Chapter 319

Chapter 319: So, are you coming with me? (4000 words)

As Ming stepped away from the mountain peak, he glanced back and casually chose a direction to fly off.

Shixin took one look at Ming’s retreating figure and followed in his direction.

During the flight, Ming unleashed several sword strikes, slaying the cultivators who had been pursuing him.

Ming knew for certain that some of these cultivators wouldn’t give up easily; they still coveted the Blood Bodhi Fruit.

Accelerating once more, Ming attempted to shake off the other cultivators, forcing Shixin to barely keep up.

An hour later, Ming slowly descended into the forest.

Shixin also landed beside him.

“Come out,” Ming said coldly over his shoulder. “I’ve killed enough people today. If you show yourselves now, I’ll spare your lives. But if you don’t, don’t blame me for being merciless.”

A breeze swept through the woods, rustling the leaves, but no one emerged.

Ming looked behind him and sighed in relief. “Looks like no one’s following us.”

Relieved, Ming collapsed sideways like a deflated balloon.

Shixin was startled and rushed to his side.

Ming waved her off, signaling he was fine.

But Shixin wasn’t stupid. Seeing how pale Ming looked, devoid of any color, she knew he couldn’t possibly be unharmed.

That battle atop the Blood Bodhi Mountain had surely left its mark on him.

After descending from the mountain, Ming had flown for an extended period, undoubtedly worsening his injuries.

Now, his body had reached its limit.

Kneeling before Ming, Shixin extended her hand, hovering just an inch above his head.

Her palm emitted a radiant Buddha light.

Ming felt warmth spread through his body as his complexion gradually eased.

Shixin could only alleviate his wounds slightly.

This was already the best she could do.

After all, she wasn’t a healer. Even this much was quite an accomplishment.

“Thank you,” Ming expressed his gratitude.

Shixin shook her head. “Your body is still very weak. You need rest.”

“I know,” Ming replied, pushing himself up with his left hand. “Shixin, you should leave quickly. Without a doubt, many cultivators will search for me, wanting to kill me for my belongings. Staying with me would only endanger you.”

Standing up, Ming leaned against a nearby tree and began moving forward. “If I survive, we’ll meet again atop the Blood Bodhi Mountain when the passage between the Rootless Mystic Realm and the outside world opens.”

Shixin watched Ming’s receding figure, hesitated, and finally decided to follow, walking by his side.

Ming glanced at Shixin and calmly asked, “Master Shixin, is it compassion that makes you unable to bear seeing someone die?”

Shixin nodded. “Saving a life is better than building a seven-tiered floating tower.”

Ming chuckled again. “But Shixin, let me ask you a question.”

“What question?” Shixin inquired, her heart tightening slightly.

Every time Ming spoke, it seemed to disturb her Buddhist resolve. She was already feeling uneasy.

Yet, she wanted to know what Ming would say.

And in Shixin’s mind, if she were afraid to think about or debate Ming’s words and simply chose to ignore them, her Buddhist resolve would crumble.

“One day, two cultivators fight. One throws a flying sword toward a village with a thousand people.

You have the ability to alter the trajectory of the sword. However, on this new path, there’s another village with ten thousand people.

Would you let the flying sword continue and kill the thousand villagers, or divert it and let the ten thousand villagers perish instead?”

Ming’s question was a revised version of the classic ethical dilemma, made easier to understand.

“Hmm…” Shixin frowned. “Your question, Sir Xu, is too hypothetical.”

“Too hypothetical?” Ming smirked. “To me, what I described is happening right now. If you keep following me, you’ll have to fight the cultivators chasing us. If you don’t kill them, they won’t stop hunting me. Would Master Shixin really be willing to save me by killing others?”

Shixin remained silent for a long while, then sighed. “I will try my best to protect your life, but I won’t harm others.”

Ming smiled faintly. “Let’s hope so.”

He stopped trying to persuade her. He’d said what needed to be said. The rest was her choice.

Ming found a mountain cave and meditated inside to recuperate.

Even with his extraordinary healing ability, it would take three days to recover significantly.

Shixin sat at the cave entrance, peacefully gazing outward, reflecting on Ming’s words while guarding him.

On the second day, visitors arrived outside the cave.

When Ming opened his eyes, several venomous black snakes lunged toward him.

“Dang!”

Shixin stood in front of Ming, palms together, forming a golden protective barrier that repelled the snakes, turning them into black puddles.

Suddenly, the cold gleam of a changdao approached.

Shixin raised her hand, summoning a golden lotus in front of her.

The attackers’ blades struck the lotus, sending them flying backward.

“Why do you attack, good sirs?” Shixin questioned.

They sneered. “Why we attack? Surely you know. Hand over the Blood Bodhi Fruit, and we’ll leave.”

Shixin glanced at Ming, who merely smiled.

Turning back to the group, Shixin declared, “He won’t hand over the Blood Bodhi Fruit.”

They responded, “Then you both die here! We’ll take the fruit ourselves!”

They charged again.

They realized the female monk’s strength was formidable. If she wished, she could easily kill them. Yet, she refrained from taking lives.

Encouraged by her restraint, they grew even bolder.

“Please cease your attacks,” Shixin pleaded again.

But they ignored her. Sighing, Shixin extended her hand and flicked it forward.

The Buddhist swastika symbol flew out.

They spat blood and collapsed unconscious.

“Amitabha,” Shixin murmured, clasping her hands together as they lay unconscious.

“What happens when they wake up?” Ming asked.

Shixin fell silent, unsure how to handle the situation after they regained consciousness. Ming didn’t press further, closing his eyes to continue recovering.

Since Shixin had injured them, Ming wouldn’t kill them. It was her responsibility to deal with them.

Sure enough, within hours, the unconscious individuals woke up only to be knocked out again by Shixin as soon as they regained awareness.

Not long after, another group arrived, also seeking the Blood Bodhi Fruit from Ming.

Using the same method, Shixin incapacitated them and placed them inside the cave.

By the end of the day, over thirty people lay unconscious in the cave, all felled by Shixin.

Though not fully recovered, Ming had regained enough strength to fight.

Smiling wryly, Ming remarked, “More and more people know where I am. I must leave. What should we do with these people? When they wake up, those who awaken first will likely kill the others. Will you feel responsible for their deaths?”

“I’ll move them elsewhere,” Shixin suggested.

Ming grinned. “Fine, do as you wish.”

Unspoken was Ming’s thought: Even if you scatter them outside the cave, won’t wild beasts or other people still find and kill them?

But Ming feared shattering Shixin’s resolve, so he kept quiet.

Using spiritual energy, Shixin levitated the cultivators and scattered them around the cave’s perimeter.

While doing so, Ming grabbed his sword and left the cave.

Ming felt Shixin shouldn’t continue following him. Otherwise, her name might change from “Shixin” to “Trapped Heart.”

Better safe than sorry,溜了溜了 (slipped away).

However, less than half an incense stick’s time later, Ming sensed someone trailing him, emitting a familiar aura.

Sighing, Ming turned around to see Shixin standing before him.

“Still following?” Ming asked helplessly.

“Yes,” Shixin nodded.

“Following me won’t benefit you. Head to the Bodhi Mountain. In a day, news of the Blood Bodhi Fruit being harvested will likely spread throughout the Rootless Mystic Realm. That area will be the safest. Once the passage to the outside world opens, I’ll find you.”

Ming offered the most reasonable advice.

Earlier, he allowed Shixin to stay because he worried about her safety.

The Rootless Mystic Realm was indeed perilous.

But now, without the Blood Bodhi Fruit, the Bodhi Mountain was just an ordinary spirit mountain, arguably the safest place.

Moreover, Shixin’s abilities weren’t bad. She should manage fine there.

If she continued following him, who knew what dangers awaited.

But Shixin simply shook her head. “I’ll follow Sir Xu.”

Ming shook his head firmly, the first explicit rejection. “I don’t want you following. Please leave.”

With that, Ming turned and walked away.

After half an incense stick’s time, Ming turned back and saw Shixin still there.

“Still not leaving?” Ming asked helplessly.

Shixin: “Sir Xu is still injured. In Buddhism, saving a life is better than building a seven-tiered floating tower. I can’t stand idly by while you’re in danger.”

Ming retorted, “There are countless people in this world. Can you save them all?”

Shixin paused, then looked up. “Little monk… will try…”

“For the last time, don’t follow me!” Ming said seriously, drawing his sword and releasing a streak of sword qi in front of Shixin.

The sword qi carved a line in the air, as if saying, “Don’t cross this line.”

Ming turned and flew away.

Shixin watched as Ming’s figure grew distant.

She wanted to step forward but looked down at the sword mark and hesitated, withdrawing her foot.

The young monk quietly squatted beside the mark, extending her delicate hand to gently touch it.

But after flying for the duration of an incense stick, Ming grew increasingly uneasy.

What if Shixin didn’t go to the top of Bodhi Mountain? What if she went but still encountered trouble? Shixin was too kind-hearted, and kindness aside, she possessed unparalleled beauty.

Beauty was lethal in any context, especially when paired with kindness, becoming a fatal poison.

Sighing, Ming turned back.

Sighing again, he returned.

When Ming arrived back at the original spot, he found Shixin still there.

Only now, she was squatting, hugging her knees, staring at the sword mark on the ground.

Her monk’s robe accentuated her perfect silhouette.

“Why haven’t you left?” Ming asked, descending from the air.

Upon hearing Ming’s voice, Shixin immediately straightened up, blinking at him. “I’ll leave soon…”

“Never mind. I’ve reconsidered. If you want to follow me, it’s not impossible.

Outside, others might fear your connection to Leiming Temple, but here, anyone could kill you without consequence. Human nature is pushed to its extremes.

You’re not safe alone.”

Ming explained slowly.

“So, are you coming with me?”

Shixin hesitated, then nodded.

Ming smiled faintly. “Are you sure? Don’t blame me if your Buddhist resolve shatters.”

Shixin nodded again.

“Alright then, let’s go.” Ming turned and began walking forward slowly.

Shixin watched Ming’s retreating back, crossed the line with her toes, and ran to catch up.