Zui Wu Dao. Part 1 -Chapter 6

To my dear readers,

This is the end of Part 1! It gets a lot more exciting after this chapter because he’s actually going somewhere now. (Lots of action to look forward to! 😛 ) Sorry for the slow translation. I know it might not seem like it, but I’m actually trying to be faster. Haha.

Anyhow, this week I want to promote my FRIENDSHIP post. Please read. ❤

And if you want, this is the Chinese version of Chapter 6.

Chapter 6                   Departure

Martial Arts building

It was late in the evening. Xuan Luo went to the Martial Arts’ building on his own. He had promised Master Li that before he left, he would come here. Master Li had something to say to him.

“Li ye ye, are you here?” Inside the main hall, he didn’t see anyone. Although the building wasn’t considered big, a dozen or so disciples could practice at the same time.

Seeing the empty place, Xuan Luo thought to himself, did I go to the wrong location? But then again, that was not possible.

Since no one was around, he decided to practice his shallow fist techniques in the main hall.

Although these shallow movements were basic; sometimes, the most simple techniques were the most useful.

Xuan Luo practiced while waiting for Master Li to appear. But after practicing for his 7th or 8th time, Master Li was still nowhere to be seen.

He decided to go home.

By now, the moon was already way high up; surrounded by stars. Everything looked very still.

Xuan Luo looked up at the sky and sighed, “Stepfather, I am leaving tomorrow…”

“Xuan Luo, you’re here!” Master Li called out, as he saw Xuan Luo leaving. He had just arrived back to the building.

“I had to do something. That’s why I’m late. Hope you weren’t waiting for too long!”

“Don’t worry about it, Li ye ye. I’m planning to secretly leave tomorrow. I’m just wondering why you wanted to see me before I go?” rushed Xuan Luo. Originally, he wanted to leave tonight with Bai Tian. But it was already too late, thus he was feeling anxious.

“Come inside with me!” Master Li waved Xuan Luo in and went inside the building.

When they were inside, Master Li threw Xuan Luo a book that came from nowhere. “This is a book on hanging fist techniques. I wrote this down last night. I used to practice this as well, but this technique doesn’t have much power unless you’re able to use nei li. That’s why after I got hurt, I wasn’t able to practice it again. The shallow techniques I have taught you is a shorten and simpler version of this. This is the original.”

Xuan Luo caught the book; his mouth was wide opened. How could Master Li give him such a valuable book so easily?!

Seeing Xuan Luo’s expression, Master Li smiled. “These moves from the book will be useful to you. Once you get out there, this is another item that might save your life!”

Master Li’s caring tone caused a warm sensation in Xuan Luo’s heart.

“As you know, some people in our jiang hu are very dangerous. You have to be careful. By the way, when you arrive at Wu Dang, if you see someone named Xiao Yun, please tell him this…” Master Li whispered in Xuan Luo’s ears.

“Okay. If I see him, I will pass your message to him!”

——-

It was a very quiet and peaceful night in Qian Deng Zhen. Aside from the chirping insects, there were no other sounds.

Although all the lanterns were lit, it wasn’t as glamorous as one would imagine. When the Sun was up, people worked. When the Sun set, people rested. That was how things work here.

By the time Xuan Luo arrived home, it was already midnight. Guan Shan Jue had gone to bed long ago. Xuan Luo silently looked at Guan Shan Jue’s wrinkled face. His heart was filled with longing and he didn’t want to leave. But, there was no other choice. Seeing his Stepfather injured was like getting stabbed in the heart. It was that moment when he decided he must get stronger…

He actually did not have to pack. He just wanted to see Guan Shan Jue one more time.

Very gently, he shuts the door.

“Are you leaving now?” Hearing his voice, Xuan Luo’s body froze.

Guan Shan Jue slowly walked out; his eyes filled with longing. But at the same time, the longing was filled with love -even though Xuan Luo was not his actual son.

“Stepfather…you’re awake..” Xuan Luo whispered.

The two of them looked at each other. The moonlight became the background, and at that moment, those two were the main characters of the Heaven and Earth.

“Haha. Wow, you were planning to leave without a word? You want me to look for you outside on the streets tomorrow?” Guan Shan Jue looked slightly angry, but there was no hint of anger in his voice. He smiled at Xuan Luo.

“Stepfather…” Xuan Luo was tongue tied. He didn’t know what to say, and continued looking at Stepfather.

“Stay and talk to me..” Guan Shan Jue grabbed Xuan Luo’s hand and walked back into the room.

——-

They spoke for a long time. But since his Stepfather was old, soon he fell asleep on him.

Xuan Luo didn’t move. Seeing his Stepfather falling asleep on his leg, it reminded him of the time when he used to fall asleep on Guan Shan Jue’s leg too. His tears fell on Guan Shan Jue’s stomach…

That night felt very long. Underneath the candlelight, their shadows were also stretched very long…

Soon, Xuan Luo also closed his eyes, and fell asleep…

“Hot…it’s so hot, where…where am I? FIRE. Everything is on fire! What happened to everyone else…?”

Xuan Luo has seen this image many times. Everything was ablaze. He was alone, looking at what was happening in front of him. Too afraid to move. But a dark shadow flashed by and took him away…

The image changed. Xuan Luo was now alone in a strange and unfamiliar place. Darkness surrounded him. There was no one else except his shadow…

Where..where am I?

Who…who am I?

What …what happened?  

…..

Xuan Luo’s eyes looked dull and lifeless. He kept repeating these questions…

At that moment, he was suddenly aware. His eyes were able to focus again. Standing from his spot, his lips moved. His voice raised.

“I am…Xuan Yuan …Xuan….Luo..”

——-

The sky had turned white. When Xuan Luo opened his eyes, Guan Shan Jue was nowhere to be seen.

As he walked on the limestone path, he looked back at the two wooden buildings. Xuan Luo experienced a feeling he could not describe. He didn’t know how to describe it, except that it made his heart felt sour.

When he arrived at the Village’s entrance, he waited for a bit. He was disappointed. This was where he was supposed to meet Bai Tian, but he hasn’t appeared.

Perhaps it was because of the fire from his dreams. He had always locked up his inner thoughts. It takes a lot to get close to him. So once he allowed a person in, that person will always have a special place inside his heart…

Since Bai Tian didn’t show up, Xuan Luo decided to leave on his own.

Within a few steps, he heard a voice, “You’re leaving without me!? Hey!”

Xuan Luo stopped and turned around; looking at the figure that was approaching him. He smiled.

“Are you sure about this? Did you tell your family?”

“No. If I told them, I wouldn’t be able to join you! You didn’t say anything either, right?” Bai Tian curiously looked at him.

He shook his head, “No, but Stepfather already knows…”

There was no need to say anything else. The two of them looked at each other and smiled, and started to head East.

The sound of water flowing could be heard. On the bridge, we could see the shadow of the two similar heights, slowly stretching.

Following the direction of the Sun, Xuan Luo thought to himself, “I must pursue my own goals. And the things from my dreams…”

Somewhere, Guan Shan Jue watched as Xuan Luo left. Tears would not stop rolling down. But all of a sudden, he realized something. “Damn it! I didn’t give Xuan Luo that thing!!”

But by now, Xuan Luo and Bai Tian were long gone…