Chapter Forty-Four: Candid Words

The next morning, after a day of cultivation, Li Yang walked along the bustling streets. On both sides, vendors and shopkeepers hawked their wares, their voices echoing through the lively marketplace. Though the town was small, in these chaotic times, such vibrant and thriving places were truly rare.

As he reached the end of the street, he spotted Uncle Nine and his disciples, their faces clouded with anxiety, hurrying toward the mortuary. Glancing in their direction, Li Yang’s expression turned contemplative.

“Uncle Nine, good morning! Where are you all off to in such a hurry?” Stepping forward, Li Yang nodded in greeting and feigned curiosity.

“Li, my young friend, what a coincidence. If you have a moment, I’d like to invite you to the mortuary,” Uncle Nine replied, forcing a strained smile as he extended the invitation.

“Since Uncle Nine has asked, how could I refuse?” Li Yang agreed, his heart already guessing at the situation, and the invitation suited him perfectly.

“Last night’s events—thanks to your timely arrival, disaster was avoided. Had I been more negligent, it might have led to a terrible calamity. Lin Jiu is grateful and offers you his thanks,” Uncle Nine said, pressing his fists together in a gesture of respect as soon as they entered the mortuary.

“You’re too kind, Uncle Nine. We are all people of cultivation; when confronted by evil creatures, it is our duty to stand forth and rid the world of demons, restoring clear skies to the earth,” Li Yang replied with righteous fortitude, steadying Uncle Nine with a hand.

“Your virtue is admirable, and I am deeply ashamed. Yet there is one thing I do not understand. The zombie was clearly trapped by my ink line, so how did it escape? In my humble opinion, though the creature showed promise, it was only newly awakened—at most an ordinary black corpse. To say it could break free of the Maoshan ink net, a secret technique, is something I simply cannot believe,” Uncle Nine mused, eyes narrowed in thought.

“Did you tamper with the place where the zombie escaped, Uncle Nine? If you don’t mind, could you show me? Perhaps I might discover something you missed,” Li Yang suggested, seizing upon Uncle Nine’s hesitation.

“Yes, this morning we found the coffin in the corpse room broken apart and Old Master Ren’s body missing. My disciples and I rushed to the Ren residence and didn’t touch the coffin,” Uncle Nine replied, his expression shifting as he led Li Yang to the mortuary’s side room.

“Uncle Nine, I think I know how the zombie managed to escape. Look here,” Li Yang said, as he turned over the shattered coffin’s pieces, uncovering a section of wood at the base.

“These... those two wretches!” Uncle Nine’s face changed dramatically when he saw the wood at the coffin’s base completely free of any ink marks. He gritted his teeth and cursed in anger.

“I am ashamed—my disciples nearly ruined everything!” His face flushed and pale in turns, Uncle Nine struggled to suppress his agitation before finally speaking in a tone of shame.

“Uncle Nine, your skills are profound and your inheritance true to Maoshan tradition. But I confess I have a few words I am unsure I should speak,” Li Yang began, hesitating as he watched Uncle Nine’s expression. After some time, he continued.

“Speak freely, young friend. These past years, our daily conversations have been pleasant and congenial—surely there is nothing you cannot say,” Uncle Nine responded without pretense.

“If you say so, Uncle Nine, forgive me if I overstep. If my words offend, I hope you won’t take them to heart,” Li Yang said, pressing his fists together solemnly.

“Your two disciples are truly not cut out for cultivation. One is dull-witted and lacks ambition, the other is frivolous and lustful, thinking himself clever yet possessing no true wisdom. Each day they avoid learning and squander their opportunities. With such prospects, they cannot walk the path of cultivation. You, with your profound skills, know well that the road is not easily traveled; throughout history, those who succeed are rare. Now, as the world changes, cultivation has grown even harder. As the saying goes: ‘To follow the norm is human, to go against it is immortal, all hinges on the turning point in between.’

“If you allow yourself to be held back by them, you may lose your own path and end up with nothing. Given their aptitude and temperament, they are destined to fail; without your protection, even a hundred lives would not suffice. Why suffer this burden? With your abilities, your lifespan will outlast theirs, but the path is perilous, and if one cannot achieve, it is better to live as an ordinary person, free and at ease.”

Li Yang watched Uncle Nine’s face, which alternated between pale and flushed. He sighed and continued, “I have said all that should and should not be said. I have always respected your character, Uncle Nine, and if my words have overstepped, I hope you won’t mind. I take my leave.”

Li Yang pressed his hands together and departed, leaving Uncle Nine standing motionless with a face as dark as water.

He knew that if Uncle Nine could not accept his words, their friendship might end here. Yet Li Yang felt no regret. Sometimes, it is the hardest truths that must be spoken. He admired Uncle Nine and did not wish to see him held back by his disciples; if Uncle Nine could not see reason, then fate would have its way. As the saying goes: ‘Heaven moves ever onward; the noble man strives unceasingly. Heaven helps those who help themselves.’

...

“What’s wrong? You look troubled,” Madame He called out from the villa’s courtyard, where she sat embroidering. Seeing Li Yang’s somber expression, she smiled and asked.

“...Madame, do you think I did the right thing?” Li Yang looked up at her gentle smile, feeling his worries melt away. He approached and sat beside Madame He, recounting what had happened at the mortuary.

“In this world, there is rarely any absolute right or wrong. As long as your conscience is clear, you have done well. If you respect someone and wish to help them, your intentions are good. How they respond is their own matter,” Madame He set aside her needlework and gently embraced Li Yang, comforting him.

“You’re right—do your best and leave the rest to fate.” Lying against Madame He’s broad, soft bosom, Li Yang felt his gloom dissipate, a warm current rising within him. Unable to resist, he nestled closer.

“Naughty... I see you’re getting bolder these days,” Madame He’s cheeks flushed as she felt the restless head in her arms. She gave Li Yang a light slap, pulling him away from her embrace, her large, sparkling eyes full of bashful indignation.

Li Yang looked up at her rosy cheeks and delicate lips, and even with his self-control, he nearly pounced upon her. But with a glance at the sun high in the sky, he hung his head in defeat.

He knew that, no matter how much he wished, Madame He’s traditional values would surely make her push him away.