Published: March 8, 2025
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-EIGHT: A Teacher and Student Part Ways [Seventh Update!]
On the mountain wall at the cave entrance, there was a poem written in flowing characters, exuding a sense of calm and nonchalance. It was unmistakably the handwriting of Meng Chaoran.
“Morning dew at dawn, yet hurried away,
Difficult to meet in the heavens and on earth;
Cutting through the night of Nine Heavens Pavilion,
Life and death embrace you in my arms!”
Below it, there were words from Meng Chaoran to Chu Yang: “Chu Yang, you are a steady person, able to think thoroughly about everything. I am very relieved to hand Tan Tan over to you.
Take good care of your junior brother, no matter what, you must keep him alive!
I have taken care of you for so many years, and you have finally grown up. I also want to take it easy and enjoy some sightseeing. You are not ordinary people, destined for an extraordinary life, and cannot remain under my protection for long. A young eagle must first plummet from a thousand-foot cliff to soar in the sky; a stubborn stone must undergo countless hardships to transform into beautiful jade!
I await the day you shine brightly and make a name for yourselves in Nine Heavens!
At that time, no matter where I am, I will certainly drink to my heart's content with a smile!
A man has many things to do in life, many responsibilities to bear. Life and death cannot be set aside. Moreover, you must face it alone, even if the path ahead is a dead end, you cannot regret it.
I am leaving. Do not look for me.”
Meng Chaoran's message, seemingly plain, was in fact resolute, indicating his intention to face that matter independently, without allowing others to intervene. Chu Yang respected his master and would not interfere, but he could not help but worry.
Tan Tan was awakened by his shouting, rushing out of the cave. Upon seeing the words left by Meng Chaoran, he stood there blankly for a while before suddenly bursting into tears…
In the distance, amidst the heavy snowfall, Meng Chaoran was already covered in white snow, blending in with the long sky and earth. He stood quietly at the mountain peak.
Listening to Chu Yang's loud calls and Tan Tan's crying faintly coming through the wind and snow, Meng Chaoran smiled faintly, but the corners of his eyes glistened with a hint of moisture.
“My disciples, take care of yourselves. You must live!” Meng Chaoran silently thought: “As I said in my message, a man has many responsibilities to bear! There are many things that must be done!”
His gaze deepened, filled with longing, slowly raising his head to look at the distant horizon… that direction was the entrance to the upper three heavens!
“Chuchen, I am coming.” Meng Chaoran said softly, feeling his heart tremble lightly, murmuring: “... are you well?”
He took one last heartfelt look towards the cave, murmuring: “You two… although I don’t ask, being my disciples, how can I not understand you? From all these things, Chu Yang is the Nine Calamity Sword Master in this life, Tan Tan is from the holy clan; everyone has their own encounters. If I, as a master, were to stay by your sides, it would not only be a burden but also a hindrance.”
“I never expected that in my life, I would have three disciples. The eldest disciple is a traitor, the second disciple is the Nine Calamity Sword Master, and the third disciple is actually someone from the holy clan… each of them is extraordinary. I truly am fortunate.”
Meng Chaoran chuckled self-deprecatingly.
“In this life, being able to have such two disciples, what more can I ask for?!”
With determination, Meng Chaoran turned around, striding forward, his sleeves billowing, his figure ethereal, lonely yet carefree, slowly disappearing into the snowstorm. The heavy snow gradually covered his footprints; he did not look back.
This master said nothing but saw everything clearly. He devoted half his life to raising two disciples, but when they grew up, he chose to leave quietly.
It seemed irresponsible, yet his departure was the deepest form of responsibility!