Ch. 36 - Walking The Path Alone

Seeing his father’s increasingly serious expression, Xu Zimo quickly said, “I really haven’t thought about marriage. Please don’t bring up arranged marriages or matchmakers. Nowadays, people believe in falling in love freely.”

“Don’t you get it yet?” Xu Qingshan said. “Baili Xiao is destined to be heavily supported by the sect, and she may even compete for the Heaven's Will. I’m doing this for your own good. And love, well, it can grow over time.”

“Oh yeah? So, you and my mom grew your love over time too?” Xu Zimo asked.

“Of course not,” Xu Qingshan replied immediately. “It was love at first sight, spring breeze, riverside willows, a graceful young man, a gentle young lady. That was me and your mother.”

“Well, I want to find love at first sight too,” Xu Zimo said.

“Do you want to become the Grand Emperor?” Xu Qingshan looked him in the eye and asked seriously.

“Who doesn’t want to be the Grand Emperor?” Xu Zimo shot back.

“I see,” Xu Qingshan paused and then said, “Go ahead then. In half a year, our sect will host a tournament among the Seven Sacred Grounds. Start preparing now. If you win, I can officially name you the Holy Son.”

Truthfully, Xu Zimo had no interest in becoming the Holy Son, but he nodded and left Green Mountain.

…

Later, he took Lin Ruhu and Little Gui and headed to Ten-Mile Town.

First, they stopped at the Beast Taming Pavilion, each rented a Soaring Sand Horse, and then rode out from the True Martial Sacred Ground in full force.

It was spring. The roadside willows had sprouted fresh buds, and flowers were blooming everywhere. A light breeze swept through, stirring up the dust.

Meanwhile, on the martial arts platform in Sunshine Village, a fierce competition was underway.

Chu Yang faced off against a young opponent. He drew his Wandering Dragon Sword and performed the Thirteen Shadow Strikes taught by Old Mo.

The long sword buzzed through the air, producing thirteen afterimages that slashed toward his opponent.

The boy across from him held two sabers and struggled to block the flurry of strikes. Step by step, he retreated, nearly reaching the edge of the platform.

A glint flashed in Chu Yang’s eyes. The sword strikes grew faster, and he took the chance to kick his opponent off the stage.

“I announce that the winner of Sunshine Village’s martial contest is Chu Yang!” Master Mo called out with pride.

He had watched this boy rise, once too weak to even hold a basic horse stance, now at the fifth stage of the Spirit Meridian Realm, one of the top young fighters in Sunshine Village.

And it had taken only a few short weeks. Chu Yang had stayed calm and grounded, never arrogant despite his progress.

The future looked bright.

…

“Master Mo, I think it’s time for me to leave Sunshine Village. Thank you very much for taking care of me,” Chu Yang said seriously after the match.

Master Mo froze for a moment, then smiled. “Makes sense. I should’ve seen this coming. A hidden dragon will always rise. One day, you’re meant to soar to the heavens. This little place isn’t where you belong. I just didn’t think you’d outgrow it so soon. You’re the most talented person I’ve ever seen, better than even the noble heirs in the Imperial City.”

“No matter where I go, I’ll always remember I’m from Sunshine Village!” Chu Yang said firmly.

“Good. That’s good,” Master Mo said warmly. “Do you know where you’re going?”

“Not really. I’m thinking of heading north to the Imperial Capital to see the world,” Chu Yang replied.

“I used to work in Profound Origin City when I was young. If you don’t mind, I can recommend someone there,” Master Mo offered.

“Sounds good. I’ll pass through Profound Origin City on the way to the Imperial Dynasty anyway,” Chu Yang said with a smile.

Master Mo took out half of a jade pendant and handed it to Chu Yang. “Take this to the military camp in Profound Origin City. Look for a man named Du Tianyin. Just tell him you’re the nephew of Mo Tianqi, he’ll understand.”

Chu Yang accepted the jade and thanked him sincerely.

Master Mo laughed and waved him off. “Go. The world out there is bigger than you think. Your journey is just beginning.”

…

At dawn the next morning, before the sky even turned pale, Chu Yang had already packed up.

He left Sunshine Village, walking through the last wisps of night.

The boy turned to look back at the village he had called home for over ten years. A simple place, standing strong through years of wind and rain.

His eyes were full of attachment and reluctance.

“Little Yang, stop staring, we need to go,” Elder Mo’s voice echoed in his ear.

Chu Yang turned, hoisted his pack over his shoulder, and walked slowly toward the distant horizon.

“Elder Mo, have you ever had someone or something you couldn’t stop thinking about?”

“So young and already waxing poetic?” the old man laughed. Then, after a moment of silence, he asked, “Do you know what it means to walk the Grand Dao alone?”

“Walk the Grand Dao alone?” Chu Yang asked, confused.

“At the peak of the martial path, There is loneliness. There is desolation. There is endless searching. There is the cold feeling of being above all.”

The old man sighed. “The martial path is a celebration for one. The strong are always alone. When you begin this journey, many people walk with you. But as you move forward, you’ll lose some and meet new ones. You’ll walk under blazing suns and through fierce storms, bleeding and crying, stepping over blades and fire. When you look back, you’ll see that everyone who once stood beside you has vanished. Some gave up their cultivation, started families, and chose ordinary lives. Others ran out of time and died, becoming bones left on this path. The farther you go, the lonelier you get. Fewer and fewer people remain at your side. In the end, you either die like the rest, adding one more skeleton to the road… Or you reach the peak of the martial world, and only then will you truly understand how lonely invincibility really is.”

…

Xu Zimo’s group had been riding for half a day when they heard sounds of fighting up ahead.

“Senior Brother Xu, sounds like bandits,” said Little Gui.

“Interesting,” Xu Zimo smiled. “Let’s go have a look.”

They rode their Soaring Sand Horses to the scene and found a group of masked, black-clad attackers already in control.

In the middle was a luxurious carriage surrounded on all sides.

The household guards escorting it were almost all dead, with only a few still putting up resistance.

“This is the Situ Clan’s carriage! You bandits must have a death wish. Aren’t you afraid the Situ Clan will come for revenge?” the old guard shouted angrily.

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