Sha Yan
Dahu was literally lauded after Xiaohu was accepted into Green Pine Sect for his splendid aptitude. It wasn’t Xiaohu who returned to Raindrop Village but Sha Yan, a disciple from Jiuhua Sect, who went home to visit his family.
When Village Chief Bu and Uncle Zhang bumped into Dahu, Dahu found Village Chief’s proud expression when he said he was buying wine to celebrate Mu Yu’s return infuriating. As a consequence, he deliberately belittled Mu Yu in Village Chief Bu’s presence. Village Chief Bu’s rage won, leading to him starting a physical altercation.
Dahu defeated Village Chief Bu effortlessly and apprehended Uncle Zhang. He brought them before Sha Yan, whom proceeded to hang Village Chief Bu up and told Uncle Zhang to bring Mu Yu over just so he could disparage Mu Yu in front of everyone. Sha Yan was one of those who liked to abuse his superior standing.
Dahu made use of Raindrop Village’s wealth to construct a bluestone platform for welcoming immortal masters, especially their own home. He had a pavilion comparable to a palace constructed atop the platform situated at the heart of the village, embellished the eaves with four golden dragons and a red carpet on the ground. He placed a heavy wooden chair in the centre and even gave it a name: Welcoming Deities’ Chair. Besides welcoming all immortal masters from their village there, they also held their children’s aptitude tests there.
Sha Yan, a young man around twenty years of age, slouched in Welcoming Deities Chair. Two pretty maids massaged his shoulders from behind. He had his feet dipped in a basin of water topped with fresh flowers. A middle-aged individual was crouched down, helping him clean his feet. The masseuse was regarded highly in the profession, which was why Dahu always asked him to treat visiting immortal masters to one of his massages.
Dahu sat on a chair neighbouring Sha Yan’s. He didn’t need to bow to Sha Yan thanks to his talented son. Still, he couldn’t be haughty in the presence of an immortal master without his son present. Conversely, Sha Yan didn’t try to boss Da Hu around. He was aware Xiaohu was Green Pine Sect’s prized disciple who they wouldn’t mindlessly let off the mountain. Needless to say, the villagers were there for entertainment and to see the immortal master. Nobody was in a worse situation than Village Chief Bu, who was on his knees and had his hands restrained overhead despite two deep cuts on his face and the blood trickling from his beard.
“Miscellaneous disciples should know their place. The academy’s disciples are ridiculous nowadays,” complained Sha Yan, fiddling with his finger nail. “I’m going to have your precious boy drink this basin of water in front of you when he gets here. That’ll teach you to stay in your lane! He’s the lowest rung on the ladder!”
“Mu Yu isn’t a miscellaneous disciple.” Village Chief Bu couldn’t even open his eyes. He refused to believe the kind boy’s cultivation would be poor.
“One person with aptitude for cultivation in a decade. One. And, he’s on the lowest rung. Their duty is to serve us,” insulted Sha Yan, shaking his head sardonically.
“Immortal Master, there is no need to lower yourself to his level,” opined Dahu.
Sha Yan nodded. “Worry not, Uncle. As long as the brat is willing to drink this basin of water, I will not make things difficult for them.”
Sha Yan liked to visit his family because he’d have people stroking his ego every time. He would have the ultimate authority whenever he was there. Back at his sect, he had to dedicate himself to training and try to ingratiate himself with his seniors. The pursuit of vanity was one the incapable liked to pursue. With their families, they were spoilt. Back in their sect, they fawned over others.
“You deserve to die,” cussed Mu Yu, from afar.
Mu Yu zipped past and grabbed Village Chief Bu before Sha Yan could even react in time. Mu Yu arrived on the platform and supported Village Chief Bu. Even though the elder was spent, he tried to open his eyes and smiled, upsetting Mu Yu. For the first time, Mu Yu felt the world really would be better off less some certain individuals.
Squinting, Sha Yan stood up, shoes already on. Sha Yan deemed Mu Yu’s speed far too absurd for a miscellaneous disciple. “You’re a miscellaneous disciple?”
“So what if I am?”
Since starting his life on Mount Dustfallen, Mu Yu stopped feeling ashamed of his status as a miscellaneous disciple.
“M-Mu Yu, ar-are you really a miscellaneous disciple who serves them as servants?” Village Chief panicked, worried Mu Yu would lose in a fight. He grabbed Mu Yu with his shaky hands and dropped to his knees again. Head down before Sha Yan, he pleaded, “Immortal Master, this old one sincerely apologises. Please spare us. I… I shall drink the basin of water…”
“Grandpa, what are you kneeling to such a scoundrel for? I am not a miscellaneous disciple. I am a disciple of Dustfallen Sect.”
Mu Yu stopped Village Chief Bu and helped him sit down against a wall. Uncle Zhang came over to help Village Chief Bu. Mu Yu helped Uncle Zhang put his dislocated arm back in place on the way over.
“Dustfallen Sect? Dead Last Sect? How’s that any different? Hahaha.” Owing to Dustfallen Sect’s standing, Sha Yan assumed he only missed Mu Yu due to him not being alert. “Your spineless gramps made the right call. I suggest you take his advice if you don’t have a death wish.”
Sha Yan kicked the basin over to Mu Yu and released his Foundation Establishment Realm First Layer aura to pressure Mu Yu. The ordinary folks went pale in the face and tripped, but they were in awe at the same time. However, it was the equivalent of a snowflake on Mu Yu. His two elders weren’t afflicted, either.
“Yeah?” sarcastically asked Mu Yu, ready for some blood.
Village Chief Bu tugged Mu Yu’s sleeve. “M-Mu Yu, don’t fight for my sake.”
The grey aura in Mu Yu’s eye dissipated. He realised Village Chief Bu snapped him out of the strange state again. He still didn’t like the state. He patted Village Chief Bu on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. It’s my turn to protect you.”
When Mu Yu got into arguments with other children as a kid, Village Chief Bu always sided with him regardless if it was on purpose or not. When people gossiped about him being an orphan, Village Chief Bu reproach them until people stopped gossiping. Village Chief Bu risked his life for him when the grey bear tried to feast on them. Up until then, it had always been the elder who protected him. When he came back to visit, the elder was beaten and forced to kneel; the elder even pleaded for his sake. He finally had the power to protect the elder, and he wouldn’t tolerate anybody bullying the person he cared about most.
Mu Yu discharged his spiritual energy, blowing Sha Yan’s aura back to him. Everyone forgot to breathe as the energy of life mesmerised them. Sha Yan’s smile stiffened on his face.
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