Chapter 17: The Grandmaster’s Failed Escape Plan
Shen Mu lay motionless on the floor, his face buried in his arms.
'This is my life now. I am trapped. I am surrounded. I am doomed.'
The young celestial scholar, still standing at the door, hesitated.
"…Master Shen Mu?"
Shen Mu remained completely still.
"…Master Shen Mu, I have come to study your wisdom."
Still no movement.
The scholar blinked. "Master Shen Mu…?"
She cautiously stepped closer—
And gently poked him.
Shen Mu did not react.
The scholar frowned slightly.
"…Has he entered a state of deep meditation?"
Outside the chamber, two celestial attendants were watching.
One of them whispered, "This must be a profound technique…"
The other nodded gravely. "By appearing to be asleep, he is actually reaching enlightenment on a deeper level…"
The scholar's eyes widened in realization.
'Master Shen Mu… is teaching me through silence!'
She immediately knelt on the floor and closed her eyes.
'I must meditate on this deeply…'
Within moments, she was completely absorbed in silent reflection.
Shen Mu peeked out from under his arm.
The scholar was motionless.
The attendants were silent.
And no one was paying attention to him.
'…It worked?!'
Shen Mu slowly sat up.
Then, very, very carefully, he stood.
Step by step, he tiptoed toward the door.
The moment he reached the entrance—
He ran for his life.
---
Step 1: Escape the Celestial Palace
Shen Mu dashed down the golden halls, his heartbeat racing.
'I'M FREE. I'M FREE—'
A celestial guard suddenly appeared.
Shen Mu skidded to a stop.
The guard bowed respectfully. "Master Shen Mu, do you require an escort?"
Shen Mu's mind raced.
"…Uh, no. I was just going for a walk."
The guard nodded. "Of course. The Dao of Walking is an excellent method of enlightenment."
Shen Mu forced a smile. "Yep. Walking. Very deep."
The guard stepped aside. "Then please, enjoy your enlightenment."
Shen Mu hurried past him.
'Oh my god, they're making this too easy.'
He reached the outer courtyard—
Only to realize…
The Celestial Palace was floating in the middle of the sky.
There was nowhere to run.
Shen Mu's eye twitched violently.
'…I hate this place.'
---
Step 2: Steal a Flying Treasure
Shen Mu hid behind a pillar, scanning the courtyard.
Dozens of celestial chariots, swords, and cranes were parked along the floating platform, their surfaces glowing with spiritual runes.
Perfect.
Shen Mu darted forward toward a small celestial boat.
'Okay. How hard can it be to fly one of these?'
He hopped in, grabbed the controls, and—
Nothing happened.
"…Uh."
He tapped the panel.
Still nothing.
Shen Mu's eye twitched.
'DON'T TELL ME IT REQUIRES ACTUAL CULTIVATION.'
Before he could panic further, a calm voice spoke behind him.
"…What are you doing?"
Shen Mu froze.
Slowly, he turned his head.
Standing there, arms crossed elegantly, was Empress Yue.
Shen Mu died inside.
"…Taking a walk?" he tried.
Empress Yue raised an eyebrow. "In a celestial boat?"
Shen Mu swallowed. "It's… an advanced walking technique?"
Empress Yue sighed.
Then, before Shen Mu could react, she flicked a finger.
A golden force wrapped around him, lifting him out of the boat and depositing him onto the ground.
She gave him a long look.
"…You tried to escape."
Shen Mu slowly raised his hands. "Now, let's not jump to conclusions—"
She tilted her head. "You were in a stolen boat."
"…I can explain."
She crossed her arms. "Go ahead."
Shen Mu opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
Then opened it again—
Then closed it again.
"…I have nothing."
Empress Yue sighed again. "You are truly exhausting."
Shen Mu groaned. "Trust me, I know."
She stepped forward. "Why do you resist so much?"
Shen Mu rubbed his temples. "Because I'm not who you think I am."
Empress Yue studied him. "No?"
Shen Mu exhaled.
"Listen. I didn't train in secret. I didn't transcend anything. I didn't cultivate a Dao." He gestured wildly. "I. Am. A. Carpenter."
The moment he said that, a soft breeze drifted through the air.
Leaves fluttered down from a celestial tree.
A nearby lake rippled gently.
For some reason, the entire world seemed to pause—as if the universe itself was listening.
Empress Yue's gaze sharpened.
"…A carpenter?" she repeated.
Shen Mu nodded aggressively. "Yes! That's all I am!"
She tilted her head slightly.
"…Then why does the Dao recognize you?"
Shen Mu froze.
The Empress's voice lowered.
"The Dao has no bias. It does not lie. And yet… it reacts to you. It bends to your will."
She stepped forward again.
"If you are just a carpenter…"
Her silver eyes locked onto him.
"…Why does reality itself acknowledge your existence?"
Shen Mu had no answer.
For the first time…
He realized—
He didn't actually know.
Was it all just a misunderstanding?
Was he really just a mortal?
Or was there something else?
Empress Yue's voice softened.
"Do you fear the truth?"
Shen Mu's fists tightened.
"…I don't know," he muttered.
For a moment, the world was silent.
Then, Empress Yue sighed. "No matter."
She turned away. "Since you insist on returning to the mortal world, I will allow it."
Shen Mu's head snapped up. "You will?"
She nodded. "You claim to be a simple man. Fine. Go back and live as one."
Shen Mu almost cheered.
But then—
She glanced at him, her silver eyes glinting.
"However… I will be watching."
Shen Mu froze.
Then, before he could argue, she waved a hand—
And his vision blurred.
---
Back in the Mortal Realm…
Shen Mu stumbled forward, landing on solid ground.
He looked around.
His workshop was right in front of him.
He was back.
He was—
"THE GRANDMASTER HAS RETURNED!"
Shen Mu's soul left his body.
The entire sect—now even BIGGER than before—was kneeling in front of him.
Bai Ling ran forward. "Senior! While you were gone, the sect has grown immensely!"
Shen Mu felt lightheaded. "…The sect?"
Elder Zhao stepped forward. **"Yes. Your sect, Master Shen Mu. The world now recognizes you as the Mortal Dao Sage."
Shen Mu's vision went dark.
And then, finally—
He passed out.
---
End of Chapter 17