Chapter Forty-Eight: The Mysterious New Classmate

The entire turmoil at the Qingguan Pond, which had consumed so much of our time and energy, was resolved in a mere dozen seconds. It felt somewhat surreal.

Regardless of whether it felt real or not, however, it was the undeniable truth. Life is like a dream, yet compared to real life, I often felt that plays and dramas carried a greater sense of reality.

Any single one of my recent experiences surpassed anything found in fiction, appearing so illusory that it felt as though I existed in an entirely different time and space from ordinary people.

I glanced at the pitch-black corpse on the ground, then stood up and walked around the Qingguan Pond. I figured that the opportunity my grandfather had mentioned was likely hidden within the pond itself. Old Man Wu hadn't explained why he had remained in that bizarre state, but it must have been connected to this body of water.

After circling the Qingguan Pond several times, I called out to Huang Ying and Stone, and we left the place.

Perhaps the predestined affinity had not yet arrived, or perhaps my spiritual cultivation was simply insufficient, for all I could ever see was a pool of dark green water.

On the way back, I called my grandfather. This time, he finally answered.

I recounted everything that had happened in complete detail, leaving nothing out, not even the matter concerning Stone. He merely responded with noncommittal grunts and groans, offering not a single opinion.

"What on earth is that opportunity?" I asked, stepping a short distance away from Huang Ying.

"Stop searching. Come back quickly, your teacher is calling to urge you back!"

Since my parents were away working in other cities, I had written down my grandfather's phone number as the contact for guardians when filling out school paperwork.

Since grandfather said there was no need to look further, I didn't bother pressing him about the exact nature of the opportunity. When he decided he didn't want to talk about something, even the supreme deities of heaven couldn't pry open his mouth.

"Oh, right, bring Stone back with you!" Grandfather added abruptly just before hanging up. Before I could voice my opinion, he cut the line.

This time, we didn't go to Grandpa Ke's house first. Instead, we let Stone lead us to his home. Stone's father had recovered quite a bit; when we walked in, he was bending over and sweeping the floor.

"You're here, please have a seat!" He brought over two stools and gestured for us to sit down.

Once we were seated, I stated the purpose of our visit.

"My grandfather—oh, no, I mean my master—just said that he wants Stone to come back with us. I've already asked Stone on the way, and he said it depends on your decision."

Stone's father froze for a moment, then a wide smile broke across his face. "As long as Stone is willing!"

Normally, when someone was taken away by a master practitioner, it meant learning esoteric arts. We all understood this implication!

Naturally, Stone was more than willing. When he first heard the news, the excitement he displayed was as intense as winning a major lottery jackpot.

After Stone's father gave his consent, we stayed for only a few minutes before leaving.

Stone would join us later at Grandpa Ke's house, as a father and son parting ways always required some private words.

Along the path, we met several villagers. I briefed them on the situation at the Qingguan Pond and urged them to give Old Man Wu a proper burial, ensuring at least that he was placed in a coffin.

Grandpa Ke and Grandma Ke had suffered a minor loss of their souls earlier that day and were still feeling somewhat unwell, so they hadn't gone out to farm in the afternoon, choosing instead to rest at home.

Grandpa Ke remained as warm and hospitable to us as ever, which actually made me feel a bit embarrassed.

Later, I sat down and chatted with Grandpa Ke while Huang Ying sat quietly nearby, listening. It wasn't until around five in the afternoon that Stone finally arrived at Grandpa Ke's house.

With everyone assembled, we said our goodbyes to Grandpa Ke and the others. Word had apparently spread, and many villagers followed Stone to see us off, trying to persuade us to stay longer.

It felt wonderful to be valued like this for the very first time.

After spending a good dozen minutes or so, we finally managed to explain everything and part ways.

Before leaving, I instructed them to avoid going near the Qingguan Pond in the future, warning them that the Yin energy there was far too heavy and would bring them no good.

The three of us walking together resembled a pilgrimage party from the Great Tang Empire—if only we added one more person and a horse, we would have been the complete monk's journey to the West.

This time our pace was brisk because night was falling fast. We couldn't afford to walk at a leisurely stroll like we had on the way here when visibility disappeared after dark.

By dusk, we had arrived at my grandfather's house.

"Aren't we supposed to be going to Life-and-Death Mountain?" Stone asked.

"This is it! Life-and-Death Mountain was just an excuse I made up to stall them!"

"Oh!" Stone nodded, finding it very easy to accept new facts.

When we returned, grandfather was sitting at the doorstep smoking a pipe. Upon seeing us, he didn't even bother to stand up, merely tossing out a casual remark:

"You're back!"

"This is Stone!" I pulled Stone over in front of grandfather and said, "This is my grandfather, and also my master!"

"You guys go on inside. Stone, stay here and talk to me!" Grandfather waved his hand. We obediently headed inside; this was his territory, where his word was absolute law.

The first thing Huang Ying did upon entering was start cooking. About forty minutes later, dinner was ready, and grandfather and Stone came inside as well. What they had discussed, I neither knew nor cared to find out.

"Grandpa, can you accompany me to take a look at the old house later?" I asked.

There were still too many lingering mysteries within that old house, and what weighed heaviest on my mind was the white silk ribbon that had appeared there, as well as the mysterious figure who had transformed my grandmother.

The moment the words left my mouth, grandfather's expression shifted into one of absolute sternness.

"Get to sleep early tonight, and head back to school bright and early tomorrow morning. Don't run around everywhere!"

Fine, it was clear he had no intention of taking me. I mentally scoffed at him in my heart. If I only had enough real capability, I would have gone there long ago; failing that, I refused to believe a few sticks of dynamite couldn't blow that old house to smithereens.

After dinner, grandfather announced, "You'll sleep with Huang Ying tonight, and Stone will sleep with me!"

Grandfather had zero sense of taboo. Even if he wanted to help me along, could he please show a little subtlety? There were other people present, for goodness' sake!

The next morning, I woke up a little past five because the local bus departed at six.

Grandfather and Stone were still fast asleep. We didn't disturb them and slipped away quietly without even eating breakfast—it was simply too early, and neither of us had any appetite.

After several hours of travel, Huang Ying and I finally returned to our rented apartment.

This was our little home. As soon as we arrived, I collapsed onto the sofa to catch up on sleep. I had to go to classes by the afternoon; after all, I was still a student, and having skipped so many days this semester, it looked like I was going to have to buckle down and make a frantic sprint to catch up!

The embers of prosperity fade, casting shallow shadows against the balustrade.
The zheng strings startle, playing a soundless tune.
Staring into the distance until the geese return, much like the scenery of years past.
Foolish sighs poured alone over cups of wine.

Only a dream of lovesickness remains, white hair stretching three thousand zhang.
Past predestined ties have burned to ashes, hands held in silence with nothing left to say.
The shattered sword turns to dust, failing to soothe the zither of jade.
Memories of yesterday night,
tears flowing of their own accord.

I had no idea how long I had slept before I was jolted awake by a melodious ringtone.

I reached blindly into my pocket, groped for my phone, and fumbled to press the answer button.

"Hello? Who is this?"

"Wang Yu? It's your head teacher. Here's the thing—I called your grandfather, and he said you've already returned. Why haven't you come to class yet?"

That grandfather of mine! He certainly hadn't mentioned that I had only gotten back today; the head teacher must have assumed I'd been back for ages and was simply playing truant!

"Oh, oh! I just got back a moment ago. I'm heading to school right now!"

Hanging up, I checked the time. Dammit, I had only slept for about forty minutes! But with no other choice, I had to drag myself out of bed.

I didn't bring Huang Ying with me this time. Her condition had stabilized quite a bit, and I figured that even if she walked down the street wearing a mask, casual passersby wouldn't notice anything amiss if they weren't paying close attention.

After giving Huang Ying a few instructions, I grabbed my schoolbag and bolted out the door.

When I reached the classroom, it was currently the break between periods. Just as I was about to hurl my schoolbag from the doorway onto my seat, I noticed someone already sitting in my place, head buried as he worked on an assignment.

Who on earth was this guy?

A giant question mark formed in my head as I strode toward him.

As I walked, I sized him up: taller than me, wearing a black T-shirt and Xtep sneakers, with slightly long black hair. None of those details mattered most, however. What mattered most was that this guy actually looked better-than-average handsome. I rarely admitted anyone surpassed me in looks; in my own mind, even pop idols ranked a notch below me.

"New transfer student?" I asked.

"Yeah," he replied simply, without even lifting his head. I had half-expected him to launch into a self-introduction.

Seeing that he seemed deeply occupied, I decided not to disturb him further. I tucked my schoolbag under the desk, sat down, and started chatting idly with some of the other classmates.

A few minutes later, I turned back to him and asked, "What's your name?"

"Chen Xiaoyao."

Damn it, the guy still hadn't looked up, continuing to pore over his homework. I was willing to bet that in his past life, he must have been a hopelessly obsessive scholar, and he was making up for lost time in this one!

"I'm Wang Yu, nice to meet you!" I just spoke the words aloud without reaching out to shake his hand. Judging by his aloof personality, he was probably cut from the same eccentric cloth as my grandfather; if I extended my hand and he left me hanging, I would lose all my face in front of the whole class!