The Second Path

Chapter 18: The Second Path

That night, Ning Xuan slept as usual.

He had already "shown his uniqueness to his father." He figured his father would give more consideration when picking up this chess piece of his. If, even after all that, his father still insisted on him going to Hanzhou Ranch to marry into the Qin family, then so be it.

His father controlled the overall situation. His father's judgment was naturally made with the big picture in mind.

Although he couldn't see clearly yet, he would cooperate.

He wouldn't arrogantly assume his own thoughts were correct in a situation where information was extremely scarce.

That would only put the Ning family in a very dangerous position.

He slept until dawn.

His body still carried the scent of a woman.

As soon as Ning Xuan finished breakfast, a servant came to report, "Young Master, the Master is looking for you."

Ning Xuan acknowledged the message and headed to the study for the third time.

Ning Taiyi stared intently at him and said in a complex tone, "Xuan'er, Father has to admit that you might be a once-in-a-century martial arts prodigy. Now, Father gives you two choices."

Ning Xuan nodded.

Ning Taiyi said, "First, starting today, you can make a name for yourself in the surrounding areas, build your reputation. That way, when you go to Hanzhou Ranch, you won't be looked down upon solely for being a playboy. Perhaps then, with your abilities, you can carve out a path for yourself.

However, it is also fraught with danger. A concubine's daughter is not a legitimate daughter, and a concubine's daughter will never be content with just being a concubine's daughter. If you were merely a playboy, the concubine's daughter would be considered completely ostracized by the Qin family, with all her hopes dashed. Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise; this way, you can achieve peace and prosperity.

But if you are not, if you try your best to show off, then the concubine's daughter will surely become suspicious. At that time, you will inevitably be drawn into a vortex, either seeing it through to the end or dying without a burial place halfway. This is known as 'Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise, but a blessing may be a misfortune in disguise.' It seems glorious, but it is actually full of hidden dangers.

But since you possess such strength, you must be unwilling. If you choose this path, Father's advice is to display your martial arts, but not too much. Do not let that Qin Jin'er develop ambitions because of it. This way, you can preserve yourself and protect the Ning family."

Ning Xuan shook his head.

He didn't really want to get involved in those ridiculous family squabbles, engaging in constant scheming and backstabbing, and then having to act like a downtrodden grandson.

He wanted to slack off, but not to become a pile of rotten shit.

So, he asked, "What about the second path?"

Ning Taiyi was silent for a moment and said, "For the second path, you must first do one thing. Once you've done it, Father will tell you. Otherwise, you will obediently take the first path."

Ning Xuan nodded and said, "I'll do it."

Ning Taiyi clapped his hands.

The ground beside him suddenly flashed with golden light. The golden light dissipated, revealing a purple-robed Daoist wearing a bronze ghost mask.

The Daoist was extraordinary and refined. Standing there, he exuded an air of detached ease, yet the bronze ghost mask added a touch of ferocity and dread.

As soon as the purple-robed Daoist appeared, he made a surprising move.

He placed his hand on the mask and casually removed it, revealing a terrifying face.

The flesh was torn and gaping, pockmarked and disfigured.

Yet, this face smiled at Ning Xuan before putting the mask back on, saying, "My name is Ugly Slave. Thanks to Mr. Taiyi, I've been able to reach this point. Now, I am the Celestial Master of Wangyue Prefecture and its surrounding nine counties and twenty-eight villages. Young Master can call me Ugly Slave in private, and Celestial Master in front of outsiders."

Ning Xuan recognized the voice.

This was the person who had called himself "Big Brother" yesterday.

In other words, this was his Big Brother.

Big Brother was truly pitiful.

For a moment, he felt his father was definitely biased towards him.

Ning Taiyi said, "Xuan'er, Father will not say anything until you have completed that task. But Father still hopes you know that Ugly Slave is not an outsider. Treat him as you would a brother. Do not call him Ugly Slave in private."

The purple-robed Daoist chuckled, "Still call me Ugly Slave. Ugly Slave is better."

"Big Brother." Ning Xuan bowed respectfully.

Suddenly, the air grew quiet.

Ning Taiyi was stunned for a moment.

The purple-robed Daoist's eyes reddened for a moment.

But only for a moment.

After a moment, the purple-robed Daoist bowed and said, "As expected of Mr. Taiyi's son, you are as courteous and humble as he is."

Ning Taiyi seemed quite pleased and laughed heartily, "You are no mere subordinate; you are the cultivation genius I have seen in my life."

Then, he looked at Ning Xuan solemnly and said, "Xuan'er, remember, you can always trust Ugly Slave. Ugly Slave will not harm you. In fact, you might not know it, but Ugly Slave has watched you grow up. He just watched from afar, never getting close."

Ning Xuan nodded.

Ning Taiyi waved his hand and said, "The task you must do is to be Ugly Slave's Daoist Boy for a while.

Ugly Slave will explain the details to you.

Once you pass, Father can truly confirm that you will not die easily after stepping into the true face of this world."

Ning Xuan looked at the purple-robed Daoist.

Ugly Slave said, "Young Master, this matter requires arrangements first. I will find you in a month."

Ning Xuan replied, "I will wait for you."

Ugly Slave's figure flickered, and golden light surged from the ground. In the blink of an eye, he had vanished without a trace.

The next day, Ning Xuan began to train even harder.

He carried a boulder the size of a small mountain and did frog jumps, balanced on giant rocks at the edge of a cliff performing a one-finger Zen, used his hands to grip pythons like battle ropes and shook them back and forth, hugged a small mountain, trying to uproot it, and leaped from heights to endure the powerful rebound force. Of course, there was also long-distance running, push-ups, sit-ups, and practicing the Swallow Return stance to prevent his strength from becoming rigid.

He picked up a saber and incessantly practiced the Flying Swallow Mountain Collapse technique.

He pondered deeply, trying to find a trace of mystery within the Mountain Crashing Bear's sorcery, so he could perform Flying Swallow Mountain Collapse without needing to summon the Heavenly Demon Scroll.

Time passed day by day.

After arduous training, Ning Xuan's physique improved from the original "2.2" to "3.0," and the bonus from the Mountain Crashing Bear Heavenly Demon Record decreased to "1.7."

After summoning the Heavenly Demon Scroll, his body could now fully withstand the transformation without mutating.

Not only that, but Ning Xuan had indeed found a trace of the "Flying Swallow Mountain Collapse" energy from the sorcery. This energy was profoundly mysterious, rooted in flesh and blood, and could only be comprehended with an extremely clear understanding of the Mountain Crashing Bear.

Ning Xuan didn't know what this power was.

But the sorcery was clearly no longer suitable.

Soon, a month had passed.

Ugly Slave arrived on time.

He tossed Ning Xuan a set of wide-sleeved, cross-collared blue daoist robes and a matching bronze ghost mask.

"Change into them. Until Mr. Taiyi determines if you can walk a second path, your identity cannot be exposed," Ugly Slave said. After a moment's thought, he added, "From today onwards, you will be temporarily called Qingfeng. I apologize for the indignity, Young Master, but you will be my Daoist Boy."

Daoist Boy. Ning Xuan had seen them before.

That day, the Yellow Robe Daoist floated in mid-air, eyes closed, casting a spell, and unleashing Golden Snake Entangles Demon.

Two Daoist Boys stood guard beside him, swords in hand, looking around nervously and vigilantly.

Now, it was his turn.

Ning Xuan quickly put on the Daoist Boy's clothes and donned the mask.

Ugly Slave asked again, "You use a saber, correct?"

Ning Xuan nodded. "I learned from Master Zhang of the Swallow Chasing Wind Saber."

Ugly Slave said, "Then a nimble long saber will suffice."

Ning Xuan shook his head.

Ugly Slave looked puzzled.

Ning Xuan replied, "I use a beast-slaying saber. The longer, the better; the bigger, the better."