Legend of The Young Master

Chapter 59: No Chance Of Passing

Wuyi felt no nervousness or sinking feeling as the others did. He was aware of the discarded part being very true for him.

"You shall form a Qi unit, those of you who prove yourselves," Gao continued. "At the height of the Spring Festival, I will present you to Lord Congming, showcasing the marvels I have achieved with even such talentless pupils. I will not be shamed before him. Therefore, I will test you to your limits."

"One day from now, you will be scattered like seeds in the wind across the areas of the province. Swift horses will take you to your unknown destinations. Once there, you will be left alone. Your task is to find your way back here within two weeks, facing whatever challenges the forest and desert throw at you.

If you have cultivated well, you will be here on the Spring festival, ready to be presented to the lord. Upon the lord's approval, you will continue your training until you reach Qi Initiate level five or fail; if you succeed, you will start using spirit stones. But for those who fail, you will be sent to fight demonics at the borders." Gao paused, letting the tension fill the room.

"Do not think the test will be easy. You will face bandits, beasts, and perhaps even demonics. You have received weapons training from Huo, and now you can channel Qi. It's time to prove your worth." As Gao released each student, he offered a touch of Qi to check their growth and a word of praise. Even the girls in the group received some praise.

Except for one, as always. Standing before him, Wuyi pretended to be as open and vulnerable as he could. But Gao's touch was as fleeting as a gust of wind, barely grazing his vessels. Their eyes met, and Wuyi felt Gao's loathing and contempt, even without the aid of the Statue in his mind.

But he felt something new as well—a satisfaction, as if this would end soon. Wuyi had another shiver run down his spine; Gao was up to something. Wuyi tried to give himself reassurance that he had higher cultivation than Gao, so whatever Gao was going to do, he should be able to handle it.

"Far better if you had given up that night, bastard," Gao said, his voice echoing with disdain. "Boluo thought I was abusing you. I was merely offering you an honorable way out, as close to one as you could find. Go away and die the common bastard you are. Why someone like you deserves cultivation is beyond my comprehension." The man can't help himself, thought Wuyi.

As Gao turned to leave, he paused at the top of the stairs. "I must ask," he said, his voice dripping with venom, "is Boluo teaching his clan's cultivation techniques to you in secret? Is that why he's so protective of you?"

Wuyi remained silent, refusing to give Gao the satisfaction of a response. This irked Gao more, a ghastly expression that made his face resemble a skull. "Did you think I hadn't discovered? Did you think you could learn different arts in secret, and I wouldn't find out? You believe I'm blind to how quickly you've progressed in your cultivation, how you've found ways that I can't trace?

You think I'll let you succeed by using secret evil techniques? Be assured, bastard, you won't succeed," he said, his words laced with a promise.

After Gao left, Wuyi went back to his chambers to cultivate. He decided not to overthink whatever Gao was planning.

The next day, Wuyi went straight to the stables to check on his horse. By now, his bond with Suti had grown strong, and he found solace in her presence. He did not want to think about it but was bothered by what Gao was actually going to do. He stood in Suti's stall, leaning his head against her withers, feeling queasy.

Perhaps Gao would send him to a remote location, far from the Fortress, where returning on time might be impossible, or where he might face serious danger.

He was certain that he would encounter challenges he shouldn't. Despite his reluctance, there was a part of him that wanted to give the test a try, to prove himself. He had some confidence in his abilities, especially his statues, which he believed could help him navigate difficult situations.

He was a Qi adept now; challenges he should face would be for Qi initiates; he could handle most of the bandits and beasts, and if he came across demonics stronger than him, he could run.

While Wuyi was in his thoughts, Boluo found him there in the stable.

Wuyi recognized the sound of Boluo's steady footsteps as he approached, and then Boluo abruptly halted outside Suti's stall.

Wuyi could sense Boluo looking at him. "Well. Now what?" Boluo demanded harshly, his voice carrying the weariness he felt regarding Wuyi and his problems. Wuyi did not like bothering Boluo about his concerns.

There was a time Boluo could fix his problems, but now he was stronger than Boluo, and whatever Gao might plan, he would keep Boluo in his mind. Wuyi wanted to stand tall and declare that nothing was wrong.

Instead, he muttered into Suti's coat, "Tomorrow, Gao plans to test us."

"I know. He's demanded quite abruptly that I furnish him horses for this idiotic scheme. I would have refused, had he not had a token from the lord giving him authority. And no more do I know than that he wants the horses, so don't ask," Boluo added gruffly as Wuyi looked up suddenly at him.

"I wouldn't," Wuyi told him sullenly.

It was going to be not a normal test for him, but Wuyi had a premonition that he had to do it. To survive in this world, he had to take such challenges head-on and harden himself. He was sure there would be thousands of such Gaos he might meet if he continued on the path of cultivation.

"You've no chance of passing this trial he's designed, do you?" Boluo's tone was casual, but Wuyi could hear the underlying disappointment he braced himself for in case of Wuyi's response. This surprised Wuyi. Boluo actually wanted Wuyi to pass the test. He asked the statue of Harmony for insights; after a while, the statue gave him all the details.