When Rong Zheng mentioned "Shi Fu's ashes," Tao Mian instinctively glanced at himself.
The Fifth Disciple was caught between laughter and tears.
"I'm not talking about you, don't be afraid. I'm referring to the Shi Fu who taught me martial arts when I was young at the Floating Pavilion."
Tao Mian recalled Rong Zheng's Shi Fu from when he had eavesdropped on her conversation with Chen Yan. She was the former head of the Shadow Guards, also a woman, and young Rong Zheng had taken over her position.
"My Shi Fu worked herself to death."
As the most outstanding girl among the orphans, Rong Zheng naturally received the most affection from her Shi Fu. Although her Shi Fu was strict, she always liked to take Rong Zheng with her wherever she went.
Thus, Rong Zheng was exposed to the work of the Shadow Guards at the Floating Pavilion earlier than her other junior brothers. Her Shi Fu taught her everything, from killing to self-defense.
Her Shi Fu always said that having an extra skill was like giving oneself an extra chance to survive. In their line of work, life was unpredictable, and the end was often tragic. There was little they could do, but at least they could delay that end.
Back then, Rong Zheng feared nothing, focusing solely on how to take over her Shi Fu's role and repay the Floating Pavilion for raising her.
She patted her chest and promised her Shi Fu that as long as she was around, she would ensure her Shi Fu's burial was properly handled.
She vividly remembered how her Shi Fu was so moved by her heartfelt words that she didn't speak to her for three days.
Later, her Shi Fu indeed passed away during a mission. The person she was supposed to assassinate counterattacked in their dying moments, leaving her Shi Fu gravely injured.
Rong Zheng arrived just in time and wanted to carry her Shi Fu back to the Floating Pavilion for treatment.
Though the injuries were severe, the skills of the pavilion's physicians were enough to pull her Shi Fu back from the brink of the Underworld.
But her Shi Fu held her hand, asking her to stay and talk.
Her Shi Fu was usually not talkative, keeping everything to herself. In their daily interactions, it was always Rong Zheng who chattered away, while her Shi Fu remained aloof, barely acknowledging her.
Now that her Shi Fu wanted to chat, she still didn't speak, leaving Rong Zheng to fill the silence.
Rong Zheng rambled on about unrelated topics, like how Zhang San's chicken went missing or how Li Si's dog bit someone. When she mentioned how Wang Er's goose looked particularly tender, tears started to fall, and she cried as she spoke.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Her Shi Fu weakly lifted her hand to wipe Rong Zheng's tears, asking why she was crying.
Rong Zheng said it was a pity she didn't get a taste of the goose soup, and thinking about it now made her crave it.
Her Shi Fu smiled faintly.
Her Shi Fu retracted her hand, resting it lightly on her own wound. Leaning against a barren mountain, she looked up at the dazzling stars.
Her Shi Fu suddenly asked if Wang Er's goose could fly.
The question stunned Rong Zheng. She had never seen a flying goose, often being chased and bitten by them.
She said a flying goose must be a noble one, transcending its fate as food and soaring high.
Her Shi Fu didn't look at her, still gazing at the stars, but she was speaking to her.
She said, "Little Zheng, you must fly high too, so that no one can restrain you. You must cut your own strings."
Rong Zheng cried, her large tears still hanging on her cheeks, looking pitiful.
She was a bit panicked. She said, "Shi Fu, how can that be? I've worked so hard to take over your role and not disgrace you."
Her name, given by her Shi Fu, had the character "Zheng," indicating she was prepared for her destined path.
If she didn't become a kite, who else could she be?
Her Shi Fu shook her head.
She said she couldn't answer Rong Zheng's question. Her whole life had been devoted to the word "struggle."
Like Rong Zheng now, she had never envisioned living any other life.
But now, everything was over.
She was like a feather from a flying bird, insignificant, yet she had walked her entire life burdened by shackles.
She was tired, and at the brink of death, she thought of finding answers for herself, but she no longer had the strength to start anew.
But Rong Zheng was still young.
She hoped Rong Zheng could find answers for herself.
"Shi Fu, I'm not smart, you know that," Rong Zheng said, wiping her face with her sleeve, unable to stop her tears. "I don't understand feathers or shackles. I just want to do what you entrusted me with. The road ahead is so uncertain, I can't see it clearly."
"Then take your time to find it, Little Zheng," her Shi Fu's voice was soft and gentle. "If there's only one path before you, then walk it first. As you walk, you'll encounter forks in the road.
People like us are born with fewer choices than others. But heaven is kind, not too cruel. There will always be one or two times when you suddenly find a small path beneath your feet.
That path is often narrow and unremarkable, filled with thorns and poisonous plants. But you must consider it carefully, don't pass it by lightly.
What Shi Fu says, you may not understand now. But remember it well. Even if it takes ten or twenty years for you to realize it, it won't be too late.
Even if you're just a feather or a kite, insignificant, you must fall into the hands of someone ready to catch you."
Rong Zheng's Shi Fu left just like that. She gave up her last chance to live, unwilling to return to the Floating Pavilion.
After that, Rong Zheng adhered to her Shi Fu's last words. When no other paths appeared, she trudged along the only road available.
"To be honest, although Du Hong left me at the Mist Tower, making me despise it, it changed me a lot. Perhaps turning points often come with the pain of separating from the past," Rong Zheng said, weaving through the guests, deliberately choosing inconspicuous gaps, with Tao Mian following behind, only able to see her determined back. "I've found a place where I can land safely."
...
Rong Zheng said that when she first arrived at the Mist Tower, she was searched, and her sword and other belongings were confiscated. At that time, she carried her Shi Fu's ashes with her and had no choice but to temporarily seal them in the Jade-Hiding Altar.
She didn't care about the precious altar; she just wanted to bring her Shi Fu back to her side.
By now, the two had reached the pavilion, with no one stopping them, proceeding so smoothly it seemed unbelievable.
"This is too lucky," Rong Zheng said, her expression serious. "It's as if someone deliberately cleared the obstacles for us."
The pavilion door was sealed with three heavy copper locks, showing no signs of being opened. Tao Mian perked up his ears to listen for sounds inside, but it was silent.
He whispered to his disciple outside the door.
"Do you think when we open the door, we'll see Du Hong standing inside, saying, 'I've been waiting for you for a long time'?"
"..." Rong Zheng was silent for a moment before speaking, "Little Tao, you crow-mouthed Immortal, your good words never come true, but your bad ones always do. I feel like I can already see our fate after we open this door."
"Open it. If worst comes to worst, we'll take down Du Hong here, and then you can take over the Floating Pavilion. As your Shi Fu, I have connections in the demon realm."
"That's a good plan, I think it will work."
Tao Mian and Rong Zheng, Shi Fu and disciple, used their skilled lock-picking techniques, unlocking the three locks one by one.
The pavilion door was pushed open, and sure enough, there was a figure inside.
Pavilion Shi Fu Du stood in the center of the room, surrounded by various luxurious magical treasures and antiques.
His expression was calm as he spoke to the two at the door.
"I've been waiting for you for a long time."
"…"
What was originally a joke had now been repeated verbatim by Du Hong, leaving the Shi Fu and disciple momentarily unsure of how to react.
But Du Hong was clearly not here with good intentions.