Chapter Forty-Two: Master’s Words Are Too Harsh on the Fish

"Little Fish."
"Little Fish."
...
Forgive me, I was still lost in reverie.
"Yu Ge."
Zilian’s voice instantly shifted from gentle to icy.
"Ah!"
I jolted awake from my daydream, lifting my head to see Zilian’s face clouded with displeasure.
"M-m-master, did you call for Little Fish?"
With my head hung low, I cautiously asked him.
He glanced at me, seemingly helpless, and continued, "This sword has lain sealed in dust for several thousand years. Today, as your master, I wish to bestow it upon you."
"Really?" I looked up at him, my face alight with excitement. "Master, do you truly want to give this sword to Little Fish?"
"Yes."
He nodded slightly and said, "Upon Mount Lingyun, every hundred years, there is a grand Celestial Sword Assembly. Whoever prevails in this assembly is awarded a celestial sword, personally granted by Venerable Yuanxu."
"A celestial sword?"

I echoed softly, curiosity piqued. "Are those fine swords?"
"Of course," Zilian affirmed with a nod. "However, I have thought it over. If Little Fish were to compete with the other disciples for a sword in the Assembly, it might not be very realistic."
"Master, I will work hard," I promised, thumping my chest to show my resolve, unwilling to let him look down on me.
"Effort must be measured against one’s true abilities," Zilian remarked coolly, casting me a sidelong glance.
"Master."
I gazed at him pitifully.
He turned his head away, refusing to meet my eyes, and continued, "While most disciples earn their swords through their own efforts, as your master, I only have you as my pupil. Given the abundance of celestial weapons in Azure Luan Hall, there’s no need for you to fight for a sword like the others."
So, it wasn’t that Zilian looked down on me, but rather that his hall was overflowing with celestial swords and nowhere left to store them, so he might as well give me one.
"Master, is it this sword you wish to give Little Fish?"
As I spoke, I pointed to the moonlit blade in his hand.
"Yes," he confirmed. "This sword is brimming with spiritual energy. One day, should you face peril, it will surely protect you and keep you safe."
"What about you, Master?"
Hearing that the sword was to protect me, I suddenly felt a pang of discontent.

"What of me?" Zilian asked, puzzled.
I lowered my head again and muttered softly, "Is Master not going to protect Little Fish?"
At this, Zilian’s brow furrowed once more. "Little Fish, though you are yet young, you are still a man. Now that you have become my disciple, in the days to come as you train atop Mount Lingyun, as long as you devote yourself to cultivation and the Dao, I believe that even if you depart from Mount Lingyun and from me, you will be able to stand your ground in all the Six Realms."
"Little Fish does not wish to leave Master."
I whispered this under my breath.
Zilian chuckled softly, raising a hand to gently stroke my head. "Whether you leave or not, that is a matter for the future. Today, your master simply wishes to gift you this sword, nothing more."
"Master, you are so kind to Little Fish."
I cupped my chin in both hands, gazing at him with adoration.
He couldn’t help but smile. "Today, I grant you this sword in the hope that you will use it to protect all beings of the Six Realms, safeguard the peace of the four directions, sever obsessions and attachments, remain single-minded in your cultivation, bring honor to our sect, and never let Lingyun Mountain be mocked by the realms."
Protect all beings of the Six Realms, safeguard the peace of the four directions?
That’s quite a demand for me.
Sever obsessions and attachments, remain single-minded in cultivation?
From the very beginning, I entered this sect only to become Zilian’s beloved. Not once did I truly aspire to be a proper Daoist.