Chapter 676
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Chapter 676: A Bet (Part 2)
As soon as Su Yi finished speaking, he boldly grabbed the wine gourd from Xi Wuqing’s hand and took a large gulp. Feeling a little tipsy, he gazed at Xi Wuqing and inquired,
“I’ve heard you’re also a wandering cultivator?”
“Yes, just a wandering cultivator with no ties or burdens,” Xi Wuqing replied, sweeping his sleeves gracefully and staring off into the distance.
“I don’t believe you’re without attachments, Senior. Success and failure may be fleeting, but the mountains remain. The setting sun still paints the sky red, and the old fishermen along the riverbank know the autumn moon and spring winds. These aren’t words from someone without ties or burdens,” Su Yi remarked.
He took another long sip. From Xi Wuqing’s words and behavior, it was clear that the Lifetaken Yama was not completely detached from the world. History had once flowed around him, and kingdoms had risen and fallen at his feet. Yet, time had passed, and now perhaps in his old age, he had become more open-minded, though still burdened with regrets beneath his carefree demeanor.
“You have a sharp memory,” Xi Wuqing said, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he glanced at Su Yi. “There’s more to your words than meets the eye. Go ahead, say what’s on your mind!”
“Hehe…” Su Yi chuckled awkwardly, meeting Xi Wuqing’s gaze before taking another large drink.
“Careful, kid. Drink too much, and there won’t be any left,” Xi Wuqing muttered with mild concern, quickly pulling the wine gourd away. He regretted offering the alcohol at all.
“I was wondering, Senior Xi, have you ever thought about joining a sect?” Su Yi asked, suddenly becoming serious as he fixed his gaze on Xi Wuqing.
“What do you mean by that?” Xi Wuqing replied, curious.
Xi Wuqing stared at Su Yi and then said, “Are you suggesting I join the Divine Sword School?”
“I’m not even sure if I’m truly a disciple of the Divine Sword School.”
Su Yi shook his head slightly and continued, “Truth be told, I’m now the leader of a sect, and I’d like to extend an invitation for you to join.”
“You, a sect leader?”
Xi Wuqing looked at Su Yi with surprise before breaking into a slight smile, taking a sip. “Young man, do you realize that if I wanted to, I could join any sect in the world? If I so much as spoke, the One Mountain, Two Religious Sects, Three Sects, and Four Schools would treat me like royalty.”
Su Yi was about to respond when he realized that what Xi Wuqing said was no exaggeration. If Lifetaken Yama Xi Wuqing wished to join a renowned sect, any of them would welcome him.
“One Mountain, Two Religious Sects, Three Sects, and Four Schools,” Su Yi mused. “Yes, if you wanted, they’d welcome you as a guest of honor. But joining might also mean living under their rule. Maybe that’s why you’ve never joined.”
“Why should I join your sect, young man?” Xi Wuqing retorted, a slight smile on his face, not taking the conversation too seriously. “Is your sect stronger than the ‘One Mountain, Two Religious Sects, Three Sects, and Four Schools’?”
“So what if it is?” Su Yi responded, his eyes flashing with intensity as a red light glimmered in them. “The Sacred Mountain is indeed powerful, but one day, I will set foot upon it.”
“You speak with great confidence, filled with youthful ambition,” Xi Wuqing shook his head and calmly added, “But why should I join? Even if I joined your so-called sect, it would be like an ant challenging a great tree — a world of difference between us and the ‘One Mountain, Two Religious Sects, Three Sects, and Four Schools.'”
“You’re right, for now, there is no comparison,” Su Yi admitted.
His thoughts shifted. He knew that the Divine Demonic Sect had once been powerful, but it had lost much of its grandeur with time. The current situation was dire, and there were formidable enemies beyond their reach.
Even Su Yi himself acknowledged that he wasn’t what he used to be, and he couldn’t yet compete with Sacred Mountain.
“But give it time,” Su Yi spoke with unwavering conviction, “and my sect will rise to stand tall among the strongest, no matter who they are.”
“Time, you say? A hundred years, a thousand years, or perhaps ten thousand years? Haha,” Xi Wuqing laughed, taking another sip from his gourd before tossing it to Su Yi. “I know you’re remarkable, young man, but the One Mountain, Two Religious Sects, Three Sects, and Four Schools have a deep legacy. You’re still too young, and there’s much you don’t understand.”
Su Yi took a sip from the gourd and fixed his gaze on Xi Wuqing, responding, “Could it be that you, an elder, are not waiting for a companion, someone to share a drink and converse with? Instead of being alone and occasionally singing softly to yourself, feeling the passage of time, you’d rather avoid connection. Even though I’m young, I wish to be your friend, to drink and sing passionately. In life, I will bloom like a summer flower, and in death, I’ll be as peaceful as autumn leaves. Even without dragon strength, I carry an indomitable spirit. In this world, I will be a hero, and in death, I’ll still be a force to be reckoned with.”
“Hahaha…”
Xi Wuqing’s deep, earthy laugh rang out, his eyes sparkling with a glimmer of something undefined.
Once his laughter subsided, Xi Wuqing turned to Su Yi, his tone shifting. “What makes you think you can achieve that, young man?”
“I can prove my worth by defeating the Fire Dragon Master, by saving you in front of him!” Su Yi declared, his voice fierce, his eyes burning with pride and rebellion.
“I’ve said it before,” Xi Wuqing sighed, “You have extraordinary talents, but this world is filled with countless geniuses. Very few can make it to the end. How dare you speak of being my confidant? I’m no longer young and don’t have the time to entertain you, youngster.”
“The green mountains remain, and the sunset has painted the sky countless times. Everything eventually becomes a story, a tale of laughter. Elder, you’ve truly aged. Haha, with age, comes the weariness of the heart.” Su Yi gazed at Xi Wuqing, then suddenly smiled. He raised his head and laughed loudly, saying, “In the midst of this journey through the demon forest, I am the king of a hundred thousand beasts. The fierce tiger within me is awake. I roar to the sky, shaking the mountains. With one sword, one blade, I laugh at the heavens. I’m intoxicated tonight. Let’s drink more, Elder Xi. You’ve grown old, and perhaps fear has taken root in your heart.”
Su Yi tossed his head back and took a large gulp of wine.
“Youngster, don’t provoke me. I see through your little tricks,” Xi Wuqing said, narrowing his eyes.
He approached, snatched back the wine gourd, and took a deep drink. Staring into the distance, he stood tall despite his thin frame. His black robe swirled in the wind, and his deep-set brown eyes shone with a glimmer of something sharp.
“Let’s make a bet, young man. Do you dare?”
“Go ahead, Senior Xi!” Su Yi said, eager.
“It seems the Saint Martial Assembly is coming up. If you, young man, can make it to the top two in the Assembly, no matter which sect you belong to, I, Xi Wuqing, will join you. But if you fail to make the top two, I will consider our debt for my saving you to be paid in full. How does that sound?” Xi Wuqing stared intensely at Su Yi.
