Chapter 131: In a Single Thought, There Is Both Killing and Protection

The young Daoist could not help but sigh. It sounded helpless—yet, as though he’d been affected by her free-spirited cheer, his own mood lightened somewhat. He sat there calmly, the sleeves of his robe patterned with drifting clouds and flowing water hanging down, naturally covering the wound on his right hand. With dark hair bound by a wooden hairpin, his countenance was clear and youthful—he was still that young Daoist who should have remained distant from the mortal world.

That sharp, blade-like killing intent quietly dissipated.

He simply smiled and said: “It has indeed been a long time. How have you been lately?”

Upon hearing this, Yun Qin let out a sigh, and a wistful expression clouded her face. Resting her chin in her hands, her small face full of melancholy, she said: “Wuhuo, don’t ask such disheartening things.”

Her face was full of sorrow. “Back then, because you taught me how to write in cloud seal script…”

“I passed my master’s examination.”

“Uncle Niu clearly told me that although cultivation is bitter now, it’s only because I was just a registered disciple. Once my name was officially entered into the records, once I truly entered my master’s lineage, things would become easier.”

“But how is it any easier!”

“After becoming a true disciple, it only became even harder!”

Yun Qin gritted her teeth, venting her frustrations about Uncle Niu’s deceit and her own arduous cultivation to her companion.

The young Daoist simply sat there in silence, listening.

There was no need for comforting words.

Sometimes, it was enough that someone was there to listen, to let these worries be spoken aloud.

In the innocence of youth, there was still no fear of how the world would judge them, no need to second-guess whether someone would secretly mock or look down on them for such things. After recounting all that had happened recently, the young girl looked toward Qi Wuhuo, sat a little straighter, and spoke earnestly:

“So, I’ve been cultivating very diligently lately.”

The young Daoist nodded. “I see.”

Seeing that Qi Wuhuo had no other reaction, the girl fell silent for a moment.

She lightly pressed a clenched fist to her chin and gave a soft cough, then lifted her head slightly, eyes shining brightly.

“I’ve also worked hard, and I’ve learned a lot.”

The young Daoist said gently: “Oh?”

“Yes, Yun Qin has worked hard.”

The girl: “…………”

She took a deep breath, eyes looking straight ahead, then spoke with utmost seriousness:

“And so, for someone like Yun Qin, the Celestial Maiden of the Black Tortoise Star, who has worked so diligently…”

“Dao Sovereign Wuhuo has nothing to say in return?”

“Hm? Am I supposed to say something?”

At this, the girl widened her eyes, even her mouth slightly agape—a look of sheer disbelief frozen on her face.

Qi Wuhuo couldn’t help but chuckle softly. Seeing her expression, he reached into his sleeve and, smiling, drew out a bundle wrapped in oiled paper and tied with fine hemp cord. There were still traces of innate One Qi sealed around it, and the warmth wafting from it naturally drew Yun Qin’s gaze. He smiled and replied: “Yes, yes, for the Celestial Maiden Yun Qin of the Black Tortoise Star to have worked so hard—this poor Daoist Wuhuo is in awe, truly in awe.”

“And so, these are your reward from this poor Daoist.”

“Ah, great—cough, I mean… well said!”

“Truly virtuous!”

The girl’s eyes lit up, and she nearly bounced up in delight, only to realize her slip. She coughed lightly, quickly composing herself with an air of solemnity, even raising her hand slightly in what seemed a mimicry of some elder’s posture. Her gaze turned cool and collected as she declared:

“Ahem. Well then…”

“Many thanks to Dao Soveregin Wuhuo for his concern.”

“In that case, this Celestial Maiden shall accept it.”

The two fell silent for a brief moment, then Qi Wuhuo couldn’t help but laugh aloud. It all felt so childish… yet with no one else around, he felt only ease and warmth in his heart. Yun Qin gave him a glare and said: “You’re laughing at me?! What, did I not play the part well enough?” But before she could finish her sentence, even she couldn’t help breaking into laughter.

At their age, the two youths had long since lost the motivation to keep up the formal pleasantries they’d picked up from their elders. The girl flopped back onto the ground, propping herself up with both hands beside her, legs clad in easy-to-move-in clothing. Her embroidered shoes had little tufts of fluff swaying gently as she moved. Reaching out with a bright smile in her eyes, she said quite naturally: “Give it to me!”

“Then I’ll give you a return gift too.”

“Alright.”

When the young Daoist began to raise the Xuantan altar, he first set the snacks he’d been holding down on the table. As he formed a hand seal with his fingers, Yun Qin caught sight of the cloth wrapped around his hand and froze for a moment. Her brows furrowed. “Wuhuo, what happened to your hand?”

“You’re hurt?”

“Who bullied you?!”

Qi Wuhuo paused for a moment, then replied gently: “I failed to cut something cleanly. The backlash injured me instead.”

“It’s nothing serious.”

He said no more, simply brushing past the matter with a small smile. Then he asked: “And where’s Uncle Niu?”

“Oh! Uncle Niu’s right here.”

“He said he wanted to go watch the commotion again today, but since we’re raising the Xuantan altar, I went and pulled him back here.”

Yun Qin tugged at someone beside her, and out came a massive old yellow ox, who had been gazing longingly out into the distance, muttering under his breath. Dragged over, the old ox let out a long, lamenting sigh: “Actually, Yun Qin, you could give the Xuantan method a try too. You might not have your own position among the star officials, but your father’s talisman still works decently well.”

“Something really big is happening today.”

“They say a star that’s been quiet for ages suddenly flickered for a moment. Just a brief instant, but that star was thought to have long since lost all divine resonance—nothing but a silent body among the myriad constellations. No one even knows how long such stars have existed—most are just ordinary celestial fireballs. But that one holds [divine authority]—it carries the potential to nurture a [Star God].”

“Never would I, old Ox, have thought I’d live to see such a thing—a star showing signs of [revival] once more.”

And never would he have thought that he wouldn’t even get to go see it.

Because Little Yun Qin had dragged him here instead.

Just thinking about it left the old ox’s face full of sorrow.

Pain!

True pain!

Such a massive—massive—spectacle!

Yun Qin tilted her head in confusion. “A star reviving?”

The old ox thought for a moment, then said: “It’s like, there was always this divine office, but no one ever held the post, so everyone nearly forgot it even existed. And then—suddenly—that post reappeared.”

“There’s a saying in divination that the celestial stars represent the fates of certain people.”

“In fact, the Star Deities and Star Officials—while the Northern Emperor can directly assign roles and duties, the position of a Star Lord requires the selection of the Star Lord’s own essence. It’s an extremely harsh process, which is why even now, there are still many vacant Star Lord positions. These remain unclaimed because no one has been able to achieve the grand feats necessary to be recognized by the divine office of the Star Lord.”

“But this star, Cao[TL_Note: cursing, also means grass], this one…”

The old ox slapped his thigh, unable to hold back his deep sighs. It seemed as if he needed to express his emotions this way.

Yun Qin, confused, asked: “Isn’t ‘grass’ just a kind of plant?”

The old ox replied: “Don’t ask questions like that, little one.”

“Oh.”

“Then, Uncle Niu, why are you so interested?”

The old ox couldn’t help but sigh again. “Because this star, just a tiny flicker, is already more than enough to stir up the otherwise dead, motionless celestial body. It holds a higher status. Though it’s only showing preliminary signs of awakening, it’s far from fully revived. But once it does awaken, even the Northern Emperor will know, and he might even go to personally greet it…”

Yun Qin’s gaze tightened. “The Northern Emperor…”

The old ox exhaled slowly and then continued: “That’s [Fire(Huo)]. In the Heavenly Realm, the position of the Star Lord of Fire holds great significance. The Star Lord’s rank is higher than the one in charge of your father’s constellation of the twenty-eight stars. It’s a position in the Heavenly Battle Division, ranked fourth among the Eleven Star Gods. It’s called the Fire Virtue Star God.”

“Countless Star Deities and Star Officials have sought to gain recognition from this star.”

“But none have succeeded.”

“No one knows what Fire Virtue truly is. Some try with fierceness, others with ascension, others with destruction.”

“There are Heavenly Fires, Calamity Fires, even Fires in the Water—ha. In the end, the Fire Virtue Star Lord remains unclaimed. Those who practice fire techniques often end up with foundations as Star Deities, but are reassigned to the Thunder Division. The likes of the Three Five Thunder Fire Generals, they’re all like this. Fire Virtue, Fire Virtue… sigh…” The old ox sighed deeply.

“It’s a pity. If I understood it, I might’ve become the Fire Virtue Ox Golden Star Lord by now.”

He made a joke.

Yun Qin, still somewhat puzzled, nodded. She then instinctively asked: “Wuhuo, Wuhuo, what do you think Fire Virtue is?”

The young Daoist remained lost in thought, contemplating the sword strike he had performed today.

The sword strike emerged, its foundation based on the use of the Human Dao Destiny, aimed to strike at the Crown Prince, who was shielded by an extremely powerful Human Dao Fortune. [TL_Note: In case it’s confusing, Human Dao Fortune = Human Dao Fate = Human Dao Destiny]

It was like using the left hand to strike the right hand.

But then, the foundation was insufficient.

If he were to travel to Jinzhou, it would improve considerably. Compared to the grand pillar of fate and fortune, the intention contained in this sword was like a flickering flame.

Upon hearing Yun Qin’s question, he instinctively replied: “A tiny spark, a flickering light.”

The old ox laughed heartily. “You’re truly a child. How could Fire Virtue be like that?”

Qi Wuhuo snapped out of his thoughts, smiling lightly: “Hmm, yes…”

“Probably not.”

But in his heart, he was thinking about the flickering light, spreading across the vast expanse. There was no reason it couldn’t be used to set the heavens ablaze.

This sword might be able to do so…

Little Yun Qin asked: “The fourth Star Lord of the Eleven Stars showing a subtle change—Ah, Uncle Niu, do you really want to join in on the excitement?”

“Why don’t you finish passing the ritual to me, then hurry up and go over there?”

The old ox, overjoyed, said: “Hahaha, Yun Qin’er is indeed a good child, you know how to take pity on this old ox.”

Then, with a wide grin, he said: “Come, come, quickly bring it here, let me handle it all in one go!”

Good Old Ox, full of spirit, his aura like the Tai Sui, showing off his divine powers, his eyes gleaming like a true ox demon.

He was indeed the Ox King Saint in the mountains, a celestial Star Lord.

He raised his hand, preparing the Xuantan Altar. Yun Qin gathered everything up, saying: “Oh, right, that uncle before—Wuhuo, you need to reply to his letter; he sent a response too. He even praised you.”

The young Daoist, puzzled, asked: “Praised me?”

“Yeah, he said you’re smarter than I am.”

At this, the old ox couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“That uncle doesn’t even recognize Wuhuo, he was making fun of you!”

With a wave of his hand, the Xuantan ritual began.

Here we go!

As the hand gestures were made, the Xuantan rose. The old ox’s laughter abruptly ceased. Just as he was about to say “I’m going”, his expression suddenly changed.

“Cao!”

Boom!!!

The old ox felt his entire Star God power being pulled away, like a floodgate opening. It wasn’t just spiritual energy; at his level of cultivation, it was the very essence of his true spirit, his “three flowers gathered at the apex”—his true soul essence was rapidly being consumed. In a single moment, the old ox reverted to his true form. 

The surrounding Qi surged out violently, his body slick and glistening. Blades could not cleave, swords could not pierce, fire and water could not harm him, and even lightning and thunder could not break his defenses. Yet his hide, impervious to all, was soaked with his own cold sweat. His four legs shook uncontrollably, his entire body trembling with fear.

“This… this, what is this…”

The old yellow ox was panting heavily.

He felt as though in the next moment, he would see the long-departed great-grandmother coming to receive him.

There was something wrong with that scroll!

Qi Wuhuo picked up the scroll and saw the title written upon it: [Further Response from the Great Dao Sovereign to the Little Dao Sovereign Wuhuo].

He couldn’t help but smile.

It seemed that senior’s temperament remained gracious—truly unrestrained, yet filled with pride. To use such a title in reply was already quite playful, yet he still felt the need to make a distinction between ‘great’ and ‘young’—how amusing. Then, he opened the scroll, and at first glance, he was met with three sharp rebukes in succession—

“Ignorant! Ignorant! Ignorant!”

They rang in his ears like the sound of great bronze bells and massive drums—thunderous and deafening.

It was as though a Daoist figure truly stood before him, chiding and instructing.

“Whether action or inaction—why cling to the thought of it?”

“You truly do not understand! To cultivate the Dao is to cultivate the self. To seek the Dao is to seek the self. These three thousand righteous paths must all take the [self] as their foundation.”

“It is not I who should pursue the Dharma, but the Dharma that should come to me.”

“This is what is meant by ‘true nature’. Within me lies a speck of true spirit. Whether I act or refrain, whether I move a thought or still it—are these not all my own decisions?”

“Just as with the sword—its techniques are fierce, its killing decisive. It may slay myriad demons, and it may also save all living beings.”

“Whether to save or to slay—all lies within a single thought of mine. To fixate on one aspect is to ignore the other…”

Qi Wuhuo stared fixedly at those words. They were written in Cloud Seal script, and naturally carried an ineffable charm. Suddenly, the young Daoist’s heart felt clear of all obstruction. Meanwhile, the old yellow ox, still trying to put on a strong front, muttered, “It’s fine, it’s fine, this old ox can still go watch the commotion!” Yet one of his legs was trembling as he leaned against the wall and tried to make his way out.

All of a sudden, a sharp aura pricked his senses.

The old ox froze.

He turned his head abruptly—only to see the young Daoist with lowered eyes, looking toward the nearby sword case. From within it, a deep and resonant sword cry was rising—shaking and howling. Something within seemed to be shattering, only to reforge itself anew—turning into something far stronger and far more terrifying. The young Daoist’s right hand lowered. He murmured to himself:

“Grasp its [meaning]—forget its [form].”

“Within a single thought, there lies the power to kill—And within that same thought, the will to protect.”

“To kill or to protect—It is but the span of a single thought!”