Chapter 199: Fragment of an Ultimate Skill

Lu Bai’s heart ached to hear this. He shook his head and said, "I wasn’t able to save your father. You don’t owe me anything."

"That’s not true."

Shi Kai said, "If it weren’t for your hat, I definitely would’ve been discovered."

As he spoke, Shi Kai handed the hat back to Lu Bai. Then, he pulled a yellowed page of animal hide from his robes and held it out. "Father told me that if you came, I was to give you this ’Heaven’ volume of the Eight Desolates Returning Essence Scripture."

"This cultivation technique has always been in our family’s possession. It’s useless in my hands, so I hope you won’t refuse it."

The Eight Desolates Returning Essence Scripture, an Ultimate Skill of the Innate Realm.

The Shi Country only possessed seven volumes; one was missing.

He never expected that the missing volume would be in the hands of Shi Tianlei, a man fleeing for his life.

Lu Bai accepted the cultivation technique, but he felt no joy in his heart.

Shi Tianlei and his son had been full of hope when they fled to the Wu Country. But along the way, they learned one of the Fujiao Gang’s secrets and had no choice but to leap into the water to escape.

They only survived thanks to Xue Chen’s help.

But later, Xue Chen died.

And Shi Tianlei died trying to get justice for him.

Shi Tianlei had nothing to his name, not even a single guard, yet he still carried that Immortal Vine and this cultivation technique with him.

The two items might have been useless to him, but in his heart, they were likely the greatest treasures he had to offer.

And now, Shi Tianlei had entrusted both of these treasures to Lu Bai.

Lu Bai and Shi Tianlei had no real relationship; it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call them complete strangers.

But he didn’t want to betray that trust and responsibility.

Lu Bai’s chest felt tight, a suffocating anger building inside him with no outlet!

"I’m leaving now, sir."

Shi Kai knelt again and kowtowed three times to Lu Bai before turning to leave.

"Where will you go?"

Lu Bai asked.

Shi Kai stopped. A lost look appeared in his red, swollen eyes. He hastily wiped away his tears and shook his head. "I don’t know."

Then, a hint of determination crossed Shi Kai’s young face. He clenched his fists and said, "I have to survive. I have to live!

Only by living can I cultivate the Martial Dao and avenge my father!"

’How could a sallow, emaciated boy of six or seven, with barely enough strength to truss a chicken, survive out here in the wilderness?’

Lu Bai said, "Come with me."

Shi Kai seemed tempted at first, but he quickly shook his head. "I won’t trouble you, sir."

’To have suffered such a great tragedy at his age... his maturity is heartbreaking.’

"It’s no trouble."

A gentle look flashed in Lu Bai’s eyes. "I’ll take care of you from now on."

Shi Kai blinked, staring blankly at Lu Bai.

His red-rimmed eyes welled up with tears once more.

"Let’s go."

Lu Bai held out his hand.

After a moment’s hesitation, Shi Kai cautiously reached out his small hand and placed it in Lu Bai’s palm.

He then felt a warm current flow into his body, and his spirits lifted.

Lu Bai placed the Mountain Demon Hat back on Shi Kai’s head and instructed, "Stay close to me, and keep this Mountain Demon Hat on for the time being."

"Mm-hm."

Shi Kai nodded.

Lu Bai hadn’t yet figured out what to do with Shi Kai.

But he couldn’t just stand by and watch the boy leave on his own.

In any case, Shi Kai’s existence had to be kept secret for the time being.

The Wang Family was already being watched by those people from the Marquis Jingzhong’s Mansion.

If Shi Kai were exposed, he would become another weakness for his enemies to exploit, tying Lu Bai’s hands even further.

Leading Shi Kai by the hand, Lu Bai made his way back to Jingzhou City.

"Brother Lu."

Just then, a familiar voice called out from nearby.

Lu Bai’s heart skipped a beat, and he looked toward the voice.

Not far away, a little Daoist Child, about four or five years old, was waving enthusiastically at him. It was Yun Luo from the Four Seas Pavilion!

Next to Yun Luo was a middle-aged man.

Lu Bai had seen him before when he visited the Four Seas Pavilion.

It was Chu Huai’an, the Shopkeeper of the Four Seas Pavilion in Jingzhou City.

Lu Bai led Shi Kai over and walked briskly toward them. He clasped his hands in a salute to Chu Huai’an and said, "Greetings, Daoist Chu, Daoist Yun Luo."

"Brother Lu, we meet again!"

Yun Luo was delighted to see Lu Bai, her face beaming with a wide smile.

Chu Huai’an’s expression was neutral; he only gave a perfunctory nod.

"Did Daoist Yu come as well?"

Lu Bai asked.

"She is!"

Yun Luo said with a grin, "It’s just that my aunt prefers peace and quiet and didn’t want to come out, so she had Shopkeeper Chu take me for a walk. I didn’t expect to run into you, Brother Lu!"

Hearing Lu Bai mention the name "Daoist Yu," the expression of Chu Huai’an, who was standing beside them, shifted slightly.

Lu Bai hesitated for a moment. "May I go pay my respects to Daoist Yu?"

"Of course! I’ll take you to see my aunt."

Yun Luo agreed without a second thought.

When Chu Huai’an heard this, his jaw nearly hit the floor.

Ever since the Fairy arrived at the Four Seas Pavilion, it had been harder than climbing to Heaven for even him to get a single audience.

’And this Lu Bai can just see her whenever he wants?’

The four of them started walking toward the Four Seas Pavilion.

Along the way, Yun Luo and Lu Bai chattered incessantly.

Chu Huai’an kept glancing over at Lu Bai, looking as if he wanted to say something several times but never managing to get a word in.

By the time they reached the Four Seas Pavilion, Yun Luo had talked herself hoarse and finally paused to catch her breath.

Chu Huai’an seized the opportunity. With a smile, he cleared his throat and asked, "Are you well acquainted with Daoist Yu, Lord Lu?"

"We’re acquainted."

Lu Bai replied ambiguously.

Chu Huai’an was inwardly astonished. Just as he was about to press for more details, Yun Luo was already tugging on Lu Bai’s sleeve and leading him toward the back of the Four Seas Pavilion.

After they passed through several doors, the scenery before them suddenly changed and opened up.

Lu Bai felt a sense of dazed familiarity.

This was clearly the Willow Shade Courtyard from Bluestone City.

Somehow, it had been moved here.

The small bridge over the flowing stream, the layout of the rockery—it was all identical to the one in Bluestone City.

Yu Daoxuan was still dressed in an apricot-yellow Daoist Robe, a duster resting in the crook of her arm. She sat upright in the main hall with her eyes closed in meditation, like a celestial fairy from the highest heavens, untouched by the mortal world.

"Auntie, Auntie, look who’s here!"

Yun Luo shouted as she trotted over.

"Greetings, Daoist Yu."

Lu Bai stepped forward and bowed.

Only when Lu Bai drew near did Yu Daoxuan open her eyes.

After a glance at Lu Bai, she said nothing, her gaze shifting to the person beside him.

Knowing he couldn’t hide Shi Kai’s presence from Daoist Yu, Lu Bai quickly removed the Mountain Demon Hat from the boy’s head and explained, "Daoist Yu, his name is Shi Kai. His father was murdered, and his identity is rather sensitive. It was not my intention to conceal him."

"Huh?"

Yun Luo’s eyes widened when she saw someone else standing next to Lu Bai.

Shi Kai lowered his head slightly, not daring to look at either Yu Daoxuan or Yun Luo.

He had only followed Lu Bai here, but somehow he had come face-to-face with two people who looked like fairies.

He was filthy, skinny, and small. In front of Yun Luo, he couldn’t help but feel ashamed of his own shabby appearance.

They were about the same age, but standing together, it was as if one was mired in mud and the other was floating on a cloud.

A mischievous glint flashed in Yun Luo’s eyes as she grinned. "Brother Lu, how could you let someone else wear the Mountain Demon Bandit Hat my aunt made for you?"

"I..."

Lu Bai was at a loss for words and subconsciously glanced at Yu Daoxuan.

Seeing that Yu Daoxuan’s expression was calm and showed no sign of reproach, he breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

’This little girl is just trying to scare me.’

’Daoist Yu is a person of immense stature.’

’Why would she blame me over something so trivial?’