The Disciple of Universal Love

Recalling the scene of the underworld’s multitude of ghosts, most were incomplete. Those that remained whole were, more often than not, considerably more powerful.

“A whole horde of ghosts surrounding Dangyang County?” Su Mo’s brow furrowed slightly as she retrieved the ancient horse冥魂战铃 from her spatial storage.

She asked softly, “Are you afraid of ghosts?”

“No,” he replied, shaking his head.

Nodding, Su Mo continued, “I want you to look at something, but no matter what you see, don’t say a word. If you do, I’ll buy you lots of steamed buns, alright?”

Hearing the promise of food, the Homeless Child immediately agreed, fearful she might change her mind.

Su Mo held the ancient horse冥魂战铃 before him, giving it a slight shake. The faint jingle caused the child to freeze for a moment.

Suddenly, he clapped a hand over his mouth, barely suppressing a terrified scream.

After a moment of hesitation, the child cautiously asked, “Big Sister, is there… a ghost trapped inside?”

“Don’t worry,” Su Mo said, pressing down on the ancient horse冥魂战铃 as it struggled silently in protest. “It’s been subdued by me.”

Subdued? Skinny Horse might not have agreed, but it had no choice.

As she put away the ancient horse冥魂战铃, Su Mo understood. This child possessed ‘Yin-Yang Eyes,’ allowing him to directly perceive ghosts and spirits even in broad daylight.

Typically, ordinary people could only see such entities at night or during heavy fog. Otherwise, they would only sense them when the spirits actively manifested to harm someone.

“What’s your name?” Su Mo asked, walking ahead towards a steamed bun shop.

Following behind, the child, still recalling the ghost horse within the bell, gritted his teeth and declared earnestly, “My name is Mo Yu. Master, please accept me as your disciple!”

Su Mo paused, turning to look back at him, only to find that he had dropped to his knees with a distinct thud.

In the next instant, Zhang Jingmeng, mimicking his actions, also knelt down in a rather adorable, bewildered manner, clamoring for Su Mo to accept her as a disciple.

Su Mo swiftly lifted Zhang Jingmeng, glaring at her. “Why are you joining in the commotion? Stand still.”

Turning her gaze back to the scrawny child, Su Mo saw his upturned eyes filled with genuine sincerity, yet betraying a hint of nervousness.

“I’ve never taken a disciple,” Su Mo admitted, a trace of bitterness in her smile. “I haven’t even figured out my own path yet.”

To reach the Foundation Establishment realm, one needed to firmly establish their life’s path, truly comprehending it to achieve enlightenment.

She, however, had gained no such insight, drifting aimlessly, unsure of her future direction. How could she possibly guide another?

‘Was she to let him remain stuck in the Qi Condensation realm for the rest of his life?’

First, she had to clarify her stance before discussing the suitability of taking him on.

“This disciple has drifted half a lifetime, yet never encountered an enlightened…”

“Stop, stop, stop,” Su Mo interrupted, her face almost cracking from the effort to maintain seriousness. “Let’s not dwell on the past; only speak from your true heart.”

‘She had never imagined that a famous scene from the Three Kingdoms era would re-enact itself right before her eyes.’

“My true heart?” Mo Yu’s eyes held a bewildered expression.

“Are you asking to be my disciple for cultivation, then?” Su Mo clarified. “For that kind of power? For longevity? Or is there some other reason?”

“This… I don’t know,” Mo Yu murmured, lowering his head and clenching his fists.

He didn’t know what Su Mo wanted to hear, unable to utter flattering words for benefits as he might have in the past. Yet, when he truly questioned himself, he felt a profound fear.

He yearned for power because he was too weak, forced to scrape by in the shadows.

He desired strength because his entire family had perished at the hands of ghosts and monsters, and he wished to shatter this cruel world.

He wanted to cultivate, not for longevity, but to prove that people didn’t need to be so indifferent to one another—that love truly existed between them.

Yes, he still loved this world.

“You don’t know? Or you’re afraid to say?” Su Mo raised a delicate eyebrow, already contemplating leaving.

While she sympathized with the Homeless Child, knowing his life was difficult, she also valued his Yin-Yang Eyes and the potential for extraordinary cultivation talent they hinted at.

However, she didn’t accept just anyone as a disciple. It wasn’t out of arrogance, but rather a reluctance to nurture a future calamity.

Mediocrity was acceptable, but causing widespread harm was not.

“I…” Mo Yu’s eyes flickered with panic for a moment. Having survived so long as a wanderer, his ability to read people was his greatest reliance.

Knowing Su Mo’s patience was wearing thin, he feared losing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

If it weren’t Su Mo standing before him, he might have been slapped away long ago, left to die in some forgotten corner.

Having observed her along the way, he was certain Su Mo was a kind person.

He blurted out all his thoughts in one breath, surprised that he was still capable of speaking the truth.

“So, you want to change people’s perceptions and create a world of universal love?” Su Mo asked, covering her mouth and gazing at Mo Yu in astonishment.

‘Was this some kind of innocent, idealistic protagonist from a novel?’

Changing the world—she had never imagined hearing such an ambition from a homeless child.

“Wh-what, you don’t believe me?” Mo Yu averted his gaze, the grime on his face unable to conceal his deep blush.

To be honest, having scrambled and struggled for half her life, she genuinely admired such ‘idealists.’

Perhaps it was like a withered tree blooming anew, or a yearning for beauty, or simply admiration, or even a desire to witness such a transformation.

When it came to beauty and goodness, she always tried to believe.

‘Truth or falsehood? That could be determined later.’

Su Mo let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head.

“Is it not possible?” Mo Yu’s gaze dropped.

“No, it’s not that,” Su Mo replied, a hint of self-deprecation in her voice. “I’m just laughing at your terrible judgment. With such a grand dream, why choose me?” She extended her hand towards Mo Yu.

“This is…”

“From now on, you will cultivate with me. Remember these twenty-four words,” Su Mo said with a faint smile.

Then, with utmost seriousness and solemnity, she recited the Twenty-Four True Words: “Prosperity, Democracy, Civility, Harmony. Freedom, Equality, Justice, Rule of Law. Patriotism, Dedication, Integrity, Friendliness.”

Blinking, Mo Yu didn’t understand the words, yet inexplicably, he felt that universal love resonated within them.

“Master, what is this?” he asked, his voice a little hoarse.

“It’s a method of cultivation that you will come to understand later,” Su Mo explained. Unfazed by the dirt, she actively helped him to his feet.

She gently patted the dirt from his knees, then ruffled his stiff hair, asking, “What Taoist name would you like?”

Under Su Mo’s gentle ministrations, he felt his face flush to the tips of his ears, yet a warmth bloomed in his heart.

‘If everyone were like Master…’ He couldn’t even begin to imagine.

He was a boy, just over ten years old, yet he saw the world more clearly than his peers.

But in Su Mo’s presence, he suddenly felt like a child once more.

Without his usual habit of guessing intentions or trying to discern Su Mo’s motives, he simply asked, “What is a Taoist name?”

“It’s meant to guide your future cultivation path; a person should live up to their name,” Su Mo explained. After a moment of thought, she decided to set aside her usual playful inclinations.

‘She had initially thought that since it was common in novels, she should follow the trend.’

‘However, upon truly realizing she was now someone’s master, her frivolous thoughts receded.’

“Master, please choose one for me!” Mo Yu pleaded, filled with trust, anticipation, and a touch of nervousness.

Pacing a few steps, Su Mo deliberated, ultimately settling on her first choice for a Taoist name. “Your Taoist name shall be ‘Universal Love’!”

Mo Yu’s eyes lit up; he felt it perfectly aligned with his aspirations.

‘Truly, only Master could have come up with such a fitting name.’

“Immortal Sister! I want a Taoist name too!” Zhang Jingmeng cried, tugging at Su Mo’s sleeve, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

“You’re still young, so don’t needlessly join in the fun,” Su Mo dismissed her request.

“No! I absolutely must have one! I want it! I want it…”

“Alright, alright,” Su Mo conceded. “You’ll be ‘Jing Hao’.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means ‘peaceful years’,” Su Mo explained playfully. “You’ll be responsible for that, and the rest will be handled by your Senior Brother Mo Yu.”

Eagerly, Zhang Jingmeng turned to Mo Yu. “Senior Brother, Senior Brother! Is this Taoist name good?”

Mo Yu touched his head, glanced at Su Mo, and then chose to speak from his heart. He smiled. “It’s excellent, even better than mine.”

“Yay!” Zhang Jingmeng cheered, celebrating her great victory.

Leading her forward, Su Mo mumbled about Jingmeng not trusting her and almost shedding ‘little pearls’ of tears.

“…”

What they didn’t know was that Mo Yu had taken Su Mo’s playful remark deeply to heart.

Jing Hao. He would ensure her peace, and bring peaceful years to everyone.

Clenching his fist in secret, he realized this was his mission!

His inner cosmos was burning!