Chapter Sixty-Four: Guiding You on the Path to Immortality

“You lying scoundrel?”

“Are you talking about me?”

A voice came from nearby.

The young girl stiffened, her parents also startled.

They turned to see a figure emerge from the woods.

He was a man of upright bearing, clear brows, and a refined air. Dressed in white, his stature was tall and graceful.

“It’s you…”

The girl’s eyes flew wide open. She suddenly jumped to her feet, tossing her bowl of rice to the ground, pointing at Qingyuan with her small hand, her gaze both furious and delighted.

“You lied!”

“Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for you here?”

“Do you know I’ve packed my bundle already?”

“I’ve told all my friends I’d learn real skills and come back for them later. But then you ran off, and I couldn’t learn anything. How am I supposed to show my face now?”

She gritted her teeth, thoroughly angry.

Qingyuan smiled, “But haven’t I come back?”

The girl retorted, “But you—”

The woman beside her, afraid her daughter might offend the young man, hurriedly covered her mouth and shook her head.

This young man did not look like someone from an ordinary family. His clothing was not exactly luxurious, but his bearing was extraordinary, not the sort one would expect from common folk.

“Young master, is this the remarkable person our little Wen wants to be apprenticed to?” The middle-aged man hesitated for a moment and said, “Though this girl is mischievous, if she truly could be your disciple, her parents would be glad.”

Qingyuan did not speak at once, only fell silent in thought.

“Don’t mind her age, nor that she’s a girl. Her nature is fierce, and she can endure hardships as well as any boy.”

The man, honest-faced, continued earnestly, “People like us, we’ve not much prospects. She’s a daughter, and if she stays with us, at best she’ll marry into a decent family. But our household is neither rich nor poor, so it’s not easy for her to find a wealthy match. If she could follow you and learn something, she wouldn’t be confined to this small county.”

The woman behind was anxious, but dared not speak.

The young man looked upright, not at all like a villain.

But as the saying goes, one can know a face but not a heart.

And besides, they knew nothing about this young man—should they let their daughter leave with him after only one meeting? Who knew what kind of person he was, or what might happen to their daughter if she followed him?

The middle-aged man, however, harbored no such worries. He considered himself shrewd enough, having served a nobleman in his youth, seen many people, handled many affairs.

He’d heard his daughter describe how this young man, with a mere gesture, could catch a huge stone as if it were a leaf, effortless and light as air, his skills bordering on the supernatural.

Children’s words might not always be trustworthy.

But this young man, whatever else he might be, was clearly not ordinary.

Not ordinary, not mediocre.

That was enough.

For their ancestors had been mediocre for countless generations.

“She said, following you means she won’t return for many years.”

The man bit his lip, glanced at his daughter with a hint of sadness. “My wife and I have discussed it. It’s not a problem.”

“Our lineage has been poor folk for generations, living unremarkable lives. If she can amount to something, it would be a blessing granted by fate.”

Qingyuan still did not speak, his brow slightly furrowed, lost in thought.

Seeing this, the man sighed again and bowed. “The times are peaceful now, but I hear war may rise again. When that happens, common folk like us are as drifting seeds in the wind, struggling to survive. If she follows you, it’s better than wasting her life here. Please, take her as your disciple…”

Qingyuan was silent for a moment, then shook his head. “I do not take disciples.”

The man was stunned, then showed a look of regret.

The girl could no longer restrain herself. She broke free from her mother’s hand, biting her lip, and cried out angrily, “You lied again!”

Qingyuan turned his gaze to her, did not respond, but instead asked, “Why do you want to learn skills?”

“I…” She pondered, then lowered her head, feeling dejected. “I’ve always wanted to learn martial arts and become a heroine… But as I grew up, I realized it’s hard for a girl to support her family. You see, my parents only have me, a daughter. If things go on like this, I’ll have to marry someday, and there’s no custom here for marrying a man into our family. So I thought, if I learn real skills, I won’t have to worry about such things. I can stay and take care of my parents, earn money by myself, and won’t need to marry.”

Qingyuan shook his head, “What I know is not meant for earning money.”

“Why not?” the girl retorted stubbornly. “I saw how powerful you are. You could earn money performing on the street, or hunting in the mountains.”

Performing? Hunting?

Hearing this, Qingyuan was silent for a long time, then said, “I do not take disciples, but I can point you to a path.”

The girl was surprised, “What path?”

“In the neighboring county, there is an old man named Yan Wang. He is skilled.”

Qingyuan spoke slowly, “If you can learn from him, remember—do not display too much, or disaster may follow. But even a little is enough to keep you well-fed.”

“Yan Wang?”

“The old man who lost his granddaughter?”

The girl’s parents looked astonished—they knew of Yan Wang.

The girl herself did not, and thought for a moment, then asked, “Is he as skilled as you?”

Qingyuan replied calmly, “His abilities are not martial, nor for fighting. In his field, I am far beneath him.”

“No martial arts?” The girl was troubled. “But I want to be a heroine…”

“If you truly have the extraordinary talent you claim, then quickly learn his skills.” Qingyuan, hands clasped behind his back, stepped forward and looked down at her, speaking slowly, “If, in a few years, you master his art and show a gift he cannot bear to let go unnoticed, perhaps he will lead you onto another path.”

The girl thought carefully, then asked, “What path?”

Qingyuan leaned in close, whispering in her ear, “The path of immortals.”

These three words left her frozen.

Then her eyes shone with dazzling light. “Really?”

Qingyuan nodded, “Really.”

She asked, “Then can I become an immortal?”

Qingyuan said, “Maybe.”

Just then, the girl suddenly asked, “Are you an immortal?”

Qingyuan paused, then answered, “Not yet…”

She looked at him in confusion, still wishing to be his disciple. But he seemed unwilling.

She thought, then I must go seek that old man as a master.

“Will you take me there?” she asked, eyes wide. “Or write me a letter? Otherwise how can I ask to be his disciple?”

“He does not think highly of me, so your business would be easier if you don’t mention me.”

Qingyuan said, “Yan Wang recently lost his granddaughter and is now alone. I see you’re about the same age as his granddaughter. If you are thoughtful and treat him well, in time he will regard you as his own and naturally teach you his skills.”

“Also, his temper may be harsh, but he’s soft-hearted. I see you have some perseverance—stick with it, and you’ll succeed.”

With that, he gave the girl a long look, smiled kindly at the couple, and waved his hand. “If fate allows, we shall meet again.”

“Wait—”

The girl called loudly after him as he walked away, “Listen! My name is Xie Jingwen, and I shall become a sword immortal!”