Chapter 101: Master

Dao San Sheng and Du Xietao both returned to the thatched hut. The single-horned dust rat crawled across Du Xietao’s body. At this moment Du knelt down. Dao San Sheng had only just chased the creature back and still hadn’t caught his breath. He sat on the stool with his eyes closed. When he heard the sound of Du kneeling on the ground, Dao San Sheng woke with a start.

“What are you doing? This won’t do, this won’t do.”

Dao San Sheng stared at Du Xietao’s posture and felt utterly bewildered. This man was unpredictable. He himself had no right to offend him—Du Xietao’s poison was lethal, far beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators.

“This is the oath I swore long ago. Since you helped me find him and brought him back, you have fulfilled my wish of many years. From now on, you are my master. I, Du Xietao, will follow you.”

Only then did Dao San Sheng understand. He helped Du to his feet, guided him to the seat, and stood before him.

*Could this fellow be playing a prank on me? This place is too dull. After living here too long, many weirdos develop all sorts of strange habits.* Dao San Sheng thought this, but he kept his mouth shut and only smiled faintly.

“Being my master is fine. Just call on me if you need anything later. What I meant was work and cooking. Don’t think about anything else.”

With that, he crossed his arms and rolled up his sleeves tighter, eyes watchful.

Du Xietao suddenly seemed to grasp Dao San Sheng’s meaning. He was a little afraid—after all, Dao San Sheng had once tortured him. He took out the antidote, passed it over.

“Here, this is the antidote to that poison pill. You can eat it without worry. It will take effect immediately after you swallow it. Try it.”

He placed the pill directly into Dao San Sheng’s palm. The black, greasy substance looked like poison, yet Du Xietao stared at him unblinkingly.

“Forget it. Poison is poison. I’ve already taken one; I’m not afraid of a second. Go on, eat.”

After long deliberation, Dao San Sheng finally swallowed it. The moment it went down, his whole body felt refreshed. Black impurities oozed from his skin, identical to the filth he had purged during his first cultivation.

The stench was unbearable. Dao San Sheng said nothing. He strode straight to the pool—the only water source in the place—and, without hesitation, dove in.

The water was shallow, yet the moment he entered the pool turned pitch black and reeked. After a full hour, however, the water cleared again and the bottom stones were visible. Dao San Sheng stepped onto them. One foot slipped through empty air and he nearly fell.

This time the pool had been clean in just an hour. Last time the single-horned dust rat had jumped in and emerged from the opposite side. Back in school he had watched science programs; all water sources were connected to larger rivers. Perhaps this pool linked to the small stream outside, offering a possible way out.

Yet Dao San Sheng did not try. His strength was still too low and the situation inside was unclear. Next time he would go with Du Xietao—more people meant more strength.

After washing, he climbed out. His clothes were filthy, so he submerged them in the pool water. Moments later he heard footsteps behind him. He snatched the half-washed garment and held it before his chest.

He turned. It was Du Xietao and the single-horned dust rat. The two of them had followed him here. Du Xietao really was a pervert. The black pill he had offered was merely an appetizer, meant to lure him into the water for a bath.

Dao San Sheng’s gaze toward Du Xietao grew even more incredulous.

“I watched you for so long without finishing, so I came with the single-horned dust rat. The pool teems with fish. You may not see them as high-level spirit beasts, but their numbers are enormous. Alone, you’d easily run into trouble.”

Du Xietao spoke while walking closer, step by step.

Fortunately he had not gone in earlier; otherwise he might never have returned. *How did this guy even get here? My heart is racing.* Dao San Sheng thought.

“Don’t come any closer. I’m warning you—if you do, I’ll jump in.”

Agitated, Dao San Sheng blurted it out. He stared fixedly at Du Xietao, slowly backing away.

“We’re two grown men. Why are you shy? I know you have no clean clothes. Here, my clothes. What are you thinking? Young people out there dress like this now?”

From his storage ring Du Xietao produced a set of fresh clothes and placed them before Dao San Sheng. Then he turned and led the single-horned dust rat away.

Watching Du Xietao’s retreating figure, Dao San Sheng didn’t know whether to take the clothes or not. What he had said earlier—how was Du Xietao supposed to interpret it? He thought Du must see him as some sort of strange person. With that, he hammered the ground with his fist.

After a while, he finished washing the clothes, changed into the dry ones, and carried the washed garments back. They had been dried by spiritual energy but still carried a damp chill. He stuffed them into his storage bag, planning to buy several more when they returned to Dao Family Town.

Back at the thatched hut, Du Xietao had already prepared the meal—spicy braised rabbit and grilled meat—laid out on the table. Dao San Sheng could hardly believe today’s dinner was made by Du Xietao.

“I made it. It may not be as delicious as yours, but please try. I am serious about making you my master. I hope you will consider this request of mine.”

He took out a gourd and poured wine into two bowls, then the two of them drank.

The first taste revealed that the grilled meat was not bad, but the spicy rabbit was rather fiery. Dao San Sheng said nothing, added more seasoning, and passed the bowl to Du Xietao.

“I have agreed. I will not do being your master for free. I will take you out. Once we are free, you may go wherever you wish. If you still choose to follow me, I, Dao San Sheng, will not treat you unjustly.”

Dao San Sheng knew that if he said “friends,” Du Xietao would refuse. So he simply nodded, promising not to break the oath, then would decide later when they were truly outside.

“Are you telling the truth? When can we leave?”

Du Xietao’s excitement made the meat skewers tumble from his hands. He stood and pressed Dao San Sheng with questions.

“The exact time has not been set yet. Eat first. I will notify you later. It is only a guess—if it does not hold, then it cannot be realized.”

Dao San Sheng said no more and simply began to eat.

Beneath the table, the single-horned dust rat seemed to have heard their conversation. It jumped onto the table, looked at Dao San Sheng, and called out in a stammering voice.

After a long moment, Chen Xiaofeng remembered. Now he was a single-horned dust rat; what he said was meaningless to both Dao San Sheng and Du Xietao. The little creature wagged its tail sadly, then suddenly thought of something. It sat on the table. A voice entered Dao San Sheng’s sea of consciousness.

“Can you also take me out? I don’t want to stay here either.”

The words left Dao San Sheng speechless. He quickly sent a reply.

“You are Du Xietao’s spirit beast. When we go out, we will definitely take you. Becoming a spirit beast really does suit you, little one.”

After sending the message, Dao San Sheng reached out and stroked the creature’s head. The single-horned dust rat cried out in distress. Chen Xiaofeng’s soul inside its sea of consciousness howled.

“Take your stinky hand away. There’s still chili from the spicy rabbit and seasoning from the grilled meat…”