428: Chapter 428 A New Beginning

"Third Brother Chen, don't you think you've vented your anger a bit too much?"

"After venting, you've become completely indifferent, like a monk. You don't even want that mansion anymore."

Third Brother Chen and Wu Dahai walked side by side toward the main road, carrying their luggage, as the familiar small town behind them grew further and further away.

"My entire family is gone. I have nothing left to linger for."

"The servants at home have been dismissed, and the ancestral residence has been sold off temporarily."

"The remaining money is enough for me to live in wealth for the rest of my life, so I plan to return to Southern Jambudvipa Continent to see if anyone in the main family is willing to take me in."

"If not, I'll give up on that idea. The remaining money will still be enough for me to live on."

Third Brother Chen looked back at the small town, his eyes filled with confusion.

Just last night, he had watched with his own eyes as the beast who killed his entire family was tortured until he wished he were dead.

He admitted that seeing the other's miserable state actually made him feel a faint twinge of pity.

But hatred had driven him, forcing him to watch until the very end.

Now that his great revenge was satisfied, he had instead fallen into a state of aimlessness.

Through the events of last night, he realized that he had been protected too well by his family. At his core, he was still too kind-hearted, even feeling sympathy for his enemies.

With such a personality, it was no wonder he had been kidnapped before. Now, without the support of hatred, even that ruthless streak was gone, and he had returned to being that ordinary, inexperienced young man.

A temperament like this was no longer suited for pursuing great wealth or high status; it would only bring extra trouble. Being an ordinary person with some spare money was fine.

It wasn't that he hadn't thought about pleading with Zhou Yan to see if he could stay by the Immortal's side as an attendant.

But Zhou Yan had refused him, saying it had nothing to do with his future path and that he was merely a passing traveler in his life.

In the future, he might experience many hardships or have smooth sailing, but regardless, it was not convenient for Zhou Yan to interfere further.

Because of this, he completely gave up on Eastern Purvavideha and sold the mansion while he was at it.

Fortunately, the County Magistrate was efficient and had sold the house early in the morning, exchanging it for a good amount of silver.

With this money, it was enough for him to leave this place and go see his true roots.

Turning his head back again, the confusion in his eyes had neither increased nor decreased.

"Perhaps you're right. For someone like me, becoming a monk doesn't seem like much, since I have no attachments left anyway."

Hearing this, Wu Dahai was also somewhat speechless.

"What's so good about being a monk? There's no freedom at all. You'd be better off being a bit thicker-skinned and kowtowing a few more times. Maybe Master's heart would soften and he'd give you some Immortal methods."

"Didn't you say you have some special Physique? If you practiced Immortal methods and became a minor Immortal in the future, wouldn't that be great? Isn't it better than being a monk?"

At this point, Third Brother Chen also looked at Wu Dahai.

He really hadn't expected this man to go to the Immortal in the middle of the night, manage to get a Cultivation Technique, and even be accepted as a Named Disciple.

Ghost knows what he actually did for the Immortal to choose him of all people.

"The Immortal said that while we have a connection, we lack the fate for a Master-disciple bond. Helping me this once has already repaid our karma, and he cannot teach me any more techniques."

"Even if I truly set my heart on Cultivating, I'd have to find a Sect myself, wouldn't I?"

"And of the two largest Sects in the world, one is in Eastern Purvavideha—that place of sorrow—and the other is far away in Western Aparagodaniya."

"I don't want to come to Eastern Purvavideha ever again. So in the end, doesn't it still mean becoming a monk?"

Wu Dahai saw that this kid was still jealous of him, so he patted his chest.

"Don't be jealous of me. Who can explain something like luck?"

"I'm already at this age and have lost my drive, yet I can still have such an Opportunity. You're so young, what's the rush?"

"Besides, you and I have a connection too, kid. I won't let you lose out."

"I'll escort you all the way to Southern Jambudvipa Continent; you just need to provide me with food and lodging."

"Coincidentally, I don't want to stay in Eastern Purvavideha anymore either. I want to see the world."

"My horizons were still too narrow. Otherwise, when Master asked me, I wouldn't have only been able to answer with 'Eastern Purvavideha'."

Speaking of this, Wu Dahai gave a mischievous grin.

"I can even teach you some of the Immortal methods Master taught me, so you'll have some power to protect yourself."

"After all, while the Immortal has no more fate with you, this old man still has some."

"In the future, if you call me 'Master', I'll take you as half a disciple."

"Go away! Teach me or don't. Call you Master? You only finished your Cultivation this morning. What level are you even at to take a disciple?"

Third Brother Chen was actually a bit tempted, but the thought of having to take this fellow as his teacher made him feel it would be better to find a Cultivation Technique himself.

But Wu Dahai, on the contrary, was very Divine Qi.

"You don't understand. Who is my Master? With just a casual pointer and a few Medicinal Pills, my cultivation level shot up!"

"Not to look too far ahead, but even for that beast who bullied your family—it would be an easy task for me to help you take revenge now."

After speaking, he thought for a moment and glanced cautiously behind him.

"It's just that I wouldn't do it as beautifully as Master did."

He then nodded and waved awkwardly toward the back. Although he didn't know if Zhou Yan could see him, Wu Dahai felt that he could.

"And you're talking about me? Didn't you say the Immortal took you as a Named Disciple? Why aren't you following by the Immortal's side?"

"You usually love taking small advantages. How come you're not greedy when there's such a huge advantage to be had?"

Hearing this, Wu Dahai felt like both crying and laughing.

"Sigh, how many times in one's life can one encounter an Immortal fate of this level?"

"I wanted to stay by Master's side, but to be honest, while our fate was slightly more than yours, it wasn't by much. So he taught me a few things and had me leave."

"Even if I shamelessly refused to go, Master would still leave."

"After all, he is a true divine figure. He certainly wouldn't linger for long. It's better to leave a good impression."

Wu Dahai's eyes were full of yearning.

Seeing this, Third Brother Chen also became interested and asked Wu Dahai.

"Enough about me. What are your plans for the future? Do you really want to go to Southern Jambudvipa Continent with me?"

Third Brother Chen had considered that the evil cultivator who killed his family had improved his cultivation significantly, clearly reaching the Core Formation Stage, making him a pillar within the ranks of Immortals.

Even if the other party had only made a Breakthrough shortly after seizing his family's property, he was not someone an ordinary cultivator could oppose.

But Wu Dahai could be so easily certain. Coupled with his trust in Zhou Yan, he now had reason to believe that Wu Dahai had become a Core Formation Stage Immortal overnight, perhaps even an outstanding one among them.

With his help, he would be safer. Along with the money, arriving at Southern Jambudvipa Continent should be no problem.

But he was still curious why someone would go running around everywhere instead of practicing their Cultivation Technique.

Even if it was for a favor, escorting him to the border of Eastern Purvavideha should have been enough; there was no need to go so far. He couldn't really want to travel the world, could he?

Third Brother Chen had actually guessed correctly; Wu Dahai did indeed have the intention of traveling the world.

It was because of his vast knowledge that he eventually had the fate to meet Zhou Yan.

Most of the reasons for his dealings with Immortals throughout his life came from his own learning and the insights gained from traveling the world.

Even if the process wasn't very dignified, he had not forgotten his roots.

When he was young, he was obsessed with cultivating to the point of forgetting everything else, but he had reclaimed those lost things over the years. Since he had reclaimed them, he couldn't let them go to waste; he had to continue developing them.

Wu Dahai looked at Third Brother Chen and said,

"However, you know, I might actually end up becoming a monk."

"Since you just said Western Aparagodaniya is the territory of the Buddhist Sect, I plan to go take a look, even though I haven't seen many monks in my life."

Third Brother Chen was shocked to hear this.

"And you were talking about me? Why are you thinking about becoming a monk yourself? No, are you really going? Haven't you already taken a Master?"

Third Brother Chen asked in quick succession, truly unable to understand why someone fortunate enough to receive guidance from an Immortal of that level would want to become a monk.

Wu Dahai waved his hand and said casually,

"Master looks like a Daoist on the outside and has national destiny protecting him like a Confucian scholar, but the method he actually taught me is from the Buddhist Sect."

"I suppose Master's learning is boundless, but my ability is limited."

"After I finish learning the Immortal methods Master passed down, I reckon I'll only be able to delve into these. So I might as well go there and see; maybe I can gain insights by analogy."

"By the way, what I said about teaching you some Immortal methods holds true. However, this Buddhist Sect stuff will make you lose your hair."

After speaking, Wu Dahai took out a handwritten manuscript from his robes, written in ancient script.

Seeing Wu Dahai's mischievous grin, Third Brother Chen also revealed a 'just as I thought' smile.

He knew this old fellow wouldn't give him anything good for no reason.

"Give it here."

Third Brother Chen snatched the book and flipped through it. On it, written in ancient script, were the words 'Immovable Wisdom King Sutra'.

"Hey, you kid, you haven't even formally acknowledged me as your teacher yet!"

"Acknowledge what teacher? I'm exchanging my hair for this technique. I'm already joining you in being a baldy, and you still want to be my Master and take advantage of me?"

Wu Dahai was about to retort a few more lines when Third Brother Chen suddenly asked a question, interrupting him.

"I just remembered, I seem to have forgotten to ask the Immortal's name. I only know the Immortal is called Daoist Yun Shu, which is probably just a Daoist title or a pseudonym, right?"

Wu Dahai suddenly perked up at this.

"You don't know? I do! Last night, I made sure to ask all about the lineage!"

"Then tell me quickly."

Third Brother Chen also perked up. He had originally wanted to repay the kindness.

But the Immortal wanted nothing; it was pure, selfless contribution, leaving him not knowing what to do.

Although he knew he might not have the chance to meet an Immortal again in the future, he should at least know the name of his benefactor.

"Want to know? Then go look for it in the book I'm writing. Read my book carefully, and you'll naturally find out."

"When the time comes, I'll travel the world once more, compile my experiences and sightings into a volume, and I'll surely become a rising star in the literary world."

Wu Dahai raised his hands high. If one ignored his aged appearance, he truly seemed full of youthful energy.

"Forget it. You're already advertising before the book is even out; it might not even amount to anything. And how are you becoming more and more like an old prankster, like some monkey?"

"You, Third Brother Chen! How can you be so insulting!"

"I told you not to call me Third Brother Chen! I have a name!"

"Then what exactly is your name?"

"My name is Chen Wei! Remember it, and don't call me Third Brother Chen ever again!"

"It sounds pretty average, not even as catchy as Third Brother Chen."

After Wu Dahai finished speaking, he also fell into deep thought.

"Speaking of which, if I plan to write books in the future, I should have a pen name or something."

"I have received the Immortal's grace and gained this good fortune. How about the pen name 'Cheng'en'? What do you think?"

"Forget it, a pen name might as well just be 'Dahai'; anyway, not many people will read it."

"Then you might as well be called Third Brother Chen; anyway, not many people will remember it!"

"By the way, if the Chen family doesn't want me, I'll be merciful and go to Western Aparagodaniya with you."

"Go away! Just because others don't want you doesn't mean I do!"

"Then do you have the money to go?"

"..."

"Hahaha..."

The two of them joked and played like this, looking like father and son, yet acting like brothers, as they walked toward the horizon against the sunrise.

However, Zhou Yan, whose Divine Sense was still watching them, suddenly spat out the tea he was drinking.

"Pfft!"

"What on earth?"

[End of Journey Arc]