From a refugee to a martial artist

Chapter 354 The World is Dark
The rain grew heavier, splashing against the deep pool and creating countless ripples.

The rain was like a true Buddha, truly treating all beings equally. Whether they were nobles with long hair and feathers or bewildered and numb slaves, they were all soaked.

Gan Wulin stood opposite the secluded pool, appearing exceptionally small amidst the misty rain.

On the bank of the secluded pool, Shui Xiangsheng was hunched over, his long hair and beard stuck together, looking just like a dead man whose life had been burned out.

At this time, a light rain was falling, and the sky was dark and gloomy, with dark clouds covering the canyon as if it were night.

As the person high above spoke, Shui Xiangsheng and Gan Wulin, the two fellow disciples, fell silent.

Meng Yuan and Ming Yue stood side by side, one holding a knife and the other a sword, each on guard.

Su Xin and Su Wen stood behind Meng Yuan, their heads tilted back, their faces solemn, clearly having guessed who the newcomer was.

Dugu Kang, on the other hand, seemed to be overjoyed but now saddened. He lowered his bald head, clasped his hands together, and muttered some kind of funeral sutra.

The thick clouds pressed down even lower, with rain pouring down, making one feel a chill creeping up from the bottom of their heart, followed by a feeling of suffocation.

The noisy nobles and slaves all fell silent. Under this oppressive force, these already weak people trembled, and some ignorant ones even knelt down and began chanting Buddhist scriptures.

Meng Yuan looked up and saw that a corner of the dark sky seemed to have been torn open, and then a dim light fell on the opposite side of the pool.

The man was dressed in a black robe, carrying a long sword. He was of considerable height and slightly overweight.

He was completely untouched by rain, possessing an ethereal quality. His face was handsome and elegant, but his eyes held a sinister glint, even resentment.

Meng Yuan once worked at the Prince Xin's mansion, but he only met Dugu Sheng once.

At that time, Dugu Sheng wore a white robe, but now he has changed into black clothes. It is unknown whether he has surrendered himself to the black clothes after seeing the great light, or whether he has removed his disguise.

Regardless, Dugu Sheng and Qing Guangzi share some similarities. One has always huddled in the shadows, while the other has brought darkness to the world. However, the former has already attained the status of the Holy King of Light, while the latter is still wandering.

Memories of the past flooded my mind.

Meng Yuan touched his sword and looked at Dugu Sheng.

Dugu Sheng sensed the undisguised killing intent, and his eyes brightened even more, as if he were delighted to have spotted a predator.

"Uncle, you've stirred up trouble in Songhe Prefecture and stirred up storms beyond the borders. Do you really think you can disregard the lives of thousands of people just to obtain a third-rank official position?" Mingyue stepped forward, still thinking of the bond between them, who shared the same surname and clan.

Holding his long sword, Dugu Sheng looked at the bright moon across the deep pool and countless raindrops, and said, "You don't understand?"

His voice pierced through the raindrops, carrying a sense of self-admiration.

"I don't understand," Mingyue said.

"What power, what fame, are all fleeting clouds." Dugu Sheng even began to instruct his niece, saying, "Only after I have glimpsed the wonders of martial arts and the wonders of the transformation between heaven and man, will I know the meaning of my life."

Dugu Sheng's voice was firm and resounding: "Only by climbing step by step to the highest point can we, as martial artists, find meaning in our lives."

Mingyue frowned and said, "So, this is why you're so timid and hesitant, not even daring to fight a rat that has just broken through to the next realm, and can only flee to the Xiangji Kingdom in a sorry state, hoping to take advantage of a physician who is not good at fighting?"

“Killing a third-rank official is merely the cause; the result is the attainment of enlightenment. Since cause and effect already exist, why bother with so much else?” Dugu Sheng said.

"Amitabha." Dugu Kang stepped forward and shook his head, saying, "Benefactor, you have reversed cause and effect and acted perversely. A martial artist who kills a third-rank opponent to attain enlightenment does so because of his own indomitable spirit and his willingness to fight for his life. This is the cause. If you abandon the cause and seek the result, it will all be in vain."

Dugu Sheng frowned slightly and said, "You're just like your mother, all you do is spout useless platitudes."

His voice carried a hint of malice as he said, "It seems that following Qing Guangzi, you haven't learned his scheming skills; instead, your foolishness has only grown stronger."

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Dugu Kang, who had already shaved his head, fell silent.

Su Xin glanced at Dugu Kang, then at Dugu Sheng across the pool. She wiped the rain from her bald head and whispered, "Junior sister, if a fight breaks out, run back. I'll try to stop Dugu Sheng."

When Suwen saw Suxin's audacious words, attempting to stop a fourth-rank martial artist, she felt no mockery, only warmth in her heart. "We came together, so we should go back together."

“You are to remain in the Kingdom of Xiangji as its queen,” Su Xin said.

"..." Su Wen was at a loss for words, and could only hold Su Xin's hand, "Then let's all follow Senior Brother Meng."

“Alright, I think if you become queen, he can become a princess.” Su Xin’s words made perfect sense.

What nonsense? Su Wen was really too lazy to say more, but she still turned her gaze to Meng Yuan.

Across the deep pool, Dugu Sheng's sharp eyes pierced through the thousands of raindrops and landed on Meng Yuan.

As a fourth-grade martial artist who was just one step away from entering the high-grade realm, Dugu Sheng was keenly aware of everything around him.

He could clearly discern the traces of the falling rain, hear the sound of countless raindrops striking the surface of the deep pool, and even sense the fish struggling beneath the surface.

At this moment, Dugu Sheng realized that there were four people on both sides of the Youtan who could threaten him.

Two fourth-grade pharmacists and two fifth-grade martial artists. However, the younger niece with the same surname was slightly lacking, having seen too little of the life-and-death realm.

Although Dugu Sheng was wary of these two pharmacists, he knew that they only cared about the Xiangji Kingdom and their desire to break through to higher realms. They didn't care much about what would happen after their deaths, and regardless of success or failure, they were willing to die in the morning.

Dugu Sheng's eyes were fixed on Meng Yuan. He had already sensed that this man's aura was perfectly harmonious. Although he cultivated fire intent, there was no sense of disharmony despite the vast rain.

On the contrary, the more rampant the rain, the more it symbolizes vitality and resilience.

Dugu Sheng had just witnessed the man's methods of killing Zhu Zhenren and Lian Nu, and he was quite certain that the young man had not used his full strength.

"Are you Meng Feiyuan, a male favorite of Ying Rushi?" Dugu Sheng asked, holding his sword.

Meng Yuan was unaware that his reputation was so bad.

Su Xin and Su Wen had met Ying Ru Shi before and knew that Miss Ying was exceptionally beautiful, but they never expected that such a person would also keep male lovers.

Mingyue remained calm. She was on good terms with Ying Rushi and knew that although Meng Yuan had feelings for her, he had never had the opportunity and had never been able to get into Ying Rushi's bed.

The high priest, Shui Xiang, who had been standing with his eyes closed in the rain, seemingly indifferent, couldn't help but open his eyes to look at Meng Yuan after hearing Dugu Sheng's words.

Gan Wulin, standing opposite the secluded pool, also showed curiosity.

These two fellow disciples had traveled to distant lands and witnessed the splendor of the Ying clan, but they weren't particularly familiar with Ying Rushi. "Amitabha, Benefactor Meng and Benefactor Ying are completely innocent," Dugu Kang couldn't help but speak up for Meng Yuan.

Meng Yuan didn't try to explain, but simply stepped forward, standing on the edge of the secluded pool, and looked at Dugu Sheng.

Mingyue stepped forward and stood beside Meng Yuan, saying, "Dugu Sheng, draw your sword!"

Dugu Sheng sneered, seemingly feeling that Mingyue was not worthy of his help. "Mingyue, you are exceptionally talented, but your character is flawed. Dugu Ying is much better than you. She knows what she wants and is ruthless in both heart and hands."

The rain continued to fall, but it all bypassed Dugu Sheng. Although others also had their own methods, none were as elusive and unpredictable as Dugu Sheng.

Dugu Sheng looked disdainful and continued, "It's just that you two are limited by your perspectives. She is obsessed with seeking external help, so it will be too difficult for her to make any progress in the future. As for you, you only have the appearance of a martial artist, but not the spirit of one."

He sneered, "Look at the state you've become. You've become a castrator and aren't even ashamed of it. You've completely disgraced the Dugu clan."

"You rule the world but do not protect it, instead inviting evil people to massacre the city. Our ancestors rose from humble beginnings, eradicating all evil in the world before establishing a nation." Mingyue found the person on the other side of the pool repulsive, even disgusting. "You cower before Qingguangzi. As a martial artist, you only dare to plot and scheme in secret. You are not worthy of being called Dugu."

Sure enough, these words seemed to have touched a nerve with Dugu Sheng, and his sinister expression intensified.

Dugu Sheng drew his sword and looked at Gan Wulin, saying, "I will eliminate the people from beyond the realm for you."

Upon hearing this, Gan Wulin gripped his short ruler, bowed deeply to Dugu Sheng, and said, "I will deal with my senior brother. Once it is done, I am willing to offer my head as a reward."

After speaking, Gan Wulin looked up at Shui Xiangsheng across the pool.

Shui Xiangsheng was soaked to the bone by the rain, his long white beard and hair hanging down in front of and behind him after being soaked by the rain.

Shui Xiangsheng seemed to sense Gan Wulin's gaze. He raised his head to look at the other man, and a smile appeared on his fleshless face, which was extremely strange.

"High Priest, Dugu Sheng has been here for a long time, but he hasn't made a move against you yet. Do you have some method that makes him wary?" Su Xin was still quite clever.

This is something that Meng Yuan and others have always been curious about.

Shui Xiangsheng, leaning on his dragon-headed cane, said, "I am an old man on the verge of death and not skilled in combat. What tricks do I have? I have only learned some medical skills and some insignificant techniques."

If it were anyone else, Su Xin would have thought they were being humble. But Shui Xiangsheng didn't seem like a good doctor; he seemed more like a monster. Moreover, after hearing Shui Xiangsheng's drastic and dangerous methods, Su Xin pouted, clearly displeased, but dared not say anything sarcastic.

"Senior Brother is too modest." Gan Wulin, standing opposite the secluded pool, raised the short ruler in his hand and said, "Why do you all think that one of our fellow disciples is old and the other is frail? A fourth-grade physician's lifespan is two hundred years, and he is only halfway through now. Physicians are always good at preserving their youth. The reason why Senior Brother is frail is because he is no longer worthy of being called a physician, but a poison physician."

Upon hearing this, Meng Yuan felt that neither of the two fellow disciples was telling the truth. Shui Xiang Sheng had said that a fourth-grade physician's lifespan was around one hundred and fifty years, but now Gan Wu Lin was saying it was two hundred.

Moreover, these two fellow disciples each claimed that the other was skilled in poison.

Of course, judging from the prescriptions given to the Kingdom of Xiangji by these two skilled doctors and ministers, these two fellow disciples could be considered poison doctors.

"Medicine practitioners differentiate between yin and yang, and medicines are divided into principal and assistant herbs. What is medicine today may be poison tomorrow, depending on the illness and the time," said High Priest Shui Xiangsheng.

Everyone here is knowledgeable, and what Shui Xiangsheng said is indeed correct.

"So, High Priest, why are you so old? Why didn't Dugu Sheng dare to kill you sooner?" Su Xin pressed, shrinking closer to Meng Yuan.

The high priest, Shui Xiangsheng, was soaked in the rain, his body hunched over, and he just smiled foolishly.

"For us physicians, the fourth-grade realm is already capable of restoring flesh and bone and bringing the dead back to life," Gan Wulin, speaking from across the dark pool, explained. "Since ancient times, the only hardship is death. Physicians can save those who are about to die, but they cannot save those who seek death."

Gan Wulin held the short ruler in his hand and continued, "Senior brother is both a good doctor and a poison doctor. Yet he is willing to risk his life and burn his life fire as poison."

"What does this mean?" Suwen was also a physician, knowledgeable in medical principles, and knew that the method of administering poison was actually similar to medical principles; it was simply a matter of doing the opposite.

But if one possesses the life-giving fire within, should one, like a martial artist, use it to seek survival? The only difference is that a martial artist seeks survival for themselves, while a physician seeks survival for others.

Su Wen asked out of curiosity. Gan Wulin, who was originally devoid of emotion, showed a rare tenderness when facing Su Wen.

“Senior Brother is covered in poison, and not just ordinary poison, but poison with karma.” Gan Wulin sighed and said, “It’s like the Buddhist law of cause and effect. Whoever kills Senior Brother will inherit the poison he created with his life-fire.”

The Buddhist principle of cause and effect is a profound method within the Buddhist path. It is used when one is powerless in battle, unable to escape or fight, so one sacrifices one's life force and physical body to plant the "cause" against the enemy.

Every cause has its effect. The person who suffers the consequences of the cause will not be harmed for a time, but one day they will see the consequences, whether it be death, disability, or mental anguish. In any case, the suffering will be different.

Of course, if the difference in spiritual level is too great, or if there are eminent Confucian, Buddhist, or Taoist masters to help, preferably high-ranking monks from the same Buddhist sect to perform rituals, although the "karma" cannot be erased, the "karma" can be reduced to the minimum.

At this moment, everyone finally understood what water relied on for life.

"If one is poisoned by the Life Fire, will one also die?" Su Xin asked tremulously.

"It's a mutual destruction. Even if a master of the third rank from Confucianism, Buddhism, or Taoism came, they would probably be severely injured," Gan Wulin said.

For a moment, no one in the arena uttered a sound. This Shui Xiangsheng was not only ruthless to the Xiangji Kingdom, but even more ruthless to himself, having even devised a method of mutual destruction.

"I was fortunate enough to win by a few points against you, senior brother, but I dare not disrespect you." Gan Wulin smiled, a smile on his face. He raised the short ruler in his hand and said, "This ruler was given to me by the Buddha of the West. It is used to measure heaven and earth and lifespan. Only I can fight against you, senior brother."

As he spoke, Gan Wulin's gaze pierced through countless raindrops, looking at Shui Xiangsheng beneath the dark clouds and night.

"Senior brother, please," Gan Wulin said.

"Hahaha!" The high priest Shui Xiangsheng hunched over, his hands on his dragon-head cane, his robes billowing, his white beard and hair billowing, as if he had grown white wings after brushing away the rain.

Shui Xiangsheng looked up at the sky and said in a mournful voice, "Those who achieve great things throughout history have only possessed an indomitable spirit!"

He was extremely excited, "I'll take advantage of this rain and another disaster to help me achieve enlightenment!"

Shui Xiangsheng was an old man who was on the verge of death, but at this moment he burst forth with vigorous vitality, as if he were connected with heaven and earth.

Thick clouds hung in the sky, yet a clap of spring thunder seemed to ignite the life force of all things.

Then the raindrops took on color, turning a pale yellow as they floated.

"The world is dark!" Just then, Dugu Sheng, who was on the opposite side of the dark pool, rose up from the ground and disappeared into the dark clouds in the sky.

In an instant, the world became even darker, like a moonless, starless night, with murderous intent lurking everywhere.

(End of this chapter)