The Heavenly Secret of the Yin Yang Eye

Tu Er felt that Lao Mu was smoking too much tonight, to the point that his voice sounded even hoarser when he spoke. She brought him a bowl of water and said softly, "Drink some water, Grandpa, it will make you feel better."

Lao Mu took the cup of water. The distance between them became very close. Holding the cup, his expression shifted constantly, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated. Tu Er asked suspiciously, "Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"

Lao Mu waved his hand in dismissal. "No... it's nothing."

Seeing that Lao Mu seemed fine, Tu Er went back to sit on the bed. Lao Mu suddenly fell into deep thought. After a long while, he spoke, "Girl, how old are you this year?"

"Nineteen, Grandpa."

"Who do you live with? Is your family doing well?"

"I only live with my maternal grandmother."

Hearing Tu Er's reply, Lao Mu seemed somewhat surprised. After another long pause, he continued to ask, "Is your grandmother still in good health?"

"She is still healthy. Do you know her, Grandpa?"

"Ah... No, I was just wondering why a girl like you would follow a foolish boy like Chu Ling."

Tu Er looked toward me, a smile lingering on her lips. Had she really started to view me as a fool?

I quickly hurried over to Lao Mu's side and lit a cigarette for him. "Why are you talking about me like that?"

Seeing this, Tu Er complained, "Chu Ling, smoking too much is bad for him, yet you still lit one for him."

Lao Mu quickly snatched the cigarette, as if afraid Tu Er would take it back, and continued to mock me, "I spoke the truth, didn't I?"

Suddenly, I felt that Lao Mu was exceptionally caring toward Tu Er today, much like the way my grandfather used to care for me. Perhaps he once had a child like her, and seeing Tu Er now brought back those fond, nostalgic memories.

Lao Mu finished the cigarette, then turned his head toward the inside of the house and said, "Tu Er, the Yin Yang Eye is not something to be opened lightly. But if you wish, I can teach you how."

"Really?!" Tu Er replied excitedly.

Lao Mu nodded. "Really."

Tu Er walked over to Lao Mu's side and asked, "How do I do it?"

Since Lao Mu could not see, he could only point to the position of the Yin Yang Eye on his own face. "The Yin Yang Eye is located at the Yintang, which is the Upper Dantian area. It serves as the link to the invisible spiritual world. You were born destined to possess the Yin Yang Eye, so unlocking its divine power now is incredibly easy."

Tu Er eagerly urged Lao Mu, "Teach me, Grandpa! I want to use its divine power."

Lao Mu smiled and patted Tu Er's hand. "Slow down, there is no need to rush. First, we must gather the morning dew that clings to the pagoda tree, bury it in the ground, and then wait until a moonless night to apply this water to your eyes. Recite the incantation aloud:
Yin Yang Eye of Spiritual Might,
Myriad Ghosts of the Netherworld's Night,
Submit to the Daoist Form,
Awaken the Spirit, Swift and Bright."

This was the method to unlock the divine power of the Yin Yang Eye that Lao Mu spoke of. Although I didn't know if it would truly be beneficial, I went along with it for the sake of Tu Er's wish.

Upon hearing this, Tu Er jumped up in absolute joy. "Chu Ling, I'm about to unlock the divine power of my Yin Yang Eye! I'll finally be able to help you. Thank you, Grandpa!"

Lao Mu's mood also brightened considerably because of Tu Er's laughter. But after hearing her words, he stared straight at me. Even though I knew he was blind, it still sent a shiver down my spine.

When it came to knowledge and Daoist arts, Lao Mu was slightly superior to Fourth Uncle. Despite knowing everything, he never bragged or showed off, unlike Fourth Uncle, who was the exact opposite.

Suddenly, at this point, I remembered something and spoke up to test the waters, "Lao Mu, you've traveled the martial world for so long. Have you ever heard of a highly skilled Daoist named Ye Maosong?"

Lao Mu paused for a moment, then shook his head firmly. "No, never heard of him."

Seeing his certain attitude, I thought my guess might have been wrong. Who on earth was Ye Maosong then? If even Lao Mu didn't know this person, did he truly exist? Or was it just an empty name whispered by others?

Lao Mu remained seated by the window; he did not sleep tonight. He carried many worries on his shoulders—at least, that was my assessment, as he never uttered a single complaint. Ever since Master Yao rose from his grave, the village had grown increasingly deserted. Most of those who remained were homeless elderly folk.

This was already Lao Mu's tenth cigarette. Was he trying to kill himself by smoking so much? If Tu Er were awake, she would definitely nag him. He took a drag, then turned to me and said, "Chu Ling, I can see that the girl likes you very much. But you haven't made up your mind about anything yet. Don't break her heart."

"I know," I replied softly, bowing my head. I felt like a groom being scolded by his bride's grandfather. Lao Mu used to be a man of few words, so why was he suddenly so talkative this time, and so protective of Tu Er? He continued in his hoarse voice, "Wu Ming, Chu Yao, Chu Hai, and you... all of you share a very tight-knit bond, yet no matter what divination technique I use, I cannot unravel it."

I scratched my head and replied, "Perhaps Wu Ming holds some grudge against Grandfather and Chu Yao."

"You probably already know that you are not Chu Hai's biological grandson, right?"

"Yes!" I replied, casually kicking a pebble in front of me into the yard.

"Then... since you have nothing to do with this, why do you risk your life to help them?"

"Over the years, the one who looked after me was Grandfather. The one who went through life and death with me was also him. So what reason do I have to refuse to help?"

Hearing my words, Lao Mu nodded. "Good. You are indeed a man of loyalty. No matter what, I hold your abilities in high regard. Remember to protect Tu Er well."

Protecting Tu Er was definitely something I had to do. I didn't want her to suffer any more harm because of me. Although I was currently somewhat weak, I would certainly strive to learn and train harder in the future.

Lao Mu sighed and said no more. I sat beside him through the long night as the wind blew in gusts. The wind seemed to trigger an endless stream of thoughts in my mind. My life had been a series of tragedies since childhood, from the deaths of my mother and father to the passing of my grandfather. But perhaps Chu Hai was a refreshing drop of water that soothed the barren desert of my life. He took over my grandfather's mission to care for and love me, while I, in my innocence, accepted that boundless affection.

As the minutes and seconds ticked away, dawn arrived before we knew it. Tu Er got out of bed, stretched, and let out a long yawn. She then looked at the two of us with suspicious eyes, "Did you and Chu Ling not sleep at all last night? What were you two up to?"

Lao Mu waved his hand and shook his head. "Old people often have sleepless nights. Lonely people find it even harder to sleep... haha... haha."

Tu Er frowned, her eyes downcast with a touch of sympathy. For some reason, she approached Lao Mu, "Grandpa, don't you have any family? I've never heard you mention them."

Lao Mu paused and let out a sigh. "My wife and children have all passed away. I've lived alone ever since. I got used to this feeling long ago. If my family were still around, my grandchild would be about your age."

Our moods sank. To think that a man like Lao Mu had such a pitiful past. It was also because of this that he cared for and loved Tu Er so much. Feeling that he had suddenly become an object of pity, Lao Mu casually cursed, "What is this? Why all the sighing and long faces?"