Chapter 84: What Is the Price of Growing Up? - I Forged Them in Darkness, and They Buried Me in It

### Chapter 84: What Is the Price of Growing Up? "Master, where did you find me?" The question came unexpectedly. Chen An hesitated for a moment before responding, "I don't remember." He was reluctant to bring up that past, worried it might trigger Su Chichi’s memories of that bloody scene. "Why, is something the matter?" he asked in return. But the girl had already lowered her head and softly replied, "No." Because of her lowered head, Chen An couldn’t see her expression clearly, but he had some suspicions in his heart. He didn't expose her, and she didn’t pursue the matter further. Only Chu Qingli, who had been watching from the side, sensed the strange atmosphere between the master and apprentice. ... After returning to the valley, Su Chichi seemed like a different person. She became diligent in her cultivation, no longer fishing for three days and drying the nets for two. She trained tirelessly, sometimes even meditating for days on end in the cave. Such dedication was entirely absent in the previously lively and restless girl. Chen An watched with a mix of surprise and relief. It was like his long-invested efforts had finally paid off, as she began to truly grasp the importance of cultivation. With her exceptional talent and Chen An's careful guidance, her progress was swift, and her cultivation level naturally soared. By the third year of her return, she was already inching towards breaking through to the next realm. In that same year, Chen An found an excuse to send both Chu Qingli and the fox demon down the mountain. He had no other intention than to prevent any further incidents from involving innocent people. That day, as usual, Chen An was meditating in his cave. Although calling it meditation was more like dozing, as all his cultivation seemed to come easily to him, never having known the struggles of youthful poverty. Su Chichi, her white skirt fluttering, burst in. Her once lively face had grown colder and more aloof. Only when she was with Chen An did she show a hint of mischief typical of a young girl. These subtle changes reminded Chen An. Su Chichi had grown up. She was no longer the little girl who shared everything with her master; she had secrets of her own. Over the past three years, aside from her increased dedication and slightly cooler demeanor, her relationship with Chen An had not changed much. Just now, she was still able to pout up at him and act spoiled. "Master, I want to go down the mountain." Chen An did not stop her and simply smiled in agreement. But Su Chichi didn’t leave immediately; instead, she stubbornly tugged at his arm. "Master, when disciples venture into the world, their masters always give them some kind of special artifact. Aren't you going to give me something?" Chen An was momentarily stunned, then nodded. "Of course, everyone else gets one; naturally, my dear Chichi should have one too." "What kind of artifact do you want?" Su Chichi’s eyes flickered, and she began listing, almost casually, things like a flying boat for traveling or a protective jade pendant that could withstand an immortal’s strike. After Chen An agreed to everything, she added, almost as if it were an afterthought. "Master, do you think there’s an artifact that allows someone to defeat others across realms?" Chen An replied offhandedly, "There are plenty. For example, the Kunlun Sect has its prized object, named the Tai Shi Ruler. Whoever wields it can harness the millennia of spiritual power it contains. If one can communicate with the artifact’s spirit, even an ordinary person might have the chance to slay a cultivator." "If used properly by a Nascent Soul cultivator, defeating an enemy across one or two realms isn't impossible." Su Chichi’s eyes lit up, and she asked, "Could there come a day when a great immortal like you could be defeated?" Chen An glanced at her and said, "Of course, even great immortals are just people; ordinary means simply can't break through my protective aura." Su Chichi, who had lived with Chen An for so long, naturally knew this. She fell silent and did not ask further. Three days later, Su Chichi returned to find Chen An, requesting that he forge the sharpest weapon in the world for her. A weapon that even in her Nascent Soul state could easily pierce the protective aura of a great cultivator. Su Chichi spoke without reservation, repeating her request verbatim. She was prepared for the inevitable questioning from her master or a final reveal about Sujia Village. But Chen An said nothing. He even agreed with a smile. No questions asked, as if no matter what Su Chichi wished to do, he would accept it willingly. Su Chichi soon left, feeling despondent. No one knew what thoughts swirled inside her mind or what emotions she was experiencing. She vaguely sensed something amiss, but it was as if she was possessed, unable to muster the energy to think about it. She felt like a puppet on strings, only able to sever all ties with a certain someone and exacting vengeance to dispel her inner demons and regain her clarity. In the cave, after Su Chichi had gone, Chen An sat alone. He wasn’t meditating, and his posture was relaxed. Half-sitting, half-lying, in the quiet cave, the man’s murmurs echoed. "What kind of weapon could allow a mere Nascent Soul to slay a great cultivator?" ... Despite his words, three months later, Chen An still forged a ‘divine weapon’ and handed it over to Su Chichi. The weapon was a long sword, its blade bright, and its chime clear and melodious. Anyone who saw it had to acknowledge it as an excellent sword. During this time, Su Chichi grew more and more reticent. Sometimes Chen An wondered, perhaps this was the process of growing up? Then, what is the price of growing up? Chen An's thoughts wandered aimlessly. In the valley, with not much to do, his mind often wandered like this. That day, Su Chichi came to bid farewell. She had obtained everything she needed, and there was no reason to linger. Chen An, on a whim, led her to do the things they often did when they were younger. Like teasing the spirit tiger that absorbed the essence of the sun and moon in the forest. Or fishing in the large lake with a baitless rod. He even took Su Chichi to see the bamboo grove outside the valley. When they first arrived in the valley, Chen An had cut bamboo there to build a house. Their fishing rods, bamboo chairs, were all made from those bamboos. He recalled then, with most of the bamboo taken, the grove looked quite pitiful. Now, as time passed and Chen An visited once again, the bamboo grove had returned to its original lush state, dense and vibrant. In the end, Chen An took Su Chichi’s hand and returned to the valley. As evening fell, the sunset was a brilliant red. From afar, there were even traces of indiscernible blue and purple. Chen An pulled the silent girl closer, scooped a handful of water, and gently wiped her face. He smiled with a hint of nostalgia. "Remember how mischievous you were as a child, always covered in mud, face, clothes, everywhere." Su Chichi remained expressionless, letting him do as he pleased. She said, "I was young and naive, troubling Master." (End of chapter)