Chapter 242: First Episode

“You are going to enjoy yourself this time, Junior Brother,” Senior Brother Zhen Hao said with a wide grin as he threw an arm around Yang’s shoulder and guided him ahead through the camp.

Yang saw fellow disciples occasionally nodding and waving at them as they walked towards the edge of the now rapidly depopulated camp.

“I sure hope so,” Yang said, letting out an involuntary shudder at the memories of Qiarnan, especially a particular multi-limbed creature. “The experience in Qiarnan is not something I am looking forward to reliving anytime soon.”

“I am afraid danger and opportunity go hand in hand when it comes to cultivation,” Senior Brother Yuan Shen remarked from Senior Brother Zhen Hao’s other side.

“Though, I do admit, usually it's within a tolerable range of our own cultivation. This time it was an anomaly," Senior Brother Yuan Shen said. “Places that are just as dangerous or even far more perilous certainly exist, but our Seniors don’t usually take us on joy trips to such places.”

“Despite the danger, I am actually a bit surprised the Sect so easily agreed to close down the rifts,” Senior Brother Zhen Hao said with a frown. “Usually, if such a place with access to other world resources appears, the Elders and higher-level disciples will descend like a swarm of hungry locusts.”

“Maybe it had to do with the message from that remnant of that Senior?” Yang suggested.

Senior Brothers Zhen Hao and Yuan Shen both turned to look at Yang with a contemplative look on their faces.

“Yang, do you have any idea what message the pearl must have contained?” Senior Brother Yuan Shen asked in a lower voice.

“None whatsoever,” Yang told them bluntly.

“Pity,” Senior Brother Zhen Hao said with a disappointed look on his face.

As they reached the edge of the camp, which was assigned as the landing and take-off zone for all fliers. Yang spotted his Senior Brother standing on one side waiting for them, along with Little Uncle, who was sitting on an ornate throne-like chair, with Senior Shao You holding an umbrella over him. Why? Yang had no idea. There was no snow, rain, or even sunlight, as it was a rather overcast day.

—eye on us.”

As he drew closer and caught the tail end of the conversation, he realized they seemed to be arguing about something.

Senior Brother Yuan Shen let out a chuckle, and Yang just sighed, already getting used to the daily dose of drama.

They came to stand next to Senior Brother Qing An, who seemed to be openly enjoying the show along with Senior Brother Weiliong and sharing lotus seeds, while Senior Brother Fan Xiao stood with his standard-issue blank expression that could either mean the best news ever or a declaration of war. 

Really, there was no way to tell with him.

“What's going on?” Senior Brother Yuan Shen asked aloud, interrupting the argument.

“Apparently Little Uncle is unable to fly on a sword long term,” Senior Brother Qing An provided context with an amused smile.

Senior Brother Yuan Shen shot him an incredulous look. This particular expression seemed to have become very common on their faces in the last few days, ever since their eccentric uncle had joined them.

“How does he intend to travel then?” Yang questioned, taking a handful of lotus seeds Senior Brother Qing An passed on to him.

“He has a flying boat,” Senior Brother Weilong mentioned, munching on lotus seeds without ever taking his eyes off the show going on in the front.

“What's wrong with a flying boat? We did come here on one.” Yang didn’t understand the issue. 

Sword or boat, what difference did it make?

“Unlike the boat we came on, Little Uncle’s personal flying vessel is rather…flamboyant,” Senior Brother Zhen Hao muttered with a smile.

Senior Brother Yuan Shen let out a snort. “Flamboyant?... It's practically a flying palace,” he turned to Yang and elaborated, “unlike the boat which we flew on, Little Uncle’s flying vessel only has one setting, which simply screams ‘look at me’ to every being and creature in a thousand-mile radius.”

Senior Brother Lu Feng whirled around, his eyes looking wild. “Exactly!” He gestured wildly towards them as he glared at Little Uncle. “Even the children know that it's not appropriate for this trip.”

Senior Brother Zhen Hao slid his arm off Yang’s shoulder and stepped closer to the action. 

“Little Uncle, let it be.” he took hold of the corner of Little Uncle’s sleeve and swung it back and forth like a kid. “Flying on something like your ship would draw all attention towards us.”

This time more than one of his Senior Brothers snorted. 

“Never thought I’d hear those words come from Zhen Hao’s mouth,” Senior Brother Qing An said, shaking his head.

“Well, miracles do happen,” Senior Brother Weilong said, his eyes full of mirth.

“Augh! Augh!”

“Dear Nephew, you know my weak health won't allow me to power a flying sword for so long.”

“You can share Yang’s flying carpet.” Senior Brother Zhen Hao generously offered Yang’s carpet and peace of mind.

Yang whipped to glare at Senior Brother Zhen Hao, who had just thrown him under the bus. He had nothing against Little Uncle, but he also didn’t wish to be part of the drama that Little Uncle seemed to thrive on.

In the past few days, every topic and issue discussed in his presence had circled back to his frail health, with the background accompaniment of his signature ‘Augh! Augh!’ 

Most of his Senior Brothers seem to take joy in his shows to various extents except Senior Brother Lu Feng, who seems to outright dislike Little Uncle’s shenanigans, and Senior Brother Fan Xiao, who seemed to be rueing the day he decided to come on this journey.

Yang was on neither side. He simply didn’t know how to act with him. No one was willing to tell him what part was real and what part was simply for show. But he will inevitably learn. They were just setting out today, and this was just the first episode.

“A flying carpet?” Little Uncle blinked and turned his soulful watery eyes to Yang.

Yang sighed in defeat. The journey hadn't begun, and he was already tired. “I am unable to ride a flying sword, Uncle,” he explained. “You can join me on the flying carpet if you wish. It is more than spacious enough to carry both of us comfortably.”

“Many thanks, Little Nephew,” Little Uncle said with a twinkling smile as he stood up and waved his hand to make the chair disappear.

Senior Brother Lu Feng shot him a look of gratitude as he took out his flying sword, followed by others.

Yang retrieved his own flying carpet and gestured for Little Uncle to climb on first.

Little Uncle simply beamed and settled down on the carpet while Senior Shao You took out various silk-covered cushions and bolster pillows from his storage ring and meticulously arranged them around his Master.

Yang watched blankly in stunned silence as his simple flying carpet was turned into this.

Once done, Senior Shao You took out his own flying sword and got on it with practiced ease.

It took Yang a few embarrassing long seconds to realize everyone was ready and simply waiting for him as Little Uncle patted the empty space next to him. “Nephew, come sit here. You can rest and relax easily during the journey.”

“Thank you, Little Uncle,” Yang expressed his sincere thanks for the invitation to sit on his own flying carpet. He caught a muffled snicker behind him, choosing to completely ignore it, fully aware some of his ill-intentioned Senior Brothers were taking joy in his predicament.

Taking such joy in each other's misery. What good brothers he had, Yang thought dryly.

Yang climbed onto the carpet, sitting next to Little Uncle, who had made himself completely at home reclining back on a large bolster pillow that was acting as a backrest for the whole carpet, with his legs stretched out in front of him and his right elbow propped on the bolster next to him. He looked for all the world like an indolent emperor lounging on a daybed in his harem. Or perhaps like an Empress Dowager being served by palace maids.

Yang decided to simply sit cross-legged on Little Uncle’s left side.

And with that they shot off into the air.

As they rose higher, Yang looked down from his side and saw the camp become smaller and smaller; he made note of the familiar sites, noticing the grove, and as they flew over it he realized there was no indication of the secret realm from the sky.

Soon, within seconds, they were so far away that nothing but nature could be seen below.

Yang took a deep breath as he felt the cool, crisp air run over him and through his hair. Senior Shao You was keeping smoothly near the carpet, close enough to touch but never bumping or needing to halt. As Yang looked at him for a few minutes, he realized how much skill it must take.

“Eager to see more of the World, Nephew Yang?” Little Uncle looked at him with a smile. 

Unknown to Yang, Zi Ang was simply basking in the feeling he seemed to be exuding. The joy and excitement of a young cultivator ready to discover the wider world.

Yang let out a wide, unreserved smile as he took in the unending sky. “I can’t wait for it.” 

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We are out in the wider world now.

Auction

Azure Sword Sect

Winding City

These are the fixed points mentioned so far.

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