The Urban Dao Child

While Yang Dao and Ryu Jinshi were treated with courtesy, the two Spirit kings were busy writing down their comprehension about life and death separately. The matter was lengthy and it will take a long time for them to be completely able to put it all down in words. The dao child was in a hurry.

He sat on a simple wooden chair and looked around at the hall decor. he nodded and found that the place was relatively simple. It had a few balls hanging on the ceiling, flooding the hall with hazy light. He sensed the place with his earth and wind perception.

He found the way to where the Dao records were placed, but the people had cast locks and traps on the path. With a sigh, he gave up the eagerness. Ryu Jinshi smiled as he stood behind him and said, “Master, calm your heart and meditate. You will find the answer you are searching for.”

Yang Dao cast a glance at his side and the burly man nodded to him in assurance.. Following the advice, the boy closed his eyes and leaned back in the chair to meditate. Now, he could easily enter the state of deep meditation within a few minutes.

Ryu Jinshi was monitoring his state and when Yang Dao entered deep meditation. The dragon spirit turned his head to the serving spirit council elders, and his expression was not a pleasant one. He isolated Yang Dao with three barriers and unleashed his aura.

He yelled, “I give you the knowledge of life and death. In the name of dicks and balls, you mofos stop embarrassing me all the time. The last time the emissary of heavens came here, your predecessors did the same. You embarrassing beings. You shall suffer my wrath.”

His voice shook the void, and the skies changed from clear to cloudy in an instant. The elders were shocked. They were all aware that the god of the wind was an iron-blooded beast who was only gentle in front of the young emissary. The six of them shivered and knelt as they repeatedly begged for mercy.

The two Spirit Kings also came to the scene. They had been working extra hard and fast yet it will take them one more day to record it all on paper. They came here because of the disturbance in the main hall. Ryu Jinshi said, “You old relics can write whatever, but I am taking my master to read the records. Any questions?”

His aura left them no room to question. Their heads shook like rattles, and the next moment things returned to normal as if nothing happened at all. The elders were still shivering. Ryu Jinshi smiled and said, “Get a grip, I was kidding with you all.”

The next moment he spoke in a deeper voice, “But I am taking the master to read.”

The elders nodded and stood at the sides. Ryu Jinshi sent the spirit kings back to separate rooms to continue writing as they were asked by Yang Dao. Well, they lost the opportunity to fawn over the emissary, but they could still impress him by their studies.

The scene returned to normal on the surface. Ryu Jinshi had no problem dominating these people. His spirit incarnation has always been joked upon among the heavenly spirits for such an embarrassing reception of the Dao Child in the realm he rules in.

He has had enough. Yang Dao was still immersed in his meditation. Ryu Jinshi said, “Spread the word among the people. If the emissary is neglected in any manner.” he squinted his eyes and raised his hand. Then he clenched his fist all of a sudden. A rumble of thunder was heard outside the Spirit Citadel making the building shake.

The elders nodded and sent out magical letters in all directions. After an hour, Yang Dao opened his eyes and asked, “The spirit kings will take a little longer, I guess.”

Ryu Jinshi said, “Master, I shall take you to the records. I know the way around.” his voice was calm.

Yang Dao glanced at the elders and saw them all nodding. He sighed and said, “Okay, let’s go.”

Ryu Jinshi made a please gesture and followed Yang Dao behind a step. His spirit incarnation has been here and these traps the elders had set up were some things he saw through with just one glance. His hand moved and a wave of source energy diffused the traps. He spoke with the elders in the spirit hall, “Remove the spells, no one can access the heavenly records unless they are the emissary of heavens.”

His voice echoed directly inside their brains and it was like a streak of lightning inside their minds. Since they had been commanded, they must work. Ryu Jinshi took Yang Dao to watch the records of life first, so the elders of the death faction undid the traps and locks around the records of death.

Yang Dao stood in front of a book that looked no more than a few pages as if floating in the void. What made him wonder was the aura he sensed from the book. The book of life was written on the cover with wonderful calligraphy. Despite all this, the aura was depressing. He did not question Ryu Jinshi as it was up to him only to discern the truth of the book. ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀ​ꪶ​

He placed a hand on the book and a chill ran down his spine. Controlling the chill, he turned over the cover and the scene suddenly changed.

…

Yang Dao sensed himself being sucked inside a portal. His body twisted and churned like someone wringing out a wet cloth. When he got his senses back again, he wished to puke, but nothing happened. After a few seconds, he heard an ethereal voice, “So, another one has arrived to seek the mysteries?”

Suppressing his nausea, Yang Dao stood up and looked around vigilantly. He willed to channel the source energy inside his body but found that he did not have a shred of source energy inside himself. Here was a place of darkness. He could not manipulate the elements, but darkness was unmoved by his effort as well.

He asked calmly, “Who is it?”

The ethereal voice said, “Death.” the eery feeling was strong.

Yang Dao stayed silent for a few minutes and then suddenly he said, “You are the truth of life, Death.”

His voice was like a ray of light, shredding the darkness. The ethereal voice said, “You are the first one to realize it this soon.” the darkness receded, and the next moment a figure wearing a black gown appeared in front of him.

Yang Dao saw a woman looking serene in front of him. He asked, “You are the spirit of the book.”

The woman in the white dress nodded. She had long black hair, a plain white gown, black eyes, fair skin, and an oval oriental face. She said, “Vita, has seen the Dao child.” as she bowed down.

Yang Dao asked, “Why do you bow to me?”

The spirit named Vita said, “The Dao child is the existence that rules above all the laws. Since you have realized my identity in the first trial, you are now my master.”

Yang Dao was surprised and asked, “I have not learned the secrets of the laws. How can I be your master? Also, you cannot leave this book and this book stays in this realm. Tell me, what do you mean?”

He was correct in his deduction. The spirit in front of him smiled and then chuckled. Her whole body changed into a mass of black fog. In her place, a man appeared. This man wore a black cloak and only his gleaming eyes were visible under the hood. The reason why Yang Dao could tell the figure was a male, was because the voice changed.

The change was obscure, but the Dao child stayed calm. The man stopped laughing and said, “You are among those rare ones who saw through my disguise. You have passed the second round of the trial of life and death. Shall we move forward?”

Yang Dao asked, “What is your name, and what is this trial?”

The man in front of him replied, “I am Mortem. This trial is for you to gain the eligibility to look at the laws and the records. Life and Death cannot be handed to just anyone. The result will be destruction.”

Yang Dao nodded and asked, “Why do I not see the spirit of life participating in this trial?”

Mortem replied, “I am the stronger one. Why shall she be allowed to take command?”

This reply did not fit well with the Dao child, and he decided to tame this. spirit of death first and then have him acknowledge his weakness. Turned out the people were normal, but the laws of this world themselves were imbalanced. Yang Dao said, “You are an ant.”