Volume One: Youths Meet in Humble Times Chapter Six: Li Yu’s Preparations

On the way back, Lie Yankong asked Shui Linglong, "Is it possible to detect what happened at the Yellow Spring Sect?"

Shui Linglong replied, "No. Not only have they sealed their mountain, but they've also set up a barrier to block any probing. My Mystic Light Mirror can't see what's happening inside."

Lu Ming asked, "Do you need me to take a look?"

After pondering for a moment, Lie Yankong said, "Since the Yellow Spring Sect dares to seal themselves off, setting themselves apart from the rest, going there now would be pointless. I fear the situation behind this isn't as simple as it appears. Judging by the drought here, I suspect the drought demon will appear within the next couple of days. Rather than face a cold reception, it would be better for us to investigate Red Spring Mountain ourselves."

Lu Ming didn't insist further upon hearing this. They all understood the warnings given by the city lord and Li Yu, but as outstanding disciples of Great Sword Green Mountain, Fiery Sun Sect, and Divine Water Palace, they had the confidence and means to retreat unscathed if they couldn't destroy the drought demon.

The three quickly returned to the small town. Lie Yankong wanted Li Yu to guide them to Red Spring Mountain and see if there was any more detailed information to be had. Before they left, Li Yu asked them to wait a moment, saying he needed to fetch something.

This small town wasn't far from Red Spring Mountain. That's why, from the very beginning, it had become a dead town: those who could escape had fled, those who couldn't had perished. In the face of survival, material possessions lost their importance. This was why Li Yu was still able to find food and eke out a living over the past three months.

The three were concerned for his safety, but seeing that Li Yu was determined to go, they let Lu Ming accompany him while Lie Yankong and Shui Linglong stayed to inspect the area around the town.

Lu Ming noticed that every time Li Yu entered a house, he placed a bit of broken silver on the table. After about a dozen such visits, Lu Ming couldn't help but ask, "Didn't you say you came to town searching for food?"

"But you gave me four baked buns earlier, didn't you?"

Lu Ming hadn't expected such a response and was momentarily at a loss for words. After a while, he asked again, "So why are you leaving money on the tables here?"

Li Yu replied, "I took things from these households before. My granny told me—if you take without asking, it's stealing, and stealing is wrong. Now that I'm leaving money, it's not stealing anymore."

Lu Ming said, "But have you considered that they might already be dead and never coming back? If you leave money here and someone else takes it, what then?"

Li Yu answered, "I know they may never return, but doing this is just to give myself some peace of mind."

Hearing this, Lu Ming's feelings toward Li Yu changed from mere sympathy and appreciation for his talent to genuine respect for his character. In such troubled times, survival is its own justification; no one demands excessive morality from those desperate to live. Yet Li Yu, even while ensuring his own survival, still adhered to his moral code—something few could achieve.

After thinking for a moment, Lu Ming asked, "So from the start, you intended to repay what you took, and that's why you carried this silver with you?"

Li Yu nodded. "I've been taking without asking for so many days; it's time to pay back. Bringing the money today is my way of making things right."

Lu Ming found this strange, but the feeling was fleeting and soon slipped away.

At last, Li Yu had visited all the households he’d needed to. The final stop was a general store. Lu Ming was curious why this was the last place. He watched as Li Yu searched everywhere, finally finding some stored wine in a large jar. Li Yu poured some into a bamboo tube, then rummaged further, finding some uncut white paper, paper money, and incense sticks in someone’s chamber, as well as some string, and placed the rest of his money on the counter.

"What are you planning to do with all that?" Lu Ming asked.

Li Yu didn’t answer, quietly organizing the items.

Seeing his methodical manner, Lu Ming realized Li Yu had a plan and didn’t press further.

Li Yu seemed to know exactly what he should do, his actions mature and decisive—nothing like a five-year-old child, though that was indeed his age. Just seeing him move so calmly among the dead and the ruined houses was enough to make one doubt any child of five could behave this way. "Aren’t you scared at all?" Lu Ming asked as Li Yu packed up his things.

Li Yu replied as he worked, "What is there to be afraid of? The living are much scarier than the dead."

Lu Ming fell silent. The child before him had apparently endured far more hardship than he’d imagined.

Thinking of the granny Li Yu had mentioned, Lu Ming asked, "Who is your granny?"

For the first time, Li Yu smiled. "She was the kindest person to me."

Lu Ming understood from his smile that his granny must have indeed been very good to him, and asked, "I was always curious—why didn't you two ever leave here?"

Li Yu's smile vanished, and he replied heavily, "Granny couldn't leave. She was dying."

Lu Ming fell silent. "So why didn't you go?"

It was a simple question—he just wanted to understand, with no hidden intent. Li Yu sensed this and answered, "Granny was the only one in the world who was good to me. I wouldn't leave her."

Lu Ming saw him answer with bowed head, busy packing his things, and felt a pang of sorrow. Life is full of hardship and helplessness. Survival isn’t hard if you're ruthless enough—the hardest thing is to keep a bit of your original heart, and a kindness toward others.

Soon, Li Yu had packed everything. Lu Ming tried to help, but was refused. Then Li Yu fished something out of his chest and handed it to him—a jade pendant, finely crafted and clearly a powerful protective charm.

Lu Ming immediately understood why monsters had ignored the boy.

Li Yu looked at the jade in his palm, his expression solemn. "You asked me before why the monsters let me go. I didn’t answer directly, but I think it was because of this. Now, I’ll give it to you. I know you’re going to Red Spring Mountain, and you all are very capable, but this is the only thing I have that might help you."

Lu Ming glanced at the jade pendant but didn't take it. Instead, he looked at Li Yu, whose eyes shone with sincerity. "Are you sure you want to give this to me?"

Li Yu nodded.

Lu Ming chuckled, "You may not know, but this is a powerful protective charm. In worldly terms, it’s worth enough to buy this whole town."

Li Yu showed no hesitation, nor any intention of drawing back his hand. He simply nodded.

Seeing Li Yu’s seriousness, Lu Ming grew serious as well. "Is this payment for the baked buns I gave you?"

Li Yu looked at him earnestly. "Yes. Granny always said, never take kindness for granted."

Lu Ming couldn’t help but sigh, "Your granny was truly remarkable."

Li Yu replied with pride, "She was always that way."

After a pause, Lu Ming realized Li Yu didn’t want to owe him, but neither did he enjoy taking advantage of others. He said sincerely, "I know you don’t want to owe me, but I also dislike owing others. If you let me trade a few baked buns for such a precious jade, I can’t accept it. Besides, we also got the information we needed from you. We’re even—don’t feel indebted."

Li Yu seemed reluctant, but Lu Ming looked at him and continued, "It’s good you don’t like owing people, but you must remember: a man without crime is still guilty for harboring a treasure. If you carelessly show such a valuable item to others and someone with ill intent covets it, disregarding morals, what could you do?"

Li Yu fell silent, thinking about his words. Lu Ming knew that, with his intelligence, Li Yu would understand, even if he couldn’t accept it right away. He smiled gently and patted the boy’s head. "You may not accept this now, but you’ll understand in time."

He told Li Yu to put the jade away, and together they returned. This time, though, instead of walking one after the other, Lu Ming took Li Yu’s hand as they went.

Li Yu felt awkward—apart from his granny, no one had held his hand like this since he could remember. Lu Ming was the second. For a moment, he was dazed and touched, and instinctively tried to pull his hand away, but Lu Ming held on firmly, giving him a sense of security he hadn’t felt in a long time. Ever since his granny fell ill, Li Yu had lived with the utmost caution, knowing that only by staying alive could he keep her alive.

Seeing this scene, Lie Yankong and Shui Linglong understood immediately: Lu Ming had accepted Li Yu. As long as Li Yu agreed, Great Sword Green Mountain would have its second sword prodigy. They exchanged a knowing glance. If Li Yu joined, Great Sword Green Mountain’s status in the next decade would only grow more solid—these two, once matured, would become the sect’s sharpest blades.

Shui Linglong certainly wanted to recruit Li Yu, but Lie Yankong wanted it even more. There was always competition between sects and within them as well. Whoever could win Li Yu would gain a sharp sword—where that sword pointed, all would follow.

Yet taking on a disciple was a matter of fate. It was Lu Ming who first sensed Li Yu’s talent, and even after a brief acquaintance, it was clear the boy was cautious and guarded. But since he’d already developed a closeness with Lu Ming, that was their fate. Though the other two felt unwilling to give up, they were powerless for now. After all, who could say for certain how things would turn out in the end?

The four didn’t linger. The pressing matter lay ahead. Soon, they rode their swords back to the small village. Even in midair, they could feel the oppressive aura of Red Spring Mountain. Once on the ground, the urge to draw their swords in revulsion grew stronger as they beheld the mountain.

The little beast Shui Linglong carried began to howl and whimper. The three understood at once—this was the birthplace of some extraordinary treasure, and likely the disaster here was connected to it.

By now, the middle-aged Daoist had disappeared. When they returned to Li Yu’s home, Li Yu, as always, first set aside the baked buns to offer to the local earth god.

The earth god had sensed their approach as soon as they entered the village, and had been waiting nearby. As Li Yu was busy, the three called the earth god over for questioning.

"The earth god of this village greets the three immortals!" the spirit saluted.

Lie Yankong waved his hand, "The situation is urgent. Let's get to the point. Do you know the origin of the monster in Red Spring Mountain?"

The earth god shook his head. "I do not know. To be honest, I've only served as the earth god here for just over fifty years. I don’t know what happened before. But judging by the disaster this time, the source seems to be a drought demon that has cultivated for a hundred years."

Shui Linglong asked, "A drought demon cultivates by absorbing water from all directions. As the earth god here, how could you not notice anything strange?"

He replied, "I truly didn’t know. Since I took charge, the weather has been favorable and the water abundant. I had no idea such a demon was hiding in Red Spring Mountain."

Lie Yankong pressed, "Traditionally, earth gods are either reformed mountain spirits or local elders of virtue who died here. Judging by your form, you must be the latter. In your lifetime, did you ever hear of anything strange happening in Red Spring Mountain?"

The earth god answered, "I lived here my whole life, but from birth to death, I never heard the elders mention any evil in the mountain. After the disaster began, I suspected it was a drought demon and checked the village records but found nothing unusual."

"Where are the records? Bring them to us."

The earth god hurriedly produced the village records. After reading them carefully, the three found that, a century ago, the village had been ravaged by bandits. Not only did they burn, kill, and loot, but they also committed atrocities against one family, killing everyone in front of the family's daughter and then taking turns abusing her. In the end, the girl hanged herself out of despair. Fearing her family’s wrathful spirits, the villagers had invited a priest to perform a ritual and burned the bodies.

After reading this passage, the three understood much. According to the circumstances, the girl would have been the perfect candidate for corpse refinement, but the records stated her body was burned to ashes.

But what if this was all orchestrated? If the body hadn’t been burned, but instead buried deep within Red Spring Mountain with a formation to conceal it, no one would ever know.

They made this guess because they sensed much that was unnatural here, and also recalled the city lord’s warning about the mastermind lurking in the shadows.

All the clues pointed to the monster in Red Spring Mountain. Dealing with this threat would surely bring the villain into the open. A century’s scheme was about to come to fruition; whoever was behind this would not let others ruin it easily.

The three thought about what they'd seen along the way, and their hearts grew heavy. Cultivation was always a matter of defying the heavens, but no matter how one rebelled, it should never come at such a cost to innocent lives.

Lie Yankong’s thoughts ran deeper than the others. He worried that there might be a greater power behind all this. The Yellow Spring Sect alone wouldn’t dare such audacity—so who was truly pulling the strings? The deeper he thought, the more he sensed they were facing a truly formidable challenge.

Lu Ming glanced at Li Yu, who was sitting silently before the earth god’s altar, and asked the earth god, "Do you know that child?"

The earth god glanced at Lu Ming, then quickly looked down. Guessing that whatever he could say would benefit Li Yu, he revealed all he knew.

After hearing his story, Shui Linglong said, "A loyal and righteous child—commendable."

Lie Yankong added, "A boy who remains true to his heart—he'll be of great use in the future."

Lu Ming said nothing, simply watching the boy sitting quietly before the altar. Shui Linglong asked curiously, "Don’t you think highly of him, Brother Lu?"

Lu Ming shook his head. "I’m just thinking—he’s experienced so much at such a young age. Sometimes, being too precocious is not a good thing."

Shui Linglong didn’t understand. "Why do you say that?"

"It’s nothing, just a feeling," Lu Ming replied, clearly unwilling to pursue the topic. In truth, he was reminded of Li Yu’s earlier words about giving himself closure, and he suddenly feared that inside this child’s heart...