Chapter 12: Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

Chu Xiaoyu nodded. “Yes, that’s right. Seven years have passed. Next, it’s time for the Ancestor to impart his immortal arts.”

“Heh, that old man should have taught us those immortal skills long ago. I’ve been enduring for seven whole years!”

“Wukong…”

“Ah! I was too forward, Master. I admit my mistake and will never address you improperly again.”

A master for a day is a father for life; disrespect toward one’s teacher should be punished. Among the characters in Journey to the West, Chu Xiaoyu most admired the Patriarch Bodhi. Living a carefree life like a wandering immortal, roaming freely through heaven and earth, untouched by worldly affairs—such a life was that of a true immortal.

Having already witnessed Chu Xiaoyu’s might, as soon as Chu Xiaoyu’s brows furrowed, Sun Wukong was so frightened he dropped to his knees, trembling.

“Wukong, remember this: a master who truly teaches you genuine skills is a true master. Don’t keep calling him that old man. Such behavior is disrespectful. You must honor your teacher and the Way.”

“Yes, yes! Immortal Master, your guidance is absolutely right. I know my error.”

“Knowing your mistake and correcting it is the greatest virtue. Now, get up and speak.”

“Yes!”

Sun Wukong stood up respectfully, but his wide, round eyes darted about restlessly.

Chu Xiaoyu smiled. “Are you wondering why seven years have passed for you, yet it seems nothing has changed here?”

Wukong quickly nodded. “Yes, Immortal Master, why is it so?”

“Well, I’ve only just come to understand this myself; it’s a rift caused by the difference in time and space. For example, one day in heaven is several years on earth. Likewise, one day here equals a year for you there.”

“What! Such strange things can happen? That’s serious—if I don’t hurry back, three days here will be three years there, and I’ll miss the chance to learn those immortal arts.”

“There’s no need to rush. You’ve only just arrived. Sit a while, have some hot tea, and let me say a few words more.”

The purple mist around the farmstead grew thicker; it was clear that no guests would be able to enter today.

After seven years of longing, the moment the monkey arrived at the farmstead, he feasted unrestrainedly—chicken, duck, fish, pork chops, beef bones—he ate his fill.

With his mouth glistening with oil, the monkey reveled in his meal.

After the feast, the monkey’s belly was so round it seemed on the verge of bursting. He patted his stomach and stood to bow to Chu Xiaoyu. “Immortal Master, it’s late. I must return. When I have mastered my skills, I will certainly return to thank you for your great kindness.”

Ever since Chu Xiaoyu had frightened him in the Divine Realm, Sun Wukong had been wary beyond measure around this inscrutable Immortal Master, giving him his utmost attention and respect.

Especially with the Master’s uncanny ability to foresee events—it was truly terrifying.

The monkey’s growth and maturity had not escaped Chu Xiaoyu’s notice. “Go back. Learn well. When you return, let me see how much you’ve truly gained. Go on.”

“Yes!” Another bow, and the monkey departed.

Yet as he left, both sides of his pockets bulged—he’d clearly pilfered quite a bit.

Chu Xiaoyu saw through it but said nothing, letting the monkey keep his dignity.

With the fading of the Immortal Gate, the thick mist gradually dispersed.

As fate would have it, just as Sun Wukong emerged from the manor, a man and a woman approached the agritourism inn. They were none other than Bai Feng and Kombu, members of the Xuan Sect Society who had traveled from Yanjing to Dongdu.

Bai Feng and Kombu ran their own live-streaming channel, and their public personas were self-media hosts. This identity served as a cover, allowing them to interact with their viewers during the broadcast.

The live chat was always abuzz with metaphysical topics—discussions and interactions centered on the arcane.

But as Bai Feng and Kombu entered Chu Xiaoyu’s Hand-in-Hand Agritourism Inn, they were startled to find the farmstead suddenly shrouded in persistent purple mist.

Halfway along the path, they realized with shock that no matter how they changed their route, walking again and again, it was as if they’d fallen into a ghostly maze, always ending up back where they started.

“Host, host, are you two messing with us? Haha, you’re so funny.”

“Wow! Where did all that fog come from in broad daylight? And it’s purple? Isn’t this the famous Phoenix Village?”

“Host, were you using the Nine Palaces’ formation to walk just now?”

Most of the viewers were metaphysics enthusiasts, with some level of understanding in the field.

Moments before, Bai Feng and Kombu had experienced the first true fright of their lives. The modest farmstead was right ahead, but no matter how they walked or circled, they couldn’t escape the ghostly purple fog.

Thick purple mist in broad daylight—how was such a terrifying thing possible?

After nearly forty minutes of wandering, the purple fog finally began to dissipate.

Only then did Bai Feng find a moment to address the viewers: “Sorry, something truly surreal just happened. I’m a bit shaken and don’t know what to make of it. We were trapped and lost in a purple mist.”

“We saw it, you don’t need to explain. At first we thought you were joking, playing a prank on us.”

“Exactly! But it doesn’t look like that now. Hey, host, did you run into a ghostly wall?”

“A ghost wall? How scary!”

“It’s just a ghost wall. What’s there to fear? Just pee a little, and it’ll break the spell.”

“Can it really be that simple?”

“Believe it or not, it’s up to you.”

The chat erupted in lively debate.

But Bai Feng and Kombu had no time to pay attention; the recent ordeal was too much to process.

Once the purple mist lifted, the farmstead was actually just a short distance away.

Kombu swallowed with difficulty. “Sister Bai, I just realized everything around this little inn is really strange. Maybe we should come back another day.”

Bai Feng simply turned off the livestream and said, “There’s no time like the present. Since we’re here, let’s go in and see what’s what.”

Knowing there are tigers in the mountain, yet walking toward the mountain; if you don’t enter the tiger’s den, how can you capture its cub?

In a word—go!