Chapter 24
Chen Jingzhai did not know that he was being tested with regard to love.
All he could feel was that the girl in front of him was like a pleasant spring breeze, or the bright moon in the sky, compelling a sense of utter joy in him. An unyielding sense of attraction grew in his heart, and it made him take the initiative to approach her, to get close to her. But the girl was not timid at all. Instead, she more closely resembled a bold heroine, someone who was utterly carefree in her manner. She said that her name was Ren Mingyue, like the bright moon shining in the sky.
She was just a girl from a village at the foot of Qingshi Mountain, rescued by some master when her family was destroyed. Over the years, she had learned from the master and often came down the mountain to rid the people of vermin. She was not someone who had much experience in the world, for her demeanor was innocent and simple. Yet, she displayed a chivalrous spirit rarely seen elsewhere. Dark clouds gathered outside while the two were chatting, and the drizzle continued. Unbeknownst to them, they had spoken for a long time, and Chen Jingzhai began to fall for the girl as they continued their exchange.
The next day, when the sky brightened, and the drizzle had stopped, he followed the girl as they left together. Thus, he became known as the boy who took care of the donkey. The two walked along the mountainous paths and passed other villages and towns. They crossed stone bridges, steams, and rivers and climbed over mountains after another. Whenever there was injustice, it was corrected. Whenever there was unfairness, it was investigated.
The girl, Mingyue, had unparalleled skills, which allowed her to punish corrupted officials and thieving robbers. The boy only had to watch from the sideline, with the donkey’s leash in hand. Sometimes he would gather some medicinal herbs to help heal the girl’s wounds.
More often than not, he helped with cooking, making all kinds of delicious food, and consoling the girl with his conversation. The boy always had some fantastic ideas and new tales to tell and would tell them to the girl every night. The girl, listening carefully, yearned for the world of the boy’s stories.
She taught the boy the carving art and encouraged him to carve the things he saw in his mind’s eye. She treasured and took some of the novel carvings he made as her own. The rest she randomly exchanged for living expenses.
Guided by fate, they made camps as they traveled with the wind, journeying aimlessly. This way, the boy and girl kept each other company on their journey, and twelve years were spent traveling in the mortal world.
Twelve years later, the two returned to the Mountain Temple and saw the Medicinal Master once again. It was still in ruins, and its surroundings were deserted as always. The boy and girl of yesteryears had grown up, maturity and secrets hidden deep in their eyes.
As usual, the girl went out to hunt for food. The boy cleaned the kitchen and other utensils as he cooked over the open flames. But both of them were a little absent-minded. Even though the aroma of the food was enticing, neither one of them attempted to eat.
“I have to go,” she said quietly.
“I’ll go with you,” he replied with firmness and persistence.
“It’s been twelve years,” she said. “You have been with me for twelve years. It is enough.”
“Are you going to leave me, then?” he countered.
“Our time together has come to an end,” she said firmly, without any sentimentality. “In the end, we are just two people from two worlds who met on the mountain. Our time together is short, and after twelve years together, it is time to end.”
“Alright,” he sighed softly, “Let’s just eat.”
She appeared calm as she finished their last meal together, and she laid down, her back turned toward him. After he spent cleaning up, he sat at the threshold of the mountain temple. He took out his knife, carving a piece of wood quietly.
The girl woke up when the first ray of morning light crept faintly across the horizon. All she saw was a wooden figurine by the door of the mountain temple.
The figurine depicted how the girl looked when he first met her, bold and unbridled. A free spirit. In all her youthful glory and undeniable charm, there was also her sweet smile. Jumping up, she took hold of the wooden figurine. However, no longer was there any trace of the boy.
The donkey was braying restlessly. It was not the black donkey as when they first met, but the third one in twelve years. It did not have the complete black coat of the first donkey, nor did it possess the gentle temperament of the second. It was a little grumpy, a little restless, and a little stubborn.
The girl sighed softly, cutting the rope and letting the donkey go. Then she, too, disappeared deep into the forest. This love had no beginning, and it ran deep. All Chen Jingzhai could do was let it go, but he didn’t expect to lose his soul.
He chose a direction at random and left the mountain temple in dew and morning light. His heart was dead, and he had no hint, no clue. The world seemed to have lost its colors, and he no longer cared about time or anything else.
It was not until the soles of his feet were raw, and his stomach was growling that he instinctively searched for a village to rest. However, all he found were the ruins ravaged by mountain bandits. He saw total devastation, with bloody corpses strewn about on the ground, and an endless misery could be felt. He found a wooden stick, walking deeper into the forest without knowing why he was compelled to do so.
Meanwhile, at the Cloud Palace…
Everyone was silent when they watched what was happening in the picture frame.
“This doesn’t seem right!” Elder Qin hesitated. “Did he not pass the test of love?”
“It’s over,” Headmaster Fuyun replied. “Once the love test is over, he will step into the second, smaller test. It should be the test about home and country, revenge and hostility if I’m right. This is to test whether or not he can let go of matters in home and country and turn to cultivate when the time comes – this is the second test.”
“But it seems like nothing happened?” Elder Qin pressed further.
“What do you need to see exactly?” Headmaster Fuyun said with a huff. “This is just a little bit of leftover energy by Master Mingyue, not the full manifestation of a real experience.”
“Fortunately, the test of love has not turned into a calamity of love,” another elder nodded. “More importantly, the mystery of the test in love cannot be appreciated by anyone other than the person who’s being tested.”
“It is so,” Headmaster Fuyun nodded. “No matter what, he has passed the test of love and has entered the next stage. It’s time to talk about Hongluan Peak’s recruitment of disciples.”
“The one from Hongluan Peak is not easy to deal with,” Elder Qin said with a weary smile. “So, does the Headmaster need to think about it a little longer? It would be a waste to send a talented person to Hongluan Peak!”
“I know what you mean, but the results recorded in the bill cannot be changed,” Headmaster Fuyun said in a contemplative voice. “If he can pass the twenty-eight questions, I can reward him with other cultivational methods in my authority as the Headmaster. What do you all think about that?”
“Yes,” Elder Qin took the lead, “but the resulting reward must be offset.”
“Agreed!” Everyone concurred with Elder Qin’s proposition.
“That’s it,” a smile appeared on Headmaster Fuyun’s face. “Which younger brother would be willing to go to Hongluan Peak and invite the younger sister to come here? After all, this is a disciple of Hongluan Peak, and she ought to be here.”
Several elders looked at one another. Finally, they all looked at Sage Lu. Sage Lu’s robe fluttered freely in the wind, but there was no sense of freedom between his brows. He was fiercely cursing internally. Even though his visage was as impassive as if cast in steel, he had the urge to flee at this moment.
“That’s right. Nephew Lu should go!” Elder Qin said, “Your temperament is similar to the one at Hongluan Peak, and she is also your junior. I think she will go easy on you.”
“Well, the legacy of Hongluan Peak was cut short, and the younger sister has not had a breakthrough for three hundred years since the formation of the golden pill. It is understandable why she is so short-tempered.”
He tossed a brilliant golden piece of paper out of his sleeve when he finished speaking. While it looked like an invitation, it also looked like a certificate. However, it was, in fact, a script unique to the Headmaster. This script had never been used lightly. Its appearance signified respect and the gravity of the matter at hand.
In addition, there was also the implication of being unable to refuse it, so that even the likes of Fuyunzi rarely employed its use. Sage Lu knew that it was a demand he could not refuse.
But with the script in hand, he felt a little more comforted. He stretched out his hand and let the script fall. Afterward, Sage Lu saluted the crowd and turned to leave. The moment he stepped out of the temple gate, the sword light underneath his feet surged, and he disappeared instantly.
