Chapter 6: The Supreme Purity Sect |
"Go to Kuangai County to find you?" This thought only lingered in Niu You Dao's mind for a moment, for he already felt nothing but coldness towards them. He had no sympathy for the government troops.
With chattering teeth, seeing that they had truly left, Niu You Dao finally struggled to climb onto the raft.
However, it had been better in the water. As soon as he climbed out, an icy wind immediately blew.
He was frozen and hungry. He truly considered jumping back into the water, as it was indeed warmer there. But he knew that if he jumped back into the water, he would be like a frog boiling in warm water—unaware as he completely froze. (Editor's Note: The Russian original had an explanation for this idiom, which has been removed as per instructions.)
Niu You Dao wanted to light a fire and dry himself by it. But he noticed that the kindling was soaked. There was nothing to be done.
He spotted some roasted fish lying on the raft and lunged for it. He grabbed it with his numb fingers and began to devour it ravenously. He needed to replenish his energy somehow. However, Niu You Dao still felt an intense cold. He looked around, searching for signs of human presence. Perhaps a wisp of smoke rising into the sky somewhere. But there was nothing.
Exhaustion and cold made him want to sleep. Yet, Niu You Dao clearly understood that he could not sleep. For if he fell asleep, he would never wake up.
Niu You Dao thought of paddling to the shore. But he was already so frozen that he had lost control of his body, so he might simply drown. And so, he imperceptibly sank into thought.
Suddenly, it abruptly felt as though he were in a dream, and there, he leaned his back against a hot stove. And he awoke once more.
All the cold on his body began to dissipate. The hot current of air from his back spread through all his limbs, expelling all the cold.
Now, he felt not frost, but heat.
Regarding this miracle, he was a little surprised, but then he remembered that Dong Guo Hao Ran's Doctrine-Transmitting Amulets had been imprinted into his back, into his acupuncture points. This miracle made him yearn even more to see the Supreme Purity Sect and seek help in his quest for immortality.
The heat was difficult to bear. He thought of using breathing to guide this hot current of qi, but his body lacked the foundation to control true qi within. He could not manage it.
He didn't even know if his body was suitable for cultivation or not. Not all people can cultivate; not everyone possesses a body capable of refining qi. In fact, most people cannot cultivate. The reason for this is the varied physical constitutions of individuals. And to temper one's body with qi, one needs good internal meridians. And each person's internal meridians are different. Even the main internal meridians differ. It's like how tree branches grow differently, forming trees that are relatively similar in shape. But you'll never find two absolutely identical trees. Similarly, people's internal meridians are structured differently, which dictates their varying aptitudes for cultivation. Some people even have their heart on the other side of their chest.
However, it cannot be said that those with weak cultivation bodies cannot cultivate. They can try to cultivate relatively simpler methods, like breathing exercises to prolong their lifespan. But much more complex methods would be harder for them to cultivate.
In the end, unable to suppress this hot current, Niu You Dao inhaled cold water through his nose, which cooled the hot current. And through his nose, he exhaled steam. But his body continued to burn and even turned red.
While tidying the raft, Niu You Dao noticed a girl's arrow, on which was a small plaque. It was dark crimson. On one side, it had a phoenix drawn on it, and on the other, the character '男' (man), in Xiaozhuan script.
“Xiaozhuan....” Looking at the plaque, Niu You Dao murmured softly. A gleam appeared in his eyes.
These people use Xiaozhuan? Due to his profession, he was well acquainted with this script and could easily read it. (Editor's Note: The Russian original had an explanation, which has been removed as per instructions.)
"It turns out, in this world they speak Putonghua and write in Xiaozhuan?" What kind of world had he stumbled into? Or what part of the world was currently in chaos? He couldn't answer that question yet.
Already, mountainous terrain had appeared, and the river became winding, its current speeding up. As a result, the raft was pushed and tossed in all directions. The rocking brought Niu You Dao back to his senses, and he immediately reached for his fishing tool. After all, he had a long journey ahead, and this tool would likely still be useful. Along with the strong current, a cold wind blew from all directions, constantly lifting the hem of Niu You Dao's clothes and chilling his body. Niu You Dao took a bamboo pole and confidently steered the raft. His face held an expression of calm and composure. After all, he had extensive experience.
After navigating dangerous spots and bends, the river's current once again became calm and quiet. Niu You Dao was terribly tired; he grabbed the remaining fish and began to eat. A bright full moon had already appeared over the mountain river, and he continued to drift on and on. From both banks, the cries and roars of beasts periodically echoed...
The morning sun rose on the horizon.
The hot qi in Niu You Dao's body had cooled by then, and he once again felt cold. He found a spot on the bank and moored to it. Wandering along the shore, Niu You Dao found dry tree kindling. Rubbing a stick against the wood, he made fire, and after lighting the bonfire, he lay down there to sleep.
And when he woke up, he once again set off.
In this harsh winter, the sun by day and the moon by night illuminated his path.
And so, with a wooden oar, rowing through adversity and hardship, Niu You Dao battled the ferocity of nature.
After several days, the river water quieted. However, the current's speed became extremely fast. Niu You Dao realized that there was a waterfall ahead. Indeed, it wasn't long before the sound of a waterfall could be heard in the distance. Just as Dong Guo Hao Ran had said.
Surveying his surroundings, he saw beautiful mountainous and forested terrain. This must truly be it. Niu You Dao immediately started paddling with all his might towards the bank. And as soon as he reached the shore, he immediately dragged Dong Guo Hao Ran's body off. His raft drifted further, then plunged over the cliff and disappeared.
Taking a long knife from his belt, he cut vines and brushwood. With these, he fashioned a makeshift stretcher and placed Dong Guo Hao Ran on it. Then, he took a vine, slung a loop over his shoulders, and tied it to the stretcher. This was how he intended to carry him.
It was difficult to carry Dong Guo Hao Ran, but Niu You Dao persevered, overcoming the difficulties. However, as soon as he ascended a steep cliff, it became impossible to carry Dong Guo Hao Ran on the stretcher any further. Dropping the stretcher, Niu You Dao leaned against a large tree. He was utterly exhausted and could go no further. He took a bamboo pole and, raising it to his mouth, shouted loudly:
“Are the people of the Supreme Purity Sect here?”
After shouting several times and seeing no reaction, Niu You Dao was about to rest. And just as he was about to rest, he suddenly heard a hissing sound. Niu You Dao felt a burning pain on his forehead. He immediately stood up, drew his sword, and looked around.
“Thwack!”
A burning pain once again flared on his forehead. Niu You Dao raised his head and looked up. A young man had appeared there, though it was unknown when. He stood atop a tree and, looking down from above, asked proudly:
“You, boy, where did you come from? And why are you shouting?”
Niu You Dao's eyes sparkled. He asked joyfully:
“Is this the Supreme Purity Sect?”
The young man asked:
“How do you know about the Supreme Purity Sect?”
As soon as Niu You Dao heard that he had come to the right place, he cast aside his knife, quickly ran to the stretcher, and began to uncover Dong Guo Hao Ran. Pointing to his face, he said:
“Do you know him? Dong Guo Hao Ran told me to find you all.”
As soon as the young man looked, he immediately paled and instantly descended. After confirming that it was indeed Dong Guo Hao Ran, he shot a whistling arrow into the sky. Then, a bright light spread across the sky, as if a fireball had exploded.
Not long after, more than ten people arrived, running through the treetops, then descending. Niu You Dao's eyes widened. How skilled they all were in their abilities.
All who arrived recognized Dong Guo Hao Ran, and the last of them said:
“Report to the sect quickly!”
Immediately, one person disappeared into the forest. The others began to intently scrutinize Niu You Dao. They looked at him fiercely, like tigers, but no one asked any questions.
Not long after, sounds of "whoosh-swish-swoosh" echoed. More people were descending from the sky. Luo Yuan Gong, Su Po, Tang Su Su, Tang Yi, and Wei Duo also arrived. Several dozen people had arrived. The entire Supreme Purity Sect had arrived here in full force.
After everyone recognized Dong Guo Hao Ran, they began to examine Niu You Dao.
Niu You Dao, in turn, also looked at everyone, and his gaze lingered on Tang Yi. This girl was incredibly beautiful, like a heavenly immortal. But for him, she was, for now, merely a beauty, and he continued to observe the others. Judging by their reactions, Dong Guo Hao Ran's position in the sect was not low.
After Luo Yuan Gong examined Dong Guo Hao Ran's body, he asked Niu You Dao:
“Young man, did you bring him?”
Niu You Dao nodded:
“Yes.”
Luo Yuan Gong nodded:
“Thank you for your trouble. Can you tell us everything in more detail?”
“I am from a village near a ruined monastery, 300 li from here. When marauding soldiers attacked our village, I hid in the monastery.”
Niu You Dao gave a general account of what had happened. However, he kept silent about the Bronze Mirror. Dong Guo Hao Ran had warned him to speak of the mirror only to Tang Mu.
But when he mentioned that Dong Guo Hao Ran had taken him as a disciple, many disciples of the Supreme Purity Sect changed their expressions. And Tang Su Su, as if a cat whose tail had been stepped on, began to curse:
“How can you—a country bumpkin—be Dong Guo Hao Ran’s disciple? May I be struck down if I don't punish you for this nonsense!”
She not only cursed but truly unleashed a palm strike. A powerful, ferocious qi surged towards Niu You Dao.
“Junior Sister!” Luo Yuan Gong and Su Po cried out, but they were already too late to stop her. They hadn't expected Tang Su Su to suddenly attack.
Someone vaguely understood Tang Su Su's intention. Tang Mu had already died, and the position of sect head had passed to Dong Guo Hao Ran!
Niu You Dao was shaken. He, too, could see how immense Tang Su Su's internal strength was. He had also practiced internal strength a little and clearly understood what monstrous power was hidden in that palm. Tang Su Su's palm had not yet reached him, but he could already barely breathe.
Now the palm approached him. Not just now, when he was exhausted and weak, but even when he was at his full strength, he still would not have been able to evade this blow. Cursing everything to himself, he had not imagined that after enduring such a difficult, thorny, and arduous journey, he would be killed like this in the Supreme Purity Sect. Especially when he had brought Dong Guo Hao Ran's body, showing his sincerity.
In truth, Dong Guo Hao Ran had not asked him to bring his body here. Niu You Dao only needed to come to the sect and tell them everything. The sect itself would have then found Dong Guo Hao Ran's body. But Niu You Dao himself wanted to show his sincerity by overcoming all the difficulties of the journey.