Chapter 4, The Choice of Destiny

Yue Tianheng and Xue Yunmu leisurely walked along the bamboo path in the mountains, enjoying the elegant breeze, without chasing after the leisurely pace. The abundant greenery calmed their hearts, bringing a sense of simplicity and tranquility. The disturbances of the mundane world seemed to be washed away by the bamboo dew and mountain wind.

Yue Tianheng interrupted her by pulling her back, lowering his voice, "Don't agree to things recklessly; otherwise, your master will scold you, and even Uncle Yunshun will give you a good lecture."

Yue Tianheng rubbed his head and chuckled, murmuring, "Master, tell me honestly, if I were the kind of obedient and honest child, would you take me as your disciple?"

The bamboo thicket beside Yuetian tilted suddenly to one side, as if being overwhelmed by a strong wind, yet there was not a trace of wind or sound affecting it

Youyou followed her father and Yuetianheng into the bamboo corridor, smiling as she turned back to wave at the two young men, reassuring them: "I will go talk to my master right away, and soon..."

Little monkey, you are right

The two young boys, also taken by surprise, hurriedly jumped down from their horses and ran up close, grabbing her hand and chattering incessantly.

Xue Yunmu followed his gaze and took a glance, then turned back and chuckled softly, "It is not necessarily a step to the sky; at least from now on, she will no longer be an ordinary person. I brought Youyou here merely to help her find an outstanding husband, someone who can mingle with the elite, and anyone chosen from among them would not be a loss."

Xue Mu You adjusted the veil on her head; the weather had already begun to heat up. Although the veil was exquisite, it was ultimately stifling and did not allow for ventilation, causing her forehead to be covered with a layer of fine sweat.

Seeing her grandfather's concern, Xue Muyao pretended to be indifferent and smiled, "My hair grows quickly, next time grandfather comes to the bamboo sea to see me, I will definitely have become even more beautiful."

It is said that he is a disciple of "Tian Gong Shen Shou". The two young masters, Huo Wan, hold him in high regard. Yue Tianheng is only a year or two older than them, and he is also close to Youyou. When they engage in conversation, they are quite amicable.

You! Xue Yunmu couldn't help but hit his head again, "I just spoil you too much. Is there such a disciple who curses their own master?"

Master Huo Er is a smooth talker; after some polite exchanges, he subtly invites Xue Yunmu to speak a few kind words about his son in front of Zhu Liancheng and Pei Junwu. Pei Junwu and Xue Yunmu are close friends, renowned in the martial world, and well-known to all. In contrast, Master Wan is more straightforward, unabashedly praising the children of the Huo and Wan families for their exceptional lineage, extraordinary understanding, and handsome appearances, implying that he is quite confident about his own child being selected.

"Alright—" Yue Tianheng, who had been watching coldly from the side, shook his head and interrupted the father and daughter as they exchanged heartfelt words, "There are people coming and going on the road; you two should wrap it up. Someone is coming this way."

Xue Yunmu, who had been holding his daughter's small hand, stopped in his tracks. He gently wiped the sweat from her forehead with his sleeve, but his tone was fierce, "If I see that little brat again, I will beat him to a pulp!"

"I don't want to learn martial arts; I am a cultured person." Yue Tianheng chuckled with satisfaction, "In my opinion, the old man is just idle. He already has a proud disciple to inherit his legacy, and there are quite a few flashy apprentices to embellish his reputation. The most frightening thing is that even foolish grand-students have appeared. So he wants to find some peculiar person to teach and play with, to see what kind of talent can emerge in the future..." So he wants to find some peculiar person to teach and play with, to see what kind of talent can emerge in the future...

Xue Yunmu smiled and responded perfunctorily, having encountered too many such people recently, he secretly grew weary of them

Thinking of her master, she couldn't help but quicken her pace. Having been away for more than ten days, she truly missed him.

Yue Tianheng chuckled twice and said, "Master, I am truly happy for you. If you hope for Youyou to become a marvel in the martial arts world, you will probably be disappointed to the point of vomiting blood and dying."

The two young masters, upon hearing their father's words, finally released their hold on Youyou's hand and awkwardly cupped their fists in salute to Xue Yunmu. Xue Yunmu, being a person of easygoing nature and not one to fuss over such formalities, felt a bit more favorable towards them, despite not being well acquainted, as he noticed their rapport with his daughter.

Xue Yunmu cast a cold glance at him, "What remarkable inventions can a coward who lacks the courage to deviate from the norm create? Therefore, your pedantic father can only be a 'craftsman', with limited achievements, and cannot become a 'master of heavenly craftsmanship'"

Xue Yunmu felt even more distressed, "Youyou, I am sorry for you..." Since her birth, he had been wandering the world. After her mother passed away, he sent her to the bamboo sea, and the time he spent personally taking care of her was extremely limited

Looking back at the mundane individuals who came to submit their names from Mount Yuantian, a faint smile, tinged with a hint of irony, appeared as he remarked, "Becoming a disciple of Zhu Liancheng... can one truly ascend to greatness in a single step?"

It is said that they are also going to the Bamboo Sea, and Youyou is even more delighted, volunteering to lead the way for them. Several children, filled with excitement, run ahead, forgetting about their respective elders.

Youyou sweetly greeted the two uncles, holding Wan Huaijun with one hand and Huo Shaoxun with the other, introducing them to Yue Tianheng.

"Brother Huo, Brother Wan?" Youyou exclaimed in surprise, having grown up playing with the two young masters, and feeling particularly close after not seeing them for over a year

The elderly man with snow-white hair leisurely emerged from the fallen bamboo grove, the bamboo standing upright behind him as if parting to make way for him. The old man smiled calmly, saying nothing, yet a voice that resembled an echo or a whisper lingered around him.

At the age of seventy, Zhu Liancheng smiled with such elegance and openness that it instantly inspired awe and admiration in others. "Yes, I want to choose a uniquely individualistic young man. This is not merely a choice that will change his life; perhaps it is also a choice that will alter the fate of the bamboo sea."

"Not necessarily, not necessarily," Xue Yunmu laughed heartily, speaking of his good friend in a very humorous tone. "Compared to Qin Chuyi from back in the day, they are still just craftsmen. For decades, they have merely been chasing the footsteps of their predecessors, unable to surpass them. I estimate that Master Zhu has also realized this issue; at his advanced age, he still needs to carefully select a young apprentice. Just look at all those talented scions from prominent families, each one exceptional, yet the old man simply does not find them suitable. It is clear that he wants to choose a genius who is unconventional and rebellious against the norms of society. If you were good at martial arts, you might be able to capture a fraction of his interest."

Yue Tianheng scoffed in dissatisfaction, "Both Zhu Liancheng and Pei Junwu have somewhat reserved personalities, yet they have both become grandmasters, haven't they? Just look at the throngs of people flocking down the mountain!"

A gentle and deep voice seemed to come from a great distance, yet it was still very clear when it reached them. The voice arrived, and so did the person, startling both the master and the disciple.

Because the Grand Master settled in the Bamboo Sea, this place has become one of the sacred sites of the martial arts world in the Central Plains. After more than a decade of management and planning by Pei Junwu, it is no longer comparable to the secluded place it once was. The emerald bamboo corridor at the foot of the mountain no longer allows outsiders to enter freely. The disciples guarding the entrance to the bamboo forest respectfully welcome the returning guests, yet the Huo and Wan families are stopped at the door.

The two adults also dismounted with smiles, approached Xue Yunmu with cupped fists, and did not genuinely reprimand their son, saying, "How rude! You see Uncle Xue and do not greet him? Still acting like a child."

The road leading to the bamboo sea is bustling with traffic, and many vendors have seized the business opportunity to set up tea houses and eateries along the way. Coupled with local bamboo farmers transporting bamboo products out for sale, pedestrians and travelers are nearly shoulder to shoulder, creating a lively atmosphere reminiscent of a temple fair.

Xue Yunmu chuckled and said, "Master, did you hear that? Is that how it is?"

Yoyo pouted and nodded, indeed, Master Yun Shun had long advised her that during the period of her master's selection of disciples, no outsiders were to be brought in to stay. It was better to offend her master than to offend Master Yun Shun.

In the blink of an eye, Xue Yunmu indeed saw the second master of the Huo family from Qinghai, leading his son on a tall steed, making a striking entrance. Unsurprisingly, they were followed by the Wan family father and son. The Huo and Wan families, along with Youyou's maternal grandfather, the Zuo family, are collectively known as the Three Heroes of Qinghai, and they hold considerable influence in the martial arts world of the Central Plains. This time, as Master Zhu Liancheng selects his closed-door disciples, they naturally would not miss the opportunity. The fate of the chosen children will undoubtedly change.