Martial Uncle muttered to himself, "Could there really be peerless geniuses in this world?"
Then he answered himself, "That makes sense. After all, you're his grandson."
Ever since I came here to Martial Uncle's place, he had kept talking about how extraordinary my grandfather was.
Because I had few memories of my grandfather from childhood, I did not know much about him.
Curiosity welled up in me, and I asked, "Martial Uncle, what kind of person was my grandfather?
"And I feel like you've always held my grandfather in high esteem. Can you tell me his story?"
Martial Uncle fell silent for a long, long time, staring blankly ahead.
His eyes had no focus, as though he had completely sunk into his memories.
After a long while, Martial Uncle emerged from his memories and said, "Your grandfather! He was a man of great ability.
"When he was young, he traveled the four corners of the land. His skills had reached a miraculous, unfathomable level.
"To put it bluntly, our master—the Maoshan Sect Master—
"At the height of your grandfather's power, he could stand on equal footing with the Sect Master. Neither was the better of the other.
"In Underworld Practices, people gave him the nickname 'Golden Rainbow Ghost Sword Li Xuande.'
"With the Golden Rainbow Sword in his hand and a whole arsenal of miraculous techniques, he carved out a formidable reputation in Underworld Practices.
"Oh, and when your grandfather was young, he had a confidante too—a remarkable woman who did not yield to any man."
My gossiping heart immediately flared up, and I hurriedly asked, "Who was she? What kind of story did they have?"
Martial Uncle smiled. "Her name was Yan Zhi Qiu, the Flowing Gold Butterfly Yan Zhi Qiu. Your grandfather met her while traveling in his youth.
"Later, for reasons unknown, they did not end up together.
"Back then, everyone said they were a match made in heaven, envied by all who saw them!"
Thinking of that made me recall the mother I had never met. I knew absolutely nothing about her, and I wanted to ask Martial Uncle about her.
After hesitating for a moment, I asked, "Martial Uncle, do you know my mother? How much do you know about her?"
Martial Uncle thought for a moment, then said, "I didn't know your mother very well. I only remember seeing her twice.
"The first time was when your father brought her home. Her hair was very long, and she liked wearing white clothes.
"She was not much of a talker. The second time I saw her was at the celebration after you were born.
"I didn't know where she came from. After that, I stayed here and never left.
"Later, I heard that something seemed to have happened to your family, and I was just about to go take a look.
"Before I even left the Bamboo Forest, your father came looking for me and told me she had left.
"She left without saying goodbye and gave no reason. That was all I knew."
After saying that, Martial Uncle stared at me for a long time, then asked, "Do you hate her?"
"I've never even met her. What is there to hate?" I shook my head and did not continue the subject.
After a while, Martial Uncle said, "You've reached the Qi Gathering Mid-stage now, haven't you?"
"Mm. After a while longer, I might reach the Qi Gathering Late-stage."
Martial Uncle said that was normal. The early stages progressed quickly, but the later stages became slower and slower.
For someone at his level, several years might pass without any improvement at all.
I knew that fish and bear's paw could not both be had, and that everything had its advantages and disadvantages. Once I came to terms with it, I said nothing more.
Perhaps because the incident at the back mountain had left a shadow over me, I often thought of it.
So I asked Martial Uncle whether those things might leave the village and harm people elsewhere.
Martial Uncle said those things could not leave the village because the village's yin energy nourished them.
Once they left, they would instead scatter into smoke and ashes. So they most likely would not leave the village.
Yet Martial Uncle still looked somewhat worried. Then he said, "Focus on cultivating for now.
"Once you break through to the Qi Gathering Late-stage, we'll go to the back mountain and take a look, settling the aftermath so that a long night does not breed too many dreams."
After hearing Martial Uncle's words, I nodded. For the next stretch of time, I devoted myself to cultivation.
One day, Martial Uncle gave me a book. It was old, but it had a title.
It read, Maoshan Talisman Compendium, and he instructed me to study it carefully.
After I finished reading it, I was to return it to him. He solemnly repeated that it must not be passed on to outsiders.
Seeing the book, I suddenly remembered that the second volume my father had left me contained a note. I smacked my forehead. How had I forgotten about it?
From leaving the village to coming here to Martial Uncle's place, then cultivating and learning to draw talismans, everything had been packed too tightly together.
So I had kept overlooking that book. Now that I had nothing to do, I took it out, flipped to the back, found the slip of paper, and began reading.
It said, "A Tong, if you are seeing this note, then you must be safe and sound. That's wonderful!
"Next, leave this place far behind. Do not come back before you have the ability to protect yourself.
"If your Martial Uncle teaches you his skills, then learn from him. He was your grandfather's friend through life and death, and he can be trusted.
"If you have nowhere to go, go to the Yun family in Sichuan Province.
"Yun Hong of the Yun family is my good friend. When you get there, just say that I sent you.
"Before your grandfather passed away, he said he had left something for you in Sichuan Province. Go take a look while you're there.
"The address is below. Once you reach Sichuan Province, go to a certain city and find 39 Garden Street.
"There is an antique shop there. Go inside and ask the owner.
"Because the Yin Yang Families keep their affairs secret from ordinary people, I cannot write it down.
"I'm afraid the news might fall into the hands of someone with ulterior motives and bring unnecessary trouble to the Yun family.
"The thing your grandfather left for you is also in a certain city. Once you reach the Yun family, ask them about it.
"Ask where Yan Zhi Qiu is. They are all part of Underworld Practices, so they will tell you the address.
"Then just follow the address and go there. Your father has something he must do.
"So from now on, you'll have to rely on yourself. There is a bank card in the inner compartment of the bag, with a little savings on it.
"If you want to live as an ordinary person, then go make a living. If you want to enter Underworld Practices, then cultivate diligently.
"Of course, I hope you choose the former and live out your life safely and peacefully.
"Don't worry about me. Once I finish dealing with this matter, I will come find you.
"Remember, do not return to the village before you have the ability. Remember it, remember it well."
After reading it, I remained silent for a long time. What exactly was my father going to do? And what was I supposed to do from now on?
When would I see my father again? My thoughts were a complete mess.
I flipped through the contents of the second volume again. They were all methods for using ritual implements.
There were also descriptions of various factions and sects. I found them dull and stopped reading.
Then I picked up the Maoshan Talisman Compendium Martial Uncle had given me and read it carefully. It contained all kinds of talismans.
The methods for drawing and using them were explained in great detail. I was fascinated and kept reading until nightfall, when Martial Uncle came to call me for dinner.
That was how things went during that time: cultivating, reading, learning to draw talismans...
Martial Uncle would also teach me some fighting techniques. Then, one day, I broke through to the Qi Gathering Late-stage.
That day, I happily went to tell Martial Uncle about my breakthrough.
Martial Uncle was very pleased. Then he told me to make preparations, saying it was about time to visit the back mountain.
I agreed. The next morning, Martial Uncle and I headed for the back mountain.
As we walked and looked around, scenes of my miserable flight for my life not long ago resurfaced in my mind, and my heart was filled with countless emotions.
When we reached the village entrance, I stood outside and looked in, and my heart immediately turned cold.
In only a short time without inhabitants, the entire village had fallen into ruin.
Everything was steeped in deathly stillness—vines crawling over the walls, fallen doors, shattered roof tiles scattered across the ground...