858 Shaving His Head (2/2)

Jun Mo was a swordsman. In order to protect the Academy, he had to sharpen his sword. Therefore, in the past few days, he had been sharpening it by the waterfall behind the small backyard.

For days and nights, he kept sharpening his sword. He had worn down dozens of firm rocks but it still failed to ease his disturbed heart, which was as restless as his sleeve swinging in the wind.

Mu You walked to the lakeside with a lunchbox. Looking at his empty sleeve and neatly combed gray hair, she felt slightly dejected. She said with a tender voice, ”Our Headmaster once said that Pipi was always optimistic and knew his destiny. He is bound to be profoundly blessed. Youngest Brother is in the Peach Mountain now. He would definitely save him.”

Jun Mo was restless not because of his own broken arm or grey hair, or his hopelessness to reach Headmaster or Youngest Uncle' state with this sword. Rather, it was because Chen Pipi was close to dying.

Throughout the years at the Academy, he had scolded Chen Pipi most frequently, punished him the most, talked to him most frequently, and thus was the closest to him.

The Rite to Light would be held soon, and Chen Pipi was to be burnt alive. Yet he could only sit by the lake helplessly, sharpening his never-to-be-broken sword. How could he regain his calm?

”Many powerful figures have gathered at the West-Hill Divine Palace by now. I heard the Hierarch has fully restored his power, and those frauds from the Golden Tribe and monks from the Hanging Temple are also there. Although Eldest Brother's plan seems flawless, and Youngest Brother is the best person to execute it, we were not aware that Pipi is in Peach Mountain. I'm indeed worried.”

Mu You realized that whatever she could say would not give him any comfort. She placed the lunchbox on a rock by the lake and urged, ”Have your dinner first. Remember to come home tonight. It will be cold outside.”

Speaking of going home, Jun Mo felt a bit awkward. However, he knew what he had to do. He got up and replied, ”Thanks for taking care of everything these days. I … will go home tonight.”

…

Having finished his dinner, Jun Mo continued to sharpen his sword. The surface of the hard, blue rock was grounded into very fine powder by the iron sword and drifted away with the water. This was probably a bubble of toughness.

Two lads came to the lake, brought him some water and took the lunchbox back.

Looking at the lonely figure of Jun Mo, they hesitated. Finally, Li Guangdi gathered his courage to speak. ”Master, Eldest Uncle mentioned the other day perhaps you could read more Buddhist scriptures...”

Since Ning Que sent them to the Academy till now, Li Guangdi and Zhang Nianzu had yet to officially start their cultivation, not even to the Initial Awareness State. They were still commoners. However, while they made their acquaintance with the Uncles, they began to vaguely understand some principles of cultivation, or maybe some words. Seeing their master being worried and constantly sharpening the sword by the lake, they also felt anxious and wanted to share some advices no matter what.

Li Guangdi found his own voice diminishing as he knew it was just nonsense. They had heard from Fifth Uncle that their master could not bear with Buddhism and monks. It was he who cut down the stone statue of the Washan Buddha with his sword, and he who smashed the Lanke Temple. How could he dare to advice his master to consult with Buddhism?

Without turning back or getting angry, Jun Mo said, ”When you go to town, listen to Chao Xiaoshu's orders. Although you have not begun your cultivation, you are already disciples of the Academy. You should not dishonor the Academy.”

When Ning Que led a group of disciples to the Wilderness for practice years ago, he told him the same thing. His requirement seemed very simple but was actually quite stressful.

The two lads felt a bit uncertain about their future journey and things to be accomplished, and they were also unwilling to leave their master.

Zhang Nianzu hesitated and said, ”Master, we are afraid that we would not be able to come back. But you have our words. We won't be scared, nor dishonor the Academy. However, …”

Jun Mo interrupted him, turned back and said, ”You will survive as long as you wish to. Even if Haotian came here and questioned me, I would provide him with the same answer.”

That night, Jun Mo stopped sharpening his sword and went home.

Mu You cooked him some late-night snacks, and prepared breakfast the following morning. She showed Zhang Nianzu and Li Guangdi their way to exit the Cloud Array, accompanied them to the front yard of the Academy, and could not stop nagging.

They kneeled in front of her.

Li Guangdi said, ”Madam, please go back. We are still worried about our master.”

Mu You smiled and patted him on the head. But she did not turn to leave until the carriage drove down the meadow. She had to maintain her appearance as the master's wife.

When she returned home, however, she realized she should have come back earlier as Li Guangdi said.

She was shocked to see grey hair all over the ground. When Jun Mo raised his head from beside the well, she almost fainted.

Jun Mo was always particular about his appearance. His hair was always neatly combed, black or grey. The ancient crown was always pointing upright.

Yet he could never comb his hair or wear that symbolic crown ever again. He had shaved his head.