The Urban Dao Child

Yang Dao sat in the state of comprehension, cut off from the world around him. He was not comprehending about life and death, but something that tracked back to the source of life and death. The great Dao.

Ryu Jinshi had made the people retreat and stood beside him in guards. The world of spirit was not imbalanced by the people, but by the laws of the world. Thus, his comprehension of the great Dao of life and death would make the laws refine themselves as well. Yang Dao held their spirit seeds in his palms.

Every time he comprehends something, it will reflect on the seeds and, in turn, the spirits. Vita and Mortem were also cultivating inside the books of life and death. Yang Dao sat in the same position for a couple of hours before he woke up.

The boy looked around and found that no one was beside him except Ryu Jinshi. The Azure Dragon asked, "Is there anything in the trouble, Master?"

Yang Dao sighed and said, "I was wondering if I could witness such ceremonies. I want to see what the people feel when they go through such ceremonies."

Ryu Jinshi nodded and said, "There is only one such ceremony going on in this region."

Yang Dao asked in a confused manner, "Do you mean the naming ceremony?"

Ryu Jinshi gave him a nod. Yang Dao asked, "The rate of life and death is not too big in the spirit realm, I guess?"

The reply was a nod from the dragon spirit incarnate. Yang Dao placed his right elbow over the table as he cupped his chin in his palm. He was thinking about whether he should go or not. After all, he did not know the people and was a stranger in this place. Well Alien, would be an accurate term to describe his existence in this place.

Ryu Jinshi was aware of his concerns and said with a smile, "Master, they would love you to visit them at such an auspicious time."

Yang Dao was hesitant and at this moment, Sushi came over and asked, "Master would you like to go to the naming ceremony?"

The shred of hesitation vanished, and the boy nodded with a smile. He stood up and the three people made their way to the house (inverted nest) where the ceremony was held. Yang Dao spotted a group of people from the distance. he asked Sushi, "Who are these people?"

Sushi said, "These are all relatives and friends of the family."

Yang Dao asked, "So, they all gather to share the joys and sorrows?" his voice was uncertain. It was not that he did not know anything about society and normal households, but as an orphan, these sorts of gatherings reminded him about how the people would like to show off everything great they have, instead of living in the moment.

Sushi was unaware of his thoughts and said, "Master, we are taught to share both the sorrows and joys. Happiness multiples from sharing while the sorrows divide. Thus, the spirits would gather with each other to make this happen."

Yang Dao nodded and sighed. he wondered why Humans were not like this. He wondered why the sentient being, that had made wonders without any external aid, was so apathetic. Why would there be people who had no care or regard for the emotions that made them the higher beings on the planet?

As he was lost in his thoughts, the trio reached the house where the people were gathered. The people saw Yang Dao, and they all bowed to him. The boy nodded back with a generous smile on his face. Ryu Jinshi followed suit and nodded to the people as they bowed to him.

Ihniff came outside the house holding a small bundle of cloth. She was followed by a woman and a man. The woman held the man's hand and her gaze was fixed on the child held by the elder. Yang Dao deduced her to be the mother of the child.

Ihniff made her way to Yang Dao and said, "Lord, the family members would like you to name the child. Can you please do it?"

The Dao Child was shocked. He did not know how to respond, however, the whole crowd was looking at him in anticipation. The boy looked at the tall man behind him. Ryu Jinshi smiled and nodded at him. He was not protecting him anymore. He would act when Yang Dao was in mortal danger.

Yang Dao took a deep breath and nodded. The word nodded, and then Ihniff came forward and handed the child to him. The child seemed to be a little uncomfortable when Ihniff was holding. The life faction elder said, "Lord, this child is newborn so is a bit fidgety as you hold her."

Yang Dao was not nervous because he had handled a few kids when he was a toddler. Nina and Tina also grew up under his hand. So the boy carefully placed his hand along the baby's spine as his elbow supported her head and neck. His meticulous actions made the people surprised.

Sushi asked, "Master, how do you know how to hold a baby?"

Yang Dao gazed at the child in his arms and spoke with a smile, "I have handled a lot of children back at home."

Sushi nodded. While she was aware that Yang Dao was a teenager. The other people thought that the boy was some immortal who did not age and looked like a teenager. Ihniff said, "Lord, would you like to name the child?"

Yang Dao was surprised, and he did not know how to react. Naming a child was something that was done by the parents. He said, "Elder, this is the right of the parents. How can I, a stranger, do this?"

Ihniff shook her head and said, "You can ask the parents for their consent." she turned to the couple standing behind her. The people smiled and said, "Lord, it will be a great fortune for our child to be named by you. Please bless her."

The two finished speaking and bowed in a ninety-degree bow to the boy. Yang Dao thought for a bit and after witnessing their sincerity he said, "Okay. Please rise, sir & madam. I will name the child. However, I have to say something. I am not proficient in the language of the spirits, thus I do not know any names in this language. Can I name her in a language I know back at home?"

The couple exchanged a glance and then looked at the elder. Ihniff nodded to them with a smile. They let go of the last restraint and nodded. The child's mother asked, "Lord, can you tell us the meaning and the reason behind the name?"

Yang Dao smiled and nodded. He said, "In this world, there is nothing eternal except change. Change is everlasting and ever exists. She has come to this world like a hymn of change. A poem of change. I would like to name her, Hymn. How is it?"

The surrounding people all whispered the name and smiled. The people all bowed to Yang Dao and said, "Thank you for your grace, Lord."

Yang Dao shook his head and shook his hand slightly to tease the little doll in his hands. The child was smiling and giggling in his arms. Her eyes would flicker around like normal. Yang Dao whispered in her ears, "Be good little hymn, now go to you mother. We will meet again if fate prevailed."

This simple sentence was like a lullaby and the little girl fell asleep in a blink. Yang Dao could now resonate with the Dao. This resonation made the girl sleep. Her body was young, and this resonance was nutrition for her. Thus, to digest it, she fell asleep. Ryu Jinshi told the people that the child will be a little more sleepy than the normal children, as Yang Dao gave her a blessing.

The people were enthralled, and they bowed to the receding back of the young man. Yang Dao had left the place after exchanging pleasantries with the people. He was going to see Sushi's family. The girl has come back home after a long time and thus she had been staying with her people. Now that Yang Dao had come to this place, he decided to meet the people and ask about their welfare.

Sushi had helped him in a lot of crucial matters thus, this much was his duty towards her. Ryu Jinshi followed them silently in the back. Sushi was her usual energetic self as she led Yang Dao to her home and the two chatted about a lot of trivial things with great curiosity and interest.

The sylph became the teacher to the Dao Child while the student absorbed everything. He even discussed with Ryu Jinshi if they can take away some of the spirit fruit he ate in the evening. The azure dragon was shocked at how fast this guy would change his pace, from the Dao child to the teacher of the world, then to the student, and finally the great food hunter.