In That Distant Dark Room

在那遥远的小黑屋

in-that-distant-dark-room

Going on a Long Journey

Zhang Jingmo was once a kind-hearted person.
This was why his master had said that he was not suitable for cultivation, only for alchemy.
On the path of immortal cultivation, one must go against the heavens. If one does not fight and seize, stealing the fortune of others, how could one possibly take that step to reach the peak?
In the more than 120 reincarnations, Zhang Jingmo's gentle nature was gradually worn away, eventually becoming what he is now. This matter with Daoist Wang was not because Zhang Jingmo was ruthless, but because the moment he saw Su Zhi, he had no intention of letting this girl walk the path of immortality.
There are some people, if they don't appear before your eyes, you may not remember them, but if you see them once, you can never forget them. Zhang Jingmo remembered the name Su Zhi, he even remembered that because of Su Zhi, Lu Guijiu nearly lost his life in the first life.
Su Zhi and Lu Guijiu, the two of them had a fatal conflict in their destinies. Just like this time, when they met in the first life, they also fought each other. At that time, Lu Guijiu did not have Zhang Jingmo's support, and it seemed that he was also given a good beating by that overprotective Daoist Wang.
Thinking of this, Zhang Jingmo's mood became even worse. He calculated with his fingers and recorded a time in his heart.
After returning from the Sect Master's place, Zhang Jingmo first repaired the roof, then sorted out the things he needed to use. After confirming that there were no mistakes, he began to meditate on the spiritual vein.
The next day, as soon as Lu Guijiu woke up, he jumped out of bed and ran to where Zhang Jingmo was meditating. He knew that his master had keen senses, so he didn't go in, but called out from a distance, "Master, Master."
Zhang Jingmo opened his eyes and slowly said, "Come in."
Lu Guijiu responded and opened the door on tiptoe, quickly running to Zhang Jingmo's side. He said, "Master, I thought you had left."
Lu Guijiu was extremely dejected the moment he woke up, because he knew that his master was going to leave for a long journey in the next few days, but he didn't know exactly which day, so he was very worried that his master would leave without saying goodbye.
Zhang Jingmo said, "I will leave later today." He had originally planned to leave directly while Lu Guijiu was resting, but the image of Lu Guijiu crying in his arms appeared in his mind. Hesitating for a moment, the day had already dawned, so he sighed and waited for Lu Guijiu to wake up.
Sure enough, as soon as Lu Guijiu woke up, without even changing his clothes, he ran over. He looked up at Zhang Jingmo, his eyes filled with sadness, and said, "Master, how long will you be gone..."
How long? Zhang Jingmo could only guarantee that he would return within five years, but how could he tell Lu Guijiu? Unlike him, who had gone through long years, five years was too long for Lu Guijiu.
So Zhang Jingmo could only vaguely say, "As soon as possible."
Lu Guijiu pursed his lips, then lowered his head.
Zhang Jingmo stroked Lu Guijiu's soft hair, and actually felt a trace of reluctance in his heart. He had always been indifferent to emotions throughout his life, and rarely had close moments with others. Even with his best friends, their relationship was as mild as water...
Lu Guijiu was the first child he had actively approached and carefully nurtured.
That trace of reluctance disappeared in an instant, and Zhang Jingmo's expression returned to indifference. He said, "Guijiu, you're not young anymore."
Lu Guijiu didn't say anything and continued to hug Zhang Jingmo's leg tightly.
Zhang Jingmo said, "I have already promised you so much, do you still not believe me?"
Lu Guijiu actually started sobbing, stammering, "Ma- Master, I'm scared."
Zhang Jingmo frowned, "What are you afraid of?"
Lu Guijiu choked out, "I'm afraid that Master... will never return."
Zhang Jingmo was stunned for a moment, then said, "Why are you afraid that I will never return?"
Lu Guijiu cried even more miserably. After Zhang Jingmo repeatedly asked, he finally said, "I had a dream, I dreamed that Master was covered in blood..."
Another dream. Zhang Jingmo remembered that Lu Guijiu had once told him that he dreamed his family was being chased by a giant stone beast...
Zhang Jingmo's heart stirred, and he said, "Tell me, when you stabbed Su Zhi with a dagger before, did you also dream of something?"
Lu Guijiu hesitated, but still answered Zhang Jingmo's question. He said that he had actually seen Su Zhi in a dream, but the Su Zhi in the dream was a long-haired, pale-faced female ghost, chasing him until he nearly fell off a cliff. Because the dream was so realistic, it caused him to firmly remember Su Zhi's face. This was why in reality, after being provoked by Su Zhi, he directly pulled out a dagger and stabbed at her...
Long hair and pale face? Zhang Jingmo vaguely remembered that Su Zhi, this girl, later also practiced demonic arts, and seemed to have that unsightly appearance. Thinking of what Lu Guijiu said to him, he said, "Guijiu, don't be afraid, Master will be fine."
Lu Guijiu still looked like he was about to cry.
Zhang Jingmo remembered that Lu Guijiu had never cried in front of him before, but now for some reason he especially loved to cry. However, Zhang Jingmo had to admit that every time Lu Guijiu cried, his heart would soften a little.
Zhang Jingmo called out "Guijiu" again.
Lu Guijiu finally let go, but he did so reluctantly. Until Zhang Jingmo picked him up, he was still sullen.
Zhang Jingmo said, "Does Guijiu not believe in Master?"
Lu Guijiu shook his head. His master treated him the best and had never lied to him. Master protected him and doted on him... Most importantly, he didn't seem to bring misfortune to his master.
Zhang Jingmo said, "Master will come back." If he lost his life just for a fire seed, then he, Zhang Jingmo, would really need to be reborn again.
Lu Guijiu refused to speak, only leaning his face against Zhang Jingmo's shoulder.
Zhang Jingmo said, "You're a big boy now, don't be spoiled."
Lu Guijiu still didn't respond.
Zhang Jingmo sighed lightly and said, "Come on, I'll take you to your senior brother's place..."
Hearing this, Lu Guijiu knew that he couldn't make his master stay. He stretched out his chubby little hand and tightly grasped Zhang Jingmo's lapel, with such force that he broke the skin of his palm even through the thin fabric.
Zhang Jingmo smelled a faint scent of blood, but didn't say a word until they arrived at Bai Lingxiao's residence. After placing Lu Guijiu on the ground, he said to his senior brother, "This child is too stubborn. You need to properly discipline him."
Bai Lingxiao turned his head and carefully observed Lu Guijiu, then said to Zhang Jingmo with a half-smile, "If I punish him, won't you feel heartache?" He noticed that all of Lu Guijiu's clothing and accessories were magical tools that aided in cultivation, and knew how much effort Zhang Jingmo had invested in this disciple.
Zhang Jingmo said, "I won't feel heartache, but I'm afraid you won't have the heart to be harsh."
Bai Lingxiao asked, "So you're planning to leave already?"
Zhang Jingmo nodded.
After pondering for a moment, Bai Lingxiao took out a pouch from his sleeve and tossed it to Zhang Jingmo, saying, "As your junior brother, there's not much I can do to help you. Consider these items as a hardship allowance."
Zhang Jingmo glanced at the cosmic pouch and saw that it contained several thousand high-grade spirit stones. Even for someone like Bai Lingxiao, this was a considerable expense.
He said, "Then I won't stand on ceremony and will accept it for now." Spirit stones could replenish spiritual power during battles and were also the universal currency in the cultivation world. These several thousand high-grade spirit stones were enough to buy Zhang Jingmo's cave abode with some left over.
After discussing some precautions with Bai Lingxiao, such as remembering to give Lu Guijiu medicine every day since his injuries hadn't healed, and not to mistreat him since Lu Guijiu usually ate spiritual plants and beasts...
Bai Lingxiao waved his hand impatiently after listening for a while and said, "Are you raising a disciple or an ancestor?"
Zhang Jingmo smiled good-naturedly, thinking to himself that Lu Guijiu was indeed his little ancestor. If Bai Lingxiao were to spoil him, wouldn't he have to start all over again?
Standing to the side, Lu Guijiu couldn't bear to listen anymore and snorted angrily several times. Seeing that both Zhang Jingmo and Bai Lingxiao seemed to ignore him, his face puffed up like a ball.
When Zhang Jingmo finished saying what he needed to say, he told Lu Guijiu to leave first, as he still had some private matters to discuss with Bai Lingxiao.
Lu Guijiu, with a sullen face and puffed cheeks, angrily ran away with his short legs.
Seeing that he had gone far, Zhang Jingmo said to Bai Lingxiao, "Senior Brother, my life and death are uncertain on this journey. If I don't return within five years... please hand Lu Guijiu over to the Sect Master." The Sect Master would definitely not mistreat Lu Guijiu, who had such exceptional talent.
Bai Lingxiao said, "I know you have your own secrets and won't try to persuade you. However, if the Zhu Yan fire seed is too dangerous, it's better to let it go." He had originally wanted to go with Zhang Jingmo, but was rejected.
Cultivators inevitably had a few secrets. Bai Lingxiao didn't inquire about Zhang Jingmo's reasons and agreed.
Zhang Jingmo nodded. Indeed, his destination was not convenient for others to know, not even his senior brother Bai Lingxiao. The fragility of human nature could never withstand trials, and Zhang Jingmo didn't want to use great temptation to challenge his relationship with Bai Lingxiao.
Bai Lingxiao said, "After a hundred years apart, I didn't expect that we would part ways again after just a few meetings."
Zhang Jingmo smiled and said, "Since we've chosen our paths, we must walk them."
Bai Lingxiao agreed, "Indeed."
Zhang Jingmo bowed to Bai Lingxiao, glanced in the direction where Lu Guijiu had left, then turned and flew away on the wind.
Watching Zhang Jingmo's departing figure, Bai Lingxiao also solemnly returned the bow.
Zhang Jingmo's journey ahead was full of unknowns, with life and death uncertain. However, his heart was set on the Dao. On the path he must walk, he would strive with all his might. To reach the great Dao, he would pour out his heart and blood, exhausting all means, and would not retreat a single step.

In That Distant Dark Room

In That Distant Dark Room

Chapter 18 - Going on a Long Journey

Echo