Chapter 95: Old Man Sikong
"Wahhhhhh..."
"Stop crying."
"Wahhhhhh..."
"Please, stop crying."
"Wahhhhhh..."
"I will take you to eat delicious food."
"Wahh...What are we going to eat?"
"..."
In the midst of a desolate wilderness, a fair-skinned girl sat hugging her knees, pouting, and wailing loudly.
Chu Liang stood at the side, feeling somewhat helpless. He could only console her repeatedly.
In order to protect Liu Xiaoyu'er, he wrapped her into a zongzi and sent her flying away. He instructed her to wait where the green leaf enchanted tool landed, but too many things happened later on, and he almost forgot about her.
After the green leaf flew out for a few hundred li, it ran out of foundational qi and landed in this desolate land. The defensive inscription couldn't sustain itself as well, and the zongzi opened.
When Liu Xiaoyu'er came out, she waited there like a well-behaved kid.
She waited and waited...
When Chu Liang followed the call of the enchanted tool and found her, it was already late at night. The young girl, exhausted and hungry from waiting, had almost fallen asleep.
As soon as she saw Chu Liang, the emotions of being unfairly treated surged within her, and she cried for a good half a day before she stopped.
"I will take you back, and you can eat whatever you want." Chu Liang immediately promised her when he saw that her behavior had changed.
When Chu Liang brought her back to the South Gate City, the performance had ended. In a bustling manner, the crowd made their way out. This grand event was truly spectacular from any perspective, providing a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
The events that unfolded earlier would undoubtedly spread across the continent of the Yu Dynasty in a short period. In a sense, Xue Lingxue should also thank Chu Liang. Her performance had garnered the level of attention that would have been hard to achieve under normal circumstances.
When Di Nufeng saw Liu Xiaoyu'er, she immediately showed a loving expression as she asked, "Whose little girl is this? She's so adorable..."
"Esteemed Teacher, this is the koi fish that I mentioned earlier, " Chu Liang whispered.
"Oh! This tiny creature is a demon? That makes it even more fun!" Di Nufeng's eyes lit up. She wrapped her arm around Liu Xiaoyu'er's neck and gave her a good head rub.
It was a good thing that his teacher liked this fish. Chu Liang had planned that if the elder sister couldn't be found, he would bring her back to the Silver Sword Peak and have her settle there.
On one hand, he couldn't bear to let her fend for herself. On the other hand, it was evident that the presence of the koi fish would bestow a layer of blessing on any unboxing and cultivation activities.
"Mm mm mm..." Liu Xiaoyu'er's hair was tousled as she complained, "You promised to help me find my sister and take me to eat delicious food..."
"No worries." Chu Liang nodded with a smile.
By this time, everyone had returned to Li Family Estate. Chu Liang first had a meal arranged and then proceeded to share his thoughts with his teacher.
When Di Nufeng learned about the little girl's life story, she immediately gave Liu Xiaoyu'er a hug and said, "Come back to Mount Shu with us. I will help you find your sister. If we can't find her, I will be your older sister in the future!"
"Ehhh..." When Chu Liang heard this, he immediately said, "Esteemed Teacher, I don't think that's suitable?"
If Liu Xiaoyu'er were to become his esteemed teacher's little sister, would he have to address her as a second aunt?
"True. It wouldn't be appropriate to keep a demon in Mount Shu." Di Nufeng pondered in silence for a moment before she said, "This won't do. I will take her in as a younger senior sister and make her a member of the Mount Shu Sect."
Great.
You just have to give her a status that is one generation more senior than mine, right?
As Liu Xiaoyu'er enjoyed her meal, she heard this and immediately looked up with a smile, "Okay. Thanks, Elder Sister Feng."
Chu Liang's eyebrows dropped.
Alright. It's settled.
...
At the Solitude Peak in Mount Shu.
The Solitude Peak was located on the edge of the sea of clouds, slightly farther away from the other peaks in Mount Shu, seemingly out of place. It was named Solitude Peak because it stood alone on the outskirts.
At the Solitude Peak, there was a pool called the Dragon Fishing Pool. Sitting by the pool was an old man with dense white hair, wearing loose white robes. He sat by the shore, holding a long fishing rod, seemingly fishing or dozing off.
All members of the Mount Shu Sect knew that Old Man Sikong had been fishing here for over a hundred years.
Among the thirty-six peak masters, he was the oldest in age and seniority. With the same seniority as the four Guardian Elders, he was even a few years older than the leader of the Mount Shu Sect.
Some of the disciples he had accepted during his early years had already become masters of the other peaks. Nowadays, Solitude Peak no longer actively recruited disciples; only a few remained to learn his peculiar divine skills.
Despite having grown up in Mount Shu, this was Chu Liang's first time seeing him.
Because he was the best at performing the ancient art of hexagram divination.
"Uncle Sikong, I have something to ask of you." With two younger ones, Di Nufeng ran to the Dragon Fishing Pool in a carefree and relaxed manner.
Everyone knew that Old Man Sikong was here, but none of the juniors dared to bother him. After all, Old Man Sikong was considered an immortal in Mount Shu.
However, Di Nufeng didn't care about these things.
Also, because she really liked the little girl, Liu Xiaoyu'er, she came this time to fulfill her promise of locating Liu Xiaoyu'er's sister.
The whereabouts of her sister remained a mystery. If it were confirmed that she was in the vicinity of South Gate City, the Daoist method of locating someone by name might be effective. However, given the uncertainty surrounding her current location, hexagram divination and deductive reasoning became the most viable solution.
To the younger generations like Chu Liang, Old Man Sikong gave off this crazy and eccentric image. But at this moment, upon seeing him, Chu Liang realized that he was just a kind, unpretentious old man.
He was like one of those old men who would play chess under the big tree at the village entrance.
He sat by the quiet and deep silver pond with a fishing rod in hand. The past hundred years had passed by peacefully.
The old man smiled as he looked at Di Nufeng and then at Chu Liang and Liu Xiaoyu'er who stood behind her, saying, "Are you here to ask about matters concerning this little girl?"
"And that's why they say you are a divine being. With just a glance, you already know what we need."
When requesting a favor, Di Nufeng displayed skill in flattery as she immediately praised Old Man Sikong.
"This koi fish has flourishing luck. Even without seeking my help, her wishes will still come true," Old Man Sikong trembled as he took out a turtle shell from his pocket and said, "You will eventually cross paths with people that you want to see."
"Enough with the mystery talk. Just lend us a hand by telling us where her sister is, and we'll handle the rest," Di Nufeng said, cutting to the chase.
She was used to being straightforward and couldn't stand these cryptic sayings.
"Hehe. You..." Old Man Sikong shook his head helplessly.
"Grandpa, please, I'm begging you. I just need to know if my sister is safe, even if I can't find her. I'm really worried," Liu Xiaoyu pleaded, her voice trembling with concern.
"Alright. Alright." Old Man Sikong nodded as he smiled from ear to ear.
He lifted the turtle shell and a blue flame surged from the tip of his right finger, burning the bottom of the turtle shell. Soon, intricate golden patterns began to illuminate its surface. With each movement of the patterns, the shell emitted a crackling sound as tiny cracks started to form, spreading across its surface.
As Old Man Sikong observed the cracks, he paused for a moment in contemplation. He then lifted his head and said to Liu Xiaoyu'er, "You are destined to stay in Mount Shu. Remain here in peace and you might have the opportunity of a transformation into something as great as a dragon. Your sister's destiny lies elsewhere; she must tread her own path and seek her own opportunities."
"Is..." Liu Xiaoyu'er blinked as she asked, "Is she alright?"
"Not only is she alright, but she will also live a very good life. You and your sister will reunite soon." Old Man Sikong said with a reassuring and slow voice that made people feel extremely at ease. "If you search for her now, you will disrupt the course of her destiny. It's better to wait for the right timing."
"Oh..." Liu Xiaoyu'er nodded gently as she responded, "Okay then."
She felt a little disappointed. However, the grandpa seemed to be saying that good things will happen. And so, she wasn't worried anymore.
The old man spoke in a very trustworthy manner.
When the questions were asked, the three members of the Silver Sword Peak turned around and were about to leave when Old Man Sikong asked, "Young man, what is your name?"
"Me?" Chu Liang replied, "I am Chu Liang."
Old Man Sikong looked at him with a meaningful gaze and an expression of contemplation as well as a hint of doubt. After a while, he nodded and said, "I remember your name now. You may head back."
Chu Liang was confused. Nonetheless, he didn't say much as he turned around and left with his teacher.
Even after they had walked a long way, Old Man Sikong continued to gaze in the direction they left. His pupils slightly contracted as he was deep in thought.
Suddenly...
The fishing rod by his hand trembled slightly.
"Eh?"