Chapter 5: Sailing

Trembling, the boatman kowtowed toward the floating red-robed male. Oblivious to this, the child struggled to climb onto the boat and spoke to the boatman.

 

"Uncle Hu, father's waiting! Umph-"

 

After trying a few more times to get up by himself, the boy was about to give up, but a wind current helped him onto the riverboat. Smiling, the boy turned around and stated gratefully.

 

"Thank you, Master!"

 

Nodding indifferently, the red-robed male turned to address the boatman.

 

"This one recognizes your reverence. You may stand to serve me."

 

Raising his hand gently, another breeze brought the boatman to his feet.

 

Eyes filled with reverence, the boatman nodded his head vigorously and went to prepare the cabin. Ye Fan's gaze traced the boatman's figure as it disappeared into the cabin. Seeing the boatman out of sight, the child turned toward his master and asked a question.

 

"Master, why is uncle Hu acting so strange?"

 

The red-robed male surveyed the child's bright and innocent eyes with an indifferent gaze for a few moments before turning his gaze downstream. After a minute of silence, the male responded.

 

"Your uncle Hu is a prudent person. He knows how to show respect properly, and whom he should respect."

 

The child spoke up once more.

 

"Do I have to do that every time I meet someone I respect?"

 

The red-robed male stared at Ye Fan, looking him up and down. Filled with inner turmoil, the red-robed male was silent for several moments before he responded.

 

"No… You are special. The only people worthy of your respect are me, the Great Way, and your ancestors. Do you understand?"

 

Nodding his head rapidly with a focused expression, Ye Fan committed his master's words to memory. Seeing the seriousness of the child, a smile flickered across his master's face for an instant before returning to his usual indifferent demeanor.

 

At this time, the sound of footsteps and wood creaking resounded throughout the riverboat. After a few moments, the boatman appeared with a reverent expression.

 

"The cabin is prepared, venerable Immortal. Young master Ye."

 

Standing to the side of the door frame, the boatman bowed deeply and spoke.

 

Hearing the words, the red-robed male floated inside the cabin with Ye Fan following closely behind. After the pair passed, the boatman grabbed a large straw hat and a wooden pole that had been leaning on the side of the boat. With well-practiced motions, the boatman pushed the boat off the landing, and the river's strong current started to pull the boat along.

 

Inside the cabin, the red-robed male sat down in a cushioned chair while the child sat on an overturned wicker basket next to him. Seeing his master have no intentions of speaking, the boy turned his gaze away from his master. Leaning back, he held the sides of the wicker basket with his hands and swung his feet.

 

After about half an hour, Ye Fan continued swinging his feet happily. At this point, the red-robed male decided to break the silence.

 

“Ye Fan. Do you have anything to ask of me? Any burning questions that come to mind that I can help answer?"

 

Hearing this, Ye Fan tilted his head while looking at the red-robed male and asked a question.

 

"Master. What's a 'burning' question?"

 

After a few short moments of silence, the red-robed male replied to the youth.

 

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"It's a figure of speech. A burning question is a question that causes you much grief."

 

Hearing this, Ye Fan became even more confused and spoke up once more.

 

"Master… why would a question that I want to ask you cause me grief? Last time I checked, my family is alive and well…"

 

Another few moments passed before the red-robed male spoke up once more.

 

"It's another figure of speech. In this case, grief is something that bothers you. So, a burning question is a question that is constantly bothering you. It's a question that you find important and want to be answered as soon as possible."

 

Nodding, Ye Fan silently absorbed the knowledge like a sponge. Seeing his disciple focused and contemplative, the red-robed male closed his eyes and started to meditate. An incense stick's length of time passed and Ye Fan spoke up once more.

 

"Master… may I ask you a question?"

 

Delighted, the red-robed male responded a bit quicker than usual.

 

"Master is listening. Ask away, my dear disciple."

 

With a focused look, Ye Fan stared directly into the red-robed male's eyes and asked a short question with a grave tone.

 

"Master. What's a figure of speech?"

 

It took the red-robed male a few moments to take in what the boy had said and respond properly.

 

"A figure of speech is what people use to emphasize something. So, I used burning in 'burning question' to make it clear to you that you can ask any important questions without holding back."

 

Ye Fan nodded rapidly and responded with an awed expression.

 

"Master is so wise and kind!"

 

Although the red-robed male kept an aloof expression, the atmosphere seemed to have grown a degree or two warmer. Having finished the lesson, the red-robed male closed his eyes to meditate and Ye Fan stared into the distance dwelling on his thoughts. Suddenly, the boat jolted. Despite the boatman's skilled navigation, they had still hit a rock. A mortal could only do so much before the forces of nature.

 

Ye Fan had faceplanted on the wooden planks while the red-robed male seemed unfazed in the same position. Disoriented and bruised with a few scratches, he slowly crawled back onto the wicker basket. Holding his head, Ye Fan looked at his master and spouted a complaint.

 

"Master, why don't you use your powers to make the ride smoother?"

 

Hearing this, the red-robed male opened his eyes and replied.

 

"You need to experience the pains of life or you won't grow."

 

As he finished his sentence, a curtain of mystical light shimmered over the entire boat.

 

"I have seen the great Immortal's benevolence!"

 

An awestruck voice sounded from the boatman outside the cabin.

 

"Master… can we not have lessons that involve pain, please?"

 

Rubbing the small bump on his forehead, Ye Fan pouted as he stared sorrowfully at his master. Avoiding the child's gaze, the red-robed male stared out at the trees along the shore as a conflicted expression flickered on his face.

 

"Only time can tell."

 

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