Chapter 4

Chapter 4

He had been alone all these years. The Tianyao Sect wasn't that big, but he was the only elder without a single disciple.

He didn't want to take one on, and he couldn't teach one anyway.

A teacher imparts the Way, transmits knowledge, and resolves doubts. He had no Way to impart, no knowledge to transmit, and his own life was a mess, let alone resolve doubts for others.

Ying Nianling laughed, "It's fate, Qing'an. This child has a connection with you."

Qi Wuyu shot him a look, telling him to talk less, then crouched down and pinched Liu Nanzhou's nose. "Do you want to follow me and be a useless mascot who can't do anything?"

Liu Nanzhou didn't care about that. He just let go of his sleeve and instead grasped his hand.

Qi Wuyu was taken aback, feeling the small hand was exceptionally soft, as if it would shatter with a little force. He could only hold it carefully, sighing inwardly.

Seeing Qi Wuyu's unusually solemn expression, Xie Yongdao knew he was still resistant. He said, "Qing'an, don't feel pressured. If you find it difficult, you can leave it to the other three."

Liu Nanzhou lowered his head, his emotions unreadable, and released his hand.

As expected, no one wanted him.

But, just as his hand was withdrawing, it was gently held again.

Liu Nanzhou jerked his head up, meeting Qi Wuyu's gaze.

Qi Wuyu looked into those eyes, like a clear spring that had never been tainted.

Such eyes should not be betrayed.

Qi Wuyu said helplessly, "Are you stupid? Out of so many people, you had to pick the most useless one. Don't come crying with regret later."

Liu Nanzhou shook his head. "I won't regret it."

Qi Wuyu smiled faintly and stood up as if making a decision.

This child was a bit quiet, but... it must be fate. Otherwise, why did he run into him yesterday?

"I'll take this child."

Xie Yongdao nodded with satisfaction.

The other elders also congratulated Qi Wuyu. Liu Nanzhou knelt in the center of the hall, kowtowed three times to Qi Wuyu, offered him tea, and called out, "Shizun."

Qi Wuyu suddenly felt a weight settle on his shoulders, making him sit rather uneasily.

After receiving his disciple token engraved with his name, Xie Yongdao said happily, "Alright, let's have Suxu Hall prepare some good dishes today to celebrate Xiao Zhou officially becoming a member of our Tianyao Sect."

Liu Nanzhou thought: Was his joining something worth celebrating? But why was it that back home, everyone except his eldest brother disliked him?

Xie Yongdao continued, "Xiao Zhou, our Tianyao Sect doesn't have many rigid immortal rules. We value freedom and ease. From now on, you are one of us. Make yourself at home. If your shizun is unreliable, you can always come to us."

Qi Wuyu clicked his tongue. "You're the unreliable one."

So what if it's raising a child? Even if he couldn't raise him well, could he not raise him poorly? At worst, he'd end up being a mascot in the Tianyao Sect just like him. That's fine too.

"Alright, that's settled for now. You take Xiao Zhou to rest."

After Xie Yongdao finished speaking and left, the others dispersed as well. Qi Wuyu was about to lead Liu Nanzhou away when Ying Nianling coughed behind him. "Qi Wuyu, were you in my field yesterday?"

Qi Wuyu's foot, already stepping out, paused. He smiled awkwardly. "No, no."

"No?" Ying Nianling rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight. "Did you steal my sweet potatoes?!"

Qi Wuyu took off running, shouting as he went, "Hey, there's a child here! Mind your manners!"

Liu Nanzhou stared dumbfounded at the two causing a ruckus, completely unprepared for the Tianyao Sect's usual style. He lowered his head and pondered seriously: Was this sect... actually competent?

Before he could figure it out, Qi Wuyu grabbed him and started running too. Liu Nanzhou felt bewildered. "Why do I have to run?"

Qi Wuyu grinned slyly. "Didn't you eat the sweet potato?"

Liu Nanzhou: "......"

He was forced to become an accomplice.

Ying Nianling shouted from behind, "Just you wait, I'm telling the Sect Leader!"

Qi Wuyu looked back and laughed at him. "How old are you?"

"Hmph!" Ying Nianling flicked his sleeve and went to complain to Xie Yongdao.

Liu Nanzhou asked, "Will we be punished?"

Qi Wuyu said nonchalantly, "Of course not. The Sect Leader will only feel sorry for me. Everyone else has disciples to grow vegetables. I can only secretly eat others' produce."

Liu Nanzhou: "......"

Who are you saying grows vegetables?

"Ah, Nianling, why bother with him? Think about it, why doesn't he steal from others? Isn't it because he's closer to you?" Xie Yongdao said. "Don't be angry."

Ying Nianling: "......"

Weird. It somehow makes sense, but not much.

"Now that he has a disciple, he won't steal your vegetables anymore."

"He'd better not."

While Ying Nianling was complaining, Qi Wuyu was leading Liu Nanzhou around the sect, showing him what each place was for.

"It's okay if you can't remember everything now. You'll get familiar with it. If you get lost, there are signs at intersections. If that fails, just ask the trees by the roadside; they'll give you directions."

Liu Nanzhou turned to look at the surrounding trees. They didn't seem any different from the ones he usually saw.

"Like this." Qi Wuyu stood before a tree and knocked on the trunk as if knocking on a door. "Excuse me, how do I get to the Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion?"

The tree seemed to understand. It swayed twice without any wind. Then a beam of light extended from Qi Wuyu's feet, leading straight to the Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion.

Liu Nanzhou's eyes widened in amazement. Only then did he show a child's curiosity.

Finally, Qi Wuyu led Liu Nanzhou back to Fengsheng Wutong.

As soon as they entered, Liu Nanzhou saw a crow circling in the air. Seeing him come in, it flew two circles above his head, cawing a few times as if quite surprised.

Liu Nanzhou paused his steps upon seeing it, then stopped and kept his eyes fixed on it.

Was this raised by Qi Wuyu? This was the first time he'd seen someone keep a crow.

Qi Wuyu noticed his gaze and, as if reading his confusion, said, "This is Auspicious Snow. I found him one early winter."

Liu Nanzhou looked at Auspicious Snow and asked softly, "Isn't it bad luck to keep a crow?"

Ever since he was born, the village chief had looked at his eyes and declared him a lone star of calamity, destined to rebel against tradition and bring misfortune to the village if he stayed—just like a crow, an omen of bad luck.

Qi Wuyu was puzzled. "Why would it be unlucky?" He smiled. "Crows can warn of disasters; they're actually a good omen."

He extended his hand, and Auspicious Snow landed on his palm. He patted Liu Nanzhou's head and said to the crow, "This is the new member of our family."

Liu Nanzhou froze for a moment, staring at the crow. It was pitch black, but its feathers gleamed, clearly well cared for.

Auspicious Snow tilted its head, looking back at him. It spread its wings and landed on Liu Nanzhou's shoulder, nuzzling his cheek.

Liu Nanzhou was so nervous he almost forgot how to walk.

Qi Wuyu noticed his discomfort and patted his shoulder. "It's fine. He likes you." He led Liu Nanzhou inside. "I've lived alone for a long time, so the place is a bit smaller compared to the other elders' residences. But though the temple is small, it has all the essentials. Make yourself at home. Just don't break anything, and you don't need to ask me about every little thing."

Liu Nanzhou looked around, thinking the place was truly beautiful. Stone paths were lined with various flowers, and the faint sound of flowing water could be heard. Following the sound, he could see a winding stream about a foot wide, crisscrossing the area. As far as Liu Nanzhou could see, it seemed to lead to a lake. The lakeshore was lined with lush trees, and there were several pavilions in the lake. He could also vaguely see what looked like flowers in the water.

"That's Ling Lake," Qi Wuyu said, following his gaze. "There are lotus flowers in there. If you'd like, you can go boating to pick lotus seeds. I'll make lotus seed soup for you when we get back."

Liu Nanzhou had never rowed a boat or picked lotus seeds before. He didn't even know what lotus seeds looked like. He looked on with eager curiosity.

Qi Wuyu smiled and led him into a room. "The other elders have lots of disciples, so they usually stay in the disciples' quarters. I only have you, so there's plenty of room here. Take a look and decide for yourself: do you want to stay with me in Fengsheng Wutong, or would you prefer the livelier atmosphere of the disciples' quarters?"

Without hesitation, Liu Nanzhou replied, "Here."

"Alright, then this is your room." Qi Wuyu smiled and ruffled his hair. "From now on, consider this your home."

This would be his home from now on.

"Let me know if you're missing anything."

Liu Nanzhou had no requirements for where he lived. He could even sleep on a broken plank if necessary. But this room not only had a bed but also desks, chairs, benches, writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, incense burners, and decorations—things he'd seen and things he hadn't, things he recognized and things he didn't. What else could be missing?

"Nothing is missing."

Qi Wuyu crouched down, took off the jade pendant hanging around his neck—shaped like a cloud—and placed it around Liu Nanzhou's neck. "This jade is about the only thing of value I own. It's been with me for many years, like a protective talisman. Now that you're my disciple, I want you to have this jade."

Liu Nanzhou instinctively reached out to touch the jade. It was warm, smooth, and delicate, with a waxy, creamy luster. Though he didn't understand its value, he knew it was something precious.

He glanced at Qi Wuyu, hesitating to speak. Qi Wuyu asked, "What's wrong?"

Liu Nanzhou pursed his lips. "You didn't... want to take me in, did you?"

Why would he give such a valuable thing to him?

He lowered his eyes and whispered, "I'm just..."

"Just what?"

"Just trash that someone threw away."

Actually, it made sense that Qi Wuyu didn't want to take him in. After all, his luck had always been bad. He was just an unlucky person, a burden. Otherwise, why would his family, with three children, have thrown him away?

Qi Wuyu was slightly taken aback. No wonder he was always afraid of being sent away—he had already been abandoned once.

Qi Wuyu smiled helplessly. "No one can force me to do something I don't want to do. Taking you in was my own choice." He said, "Similarly, from now on, no one can force you to do something you don't want to do, not even me. Do what you want to do. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks, and don't listen to what anyone else says."

Suddenly, Liu Nanzhou felt a surge of confidence, as if he had been walking alone on a swaying rope suspended in mid-air and had finally stepped onto solid ground. Even his heart felt steadier.

"Look at me."

Liu Nanzhou raised his head. Qi Wuyu looked into his eyes and said with utmost seriousness, "You are not trash. Don't belittle yourself. You are my disciple, the youngest disciple of the Tianyao Sect. Here, many people will love you."

"And I will never abandon you."

Qi Wuyu's voice was like a gentle spring rain, unhurried yet striking Liu Nanzhou's heart with undeniable force.

As he spoke, Qi Wuyu extended his pinky finger. "Pinky promise. Trust me."

Liu Nanzhou thought it was childish, but he still reached out his hand and hooked his pinky with Qi Wuyu's.

Author's Note:

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Ying Nianling: I feel like someone is gaslighting me.

Xie Yongdao: It's just your imagination.

Qi Wuyu: It's just your imagination.