Beginning of Cultivation
Chapter 39: Don’t know

Chapter 39: Don’t know

Jun Wu Xiao, Yue Guang, and Dao San Qian rushed towards the capital. This time, they completed the journey a week faster than last time.

Dao San Qian, though he had recently broken through to the peak stage of the body refinement realm, could reach speeds up to forty meters per second, but that was his maximum speed and not sustainable for long distances.

If maintained over an extended period, his speed would decrease significantly, approximately just faster than the best horses over long distances.

After arriving at the capital, the three found a secluded spot and removed their masks. Jun Wu Xiao said:

"Now we can just stroll leisurely, no need to rush anymore since we’re almost there and there are many people around. Running like this would make it easy for many to recognize us."

This was their decision on the way because they thought a group wearing masks walking in the middle of the capital and would look very suspicious.

"Hmm, and walking isn’t bad either. I can enjoy the bustling scenery of the human world. Though the Kunlun Mountains are beautiful, it’s all nature, unlike here." Yue Guang remarked.

Then, the three decided to slowly make their way to Chu Wu’s residence. As they took in the surrounding scenery, which felt strikingly different, Jun Wu Xiao said:

"In just over forty years, this place has changed so much. Both the attire and the architecture here are completely different from when we last visited. There are also some strange objects, I will ask Chu Wu when I meet him."

"You’re not wrong, for us cultivators, every day seems the same. But for ordinary people, it’s filled with myriad colors and novelties. Honestly, I too enjoy such a life, but my Path, my responsibilities, do not permit me to indulge in these things." Dao San Qian said.

He spoke sincerely, without any pretense. He genuinely enjoyed seeing the prosperity and development of civilization and society. But his responsibilities did not allow him to experience them.

The path he followed likely had no ultimate destination, arguably an endless difficulty. "If I don’t sacrifice, then who will?" might well describe his life.

His life was not merely a matter of decades, there were many complexities that Dao San Qian was not yet qualified to know.

Yue Guang also expressed agreement, finding the vibrant life appealing. Although her liking was not as profound as Dao San Qian’s, she still preferred it to cultivating. She said:

"You’re not wrong. The life of a cultivator from the start gradually departs from that of ’human.’ But this was our choice, and we do not regret it."

Jun Wu Xiao, hearing the two sighs, felt somewhat puzzled. He had a feeling that these two people had something in the past, but no matter how he thought about it, it seemed unreasonable since he had known them for a very long time.

Moreover, his reason for cultivating was different from theirs. He only decided to cultivate because he felt annoyed by the many things that could threaten him and hinder his enjoyment of the world. In the group of cultivators, his reason was perhaps the most trivial.

"What are you two sighing about? You’ve only lived a few decades, and yet you make me feel like the heavens and earth themselves are lamenting." Jun Wu Xiao said.

The two were momentarily taken aback by his comment, and upon reflection, they realized they weren’t quite clear on the matter themselves. They had simply spoken without much thought.

"Ah, I’m not too sure myself. Anyway, let’s just forget about it, since we’re out and about, let’s enjoy this time." Yue Guang said.

As they continued their walk, observing the happy lives of the people, Jun Wu Xiao remarked:

"It seems this kingdom is not so simple after all. Seeing how well the people live here, it seems the emperor must be doing a good job. But it’s only people like her that Chu Wu would serve. Otherwise, he would have become emperor himself long ago."

"Yes, indeed, compared to where I lived before, it’s a world of difference." Yue Guang nodded in agreement.

They walked a bit further until they reached the Chu residence, fortunately unchanged, making it easily recognizable. Otherwise, they would have had to spend more time asking for directions.

The gatekeepers, noticing three individuals who appeared quite aged approaching, one of them said:

"Do the three of you know if you’ve come to the wrong place? This isn’t somewhere one can simply visit at will."

He thought of them as quite aged because, although their hair was white, their faces were still youthful and vibrant. It was difficult to determine their ages at a glance.

"We are not mistaken. This is not our first time here. We have come to meet Chu Wu. By the way, is he still alive?" Jun Wu Xiao asked.

The guards, upon hearing this, felt quite offended. Chu Wu, whom they deeply respected, was being inquired about his life or death by this man. One of the guards said:

"He is still very much alive. If you have no business here, please leave quickly. Otherwise, do not blame us."

Jun Wu Xiao, noticing their somewhat hostile demeanor, paused for a moment. However, he quickly realized the problem here and said:

"Ah, my apologies. But Chu Wu and I are quite close, so I tend to speak like that."

The guards were stunned for a moment. Truly, it was rare for anyone to claim to be close to Chu Wu. If someone dared to falsely claim a close relationship with Chu Wu, they were likely to be beaten mercilessly.

"Are you telling the truth?" a guard asked.

"Do you think I would travel all this way just to spout nonsense?" Jun Wu Xiao retorted.

The guards, unable to detect anything suspicious about him, so they said:

"Then tell us your name. We will inform him for you."

"Thank you. My name is Jun Wu Xiao. Just mention my name, and he will come out." Jun Wu Xiao confidently stated.

The guards nodded and hurried inside to relay the message. At this time, Chu Wu was cultivating, having reached the late stage of the body refinement realm.

Over twenty years ago, he had made a breakthrough. At that time, he was already over eighty years old, so he retired and dealt with official duties only occasionally, no longer going to the battlefield. However, at that time there was almost no more battlefield because the unification was almost completed. Since then, he has dedicated fourteen hours each day to his cultivation, achieving two more breakthroughs.

There was also an interesting fact that there were three interesting individuals currently in his residence.

The guard entered, knocked on the door, and announced:

"Sir, a person named Jun Wu Xiao wishes to see you."

Hearing that an old friend from afar had come to visit, Chu Wu felt pleased. Yet, he thought of a playful way to tease Jun Wu Xiao, he said:

"Alright. Wait here for a moment, I have a task for you to do."

The guard was momentarily puzzled, unsure what Chu Wu might ask him to do.

Chu Wu then opened the door and walked up to the guard. Then he whispered:

"Do this for me... do like this..."

The guard, though confused, felt as if Chu Wu was playing a prank on someone. However, he was also sure that the visitor really knew Chu Wu and their relationship was so good.

"I will do my best." the guard replied before departing.

"Hmm, after more than forty years you guys finally came to see me. I must tease you a little." Chu Wu said, but he did not mean to blame him, on the contrary, he was very happy when the three of them came to see him.

After a while, the guard came out to the gate, but Chu Wu did not follow. Before Jun Wu Xiao could say anything, the guard announced:

"You better leave now, or we will have to take action. Sir Chu Wu said he doesn’t know anyone named Jun Wu Xiao."

Jun Wu Xiao stood dumbfounded, his earlier confidence utterly shattered. Yue Guang and Dao San Qian were just as surprised, not expecting to receive such a response after coming all this way.