Chapter Seventy-Six: A Chance Encounter

The crowd was in uproar. According to Yang Cheng’s explanation, the Immortal Realm and the ends of these secret domains were merely parallel worlds, much like the one they found themselves in now.

Lu Baichuan and Liu Changqing exchanged glances, each reading surprise in the other’s eyes. Of course, this was only Yang Cheng’s speculation, not necessarily the truth. Yet, no such theory had ever existed from ancient times till now, making his words refreshingly novel.

Bai Muyun clasped his hands respectfully toward Yang Cheng and said solemnly, “Brother Yang, your insight is extraordinary. No ancient or modern text has ever explained these secret domains. To arrive at such a deduction, you alone are capable. I am deeply impressed. I have a feeling your conjecture might be closer to the truth than any other.”

Yang Cheng smiled sheepishly. “Brother Bai, you flatter me. It’s merely my guess. If we follow this reasoning, I believe the secret domain you entered was not a hiding place for remnants of the Demon Clan, but a passage to the Demon Realm. Their resistance stemmed from perceiving you as invaders. From their perspective, perhaps they were simply defending their homeland, which is only natural.”

Bai Muyun gave a bitter laugh. “If what you say is true, then the enmity between me and the Demon Clan, the deaths of my family and the loss of my cultivation, are all my own doing.”

Yang Cheng said, “Brother Bai, hear me out. Since this cultivation method is unheard of in the cultivation world, but the Demon Clan can practice it, there must be a solution. If the world is as I’ve described, all you need is to find a way into the Demon Realm and seek out a master skilled in this art. There is hope yet for the restoration of your cultivation.”

Hope flashed in Bai Muyun’s eyes, but he soon shook his head and regained his calm.

Liu Changqing asked, “Even if the secret domain is a passage between realms, its opening is utterly unpredictable. How could it be so easy to find?”

The crowd nodded in agreement.

Yang Cheng replied, “From what the three of you said, there are quite a few secret domains in our cultivation world. It’s as though countless worlds are connected to ours. I have another conjecture: perhaps the barriers of our world are the least stable, with many weak spots. That would explain why so many worlds occasionally link to ours. If we truly wish to find a way, we need not search for the exact secret domain Brother Bai entered. Any passage connecting to the Demon Realm would suffice, and the odds are much higher. Furthermore, not only can we enter the Demon Realm, but masters from the Demon Realm can also come here, increasing the chances substantially. So, I believe finding someone from the Demon Realm is not impossible, and Brother Bai still has hope of regaining his cultivation.”

Lu Baichuan nodded. “That makes sense. Brother Bai, do not give up so readily.”

Bai Zhuluo said joyfully, “Second Uncle, since there is hope, I will cultivate diligently and help you find someone from the Demon Clan.”

Bai Muyun smiled faintly. “I have long grown accustomed to being an ordinary man. I no longer have the ambition to roam the martial world or strive for greatness. A simple life is not so bad.”

Yang Cheng said, “Brother Bai’s disposition is admirable. To discuss philosophy in drunkenness, to pick flowers when sober—being an ordinary man, living free for half a lifetime, is not without its charm.”

Liu Changqing drained his cup in one gulp and glanced at Yang Cheng with newfound respect, laughing loudly. “Well said! ‘Discuss philosophy in drunkenness, pick flowers when sober.’ Your words have broadened my horizons today, Yang Cheng!”

Yang Cheng felt a surge of pride but remained modest. “Your praise is undeserved.”

The five little ones—Mei Yuchen and his companions—witnessed the praise lavished on Brother Cheng by two of the most eminent figures of their era and could not help but feel proud themselves.

The four continued their drinking and conversation, and before long, midnight had come. The youngsters, unable to keep up, had departed early.

Yang Cheng was a poor drinker, and Liu Changqing, intent on teasing him, deliberately drank several more cups with him, hoping to get him drunk. Lu Baichuan, watching from the side, tried in vain to intervene.

As expected, Yang Cheng soon became thoroughly intoxicated. Yet Liu Changqing did not fare much better, for Yang Cheng, with a drunken arm draped around his neck, called him “Old Liu” with great affection, his eyes bleary.

Seeing such a master as Liu Changqing being hung upon by Yang Cheng, his face full of distaste, Bai Muyun could not help but find it amusing.

Lu Baichuan gave a wry smile. “I told you not to ply him with drink. You’re only bringing trouble upon yourself.”

Bai Muyun and Lu Baichuan found themselves growing increasingly congenial as they chatted, and Bai Muyun, pleased by Lu Baichuan’s forthrightness, asked, “Brother Lu, Zhuluo told me those five youngsters are your disciples. I may not be able to sense it, but I can feel that all five have remarkable talent, especially the three eldest, who radiate extraordinary promise. Their future cultivation will surely be outstanding. I never imagined your sect would have so many gifted disciples—truly enviable.”

Lu Baichuan was about to offer a modest reply when Liu Changqing suddenly remembered something, pushed Yang Cheng’s hand aside, and said, “Brother Lu, according to you, Mei Yuchen is your adopted son?”

Lu Baichuan replied, “Indeed. Yuchen is the son of my sworn brother, who died tragically. I later took him in as my adopted son.”

Bai Muyun was astonished. “I observe that his cultivation is the highest among them. Zhuluo says he is nearing the late stage of Foundation Establishment, advancing rapidly at such a young age. I was no better at his age myself. His father must have been an extraordinary man. May I ask who he was?”

Lu Baichuan, ever candid and seeing that Bai Muyun was a heroic figure with little pettiness, did not wish to conceal matters. He sighed deeply and recounted his sworn brother’s story in detail.

Bai Muyun was greatly surprised. The news that Tong Meng’s trusted general had been slain and his entire family wiped out was known throughout the city. Who would have thought the person in question was right before him, and had even saved his life? After hearing the tale, Bai Muyun was filled with admiration for Lu Baichuan’s straightforward sense of justice and chivalrous nature.

Liu Changqing, already aware of the story from the previous night, was not surprised and continued, “If he is your adopted son, then he is not your disciple?”

Lu Baichuan, puzzled, nodded. “Exactly as you say, Brother Liu.”

“Good!” Liu Changqing slapped the table and exclaimed, “Old Lu, since he’s not your disciple, then let me take him! Your disciples have always stirred my envy. After years of wandering, I have long wished to accept a disciple to pass on my teachings. Would you be willing to part with him?”

Bai Muyun suddenly understood why Liu Changqing had mysteriously asked Bai Zhuluo and another disciple to apprentice themselves the night before—it was because he had his eye on Lu Baichuan’s students. It was a great taboo among cultivators to poach disciples; it seemed a bit improper.

“This…” Lu Baichuan was speechless. “So your business with me the night before was about this, wasn’t it?”

Liu Changqing chuckled. “Exactly. I feared you’d be unwilling, so I never dared to bring it up.”

Lu Baichuan pretended to frown and ponder. He thought to himself that his adopted son was truly fortunate, able to receive instruction from a master such as Liu Changqing—a rare opportunity. Mei Yuchen had not yet formally apprenticed, and as his adoptive father, Lu Baichuan could guide him at any time without the constraints of a formal master-disciple relationship. If Liu Changqing wished to take him as a disciple, Lu Baichuan was more than happy to agree.

However, seeing Liu Changqing’s urgency, he decided not to make it so easy for him.

After some thought, he deliberately delayed his answer. Liu Changqing and Bai Muyun, seeing Lu Baichuan hesitate, understood well—who would willingly give up a talented disciple?

Lu Baichuan sighed. “I originally intended to let him formally apprentice in due time.”

Liu Changqing’s spirits plummeted. Indeed, finding a good disciple was no easier than obtaining a divine weapon.

“But since Brother Liu wishes to take him, I can only make the sacrifice. However, I have one small request, and I hope Brother Liu will agree.”

Liu Changqing, seeing hope, said delightedly, “What is it? Please, speak freely.”

Lu Baichuan answered, “We are old friends, our bond goes without saying. Drinking with Brother Bai today, I feel the joy of meeting like-minded companions. I’ve taken a liking to Brother Bai’s niece, Zhuluo, whose talents are also exceptional. I had intended to accept her as well. Since Brother Liu wishes to take disciples, I suggest you simply accept both.”