?”

Ghost Li was somewhat surprised and couldn’t help but glance at the young man. His expression remained calm, as if there was nothing more to it. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Perhaps. What about you? Are you interested in these battles and conflicts?”

The young man chuckled without answering, simply bowing slightly and saying, “The road is long and perilous. May we meet again by destiny.”

Ghost Li returned the gesture, “Very well.”

The young man burst into laughter, turned, and left. Taotie let out a low growl, as if bidding farewell to Little Grey, then followed him. Little Grey, who was perched on Ghost Li’s shoulder, seemed reluctant to part and called out to Taotie. Soon, the mysterious young man and Taotie vanished from sight.

Ghost Li watched them disappear, silent for a moment, before slowly turning around. The town of Sanfu lay dead and lifeless before him. Little Grey made a few clicking sounds, grabbing the wine pouch from behind and taking a few sips. The night before, the mischievous monkey had found some strong liquor in the tavern’s cellar.

“Let’s go, Little Grey,” Ghost Li said quietly.

Little Grey chirped twice, placing its hand on Ghost Li’s hair, gently stroking it. Ghost Li gazed into the distance, and after a long while, he spoke softly, “That place… We once lived there together. Do you remember?”

The monkey did not reply, and it was unclear if it understood. The cold wind blew through the desolate streets…

******

On Greenmist Peak, the First Seat of the Bamboo Peak lineage of the Azure Ethereal Conclave, Tian Buyi, paced back and forth in the Quiet Hall with his hands clasped behind his back. His mood was dark, and a hint of anger and irritation was evident on his face. His considerate wife, Su Ru, was not on the Bamboo Peak; she had gone to the Lesser Bamboo Peak to see Master Water Moon. His disciples, who usually respected and feared him, had all discreetly avoided him due to his ill temper. Even his most approachable disciple, Song Daren, was nowhere to be found.

Tian Buyi knew why. With the impending disaster looming, the terrifying Beast Demons could attack at any moment. As one of the leaders of the Azure Ethereal Conclave, he naturally felt the burden of worry. However, because of this, and after several pleas from his wife, for the sake of Song Daren’s happiness, Tian Buyi had gone to the Lesser Bamboo Peak three days ago to propose a marriage between Song Daren and Wen Min to Master Water Moon. To his surprise, Master Water Moon, as if incensed by something, refused outright, even rebuking Su Ru, who was present, and delivering a sharp rebuke to the disheartened Wen Min.

Tian Buyi, a man of fiery temperament, was instantly enraged. A fierce argument broke out between him and Master Water Moon on the summit of the Lesser Bamboo Peak, nearly leading to a physical altercation. In the end, Su Ru managed to pull him back to the Bamboo Peak, while Master Water Moon was restrained by her kneeling disciples.

Upon returning, Song Daren was utterly dejected, with a face as bitter as a cucumber. Already in a foul mood, Tian Buyi’s anger only increased upon seeing Song Daren’s state. He scolded him several times, telling him that if he couldn’t find a wife, he should focus on his cultivation, and perhaps one day he might benefit from his misfortune. Song Daren, too afraid to contradict his master, merely mumbled incoherently, but his expression clearly showed that he still harbored feelings for Wen Min. This only further angered Tian Buyi, who scolded him even more harshly. In the end, Song Daren became like a mouse avoiding a cat, hiding away and avoiding his master.

This day, Su Ru left early, specifically instructing Tian Buyi to go to the Lesser Bamboo Peak and persuade Master Water Moon. Tian Buyi harrumphed and muttered insults about Master Water Moon, but Su Ru ignored him and left. Alone, Tian Buyi stewed in his anger. Before leaving, Su Ru whispered a few words to Tian Buyi, which made him realize why Master Water Moon had been so hostile that day.

Su Ru had simply said, “I heard that the day before we went, Lu Xueqi returned to the mountain. Master Water Moon summoned her for a private conversation, and afterward, not only did she severely reprimand Lu Xueqi, but she also berated the other disciples.”

Though Tian Buyi appeared wooden, he was not dull. He quickly understood the reason. Yet, after Su Ru left, he still fumed, unable to bear the humiliation he had suffered.

The Quiet Hall was silent, save for Tian Buyi’s footsteps. His expression changed as he walked, and eventually, his thoughts turned to something strange: the incident where Lu Xueqi had publicly refused the marriage proposal at the Jade Clear Hall of the Heaven Piercing Peak. He had heard rumors about the young prodigy among the disciples, Lu Xueqi.

But what truly troubled him was the other person mentioned in those rumors.

“Ten years,” he sighed softly, his expression distant. Sometimes, he wondered why that unremarkable little disciple had haunted his thoughts for so long.

Tian Buyi chuckled bitterly and shook his head. At that moment, he sensed something, frowned, and looked out of the Quiet Hall. From afar, he heard the sound of something breaking through the air. He pondered for a moment, steadied himself, and stepped outside.

A white light flashed across the sky above the Bamboo Peak, swift as lightning, heading straight for the peak. It soon reached them, landing six feet in front of Tian Buyi, and the brilliant white light dissipated, revealing Xiao Yicai of the Heaven Piercing Peak.

Xiao Yicai turned, smiling, and bowed, “Greetings, Uncle Tian.”

Tian Buyi nodded, “Hmm, what brings you here? Is there something you need?”

Xiao Yicai nodded and smiled, but then looked around, puzzled, “Uncle Tian, why is it so quiet here? Where are your other disciples?”

Tian Buyi thought, “If you can see them, it would be a miracle. They’re all hiding.” But he maintained a neutral tone, “They are all busy with their studies. Unlike the Heaven Piercing Peak, we do not have many people, so it’s normal not to see anyone.”

Xiao Yicai was taken aback, sensing the displeasure in Tian Buyi’s voice. But he was deep in thought and didn’t let it show. “Oh, I see. Uncle Tian, I’ve come on behalf of my master to seek your advice on a few matters.”

Tian Buyi frowned, surprised, “My advice? What kind of advice? Daoxuan is a master of the heavens and earth, and his powers are unparalleled. What could he possibly need from me?”

Xiao Yicai smiled and didn’t respond, simply looking at Tian Buyi. Tian Buyi understood, “Let’s discuss it inside.” He turned and walked back into the Quiet Hall, with Xiao Yicai following. Suddenly, Tian Buyi stopped and turned abruptly, looking towards the disciples’ quarters.

Xiao Yicai, puzzled, also glanced that way but saw nothing. “What’s wrong, Uncle Tian?”

Tian Buyi hesitated, then shook his head, “Nothing, I must have been seeing things. How could he…?” He coughed and said, “Let’s go inside.”

Xiao Yicai, bewildered, glanced again but saw nothing unusual. The row of houses was quiet and normal. He didn’t think much of it and followed Tian Buyi into the Quiet Hall.

After they disappeared into the Quiet Hall, the serene atmosphere enveloped the Bamboo Peak. After some time, a figure flashed in the corridor of the disciples’ quarters—it was Ghost Li. He silently gazed toward the Quiet Hall for a moment before turning and slowly walking along the familiar path.

It was probably mid-afternoon, and no other disciples were seen. In his memory, the most frequent sounds here were the clear laughter of Junior Sister Tian Ling’er and the discouraged cries of Du Bishu, who had likely lost another bet. Then, the hearty laughter of Senior Brother Song Daren and the other disciples would follow, and the smallest and least noticeable disciple, presumably, would smile knowingly in a corner.

How long ago were those times, now flickering in his steps, the memories etched in every brick and tile of the peak, echoing around him.

Ghost Li’s stony expression slowly changed, the icy mask melting away. The past was so moving, even after so many years, he could not forget.

If, if… if everything had not changed…

He stood in the corridor, bathed in the gentle sunlight, sitting down on the low railing. The warm sun on his face was like it was ten years ago.

……

Voices and footsteps came from behind. Drawing closer, they turned out to be the Fourth Disciple, He Dazhi, and the Sixth Disciple, Du Bishu. When they appeared, Ghost Li vanished like a ghost. The wind blew, and the trees and grass rustled, but no one knew where he had hidden.

He Dazhi and Du Bishu, oblivious, spoke in low voices, with Du Bishu carrying a bucket of water and a cloth, seemingly to clean something. As they walked, they reached a room. Du Bishu shrugged at He Dazhi, who smiled, and they both entered.

Moments later, Ghost Li reappeared, his gaze complex. The room they had entered was the one he had lived in as the small disciple Zhang Xiaofan on Bamboo Peak. But wasn’t that room supposed to be abandoned? Why were his senior brothers entering it?

Silently, he drifted over.

Like falling into a dream, he stood at the doorway, finding the courtyard exactly as it was years ago. The stone path, the green grass, and even the small pine tree were still there, though it had grown much larger over the years.

Inside, the sound of water and the voices of Du Bishu and He Dazhi could be heard, “Fourth Senior Brother, why does the Master still make us clean this room? Isn’t he just torturing me?”

He Dazhi laughed, “Lazy brat, don’t you dare provoke the Master. He’s already upset about the First Senior Brother’s situation. If you provoke him, he’ll skin you alive.”

Du Bishu snickered, “Senior Brother, you’re joking. I wouldn’t dare. But it’s been over ten years since Little Junior Brother left. Why does the Master still insist we keep it the same and clean it daily? What is he thinking?”

The figure outside the door stood motionless, slowly lowering his head.

Inside, He Dazhi sighed, “Although the Master has never mentioned Little Junior Brother, we all know he cherished Zhang Xiaofan the most.”

Du Bishu said, “Yes, I can see that. Sometimes, I miss Little Junior Brother too. But what good does it do? He’s a different person now. Will he ever return to Bamboo Peak and be our Seventh Junior Brother again?”

Outside, Ghost Li’s expression grew even colder, his body stiff, his fists clenched tighter.

Can you turn back?

After so many years, do you still look back and wish to return?

The warm sun on his body felt like ice.

He Dazhi and Du Bishu fell silent, realizing the topic was too heavy. They finished their work, carried the bucket out, and He Dazhi closed the door, looking at the green grass and swaying pine branches. The spring was vibrant, but there was a tinge of loneliness. Without the owner, even the spring seemed dim.

He shook his head, sighed, and left with Du Bishu.

Long after, Ghost Li emerged from behind the pine tree. The familiar wind blew, ruffling his hair. He walked to the door, lifted his right hand, and placed it on the door.

His movements were slow, as if bearing a heavy weight. His face was strained, yet a strange, intangible force pushed the door open.

—Like opening a window to the past, glimpsing the bygone years.

The familiar bed, the chairs, the scroll on the wall, even the teapot and cups, all looked the same.

Who knew how many times this simple room had appeared in his dreams? The air itself seemed to hold the faint essence of the past. He walked to the bed, sat down, and gently touched the quilt, feeling the softness under his palm.

Who saw him bite his lip, so hard, so deep?

******

In the Quiet Hall, Tian Buyi and Xiao Yicai sat down. Tian Buyi seemed distracted, looking elsewhere, lost in thought. Xiao Yicai coughed, “Uncle Tian.”

Tian Buyi snapped out of his reverie, nodding, “Yes, go ahead. What does the Chief Patriarch want from his prized disciple?”

Xiao Yicai smiled, “There are two main things. The first is the increasing number of righteous cultivators coming to the Azure Ethereal Mountains. Other lineages have accommodated many, and the Bamboo Peak has housed over a hundred in the mountain cottages. Still, there is a shortage of housing. The Chief Patriarch requests that more rooms be provided on the Bamboo Peak.”

Tian Buyi raised an eyebrow, looking at Xiao Yicai, who blushed slightly, “Uncle Tian, it’s because of the current crisis. We can’t turn away the righteous cultivators, can we?”

Tian Buyi huffed, “Don’t take me for a fool. Many of those so-called righteous cultivators are here for safety, not to fight. Fewer than three in ten will actually stand up to the Beast Demons.”

Xiao Yicai chuckled, “Uncle Tian, you’re too harsh. Regardless, we can’t turn them away. If we do, how will the righteous factions view us? For the greater good, please help.”

Tian Buyi rolled his eyes, suddenly brightening, a sardonic smile appearing. “Since the Chief Patriarch says so, I can’t refuse. For the greater good, it will be done.”

Xiao Yicai was relieved, bowing, “Thank you, Uncle Tian.”

Tian Buyi smiled, raising a hand, “Wait, I’m not done.”

Xiao Yicai blinked, “What, Uncle Tian?”

Tian Buyi smiled, “Since it’s for the greater good, I recall one lineage with more female disciples. There are many empty rooms there. Why didn’t the Chief Patriarch think of that?”

Xiao Yicai’s smile faded, “Uncle Tian, this…”

Tian Buyi huffed, looking up. Xiao Yicai sighed, “I will report to the Chief Patriarch.”

Tian Buyi, amused, nodded, but internally, he was gleeful.

Xiao Yicai calmed himself, “Uncle Tian, the second matter is even more important. The Chief Patriarch stressed that you must carefully consider your answer.”

Tian Buyi, seeing the seriousness on Xiao Yicai’s face, was taken aback, “What is it?”