Ming Zhu had lost too much blood and nearly vomited himself into a state of collapse. He drifted in and out of consciousness for a long time. When he finally came to, he was slumped over Lu Qingkong’s back, ascending the Three Thousand Steps—they had already crossed the Withered Wood Forest and returned to Rizhao Mountain.
Ming Zhu let out a faint, incoherent groan.
"You’re awake?" Lu Qingkong grumbled. "If you’re awake, get off me. I’ve carried you the whole way."
Ming Zhu’s mind was still clouded. He muttered dizzily, "Don’t... don’t go back..."
Lu Qingkong snapped impatiently, "If we don’t go back, should I just throw you down the mountain?"
As he spoke, he made a motion as if he truly intended to dump Ming Zhu off his back. Zhou Fuxue, walking alongside them, hurriedly reached out to steady him, terrified that Ming Zhu might actually be dropped.
Ming Fuhua, leading the way while holding You Nü’s hand, turned back at the commotion. Her voice was icy. "Before we left, Master Guining gave strict instructions. If you showed any sign of trying to flee Rizhao, I was to bring you back by any means necessary. Ming Zhu, do not force my hand."
It was unclear if Ming Zhu even heard her. His bloodless fingers gripped the fabric of Lu Qingkong’s shoulder tightly, his head throbbing with a spliting pain. "I want to go down the mountain... let... let me go..."
He continued to mumble, struggling to slide down.
Without a word, Ming Fuhua stepped forward and ruthlessly struck the back of Ming Zhu’s neck with her palm. Already barely conscious, Ming Zhu was instantly knocked out cold.
Zhou Fuxue and You Nü stared at her, dumbfounded. Even Lu Qingkong, who had just been threatening to throw him off, froze in shock.
Ming Fuhua pulled back her hand, her sleeves fluttering. Without a second glance, she turned and continued walking. "Stop wasting time. Move."
Seeing their Eldest Senior Sister show absolutely no mercy even to the Eldest Disciple, the group instantly shrank back in fear. They murmured their assent and followed her obediently, tails tucked between their legs.
The news of You Nü obtaining the Red Snow Sword in the Burial Ground of Discarded Swords spread through the Western Peak of Rizhao like a lightning storm, sparking envy in everyone. Even Master Guining made a rare trip to the Western Peak to visit her, bestowing upon her a high-grade spiritual tool and a collection of rare treasures.
You Nü was overwhelmed by the unexpected favor.
In the eyes of others, the Red Snow Sword was a divine weapon rarely seen in a thousand years. A weapon that had formed its own spirit before even recognizing a master was unheard of. For a time, You Nü’s residence was crowded with visitors, everyone eager to catch a glimpse of the sword’s majesty, which terrified the timid girl nearly out of her wits.
A light rain began to fall, shrouding the world in a misty gray. Fog swirled around the mountain peaks, veiling the high pavilions.
Master Guining, dressed in green robes, crossed the long suspension bridge back to the Northern Peak with the grace of a startled swan. His expression was unusually cold. He carried no umbrella, nor did he use his spiritual power to ward off the rain. In the short time he had been outside, he was soaked through, water dripping from the hem of his robes.
Gui He was waiting outside the main hall. Seeing him from a distance, he immediately hurried forward. "Senior Brother?"
Master Guining didn't even look at him. He asked coldly, "Where is Ming Zhu?"
Gui He followed behind him. "A-Zhu was severely injured this time. He is currently with Dian."
Master Guining pushed open the hall doors. With a flick of his fingers, a surge of spiritual energy cleared the moisture from his clothes instantly. He walked step by step toward the center of the hall, his voice cold and clear like jade beads falling on a plate. "Have him come see me immediately."
Gui He seemed to want to say more, but seeing Master Guining’s dark expression, he relented. "Yes."
When Ming Zhu received the summons, Shen Dian was frowning as he applied medicine to the mangled flesh on Ming Zhu’s back. As he worked, he scolded, "How did you manage to get hurt like this just by going to the Burial Ground? Others call you ignorant and incompetent behind your back—are you trying to prove them right by acting like a useless blockhead who knows nothing?"
Ming Zhu hissed in pain, ignoring the lecture. He turned to the young Daoist attendant. "Master wants me to go now?"
The attendant bowed. "Yes."
Before Ming Zhu could speak, Shen Dian snapped, "Go? Go where? You’re injured like this and you’re still planning to run around? Do you think you have too much skin and blood to spare?"
The attendant looked troubled.
Ming Zhu reached out to grab his clothes, brushing aside Shen Dian’s hand. Ignoring the healer’s protests, he haphazardly threw his robes over his shoulders. His face was pale, yet he still managed a smile. "It’s fine, it’s fine. Master might have something urgent. This wound can wait. I’ll be back before you know it."
"Can wait?" Shen Dian retorted. "Then who was the coward shivering in pain just a second ago?"
Ming Zhu was thick-skinned and cared little for insults. He snatched an umbrella from Shen Dian and slung an arm around the young attendant’s shoulders as if they were old friends. "Junior brother, wait for me to come back and grace you with my presence again."
Shen Dian was fuming. He chased after them for a few steps and threw the medicine bottle at the back of Ming Zhu’s head. "Once you leave, don't bother coming back!" he roared.
After his outburst, Shen Dian suddenly felt that his words sounded like a resentful wife complaining about a husband going out to drink. He shuddered, feeling thoroughly disgusted with himself.
Several of Ming Zhu’s wounds were deep enough to expose bone. If not treated promptly, they could be life-threatening. Shen Dian had assumed that no matter how important the matter was, Master Guining would surely let him return after a short while. However, he waited from noon until evening. The sky darkened and the rain intensified, yet there was no sign of Ming Zhu returning for his medicine.
Shen Dian hurried to Buzhiya, only to find the room empty. A small flower Ming Zhu was raising had been left in the courtyard; the pot was overflowing with water, and the soil was being washed away. The fiery-red blossoms looked as if they were about to drown.
Impatiently, Shen Dian poured the water out of the pot and moved the wilted flower to the corridor before rushing out like the wind.
Just as he stepped out of Buzhiya, the gates of the neighboring Wenxian Residence opened. Zhou Fuxue stepped out quickly, holding an umbrella. His hopeful expression soured the moment he saw Shen Dian. "Why is it you, Senior Brother? Where is Eldest Senior Brother?"
"He hasn't returned yet?" Shen Dian asked.
Zhou Fuxue froze. "I thought he was with you, getting his wounds treated."
The two exchanged a look and, without a word, ran toward the Great Hall of Rizhao.
Their suspicions were correct. Since arriving at the Great Hall at noon, Ming Zhu had been subjected to a long tirade from the furious Master Guining. On the grounds of leading disciples into the Burial Ground of Discarded Swords without permission, he had been ordered to kneel outside the hall in reflection. He was not to rise without the Sect Leader’s command.
Ming Zhu was well-acquainted with being punished by kneeling. He had simply chirped an "Understood" and trotted outside to kneel, propping Shen Dian’s umbrella on the ground to shield himself from the wind and rain. Looking at him, one would think he wasn't serving a punishment, but rather enjoying the view of the rain.
Inside the hall, Master Guining saw him shamelessly using an umbrella. He grabbed an object, intending to hurl it at him, but Gui He stopped him.
"Senior Brother, punishing him to make him remember the lesson is enough. There’s no need to be so severe," Gui He sighed. "You know he has injuries on his back. If they get wet, it will only make things worse."
Master Guining said coldly, "When he trespassed into the Burial Ground, did he think about making things worse? You don't need to plead for him. If I don't discipline him strictly now, he'll be trying to overturn the heavens in a few years."
Despite his words, he put the object back down and said nothing more about the umbrella.
When Shen Dian and Zhou Fuxue arrived, Ming Zhu was still kneeling. His hand gripped the umbrella handle, his face was ashen, and his body trembled slightly, as if he might collapse at any moment.
Zhou Fuxue’s pupils shrank. He dropped his umbrella and lunged forward. "Senior Brother!"
Ming Zhu had been dozing off, but the impact of the boy’s tackle nearly knocked him over and jolted him awake. He wrapped one arm around Zhou Fuxue and patted his head with the other. "It’s raining so hard. Why aren't you resting in your room? What are you doing out here?"
Zhou Fuxue’s eyes were red, but he didn't speak.
Shen Dian stared at the blood being washed away by the rain from beneath Ming Zhu. Whether out of anger or the cold, his teeth were gritted. "What kind of trouble did you stir up to offend Master this time? How long do you have to kneel? Your wounds must be treated immediately, or you can just wait for someone to collect your corpse."
Ming Zhu waved a hand dismissively. "It’s just that business about trespassing in the Burial Ground. Master is still fuming. I’ll probably have to kneel until tomorrow morning. Don't worry about me."
"You!" Shen Dian barked.
Zhou Fuxue, who had been buried in Ming Zhu’s embrace, suddenly stood up. He ran to the doors of the Great Hall and knelt down heavily. "I beg Master to show mercy! Please forgive Eldest Senior Brother this once!"
"Hey, you kid..." Ming Zhu called out. "Old Tenth, take him back. Don't let him add to the mess."
Ming Zhu knew Master Guining’s temperament better than anyone. Though he usually appeared lazy and detached, he was stubborn to the bone. Forget one Zhou Fuxue—even if every disciple in Rizhao came to kneel and plead, he wouldn't let Ming Zhu off.
Sure enough, a cold shout echoed from within the hall: "If I hear one more word of pleading for him, he can stay out there and kneel until he dies."
The words Zhou Fuxue was about to say were choked back into his throat. He turned around to see Ming Zhu reaching out a hand toward him, his face full of helplessness and indulgence.
"Don't beg. Master won't take back his order."
Zhou Fuxue’s eyes brimmed with tears. He slowly stood up and stumbled back, throwing himself into Ming Zhu’s arms once more.
Seeing that he couldn't help, Shen Dian could only force a few medicinal pills into Ming Zhu’s mouth. "Keep these under your tongue. They’ll keep you alive. Ming Zhu, tell me the truth—did you actually offend Master somehow? He’s never this harsh with other disciples. I heard about the Burial Ground incident; it was all because of Lu Qingkong that you ended up in there and nearly lost your life. How is it that he’s perfectly fine, while you’re out here being punished?"
Ming Zhu acted as if nothing was wrong. "Listen to yourself. If Master truly couldn't stand the sight of me, he would have kicked me out of Rizhao long ago. Why would he keep me around all these years? Stop guessing and go back. Here, take Little Thirteen with you."
Shen Dian was still indignant. "But that Lu Qingkong..."
Ming Zhu said, "He’s just a kid. What’s wrong with me, his Senior Brother, shielding him a bit? Honestly, Old Tenth, do you have to be so petty? I’m not saying anything, yet you’re the one crying foul for me."
Shen Dian exploded. "I’m being petty? Who am I being petty for? Listen to yourself—is that even human speech?"
Ming Zhu’s vision was blurring and his ears were ringing; he didn't want to engage in a pointless argument. He sighed helplessly. "Fine, fine. I’m not human, alright? Tenth Brother, I’m begging you, please stop shouting at me, okay?"
Shen Dian glared at him, thinking: *Kindness treated as a curse! I’m never looking after this waste of space again!*
With a huff, he grabbed the reluctant Zhou Fuxue and marched away.
***
