Spirit Hunters of Maoshan Sect - c6

Chapter 6: Ready to Face the World
Fifteen years passed in the blink of an eye on Mount Mao in Kuaiji Prefecture.

A young man in his early twenties walked briskly up the mountain path. This was Ye Shaoyang, now grown into a handsome young man with refined features and an impressive bearing. His bright eyes sparkled with intelligence.

For fifteen years, he had studied Daoist arts under his master Qing Yun Zi. Three years ago, he passed the inner discipleship examination, becoming the youngest inner disciple in Maoshan sect history – a rare prodigy indeed.

Not far from Mount Mao was a county town with elementary and middle schools. Over the years, Ye Shaoyang attended school during the day and returned to the mountain in the evening to study Daoist arts with his master. Sometimes he’d be mischievous, staying up all night at internet cafes in town. In many ways, he was just like other young people – full of vitality and occasionally foolish.

However, having frequently accompanied Qing Yun Zi on demon-catching and ghost-hunting expeditions, witnessing countless cycles of life and death, beneath his youthful exterior beat a heart far more resilient than most.

“Old man, I’m back!”

Ye Shaoyang called out as he passed through the main hall and walked straight into the side hall where Qing Yun Zi lived. A strange mix of odors hit his nose. Ye Shaoyang covered his nose, taking three seconds to analyze the components: smelly socks, white liquor, cigarettes, and instant noodle seasoning.

Qing Yun Zi, wearing only shorts, reclined against his bedhead reading a book. Beside him sat a plate of fried peanuts which he occasionally munched with loud crunches, looking utterly content.

Ye Shaoyang bent down to peek at the cover and pursed his lips – another fantasy novel, of course.

“This book isn’t written well. The Daoist system is all wrong. How could Laozi be the Queen Mother’s godfather? And how could Erlang and Chang’e have a relationship? Complete nonsense.”

“If you’re not satisfied, why don’t you write one yourself?”

“If I wrote one, it would definitely be better.” Qing Yun Zi snorted, put down the book, and sat up straight, finally looking Ye Shaoyang up and down. “Mission completed?”

“Piece of cake.” Ye Shaoyang proudly pulled several talismans from his pocket and waved them.

Qing Yun Zi took the talismans and used his spiritual energy to sense them. Ten in total, each sealing three vengeful spirits over a hundred years old. To capture so many spirits in ten days at Ye Shaoyang’s age truly marked him as a Daoist prodigy.

“Barely acceptable. What did you learn from this trip down the mountain?”

“Learn? Well…” Ye Shaoyang scratched his head and smiled, “I met some nice people, got their contact information. They might come up the mountain someday for divination.”

“How promising,” Qing Yun Zi glared at him, then after a long silence said: “Though your skills are lacking, you’re not young anymore. It’s time for you to travel the world, subdue evil spirits, and help people – this is our Maoshan sect’s tradition. For your personal growth, you need to accumulate merit for eventual transcendence. You should leave the mountain now.”

Hearing this, Ye Shaoyang was overjoyed – he’d long wanted to explore the outside world. However, he put on an act of reluctance: “Master, don’t send me away, I can’t bear to leave you!”

Qing Yun Zi rolled his eyes: “In that case, we’ll discuss it again in three years.”

“No, no, Master! Though I’ll miss you dearly, as you said, helping people in the mortal world is our Maoshan tradition. We can’t break tradition! I’ll shoulder the responsibility for the world, though it pains me to go.”

Qing Yun Zi looked at him sideways, wondering how he’d managed to raise such a thick-skinned, irreverent character. Was it his own influence? “Ahem, after leaving the mountain, accumulate merit to achieve transcendence quickly. But be careful – remember, demons are always one step ahead. Those ghosts and spirits aren’t easy to deal with.”

“I once saved someone, a university president in Stone City. I’ve contacted him and prepared your documents – you’ll go as an exchange student. Though you’re a Daoist priest, having a university degree is useful for moving through society, if nothing else as a cover. Also, you have an outer sect senior brother there who can help you with ghost hunting if needed.”

Ye Shaoyang’s head hurt at the mention of studying. “Master, I’m already in my twenties. Is it appropriate to attend university?”

Qing Yun Zi gave him a look, “You’ll be an exchange student directly entering the fourth year. It’s quite flexible. If you don’t like it, forget it, but… there are many students there who might benefit from divination.”

Ye Shaoyang suddenly understood and broke into a broad smile. “I’ll go, I’ll go! Thank you, Master, for this opportunity. Your disciple will definitely study diligently and bring honor to our sect!”

“Such nonsense.” Qing Yun Zi shook his head, at a loss with this disciple. He sighed: “Stone City was also your senior brother Dao Feng’s first destination after leaving the mountain. While you’re there, try to find traces of him. If you discover his whereabouts, find a way to bring him back to me. I’ll keep him confined for life!”

Ye Shaoyang was taken aback. Dao Feng was his senior fellow disciple, twenty years his senior. Qing Yun Zi was extremely selective about disciples, only accepting two inner disciples in his lifetime. When Ye Shaoyang first came to the mountain, his senior brother was still there and deeply doted on his only junior brother. Several years later, Dao Feng was sent down the mountain to subdue demons but never returned, taking with him one of Maoshan sect’s three treasures – the Taiyi Brush.

Quick-tempered Qing Yun Zi, unable to find him, angrily expelled him from the sect. This was how Ye Shaoyang got his boasting rights as “Maoshan sect’s only heir.”

“Master, perhaps you should handle this task yourself. Senior Brother’s skills are formidable – I can’t defeat him. Besides, he has the Taiyi Brush, while I have nothing…” Ye Shaoyang mumbled, scratching his head.

Qing Yun Zi took the bait, glaring at him: “What’s so special about the Taiyi Brush? I’ll grant you the Seven Stars Dragon Spring Sword. Bring him back within five years, or I’ll expel you too!”

Ye Shaoyang was overjoyed inside. The Seven Stars Dragon Spring Sword was the greatest treasure not only of Maoshan sect but of all Daoist sects. With it, he could go anywhere with confidence. As for the five-year deadline… he’d deal with that later.

“Well, that’s everything I needed to tell you. From now on, you’ll represent me in the world. Don’t contact me unless necessary – actually, don’t contact me even then. It’s time I enjoyed some peace and quiet.” Qing Yun Zi squinted, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. “Ahem, one last thing.”

Ye Shaoyang’s heart raced at these words, thinking that something mentioned last must be most important. Considering his master’s talk of retirement, could it be… he was going to pass on the position of sect leader? He stood at attention, waiting.

“By the way, tell those people to visit the mountain soon for divination. Someone needs to maintain the sect’s traditions while you’re away.”

Ye Shaoyang wiped the sweat from his brow. “Master, is this really appropriate?”