Volume One: A Thousand Years of Streams Chapter 55 of Volume One: The Irrevocable Night

Counting the days, his confinement period had ended three days ago. Oddly enough, Jiang Yujin had not come to see him for three weeks, but because he was deeply engrossed in studying the spatial arts at the time, he hadn't paid it any mind.

Pushing open the door, Sun Zikai walked over to the pond. The water was crystal clear, with four or five slender fish visible within it. More than fifty days ago, Ma Dairan had quietly cleaned away all the blood and filth at the bottom of the pond. When it came to the interests of the sect, he was still rather dedicated and sufficiently clear-headed.

The vegetables in the patch were fully ripe. Sun Zikai walked several thousand steps along the path outward without seeing a single idle person. Only then did he feel that something was amiss—fearing that trouble had befallen the sect, he ran swiftly toward Fu Zhe's courtyard. The main gates were tightly shut, and Sun Zikai sensed no energy within; Fu Zhe was unexpectedly not within the sect. Wu Lanmu, Ma Ganzheng, and Ma Dairan were all absent. Fortunately, he finally sensed Zhi Weici's energy and immediately rushed to Zhi Weici's courtyard.

The main gate stood wide open. Twelve-year-old Runan sat anxiously on a bench near the entrance. Seeing Sun Zikai arrive, she looked somewhat dazed. After pinching her fingers to calculate, she uttered an "oh" and said, "The time has come; you ought to be out."

Sun Zikai asked, "Why are my master and the other sect leaders not in the sect? And... it seems even the Sect Master isn't here. Where have they gone?"

Runan replied, "You're only just realizing they're not here? Your master left two months ago to deal with your affair."

"My affair?" Sun Zikai's expression turned cold.

Realizing she had spoken out of turn, Runan quickly lowered her voice and said, "The matter in Mount Xiake. He had to go personally explain to the three major sects, but as a result, he was detained at the Chixi Sect and hasn't returned to this day."

Sun Zikai asked, "What does that have to do with my master?"

"It was the Sect Master's decision. The tempers of the three major sects were atrocious, reaching the point of all-out war. The Sect Master sent your master over first to appease them. However, I hear the Chixi Sect isn't making things difficult for Sect Leader Fu, treating him to fine food and drink day in and day out."

"That's good then," Sun Zikai breathed a sigh of relief. "What about the other sect leaders? The Sect Master? And why isn't Jiang Yujin in the sect either?"

Runan said, "Sect Leader Ma went to the Chixi Sect, the Heavenly Medicine Sect, and the Five-Wrath Sect more than a dozen times to negotiate, but still couldn't reach a settlement. They demand that you, Ma Luhong, and Cheng Xu of the Dongchen Sect forfeit your lives for this matter to be settled."

Sun Zikai asked suspiciously, "What does this have to do with Ma Luhong again?"

"They all believe the Yanming Sect intentionally sent a brat to take Ma Luhong's place. Ma Luhong is universally recognized as the strongest disciple of the Yanming Sect's new generation, so they demand that Ma Luhong must die as well."

"Oh—no wonder that old fogey is taking this so seriously. If it were just for me, it wouldn't have come to this; he'd be more than happy to see me dead," Sun Zikai urged again, "Hurry up and tell me why the others aren't in the sect."

"Our Sect Master made her stance clear: killing her own disciples is utterly out of the question. After much more negotiation, they reached another decision. The disciples of our generation are all at the Qi Refining stage waiting to build their foundation. Coincidentally, the 'Qiling General Realm' is opening for the first time in fifty years, and disciples from the five sects of this generation can all go there to seek their foundation-building fate. As a result, the three major sects stated: either kill Ma Luhong, you, and Cheng Xu, or neither our disciples nor the Dongchen Sect's disciples of this generation will be allowed to enter the 'Qiling General Realm'. The Dongchen Sect was originally on the same front as us, but because of this matter, they defected at the last minute. They compromised with the three major sects, allowing Cheng Xu to be excluded from the 'Qiling General Realm', while their other disciples would enter after the disciples of the three major sects, and all disciples of the Yanming Sect were forbidden entry."

Sun Zikai asked, "I've never heard of this realm. Besides, just because they say we can't enter, we just won't? The Dongchen Sect isn't weak; if they're allied with the Yanming Sect, there's no need to be suppressed by the other three sects."

Runan said, "You don't understand the various factions. Going to war is easy, but this land isn't populated by just the five major sects. All five major sects belong to the south, while in the north lies a clan lineage with a history of nearly ten thousand generations—the Zhaoge Wu Clan. Sect Leader Wu herself originates from a collateral branch of a minor branch of the Zhaoge Wu Clan. The north is a beastland, home to all kinds of rare and exotic beasts numbering twice the total population of the southern realm. That Ghost-Horned Rhinoceros you encountered would only rank among the lower tier there, and no cultivator dares to wander blindly into the northern territory. Yet the Zhaoge Wu Clan has survived in the northern realm for thousands of years. They live alongside beasts, capable of tilling and raising them, making them the de facto rulers of the north. The northern realm is filled with countless treasures, yet only two places have been successfully mastered by the Zhaoge Wu Clan. One is the 'Qiling General Realm', which gathers the spiritual essence and treasures of heaven and earth, guarded by the three-corpse general spirits from ten thousand years ago. The Zhaoge Wu Clan reached an agreement with the three-corpse general spirits allowing outsiders to enter their realm every fifty years to absorb the heaven and earth's spiritual treasures to forge their incarnation foundations. The other realm is the 'Five-Transformation Ladder', the homeland of exotic beasts, which opens once every decade. Without the guidance of the Zhaoge Wu Clan, it is impossible for anyone to enter the northern realm and escape unscathed, not even a Golden Core realm powerhouse."

Runan continued, "The Dongchen Sect and the Yanming Sect dared to fight the other three sects, but they dared not provoke the Zhaoge Wu Clan. The Chixi Sect presented well-documented evidence to the Zhaoge Wu Clan about how the Yanming Sect secretly plotted to harm the strongest new-generation disciples of the other sects. The Zhaoge Wu Clan accepts tribute from all sects and has historically ignored southern realm affairs, but they utterly detest vicious and malicious scoundrels. Upon hearing of this, they immediately declared that the disciples of the Dongchen Sect and the Yanming Sect were forbidden to enter the 'Qiling General Realm'. Because of this, the Dongchen Sect bowed to the three sects, offered numerous benefits, tacitly agreed to shelve Cheng Xu so he would no longer be cultivated as a core disciple, and even barred him from entering the 'Qiling General Realm', thereby trading for the qualification to enter at the very end."

"If they don't care about southern realm affairs, why would they act like this?" Sun Zikai said. "The Wu Clan probably also wants some balance in the south, fearing that a single dominant power in the south might one day lead to a north-south confrontation that would destroy their own foundations."

"That's part of the reason, but the bigger reason—which we only learned a few days ago—is that Xie Jiaming, the eccentric disciple of the Five-Wrath Sect, actually originally shared the surname Wu. He is a direct descendant of the main branch of the Zhaoge Wu Clan. He was never skilled in the path of spiritual Qi cultivation, nor in beast-taming and driving, which is why he changed his surname to Xie and entered the eccentric faction of the Five-Wrath Sect. His death infuriated the Zhaoge Wu Clan. The outcome of entering the 'Qiling General Realm' to build a foundation is worlds apart; the Yanming Sect could not afford the risk of losing fifty years, so Sect Leader Wu rushed back to the northern realm overnight. But her status was too lowly to carry any weight, so the Sect Master personally visited with treasures, only to be treated coldly. After grinding away for a month, she finally made the Zhaoge Wu Clan relent, permitting only Yanming Sect disciples at the fifth tier of Qi Refining or higher who have yet to build their foundations to operate outside the realm before the 'Qiling General Realm' opens, absorbing the residual Qi leaking from within. The Sect Master wanted to fight for more, but she couldn't even enter the Wu Clan gates anymore. The Wu Clan left word that if they remained unsatisfied, they wouldn't even be allowed into the 'Five-Transformation Ladder'."

Runan sighed, cupping her chin in her hands, and said, "The news came so urgently that the sect leaders didn't dare dawdle. They immediately took all the disciples of this generation and the previous generation who had reached the fifth tier of Qi Refining without yet building their foundations to the outskirts of the 'Qiling General Realm' to absorb Qi. Many outer sect disciples went as well; anyway, there was no limit on numbers—as many as could go, went. Even so... we still suffered a loss, yet the annual tribute paid to the Zhaoge Wu Clan hasn't decreased by a single fraction."

"No wonder," Sun Zikai nodded. Runan was only at the fourth tier of Qi Refining, falling short by one tier, and thus failed to secure the qualification to go. "What about Feng Yueyi and Jiang Yujin? What did those two go do?"

"Yueyi followed Sect Leader Wu back to the northern realm to observe beasts, while Jiang Yujin has already reached the fifth tier of Qi Refining and went to the 'Qiling General Realm' with Sect Leader Hu. Among the disciples of our generation, only I, Qu Yuezhi, and Ma Luhong didn't go."

Sun Zikai felt a sense of relief, seeing that Jiang Yujin had broken through to the fifth tier of Qi Refining in a short time thanks to her water spirit arts. "Huh? Yang Huanman went too?"

"Mhm."

"She's reached the fifth tier of Qi Refining as well?"

"Not at all," Runan's eyes held resentment and contempt. "She's only at the second tier of Qi Refining, but Ma Dairan used who knows what kind of medicinal decoction to soak her body, making her aura match that of the fifth tier of Qi Refining, and thus she scammed her way into a qualification."

"Oh, I see." Sun Zikai's expression remained calm, yet he felt Runan's resentful gaze. He couldn't help but smile slightly and said, "I truly didn't expect things to develop to this point. You're right to blame me."

Runan straightened up, glared at Sun Zikai, and demanded, "Tell me the truth, did you or did you not..."

"I didn't. I merely cooperated with Cheng Xu, fought the Ghost-Horned Rhinoceros, and fled in defeat. I didn't do anything else."

Runan deflated, nodding as she said, "Fine, I believe you. But I am so resentful! My talent isn't good enough; if things had proceeded step-by-step, I would have broken through to the fifth tier of Qi Refining in the days leading up to the opening of the 'Qiling General Realm'. Now, with this whole affair, I racked my brains and fought hard for days, yet still failed to break through to the fifth tier."

"You're only twelve, a year younger than me, and you're already at the fourth tier of Qi Refining. That talent is more than high enough."

"What use is that? I can't get there. Just you wait—even the outer sect disciples, even if they only sniffed the immortal Qi outside the 'Qiling General Realm', will leave me ten miles behind when they return. I'll never be able to catch up to their figures, let alone compare to disciples from other sects."

Sun Zikai didn't know what comforting words to offer. Just then, Qu Hanrong walked over. Qu Hanrong was bursting with suppressed anger on behalf of the sect as well. Seeing Sun Zikai, he scolded him for a dozen sentences and even snapped, "Look at what kind of state you've dragged the sect into!"

Sun Zikai had no desire to argue. The evolution of the Ghost-Horned Rhinoceros was indeed likely tied to him, and he bore no resentment, willingly accepting the scolding until Qu Hanrong's words grew too harsh. With a sharp and incisive retort, Sun Zikai said, "I was wrong, Sect Leader Qu. I shouldn't have provoked the Ghost-Horned Rhinoceros, but I have done nothing to wrong you. Even without all this, your son wouldn't have been able to enter the 'Qiling General Realm'; he hasn't reached the fifth tier of Qi Refining."

This could be considered Qu Hanrong's ultimate taboo. He threw out his hands to lunge forward, a murderous aura erupting from his body. Runan was terrified, believing Qu Hanrong was going to seize the opportunity of Fu Zhe, Wu Lanmu, and the Sect Master's absence to murder Sun Zikai outright. Yet in the end, Qu Hanrong did not strike; he left with a dark, gloomy expression. Sun Zikai's expression remained consistently serene, brushing the matter aside.

Bidding farewell to Feng Yueyi, Sun Zikai leaped into Fu Zhe's courtyard and sat cross-legged in the pavilion to practice mind cultivation, meditating all the way until evening.

That night, just as he had lain down, the courtyard gate of his An-sheng Residence was pushed open. Qu Yuezhi walked in, reeking of alcohol, swaying step by step toward the house. Sun Zikai stepped out and bowed, saying, "Senior Brother Qu, it's so late..."

"Yo, Sun... Junior Brother Sun, it's... it's me," Qu Yuezhi said, his face flushed red with drunkenness. "I'm the good-for-nothing Qu Yuezhi."

"Senior Brother Qu, today I spoke without thinking. Tomorrow I will certainly visit Sect Leader Qu and you to apologize."

"Heh? Why bring that up? What did you say wrong? I simply don't have the qualifications to go there. What right do I have? I'll be eighteen next year, and I'm only at the third tier of Qi Refining. I tell people I did it on purpose—heh, do you believe that? I don't believe it myself, hahaha..." Qu Yuezhi's intoxication hit him hard. For so many years, he too had suppressed his feelings, his chest filled with grievances with nowhere to vent. Today, after being scolded and complained at once more by his father, he had finally snapped. Was he not hardworking? Truly, he was. Whatever others did, he would do; whatever others didn't do, he forced himself to do as well. He had thought of and tried every method he could think of to aid his cultivation, yet he simply remained stagnant. Talent—having it is wonderful, but lacking it is truly difficult.

"Senior Brother Qu, my mouth is foul, and I haven't read many books. Please don't take offense." Regret welled up in Sun Zikai's heart; he shouldn't have poked at Qu Hanrong's sore spot and implicated Qu Yuezhi into becoming like this. He did not look down upon those of dull aptitude, as no one should be defined as a good-for-nothing. "You're drunk. I'll take you back."

"No need..." Qu Yuezhi brushed away Sun Zikai's arm. "You were right. Look how amazing you are, huh? At the first tier of Qi Refining, you beat Ma Luhong—who's at the fifth tier—into crawling all over the ground. Look how amazing Feng Yueyi is—nine years old! I was fourteen when I reached the first tier of Qi Refining! Look how extraordinary Ma Kaiyu is—eleven years old at the fifth tier of Qi Refining! You are all prodigies, all geniuses! And me? I'm a good-for-nothing... hehehe." Qu Yuezhi laughed until tears filled his eyes. "Am I drunk?"

Sun Zikai replied, "You aren't drunk. You just want to use this bit of alcohol to speak your true feelings."

All the grievances of these years rushed to his lips. Acting half-crazy and half-foolish, Qu Yuezhi cursed and wept. He wasn't cursing Sun Zikai; he was cursing everyone who looked down on him and trampled upon his dignity.

Sun Zikai waited for a long time. When Qu Yuezhi had quieted down somewhat, he went back inside the house, carried out a table, set up stools, and placed wine and meat upon it. "Come on, let's drink together."

Qu Yuezhi was somewhat surprised. Harboring a trace of suspicion, he said with a sarcastic, mocking tone, "I wouldn't dare drink with you; don't ruin your place."

Yet Sun Zikai paid him no mind, sitting down to eat and drink. Before long, Qu Yuezhi also sat down, transitioning from silence to reaching out for a bowl, and then to exchanging toasts, all within the span of half an incense stick's burning.

Qu Yuezhi grew even drunker. He patted Sun Zikai's shoulder and said, "Brother, I know you all look down on me, and look down on my dad. Everyone knows the two of us have the fate of running dogs. My dad follows the two big horses, and I follow the two little horses right behind them, barking! Woof! Woof! Woof woof!"

Sun Zikai laughed, and Qu Yuezhi laughed as well. The two of them roared with laughter. When the wine ran out, Sun Zikai went inside to fetch more; when the meat ran out, he rummaged through the sundry items in the east room to find some beans and pickled vegetables. Whenever they drank too much, they would vomit, and after vomiting, they would continue drinking. Both men cast tomorrow out of their minds—tonight's night could simply not be allowed to pass.

It wasn't until the Hour of Yin (3:00 AM to 5:00 AM) that Sun Zikai finally felt drowsy in his drunken haze, while Qu Yuezhi had long since slumped over the table and fallen asleep. Shaking Qu Yuezhi awake, Sun Zikai said it was time. Qu Yuezhi's head throbbed terribly, but a huge weight seemed to have lifted from his heart, and his mood was much improved. Teasing aloud though harboring no lingering resentment in his heart, he said, "Fine, brother is going back to be my big good-for-nothing. See you tomorrow."

"No," Sun Zikai stopped him. "When I said it was time, I didn't mean for you to leave."

"Not leaving? Sleeping here then? That's fine too." Stumbling to his feet, he made to walk toward the house.

Sun Zikai hurriedly blocked him and said, "I didn't say we're sleeping. Come on, go fetch Runan."

"What?" Qu Yuezhi tilted his heavy head. "You brat, what wild thoughts are you having? Why are you thinking about the little girl? Are you going to go sleep with her?"

"No, I'm taking you two somewhere."

"Go... go where?"

"The Qiling General Realm."

"Hehehe," Qu Yuezhi chuckled, though without anger; he had already calmly accepted such jokes or insults.

To his surprise, Sun Zikai was dead serious. Grabbing Qu Yuezhi, he dashed toward Zhi Weici's courtyard. There were no stars or moon in the night sky, yet he saw his path clearly. By the time Qu Yuezhi actually stood before Zhi Weici's main gate, more than half of his drunkenness had been frightened out of him.

Believing Sun Zikai had gone mad with drink, Qu Yuezhi hastily tried to stop him and even slapped him twice. Yet Sun Zikai refused to listen to reason, leaping into the darkness. Qu Yuezhi immediately wanted to flee, but before he could run away, he saw that dark figure leap back out.

Qu Yuezhi breathed a sigh of relief, only for his heart to leap back into his throat the next second, because Sun Zikai was carrying Runan over his shoulder and had his hand clamped over her mouth. Runan was clad only in a single layer of undergarments, scared out of her wits. Sun Zikai urged in a flurry, "Let's go, let's go! While it's still dark—you know the way to the Qiling General Realm, right? Let's hurry and go, try to arrive before dawn."