Chapter 753 - All is Void
Chapter 753 of "Red Heart Patrols the Sky" starts with: True Beings begin to grasp the essence of heaven and earth, with every gesture embodying... Continue exploring!
True Beings begin to grasp the essence of heaven and earth, with every gesture embodying the rules of the cosmos.The great battle between the two True Beings of this era caused the vast skies and clouds to shift and the mighty Long River to surge.
And Jiang Wang flew swiftly, desperately flying, flying for his life.
He tried to make himself faster, to escape the battlefield more quickly.
The sounds of battle roared behind him.
That roaring was questioning his dedication to the Dao.
He had seen the injuries of Ku Jue, knowing the old monk might not be a match for Zhuang Gaoxian.
Ku Jue, who so loved to boast and was so full of himself, secretly transmitted a message for him to flee first, which undoubtedly also demonstrated impotence.
The yellow-faced old monk who had been influential at Hanging Monastery could no longer brag; he had to face reality, indicating just how dire the situation had become.
This feeling of becoming a burden made Jiang Wang, who prided himself in his heart, feel immense shame and pain.
But all he could do was flee without looking back.
The only way he could help Ku Jue was to get as far away as possible.
Still too weakâŚ
Still not strong enough!
He flew desperately, at the ultimate speed his flesh body could endure.
Only the pain under such extreme conditions could slightly comfort his heart.
The sounds of battle gradually faded, and the presence that shook heaven and earth could no longer be felt.
Jiang Wang didnât know how long he had been fleeing; he only knew he must escape, far away.
The long distance traversed by his flesh body, and when he finally stopped, he found himself in solitary desolation, having landed atop a barren mountain, with Tianma Plateau, once deemed a safe destination, long left behind.
In his frantic flight, he had not paid attention to his route, aiming only in a general direction.
He did not know whether he was within the territory of Guard Country or Fertility Country.
Guard Country lay a bit to the south, and Fertility Country a bit to the north.
Or perhaps it bordered neither.
The barren mountain was cold and quiet, aside from the few birds he startled during his descent, there was no other movement.
He had fled too long.
Ever since he left Xinâan City, he had been on the run.
He walked the fine line between life and death, between the Water Mansion and the Demon Grotto.
After finally carving out light from endless despair and extinguishing Zhuang Chenggan, he faced the Demon Grottoâs collapse and a new round of persecution.
By the time he stopped fleeing, the sky had darkened.
The stars hung high across the sky.
Jiang Wang sat alone on the mountain peak, properly cross-legged, clutching the Longsword in his hands, gazing blankly into the starry sky.
He had once told An An that their father was one of the stars, hanging in the sky watching over them.
While comforting his sister, he too hoped that it was true.
He had never actually thought that Ku Jue would come to save him.
He had never anticipated any luck, nor expected help from anyone.
But Ku Jue still came.
After being repeatedly rejected as a disciple, he still came from thousands of miles away.
The appearance of one who constantly called himself âteacherâ.
In the moment between life and death, the figure standing in front of him was not tall, but it gave him a long-absent sense of security.
He felt that he, too, was protected, that someone was there to shield him from the storm.
Path Origin within his body could no longer sustain, unable to support the extreme speeds of flight.
But that was not why he stopped.
After so much time had passed, there was no need to flee any further.
If Zhuang Gaoxian were to pursue him, he would have caught up by now.
Either Ku Jue had stopped him, or he had chosen to give up.
In any case, the threat from Zhuang Gaoxian was temporarily unnecessary to consider.
He sat there, waiting for a result.
A result that might not comeâif Ku Jue was unharmed, he would be able to find Jiang Wang.
Just as he had sensed Jiang Wangâs peril from a great distance.
And so he waited, through the entire night.
With unblinking eyes, gripping the Longsword all night long.
How long the night was, perhaps only Jiang Wang himself knew.
Watching as the heavens slowly filled with stars, then watching them dim one by one, seeing the deep darkness roll over the Heavenly Curtain, like the tide receding, and then the sun rising, illuminating the world.
Daybreak came, and his heart sank.
The world is so bright, yet I am alone.
Jiang Wang didnât speak, just silently stood up, shaking off the morning mist and a night of waiting.
He had always been resolute, always strong.
He vaguely figured out which direction to go and decided where to head.
Just as he took a stepâ
Bam!
A figure fell from the sky, landing before him with a rough impact on the ground, producing a thunderous noise.
The figure, twisted in pain, was a yellow-faced, skinny old monk.
It was Ku Jue!
Jiang Wang kept his hand on the Longsword, scanning the distance and not seeing Zhuang Gaoxianâs figure.
Then he crouched down to check on Ku Jue.
He saw him with eyes tightly shut, curled up, teeth clenched, face pale.
Blood flowed from the corner of his mouth, and his breath was extremely faint.
It seemed like he had used his last bit of strength to make it to Jiang Wangâs side.
âYouâŚâ Jiang Wang released the sword and reached out to support his thin shoulders, his voice trembling uncontrollably, âHow are you?â
He had always been wary of Ku Jue, right from the first time they met at Qingyang Town when the old monk arrived uninvited.
It wasnât that he was naturally distrustful of the world, but that he had already learned from many people the rationale that âone cannot be without a guard against others.â
This old monkâs repeated forceful attempts to take him as a disciple indeed made him very uncomfortable.
He was unwilling to take a master, and even more afraid to trust.
Throughout his cultivation journey, the only master he had truly acknowledged was Dong Ah.
And Dong Ah had trampled his trust and reliance into the dust.
A life-and-death duel in Xinâan City severed the ties of master and disciple forever.
Before and after that, he had never thought about taking another as a master.
He didnât consider himself as having any profound feelings for Ku Jue, as neither of them had truly spent much time together or understood each other.
Every meeting had been a chase.
He had never thought that Ku Jue would truly consider him part of his own.
Just lip service, how could he take it seriously?
But unexpectedly, when he truly faced danger, it was Ku Jue who traveled thousands of miles, dragging his body injured from a great battle to shield him from Zhuang Gaoxian.
To fight a bloody battle for him above the Long River.
Jiang Wang was not heartless; he couldnât help but be moved and feel guilty.
âHow are you?â he asked.
He tried hard to recall the healing Dao Techniques he knew, but with the chaos of Ku Jueâs internal energy, he couldnât even grasp the specifics of the injuries, unsure how to begin.
His own amateur healing Dao Techniques had little effect on himself, let alone on a True Monarch.
He felt utterly disheartened.
âHmmâŚâ Ku Jueâs eyelids slightly lifted, and at that moment, he opened his weak eyes.
He looked at Jiang Wang, his voice no longer brazen or rude, but faint and powerlessâ
âJing Shen, ahâŚ
I thought I wouldâŚ
never see you again.â
Jiang Wang fought back the sourness at the tip of his nose, holding his thin hand, âMaster Ku Jue, youâŚâ
His voice choked up, and he couldnât continue.
âAhâŚâ Ku Jue looked at him sadly, âBefore I die, thereâs just one wish unfulfilled.â
âMaster, please say,â Jiang Wang tried hard to suppress his emotions, âWhat wish do youâŚ
still have?â
He felt the hand he was holding tighten around his faintly.
Ku Jue spoke with a breath as thin as a thread, âItâs that you, Jing ShenâŚ
havenât officially joined my sect, and I wasnât ableâŚ
to personally shave your head.â
Such deep affection!
Jiang Wangâs heart felt heavy, and he pressed his lips together, âMaster, your kindness, I will remember in my heart.
But I cannot deceive youâŚ
My heart is tangled, and my long-standing resentment has not cleared.
I cannot achieve the state of âempty in all four aspects,â I cannot enter the monastic life.â
Struggling, Ku Jue used some strength in his hand, appearing weak yet stubborn, a sight that tugged at the heart, âActually, Buddhism isnât that strictâŚ
You can shave first, and âemptyâ later, that works tooâŚâ
Jiang Wang wasnât heartless, and in such a moment, whatever request Ku Jue made, he would do his utmost to fulfill it.
However, his path of cultivation had already been determined by his will and choices up to this point.
He still didnât understand enough about the concepts of Buddhism, let alone agree with them.
The more sincere a person is, the less capable they are of lying to themselves.
âMaster,â Jiang Wang said, holding back sadness, âI am grateful for your misguided love.
Jiang Wang can deceive himself, but how can I deceive you?
My heart is preoccupied, and I have my own path to follow.
I cannot walk the path of Buddhism for long.
If I agree now and change my mind later, how could I live up to your expectations?â
He drew his index finger across, cutting off a strand of hair, âJiang Wang cuts this strand of hair as a pledge, promising to you, Master.
Although I cannot shave my head in this life, I already regard you as family.
After youâre gone, I will certainly take good care of the Hanging Monastery, ensuring that your incense burns eternal, and your golden body enjoys longevityâŚ
Ah!â
His heartfelt words were abruptly cut off at the end.
He couldnât help but cry out in pain.
Because a hard fist had already landed on his eye socket, knocking him cleanly to the ground.
Ku Jue performed an agile fish-like flip, bouncing up.
âCut your turtle-and-snake-smelling head!
Playing âshaving head to pledgeâ with Buddha, huh?â
As he cursed and berated Jiang Wang, he added kicks and punches: âBuddha went through all the trouble to fight for you, and you canât even bear to shave your head!
Huh?â
âOne person comes to assassinate?
Huh?
Killing a vice-minister?
Making an enemy of a True Monarch?
Huh?â
âThe Inner Mansion dares to provoke a True Monarch, does the Outer Building think they can challenge the High Heavens?â
âIâm almost dying, and youâre still, Master, Master, calling me Master every other word!
Huh?â
âLook after the Hanging Monastery after Iâm gone?
Huh?
Does the Hanging Monastery need your protection?â
âPah!
Will I go?
Even if you leave I canât go!â
Ku Jue was cursing and beating all at once, a gratifying tirade of harsh words accompanied by a tempestuous beating.
He had truly harbored profound resentment over Jiang Wangâs steadfast refusal to acknowledge him as his master.
One final kick landed on Jiang Wangâs butt, leaving a clear sandal print.
âReflect on this properly for your master!â
After wiping the fake blood from the corner of his mouth, dusting off his clothes, he rose mumbling curses and disappeared into the horizon.
Jiang Wang, with a bruised and swollen face, turned over, lying flat on the ground, gazing at the brightly lit sky.
He opened his mouth and smiled.
At first in silence, then the sound growing louder.
âHahahahahaâŚâ
His mouth opened wider, laughing more and more heartily.
Lastly, his head tilted to the side, and he fell asleep like that.
From entering An City at night until just now, he hadnât relaxed for a moment.
He was just too tired.
ps: The Chixingstial Patrol group one is full, so weâve created a second group, Chixing ¡ Under Jixuegong 1159982294.
Welcome to join~