“Senior… Great…” Jiang Wang fumbled for words, finally settling on, “How fare you?”

He had journeyed ten thousand *li* once, intercepted Zhuang Gao Xian in the firmament above the long river, fought a fierce battle, and saved his life.

This time, he had not hesitated to leave the Hanging Temple, pursuing Zhao Xuan Yang under the oppressive shadow of Jing Country to snatch him from peril. Though he had failed to catch up, had it not been for Bitter Awareness’s pursuit, Zhao Xuan Yang would never have sought refuge in the ancient demon cave, leaving Jiang Wang with no possibility of self-rescue…

From ancient times, the devotion of a master to a disciple had been no more profound than this.

This bond of friendship was too weighty, too deep; he truly knew not how to repay it!

And for such a one, a true person traversing the world’s dust, what could a mere Inner Mansion cultivator like himself possibly do?

“How can I fare? Of course, I’m very well!” Bitter Awareness chuckled heartily. “My obedient disciple, how did you escape?”

“A friend saved me,” Jiang Wang replied. “However, my status externally is still considered missing, and Jing Country is using this to negotiate. Therefore, please do not reveal the news of my escape for the time being. I was also afraid you would worry, so I rushed to the Hanging Temple specifically to inform you through Master Pure Rite.”

Bitter Awareness’s eyes suddenly widened in a glare. “Wicked disciple! You know your master will worry? When you left Qi Country, why did you not come to see your master?”

Jiang Wang was speechless, only managing to say, “Your kindness towards me is forever unforgettable. I truly know not how to repay it.”

Within the Treasure Light Round Mirror, Bitter Awareness waved a hand. “Wait!”

“Ah?” Jiang Wang was somewhat bewildered.

“Wait for me to return to the Hanging Temple and ordain you!”

Jiang Wang was momentarily stunned.

Bitter Awareness had already pointed a finger across. “Goodness, you heartless one, you hesitated!”

“That…” Jiang Wang softly inquired, “Did you not already leave the mountain gate?”

Bitter Awareness rolled his eyes. “Can I not return?”

Can it be like this?

Jiang Wang was left a little dizzy and confused.

Could a world-class sect like the Hanging Temple truly be left and returned to at will, like a child’s game?

It sounded… not very reliable.

Beside him, the monk Pure Rite was also stunned, but for a different reason. “Master, did you not say you were specifically leaving the mountain gate, relinquishing the abbot position to me? Why do you want to return now?”

“Pure Rite!” Bitter Awareness’s heart ached with pain. “Your Buddha-heart has wavered, you are no longer pure! You actually, for the mere position of abbot, no longer want your master!”

“I… I.” Pure Rite hung his head in shame.

“I what I!” Bitter Awareness had already donned a serious expression, solemnly stating, “The Buddha-heart is covered in dust, it should be diligently wiped. Go stand in the corner as punishment!”

Pure Rite dutifully walked to the wall and stood there, feeling deeply wronged in his heart.

Jiang Wang remained silent for a moment, then said, “Great Master, although it may be improper to ask this, for your sake, I indeed do not wish to conceal or pretend. I have always very much wanted to ask you, why are you so good to me?”

“What nonsense question is this!” Bitter Awareness chided. “A master caring for a disciple is heaven’s law and earth’s principle. You are my disciple, how can I not care for you?”

“Precisely, precisely.” Pure Rite quickly spoke up in agreement, hoping to show loyalty to his master and earn forgiveness.

Bitter Awareness angrily rebuked, “No speaking while in the penalty corner!”

Pure Rite drooped his face but remained tightly closed-mouthed.

Although scolded, Jiang Wang continued to ask, “Then I wish to ask, why are you so persistently set on taking me as a disciple?”

It wasn’t that he questioned Bitter Awareness’s motives; if he truly didn’t trust Bitter Awareness, he wouldn’t have asked this. He simply genuinely wanted to know the truth.

All things have cause and reason. People can, of course, be good to someone without counting pros and cons, and can pay without reservation. But where does this emotion come from?

He reflected on his own attitude towards Bitter Awareness, which had initially been suspicion and caution, then resistance and evasion. Later, although they grew close, he ultimately held firm to his own path, unwilling to enter the Buddhist gate.

Why had Bitter Awareness been so good to him from the very beginning?

“Of course, it is to find a truly peerless talent, to boast before that group of bald donkeys… ah, no.” Bitter Awareness shifted to a grand and impassioned expression. “Of course, it is to find a fated person, to inherit my robe and bowl, and together with me save the common people, deliver and ferry the world! You are precisely that peerless talent, one in ten thousand!”

This also… seemed too far-fetched.

“Saving the common people” was a topic too grand, too ethereal.

But if Bitter Awareness was unwilling to reveal the true reason, Jiang Wang had no way to force the answer.

He merely bowed deeply through the Treasure Light Round Mirror to this weathered old monk who had given so much, saying, “Please forgive me, it is not that Jiang Wang does not know good from bad, it is simply that Jiang Wang carries a sea of blood enmity, and truly cannot let go!”

Being refused again…

On the other side of the Treasure Light Round Mirror, Bitter Awareness was furious. “You just said you didn’t know how to repay me! Now I’m teaching you, and you still don’t listen?!”

He began to scold angrily. “You heartless little smelly bastard turtle!”

Jiang Wang did not lower his gaze, nor did he evade. He looked very seriously at this sallow-faced old monk, laying bare his heart to him. “Your kindness to Jiang Wang is already indescribable. You can ask Jiang Wang how to repay it however you wish, life and death are without regret!

But I simply cannot follow you into the empty gate.

Jiang Wang escaped from a hometown like a ghost’s nest, not to escape to the outside world, not to muddle through this life, not to sever all ties… but so that one day he can embrace it all, so that he can go back!

I will go back sooner or later, carrying my sword. No matter how long the road, no matter how many people block it, no matter how much fresh blood this sword will stain… every time I close my eyes, I can see the spirits of my hometown calling to me…”

Jiang Wang’s eyes were slightly red. “Great Master Bitter Awareness, with the souls of tens of thousands of people on my shoulders, how can I be free from the four elements?”

Bitter Awareness could, of course, feel his sincerity, and thus became even more angry.

“Pure Rite!” he shouted.

Pure Rite the monk made no sound.

Bitter Awareness raged like thunder from the other side of the Treasure Light Round Mirror. “Goodness, you wicked disciple! One by one, all rebelling, is it? Master calls you, and you don’t even answer!”

Pure Rite said aggrievedly, “You told me not to speak.”

“Still dare to talk back!?” Bitter Awareness was simply beyond furious. If they weren’t so far apart, he would have likely laid hands on him already.

“Then what do you want me to do!” Pure Rite pouted.

“Hit him.”

“Ah?”

Bitter Awareness pointed at Jiang Wang. “Hit him for me! Properly teach this stubborn wicked disciple!”

“Don’t…” Pure Rite shrank his neck. “Little Junior Brother is also very pitiful, my heart is saddened just listening.”

Bitter Awareness paid no mind to that, domineeringly stating, “You don’t listen to Master’s words?”

Pure Rite pursed his lips. “I listen.”

“Then why are you still dazed?” Bitter Awareness directed. “Hit him hard for me!”

Pure Rite performed a ritual towards Jiang Wang with his raised palm. “Little Junior Brother, I apologize for the offense.”

Jiang Wang did not evade or avoid, even simply closing his eyes, smiling bitterly. “If this can ease Great Master’s anger, Jiang Wang is willing to endure this beating.”

“Still trying to use a bitter strategy on me! Think I’m stupid?” Bitter Awareness’s anger did not subside. “Pure Rite, quickly lay hands on him!”

“Alright, Master, but if I move my hands, I can’t maintain the Round Light Mirror.” Pure Rite said, undoing the hand seal and wiping the Treasure Light Round Mirror, interrupting the communication.

“Use the Great Compassion, Great Mercy, Great Slap I taught you…” Bitter Awareness’s instigating voice suddenly stopped.

And Pure Rite menacingly turned, facing Jiang Wang directly.

He was always the most obedient.

Throughout the entire Hanging Temple, most felt Bitter Awareness was not serious.

Only he worshipped Bitter Awareness like a god, treating Bitter Awareness’s casual nonsense as golden rules.

At this moment, his right hand was raised high…

Yet it only gently rested on Jiang Wang’s forehead, counting as having hit him.

“Don’t be sad anymore…” he softly said.