Chapter Sixty-One: Reading Your Letter Feels Like Meeting You

Because the sudden approach of a stranger disturbed their mood, the insects fell silent, each scurrying hurriedly under the grass or into the sandy gravel. By the faint moonlight, Jack saw Zhou Yu standing on the meadow. Realizing Zhou Yu seemed to be in some mysterious state, Jack did not immediately interrupt, but waited quietly nearby.

He had originally followed Morrison—though Jack himself was strong, Morrison was stronger, and, as a white man, Jack had no complaints about following him. Morrison, in turn, was open-hearted toward Jack. They were a perfect team, so Jack knew many secrets about the Transcenders, which explained why, after Morrison left, he helped Abu Li and Zhou Yu subdue the others. Among the Transcenders, Abu Li’s power had soared, and his natural charisma made him easy to trust; he was now the de facto leader.

Perhaps due to racial differences, Jack knew Abu Li’s importance to the Transcenders and humanity, but his interactions with Abu Li always felt awkward, leading to occasional minor conflicts and arguments. Fortunately, Zhou Yu was always mediating, preventing their relationship from deteriorating further. In truth, Jack’s personal feelings leaned more toward Zhou Yu.

Jack held a letter, secretly sent to Zhou Yu by Morrison. He had received it that afternoon and searched for Zhou Yu all day, finally finding him here. Zhou Yu, clad in a white robe specially made for the Spirit Realm, was bathed in hazy moonlight. From afar, he seemed to glow; up close, his face was serene, almost radiant under the moon, leaving Jack staring in awe.

Jack couldn’t help recalling an old proverb he’d once heard on Earth: “Are princes and generals born to their rank?” Just then, a night breeze brushed through, rustling the trees nearby. The birds, disturbed from their rest, let out a few sharp cries.

Feeling the cool wind, hearing the crisp birdsong, Jack himself grew calm. After some time, the insects emerged again, resuming their vital chorus, as frogs croaked from the distant stream.

Zhou Yu slowly opened his eyes, letting out a long sigh, then drew a deep breath and began to reflect on the insights he had gained in meditation. A long while later, he opened his eyes again; now there seemed to be a new depth to them—his dark brown pupils shone brightly, even in the dim moonlight.

He noticed Jack standing nearby, waiting for him. Zhou Yu smiled, waved, and said, “Jack, what brings you here? Another argument with Abu Li?”

Jack shrugged, spreading his hands. “He and I aren’t married—why would we argue every day?”

Zhou Yu thought to himself with a wry smile: this kid must have grown up in a home full of conflict, no wonder he likes to quarrel.

Jack handed Zhou Yu the letter. “Morrison sent this.”

Zhou Yu took it and saw his name written in English. He opened it. Morrison’s handwriting was bold and powerful, but Zhou Yu, who barely scraped through college English, struggled to read it. He considered having his assistant translate, but instead handed it to Jack, saying, “Jack, translate for me.”

As a traditional Westerner, Jack regarded private letters as sacred and rarely shared them. He hesitated, but took the letter, moved by Zhou Yu’s trust—his fondness for Zhou Yu deepened.

In fact, Zhou Yu had no intention of currying favor; he never sought any leadership rivalry with Abu Li. He was simply being polite—since Jack was one of the few with inside knowledge, and they were all bound together, sharing information was only right.

Jack unfolded the letter and read aloud:

“Zhou Yu, it’s Morrison. How are you doing? In this world without entertainment, there’s nothing to do but cultivate. You, obsessed with training, must still be practicing day and night.

I’m doing well in the Beast Sect. I’ve taken over Zuo Hao’s position as Beast Leader. Recently, I defeated three challengers among the other Beast Leaders, so my position is solid. Every day there’s meat, every night there’s a warm woman—older, younger, each night a different flavor... Yes, I know you’re jealous. Now, listen carefully, I’m going to tell you something important.

According to what I’ve learned in the Beast Sect, all four Divine Beasts are about to appear. The Divine Qilin has already been subdued by Liu Yueming, as you know. The Fire Phoenix appeared long ago and was captured by a powerful figure. The Beast Sect suspects it’s in the hands of the Spirit Realm. Of the remaining two, the Azure Dragon will likely appear in the Demon Territory, and the Black Tortoise in the Southern Wilderness.

If you get the chance, visit the Demon Territory, or pass this information to the Spirit Realm—they can send someone to subdue it. As for the Black Tortoise, it will appear on Beast Sect land. The Beast Sect is determined to claim it and has secret methods; it’s essentially theirs. I’ll see if there’s a way to get it.

Regarding the Divine Qilin, my intel says you don’t need immense power to subdue it, but your body must be capable of containing vast energy—only then will a Divine Beast partner with you. No one is more suited than you.

Originally, Abu Li should go to the Demon Territory, but his status is special and too valuable to risk, so it’s best if you go.

Oh, and there are plenty of beauties here, and the food is fantastic...”

The next three pages were pure Morrison rambling.

Zhou Yu thought, only Morrison could write a letter so erratic and scattered.

Since there was no English in the Path of Rebirth, even if someone found or stole the letter, no information would leak.

After finishing, Jack folded the letter, about to put it in the envelope. Zhou Yu took it, crumpled it into a ball, and stuffed it into his sleeve pocket. “Safer to burn it tonight.”

The two fell silent, then left together.

“You seem upset. Let me guess—it’s because Morrison didn’t mention you, or because he didn’t send you to the Demon Territory?”

“...Both.”

Zhou Yu sighed. “I actually envy you.”

Jack looked puzzled. “Why?”

“I envy you don’t have that bald man constantly bothering you, and you don’t have to listen to his... painful speeches. You know what I mean by ‘painful’?”

Jack pointed below his waist. “This?”

Zhou Yu nodded. “Yes.”

Unconsciously, Zhou Yu had lifted Jack’s mood. They walked on, joking—banter only men would understand.

By the time they returned, dawn was near. The old man was still awake, dozing at the table, which was laden with food, clearly prepared for Zhou Yu.

Zhou Yu opened the door and tiptoed in, not wanting to wake him, but the cool breeze stirred by the door roused the old man.

He rubbed his bloodshot eyes and said to Zhou Yu, who was about to sneak into bed, “You’re back—aren’t you going to eat?”

Zhou Yu felt a surge of warmth. The old man had been so good to him—every night he would set the food out and wait for Zhou Yu to return, only sleeping after Zhou Yu had eaten.

“Master, why haven’t you rested?” Zhou Yu asked, moving to the table and sitting down to eat. He hadn’t eaten all day and was ravenous.

“When you get old, you need less sleep,” the old man replied, pouring Zhou Yu a cup of water and admonishing him as he wolfed down his food, “Eat slower, don’t choke.”

Mouth stuffed with spirit bean oil cakes, Zhou Yu nodded, savoring the rich flavor, but sped up nonetheless.

Soon, the table was cleared. Zhou Yu drained the still-warm water and remarked, “Today’s bean cakes were delicious.”

“They’re cold—if you’d come back earlier, they’d be better. What do you want to eat tomorrow?”

“Anything, Master, you know I just have a big appetite, not picky.”

Master and disciple chatted a bit more, then went to sleep.

Lying in bed, Zhou Yu felt wide awake. Though he’d spent much time with the old man, their daily exchanges were simple—meals, reminders to rest—but each time brought Zhou Yu happiness. These seemingly trivial, repetitive words had once only come from his parents.

Thinking of his parents made Zhou Yu melancholic. Would he never return home? Half a year had passed; he’d gained the power of a demon general, but his level remained the lowest. The legend of the reincarnated Ashura King had been disproven, and even the Spirit Realm had yet to give a definitive answer—his future seemed so uncertain.

“What are you thinking?” his assistant asked, sensing Zhou Yu’s mood.

“Do you think I still have a chance to go back?”

“In theory, no. But so many miracles have happened to you—shouldn’t you have a little more faith?”

“You’re right. Anything is possible. If there’s no chance, I’ll make one.”

Zhou Yu rolled over, preparing to sleep, but suddenly remembered something. He called out to his assistant, “Didn’t you say a deity would come after me? It’s been half a year—why hasn’t anyone shown up?”

His assistant replied, “By rights, it should have happened already, but for some reason, it hasn’t. There’s nothing you can do about it.”

...

...

Elsewhere in the Spirit Realm, inside a secret chamber, Ling Youzi, Tian Xing, Jin Buhuan, and Hua Que Yue were discussing something.

“Where is that person now?” Ling Youzi asked, idly playing with a battered teapot.

“I don’t know, Master. I only met him once. That man with the giant iron box was incredibly powerful. In his presence, I felt as insignificant as an ant,” Hua Que Yue recalled, still shaken by the encounter after Liu Yueming had left that night. The man with the iron box was terrifyingly strong.