The Legend of the Devil
Ch. 138 - Passing Four Seasons III
Early in the morning, a tinge of orange spread over the morning sky that was only visible slightly from under the ravine. Birds pass overhead without intending to stop in a place with such cold temperatures.
The ice river cracked, some fish were able to move but unfortunately as the ice pieces started to spread Fenghuang caught the fish and brought them near the usual Xiang Yi Bai, cooking food.
Xue Zhan himself could actually cook but the last time he was poisoned was because some of the fish in this place had poison. Not cooking it properly can be dangerous. Therefore Xiang Yi Bai would not allow him to cook anymore.
Before eating, Xiang Yi Bai told Xue Zhan to immediately prepare to practice a hundred moves at once perfectly. Of course these were the moments Fenghuang was waiting for. Xue Zhan was a little nervous even though he had already memorized and comprehended every move.
But for a moment his heart was restless. If it was true that after this they would split up, Xue Zhan wanted to appreciate the time they had together. Xiang Yi Bai noticed the change in Xue Zhan's face but did not say anything.
Xue Zhan could not focus, he chose to help Xiang Yi Bai prepare the fire.
"Let me, Teacher."
His disciple turned to preparing the fire, Xiang Yi Bai let him work on it. Fenghuang was still collecting fish from the river. There was a voice from the young man, a bit raucous, "Teacher ... If I'm not here, what about you? You're gonna be okay, right?"
There was a short answer, The man did not return his gaze because he was busy. "I've been living here twenty years alone. You're overreacting."
Xue Zhan's gaze fell into the embers of the fire that were on the verge of dying many times due to the cold temperature. "I want to meet with Emperor Ziran to talk about all of this. But without witnesses, everyone would assume I was lying."
Old Monster interjected, "Don't try to persuade me rotten boy. Like my heart would waver with the whimper of your childishness. It's spoiled, even though I live here but you're crying."
"H-huh? Teacher knows where I cried last night?"
"That's what you said yourself."
Xue Zhan clicked his tongue, looking annoyed but also enduring embarrassment, he did not want to look bellowed in front of his Master.
At a glance Xiang Yi Bai drew a faint smile.
"You're so lost? Don't you still have a teacher besides me? Look for him, I'm sure he's alive, too."
"Teacher Kang may still be alive after the incident that day, but I'm not sure he can survive any longer with his illness ..." The regret in both of his eyes was clearly displayed. Flickering red reflected in Xue Zhan's eyeballs, the flames began to warm the air around.
"Initially I also wanted to take Master out so that I could meet Teacher Kang. I'm sure I've told Master a thousand times. Teacher Kang has saved my life twice, he was also the first to accept my existence other than my grandfather and sister. I couldn't repay her services and caused trouble. She lost her good name because of me ..." Until that point Xue Zhan was no longer able to tell the bitterness he was experiencing.
"You can come back here, why is it sad like that?"
Xue Zhan's eyes glazed over, it wasn't the answer he wanted.
"I'd like to see Master watching a folk festival, enjoying the aroma of flower tea in the tavern, or buying expensive wine. I often imagine it. The day that Master can be happy without having to put on a fake face that hides regret."
Xiang Yi Bai laughed, although only a stinging voice could be heard. He opened his mouth but at a loss for words to reply, Xue Zhan made him unable to speak other than dictating back that regret within his brain.
"I promised to keep the Stone of the Earth until the end of my life."
"There's no but-but. Finish your meal after that I'll see the results of your training for four more years here. You can take Fenghuang out if you succeed."
Xiang Yi Bai walked back to Xue Zhan who immediately charged into speech in a loud tone. "But Master once said, Master will indeed stay here forever and will only come out when the Earth Ruler Element Stone is in danger!"
He approached Xiang Yi Bai. "Teacher, you're never gonna pull your word, are you?"
Xiang Yi Bai turned around. But no reply was heard from him. Until the man finally continued his journey. His face looked even more riled up than before.
A while passed until Xue Zhan was ready for his test which was probably first and last. The young man was standing on a rock right by the river. Fenghuang stood next to Xiang Yi Bai who had been waiting for his disciple ever since. Bai Ye herself watched from a distance in silence.
Until finally Xue Zhan took out the sword from the scabbard and started the first move quickly and dexterously.
"The Movement to Catch Rabbits!"
"Wars Run!"
"Tiger Hunting Deer!"
In less than ten seconds Xue Zhan practiced three moves at once so skillfully, without any gaps, Xiang Yi Bai admitted that the growth of Xue Zhan's strength was extremely fast. He has great potential, too bad he can't educate him further. Xiang Yi Bai could only hope that Xue Zhan met his old Master and get a better upbringing.
Because after hearing from Xue Zhan's story, that figure named Kang Jian was a good person who was sincere in educating his students.
There was still the sound of sword slashes, Xue Zhan shouted while concentrating his energy. "Wind of Reversing the Clouds!"
He twisted his body and the ground around the rock started to crackle. "The Rat of the Destroying Land."
"Crosswise Scratch!"
Each of his movements only gave him a pause of one second, Xiang Yi Bai nodded in satisfaction many times. He smiled involuntarily, this was the first time Xue Zhan had shown all of his training results and Xiang Yi Bai felt it was not in vain to educate him.
Sweat splashed across Xue Zhan's face as it reached the 46th movement, each movement requiring a deep amount of exertion in order. The higher the higher the more energy is needed. Xue Zhan's breathing was dull, sweat droplets falling on the rock where he stood. Around it, the rocks were crushed and cracked.
"Iron Hand Punch!"
Xue Zhan's 85th movement started to bleed from his mouth, he started to approach the threshold of using force. The next technique requires greater strength. He began to feel the pain radiating from head to toe, burning the body and causing a sharp pulse at several vital points.
Blood fell to the stone floor, Xue Zhan vomited blood for the fifth time. Fenghuang and Xiang Yi Bai watched as Xue Zhan faced his threshold. Convinced the young man could do it because Xue Zhan had even gone through more pain than this.
Xue Zhan's hand lifted, he turned his palm against the wall that was behind.
"Signor of the God of Destruction!"