Chapter Fifty-One: Unfettered

Chapter Fifty-One: Carefree

Chapter Eight: Yunpeng, Carefree Arrival; Jade Rabbit, Sentiment Returned (Part One)

Ye Hua felt a strange sensation in his heart, as if his mind was linked with the golden eagle, their bloodlines connected. As the eagle approached, this feeling grew even stronger.

Ye Hua vaguely understood that this must have been caused when, by the nameless lake of Beitai, the golden eagle had fought the wyvern to the death, both suffering grievous wounds. In desperation, Ye Hua had used the Ghost Valley Secret Manual to save the eagle—a soul-binding and blood-exchanging technique, originally meant to subdue spirit beasts, but employed then out of necessity. Perhaps it was fate’s invisible hand.

The golden eagle was exceedingly affectionate, circling Ye Hua several times, occasionally scratching him gently with its talons. Ye Hua reached out to stroke the eagle, smiling, “Brother Eagle, what brings you here today?” The golden eagle looked at Ye Hua, cried out a few times, gently tugged at his robe with its golden beak, shook its head, and uttered two low calls.

Ye Hua, not understanding, laughed and asked, “Could it be you’ve come just to keep me company, never to leave again?” He meant it as a jest, never daring to hope for such a thing. But what happened next made his heart race. The golden eagle fixed him with emerald eyes, and after a moment, actually nodded.

Stunned, Ye Hua scratched his head and asked again, “Brother Eagle, don’t joke with me—how could I possibly keep you here?” The golden eagle pecked him lightly, making Ye Hua cry out in pain and grumble. Then, the eagle nodded again.

Seeing this, Ye Hua was left speechless, dazed for a long while before asking incredulously, “Ah! Is this… really true?!” Still not daring to believe, he asked again, though joy surged within him. He could not help but shout, “Brother Eagle, you truly wish to follow me? A man does not speak in jest, nor a bird sing in vain—no going back on your word! Hahaha!” Laughing heartily, he threw his arms around the eagle’s head, hugging and stroking it with all his strength. The eagle squawked miserably, struggling in his grip.

Suddenly, Ye Hua yelled, “Ouch!”—for the eagle had pecked him hard again, making him release his hold with a laugh. He looked the eagle over, and the more he looked, the more his heart filled with delight.

“Brother Eagle, where have you come from this time, and how did you know I’d be here?” Once his excitement calmed, Ye Hua was curious and asked. The golden eagle raised its head to the sky, let out a few proud calls, clearly pleased with itself. Ye Hua wondered, “Could it be that you’ve followed me ever since I left Beitai?”

The golden eagle nodded with satisfaction. Ye Hua’s face showed his surprise. He pondered for a while, then looked up and asked, “That day at Qixian Temple, when Master Zhixian came to challenge me, was it you who aided me from the shadows?” The eagle nodded again.

“No wonder! So that’s how it was!” Ye Hua sighed inwardly, then was filled with joy and amazement. Yet, thinking it over, it was not so strange; for with the golden eagle’s cultivation, comparable to a Daoist at the Third True Realm, and its lightning speed, it would be difficult for anyone to notice it following in secret.

Ye Hua straightened his robe and, clearing his throat, solemnly cupped his fists and bowed to the eagle: “Thank you, Brother Eagle, for your hidden aid! Your might is truly unmatched by mortals.” The golden eagle stared blankly for a moment, then let out a strange cry and pecked at Ye Hua again with the speed of wind.

Ye Hua laughed and dodged. The eagle missed its mark and gave chase with an indignant screech.

From afar, Ye Hua called out, “Alright, alright, Brother Eagle, I won’t tease you anymore—spare me!” The eagle uttered a disgruntled cry, standing proudly under the moonlight, ignoring Ye Hua. The moon was bright as day, casting the eagle’s form in an otherworldly glow, truly like a divine creature from the Ninth Heaven.

Gazing at the eagle’s imposing figure, Ye Hua could not help but admire it. Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he walked around the eagle a few times, nodding thoughtfully to himself.

The golden eagle, puzzled by Ye Hua’s behavior, looked at him with a bird’s confusion. Ye Hua said, “Brother Eagle, you are large indeed—like the legendary Kunpeng. Scholars have praised such creatures in the ‘Carefree Wandering’—why not let me call you ‘Carefree’ from now on?”

The eagle rolled its emerald eyes at Ye Hua and let out two long calls, apparently dissatisfied with the name. Ye Hua paid it no mind, nodding to himself with pride, “Carefree—how rare, how fitting! You should be delighted with such a name, shouldn’t you, Carefree? Come, let’s sit in the pavilion.” He herded the eagle into the mountain pavilion, and the eagle, complaining pitifully, had no choice but to enter.

Ye Hua chuckled, gazing at the jade plate of the sky. Suddenly, his thoughts turned: “My senior sister must be fast asleep now—perhaps dreaming sweetly. I wonder, is she dreaming of me, even for a moment? Or is it… is it Senior Brother Xiao she dreams of?” At this, his joy faded away.

With a long sigh, Ye Hua softly recited, “The moon rises bright, my fair one is radiant; she lingers in my thoughts, and my heart grows weary.” Having spoken, he fell silent, lost in thought. The golden eagle stood quietly beside him, not understanding, gazing at the stars as well. Man and eagle were reflected together in solitude atop the peak.

As the moon set in the west and dawn tinged the east with pale light, the distant sea of clouds shimmered like the Eastern Ocean. In moments, the sun rose crimson, casting ten thousand rays of light and painting the clouds in hues too splendid for the eye.

Ye Hua, entranced by the sunrise, spoke to the eagle after a long while, “Carefree, I am going to compete at Bodhisattva Peak—will you accompany me?” The eagle let out two long cries, turned its head to invite Ye Hua onto its back. Ye Hua laughed, “Alright, I’ll trouble you today, Brother Eagle!” With a leap, he landed on the eagle’s back, which spread its wings wide, soared straight upward, and swept across the azure clouds—covering a thousand miles in an instant.

Ye Hua marveled at the sight below, clouds swirling, and from afar, the stone terraces atop Bodhisattva Peak looked like mere playthings. The golden eagle slanted downward, pierced the clouds, and descended rapidly. Ye Hua felt the wind slash at his face, stinging faintly. When they were about ten yards from the ground, the eagle circled, then landed gently.

Ye Hua jumped down. It was still early, so few people were on the mountaintop. The sudden appearance of man and eagle drew many astonished glances; such a magnificent divine eagle was rarely seen. Quiet whispers spread—who was this newcomer, and from what temple or sect had he come?

Ye Hua paid no mind, found his assigned dueling platform, and waited quietly. Soon, more disciples gathered, drawn by the sight of the majestic eagle at his side, marveling in awe.

“Junior brother, I didn’t expect you to arrive so early. I was wondering where you’d run off to this morning,” someone called out cheerfully from afar. Ye Hua turned to see a group from Bishan Temple: Baishi, Song Qingkai, Qingxia, Qingyu, Li Yulin, and Ouyang Tai. Qingzhi and his senior sister Ling Yun’er were likely recuperating and couldn’t attend. A hint of disappointment flickered in Ye Hua’s eyes.

He greeted them with a smile, “Senior brother, everyone, good morning.” They approached, eyes already fixed on the great bird beside him, circling it with astonishment. “Junior brother,” they exclaimed, “don’t tell us this giant bird is yours!”

The golden eagle, recognizing Ye Hua’s seniors, suddenly raised its head and let out a resounding cry, piercing the sky like golden trumpets, its emerald eyes, iron feathers, golden beak, and steel talons stunning everyone.

His fellow disciples, deeply envious, cried out, “Junior brother, come now—where did you find such a divine beast? Did you trick it, steal it, or what?”

Ye Hua laughed, “This is a friend of mine, Brother Eagle, named Carefree.” Qingxia and Qingyu exchanged a glance, their eyes alight, and stepped forward with a playful bow, “Brother Carefree, a pleasure to meet you. We are Qingxia and Qingyu.”

Dear readers, if you have recommendations, I would greatly appreciate them. As a novice writer, I’ve poured all my energy into a full day’s work, and now I’m truly exhausted, my head splitting with fatigue. The last chapter was read only by myself, leaving me with nothing but a wry smile.

My writing is shallow and unpolished—unworthy of your discerning eyes. I beg your indulgence. I believe writing is like carving, stroke by stroke; my technique is still unformed. I strive to emulate the likes of Jin Yong and Pearl Buck, still learning and imitating, hoping that one day, when my own style is forged, you will judge me strictly. For now, I earnestly seek your advice and encouragement. Thank you!