Chapter 627 - 510: But This Great Path... Does Not Lead to Me
Chapter 627: Chapter 510: But This Great Path... Does Not Lead to Me
"Yes." Liu Shui’s mother smiled and gave a gentle nod. "I know."
"But, Shui’Er," her mother said gently, taking her daughter’s small hand and patting the back of it. "If you decide to go to the Seeking Immortal Temple, then just go with those two Fairies. You don’t need to worry about anything else."
"But Mother, if I leave, what will you do? Who will take care of you?" Liu Shui pursed her thin lips, her gaze full of reluctance as she looked at her mother, her eyes filled with deep concern.
"Silly child," her mother smiled, her gaze full of love. "Children can’t stay by their parents’ side forever. For you to become an Immortal on the mountain... that’s a wonderful thing. It will bring such honor to our ancestors."
"Besides, Shui’Er," her mother’s voice softened, tinged with a hint of emotion, "I may only be a mortal, but I understand that in this world, the lives of common people like us are as fragile as ants on the ground."
"Once you set foot on the path of cultivation, the higher your Cultivation, the less likely you’ll be bullied. Only then can I truly be at ease."
"Mother..." Liu Shui’s eyes shimmered, tears clinging to the corners, threatening to spill over at any moment.
"There, there. You’re a big girl now. This isn’t a final farewell, so why are you crying?"
Her mother reached out to wipe away the tears, her movements gentle and practiced.
"In any case, if you want to go, then go. You mustn’t let me hold you back. If you do, I’ll never be at peace for the rest of my life."
Liu Shui pleaded, "Mother, please, just come with me..."
"No, no. I won’t go and be a burden to you. After you leave, I’ll move in with your Second Uncle. I’ll be quite content. You don’t need to worry about me. Just take good care of yourself, alright?"
"..." Holding back tears, Liu Shui nodded without a word.
"Good. It’s settled, then."
Her mother smiled and gently pulled her daughter into an embrace, a soft sigh escaping with her words.
"My silly girl, remember this: once you’ve made a decision, never regret it. I... I believe in you. Whatever you do in the future will be the right thing..."
...
「The Chou Hour.」
A deep night fell like a heavy curtain, blanketing the mountains and the village.
In the night sky above, a tapestry of stars, like fine grains of sand, blanketed the celestial vault, their light twinkling, cold and distant.
On two bluestone rocks outside the village of the Liu clan, Daoist Yun Xi and her disciple sat meditating with their eyes closed. Their breathing was even, and they exuded an aura of tranquility and a dense Daoist charm.
The calico cat, named Lihua, was also curled up peacefully at Gui Junmeng’s feet. It purred softly, its belly rising and falling with each breath.
As if it sensed something, the calico cat suddenly lifted its head and glanced toward the village entrance. It then let out a soft MEW, reached out a furry paw, and gently tapped its new master’s knee.
Gui Junmeng slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze pierced the darkness, and she saw Liu Shui walking out from the village, her silhouette stretched long and thin in the moonlight.
Just then, Daoist Yun Xi also opened her eyes and looked toward Liu Shui.
She knew this young woman named Liu Shui had made her decision.
"Have you made up your mind? Are you coming with us?"
Daoist Yun Xi gazed at the young woman with a smile, her words as soft as the evening breeze.
"Daoist, I have." Liu Shui bowed, her eyes fixed on Yun Xi with utter resolve. Her voice was quiet but clear. "I am willing to follow you up the mountain to practice cultivation. From now on, I will be in your care."
"Cultivation is a personal matter; it is no trouble at all." Daoist Yun Xi said in a placid tone as she handed Liu Shui a token symbolizing her new status as an Inner Sect Disciple of the Seeking Immortal Temple. "Once we reach the Seeking Immortal Temple, someone will be assigned to teach you Daoist Skills. From this day forward, you are a disciple of our temple."
"Thank you, Daoist." Liu Shui accepted the token with both hands and cradled it in her palms. A hesitant look flickered in her eyes, as if there was something else she wanted to say.
"If you have something more to say, please speak freely." Daoist Yun Xi, seeing her hesitation, spoke gently. "For us cultivators, it’s important to have our thoughts clear and unhindered. There is no need to keep things hidden."
"Daoist, my mother is getting on in years," Liu Shui said, biting her lip. "May I first take her to my Second Uncle’s home before I leave with you?"
"Of course," Daoist Yun Xi agreed readily. "We can escort your mother there together, after which you can ascend the mountain with me. Is there anything else?"
"There is..."
Liu Shui gently pressed her lips together and lowered her head, as if mustering her last ounce of courage.
"I want... to say goodbye to someone..."
...
In the bamboo courtyard, Xiao Mo remained as still as a statue, quietly contemplating the matter between Jing Ci and Gui Junmeng.
A faint rustle from the bamboo grove, however, made him slowly lift his head.
Beneath the moonlight, a woman stood gracefully outside the courtyard gate, her hands clasped gently before her.
"Sister Liu Shui..."
Seeing who it was, Xiao Mo stood and walked over to greet her.
’Matters of the heart certainly can’t be forced,’ Xiao Mo thought. He still felt he hadn’t been wrong in what he’d said earlier that evening.
’But regardless, Sister Liu Shui is still my friend.’
’Seeing her looking so downcast, I can’t help but feel a little guilty.’
"Young Master... are you free right now? Could... could you take a walk with me?"
Liu Shui gazed at Xiao Mo, her hands unconsciously twisting the fabric of her sleeves. Her shimmering eyes were filled with the trepidation of being refused.
"Of course," Xiao Mo nodded, turning to the side with a welcoming gesture.
Xiao Mo and Liu Shui walked side-by-side through the bamboo grove.
Moonlight, like liquid silver, spilled from the night sky, bathing the entire bamboo grove in a cool, tranquil glow.
As they walked over the thick carpet of bamboo leaves, their footsteps made a soft RUSTLE RUSTLE. The sound drifted through the silent grove, lingering long after.
"Sister Liu Shui, about this afternoon..." Xiao Mo began, slowly choosing his words. He wanted to explain, to say something that might make her feel better.
But before he could finish, Liu Shui gently cut him off. "I know... I understand what you meant, Young Master. You don’t need to apologize. Matters of the heart can’t be forced."
When she finished speaking, she lifted her head and offered a small smile. It was a smile of acceptance, yet it concealed an imperceptible trace of sorrow. "Young Master, I’m going to the Seeking Immortal Temple."
"The Seeking Immortal Temple?" Xiao Mo paused, turning to look at the woman beside him.
"Yes," Liu Shui nodded, explaining softly. "A Daoist named Yun Xi found me. She said I have a talent for practicing Daoist Skills and invited me to cultivate at the Seeking Immortal Temple. I’ve already accepted her offer. I came here tonight to say goodbye to you, Young Master."
’I don’t know much about Daoist Yun Xi, but her mastery of Daoist Skills is undeniably profound.’
Xiao Mo considered this for a moment, then spoke, his words conveying genuine happiness for her.
"For you to be able to join the Seeking Immortal Temple, Sister Liu Shui... I’m sure you will have great accomplishments in the future. You’ll definitely find your own path, your own Dao."
"Find my own Dao?"
Liu Shui smiled softly. Her gaze rested quietly on the man before her, her eyes holding a profound emotion he couldn’t begin to decipher.
"Actually, I’ve already found my Dao."
Her voice was whisper-soft, as if she were afraid of disturbing the moonlight deep within the grove.
"It’s just that... this path doesn’t lead toward me."
"But even so," Liu Shui clutched her sleeves tightly, each word seeming to drain the last of her courage, "I will do everything in my power to catch up to him..."