"There is an old edict left behind by the founder of the Kunlun Sect," said Dao Master, his voice grave and calm. "He declared that no matter the era or circumstance, should any descendant of the Xiao clan ever find themselves in need, the Kunlun Sect must rise to their aid."
These words stirred not only the heart of young Xiao Baichuan, but also caught the keen attention of the elder Zhou Zhelai.
"May I know why you were ordered to help?"
"To answer that," Dao Master replied, "we must speak of a time long past—of the deep bond between our founder, the Daoist Grandmaster, and the great ancestor of your Xiao lineage. It has been passed down among our founder that the sage once did a great service for our Kunlun Sect—so great, in fact, that the Daoist Grandmasters, generation after generation, vowed that our sect must never forget his kindness."
"Though the sage, Xiao ancestor lived a life of humility, far removed from status or fame, it is said he would intervene in worldly affairs when necessary. He once lent his aid to the Kunlun Sect in a time of great peril. Thus, our founder's final instruction was this: that no matter the age, we Kunlun disciples must always honor that debt."
"Centuries have passed since that oath was spoken, yet it endures."
Dao Master's voice was quiet but resolute.
"That vow," he continued, "was not just the parting wish of the founder—it was a directive etched into the soul of the Kunlun Sect. Now, do you understand why I followed after you so readily? You carry the blood of the Xiao, and I… I was once a disciple of the Kunlun sect. Though I may have withdrawn from the sect, the words of our founder ancestor are not something I would ever forsake."
"Yes, I understand now," said Xiao Baichuan with a respectful nod.
"Hmph. Then let me tell you more—some of the history that was passed down by our sect's founder ancestor. Only then will you truly understand why this duty to aid the Xiao clan deeper than loyalty. It is a bond forged in gratitude."
"Please, Grandmaster," said Xiao Baichuan, bowing slightly. "I wish to hear it all."
"Very well," Dao Master continued. "During the time of the second Daoist Grandmaster of the Khunlun Sect, we encountered a crisis of great magnitude. Not due to internal weakness, but because of the strength of our founder. You see, before he formed the sect, founder ancestor had wandered the martial world, learning from many schools and challenging many masters. After the sect was established, all those old grudges returned to test him."
"Because the founder ancestor's martial skill was unmatched, every challenger was bested—thus the Kunlun Sect earned great renown. But when the second Grandmaster succeeded him, the times had changed. That Grandmaster focused more on worldly philosophies than martial mastery, and he could not equal the founder ancestor's strength. As a result, many old enemies returned seeking revenge."
"When you face righteous warriors, a loss is only a blow to the ego—but when you face those from the crooked path, losing can bring devastation. Even victory can earn you bitter enemies who return with hatred. The Kunlun Sect soon found itself surrounded by both."
At this point, Old man Zhou Zhelai interjected.
"Ah yes… that is always the way of those who walk the crooked path."
Dao Master nodded.
"Indeed. And during this time of hardship, no other orthodox sect came to our aid. Though there were alliances and formal respect between sects, pride ran deeper than bonds. No one wanted to be the first to reach out, for fear of losing face."
"Amid this chaos, your ancestor the sage of the Xiao appeared. He calmed the storm with wisdom, dissolving hatred and envy that had festered for years. Because of his towering presence, both the righteous and the corrupt had no choice but to accept his mediation. And so, the Kunlun Sect was spared."
As Dao Master spoke, a flicker of deep memory passed across his face—perhaps the echo of a time he had not lived, yet had come to know intimately.
"And so, from generation to generation, the Xiao clan and the Kunlun Sect have supported one another. I hope now you understand why I could not turn away from you."
Xiao Baichuan listened intently, finally grasping the weight behind Dao Master's actions. The wandering elder, known across the martial world, had come at the mere mention of his name and now, the reason was clear.
"Yes, Grandmaster. I understand But…"
Just as Xiao Baichuan hesitated, turning toward the old wanderer, old man Zhou Zhelai gave a hearty laugh.
"Haha! What Mad Daoist told you holds truth but perhaps only half of it. The grace of your ancestor did not just benefit the Kunlun Sect as a whole it touched the lives of many lone wanderers as well. Among them was my own Martial master."
Old man Zhou Zhelai's tone turned soft with memory.
"Before my master met the sage, he was a wild man neither accepted by the righteous sects nor fully trusted by the dark ones. But after crossing paths with the sage, everything changed. His path straightened. His heart calmed. And in the legacy he left behind, he wrote of the sage's mercy and guidance."
"He passed down that legacy to me and within it was a simple command: should you ever meet a descendant of the Xiao, lend them your hand if fate allows. So when I heard that a Xiao heir was being sought I came."
In the moment of quiet reflection, Xiao Baichuan finally grasped the meaning behind the words of the old strategist.
The legendary status of the Xiao Clan's ancestor had always loomed large within the household, yet few knew the full story. As he contemplated how such revered glory could have diminished during his own time, a wave of sorrow and self-reproach welled up within him.
The two elder men seasoned in both the affairs of the world and the hearts of men understood the shadows clouding Xiao Baichuan's heart. And so, the old strategist spoke gently, his tone both encouraging and calm.
"Young man, your thoughts are not entirely wrong, but neither are they complete. Many years have passed, and countless changes have swept through each generation. The rise and fall of houses such as the Xiao Clan are but the ebb and flow of time. Do not let your heart be troubled because your era bears hardship. What matters now is how you will rise how you will restore what was lost."
Xiqo Baichuan, upon hearing these words, recognized the fault in his thoughts. He had chosen a simple, quiet life—eschewing ambition and conflict to live in peace with his wife. Yet fate had not been kind: his wife's health had brought him sorrow and exhaustion, and though he never lost strength of will, he had found himself weakened in spirit.
Now, with the unexpected aid of these two elders and the cunning old man he felt a sense of stability returning. At last, his heart could rest. There was no longer a reason to wallow in defeat. In its place rose a fire an urge to restore the honor and pride of his family name.
Suddenly, Xiao Baichuan stood up and knelt deeply before the two elders.
"Grandmaster and elder Zhou, the kindness you have shown me is vast and heavy. Your guidance is a light to my path. I, Xiao Baichuan shall strive with all I have to bring honor back to the name of Xiao!"
Hearing this vow, both elders beamed with pride. To have reawakened the spirit of the young man this alone was reward enough. Dao Master rose from his seat and placed both hands firmly on the young man's shoulders, helping him stand.
"Come now, up you get. No need for grand thanks. We're already happy to have this chance to help the Xiao Clan."
As he spoke, the old man brought his palms together reverently, as though honoring the ancestors and old masters of the Xiao household.
Xiao Baichuan then remembered something. Reaching into his sleeve, he pulled out the Blackstone Casket, setting it gently upon the table.
"Grandmaster…, earlier you told me to keep this casket close at all times. Was there something special you noticed?"
Rather than answering immediately, the two elders chuckled in unison.
"Ha ha…!"
"Ha ha…!"
Dao Master spoke first, his tone amused.
"You see, lad when you stepped out from your room to meet us for lunch, I noticed something peculiar we were being watched."
He paused and glanced at the other old man who smiled sheepishly.
"I just took a little peek, that's all," the old man admitted, rubbing the back of his head.
Dao master continued.
"Whoever it was, their martial skill was formidable. I couldn't tell who they were, but I knew one thing within this entire Xiao residence, there's nothing of greater value than that Blackstone Casket. So, I wondered—was that mysterious person watching you or it?
If they came for the Xiao family, there'd be no need to send such a powerful martial master. But for a priceless item that would explain it. That's why I subtly advised you to keep it close, rather than risk having it stolen."
He gave a sly grin.
"When we reached the dining hall, I realized who the mysterious watcher was. Well then, oh Cunning One how about you tell him yourself?"
Turning toward the old man with a chuckle, Dao Master gestured for him to explain. The old man gave a sheepish smile and confessed.
"Heh, guilty as charged. It was me. I had already heard that you were searching for Mad Daoist, and that someone had brought him here. So, I followed you just to observe. If it seemed you didn't need help, I would've quietly left."
"But then, I spotted that Blackstone Casket of yours. You know me I'm curious about all things strange and mysterious. So, I disguised myself, approached quietly, and tried to get a closer look. That's all!"
Xiao Baichuan looked at the old man's wrinkled face and sly grin and quickly understood the situation.
"So… the one who entered the ancestral chamber was you, wasn't it?"
"Haha, indeed. How'd you know, lad? Did I leave traces?"
"Yes, you did footprints," Xiao Baichuan replied.
Dao Master turned to his companion with a laugh of admiration.
"Ha ha…, for someone to detect the trail left by this legendary trickster of the martial world that alone speaks volumes of the young man's potential. I'm impressed!"
The cunning old man, despite being caught, showed no bitterness. He simply laughed along, his expression as playful as ever.
With laughter echoing softly through the chamber, Xiao Baichuan felt the lingering weight of worry and grief begin to lift. A quiet warmth settled in his heart, and at last, he found himself smiling along.
At the call of Xiao Baichuan, the two elderly men halted their chuckles and turned toward him with interest.
"If elder is intrigued by the Blackstone Casket," Xiao Baichuan said, producing the box with a respectful gesture, "you're welcome to examine it."
"Oh, you sly rascal. Let's have a look, shall we?" said Dao Master, eyes twinkling with curiosity. "With your infamous nickname 'The Trickster,' and your knack for weaseling into every corner of the martial world, I reckon you might actually have something to say about this mysterious box."
Unable to suppress his own curiosity, Dao Master leaned in, studying the strange object.
Old man Zhou Zhelai, as he was often called, accepted the box with care and inspected it closely. But soon, his expression fell flat, and he grumbled in a single breath, "I've got nothing. The letters and symbols etched on this casket... they're unlike anything I've seen before. Completely incomprehensible to me."
A wave of mild disappointment washed over both Xiao Baichuan and Dao Master, as they had been hoping for more.
But true to his eccentric habits, Old Trickster wrinkled his brow mischievously and continued.
"But..."
Dao Master impatiently interrupted, "But what? Out with it, old man!"
Though burning with curiosity, Xiao Baichuan refrained from pressing, choosing instead to listen quietly, not wanting to delay whatever might be revealed.
Old Trickster finally elaborated, "But... I have seen similar markings before—ones that resemble those symbols on the casket."
He beckoned them closer with a sly gesture. Once all three had brought their heads together, he lowered his voice to a whisper.
"In the Imperial Library. Back when I used to sneak around the palace, gathering things for my collection, I came across an ancient scroll buried deep within. I never learned its name or origin, but the writings on that scroll were eerily similar to these."
This small clue—though hardly a full answer—was better than nothing. Both Dao Master and Xiao Baichuan felt that even a single thread of connection to the mystery was a worthy gain.
Old Trickster placed the Blackstone Casket back onto the table and asked, "So… can we open the thing and examine what's inside?"
Xiao Baichuan offered a quiet smile and gently opened the lid.
"Ah—!" Old Trickster's eyes lit up with excitement. Truly, mysterious oddities like this were his delight.
Xiao Baichuan nudged the opened box toward him, inviting him to study the contents. Without hesitation, Old Trickster picked up the parchment scroll within and began to unroll it.
Moments later, he recoiled with a groan.
"Aaargh…! My head is spinning!"
He clutched both temples and closed his eyes, grimacing.
"What is this thing?"
Dao Master and Xiao Baichuan had been expecting that reaction. Instead of worry, they simply looked on with knowing smiles.
Once Old Trickster had recovered, he reached again for the scroll. Dao Master turned to glance at Xiao Baichuan, silently questioning whether it was appropriate for him to examine something so closely tied to the Xiaofamily bloodline.
Xiao Baichuan nodded slightly, giving his approval.
After taking the bonze book in hand once more, Old Trickster remarked in awe, "Marvelous craftsmanship. Such precision! I've never seen bronze book work this refined. It makes me wonder just how much of our recorded history is incomplete. A piece like this could only have been made by one who had reached a certain mastery an exceptional level of knowledge and art. Fascinating."
He turned to Xiao Baichuan. "So tell me lad, have you studied the entire record?"
"Not all of it, elder Zhou. Only the inner energy sections."
The old man nodded and turned to Dao Master. "And you?"
"I've only skimmed it briefly."
Old Trickster stroked his wispy beard and muttered in thought.
"Hmm… This record must be studied thoroughly. I believe the secrets of the casket and perhaps that strange scroll are hidden within its passages. But this is no task for us old bones. No, it should be you, lad. You must devote yourself fully to it. If you reach a wall you cannot pass, then return to us and we'll solve it together."
He paused, then added with warmth in his voice, "If you truly wish to restore the honor of the Xiao family, then you must understand this legacy. Study it as though your very name depends on it."
With that, he carefully returned the bonze book and the parchment into the blackstone casket and slid it gently toward Xiao Baichuan.
Any warrior in the martial world, upon seeing this treasured artifact, would be tempted to snatch it for themselves. Yet these two elderly men showed no such desire only curiosity. Their detachment, their discipline it left a deep impression on Xiao Baichuan.
"Yes, elder Zhou," he said firmly. "I will study it closely. Now that Shan Mei's health is improving, I can focus my mind. I will explore every word of this record, and whenever I am lost, I will come to you both for guidance."
Old Trickster rose from where he sat, his robe swaying slightly and addressed Xiao Baichuan.
"Well now, with all this said, I can rest easy for both you and the Xiao household. It's been nearly ten years since I last set foot in Guangzhou, and truth be told, I've been itching to wander the city once more, poking about and collecting curios as I always do.
But you, young one, need not worry about food or shelter on my account. Just dedicate yourself fully to your studies. Even if I don't drop by every single day, you can be sure I'll visit at least every other day to check on you both.
As for Shan Mei, since Dao Master is tending to her treatment, we can be at ease on that front as well. Now then come guide me to her. Before I set off into the city, I'd like to see how she's doing and say a few words of encouragement."
Moved by the deep affection and quiet devotion the two elder men showed toward the Xiao household, Xiao Baichuan bowed low, his hands clasped respectfully.
"This way, Elder Zhou."
With reverence, he tucked the blackstonecasket into his sleeve and stepped ahead to lead the way.
Dao Master followed suit.
"Well then, let's all go together. I'd like to see Shanei too."
End of Chapter