Yes and No
Mu Yu and Alchemist Yao exchanged eye contact. The young man was disappointed with what he heard. After seeking approval from Patriarch Yun Dao to have a word in private with Mu Yu, Alchemist Yao took Mu Yu outside and erected a barrier to prevent eavesdropping.
“Elder, have I offended you in some w-”
“I disapproved because I’m curious as to what your goal is.”
“Goal? Gramps wants me to enter Second Heaven to find some herbs for him. That is it.”
“That’s not what I meant. I want to know your identity. Only our disciples are allowed to be on our list. I remember you are a disciple of Dustfallen Sect. How did you become Ku Mu’s disciple? What is your true aim?” sternly questioned Alchemist Yao.
Alchemist Yao didn’t expose Mu Yu in the hall to avoid creating unnecessary misunderstandings if it really was just a misunderstanding. Understanding the crux of the problem, Mu Yu placed his hands in a palm-fist salute. “Elder Ku Mu knows I have a shifu.”
“He does? Why did he take you on as his disciple, in that case? What madness is going through his head?”
“Haha,” dryly chuckled Mu Yu, unsure how to expound the situation. “I am afraid only Elder Ku Mu would be able to explain it to you properly. I never had any goal. By the same token, I do not want to go to Second Heaven. I, however, do owe him for teaching me. I never schemed behind his back or did anything to him that I should feel guilty about.”
Alchemist Yao stared into Mu Yu’s eyes, waiting to see if there were any signs to indicate the latter was fibbing. Once satisfied, he warned, “I will verify it with him. He’s in the shape he’s currently in due to him diverging onto a different path to us. He has you to thank for keeping him safe since he can no longer defend himself. I can tell he trusts you. I hope you don’t betray his trust. Should I find out you took advantage of Senior Brother for no good, I will kill regardless of who your shifu is.”
Although threats weren’t welcomed, Mu Yu took it well, understanding where Alchemist Yao was coming from. “I promise I am not one to repay kindness with ingratitude.”
Alchemist Yao wasn’t in a position to boss Mu Yu around since the latter wasn’t the former’s disciple. Thankfully, Alchemist Yao decided to hide the fact Mu Yu was the disciple of Dustfallen Sect from his fellow sect brethren. He stood with Ku Mu. At the same, he had to uphold Pill Cauldron Sect’s interests.
“I would not have been able to ascend to Spirit Severing Realm if you didn’t help me extract the wood residue. For that, I will eternally be grateful. Nonetheless, bear in my mind what I said.”
Mu Yu: Hmm, so that’s how he ascended.
Alchemist Yao led Mu Yu back in and reported, “Patriarch, I am not against Senior Brother taking his slot back.”
Daoist Yun Dao spent a moment to himself, trying to decipher how Mu Yu persuaded Alchemist Yao. Daoist Yun Dao had someone delve into Mu Yu’s background two days ago. To his befuddlement, Mu Yu’s past was non-existent. It was as if Mu Yu popped up out of the blue. The farthest back they could go was when Mu Yu first appeared at Mist City. He disappeared after entering Ku Mu valley. Everyone knew what he did after leaving the valley.
“Though you all approve, I must be considerate of the other disciples. Mu Yu, if you have what it takes, you should compete for your slot. I recommend you prove yourself so that others willingly resign.”
Ku Mu and Mu Yu headed back to their bamboo house after the meeting. Alchemist Yao wanted to privately verify Mu Yu’s story with Ku Mu, but Ku Mu refused to offer an explanation, forcing Alchemist Yao to give up.
“Gramps, what’s the dispute between you and Elder Frost? You didn’t even try to win her support.”
“We will. Have the. Slot. Shi. Dengtian. Will approve.”
“You knew he would? How?”
“Be careful. It’ll be. Rife with. Traps. He will. Target you. To spite. Me.”
In other words, Shi Dengtian and Ku Mu had clashed over something in the past. Shi Dengtian had nothing to lose even if Mu Yu went to Second Heaven. Furthermore, there was no guarantee the slot would go to one of Shi Dengtian’s disciples.
“What can he do to Mu Yu at Second Heaven? Only Primordial Infant Realm cultivators are allowed in, no?” asked Xiaoshuai.
Shi Minghui was no match for Mu Yu no matter the time and place. It was unlikely he could work together with others in the sect to harm Mu Yu. If one of Shi Dengtian’s disciples were to hypothetically score the final slot, Shi Minghui and whoever it was still couldn’t hold a candle to Mu Yu. Cai Lie was Mu Yu’s ally. Bing Lengxue’s disciples wouldn’t dip their hands in the conflict. Main Peak’s disciple wouldn’t involve themselves, either.
“Celestial Star Sect’s. Patriarch’s wife. Is Shi Dengtian’s. Daughter. They could. Ally. Nobody can. Help you. In there. They might. Go after. The dragon vine.”
“Can’t I just leave it behind?”
“It will. Come in handy. In there. I can’t. Protect it. There will. Be lots. Of people. Coming here. It would. Be safer. With you.”
“Why don’t you trust that I will keep you safe at all times?”
Mu Yu looked sideways to see Bing Lengxue after hearing her voice next to his ear. He quickly recollected himself and greeted her. She didn’t respond to Mu Yu, focusing her somewhat angry gaze on Ku Mu instead. Seeing his awkward reaction and attempt to avoid her, she pointed at him and raised her voice. “Are you going to avoid me your entire life? I’ve waited for you all these years. I never looked down on you despite you losing all of your cultivation. I can take care of you for the rest of your life. Is she still the only one on your mind?”
Mu Yu jerked his head back. He put one leg behind the other multiple times out of instinct as Bing Lengxue flipped out. Despondently, Ku Mu expressed, “I’ve let you down once. I can’t let you down a second time.”
“Why?!” exclaimed Bing Lengxue, drawing her sword and aiming it at Ku Mu’s neck.
“I am apologetic, but I have something more important to do. If you are still happy to accept me and can wait for me to finish my final job, I will come back and stay here forever.”
“What job? I can help you! What can you do in your current state?”
Ku Mu shook his head and answered, “I can’t bring you into it.”
“Why can’t I get involved? I could do anything for you. I’m not scared. I don’t want to see you die for no reason.”
“Sorry.”
“Still self-righteous after all these years!” Bing Lengxue brayed before taking off.
Mu Yu let out a pent up breath after confirming Bing Lengxue was gone.
Ku Mu’s goal required Feng Haochen’s power to achieve. Mu Yu really wanted to know what sort of goal would motivate Ku Mu to seek help from his sworn enemy.
“Self-righteous,” repeated Ku Mu, poignant.
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