Be Gentle, Immortal Master

Chapter 154 – Start Afresh

"I haven't been back there for over five years," I said hesitantly. "The village might've changed a lot already … I'm not sure if I'll be of much help."

Xie Lun didn't seem to mind. "My task is to investigate a spiritual power fluctuation in that area," he explained. "It'd be helpful to know the layout of the village and its feng shui, such as where the cemeteries are, where the rivers run from and to … Those things shouldn't change much over a short time."

I opened my mouth, trying to find more excuses—honestly, I wanted to turn him down just because I felt too listless to do anything these days, let alone go on a trip—but I knew that wasn't the right choice. Aside from the fact that he needed my help, I had already loafed the past week or two away, and it was time to remember that I still had a life to live. So I managed to make myself nod after another brief hesitation. "I think I should be able to do that much," I said. "I'll try the best I can."

Xie Lun gave me a relieved smile. "I really appreciate it. I'll meet you here tomorrow at sunrise then, and please bring all your regular supplies just in case—" his eyes landed on the new twin swords on my belt, "—did you switch weapons recently?"

I wasn't sure why I even bothered to put those swords on. I hadn't practiced for days, though I suppose it had become a habit for me to keep a pair around my waist. Sometimes habits could be too hard to break, I thought a bit bitterly. "I did," I replied. "Twin Stars has been locked away. These will be my regular swords from now on."

Xie Lun nodded thoughtfully. "That's probably the best for you. None of the stories I've heard about demonic swords ended well. It was considerate of your master to take them back."

Those words alarmed me a little. Xie Lun didn't know that it was my idea to stop using Twin Stars, of course, but his casual comment made me wonder what Bai Ye would've done if I hadn't asked to lock the swords away. Would he let me keep using them while he was gone, or would he take them back anyway in fear of my power growing too strong? Was that why he made me promise that I wouldn't keep practicing the bonding technique?

I suddenly remembered what Xie Lun said to me last time at Jade Temple. He was right after all … Even he could tell that it wasn't right for Bai Ye to give me Twin Stars, yet I had trusted Bai Ye too much to suspect anything all this time.

"I won't keep bothering you then," Xie Lun said, seeing my silence. "I hope you'll get some good rest before we leave. You look like you might fall off a flying sword any time … Try not to let that happen."

I smiled and said my thanks. All the hurt and betrayal aside, at least I still had friends that cared about how I felt. Maybe Xie Lun was right, and this was indeed an opportunity to help me forget all the unpleasantness in this hall and start afresh.

~ ~

It turned out that I was able to sleep much better that night than the whole week before. I couldn't say I woke up carefree and spirited, but at least my feet dragged a little less, and I managed not to fall off my flying sword on our way to Clear Spring Village.

The village hadn't changed noticeably after five years. Some of the houses had been refurbished, but the farms and market stalls were still where they used to be, and the roads and bridges were still filled with people just like the day I left. Even the smell in the air was the same, smoke mixed with steamed breakfast. As Xie Lun and I passed through the crowds, people's chatters and laughter drifted into our ears, reminding me of my childhood neighborhood where all the families would get together like this after meals, exchanging gossips and random household babbles.

"Can you understand them?" Xie Lun asked as he glimpsed blankly at the villagers we passed by.

I was confused by his question at first, until I realized he was referring to the dialect. "Of course," I said, surprised to find a genuine smile curling my lips. "Dialects in this part of the country can be frustrating for travelers … but I was born and raised here. I spoke it at home with my parents."

"I hadn't expected to need a translator on this trip," Xie Lun chuckled. "Now I feel wise to have invited you."

"Most people know how to speak the common tongue, so I doubt that's something you need to worry about." I glanced around us. "We're currently walking around the center of the village. This is where most of the foot traffic is and where markets are held every weekend. What kind of spiritual power fluctuation are you looking for?"

Xie Lun considered for a moment. "It would help to see the areas where people gather and linger for some time … A breakfast place will do the job. Are you hungry?"

His suggestion caught me off guard. What kind of investigation on spiritual power fluctuation required watching people? And at a breakfast stall out of all places? "I … don't really have an appetite," I said. "It's not market day today, but if you want to look for crowds, we can try the temples, or—"

"We can try that next then," Xie Lun said approvingly. "Different crowds will bring different discoveries. But for now, let's start with a breakfast stall. Was there anywhere you liked when you lived here before?"

I blinked. Maybe he was just finding an excuse to eat because he was hungry himself. "I do remember a few decent places," I said. "Not sure if the taste suits your palate … but they get busy for sure.. I'll show you."