Chapter 59: Zhang Daosheng

Although the old man appeared frail and shaky, his entire presence was restrained, his footsteps silent, so much so that even the shop owner, absorbed in his phone, failed to notice him passing by.

As he entered the shop, his eyes immediately fell upon Zhou Yan, who was intently eating his meal. He nodded slightly, a gentle smile on his lips, and walked over.

Yet, before he had come within two meters behind Zhou Yan, his silent approach was somehow detected.

Zhou Yan gently put down his chopsticks and swiftly turned his head.

Seeing a kindly elder, the sudden jolt in his heart gradually eased.

He politely asked, “Grandpa, are you... looking for me?”

“Hmm...” The old man seemed faintly surprised that Zhou Yan could sense his arrival, but then he smiled and nodded.

“My name is Zhang Daosheng. Young man—are you Zhou Yan?”

Zhang Daosheng?

Zhou Yan looked at the amiable elder, listening to him announce his name, and quickly searched his memory for any familiarity.

The conclusion was negative.

Nonetheless, he nodded politely. “I am Zhou Yan.”

He then asked, somewhat puzzled, “Grandpa Zhang, are you here to see me?”

A hint of vigilance stirred in Zhou Yan’s heart.

He was a stranger from another world; besides the sword school students—those sisters from the Luo family—he only knew the neighbors of this old street, and a handful of regular customers whom he recognized after frequent meal deliveries.

For this old man to call out his name right away, with such a deliberate air, made it impossible for him not to pay attention.

The elder seemed to notice Zhou Yan’s caution. He smiled slightly, offering no further explanation, but instead revealed new information: “I am... an old friend of Luo Huayi.”

Luo Huayi?

Zhou Yan was momentarily taken aback, then remembered—he had seen this name on the memorial tablet in the sisters’ house.

That was the name of Luo Xuan and Luo Ke’s father.

He became a little flustered and instinctively stood up, politely inviting the elder to sit.

Wu, the shop owner at the door, heard the commotion and turned around, seeing Zhou Yan chatting with the old man, momentarily confused.

‘When did this old man come in?’

But seeing nothing unusual, he returned to happily watching the livestream on his phone.

Zhang Daosheng sat across from Zhou Yan, smiling warmly as he asked, “It’s been a long time since I returned to Tianzun City. I didn’t expect Huayi’s sword school to look so aged now. Tell me, those two girls—are they well?”

His tone was gentle, but his voice carried an inexplicable authority that compelled compliance.

Zhou Yan was slightly startled, frowning as he replied, “Grandpa, if you really are an old friend of Master Luo, wouldn’t it be better to meet Xiao Xuan and Xiao Ke in person and ask them about their wellbeing directly?”

“Mmm...” Zhang Daosheng detected the wariness in Zhou Yan’s words and smiled, “I didn’t expect you, young man, to be so alert for your age.”

He glanced at Wu, still watching his stream at the door, then returned his gaze to Zhou Yan, his lips moving silently.

“Come with me, young man. Let’s find a place to talk about your origins…”

Zhou Yan’s expression hardened. He glanced back at Wu and noticed he seemed not to have heard Zhang Daosheng at all.

“No need to look. My ‘whispered transmission’ is nothing more than a simple trick, but even so, it’s beyond the comprehension of an ordinary restaurant owner.”

Again, Zhou Yan heard the subtle voice as if it rang directly in his ear. He looked up in surprise at the man opposite him.

Zhang Daosheng’s kindly face wore a serene smile.

This was… the legendary master!

A chill ran through Zhou Yan’s heart, and he made his decision at once.

Follow your instincts!

He nodded lightly.

Zhang Daosheng stood, satisfied, and seeing Zhou Yan did not move, turned to look again.

He saw Zhou Yan quickly scooping up the remaining rice and dishes with his chopsticks, finishing everything cleanly.

Only then did Zhou Yan wipe his mouth with a paper napkin and stand.

Zhang Daosheng found it amusing and couldn’t help but smile.

Seeing Zhang Daosheng’s cheerful eyes as he stood, Zhou Yan felt embarrassed and explained, “I can’t waste food.”

The old man’s smile widened, and he made a gesture of invitation.

Obediently, Zhou Yan followed him outside, pausing before leaving to call out to Wu, “Wu, I’m full. Dinner was delicious tonight.”

Wu waved him off without concern, then glanced curiously at the old man walking ahead of Zhou Yan. “Do you know this old fellow?”

“Mm...” Zhou Yan smiled, “Just happened to meet him—an old gentleman. I’ll be off now. Wishing you prosperous business, Wu!”

“Don’t!” The plump owner waved his hand, “It’s late, no business is best. I’ll pack up soon and head home.”

After a brief exchange, Zhou Yan bid farewell and followed Zhang Daosheng out.

“You seem to get along well with the neighbors,” the elder remarked with a soft laugh.

“Mm.” Zhou Yan nodded silently. “Maybe they think I’m pitiable, so they look out for me…”

“I find you quite spirited.” Zhang Daosheng studied Zhou Yan for a moment. “That walk… Southern Ming Sword… no, you even practice that Swallow’s Whirl?”

Though his words were phrased as questions, his tone was certain.

Zhou Yan replied helplessly but honestly, “Grandpa Zhang, your insight is truly sharp.”

At this moment, he had begun to guess at the identity of this mysterious elder.

An old acquaintance of Luo Huayi, so familiar with the traits of the Southern Ming Sword—most likely a senior, perhaps a leader, from Vermilion Palace.

Chatting as they walked, the two left the bright old street and arrived at a quiet corner.

There, a black sedan with a driver was parked.

Zhang Daosheng did not invite Zhou Yan into the car, but simply indicated, and the two stood beside it.

Leaning gently on his cane, he gazed into the night toward the distant Southern Ming Sword School, and sighed.

Zhou Yan saw the elder was reminiscing and wisely remained silent, simply accompanying him in silence.

After a while, Zhang Daosheng spoke without turning, his voice calm, “Who are you, really?”

Zhou Yan knew he was being questioned.

He took a deep breath and answered frankly, “I don’t know myself. I woke up in the alley beside the sword school and became what I am now. Everything feels unfamiliar.”

Though the old man did not look at him, Zhou Yan instinctively raised his disabled left arm, and pointed with his right hand at the eyepatch covering his right eye.

“And then?” Zhang Daosheng asked quietly.

“Then, Xiao Ke found me and took me in.”

Zhou Yan recounted the recent past.

From being taken in by Luo Ke, to shaking off despair and regaining his resolve, then learning swordsmanship from Luo Xuan and working odd jobs for the neighbors to earn his keep and tuition…

Everything he said was true, except for concealing the fact that he had crossed over from Earth and his travels in the Realm of Calamity.

After two minutes, Zhou Yan finished his brief account and looked calmly at the elder.

Throughout, Zhang Daosheng listened quietly without interruption.

After a moment, he sighed.

Turning to Zhou Yan, his gaze was inexplicably deep. “Everything you’ve said matches what I know. There are two possibilities: first, your arrival is part of a meticulously planned conspiracy…”

“Second…” Zhang Daosheng sighed, “you really are a strange fellow who appeared out of nowhere, whose origins even I cannot trace…”

“So tell me…”

“Should I believe the reasonable first theory, or the absurd second?”

As he posed the question, he looked at Zhou Yan with eyes both profound and dangerous.

The breeze swept by, the branches swaying, their shadows fragmented, like a dance of demonic spirits.

***