Section Six: A Genius Among Fools (Part One)

It turned out that last night, Ghostface was quietly ashamed because of Walking Immortal's words. When Bilian returned and saw everyone welcoming her so warmly, and heard her chattering about the sense of presence that came from being able to contribute, he spent a restless night, feeling that as a man, he was not even as worthy as his own woman. Now, seeing that no one else dared to step forward, he didn’t consider whether he was up to the task, but simply felt that if others would not go, it would only make his heroism stand out more.

Walking Immortal was inwardly troubled. The companion for this task didn’t necessarily have to possess peerless martial skills, but the higher the cultivation, the better. Ghostface had only practiced the Dusk Sect’s arts for a short while—how could he risk his life? Yet he could not refuse his offer; otherwise, people would say he was unwilling to let his own brothers take risks but would send the Dusk Sect’s people instead, and none would be convinced.

“Get changed.” Ghostface said, already removing his outer robe and urging Ao Pan to hurry.

“In that case, Young Master Ao Pan, please take off your outer robe and hat,” Walking Immortal said, recognizing Ghostface’s resolve and seeing no one else stepping forward, thus he could only nod.

Ao Pan initially declined, saying he could accompany Walking Immortal himself. But unable to resist Ghostface’s insistence, and being one who cherished his life, he went along, removed his robe, and repeatedly bowed in gratitude to Ghostface and Walking Immortal.

Taking advantage of this moment, Walking Immortal borrowed the treasured armor from Star Worship and had Ghostface wear it underneath. He then turned to the Moon Sisters, saying, “With your abilities, you two are already a match for a thousand. Perhaps the Dusk Sect’s techniques don’t bring out the full power of your inner methods, or perhaps you are unaware of your own strength. Once we draw off the pursuers, the Flying Immortal Sect may still send people after you; then, the situation will rely on you two to hold. But after careful consideration, among the Flying Immortal Sect’s forces here, there are likely not many who are truly a match for a thousand. Across their entire sect, there are only about two hundred such experts, and many are not even nearby. So even if you encounter enemies, as long as you utilize your strength, you will be able to cope.”

Seeing that they still doubted, he had no time for further explanation. “If you face mortal danger, don’t be afraid—even should a sword pierce your heart or throat, do not fear. Always keep a thread of reason at the center of your brow; in a crisis, your current inner method will work miracles. Remember this well!”

Ghostface quickly donned Ao Pan’s clothing, with Bilian helping him fix the hat and crown.

“I’ve never worn such fine clothes before—damn, this really feels different!” he declared unabashedly, then called out to Walking Immortal, “Brother, let’s go!”

“Let’s go.” Walking Immortal declined Star Worship’s offer of the White Dragon Sword and, striding ahead, led Ghostface away at a brisk pace. After a short distance, Ghostface turned to gaze deeply at Bilian. At that moment, Bilian was full of worry—she herself hadn’t expected to be concerned for a man she’d never liked. She had once looked down on him, but now she suddenly felt he was truly a man.

“If you come back alive, I will treat you with all my heart from now on!” Bilian vowed silently in her heart.

Walking Immortal led Ghostface down the mountainside, and at the foot of the mountain, they hid in the grass.

“Brother, have you mastered the Twilight Technique yet?”

Ghostface laughed with flamboyant pride. “Mastered? I thought cultivation was supposed to be difficult—everyone says it depends on fate, that without the right chance you can’t even reach the first level in years. But it was so simple—I reached the first level on the very first night, the second in just a few days, and now I’m already at the fourth level! Seems I’m a martial arts prodigy after all…”

That Ghostface could reach the fourth level of the Twilight Technique in such a short time was truly incredible to Walking Immortal. Back outside Leper Town, he had once checked the abilities of the Moon Sisters and Ghostface: at the time, Ghostface’s stamina was 160, inner strength 30, spirit 6, with no spiritual affinity—just ordinary talent. After that, he hadn’t paid much attention.

Now, upon checking, he found Ghostface’s stamina had risen to 320, inner strength to 150. Each level of the Twilight Technique increased power akin to the Kingly Method, and the numbers indeed matched a fourth level. Ghostface was naturally sturdy, starting with 80 points of stamina. This reminded Walking Immortal of something Ling Luo had once recounted: that the Northern Spirit Elder had spoken of certain peculiar gifts in the world, one of which he called the “Blessing of Fools.”

He said that some people of mediocre or even poor aptitude could progress incredibly quickly in inner cultivation—much faster than the most brilliant prodigies. Yet due to their limitations, no matter how fast they learned, they could never match the true talents in ultimate achievement. And this gift never appeared among the truly gifted, hence the name “Blessing of Fools.”

“Brother, you truly are gifted in a unique way.”

Ghostface swelled with pride. “I’m just heaven’s favorite, that’s all!” He leaned in close to Walking Immortal, lowering his voice. “Brother, the Dusk Sect’s techniques are so complicated. I may have talent, but you know I’m not too bright. Bilian’s smart—she learns at once, but I practice a move for days and still can’t remember the changes. Your swordplay is great—straightforward and direct, so simple and satisfying! How about you teach me your martial arts? We’re brothers, you’re not afraid I’ll outdo you, are you?”

Walking Immortal was moved. What Ghostface said was true; he wasn’t clever, and the myriad variations of the Dusk Sect’s techniques were too much for him—let alone adapting them in actual combat. The Soul Method had no elaborate moves and actually suited someone with his physical gifts and weak inner strength.

“I’m not afraid to teach you, but let me be clear: if you learn my martial arts, you’ll never be able to master any other advanced techniques, and once you start this inner method, you won’t be able to learn others.”

“No problem! My head aches just thinking about too many fancy moves. I get a splitting headache just recalling them.”

“I’ll teach you when there’s time, but I need to speak with the Moon Worshipper first.”

“What’s the issue? She’s already yours—would she accuse me of betraying my master?”

“We’re going up.”

At Walking Immortal’s words, Ghostface stopped his idle chatter. Across the foothills, they saw a line of Flying Immortal Sect disciples in pink robes climbing higher. Ghostface tensed, remembering their formidable reputation, and gripped his twin blades tightly. “Do we go now?”

“Wait a bit. Once they climb higher, they won’t see the Dusk Sect people, and the higher they are, the more time we’ll have to escape.”

Ghostface’s palms sweated with tension as he watched the pink-clad disciples ascending the opposite slope. The blazing sun beat down; the heat soaked his clothes and hair with sweat in an instant.

“Go,” Walking Immortal commanded, stepping out of the grass. Ghostface dashed out, then remembered they were supposed to draw enemy attention and slowed his pace.

After a short distance, Walking Immortal judged that the Flying Immortal disciples climbing higher would soon be able to see the Dusk Sect’s group, so he deliberately brushed against the trees.

The rustling of leaves sounded especially clear in the silent forest. The trees were sparse where they walked; as the branches shook, they started running.

The disciples climbing the mountain turned at the noise and spotted them fleeing. As expected, they fired smoke signal flares in their direction and began to give chase. Both the Zheng army and the Flying Immortal disciples, seeing the flares burst in the sky, rushed to converge.

Ghostface ran with all his might. Seeing his stamina draining too quickly, Walking Immortal simply carried him on his back. Ghostface groaned in embarrassment, “I’m a grown man and still need to be carried!”

“If you can’t keep running and we run into the Zheng army ahead, what then?”