章 17: Li Cheng's Secrets (2)

Li Cheng wracked his head and wondered what the fuck to do. He tried to tune out the words, but the guilt had him firmly locked in prison.

Should he end the charade?

Should he tell her truth?

The two decisions were straddling on the verge of collapse. Inaction was certain to cause the latter to be the outcome.

'She… truly is the Bodhisattva of compassion and kindness. But she doesn't seem to be pitying me at all and is actually sympathising with me! No, maybe it's empathy?! AHHHHH THAT'S EVEN WORSEEEEEE.

'If-if I tell her… she will definitely get very mad. But with her unbelievable forgiving heart that would even mourn demonic bastards, I'm almost certain she will forgive me. So I should….

'No no no, I've already put my whole two legs into this mess. She's clearly convinced! I just need to lie. Right, just lie. Just a sma—big lie. A big lie to a pure and kind goddess who did nothing wrong, helped me without question, declared a venomous vow, cried, and is comforting me for my sake… FUCKKKKKKKKK!!'

The blood surged into Li Cheng's head like never before. His breaths were quickening so much that it appeared as though he was hyperventilating.

'Fuck fuck, since coming to this world I've had to bullshit so much anyways. My biggest achievement in the art of bullshiting as of recent was probably the whole "Son of Heaven" nonsense. So what's the big deal?'

Hypnotising himself into this mindset. He began to go through a series of logical and rational arguments thereby forcefully convincing himself.

'Young Miss… I'm so sorry.'

He had already failed the doors to the Heavens. Now he had failed the doors towards the Great Buddha.

Li Cheng gestured with his hands that had become intertwined. And slowly, he let them go from Kuan Yin's grasp.

They looked at each other.

"Thank you. Young Miss. Your reputation truly precedes you. For someone like me, you would shed and comfort me to this degree."

The tears falling from Li Cheng's eyes stopped. But they glistened beautifully from the purest warmth known as Kuan Yin.

"Mmm. It's my sincere wish to alleviate the suffering of all beings." Her index finger gently caressed the tears still forming out of her eyes. "It looks like Senior has surpassed me in fortitude. It's probably been so much longer than me since you had to last let it all out. I'm still not mature enough… I can't stop…"

'AHHHHHHH' Li Cheng's mind screamed again, his chest receiving another critical blow.

Rather than have her cry, it would be better to have her angry. That's what the inner demons of regret said.

This is the part where a gentleman would usually help her wipe off her tears but…

She was doing it herself!

Li Cheng was in a heart-wrenching pickle.

'What the hell do I do in this situation? It's not the first time that I've had to deal with someone crying. She's not a kid… though her appearance is still a little below her adulthood… head pat her?! Coax her to not cry? Those are definitely out.

'Caress her back?! I'm still a stranger, and I've already stepped my bounds by grasping her hands. For the love of Buddha she is a Deity. How do I get her out of this state…

...State?'

Li Cheng's left brow slightly raised. 'Ah, if I change her emotions and focus on something else…'

In a matter of precious seconds, Li Cheng had a dangerous lightning bolt struck through his mind.

What he thought of was something that shouldn't be said at this stage.

'No no no. That would be impo… But, what if she… No, that's my greed I can't!'

But as his mind crept to the words of his made up story and the future, it was as though Li Cheng's had a flip switch.

Li Cheng's quivering and glistening eyes transformed into a solemn, sharp gaze. Reflected in them, was the blazing passions of a fiery phoenix and great desire akin to the wills of a dragon.

"Young miss."

"...Yes?"

That addressing should've been nothing, just an ordinary exchange.

Yet, when it unfurled, the world hushed into an instant stillness.

The breeze meandered, sweeping past.

Autumn's remnants descended, casting a fleeting dance.

Both breathed, a synchronized rhythm of inhalation and exhalation.

Yet, an eerie silence draped the world.

Kuan Yin, a Deity, couldn't look away. Her gaze, tethered to Li Cheng's eyes, sensed an inexplicable shift.

Her thoughts momentarily swayed.

Li Cheng's eyes held a magnetic allure, an unspoken force that arrested her attention. A strange, palpable pressure enveloped her, and inexplicably, her feet refused to move.

Li Cheng spoke, unwavering.

"No. Kuan Yin, The Saviour, Transcended Bodhisattva of Compassion, Deity under the teachings of the Great Buddha, The Kind, Compassionate, Merciful Goddess who leads those to Nirvana...

"I, the Strongest Sect Master Li Cheng personally—

—desire you

—require you

—will have you

"Join the Strongest Sect in the Shadows: the Legendary Sect."

BOOM!

The words echoed in Kuan Yin's ears, a seismic resonance. No shouts marked the declaration, yet the impact was profound.

Kuan Yin's lips briefly parted, as if on the verge of emitting a sound. Yet, in the end, her silence prevailed.

It remained mute.

The echoes of Li Cheng's proclamation lingered in the air, an invisible force that held the Deity captive within the pregnant silence. Kuan Yin, though outwardly composed, felt the seismic ripples of change beneath her divine veneer.

The air shimmered, charged with an unspoken tension. Li Cheng's gaze held steady, a magnetic force compelling Kuan Yin to acknowledge the weight of his words. Her eyes, pools of cosmic wisdom, betrayed a flicker of uncertainty.

Kuan Yin grappled with an internal tempest. Her heart, a sanctuary of benevolence, now echoed with the drumbeats of an unexpected resonance. The call to join the Legendary Sect echoed in the sacred chambers of her being, awakening dormant desires of long ago.

In that hushed moment, where words dared not tread, destiny poised on the precipice. Kuan Yin's next move, whether uttered or unspoken, held the power to reshape the celestial tapestry.

And this was not a figure of speech for the future that is to come.

He extended an arm out.

"I extend an invitation for you to join my sect. Will you join me, Young Miss?" he smiled.

The outstretched arm, seemingly stationary yet laden with an unspoken insistence, rendered it almost impossible for someone like Kuan Yin to decline. The eyes retained their determination and fervor, soaring, burning, and now unmistakably—unyielding.

The tension dissipated.

Kuan Yin released a soft breath, her demeanor rising like a pillar, returning to the regal stature of a Deity.

For two minutes, silence enveloped them.

Her eyes shut.

Deep within her sea of transcendent divine consciousness—

—the manifestation of the Great Buddha.

When she reopened her eyes, nothing seemed altered from before she closed them. Those enchanting eyes encapsulated her kindness and compassion, concealing the profound deliberations within.

From her impressions, the answer was in the dark. It couldn't be figured out.

Li Cheng, however, was calm and serene.

As though he was confident of the answer.

Or perhaps the answer she will give him did not matter to him.

"Amitabha." She wore a resigned look. It appears you have fate with the Buddha."

Li Cheng's expression stiffened. The ominous phrase that is usually said by sketchy Buddhists in those cultivation novels had been actually uttered by the Deity of Compassion herself.

Kuan Yin wiggled her body left and right, seemingly confused for a moment. Then, she took Li Cheng's hand and tightly held it.

"Kuan Yin is very happy to say, I accept the invitation." She slightly lurched in, her voice giddy, and smile wide; clearly she was full of excitement.

With a graceful bow filled with a Deity's dignity, she respectfully announced, "Disciple greets the Sect Master."

After a slight delay, Li Cheng's head bobbed. "Welcome aboard to the Legendary Sect, Young Miss."

Kuan Yin raised her head up. Her face was flushed. "You, now my esteemed Sect Master, still choose to address me as 'Young Miss'?"

Li Cheng could feel her body temperature rise from her hands. 'She feels really warm,' Li Cheng thought.

"Of course. I may be your Sect Master, but you're still a very respected Deity. There are and will be so many legendary figures in our sect. I will not mistreat anyone and give the treatment that each one of you deserve."

"No wonder… with your benevolence and humility it is no wonder you can gather so many heroes."

Now it was Li Cheng's turn to flush red. *Cough* *cough* His head rocked up and down.

"Ahem, would you prefer to be called Young miss or Kuan Yin?"

"The decision is in your hand, Sect Master. Kuan Yin doesn't mind and is happy with either way of address."

"Alright. Young miss it is. It hasn't been a day since we met. When we become familiar with one another, how about I call you Kuan Yin then? As for you, you can call me Li Cheng when that time comes. It will be a commemoration of our newfound relationship!"

"Yes, Sect Master!"

Little did Kuan Yin know, this promise engraved a seed in her heart. A seed that will someday sprout and grow into a beautiful flower. There was already a blooming flower in her heart; the wish to lead those who are suffering to salvation.

Only time will tell whether this was a good thing or a bad thing.

After the giggles faded, Li Cheng felt a little awkward.

"You can let go of my hands now."

"Ah? Ah! Okay." She removed her two hands.

Noticing the odd air, Kuan Yin asked, "Is there something wrong?"

She looked worried.

"N-no it's nothing."

'I really made a mistake. This was the ancient cultivation world, not modern Earth. Handshakes aren't really a thing. I made her confused earlier too, and she ended up just holding it with both hands for a long while. My gosh she even continued to bow and was careful not to pull me, but still managed to show her sincere respect. My mistake gahhh.'

Li Cheng's impressions of this Deity skyrocketed to another altitude.

Suddenly, Kuan Yin's expression plagued, a little downcast. "Sect Master, could you tell me where the location of our sect is?"

"What's wrong?"

"Umm… my time is fleeting. It has been judged that I no longer need to linger here, as your invocation sought assistance against the demonic cultivators." Kuan Yin tilted her head in puzzlement when she uttered the end half of her words.

'Eh…? Assisting this powerful Sect Master? Right, he's not bullying. He likely is suffering difficult circumstances,' she mused. "I have about 30 minutes remaining."

"Alright," Li Cheng responded. 'What?! Well it makes sense, but damn you System for not mentioning this. Now that I think about it, aren't I supposed to get a prompt for recruiting her? Could there be some other condition?'

Li Cheng wanted to ask the System, but he saw Kuan Yin fidgeting silently and faintly. 'Right, I need to answer her.'

"Young Miss, don't worry about the sect's location for now." He ignored her shock and continued. "Don't worry, you will see your amazing martial brothers and sisters. Perhaps some of them may be fellow acquaintances of yours~"

"My fellow acquaintances?!" Her eyes sparkled in wonder as her mind began to wander into a game of guess.

Li Cheng wore a smug face with a taunting, teasing smile. 'I will have to research about more deeply regarding Deities and find out about Kuan Yin's close relationships. That will be a big surprise to her once I manage to recruit them.'

As a sect proclaimed to be in the shadows, it wasn't unusual for disciples not to meet. Therefore, he could always delay it and then one day go BAH!

Ding!

…

The System who had been oddly silent since now had finally spoken up.

Coming out with a bang of surprises!

[Congratulations! You have successfully recruited a disciple! What status do you wish to confer on her?]

[Congratulations! You have completed a milestone! Recruit 1 Deity!]

[Congratulations! You have completed a milestone! Recruit 1 Divine Realm Transcended!]

[Congratulations! You have completed a milestone! Recruit 1 Powerhouse several realms above you!]

[Because the difference between you and the recruit is literally the Heaven and the Earth. You will receive the max given reward.]

[Congratulations! You have completed a milestone! Recruit 1 Heaven-Defying Beauty!]

[As she is the first, she will naturally be rewarded very well.]

[Congratulations! The System is astonished that you did not bribe or use any of the items to directly and intentionally beguile a terrifying powerhouse into your sect. In addition, there is a huge cultivation level difference. She is also your first disciple. As a result, you will receive a very special reward!]

'HOLY FUCKING SHITTTT SYSTEM!!!!' Li Cheng's soul almost flew out to the Heavens.

'Heavens! Heavens! Heavens! THIS MUST BE WHAT ASCENDING FEELS LIKE!'

Reading the notifications and seeing the rewards was equivalent to watching the lottery numbers match and hit big! No, it was the biggest jackpot for a casino!

'SYSTEM I LOVE YOU! MAKE KUAN YIN AN ELDER!'

[Successfully conferred Elder title upon Kuan Yin.]

Ding!

[Congratulations! You have completed a milestone: First Disciple!]

[Congratulations! You have completed a milestone: First Elder!]

[As she is the first disciple and elder, she will naturally be rewarded very well.]

There's no fucking way Li Cheng can keep calm. He was already unknowingly moaning in ecstasy!

He was so happy and so happy for Kuan Yin that he jumped into her arms.

"Young miss! Young miss! Young miss! You are so so lucky! This is fate! The Buddha's blessing in disguise!"

"...Sect Master… Li Cheng."

Kuan Yin's innocent voice chirped.

Li Cheng grinned. "What is it, my lovely disciple? Ah sorry, I'm so ecstatic that I ended up doing something so insolent. Forgive me, Young miss."

Then, Li Cheng tried to let go.

But for some reason, Kuan Yin, who had held onto Li Cheng's body for stability, was not letting go.

"Young miss… this is… isn't this inappropriate?" The hidden dragon who had been long in slumber was starting to awake, as he unintentionally whiffed her flowery willow scent while her small, supple breasts pressed him. For a mortal like him, he had no such thoughts.. but his pubescent body appeared to be quite on the daring side.

"Inappropriate?" Kuan Yin smiled.

When Li Cheng saw this smile, for some reason the hidden dragon immediately crouched dead, pretending it had been always dormant. His scalp went numb and great shiver coursed through his spine; fear to the extent that had far surpassed the feats of him riding an illusionary green dragon with his life on the line.

There was no killing intent, and they were in the Three Realms Illusion. Nobody can see them or hear them.

But then why was he feeling extreme danger?

"Sect Master Li Cheng. Don't you think this is inappropriate?"

She pointed.

The taller Li Cheng did not understand why she was pointing a finger in front of him.

"Whaat!!" he blurted.

Out of thin air, a white panel emerged into view.

It had a couple of things, but Li Cheng gaze was firmly nailed to the first line.

[Congratulations disciple Kuan Yin. You are the FIRST person EVER to join the Legendary Sect! As the FIRST person EVER to join the sect, the Sect Master is ecstatic to have you and welcomes you WHOLEHEARTEDLY!]

It turned out this was the System's biggest bang of surprises!

Everyone, a standing ovation for the System!