Chapter 3

Chapter 3

This guy never knows how to talk properly, and Xie Yongdao was already used to it. Without a change in expression, he tossed the pendant to him.

Qi Wuyu caught it steadily and examined it in his hand. "Wow, this little pendant is really pretty. Thank you, Senior Brother Sect Leader. I'll hang it on my fan when I get back."

Qi Wuyu sat right down and started shelling sunflower seeds, even pushing all the shells toward Ying Nianling. Ying Nianling, unwilling to be outdone, pushed them back. The two of them, like children, began shoving the pile of shells back and forth. Xie Yongdao couldn't even look.

He ignored them and said, "I asked you here today for two things. First, I encountered a Shadow Demon in Quan Tai Town."

"Since Demon Lord Dan Cangke was suppressed, it's been a long time since we've seen any demons," Shen You said.

Zhou Ren nodded. "Now that they've suddenly reappeared, I'm worried trouble is brewing."

Xie Yongdao sighed. "I'm also worried other disturbances might occur."

Ying Nianling also furrowed his brow. The four of them sat there worrying, while only Qi Wuyu, as if nothing was wrong, sat to the side shelling sunflower seeds with a "crack, crack" sound.

Xie Yongdao: "...Keep it down."

Qi Wuyu brushed the dust off his hands. "No need to act like you're facing a great enemy, Senior Brother Sect Leader. Dan Cangke is suppressed beneath the Thunder Abyss. No matter what, the demons can't turn the world upside down."

Xie Yongdao thought that made sense and let it drop. He continued, "The second thing is that I brought back a child. The boy has no parents and has been wandering alone in Quan Tai Town for several years. He was being stalked by a Shadow Demon. He's a good kid—smart and righteous. Does anyone want to take him as a disciple?"

These people, each lazier than the last, all suddenly found their shoes very interesting, saying nothing. Then, after a moment of exchanging glances, the four of them all turned to look at Qi Wuyu.

Qi Wuyu: "..." He was flustered. "No, why are you all looking at me? You know my situation better than anyone. My martial arts are passable, but I have almost no spiritual power. If I teach someone, wouldn't that be leading him astray?"

Xie Yongdao leaned forward, hands on his knees, and persuaded, "You don't need to teach him to become some great master. Just give him a place to stay." He sighed. "Forget it. How about letting him choose for himself tomorrow?"

Qi Wuyu nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes, yes. Let's respect the child's own wishes."

After all, anyone remotely normal wouldn't choose someone like him who had little to offer. Among Tianyao Sect's many disciples, not a single one had ever actively chosen him.

Who wouldn't want to learn some skills? What could one learn from someone with almost no spiritual power? How to get into mischief?

The night air on the mountain had a chill to it. Liu Nanzhou was alone in his room, having sat there, fidgeting awkwardly, for a good while—Zhao Yi had forgotten to tell him where the latrine was when he left.

He endured for a long time before finally going out, deciding to try his luck in case he ran into someone.

Liu Nanzhou walked for a while and saw a room with a light on not far away. Thinking someone must be there, he went over, knocked on the door, and pushed it open, but the room was empty.

Just as Liu Nanzhou was about to leave, he heard a noise inside the room. Curious, he went to look and saw a man with a tall, graceful stature. His hair was silvery-white, which made him seem older.

However, the next moment, the man turned around, revealing an exceptionally young face. His features seemed meticulously carved, his eyes deep and bright, his brows clear and handsome, as if they could see right into a person's heart. The lamplight cast a soft glow over his silver hair, making his whole person seem gentle.

Liu Nanzhou had never seen anyone like this and was momentarily stunned, his breath catching. It was as if the legendary immortals he imagined should look exactly like this.

Qi Wuyu turned and saw a child suddenly appear behind him. Already feeling guilty about what he was doing, he was genuinely startled. Afraid Liu Nanzhou might make a sound, he raised his index finger to his lips, signaling him to be quiet.

Qi Wuyu crouched down to look at him carefully. *So small, like a little potato.*

"You look unfamiliar. Are you the child the Sect Leader brought back today?"

Liu Nanzhou nodded.

Qi Wuyu looked at his little face and couldn't resist pinching it. He asked, "It's so late. Why aren't you sleeping properly and wandering around?"

As Qi Wuyu leaned in this close, Liu Nanzhou could even smell a faint, elusive fragrance on him. He didn't know what scent it was, only that it felt familiar, as if he'd smelled it somewhere before. The fragrance was pleasant, light, like being on a vast snowy plain with a warm stove beside you.

Liu Nanzhou was momentarily speechless. He took a slight step back and whispered, "I... I came out to use the bathroom."

Qi Wuyu said 'oh' and pointed over his shoulder. "Over there. Go ahead."

Liu Nanzhou went in the direction he pointed. When he returned, he smelled a delicious aroma and saw Qi Wuyu crouched on the ground, doing something.

Without turning his head at the sound, Qi Wuyu said, "There's water in the pool. Wash your hands and come eat something good."

Hearing this, Liu Nanzhou walked to the jade pool to wash his hands. As soon as his hands reached under the water pipe, water flowed out on its own, and it was even warm.

After washing, Qi Wuyu gave him a cloth towel to dry his hands.

Then Qi Wuyu dug two sweet potatoes out of a pile of embers. He broke off a small piece and handed it to Liu Nanzhou. "Come, try this. Blow on it, don't burn yourself."

Liu Nanzhou took it and took a bite, grimacing at the heat.

Liu Nanzhou sat down nearby. Qi Wuyu broke off another small piece for him, blew on it twice, and then handed it over. "Eat this one now."

Liu Nanzhou took a bite. It was incredibly sweet. He had never eaten such a sweet sweet potato.

"Is it good?"

"It's good."

Qi Wuyu: "Then eat more. Not everyone gets to enjoy this."

Liu Nanzhou blew on it, broke off a piece, and stuffed it into his mouth, feeling nothing but happiness, as if this single moment was what made a person's entire life worth living.

Seeing him eat so happily, Qi Wuyu smiled and said, "You have to finish it, don't leave any. I secretly took these from Ying Nianling's field this morning. Don't let him find out."

Liu Nanzhou looked at the sweet potato in his hand and suddenly felt like he was disposing of stolen goods.

The sweet potato was soft, glutinous, and sweet. Although Liu Nanzhou had already eaten a big meal today, he still felt this was the most delicious thing he had ever eaten. It warmed his stomach and his heart.

The sweet potato was still steaming. The steam made his eyes water, or perhaps it was more than that, as tears began to well up. He quickly raised his hand to wipe them away.

Children are naturally sensitive, but Qi Wuyu didn't understand. He glanced at him and said, "Wow, is it really that good?"

Liu Nanzhou: "..."

*Why is this person so annoying?*

Qi Wuyu ruffled his hair. "How old are you?"

Liu Nanzhou sniffled, "Nine years old."

"Nine?" Qi Wuyu was clearly a bit surprised. He looked Liu Nanzhou up and down. No matter how he looked, the boy didn't seem like a nine-year-old, appearing more like six or seven.

From birth until now, Liu Nanzhou had rarely eaten his fill. He was thin and small. His body, lacking proper nutrition for a long time, didn't grow much. Even his hair was somewhat yellowish. His hair color was light, and his eye color was light too—a brown like amber, extremely beautiful.

Qi Wuyu remembered Xie Yongdao's words. This child had no parents and had grown up fending for himself. Pitiful, yet remarkably resilient.

"You don't look it." Qi Wuyu put an arm around his shoulder and patted it. "It's fine. I'm a great cook. If you stay here, I guarantee you'll be well-fed and rosy-cheeked in less than half a year."

After saying this, he pinched Liu Nanzhou's cheek.

"You're quite interesting-looking. Your pupils are actually amber-colored. Beautiful."

Liu Nanzhou's eyes lit up, even showing a bit of surprise. He was silent for a long moment before asking, "You don't think it's... ominous?"

This was the first time anyone had ever called his eyes beautiful.

"What nonsense? Who says they're bad luck? Such beautiful eyes—they're just jealous of you," Qi Wuyu said, puzzled.

Liu Nanzhou glanced at him, his eyes still slightly red, the mole on the left side of his nose bridge making him look even more heartbreaking. Liu Nanzhou didn't say anything and took another bite of the sweet potato.

Qi Wuyu thought the child was pitiful, but also a bit too quiet and no fun.

"Will I be sent away?"

Qi Wuyu replied, "Since the sect leader brought you back, there's no reason to send you away. From now on, you can settle in here for good. Don't worry about anyone abandoning you or bullying you."

Having been on his own for so long, Liu Nanzhou knew all too well how treacherous people could be. Words were like farts—they couldn't be fully trusted, and promises even less so.

But as he looked into Qi Wuyu's eyes, which were gently curved as they gazed at him, holding a faint sense of care, Liu Nanzhou's heart settled. He believed him.

Later, Liu Nanzhou would learn that Qi Wuyu's gaze wasn't one of genuine care at all. Instead, the man was born with naturally affectionate eyes that made everyone feel as if they were held dear in his heart.

However, the nine-year-old Liu Nanzhou stood no chance against such eyes.

Seeing that Liu Nanzhou had almost finished eating, Qi Wuyu cleared away the things and led him to wash the grime off his hands. "It's getting late, and you have something important to do tomorrow morning. Come on, I'll take you back."

Liu Nanzhou looked at him. "What is it?"

Qi Wuyu played coy. "You'll find out tomorrow."

"Oh."

Qi Wuyu gave a helpless laugh. The kid barely had any curiosity either.

As he looked at Liu Nanzhou, Qi Wuyu wondered to himself who the boy would end up following tomorrow.

Qi Wuyu escorted him back to his room. Liu Nanzhou lay on the bed, his eyes fixed intently on Qi Wuyu. Qi Wuyu tucked him in and patted his head. "What are you looking at? Go to sleep."

Liu Nanzhou watched as Qi Wuyu stood up, extinguished the lamp, and left.

The bed was too soft. He had never slept on such a soft bed before—so soft it made him want to cry. He felt like he was being a crybaby today, always on the verge of tears, even though he hadn't shed a single tear since being abandoned.

Early the next morning, Liu Nanzhou was taken by Zhao Yi to the Chang'an Hall.

The hall was grand, with green tiles and red roof beams. Inside, Xie Yongdao sat in the seat of honor, with other elders seated beside him, though one of the four chairs remained empty.

Qi Wuyu showed up late again. He entered but didn't sit, merely leaning against a nearby pillar—he was purely there to watch the show.

Liu Nanzhou had never seen such a grand occasion. He was used to keeping his head down, and standing there, he didn't know where to put his hands or feet.

It was only when he saw Qi Wuyu walk in that he felt somewhat at ease.

Xie Yongdao cleared his throat and said, "Xiao Zhou, since you've come back with me, you are now part of the Tianyao Sect. From now on, this will be your home. I am old now and lack the energy to take on another disciple. The elders seated here are all esteemed members of our sect. See which one you feel a connection with, and you may become their disciple."

Xie Yongdao introduced them one by one according to their seats. "This is Elder Huiyu, Zhou Ren."

Zhou Ren appeared to be the oldest among them, with a few silver strands mixed into his black hair, wrinkles gathered at the corners of his eyes, and a short beard on his chin. Yet, he didn't look old; instead, his eyes were sharp and full of vitality, though he seemed a bit stern and not easy to get along with.

Zhou Ren didn't say much, merely giving him a nod.

Liu Nanzhou hurriedly bowed in return. "Greetings, Elder."

Xie Yongdao chuckled. "He enjoys studying talismans and formations." He continued the introductions. "This is Elder Changxian, Shen You."

Shen You seemed like a friendly, approachable auntie. Sensing Liu Nanzhou's nervousness, she smiled and said, "No need to be so formal. I usually enjoy tending to flowers and herbs and refining pills. If you ever feel unwell in the future, feel free to come to me."

"Thank you, Elder."

"This is Elder Zhiyun, Ying Nianling."

This name was familiar to Liu Nanzhou—it was the unlucky fellow whose sweet potatoes had been stolen yesterday.

All of them sat comfortably in their chairs, relaxed in posture, except for Ying Nianling, who sat upright with a straight back. His face was resolute, and he exuded an unwavering sense of righteousness.

"I'm not particularly skilled at anything, just passable with the sword. If you want to learn, you can follow me."

Liu Nanzhou also bowed to him.

Xie Yongdao pointed at Qi Wuyu. "This is Elder Qing'an, Qi Wuyu."

Only then did Qi Wuyu leisurely take a seat. "I'm just here to make up the numbers in our sect, purely for decoration."

Xie Yongdao chided gently, "Elder Qing'an, don't belittle yourself."

Qi Wuyu smiled. Xie Yongdao turned to Liu Nanzhou and asked kindly, "Xiao Zhou, what would you like to learn?"

Liu Nanzhou thought to himself: Can I really choose my own master?

He looked at the elders. Although they all gazed at him with kind expressions, Liu Nanzhou still felt an invisible, intangible barrier between them, something difficult to breach. Only one person seemed within reach.

Qi Wuyu propped his head on his hand, resting it on the table, watching him with great interest as if it were none of his business, as though he were watching a play.

Then he saw Liu Nanzhou lower his head, think for a moment, and walk toward him.

Qi Wuyu: "..."

This wasn't good.

He had really only come to watch the show.

But Liu Nanzhou came over, tugged at his sleeve, and said to Xie Yongdao, "I choose him." He turned to Qi Wuyu and asked, "Is that okay?"

Qi Wuyu lowered his head, somewhat surprised to see the hand tugging at his sleeve, trembling slightly despite trying hard to hold back. He raised his gaze slightly and met a pair of clear eyes, filled with both anxiety and anticipation.

"You..."

He looked at this child who didn't even reach his waist, and they stared at each other, wide-eyed.

Author's Note:

----------------------

Qi Wuyu: Came for the drama, ended up in the spotlight. [Heart]