Chapter 90: A Drop of Water in the Long River

I was so excited that I could hardly contain myself. In my heart, as long as Grandmaster appeared, everything would have a chance of turning around. Even if we were in a desperate situation like walking into hell, as long as Grandmaster was there, he would show us the way back to the human world.

Peace of mind is the greatest feeling that Grandmaster gave me. I thought he was peace of mind.

I wanted to ask many details, such as why I didn’t die, where I was, and what happened to my master. I completely ignored my master’s exhaustion and weakness. This is not because I am “unfilial and disrespectful” to my master, but because in my heart, my master is omnipotent and can overcome any difficulty.

I had so much to say, and I was so relaxed in the presence of my master, that I was organizing my words, but what I didn’t expect was a sigh.

This sigh was so shocking, mixed with the rare strong emotions of the Grandmaster, as if it came from the vicissitudes of time, from a distant and silent space. It made me, who was at the top of my emotional excitement, suddenly feel like I had been splashed with a bucket of cold water, and my whole body, from my skin to my heart, became cold.

“Grandmaster…” All the words I wanted to say were reduced to just one sentence.

Grandmaster is always the type who doesn’t like to explain, so I couldn’t wait for his reply. Instead, I saw him sit cross-legged and then a voice came into my ear: “Concentrate. I’ll pass on the teachings to you.”

My feelings were mixed. My master’s sighs made me uneasy, but I was absolutely not willing to take this matter lightly. So I immediately began to recite the mantra of meditation, over and over again, until my state of mind became empty and void, neither happy nor sad.

I don’t know how long this process lasted, but I know that my master seemed to be very patient, as if he was also sensing that I was meditating. It wasn’t until my mood reached an ideal state that his calm voice, which still carried a hint of vicissitudes, rang out in my mind…

At this moment, I actually understood a little bit of a state, that is, although I did not know where this chaotic space was, this method of communication was definitely not a normal method of communication, but could only be achieved through communication between souls.

Therefore, both I and my master must be in a state of soul, even if I don’t understand why.

Even if so, what? As long as the master is there, even if it is the master who sighs like that, it is also the source of my peace of mind.

I listened quietly to the teachings of the master, immersed in them, and when I heard something exciting, I couldn’t help but dance and gesticulate, confirming… In this state, I didn’t think about what kind of magic these techniques were, or what kind of power they had. I was completely immersed in the process of performing each move of these techniques, afraid that I might miss a point.

In this chaotic space, the land seemed to have no boundaries, and I could not feel the concept of time.

I don’t know how long it was until the master said, “These three techniques are the most rebellious secret techniques of my Li family, or it should be said that they are the most appropriate forbidden techniques. When used improperly, I believe that you and Li Chun’er will have your own judgment in different situations. The transmission of the law will end here.”

After my master said this, I was still in a daze for a long time before I came to my senses from the state of receiving the transmission.

At this moment, I had no extra words, and it was only then that my heart reacted. What my master said was not exaggerated in the slightest, and it was not an exaggeration to call these three techniques forbidden. It shocked me, and I never thought that my Li family line also had a technique that was so extreme that it was like a sword that went off the beaten path, and then had the power to defy the heavens.

You have to know that the orthodox martial arts are generally heavy, down-to-earth, and mild, just like a gentleman’s sword… The truly vicious swordplay, the ultimate effect, the sword must be deflected in order to be like a poisonous snake that spits out its venom, killing with one strike.

Silence, because I didn’t know what to say. Even the Grand Master, passing on the teachings was a favor.

From beginning to end, I, his disciple, never had the opportunity to express my respect and love for him. So now I stand up and pay my utmost respect to my master, bowing slowly.

My master never liked these formalities, but this time, he silently accepted the bow.

But when I looked up again, I saw that my master had reached a terrible state, his body so blurred that I could barely make him out.

What was going on? My emotions were extremely complex, but the biggest was shock and sadness… You see, during the battle at the Lake of a Thousand Ghosts, when my Grandmaster’s spirit was about to dissipate, it had never appeared in this state.

As if sensing my emotions, my master sighed again: “Foolish boy, why are you so attached to my remaining spirit? There is no true annihilation in this world. Even if a person’s spirit is scattered, the will that belongs to that person will not scatter. It will hide in the long river of time, existing forever. Countless drops of water can form a river that surges forward. When can you sit on the bank of the long river and hear the clear sound of the bell in the long river? When will you realize it?”

I lowered my head and remained silent, my expression frightened. I didn’t understand a word of what he said.

“I don’t understand, but I am a drop of water, clinging to each other to form a stream. I am just a drop of water, what do I care about the scenery on the shore? I just want to tell you that every step you take is recorded in the long river of the world. That is to say, through the things you have done, you show your will. Remember, leave a clear footprint, walk straight… because that is the eternal.” The words of the master ring in my ears like a great bell.

My head was buried even lower, and I felt an indescribable emotion in my heart. I wanted to dance for joy at my master’s words, but I also felt a faint sense of melancholy.

A profound saying that should have been specious, the master made me understand the word “right” in a few words. Insisting on this word, leaving your own eternity, what is there to be afraid of, what a pity.

“Disciple will remember.” I was unusually respectful and asked, “Can I die at any time?” This feeling appeared in my heart for the first time, and I even forgot what the master said about my obsession with a remnant soul.

“I am the part of the soul that suppressed Patel. Originally, the souls gathered together and could fight in Penglai… but now it is destined to be incomplete. The world is like this. How can there be a perfect layout? Even God does not allow perfection, right? I never expected that you would suffer a thunderstorm. When you blocked the thunder for others, I blocked the thunder for you… completing a good cause and effect. It was exhilarating, hahaha…” The master laughed loudly as he said this.

I lowered my head and, sensing the unrestrained elegance, I sighed with admiration. I was unable to fully express my feelings.

I understood what my master meant when he said I was not dead. It turned out that at that moment, the power of my master’s remnant soul had used its energy to dissipate the enormous energy of the thunder and lightning. I thought that the remnant soul was “sleeping” and that my master could only be awakened when the remnant soul was complete.

But he didn’t care at all. What he cared about was that he had performed a perfect cause and effect on me, allowing me to understand the law of cause and effect even more deeply!

“Master…” Once again, a thousand words turned into a call to the master.

But the laughter of the master seemed to echo throughout the heavens and earth, and my call was utterly insignificant.

After a long time, the hearty laughter stopped, and the remaining spirit of the master became more and more faint. He said in a low voice, “You must already know where you are, but it is only the place where I hide my soul, the beads in your hand. Don’t care about how space is expressed. What you see is what it is, and it is also nothing. Just as you will face the world in a moment, you will look at the so-called high and mighty existence as a beggar. He is also a beggar in your eyes, even if he is not. This is a state of mind, the state of mind you should have when facing a mountain or a river. It doesn’t hinder you from walking seriously, but it makes you feel relaxed. This remnant soul is about to dissipate, but the battle at Penglai must be completed. My imperfect situation must be made up for by you and Lichun’er…”

“Then, Master, what about Master…” I couldn’t help but ask.

“The road is yours, life is yours, I pass on the teachings, you face it, see for yourself, discover everything. What you encounter, what you lose, what you face… it’s all yours.” After saying this, the Grandmaster sat back down cross-legged.

The remnant soul began to slowly dissipate.

My body also began to retreat rapidly, retreating endlessly in the midst of countless mists and chaotic space… until the solitary peak was no longer visible in my eyes.