The Difficult Path Part 2

After a long silence, Lu Guijiu asked hoarsely, "Master, can't you take me with you?"

Zhang Jingmo's answer was decisive. He said, "No."

Lu Guijiu's eyes dimmed. The more he was attached to Zhang Jingmo, the more he felt that every minute and second apart from Zhang Jingmo was so unbearable. He had already tried his best to chase Zhang Jingmo's footsteps, but still felt there was a chasm-like gap between him and Zhang Jingmo.

Zhang Jingmo said, "I've already agreed with Shuying that after some days, I'll send you to her place to learn formations."

Lu Guijiu only felt the pain from the wounds on his body suddenly become more apparent. Based on his speed of cultivating the Blood Hell Heaven Scripture, the water spiritual energy was completely unable to heal those wounds. So he struggled in pain every day, but he never revealed this matter to Zhang Jingmo, only because he didn't want to worry him.

However, facing Zhang Jingmo who was about to leave again, Lu Guijiu felt that this pain was a bit unbearable for him. He knew he was too greedy, but he couldn't control it. So he could only clench his fists tightly and lower his head.

How could Zhang Jingmo not see Lu Guijiu's disappointment? If possible, he naturally wanted to take Lu Guijiu with him. But this trip was too dangerous. He couldn't and didn't dare to take this risk.

He could have an accident, but Lu Guijiu couldn't.

Zhang Jingmo called out "Guijiu" again.

This time Lu Guijiu didn't respond. He lowered his head, his entire being looking extremely dejected.

Zhang Jingmo said helplessly, "Your master will return as soon as possible."

Lu Guijiu asked, "How soon is as soon as possible?"

Zhang Jingmo said, "Within a hundred years."

A hundred years... If Zhang Jingmo didn't say this, it would have been fine. But when he said it, Lu Guijiu's mood became even worse. He knew his feelings were wrong, but he just couldn't control it.

His master might leave him for a hundred years—over thirty-six thousand days. When they meet again, perhaps everything will have changed beyond recognition. No, they might not even have the chance to meet again.

The more Lu Guijiu thought about it, the more panicked he felt, to the point that his face showed a hint of desperation. This expression only appeared when Zhang Jingmo mutilated himself in front of him.

Lu Guijiu practically begged, "Master, take me with you."

Zhang Jingmo fell silent. Sometimes silence is also an answer. Lu Guijiu knew Zhang Jingmo's answer. He was disappointed.

Zhang Jingmo slowly said, "Guijiu, in this world, nothing is unchanging. Me, and you too. Although the fate of master and disciple is predestined, in the end we have our own paths to walk." Actually, Zhang Jingmo was very happy that Lu Guijiu was attached to him. The more attached Lu Guijiu was to him, the more chance he would have to borrow his strength in the future.

But at the same time, Zhang Jingmo was also afraid. He was afraid that by protecting Lu Guijiu too well, he would instead harm Lu Guijiu.

In the first life, that Lu Guijiu grew up amidst storms. But in this life, he withstood those storms for Lu Guijiu.

Zhang Jingmo couldn't say for sure if this was good or bad until the end. But at least for now, besides Lu Guijiu being too dependent on him, no major deviations had appeared.

Lu Guijiu couldn't explain where he felt sad. He had already agreed to go study formations with Shuying for ten years. This was already decided long ago.

But when Zhang Jingmo told Lu Guijiu that he was going out again, Lu Guijiu discovered he couldn't quite accept it.

If he really couldn't see Zhang Jingmo for a hundred years...

Lu Guijiu stopped thinking about it. In the end, he still said "Alright".

But after saying it, he turned and left. He didn't say goodbye to Zhang Jingmo, nor did he tell Zhang Jingmo to take care.

Seeing Lu Guijiu's departing figure, Zhang Jingmo only felt helpless. He really didn't know how to persuade Lu Guijiu. Conflicted, he simply couldn't be bothered to say anything.

Today should have been a joyous day with Bai Lingxiao coming out of seclusion. But because of Zhang Jingmo's upcoming trip, master and disciple parted on unhappy terms. Lu Guijiu returned to his room and began meditating.

Seeing Lu Guijiu in such a foul mood, Lu Shu tried to comfort him, "Why be like this? You will have to leave your master sooner or later."

However, Lu Guijiu replied gloomily, "Who said I want to leave my master?"

Only then did Lu Shu remember Lu Guijiu's unspeakable feelings for Zhang Jingmo. After a long silence, he said, "Regardless, your master will leave when it's time."

Lu Guijiu's expression was cold, but it was unclear what he was thinking.

Seeing this, Lu Shu feared that Lu Guijiu would do something reckless and fight with Zhang Jingmo. He advised, "A mere hundred years is but a fleeting moment for cultivators."

Hearing this, Lu Guijiu sneered, "How many hundred years are there in a lifetime?"

Lu Shu was speechless again. In fact, from the moment he met Lu Guijiu, he knew that Lu Guijiu was destined to be entangled with Zhang Jingmo in this life. After all, when he saw Lu Guijiu's deepest desire back then, Lu Guijiu was still just an ignorant child.

Lu Shu said softly, "Do you really have nothing else you want to do in this life?"

Hearing Lu Shu's words, Lu Guijiu suddenly seemed to remember something. He got up and went to the treasure vault, rummaging around.

Lu Shu didn't know what Lu Guijiu was looking for and asked several times, but Lu Guijiu didn't answer.

After searching for a long time, Lu Guijiu retrieved an exquisite wooden box from a very hidden place. He solemnly opened the box, revealing a mirror that looked ordinary from the outside.

Lu Shu didn't know what it was and asked curiously, "What is this?"

Lu Guijiu replied coldly, "The Soul-Searching Mirror." He wanted to see what he most wanted to do at this very moment.

With that thought, Lu Guijiu took out the mirror and placed it in front of himself.

Then, Lu Guijiu felt a sudden, shameful physical reaction.

He saw Zhang Jingmo in the mirror, unsurprisingly.

To Lu Shu, the mirror was just an ordinary one, so naturally he didn't know what Lu Guijiu saw. Lu Shu called out to Lu Guijiu several times, but Lu Guijiu stared at the mirror as if entranced, not responding.

Then Lu Shu guessed what Lu Guijiu saw, because Lu Guijiu shamefully had a reaction.

Lu Shu thought to himself, if Zhang Jingmo saw this scene, how would he punish Lu Guijiu? If he were Lu Guijiu's master, he would probably crush Lu Guijiu to death on the spot for being such a depraved disciple. But seeing how good-tempered Zhang Jingmo was and how much he doted on Lu Guijiu, he would probably at most just cripple his manhood. In this regard, Lu Shu understood Zhang Jingmo quite well, knowing he wouldn't take Lu Guijiu's life, but would choose a more moderate method.

Who knows what Lu Guijiu saw in the mirror, but his breathing became ragged and a tent formed in his lower region. He softly called out, "Master..."

Lu Shu indicated he couldn't bear to watch anymore.

Lu Guijiu knew that what he was doing was terrible, but he had completely lost control of himself. The mirror showed a completely different Zhang Jingmo.

His master, who originally wore white robes and should have had an otherworldly aura, had his clothes half exposed and his face flushed. If it were only that, it would be fine, but the Zhang Jingmo in the mirror even slid his hand into his clothes, moving slowly, his mouth slightly open as if letting out soft moans.

Lu Guijiu was stunned. Although Lu Shu had shown him many such things before, none gave him as much stimulation as the scene before him. After all, this was his heart's deepest desire.

The Zhang Jingmo in the mirror slowly raised his head, as if seeing Lu Guijiu outside the mirror. His eyes revealed a look of yearning, teeth biting his lower lip even harder.

Lu Guijiu dazedly called out, "Master..."

As if hearing this call, the person in the mirror revealed a coquettish smile. However, after seeing this smile, Lu Guijiu felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head, rapidly cooling his previously excited mood.

Lu Guijiu clearly realized that the Zhang Jingmo in this mirror was not his master. His master would absolutely never show such an expression.

Lu Guijiu put down the mirror and said indifferently, "Lu Shu, I'm truly disgusting."

Lu Shu was speechless.

The smile on Lu Guijiu's face carried a hint of sorrow, looking extremely twisted. "If Master knew he took in a disciple like me, he would probably vomit in disgust."

Lu Shu sighed.

Lu Guijiu said no more. He put the mirror back in the box, got up expressionlessly, and walked out of the treasure vault.