Dao Eternal

The morning mist clung stubbornly to the mountains, hiding distant peaks behind a veil of white. Dew dripped from the pine needles, falling one drop at a time into the silent forest below.

Ye Chen was the first to step outside the cave.

The dream still lingered in his mind with unsettling clarity. He had experienced many dreams in both his lives, but none had ever felt so... tangible.

As he stretched, his eyes instinctively fell upon the damp earth before the cave.

He froze.

A footprint.

It was clear enough that even an ordinary person could see it.

The print was deep, left by a leather boot rather than a straw sandal. Judging by the moisture that had collected around its edges, it had been made only a few hours earlier.

Someone had stood there.

Watching the cave.

Ye Chen's heartbeat quickened.

He crouched beside it, examining the ground more carefully.

There were no signs of struggle.

No second set of tracks.

The stranger had approached, paused at the entrance... and then quietly left.

Why?

"What's wrong?"

Gu Ming emerged from the cave carrying his basket.

Ye Chen silently pointed at the footprint.

The herbalist's expression changed immediately.

He knelt beside it, his fingers hovering just above the impression without touching it.

After a long silence, he whispered,

"One person."

"You can tell?"

Gu Ming nodded.

"The stride is even. No hesitation. Whoever left this wasn't searching."

His eyes narrowed.

"They already knew we were here."

Lin Yue stepped outside, her face turning pale.

"Then... why didn't they attack?"

Gu Ming slowly stood.

"I don't know."

For the first time since they had met him, genuine unease appeared on his face.

"We should leave immediately."

No one argued.

Within minutes, the small fire had been extinguished, every trace of their stay carefully erased. Gu Ming even scattered pine needles over the footprint before leading them deeper into the mountains.

The trail gradually became narrower.

Towering cliffs rose on both sides, leaving only a winding path barely wide enough for two people to walk side by side.

The silence of the forest felt oppressive.

Even Gu Ming, who usually pointed out medicinal herbs along the way, remained unusually quiet.

By noon, they reached a fast-flowing mountain stream.

The water was crystal clear, rushing over smooth stones before disappearing into the valley below.

"We'll rest here," Gu Ming said.

Lin Yue gratefully sat beneath a large cedar tree, massaging her swollen ankle.

Ye Chen walked to the stream and knelt to fill the waterskin.

As he leaned closer, something caught his attention.

The surface of the water reflected the trees above...

And someone standing behind him.

His eyes widened.

He spun around instantly.

Nothing.

Only empty forest.

His breathing grew heavier.

Had he imagined it?

No.

The reflection had been too clear.

Someone had been there.

He slowly stepped away from the stream.

At that moment, a faint clap echoed through the trees.

Once.

Twice.

Then a calm voice spoke.

"Impressive."

The three travelers immediately turned toward the sound.

An old man emerged from the forest carrying a bundle of firewood over one shoulder.

His beard was snow-white, and his simple cotton robes were patched in several places. At first glance, he looked no different from an ordinary woodcutter.

Yet his eyes...

His eyes were impossibly clear.

"You noticed me through the reflection."

He smiled gently at Ye Chen.

"Very few adults would have."

Gu Ming discreetly stepped in front of Lin Yue.

"Who are you?"

The old man chuckled.

"An old wanderer."

He set the firewood down.

"I've wandered these mountains for longer than any of you have been alive."

Gu Ming remained cautious.

"What do you want?"

The old man looked directly at Ye Chen.

"Nothing."

He paused.

"Only to satisfy my curiosity."

Ye Chen met his gaze.

"What curiosity?"

The old man smiled.

"I wished to see the child who survived Green Willow Village."

The air grew heavy.

Gu Ming's hand instinctively moved toward the hunting knife at his waist.

"How do you know about that?"

The old man's expression remained calm.

"The mountains hear many things."

He bent down and picked up a small pebble from the stream.

Without warning, he flicked it casually into the air.

The pebble shot upward like an arrow, disappearing high above the treetops.

A heartbeat later...

An eagle circling hundreds of meters overhead suddenly changed direction and flew away in panic.

Ye Chen stared in disbelief.

The pebble had never touched the bird.

Yet somehow...

It had frightened it.

The old man dusted off his hands.

"My apologies."

He looked almost embarrassed.

"I startled it."

Gu Ming's face had become deathly pale.

He immediately bowed deeply.

"Senior."

The old man waved his hand dismissively.

"No need."

Lin Yue looked between them in confusion.

Gu Ming whispered without lifting his head,

"He..."

His voice trembled.

"...is a martial artist."

The old man laughed.

"Once."

His eyes drifted toward the endless mountains.

"A very long time ago."

He looked back at Ye Chen.

"Child."

Ye Chen stepped forward.

"Yes, Senior?"

The old man studied him silently for several moments.

Then he asked a question that struck Ye Chen to his core.

"If the man you killed yesterday had been your father instead..."

His voice remained gentle.

"...would you still believe killing is wrong?"

Ye Chen stood motionless.

The question pierced straight through his heart.

He thought of his father's final stand.

He thought of the bandit's lifeless eyes.

After what felt like an eternity, he answered honestly.

"I don't know."

The old man's smile widened.

"Good."

He nodded with quiet satisfaction.

"A man who answers too quickly to such a question has either never suffered..."

His gaze sharpened.

"...or has already lost his humanity."

Without another word, the old man picked up his bundle of firewood.

As he walked past Ye Chen, he paused for just a moment.

"The road ahead will force you to choose between mercy and survival many times."

He resumed walking.

"When that day comes..."

His voice gradually faded into the forest.

"...choose with your own heart, not someone else's."

Within moments, he disappeared among the trees.

No footsteps.

No broken branches.

Nothing.

Only silence remained.

Ye Chen stood staring into the forest long after the old man had gone.

For reasons he could not explain...

He had the strange feeling that this would not be the last time their paths crossed.