Chapter 4

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Chapter 4: Wang Yu

A few days later.

Ding Yu stood at the foot of a small hill, watching his Grandpa nodding and bowing, talking to a man in a Taoist outfit.

The Taoist was about forty years old, with thick eyebrows and a square face. He spoke slowly and looked very dignified.

Behind the two, a winding stone path led up the mountain, and at the green mountain top, a small temple was faintly visible.

After having tea for a while, the old man turned back and told Ding Yu:

"Little Two, you should follow Master Chongyun from now on. In the temple, be sure to listen well. Do whatever the Master says, and after a few years, when the Spiritual Servant is done, your grandpa will take you home."

After saying these words, the old man expressed his gratitude with a few more words to the person and handed over a heavy package before he slowly turned and left.

Ding Yu watched the old man’s distant figure, speechless for a while.

Along the way, he learned from the old man why everyone feared the "Spiritual Servant" so much.

It turned out that every ten years or so, Yellow Stone City would order many young men from its villages to cultivate strange lands.

These lands had very hard soil and needed special heavy tools to work on them; it was extremely difficult, sometimes even harming the workers’ bodies. The work would take at least three to four months, or even over six months. If it weren’t for the generous rewards from Yellow Stone City, not many adults could endure it.

Even stranger was that once these areas were cultivated, the City Lord’s people would guard them closely, not allowing ordinary people to get near. The reason given was that they grew a special rice that could only be harvested once every ten years, meant for the nobility. It was said to prolong life, but no one really knew if it was true.

Additionally, he learned from his "grandfather" that there were hundreds of small towns controlled by Yellow Stone City, while other areas were deserted, seemingly with some monsters and fierce beasts. His grandfather also did not know much about the government or the court.

Ding Yu felt a bit puzzled, but then he thought that his grandfather was just a hunter, likely like the other people from Wangjia Village who had never left their nearby area, so how could he know what the outside "world" was like? It seemed that more information about this world could only be known by certain people from Yellow Stone City.

Aside from these, Ding Yu did not find too many differences between this world and Blue Star. He was not surprised either to see religions like Buddhism and Daoism appear in this world.

This world may truly have some deep connection with Blue Star, just as Dr. Chen and the others guessed.

However, he felt a bit helpless about becoming a disciple so soon after arriving in the Otherworld, and he just hoped that the food at the temple would be better than at home.

"Alright, stop looking. Come with me up the mountain. After I add your name to the temple’s register, you will be considered part of our temple," Taoist Chongyun said to the young boy indifferently.

"Yes, thank you, Taoist." Ding Yu quickly turned around and bowed deeply to the Taoist.

"You may be young, but you are polite! Normally, we wouldn’t accept anyone at this time, but your Grandpa found something I really needed, which is a great help, so I will make an exception for you to join as a disciple. Your Dao name will be ‘Qiu Ye’, from now on you can call me ‘Temple Master’," Taoist Chongyun said, looking at the ordinary boy with some surprise.

"Yes, Temple Master," Ding Yu honestly called out.

Taoist Chongyun nodded and turned to walk up the mountain path.

Ding Yu closely followed behind him.

After a while, Ding Yu and the Taoist reached the top of the mountain, where a small temple stood on a plot of land of only two or three acres. A red plaque hung above the door, with three silver characters written on it.

"White Cloud Temple"

Ding Yu looked at the plaque with words resembling the Blue Star font. As a student from Blue Star University, he twitched his lips and silently repeated them in his heart.

After entering through the open gate, there was a small square made of green bricks. In front was a large hall with a statue of a deity. On both sides, there were small rooms, and there were also two small stone paths on either side of the hall, leading directly to the back of the temple.

In the square, there was a chubby young Taoist priest sweeping the ground with a broom. When he saw Taoist Chongyun enter, he quickly stepped forward and called out, "Temple Master."

"Dongyue, go to my room and bring the Tao Book of our temple. This boy is the new ‘Qiu Ye.’ Remember, if outsiders ask, say ‘Qiu Ye’ joined our temple with you six months ago." Taoist Chongyun nodded at the young monk and then gave his instructions.

"Yes, I’ll get it right away." The young Taoist priest, surprised, glanced at Ding Yu and quickly nodded as he walked towards a nearby room.

The Taoist then led Ding Yu into the large hall in front of them.

The hall wasn’t lavish, but it had an ancient and solemn atmosphere. The offering table and incense burner were both present. Facing the hall’s door was a lotus stone seat with a statue of a Taoist standing about ten feet tall. It was made of blue stone, with three strands of long beard, a lifelike face, and a white stone sword on its back.

"This is the ‘Nine Heavens Qiuyang Celestial Master’ worshipped by our temple. Come and bow your head," Taoist Chongyun said to Ding Yu after lighting a stick of incense before the statue.

"Bang!"

Without saying a word, Ding Yu bumped his head hard against the statue.

Taoist Chongyun showed a satisfied expression at this.

At this moment, Dongyue hurriedly entered the main hall, holding a thin red book in both hands.

The Taoist took the book, opened it, and then picked up a brush from the offering table, casually asking, "Ding Yu?"

"Wang Tiezhu."

Upon hearing Ding Yu’s answer, Taoist Chongyun frowned and shook his head repeatedly.

"This name won’t do; it’s too rough. Although there are no strict rules, it’s customary that names which are too crude cannot be entered into the Tao Book. How about this: change your name, and I will notify your grandfather later; I believe he won’t disagree."

"Change my name."

Ding Yu was a little surprised.

"Yes, if you can’t think of a good name, I can help you," the Taoist said casually.

"Then I will change my name to ‘Wang Yu’!" After a moment of confusion, the new name slipped from Ding Yu’s mouth.

"Wang Yu, that name does sound good, but can you write it?" The Taoist asked, slightly surprised.

After hesitating for a moment, Ding Yu answered "Yes," and used his finger to sketch in the air.

After seeing this, Taoist Chongyun nodded and wrote "Wang Yu" after the name "Qiu Ye," which he had already written in the book. Then he said with a serious expression:

"Remember, since it is recorded in the Tao Book, from today onward you are Wang Yu. Make sure not to let it slip in front of others, or if someone catches wind of it and brings you to serve as a Spiritual Servant, I won’t be able to help you."

Wang Yu responded eagerly, determined that from now on in the Otherworld, he would be "Wang Yu."

"Good, Dongyue, take the newcomer to get familiar with our place, gather what they need, and explain the rules here. I need to attend morning prayers; you may go ahead. Qiu Ye, come back to see me tonight," the Taoist commanded before sitting cross-legged on the cushion by the altar and closing his eyes to rest.

The young Taoist priest nodded and took Wang Yu out of the grand hall.

"Qiu Ye, I joined the temple before you, so you should call me ‘Martial Brother’ from now on. You joined White Cloud Temple to avoid the Spiritual Servant too, right? So did I. My father found out about it months in advance and spent a lot of money to have the Temple Master accept me. The last time there was a Spiritual Servant was ten years ago; I heard it was very scary. When a family’s son turns ten, he has to serve as a Spiritual Servant for at least a few months, and some never come back. Those who do return are often very ill. However, Junior Martial Brother, don’t worry! As long as our names are on the Tao Book, they can’t reach us from Yellow Stone City. The rules here are simple; basically, we just need to follow the Temple Master’s orders. The daily work is light too; as long as we clean the temple and recite the ‘White Cloud Sutra’ three times each morning and evening, we can move freely. We can plant vegetables in the nearby fields or go to the back mountain…" Dongyue seemed to love talking; as soon as they left the grand hall, he just kept on chatting, acting very friendly.

"Martial Brother Dongyue, it looks a bit empty here. Is it just you and the Temple Master in the temple?" Wang Yu asked, looking at the neat rooms on both sides.

"Of course not! Besides you, me, and the Temple Master, there’s also Elder Martial Brother ‘Qingfeng.’ He is the true disciple of the Temple Master and can directly call him Master, unlike us who are only nominal disciples and must call him ‘Temple Master.’ But Qingfeng is not in the temple right now; he went down the mountain to help a wealthy family with a ceremony."

"So there are four of us in the temple," Wang Yu thought to himself.

Not long after, Dongyue took Wang Yu around most of the temple, not only finding him a fitting Taoist robe but also arranging a room for him.

But when they walked along the small path beside the grand hall to the back of the temple, a large open area appeared before them. One side of the open space had a vibrant green vegetable garden surrounded by a wooden fence, while the other side had a weapons rack with various swords, spears, and sticks. Next to it were three or four simple wooden training dummies and five or six white stone locks of different sizes.

At the back of the open area, there was another stone house. The big door was very dark, and on it hung a large copper lock. The lock had two old yellow papers crossed over it, with some strange black patterns on them.

While Wang Yu was looking around, Dongyue pointed to the weapons rack and said with a wink:

"This is the place where Temple Master and Senior Brother Qingfeng practice martial arts. By the way, since you have joined the temple, the Temple Master will probably teach you a set of martial techniques for protection. I learned a staff technique from the Temple Master, and it’s really amazing."

"Does the Temple Master know martial arts?"

Wang Yu looked at everything before him and, after hearing Dongyue’s words, was truly surprised.

"Of course! And it’s impressive too. Come and look at this handprint on the stone lock; it was left by the Temple Master himself." Dongyue quickly walked to the weapon rack and pointed proudly at the largest stone lock nearby.

Wang Yu hurried over and focused his gaze.

He saw a clear handprint, half an inch deep, on the side of the white stone lock.

Wang Yu touched the edge of the handprint with his finger, pressed down slightly, and felt the stone lock was incredibly hard. He thought it would take a lot of effort even with a sharp blade to leave a mark on it; it was certainly not something a flesh-and-blood body could do.

If this is true, then Taoist Chongyun’s skills are terrifying, far beyond the "martial arts" from Blue Star.

But does this count as supernatural power?

Wang Yu thought about it, and his heart raced wildly, feeling a bit excited.

"Martial Brother Dongyue, can you show me the stick technique taught by the Temple Master? I want to see it!" Wang Yu looked at the proud little monk in front of him and, after thinking for a moment, asked in a flattering tone.

"The Temple Master taught me the Vajra Stick Technique. If Junior Martial Brother Qiu Ye wants to see it, of course you can." The young Taoist priest seemed eager to show off in front of Wang Yu, and quickly agreed. He reached back and pulled out a heavy stick that was slightly taller than himself and walked to the center of the open space.

"This stick… can you let me hold it, Martial Brother?" After looking at the dark stick a few times, Wang Yu asked with a strange expression on his face.

"Of course! But be careful, this stick is a bit heavy!" Dongyue was surprised for a moment, but quickly smiled and replied, handing one end of the stick over.

"This stick is wrapped in such thick iron! It must weigh thirty or forty pounds. Can you really swing it, Martial Brother?" Wang Yu touched the end of the stick a couple of times and felt its coldness, unable to suppress his surprise.

"Haha, Junior Brother thinks too little of me! I may not have much, but I do have strength. This weight is nothing; even a solid iron rod can’t stop me. Junior Brother, just watch… awakening from a great dream, Wei Tuo has come to the world…" After laughing nonchalantly, the young Taoist priest walked to the center of the Martial Arts Field, mumbling to himself as he swung the long stick with great force. The stick whooshed through the air, looking very impressive.

Wang Yu seemed to be watching with great interest, clapping and cheering, but in his heart, he felt a bit skeptical.

Having been influenced by various modern martial arts films and special effects, he thought this stick technique was flashy and visually pleasing, but it didn’t seem very special. However, it was strange that this little chubby boy, who was about his age, had such great strength.

Dongyue yelled and struck one end of the stick hard on the ground in front of him, making a small shallow dent. Out of breath, he put the stick away and proudly said to Wang Yu:

"What do you think? I have only practiced this stick technique for half a year, and I’m already this skilled. Even the Temple Master praised me for having talent in this."

"Impressive! With such a heavy stick, I definitely wouldn’t be able to do that in just six months. But if Martial Brother is this good, then Elder Martial Brother Qingfeng must be even better," Wang Yu thought about the palm print on the stone lock and asked another question.

"Of course, Elder Martial Brother Qingfeng is even more powerful, but… he is a bit hard to approach. When Junior Martial Brother sees him, he will understand." The young Taoist priest stumbled over his words when he heard Wang Yu mention Qingfeng.

Wang Yu’s curiosity grew, but he didn’t want to press further. He pointed at the stone house and asked:

"Martial Brother, what is this house used for? Why is it locked and covered with paper?"

"What paper? These are talismans, said to have the power to ward off evil and seal things. As for the purpose of the house, I’m not too sure. It was already here when I came to White Cloud Temple and the Temple Master ordered us to keep our distance. But I’ve seen Senior Brother Qingfeng go inside. When I asked him what was inside, he wouldn’t tell me. But this house is a bit strange; if you get closer, you will find out," Dongyue glanced at the stone house, shook his head, and replied with a somewhat mysterious expression.

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