MDZS Fanfic

Red Strings of Connections

Chapter 19 Zumu's Offer

Cangse Sanren blindfolded Wei Ying's eyes and told him that no matter what he hears or sense he won't remove it. Wei Ying nodded and felt his mother's callous hand hold him and pulls him gently, guiding him somewhere he has no idea of.

Today, a month after Wei Ying turned fourteen Cangse Sanren bring him out without informing anyone in their sect. Wei Ying finding it strange that this time's escape is being led by his mother. Still Wei Ying didn't bother to ask and even after getting blindfolded, he just blindly obeys her.

She's his mother, that is certain, no question needed to voice.

Not a nefarious beast in disguise.

Wei Ying is certain.

Time pass as they continue their stroll in a mountain, Wei Ying's doesn't know of. He doesn't even know how long they have been walking. If still morning or already night. Still Wei Ying didn't question. All he could hear is rusting of leaves and chirping of birds, also some faint sound of other types of growls.

A gentle breeze blew Wei Ying's face and his hair dances lightly, he also felt that they passed a barrier or something that is made of strong spiritual power.

Wei Ying hears someone's unfamiliar voice, which is gentle, kind and calm greeted his mom, which his mom returns with same manner.

"Shizun has been waiting for your arrival Shijie."

Now, that finally rouse Wei Ying's curiosity.

As far as he knows, his mother doesn't have anyone calling her "Shijie" and if there is then they are maybe from—

Wei Ying was cut off from his thoughts when he felt his mother pulls him again, this time it didn't take hours or even minute that they made yet another stop. His mother let his hand go as he hears her greets someone again and probably this time someone who much higher position to her, or something like that.

"It's an honor to be invited by you again here in your heavenly home, Shizun."

'Shizun...?' Another word that arouses Wei Ying's curiosity, making him excited of where they are as he finally connecting those dots.

"Is that Wei Ying?" the master's voice is beautiful, soothing yet strong and held authority, still Wei Ying can catch kindness from it.

"Yes, just like you instructed I brought A-Ying here."

"Let him see."

There's a pause, as Cangse Sanren quieted and confuse, and Wei Ying could tell her confusion and he could imagine that it is showing on her face. If he's conclusion is right then they are in Celestial Mountain, the place where his mom cultivated and been raised, and this master is none other than Baoshan Sanren, the person who saved his parents after their fight against a certain nefarious monster, and if it's the case then he could understand his mother's confusion, after all according to her it's not normal for her master to invite people on her place, more than so letting them see within, and yet not just her master instructed his mom to bring him and now the master wants Wei Ying to see.

Wei Ying blindfold has been removed, letting his eyes to see the beautiful paradise called Celestial Mountain, then in front of them is a young madam, probably a little older than his mom, she's beautiful and cannot be mistaken to be the master from the legend. Standing at the other end of three steps stairs, looking down at them, but Wei Ying feels that their position and hers were just on right arrangement. That definitely nothing is wrong.

"Welcome in my mountain Wei Ying." Hearing her voice made Wei Ying concretes that she is the same person his mother called Master. He gives his salutation to her, greeting her with manner.

"Thank you for letting this humble disciple to set foot on your heavenly paradise. My name is Wei Ying. It's an honor to be in your presence, Grandmaster Baoshan Sanren."

Baoshan Sanren nodded and have them enter the lounge and sit down at the mats that was prepared in earlier.

"Now, first and foremost, Wei Ying would you want to ascend into godhood?"

Both mother and son widen their eyes in shock.

For the infamous Grandmaster of Celestial Mountain asked someone which she didn't raise at all, such a question as if she will help if ever.

"Ascended...?"

Baoshan Sanren nodded, "I'll help you." She really will help Wei Ying to ascend?!

"May this disciple ask? Why the sudden interest in me?"

Baoshan Sanren doesn't answer at first and only smile knowingly, "This is not sudden. I've been preparing this path for you since."

"Since? Since when? And why me?"

Baoshan Sanren takes time to answer but Wei Ying and Cangse Sanren both willing to wait, at least not forever.

"Since then." Baoshan Sanren finally answered still with knowing smile, which only makes the two confused. "I'll tell you in the near future—unless you agree now, I'll be willing to tell you at this instant."

Wei Ying grips his hands into fist.

This is the chance everyone in cultivation world have wanted, to ascend in godhood, and it is well known that with Baoshan Sanren's help anyone could reach enlightenment—at least as long as one not leaves the mountain anymore, no matter what.

So, if Wei Ying accept her offer then he must live here, in this mountain forever, which also means he no longer can see his family—everyone in Zhuque sect, his friends, and much more Lan Zhan.

Wei Ying, 'I can't no longer see Lan Zhan...?'

Both women were staring at him, examining his focus on the offer, looking on any signs of the answer they want.

Baoshan Sanren really wants Wei Ying to ascend, as he has all the rights, abilities, possesses all the requirements. Him and another person.

Just like she claimed, she prepared everything for Wei Ying, all of it, and all it needs now is Wei Ying himself.

Wei Ying put his hands on the floor and bows so low that his forehead touches the floor.

"I—Wei Ying—is just a humble cultivator disciple is grateful for such grandiose offer that is no doubt makes everyone drool and would be ready to do everything just to achieve it. I really do grateful to you oh esteemed master for choosing me who is nothing but a child. This humble disciple doesn't want for you to feel offended to my decision, so I apologize first, but Esteemed Grandmaster of Celestial Mountain, I would like to turn it down."

"Are you scare I punish you for turning my offer down? You've talk way too long."

"I apologize for boring you with my speech, but I really do want to not accept such a grand offer."

"Raised your head and look at me straight in the eyes." Wei Ying sits properly on his mat. "Why did you turn it down? You possessed all the requirements to ascend, so why?"

"I—I cannot see myself."

"To what?"

"Being an immortal—at least alone. There are people that I care and a person I want to be with. This people might be able to reach enlightenment as well, although they might take a long time, but some of them cannot reach enlightenment anymore. One has his golden core still not progressing despite his age and knowledge, and—I've just recently realized that I cannot live not seeing h—a certain someone." he pauses as he realized that he almost slips his feelings for that 'certain someone', which he is sure that Baoshan Sanren don't wanna hear at all, his mother will pester him later though. "I apologize for giving such selfish reason. You may see them unnecessary or just a bothered, but they are part of my life! They're completing me!"

Silence eats the three people inside the room.

The women just continue observing his expressions to see his determination on the decision he just made. Indeed, all he has spouted are nothing but hindrance to someone's goal of immortality—ascension, but this is Wei Ying, he doesn't care if its hindrance to others, he cares for them all and so he wouldn't leave them. Even though he no longer could get a chance as grandiose as this one.

Baoshan Sanren sighs and secretly smile. She expected his decision, knowing him so much.

"Alright then. But Wei Ying remember—always remember my offer still stands." Baoshan Sanren clears, emphasizing the word 'always'. "And foolish of you to think that I'll be offended by such a thing. You are thinking so high of me, just what kind of rumors this stupid disciple of mine have spread about me?"

"I didn't, I didn't, I would never do that!"

"Then maybe that stupid Yangling!"

Cangse Sanren chuckles awkwardly.

"Now that being said," Baoshan Sanren restarted after sipping her tea. "Let's move on the topic I really want to discuss with you Ying'er."

Wei Ying blinks; did Baoshan Sanren really just called him Ying'er? Is that even normal, peaking at his mother, and sees no reactions for the name calling Wei Ying starting to think that it is a normal thing. It is?

"Recently you and that girl with you way back at Dafan Mountain has defeated Peri, the stone goddess, yes?" Wei Ying nodded. "And you have found an iron stone within its remains, isn't so?" Wei Ying nodded again. "That stone is called Yin Iron. It is used to gather and store Yin energy and it could give either dangerous power or fake life just like with Peri."

"Y—yes... and?"

"That isn't the only one that existing in this world. There are four more. Now! Ying'er I want you to gather the Yin Irons and purify them."

"Purify?"

"Yes. But it's not the same purification like you folks invented. The purification must be done by someone who is in enlightenment procedure."

"Then I cannot purify it either cause I—"

"Turn my offer down, but I do emphasize the word 'procedure'. Ying'er I've told you have all the requirements for enlightenment, did I?"

"Yes."

"To put it in simple terms, Ying'er you are already close in enlightenment, just with little more push from me of course."

"And..."

"You are the only one who can purify the Yin Irons and its vessels. Just like the Yin Iron inside the Peri, the other irons are sleeping inside of something."

"Then how do I to purify them?"

"You choose! Whatever, whichever you want!"

"That's not so clear at all."

"You'll find out soon. After all your sect has already one."

"Shizun, after gathering the Yin Iron and purified them, what would be next? I mean it was used to gather and store Yin Energy, so of course it is still will gather even after getting purify."

"Smart as always, that always makes me questions your life choices. Well, the only choice you made right is having Ying'er."

The tandem of son and mother peeks at each other, as Wei Ying started to realize how much different Baoshan Sanren to the rumors he heard before, cause right now Baoshan Sanren is sounded like a mother who aren't fond of her daughter's decisions. On the other hand, Cangse Sanren could see the Grandmaster becoming a doting granma to her son, and it made her smile and feel happy. Cause after all, it's not everyday her Master would be like this at all.

"Ying'er, you have to make sure the Yin Iron won't be in hands of anyone else but you and your sect, or else a terrible future will await to you and the people you care."

Wei Ying nodded, "I understand Grandmaster."

Baoshan Sanren's eyes narrow judgingly towards the lad that made the two stiffen.

"Call me Granma, or granny or anything goes on your head, now!"

"Eh? All the sudden!" Such an absurd instant demand! Both thinks.

"Hurry! Hurry!"

"Then..." Wei Ying peeks at his mother first to see if he really should just do it, but he sees his mother looking outside of the room through the open sliding door, as if averting her son's seeking for help. "Zumu...?"

For the second time of that day, silence eats the three, until Baoshan Sanren nodded in approval, seems satisfied. "Alright! That sounds great!" and nodded again, really and obviously satisfied.

Cangse Sanren snickers quietly, pretending to be mesmerizing the zen garden outside. Wei Ying could see her shoulder trembling while resisting on laughing loud.

So, now Wei Ying has gained a grandmother from the very being of the esteemed grandmaster of Celestial Mountain.

"About your question Cangse earlier. After gathering them, Ying'er must bring the Yin Iron here to me, and I tell you then. Right... Here," Baoshan Sanren pulls out a round small object from her sleeves, put it down in floor and push it towards the lad. Via letting it go, Wei Ying takes it.

It is a mirror, a palm-size mirror.

"It will give you clues once you are near to the Yin Iron, also, the place where it is sleeping but don't expect so much on it, it is not accurate after all."

Cangse Sanren, "Why not make something that would be accurate?"

"I'll leave its making to Ying'er."

Wei Ying averted his eyes as something enters his memory. 'Just how much she knows?'

"Ying'er, let me give you some advice." Wei Ying waits, "Stay always close to Lan Zhan."

"Lan Zhan? Why?"

There it is again, Baoshan Sanren's knowingly smile.

"Now then, Ying'er stay here."

"Why is that Shi—Zumu?"

"I going to teach you the ways of purification that was needed to your task, so you must stay here with me. Don't worry if you learn it fast then you can go home as soon as possible."

"It is alright for me to stay here?"

"Yes, of course. I'll teach you everything you must know."

Knowing how important to learn the right way of purification for his task, Wei Ying agrees.

"Cangse can go home, and as always don't say anything everything about the mountain—or Wei Ying's task."

"Understood Shizun."

Baoshan Sanren takes a sip of her tea, "By the way, Ying'er. Are you happy to your life right now?"

Wei Ying's eyes twinkle and grins widely, beaming with brightness, "Yes! Soooo Much!!!"

Baoshan Sanren smile and nodded.

"That's good then."