Chapter Five: A Benevolent Master and a Filial Disciple

For a long time, the man and the beast sat silently, staring wide-eyed at the sky. Soon, a glimmer of light rapidly enlarged until it became clear.

“That’s my master! Look at that gourd—he’s a big deal. Back in the day, my master could slay millions of foes with a single swing of his sword, without even blinking,” Liu An boasted excitedly to the strange beast.

The beast grew even more admiring of Liu An’s master, but Liu Xiaosheng, seated solemnly atop the Sword-Nurturing Gourd, looked somewhat embarrassed, his expression reserved and uncertain. The problem was that his disciple was exaggerating excessively.

“Ungrateful apprentice, don’t sully my reputation. Though I am unrivaled in the world, I remain humble and never boast. Why can’t you learn even a bit of this from me?” Liu Xiaosheng said with a half-glance, unwilling to engage further. Yet the beast pondered his words carefully, occasionally shaking its head.

When Liu Xiaosheng landed and saw the strange beast cradled in Liu An’s arms, he swallowed and smiled. “Good disciple, I have returned from a long journey, famished and weary. You truly think of me—ingredients are ready, and look how tender this little creature is. Quickly, boil some water and steam it; it will be deliciously tender and fresh.”

Hearing this, the beast cursed inwardly, “This old man looks like an immortal with a crane’s grace and youthful face, but he is terrifyingly cruel.”

Liu An’s face darkened at his master’s threat. He retorted, “You shameless old thief! You want to eat my dear companion? I will never allow it—unless you give me the Sword-Nurturing Gourd. Then I’ll reluctantly sacrifice it to honor you.”

The first part of Liu An’s sentence moved the beast, but the latter half chilled it, and it flailed, desperate to escape the two.

“Two heartless masters, wanting to eat me as soon as they meet—there’s no way I can stay here even a moment.”

Liu Xiaosheng was not surprised. He had long known his disciple coveted the gourd. Casting a contemptuous glance at Liu An, he said, “Dream on. If you have the skill, go and take one yourself.”

Liu An, thwarted, tightened his grip on the struggling beast, trying to console it. “Alright, I was just teasing. You’re emergency rations—I wouldn’t eat you unless absolutely necessary.” He then smiled broadly at the beast to show his sincerity.

The beast was so enraged it fainted on the spot.

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“This little creature is too easily teased, quite boring,” Liu Xiaosheng said, his smile fading.

“Master, I have a question. I have already sensed the presence of Qi and even received a chance to expel impurities from my body, making me lighter and stronger—about a hundred pounds of strength now. But I still don’t understand what you mean by the ‘first realm of transcendence,’” Liu An asked earnestly.

“To defy the heavens and achieve the creation of heaven and earth for oneself is no easy feat. You have only just sensed Qi and already dream of breaking through—nothing is that simple. But I, your master, am different; I was born having reached the third realm. If you ask me what the first realm feels like, even if I wanted to teach, I couldn’t. You must grasp it on your own. Perhaps one day, it will suddenly happen. Isn’t that right, disciple?” Liu Xiaosheng boasted proudly.

“Master, you truly stab the heart. You just lead me to the door, and then I’m left to fend for myself. Today, I’ll leave the sect and seek another path,” Liu An said decisively, kneeling in a formal salute to express gratitude for years of guidance.

This move left Liu Xiaosheng at a loss. Changing his tone to one of benevolence, he said, “Good disciple, why so impatient? I was only joking. Your master is well-versed in history, the yin and yang, and life and death. The matter of the first realm will be solved in the blink of an eye.”

Hearing the ridiculous claims of his unreliable master, Liu An was astonished. He stood, dusted himself off, and pulled his master to sit on a stone, saying earnestly, “Master, you must be tired. Let me massage your shoulders. From the first moment I saw you, I decided to serve you for life.”

Liu Xiaosheng luxuriated in his disciple’s flattery and leisurely replied, “You can learn from many schools in secret, using others’ resources to strengthen yourself. With me as your protector, what is there to fear?”

Liu An found his master’s advice dubious and couldn’t help but comment, “So, that’s it—you mean stealing techniques? Then forgive me, master, but I won’t be able to serve you faithfully all the time. When do we leave?”

Liu Xiaosheng expected his disciple to make a fuss, throw tantrums, or demand benefits before leaving, but Liu An agreed so readily that the master was momentarily stunned.

“My disciple, let me catch my breath. How dare you be possessed by a demon and steal my disciple? Such audacity!” Liu Xiaosheng exclaimed, raising his hand to release the flying sword from the Sword-Nurturing Gourd.

“Master, don’t joke around! Let’s go at once,” Liu An urged hastily.

Liu An’s sudden eagerness made Liu Xiaosheng uneasy, suspecting his disciple might be setting a trap.

“Disciple, be honest with me—is there something you’re hiding? Tell me now so I can prepare,” Liu Xiaosheng asked, narrowing his eyes.

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Ever since hearing his master planned to let him roam freely, Liu An had been impatient. He was already bored of the mountain.

“My master’s strength is a treasure no one should know about. Who would dare to mess with me when I’m with Liu Xiaosheng? Ha ha!” He smiled foolishly, drooling with delight.

Seeing his disciple’s foolish grin, Liu Xiaosheng hesitated, reconsidering his decision. “Disciple, I think you should calm your mind first. You are still too restless. I’ve thought it over—you should continue practicing breathing here alone for now. Suddenly, something important calls me away. You take care of yourself; I will return soon.”

Though the voice continued to echo in Liu An’s ears, Liu Xiaosheng’s figure had already vanished.

Liu An was furious at his master’s disappearance. To vent, he flicked the back of the beast’s head.

The beast, having awakened earlier and pretending to sleep, winced in pain, stood up, and spat at Liu An in resentment.

Liu An was not indulgent. “Fine! I can’t beat my master, but I’ll show you how cruel people can be.”

Rolling up his sleeves, the beast tried to find a way to vent but was swiftly overwhelmed, screaming and begging for mercy. “Big brother, my dear big brother, your master is tricking you. You should go find him!”

After about half an hour, Liu An stopped struggling with the beast and slumped to the ground, complaining, “How can such a small body withstand so much beating?”

Since joining Liu An, the beast had quickly learned how to be shameless.

“Hey, big brother, you’re a mere postnatal first realm being, daring to harm a superior innate auspicious beast like me—that’s truly overestimating yourself.”