Chapter 89 - I Am Afraid
“I know what I'm going to do!”
With gratitude, Luo Shun clasped Guo Fan's hand and expressed, “I truly appreciate your help. I now understand what needs to be done. It seems that solving these people's issues on the surface isn't the root cause; it's about eliminating the injustices that shackle and numb their hearts!”
“Wait, are you suggesting that you'll abandon the path of Immortality and adhere to a predefined script? Will you use your brush to save the Obsidian Tribespeople and awaken their dormant consciousness?”
Guo Fan looked at him, a perplexed expression forming on his face. The issue was that Luo Shun seemed to get carried away so easily. Why wouldn't he release his hand? In spite of his discomfort, Guo Fan mustered an embarrassed and courteous smile. “Venerable Cui, your intentions are noble, but I still intend to head to the Secret Jewel Inn… My sister hasn't eaten yet.”
Gu Chao blinked and nodded in agreement.
Although he remained somewhat befuddled about why he was disguised as a girl and why Guo Fan had fled so abruptly, he sensed that his master was in grave danger, and thus, he reluctantly cooperated.
Luo Shun released Guo Fan's hand, a tinge of embarrassment coloring his expression. “I got carried away there, didn't I? By the way, I don't even know your name, despite this being our first meeting. It's quite unusual for me to express my thoughts in front of the young master of the Profound Yin Family. It's almost like I haven't changed at all.”
Indeed, I haven't changed at all… It's only been a few days since we met.
Sword practitioners often possessed keen intuition.
Guo Fan bowed respectfully and introduced himself, “I am Xia Shui, a humble cultivator without sect affiliation from the Veplon Country's southeastern region in the Middle Continent. I've heard that the Tide-watching Sword-listening Conference's Singing Sword Gathering has drawn young heroes from various cultivation sects across the Middle Continent, all here to broaden their horizons.”
Luo Shun nodded abruptly, wearing a smile as he placed a reassuring hand on Guo Fan's shoulder. He remarked, “The Singing Sword Gathering truly offers a fantastic chance for honing your skills. While securing a spot in the top ten of the fifth level of Foundation Establishment might be a tall order, ranking within the top fifty is more than commendable. There's even a chance to challenge someone among the top thirty. It wouldn't hurt to take your sister along for the experience. By the way, how old are you now?”
Guo Fan honestly divulged his age. “I'm nineteen years old.”
Luo Shun continued, “Nineteen years old, at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment. Perhaps it falls a bit short when compared to disciples from major sects, but as an unaffiliated cultivator, you've done remarkably well. With the right guidance from a sect, your potential could yield impressive accomplishments. As a sectless cultivator, I've squandered this talent.”
He regarded Guo Fan and inquired, “Although it may seem forward, young brother Xia Shui, have you ever considered joining the Honed Reaver Sword Sect? I can personally vouch that you'd receive the treatment befitting a true disciple.”
Although his appearance remained youthful, the Honed Reaver Sword Sect's senior disciple was well over two hundred years old. He spoke to Guo Fan with the tone of an elder.
Yet, in the realm of cultivators, this was still considered a relatively young age.
Guo Fan politely declined, stating, “I already have a master. It wouldn't be right to switch to another sect.”
Luo Shun felt a hint of disappointment but confirmed Guo Fan's integrity. He sighed and shared his perspective, “It's admirable to maintain loyalty to one's master. It's just that sects offer wealth, camaraderie, and abundant resources. When sectless cultivators covet these resources, they're left with no choice but to snatch them from others.”
Reflecting with a distant gaze, he mused, “I now comprehend why some people resort to such methods. The white sands lie in the netherworld. That's the way of it. I was perhaps too idealistic.”
“It's reassuring that you grasp this concept. There's no need for Venerable Cui to anguish over this,” Guo Fan remarked, a joyful expression crossing his face. Internally, he mused, “It's for the best that you comprehend it… If you persist in your stubbornness, you might truly forsake the path of immortality.”
Guo Fan let out a sigh and patted Luo Shun on the back, offering his congratulations. Deep down, he wished that Luo Shun would see reason. “It's wonderful that you're coming around… If you persist in your stubbornness, you might truly forsake the path of immortality.”
Luo Shun chuckled and teased, “You were quite passionate just a moment ago.”
Guo Fan blushed slightly and laughed off the matter. He admitted to himself that his earlier outburst was mainly driven by his eagerness to leave this place. “I was momentarily caught up in anger; please forgive my behavior,” he confessed with a self-conscious smile.
“To get worked up over such matters is a sign of a spirited heart. Well done.”
Luo Shun offered his praise, then waved his hand and remarked, “Why ‘Cui Zhenren'? Just call me Luo Shun. You needn't concern yourself with age or cultivation level. Our meeting is a matter of fate, and we belong to the same generation. By the way, isn't the Secret Jewel Inn where regular folks stay when they enter the city?”
Guo Fan nodded and replied, “Yes, Luo Shun… brother. It seems this is your first time in Night's Fall Sword City as well?”
Luo Shun's brow furrowed slightly, and he responded, “Indeed, this marks my maiden voyage to the outside world. In the past, I was consistently challenged by others and engaged in friendly sparring with fellow disciples. Actually, I initially had no intention of accepting the invitation to partake in the Tide-watching Sword-listening Conference this time. However, a few days ago, when the Destiny's Song Sword Cultivator unexpectedly visited our pavilion, I made up my mind to take on the challenge. Despite ending up suffering a resounding defeat…”
“…”
“Who on earth is this newcomer, this two-hundred-year-old Void Refining Stage novice?”
Guo Fan finally grasped why Luo Shun had such a limited presence in the storyline. It was because Luo Shun, an immortal cultivator entirely engrossed in cultivation, found it challenging to extricate himself. Guo Fan felt grateful that Luo Shun had managed to surface at all.
No wonder his words were idealistic.
Even though he had been an eyewitness to the battle, Guo Fan still cooperated with him and was astounded by the combat prowess of the Destiny's Song Sword Cultivator.
Luo Shun spoke with lingering trepidation, “It's truly formidable, to the extent that I couldn't even contemplate resistance or pursuit. Fortunately, I managed to regain my composure in the end, fearing for the integrity of my sword heart. Yet, as I contemplated continuing to strive and mustering the courage to seek out another challenger, I discovered that the Destiny's Song Sword Cultivator was actually heading toward Night's Fall Sword City.”
“Hence, I pondered it over. After all, since everyone has emerged, it wouldn't make sense for them to spurn the invitation. So, I made up my mind to come here and serve as a judge.”
Guo Fan “…”
Guo Fan's eyelid twitched, and he raised his hand to signal a pause. “Wait, Luo Shun… Brother, are you telling me that you arrived here after the Destiny's Song Sword Cultivator?”
Luo Shun nodded, expressing his surprise, “Is that a significant issue?”
“No, it's nothing.”
Guo Fan felt like he was about to develop internal injuries. He regarded Luo Shun with a glum countenance.
However, since Sun Fen hadn't sought him out, it likely stemmed from a dream bubble's influence. Sun Fen was probably the last person to employ peculiar enhancements on Guo Fan based on her instincts alone when searching for someone.
It was the most dangerous and safest.
Guo Fan chuckled and shook his head, “It's nothing. He was just caught off guard. Who would've expected Cui Zhenren to be like this? I couldn't discern it from the rumors of the past… Oh, speaking of Luo Shun… brother, you asked why he chose to live here.”
Luo Shun explained, “I want to start at the bottom rung of cultivators. I aim to begin with the Tide-watching Sword-listening Conference, reside in an ordinary place, and partake in simple fare. Only by truly experiencing the reality can I understand how to assist them.”
Guo Fan found this revelation quite startling, realizing he genuinely wanted to pursue a similar path.
Curious, Luo Shun inquired, “Young brother Xia Shui, why do you look at me like that?”
Guo Fan replied, “I'm concerned you might abandon the Immortal Congregation Rune.”
Luo Shun chuckled, saying, “You do have a knack for jesting. The path of literature represents the wisdom of sages. A humble sword cultivator like me can't reach such heights. Though I aspire to follow it, I've already reached the final stage.”
It wasn't a matter of willingness but capability…
Guo Fan didn't have a rebuttal for that. He pulled out a map and continued, “In that case, I'll take you with me. Secret Jewel Inn is located to the west of the city. You should follow this route.”
He felt it necessary to have this shield accompany him. When the opportunity arose, he could arrange things a few more times.
……
A quarter of an hour later.
Guo Fan pulled Gu Chao, put on the hammer, and brought Luo Shun into the Secret Jewel Inn's shop.
The Lady Boss reclined against the counter with a flirtatious expression. The waitstaff bustled around, serving patrons in Zhang Luo's restaurant. A sizable contingent of cultivators mingled with various characters in the first-floor lobby, creating a quintessential Xianxia RPG quest hub.
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